bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Possible Brain Network for Representation of Cooperative Behavior and Its Implications for the Psychopathology of Schizophrenia
Authors: Leube Dirk , Straube Benjamin , Green Antonia , Blümel Isabelle , Prinz Susanne , Schlotterbeck Peter , Kircher Tilo
Published: July 2012

It has been shown that social deficits contribute to psychopathology in schizophrenia, such as the bleulerian autism. A possible dysfunction in the mirror neuron system may be the reason for these deficits in the disorder. We wanted to better characterize the neural networks involved in the perception of social behavior. Fifteen healthy participants were presented with video clips of 8 seconds’ duration depicting either (1) one actor manipulating an object, (2) two actors with only one manipulating an object or (3) two actors cooperating in manipulating an object and 2 other control conditions. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired during watching these videos. We found the perception of social cooperation is supported by a neural network comprising the precuneus, the temporoparietal junction (supramarginal gyrus, angular gyrus, BA 39/40), the middle temporal gyrus (including superior temporal sulcus) and frontal regions (medial frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus). These areas form a complex network also being activated during theory of mind and cooperative behavior tasks. Its nodes overlap with those of the mirror neuron system. Consequently, both theory of mind abilities and mirror mechanisms are relevant in the perception and understanding of social cooperative behavior. We outline the consequences of these results for a further understanding of schizophrenic psychopathology with respect to social deficits and ego disturbances.
The Role of Anti(myco)bacterial Interventions in the Management of IBD: Is There Evidence at All?
Authors: Pineton de Chambrun Guillaume P. , Torres Joana , Darfeuille-Michaud Arlette , Colombel Jean-Frédéric
Published: July 2012

Background/Aims: The etiology of IBD is unknown but may relate to an unidentified bacterial pathogen or an immunological reaction to gut microbiota. Antibiotics have therefore been proposed as a therapy for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this review was to compel the evidence for the use of antibiotics in the treatment of IBD. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature regarding the use of antibiotics for inducing or maintaining remission in IBD. Results: Current data are conflicting, but a recent systematic review of randomized controlled trials has shown a statistically significant effect of antibiotics being superior to placebo for active, perianal and quiescent CD and for active UC. These data have been poorly translated in clinical practice and the place of antibiotics is restricted to certain specific situations in the international guidelines. This is first linked to the difficulties in interpreting clinical trials because of their heterogeneity in study design, endpoints, type of antibiotic and concomitant therapies. The exception to this is the use of either ciprofloxacin or metronidazole for treating CD perianal fistulas. Conclusion: The pathology of CD, the likely primary and known secondary pathogens in this disease and the successful responses in animal models all plead for new trials of antibiotics in IBD. This is a call to select patients more carefully, and to continue antibiotics for longer than is customary. Beside antibiotics, new therapeutic approaches that can balance gