bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
Authors: Young Deborah Rohm , Hivert Marie-France , Alhassan Sofiya , Camhi Sarah M. , Ferguson Jane F. , Katzmarzyk Peter T. , Lewis Cora E. , Owen Neville , Perry Cynthia K. , Siddique Juned , Yong Celina M.
Published: August 2016

Epidemiological evidence is accumulating that indicates greater time spent in sedentary behavior is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adults such that some countries have disseminated broad guidelines that recommend minimizing sedentary behaviors. Research examining the possible deleterious consequences of excess sedentary behavior is rapidly evolving, with the epidemiology-based literature ahead of potential biological mechanisms that might explain the observed associations. This American Heart Association science advisory reviews the current evidence on sedentary behavior in terms of assessment methods, population prevalence, determinants, associations with cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality, potential underlying mechanisms, and interventions. Recommendations for future research on this emerging cardiovascular health topic are included. Further evidence is required to better inform public health interventions and future quantitative guidelines on sedentary behavior and cardiovascular health outcomes.
Internal Pudental Artery Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus Is Mediated by NOX1-Derived ROS-, Nrf2-, and Rho Kinase–Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Alves-Lopes Rhéure , Neves Karla B. , Montezano Augusto C. , Harvey Adam , Carneiro Fernando S. , Touyz Rhian M. , Tostes Rita C.
Published: August 2016

Oxidative stress plays an important role in diabetes mellitus (DM)–associated vascular injury. DM is an important risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Functional and structural changes in internal pudendal arteries (IPA) can lead to erectile dysfunction. We hypothesized that downregulation of nuclear factor E2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), consequent to increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1 (NOX1)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), impairs IPA function in DM. IPA and vascular smooth muscle cells from C57BL/6 (control) and NOX1 knockout mice were used. DM was induced by streptozotocin in C57BL/6 mice. Functional properties of IPA were assessed using a myograph, protein expression and peroxiredoxin oxidation by Western blot, RNA expression by polymerase chain reaction, carbonylation by oxyblot assay, ROS generation by lucigenin, nitrotyrosine, and amplex red, and Rho kinase activity and nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 by ELISA. IPA from diabetic mice displayed increased contractions to phenylephrine (control 138.5±9.5 versus DM 191.8±15.5). ROS scavenger, Nrf2 activator, NOX1 and Rho kinase inhibitors normalized vascular function. High glucose increased ROS generation in IPA vascular smooth muscle cell. This effect was abrogated by Nrf2 activation and not observed in NOX1 knockout vascular smooth muscle cell. High glucose also increased levels of nitrotyrosine, protein oxidation/carbonylation, and Rho kinase activity, but reduced Nrf2 activity and expression of Nrf2-regulated genes (catalase [25.6±0.05%], heme oxygenase-1 [21±0.1%], and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 [22±0.1%]) and hydrogen peroxide levels. These effects were not observed in vascular smooth muscle cell from NOX1 knockout mice. In these cells, high glucose increased hydrogen peroxide levels. In conclusion, Rho kinase activation, via NOX1-derived ROS and downregulation of Nrf2 system, impairs IPA function in DM. These data suggest that Nrf2 is vasoprotective in DM-associated erectile dysfunction.
Autonomic Blockade Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction in Obesity-Associated Hypertension
Authors: Gamboa Alfredo , Figueroa Rocío , Paranjape Sachin Y. , Farley Ginnie , Diedrich Andre , Biaggioni Italo
Published: August 2016

Impaired nitric oxide (NO) vasodilation (endothelial dysfunction) is associated with obesity and thought to be a factor in the development of hypertension. We previously found that NO synthesis inhibition had similar pressor effects in obese hypertensives compared with healthy control during autonomic blockade, suggesting that impaired NO vasodilation is secondary to sympathetic activation. We tested this hypothesis by determining the effect of autonomic blockade (trimethaphan 4 mg/min IV) on NO-mediated vasodilation (increase in forearm blood flow to intrabrachial acetylcholine) compared with endothelial-independent vasodilation (intrabrachial sodium nitroprusside) in obese hypertensive subjects (30<body mass index<40 kg/m
2
). Acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were given at equipotent doses (10, 30, and 50 μg/min and 1, 2, and 3 μg/min, respectively) to 14 obese subjects (49±3.6 years, 34±1 kg/m
2
, 165/94±7/6 mm Hg), on separate occasions 1 month apart, randomly assigned. Autonomic blockade increased basal forearm blood flow (from 3.9±0.7 to 5.2±1.2 mL/100 mL per minute,
P
=0.078). As expected, NO-mediated vasodilation was blunted on the intact day compared with NO-independent vasodilation; forearm blood flow increased from 3.6±0.6 to 10.1±1.1 with the highest dose of nitroprusside, but only from 3.7±0.4 to 7.2±0.8 mL/100 mL per minute with the highest dose of acetylcholine,
P
<0.05. In contrast, forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine were restored by autonomic blockade and were no longer different to nitroprusside (from 6.2±1.1 to 11.4±1.6 mL/100 mL per minute and from 5.2±0.9 to 12.5±0.9, respectively,
P
=0.58). Our results support the concept that sympathetic activation contributes to the impairment in NO-mediated vasodilation seen in obesity-associated hypertension and provides further rationale to explore it as a therapeutic target.
Increased Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Is Associated With Altered Gut Microbiota Composition and Butyrate Production in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Gomez-Arango Luisa F. , Barrett Helen L. , McIntyre H. David , Callaway Leonie K. , Morrison Mark , Dekker Nitert Marloes
Published: August 2016

The risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia is higher in obese pregnant women. In obesity, the composition of the gut microbiota is altered. Obesity is also associated with low-grade inflammation. Metabolites from the gut microbiota may contribute to both hypertension and inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the composition of the gut microbiota in overweight and obese pregnant women is associated with blood pressure and levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. The composition of the gut microbiota was determined with 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing in 205 women at 16 weeks gestation from the SPRING study (the Study of Probiotics in Gestational Diabetes). Expression of butyrate-producing genes in the gut microbiota was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were measured in fasting serum of a subset of 70 women. Blood pressure was slightly but significantly higher in obese compared with overweight women. The abundance of the butyrate-producing genus
Odoribacter
was inversely correlated with systolic blood pressure. Butyrate production capacity was decreased, but plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 concentrations increased in obese pregnant women. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were inversely correlated with expression of butyrate kinase and
Odoribacter
abundance. This study shows that in overweight and obese pregnant women at 16 weeks gestation, the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria and butyrate production in the gut microbiota is significantly negatively associated with blood pressure and with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels. Increasing butyrate-producing capacity may contribute to maintenance of normal blood pressure in obese pregnant women.
Characterization of Proliferating Lesion‐Resident Cells During All Stages of Atherosclerotic Growth
Authors: Lhoták Šárka , Gyulay Gabriel , Cutz Jean‐Claude , Al‐Hashimi Ali , Trigatti Bernardo L. , Richards Carl D. , Igdoura Suleiman A. , Steinberg Gregory R. , Bramson Jonathan , Ask Kjetil , Austin Richard C.
Published: August 2016

Background

Monocyte recruitment leads to accumulation of macrophage foam cells and contributes to atherosclerotic lesion growth. Recent studies have reported that lesion‐resident macrophages can proliferate and represent a major cellular component during lesion development. This study was designed to assess whether the rate of macrophage proliferation changes during well‐established stages of lesion growth and to characterize other populations of proliferating cells within these lesions.

Methods and Results

Using murine models of atherosclerosis (
Apoe

−/−

and

LDL
r

−/−

mice) and human coronary artery lesions, in situ proliferation of lesion‐resident cells at different stages of growth was assessed by staining for Ki67 and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). In early lesions, close to half of all actively growing macrophages were proliferating in situ. BrdU pulse labeling allowed for accurate identification of in situ proliferating macrophages compared to those derived from monocyte recruitment. Local macrophage proliferation declined as lesions advanced. Interestingly, intimal inflammatory cell infiltrates containing proliferating T lymphocytes were identified during the active phase of lesion growth and correlated with apoptotic cell death. Inflammatory cell infiltrates were completely resolved in advanced lesions and replaced with the necrotic core.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that atherosclerotic lesions contain locally proliferating macrophages primarily during early and intermediate stages of lesion growth. Furthermore, T‐lymphocyte‐enriched inflammatory cell infiltrates represent a novel subset of proliferating cells within the atherosclerotic lesion that correlate with apoptosis and precede the necrotic core. These findings have novel implications in understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and may implicate proliferating T lymphocytes as a contributing factor to lesion progression and stability.
Circulating MicroRNA‐188, ‐30a, and ‐30e as Early Biomarkers for Contrast‐Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Sun Shi‐qun , Zhang Tuo , Ding Ding , Zhang Wei‐feng , Wang Xiao‐lei , Sun Zhe , Hu Liu‐hua , Qin Sheng‐ying , Shen Ling‐hong , He Ben
Published: August 2016

Background

Contrast‐induced acute kidney injury (
CI
‐
AKI
) is typically defined by an increase in serum creatinine after intravascular administration of contrast medium. Because creatinine is an unreliable indicator of acute changes in kidney function, we assessed whether circulating micro
RNA
s (mi
RNA
s) could serve as biomarkers for early detection of
CI
‐
AKI
.

Methods and Results

Using a rat model of
CI
‐
AKI
, we first evaluated the mi
RNA
profile of rat plasma and kidney. Three mi
RNA
species with >1.5‐fold increase in plasma samples of
CI
‐
AKI
rats, including mi
RNA
‐188, mi
RNA
‐30a, and mi
RNA
‐30e, were selected as candidate mi
RNA
s. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that these candidate mi
RNA
s peaked in concentration around 4 hours after contrast medium exposure and were relatively renal‐specific. We compared the plasma levels of these candidate mi
RNA
s in 71 patients who underwent coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention and developed
CI
‐
AKI
with those of 71 matched controls. The plasma levels of the 3 candidate mi
RNA
s were significantly elevated in the
CI
‐
AKI
group as compared to the control group. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that these mi
RNA
s significantly distinguished patients with
CI
‐
AKI
from those without
CI
‐
AKI
. Mi
RNA
composites were highly accurate for
CI
‐
AKI
prediction, as shown in maximized specificity by treble‐positive mi
RNA
composite or maximized Youden index by any‐positive mi
RNA
composite. Moreover, the selected mi
RNA
s changes were associated with Mehran Risk Scores.

Conclusions

Plasma levels of candidate mi
RNA
s significantly distinguished patients with
CI
‐
AKI
from those without
CI
‐
AKI
. Thus, mi
RNA
s are potential biomarkers for early detection of
CI
‐
AKI
.
Comparison of Perfusion CT Software to Predict the Final Infarct Volume After Thrombectomy
Authors: Austein Friederike , Riedel Christian , Kerby Tina , Meyne Johannes , Binder Andreas , Lindner Thomas , Huhndorf Monika , Wodarg Fritz , Jansen Olav
Published: August 2016

Background and Purpose—

Computed tomographic perfusion represents an interesting physiological imaging modality to select patients for reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of our study was to determine the accuracy of different commercial perfusion CT software packages (Philips (A), Siemens (B), and RAPID (C)) to predict the final infarct volume (FIV) after mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods—

Single-institutional computed tomographic perfusion data from 147 mechanically recanalized acute ischemic stroke patients were postprocessed. Ischemic core and FIV were compared about thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score and time interval to reperfusion. FIV was measured at follow-up imaging between days 1 and 8 after stroke.

Results—

In 118 successfully recanalized patients (TICI 2b/3), a moderately to strongly positive correlation was observed between ischemic core and FIV. The highest accuracy and best correlation are shown in early and fully recanalized patients (Pearson
r
for A=0.42, B=0.64, and C=0.83;
P
<0.001). Bland–Altman plots and boxplots demonstrate smaller ranges in package C than in A and B. Significant differences were found between the packages about over- and underestimation of the ischemic core. Package A, compared with B and C, estimated more than twice as many patients with a malignant stroke profile (
P
<0.001). Package C best predicted hypoperfusion volume in nonsuccessfully recanalized patients.

Conclusions—

Our study demonstrates best accuracy and approximation between the results of a fully automated software (RAPID) and FIV, especially in early and fully recanalized patients. Furthermore, this software package overestimated the FIV to a significantly lower degree and estimated a malignant mismatch profile less often than other software.
Association Between Serum Phosphate Levels and Stroke Risk in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Yamada Shunsuke , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Taniguchi Masatomo , Tokumoto Masanori , Fujisaki Kiichiro , Hirakata Hideki , Fujimi Satoru , Kitazono Takanari
Published: August 2016

Background and Purpose—

The contribution of serum phosphate levels to stroke risk in dialysis patients remains unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the respective association between serum phosphate levels and the risk of brain hemorrhage or infarction in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods—

A total of 3437 patients undergoing hemodialysis were followed up for a median of 3.9 years. The primary outcome was the occurrence of brain hemorrhage or infarction. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on their baseline serum phosphate levels (Q1–Q4). Stroke risk was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results—

During the follow-up period, 75 patients experienced brain hemorrhage and 139 experienced brain infarction. The risk of brain hemorrhage was significantly higher in the highest (Q4) compared with the lowest quartile (Q1) as the reference value (multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence intervals]: Q1, 1.00; Q2, 1.76 [0.79–4.18]; Q3, 1.99 [0.92–4.67]; and Q4, 2.74 [1.27–6.47];
P
=0.077 for trend; hazard ratio for every 1 mmol/L increase in serum phosphate level, 2.07 [1.10–3.81];
P
=0.025). In contrast, the risk of brain infarction was significantly higher in Q1 (
P
=0.045) compared with Q3 as the reference value (Q1, 1.65 [1.01–2.73]; Q2, 1.35 [0.82–2.25]; Q3, 1.00; and Q4, 1.30 [0.77–2.20]).

Conclusions—

Higher serum phosphate levels were associated with an increased risk of brain hemorrhage, whereas low levels were associated with an increased risk of brain infarction in hemodialysis patients. These results suggest the importance of managing serum phosphate levels within an appropriate range in hemodialysis patients.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.umin.ac.jp/
. Unique identifier: UMIN000000556.
Global Survey of the Frequency of Atrial Fibrillation–Associated Stroke
Authors: Perera Kanjana S. , Vanassche Thomas , Bosch Jackie , Swaminathan Balakumar , Mundl Hardi , Giruparajah Mohana , Barboza Miguel A. , O’Donnell Martin J. , Gomez-Schneider Maia , Hankey Graeme J. , Yoon Byung-Woo , Roxas Artemio , Lavallee Philippa , Sargento-Freitas Joao , Shamalov Nikolay , Brouns Raf , Gagliardi Rubens J. , Kasner Scott E. , Pieroni Alessio , Vermehren Philipp , Kitagawa Kazuo , Wang Yongjun , Muir Keith , Coutinho Jonathan M. , Connolly Stuart J. , Hart Robert G. , Czeto K. , Kahn M. , Mattina K.R. , Ameriso S.F. , Pujol-Lereis V. , Hawkes M. , Pertierra L. , Perera N. , De Smedt A. , Van Dyck R. , Van Hooff R.J. , Yperzeele L. , Gagliardi V.D.B. , Cerqueir L.G. , Yang X. , Chen W. , Amarenco P. , Guidoux C. , Ringleb P.A. , Bereczki D. , Vastagh I. , Canavan M. , Toni D. , Anzini A. , Colosimo C. , De Michele M. , Di Mascio M.T. , Durastanti L. , Falcou A. , Fausti S. , Mancini A. , Mizumo S. , Uchiyama S. , Kim C.K. , Jung S. , Kim Y. , Kim J.A. , Jo J.Y. , Arauz A. , Quiroz-Compean A. , Colin J. , Nederkoorn P.J. , Marianito V.P. , Cunha L. , Santo G. , Silva F. , Coelho J. , Kustova M. , Meshkova K. , Williams G. , Siegler J. , Zhang C. , Gallatti N. , Kruszewski M.
Published: August 2016

Background and Purpose—

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly recognized as the single most important cause of disabling ischemic stroke in the elderly. We undertook an international survey to characterize the frequency of AF-associated stroke, methods of AF detection, and patient features.

Methods—

Consecutive patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke in 2013 to 2014 were surveyed from 19 stroke research centers in 19 different countries. Data were analyzed by global regions and World Bank income levels.

Results—

Of 2144 patients with ischemic stroke, 590 (28%; 95% confidence interval, 25.6–29.5) had AF-associated stroke, with highest frequencies in North America (35%) and Europe (33%) and lowest in Latin America (17%). Most had a history of AF before stroke (15%) or newly detected AF on electrocardiography (10%); only 2% of patients with ischemic stroke had unsuspected AF detected by poststroke cardiac rhythm monitoring. The mean age and 30-day mortality rate of patients with AF-associated stroke (75 years; SD, 11.5 years; 10%; 95% confidence interval, 7.6–12.6, respectively) were substantially higher than those of patients without AF (64 years; SD, 15.58 years; 4%; 95% confidence interval, 3.3–5.4;
P
<0.001 for both comparisons). There was a strong positive correlation between the mean age and the frequency of AF (
r
=0.76;
P
=0.0002).

Conclusions—

This cross-sectional global sample of patients with recent ischemic stroke shows a substantial frequency of AF-associated stroke throughout the world in proportion to the mean age of the stroke population. Most AF is identified by history or electrocardiography; the yield of conventional short-duration cardiac rhythm monitoring is relatively low. Patients with AF-associated stroke were typically elderly (>75 years old) and more often women.
Effects of Alteplase for Acute Stroke on the Distribution of Functional Outcomes
Authors: Lees Kennedy R. , Emberson Jonathan , Blackwell Lisa , Bluhmki Erich , Davis Stephen M. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Grotta James C. , Kaste Markku , von Kummer Rüdiger , Lansberg Maarten G. , Lindley Richard I. , Lyden Patrick , Murray Gordon D. , Sandercock Peter A.G. , Toni Danilo , Toyoda Kazunori , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Whiteley William N. , Baigent Colin , Hacke Werner , Howard George , Marler John , Halls Heather , Holland Lisa , Mathews Clare , Smith Samantha , Wilson Kate , Koga Masatoshi , Albers Gregory , Brott Thomas , Cohen Geoffrey , Koga Masatoshi , Olivot Jean Marc , Parsons Mark , Tilley Barbara , Wahlgren Nils , del Zoppo Gregory J
Published: August 2016

Background—

Thrombolytic therapy with intravenous alteplase within 4.5 hours of ischemic stroke onset increases the overall likelihood of an excellent outcome (no, or nondisabling, symptoms). Any improvement in functional outcome distribution has value, and herein we provide an assessment of the effect of alteplase on the distribution of the functional level by treatment delay, age, and stroke severity.

Methods—

Prespecified pooled analysis of 6756 patients from 9 randomized trials comparing alteplase versus placebo/open control. Ordinal logistic regression models assessed treatment differences after adjustment for treatment delay, age, stroke severity, and relevant interaction term(s).

Results—

Treatment with alteplase was beneficial for a delay in treatment extending to 4.5 hours after stroke onset, with a greater benefit with earlier treatment. Neither age nor stroke severity significantly influenced the slope of the relationship between benefit and time to treatment initiation. For the observed case mix of patients treated within 4.5 hours of stroke onset (mean 3 hours and 20 minutes), the net absolute benefit from alteplase (ie, the difference between those who would do better if given alteplase and those who would do worse) was 55 patients per 1000 treated (95% confidence interval, 13–91;
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—

Treatment with intravenous alteplase initiated within 4.5 hours of stroke onset increases the chance of achieving an improved level of function for all patients across the age spectrum, including the over 80s and across all severities of stroke studied (top versus bottom fifth means: 22 versus 4); the earlier that treatment is initiated, the greater the benefit.
What's in Your Portfolio? How Parents Rank Traditional Public, Private, and Charter Schools in Post-Katrina New Orleans’ Citywide System of School Choice
Authors: Lincove Jane A. , Cowen Joshua M. , Imbrogno Jason P.
Published: August 2016

We examine the characteristics of schools preferred by parents in New Orleans, Louisiana, where a “portfolio” of school choices is available. This tests the conditions under which school choice induces healthy competition between public and private schools through the threat of student exit. Using unique data from parent applications to as many as eight different schools (including traditional public, charter, and private schools), we find that many parents include a mix of public and private schools among their preferences, often ranking public schools alongside or even above private schools on a unified application. Parents who list both public and private schools show a preference for the private sector, all else equal, and are willing to accept lower school performance scores for private schools than otherwise equivalent public options. These parents reveal a stronger preference for academic outcomes than other parents and place less value on other school characteristics such as sports, arts, or extended hours. Public schools are more likely to be ranked with private schools and to be ranked higher as their academic performance scores increase.
Surrounded: A Series of Sound Installations That Combine Plant Electrophysiology and 3D Sonic Art
Authors: Leudar Augustine
Published: August 2016

This paper discusses a series of sound installations that combine plant electrophysiology with 3D sonic art. A brief introduction to plant electrophysiology is given. The sonification of electrophysiological signals in the mycorrhizal network is discussed, explaining how art and science are combined in this project in a way that differs from the simple sonification of data. Novel 3D audio spatialization techniques, the 3D audio mapping of natural environments and immersion are also discussed, along with technical details of how to read the electrical signals in plants known as action potentials. Other topics addressed include acoustic signaling in the forest, spectral composition and interaction with forest flora and fauna.
Ranking Artists: An Internet-Era Analysis
Authors: Oppenheimer Alan B.
Published: August 2016

To provide guidance to the vastly expanded, uncurated art world made available through the Internet, the author developed a methodology for objectively and repeatably rating artists. He then applied that methodology to Western painters in particular, creating a ranked list of the significance of nearly 10,000 of those painters. Analyzing the process, he observed that the Internet not only greatly broadens access to art but also provides the tools needed to curate that access in a meaningful, scientific manner. The analysis also exposes questions about both the methods used and more traditional art history sources, which can be explored through alternative methods.
The Twilight of Presence: Pictorialized Illumination in Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper
Authors: Underhill Justin
Published: August 2016

This essay explores the relationship between pictures and the lighting conditions in which they were originally viewed. The theoretical interrelationship between brightness, illumination and depiction is explored in a case study of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper mural at the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Advanced rendering software allows for the reconstruction of the refectory as it stood when Leonardo painted The Last Supper and demonstrates the complex interaction between light and space in the mural. This analysis illustrates how digital humanities might bridge traditional art-historical methods and forensic visualization.
The Art of Computing as Frieder Nake’s Response to the Problem of “Mechanized Mental Labor”: The Early Debates Revisited
Authors: Walewska Joanna
Published: August 2016

This paper discusses the process of recognition of early computer art not as iconic but as a purely intellectual or conceptual form as it took place during a debate on the pages of PAGE, initiated by Frieder Nake’s “Statement for PAGE” and his seminal text “There Should Be No Computer Art.”
Understanding Bald-Faced Lies
Authors: Meibauer Jörg
Published: August 2016

Bald-faced lies seem to be lies that lack a typical property of genuine lies, namely the intent of the speaker to deceive the hearer. Therefore, several scholars propose that the intention to deceive should not be part of a proper definition of lying. In contrast to this “non-deceptionist” approach, it has been argued by “deceptionists” that bald-faced lies are either no real lies or that they are connected to an intention to deceive. This paper reports a questionnaire study in which participants were asked whether target utterances in eight cases of putative bald-faced lies were (i) lies, (ii) were deceptive, (iii) and were brazen. Overall, bald-faced lies were considered as lies and as deceptive. With respect to brazenness, participants clearly distinguished between brazen and non-brazen utterances. This shows that the degree of brazenness is an important property of bald-faced lies.
Lying by Promising
Authors: Marsili Neri
Published: August 2016

This paper is divided into two parts. In the first part, I extend the traditional definition of lying to illocutionary acts executed by means of explicit performatives, focusing on promising. This is achieved in two steps. First, I discuss how the utterance of a sentence containing an explicit performative such as “I promise that Φ” can count as an assertion of its content Φ. Second, I develop a general account of insincerity meant to explain under which conditions a given illocutionary act can be insincere, and show how this applies to promises. I conclude that a promise to Φ is insincere (and consequently a lie) only if the speaker intends not to Φ, or believes that he will not Φ, or both. In the second part, I test the proposed definition of lying by promising against the intuitions of ordinary language speakers. The results show that, unlike alternative accounts, the proposed definition makes the correct predictions in the cases tested. Furthermore, these results challenge the following necessary conditions for telling a lie with content p: that you have to assert p directly; that you have to believe that p be false; that p must be false; that you must aim to deceive the addressee into believing that p.
Lying, Uptake, Assertion, and Intent
Authors: Turri Angelo , Turri John
Published: August 2016

A standard view in social science and philosophy is that a lie is a dishonest assertion: to lie is to assert something that you think is false in order to deceive your audience. We report four behavioral experiments designed to evaluate some aspects of this view. Participants read short scenarios and judged several features of interest, including whether an agent lied. We found evidence that ordinary lie attributions can be influenced by aspects of audience uptake, are based on judging that the agent made an assertion (assertion attributions), and, at least in some contexts, are not based on attributions of deceptive intent. The finding on assertion attributions is predicted by the standard view, but the finding on intent attributions is not. These results help to further clarify the ordinary concept of lying and shed light on the psychological processes involved in ordinary lie attributions and related judgments.
A taxonomic review of the genus Antepipona de Saussure, 1855 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from India
Authors: KUMAR GIRISH P. , CARPENTER JAMES M. , SURESHAN PAVITTU M.
Published: August 2016

A review of 20 Indian species of the genus Antepipona de Saussure with a key to species and subspecies is provided. A new synonymy is proposed for Antepipona biguttata (Fabricius, 1787) =A. excelsa keralensis Lambert, 2004, syn. nov. The parasitic association of Strepsiptera is reported for the first time in the genus Antepipona. Antepipona rufescens (Smith, 1857) is newly recorded from India and A. ovalis (de Saussure, 1853) from Bangladesh. The reported distributions of ten species within India are enlarged.
A new species of elongate unpatterned moray eel of the genus Gymnothorax (Muraenidae: Muraeninae) from the Bay of Bengal
Authors: MOHAPATRA ANIL , RAY DIPANJAN , SMITH DAVID G. , MISHRA SUBHRENDU SEKHAR
Published: August 2016

An elongate, brown unpatterned moray eel, Gymnothorax indicus sp. nov., is described based on four specimens collected from the northern Bay of Bengal. The new species is differentiated from other elongate, unpatterned moray eels in having the following combination of characters: anus at about mid-point of body, preanal length 2.0 in total length; snout blunt and short; dorsal fin margin black, 5 mandibular pores; maxillary teeth uniserial, sharp and depressible, total vertebrae 194 (MVF: 9-79-194).
Operational Hazard Assessment of Waves and Storm Surges from Tropical Cyclones in Mexico
Authors: Appendini Christian M. , Rosengaus Michel , Meza-Padillaand Rafael , Camacho-Magaña Victor
Published: August 2016

Tropical cyclones and their associated impacts along the western and eastern Mexican coastlines have led to the recent announcement of the creation of a National Hurricane and Severe Storms Center in Mexico. While Mexico falls under the responsibility of the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Miami, the newly announced center aims to provide local warning advisories to local governments and emergency managers. This study developed their first operational tool, which provides rapid forecasts of hazard areas under the presence of waves and storm surges from tropical cyclones threatening Mexico. The tool is based on precomputed wave parameters and storm surges from 3,100 synthetic tropical cyclones. Maximum envelope maps for all of the events are stored in a system database that is accessed through a graphical interface. Using a search function of synthetic events, the user can select those events most analogous to the tropical cyclone in question in order to make an assessment of warning areas. The tool allows users to plot maximum envelope maps for individual events or maxima of maximum maps combining several events, either using precomputed values for the different parameters (wind, waves, and storm surge) or a normalized map. To demonstrate the capabilities of the operational tool, we present an example application based on Hurricane Patricia (2015). This tool could also be implemented by developing countries affected by tropical cyclones, which otherwise are often limited by numerical modeling capabilities, time, and budgets.
Model-Based Projections and Uncertainties of Near-Surface Wind Climate in Western Canada
Authors: Daines Jeffrey T. , Monahan Adam H. , Curry Charles L.
Published: August 2016

Near-surface wind is important in forestry, agriculture, air pollution, building energy use, and wind power generation. In western Canada it presently plays a minor role in power generation, but ongoing reductions in the cost of wind power infrastructure and the increasing costs of conventional power generation (including environmental costs) motivate the assessment of the projected future wind climate and uncertainties in this projection. Multiple realizations of the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) at 45-km resolution were driven by two global climate models over the periods 1971–2000 (using historical greenhouse gas concentrations) and 2031–60 (using the SRES-A2 concentration scenario). Hourly wind speeds from 30 stations were analyzed over 1971–2000 and used to calibrate downscaled ensembles of projected wind speed distributions over 2031–60. At most station locations modest increases in mean wind speed were found for a majority of the projections, but with an ensemble spread of the same order of magnitude as the increases. Relative changes in mean wind speeds at station locations were found to be insensitive to the station observations and calibration technique. In view of this result, projected relative changes in future wind climate over the entire CRCM domain were estimated using uncalibrated pairs of past-period and future-period wind speed distributions. The relative changes are robust, in the sense that their ensemble mean relative change is greater than their standard deviation, but are not very substantial, in the sense that their ensemble mean change is generally less than the standard deviation of their annual means.
Constraining Precipitation Susceptibility of Warm-, Ice-, and Mixed-Phase Clouds with Microphysical Equations
Authors: Glassmeier Franziska , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: August 2016

The strength of the effective anthropogenic climate forcing from aerosol–cloud interactions is related to the susceptibility of precipitation to aerosol effects. Precipitation susceptibility d lnP/d lnN has been proposed as a metric to quantify the effect of aerosol-induced changes in cloud droplet number N on warm precipitation rate P. Based on the microphysical rate equations of the Seifert and Beheng two-moment bulk microphysics scheme, susceptibilities of warm-, mixed-, and ice-phase precipitation and cirrus sedimentation to cloud droplet and ice crystal number are estimated. The estimation accounts for microphysical adjustments to the initial perturbation in N. For warm rain, d lnP/d lnN < −2aut/(aut + acc) is found, which depends on the rates of autoconversion (aut) and accretion (acc). Cirrus sedimentation susceptibility corresponds to the exponent of crystal sedimentation velocity with a value of −0.2. For mixed-phase clouds, several microphysical contributions that explain low precipitation susceptibilities are identified: (i) Because of the larger hydrometeor sizes involved, mixed-phase collection processes are less sensitive to changes in hydrometeor size than autoconversion. (ii) Only a subset of precipitation formation processes is sensitive to droplet or crystal number. (iii) Effects on collection processes and diffusional growth compensate. (iv) Adjustments in cloud liquid and ice amount compensate the effect of changes in ice crystal and cloud droplet number. (v) Aerosol perturbations that simultaneously affect ice crystal and droplet number have opposing effects.
The Impact of Effective Buoyancy and Dynamic Pressure Forcing on Vertical Velocities within Two-Dimensional Updrafts
Authors: Peters John M.
Published: August 2016

This research develops simple diagnostic expressions for vertical acceleration dw/dt and vertical velocity w within updrafts that account for effective buoyancy and the dynamic pressure gradient force. Effective buoyancy is the statically forced component of the vertical gradient in the nonhydrostatic pressure field. The diagnostic expressions derived herein show that the effective buoyancy of an updraft is dependent on the magnitude of the temperature perturbation within an updraft relative to the air along the updraft’s immediate periphery (rather than relative to an arbitrary base state as in ), the updraft’s height-to-width aspect ratio, and the updraft’s slant relative to the vertical.

The diagnostic expressions are significantly improved over parcel theory (where pressure forces are ignored) in their portrayal of the vertical profile of w through updrafts from a cloud model simulation and accurately diagnosed the maximum vertical velocity wmax within updrafts. The largest improvements to the diagnostic expressions over parcel theory resulted from their dependence on rather than . Whereas the actual wmax within simulated updrafts was located approximately two-thirds to three-fourths of the distance between the updraft base and the updraft top, wmax within profiles diagnosed by expressions was portrayed at the updraft top when the dynamic pressure force was ignored. A rudimentary theoretical representation of the dynamic pressure force in the diagnostic expressions improved their portrayal of the simulated w profile. These results augment the conceptual understanding of convective updrafts and provide avenues for improving the representation of vertical mass flux in cumulus parameterizations.
Role of Mixed Layer Dynamics in Tropical North Atlantic Interannual Sea Surface Temperature Variability
Authors: Rugg Allyson , Foltz Gregory R. , Perez Renellys C.
Published: August 2016

This study examines the causes of observed sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical North Atlantic between 1982 and 2015. The emphasis is on the boreal winter and spring seasons, when tropical Atlantic SSTs project strongly onto the Atlantic meridional mode (AMM). Results from a composite analysis of satellite and reanalysis data show important forcing of SST anomalies by wind-driven changes in mixed layer depth and shortwave radiation between 5° and 10°N, in addition to the well-known positive wind–evaporation–SST and shortwave radiation–SST feedbacks between 5° and 20°N. Anomalous surface winds also drive pronounced thermocline depth anomalies of opposite signs in the eastern equatorial Atlantic and intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ; 2°–8°N). A major new finding is that there is strong event-to-event variability in the impact of thermocline depth on SST in the ITCZ region, in contrast to the more consistent relationship in the eastern equatorial Atlantic. Much stronger anomalies of meridional wind stress, thermocline depth, and vertical turbulent cooling are found in the ITCZ region during a negative AMM event in 2009 compared to a negative event in 2015 and a positive event in 2010, despite SST anomalies of similar magnitude in the early stages of each event. The larger anomalies in 2009 led to a much stronger and longer-lived event. Possible causes of the inconsistent relationship between thermocline depth and SST in the ITCZ region are discussed, including the preconditioning role of the winter cross-equatorial SST gradient.
Oppressive Heat Events in Illinois Related to Antecedent Wet Soils
Authors: Ford Trent W. , Schoof Justin T.
Published: August 2016

Extreme heat events have been connected with antecedent soil moisture in many global regions, such that dry soils increase sensible heat content of the near-surface atmosphere and impede precipitation through boundary layer growth. However, negative soil moisture–temperature feedbacks (dry soils = higher temperatures) are founded on investigations of maximum temperature that neglect the potentially important latent heating component provided by soil moisture. In this study, the association of spring soil moisture and subsequent summer oppressive heat events is quantified, defined by equivalent temperature. The advantage of equivalent temperature over maximum temperature is that it accounts for both the temperature and moisture components of atmospheric heat content. Quantile regression and composite analysis are used to determine the association between spring soil moisture and summer oppressive heat events using a 25-yr station observation record in Illinois. A consistent response of summer oppressive heat events to antecedent 5-cm soil moisture anomalies is found at all four stations. The frequency of oppressive summer equivalent temperature events is significantly increased following spring seasons with wetter-than-normal soils compared with spring seasons with dry soils. This provides evidence of a possible positive soil moisture–temperature feedback. Further, it is found that oppressive heat events correspond with the combination of wetter-than-normal spring soils and persistent summertime upper-level ridging to the northeast of the region, thereby leading to the conclusion that abundant-to-surplus spring soil moisture is necessary but not sufficient for the occurrence of oppressive heat in Illinois.
Evolution of Directional Wave Spectra in the Marginal Ice Zone: A New Model Tested with Legacy Data
Authors: Squire Vernon A. , Montiel Fabien
Published: August 2016

Field experimental data from a 1980s program in the Greenland Sea investigating the evolution of directional wave spectra in the marginal ice zone are reanalyzed and compared with the predictions of a new, phase-resolving, three-dimensional model describing the two-dimensional scattering of the waves by the vast number of ice floes that are normally present. The model is augmented with a dissipative term to account for the nonconservative processes affecting wave propagation. Observations reported in the experimental study are used to reproduce the ice conditions and wave forcing during the experiments. It is found that scattering alone underestimates the attenuation experienced by the waves during their passage through the ice field. With dissipation, however, the model can replicate the observed attenuation for most frequencies in the swell regime. Model predictions and observations of directional spreading are in agreement for short to midrange wave periods, where the wave field quickly becomes isotropic. For larger wave periods, little spreading can be seen in the model predictions, in contrast to the isotropic or near-isotropic seas reported in the experimental study. The discrepancy is conjectured to be a consequence of the inaccurate characterization of the ice conditions in the model and experimental errors.
Climatology of Banded Precipitation over the Contiguous United States
Authors: Fairman Jonathan G. , Schultz David M. , Kirshbaum Daniel J. , Gray Suzanne L. , Barrett Andrew I.
Published: August 2016

A climatology of banded-precipitation features over the contiguous United States from 2003 to 2014 is constructed. A band is defined as a precipitation feature with a major axis of 100 km or greater and a ratio of major axis length to minor axis length (hereafter, aspect ratio) of 3:1 or greater. By applying an automated feature-based detection algorithm to composite radar imagery, a database of 48 916 844 precipitation features is created, of which 7 213 505 (14.8%) are bands. This algorithm produces the first climatology of precipitation bands over the contiguous United States. Banded-precipitation occurrence is broadly similar to total precipitation occurrence, with a maximum of 175 h of banded precipitation annually over the Ohio River valley. In the warm season, there is a strong diurnal signature associated with convective storm development for both the precipitation feature area and total area covered by precipitation, but little diurnal signature in aspect ratio. Strong west–east gradients in both precipitation occurrence and banded-precipitation occurrence exist, as areas west of the Rockies receive less frequent precipitation, which is much less likely to be banded. East of the Rockies, precipitation features are banded 30% of the time, versus 10%–15% west of the Rockies. Areas downwind of the Great Lakes show prominent late autumn and winter maxima in banded precipitation associated with lake-effect snowbands. Local maxima of banded-precipitation percentage occur in the Dakotas and east of the Colorado Rockies during winter. Although banded-precipitation features compose only 14.8% of all precipitation features, they contribute 21.9% of the annual precipitation occurrence over the contiguous United States.
Lake and Orographic Effects on a Snowstorm at Lake Constance
Authors: Umek Lukas , Gohm Alexander
Published: August 2016

This is one of the first case studies of a snowstorm at Lake Constance, located between Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, which assesses the influence of the lake and the orography on the generation of heavy precipitation. The analysis is based on surface and radar observations and numerical simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. On 8 February 2013, a rather stationary and banded radar reflectivity pattern was observed during postfrontal conditions with northwesterly flow. The associated snowband affected the downstream shore and the adjacent mountainous region with 36 mm of precipitation within 5 h at the shore. Surface observations show a convergence in the wind field over the lake during the period of banded precipitation. The control simulation captures the formation of a convergence line and a snowband near the shoreline and over the downstream orography. A lake-induced, low-level conditionally unstable layer is essential for the snowband formation. Orographically and thermally induced convergence provides the lifting to release conditional instability and to trigger convection. Orographic enhancement of precipitation occurs downstream of the lake. Sensitivity experiments with modified orography, land use, and lake surface temperature show that the lake is a crucial factor controlling the amount and distribution of snowfall. However, neither the lake nor the orography alone would have been able to form a snowband. This study highlights the complex interaction between lake and orographic effects and shows that Lake Constance is large enough to impact the formation of precipitation.
An Oceanic Heat Content–Based Definition for the Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Authors: Kumar Arun , Wen Caihong
Published: August 2016

Based on the variability of heat content in the upper 300 m of the ocean (HC300), the feasibility of defining an index of Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) is explored. The motivation for defining the PDO index on HC300 stems from the following considerations: (i) a need to accentuate lower-frequency variations in the monitoring of PDO and (ii) to take into account variations in the temperatures associated with the PDO that extend throughout the upper ocean (and are modulated by the seasonal cycle of mixed layer variability). It is demonstrated that an HC300-based definition is better suited to encapsulate these characteristics in the PDO variability. The variability in an HC300-based definition is also contrasted with the traditional definition of the PDO based on SSTs.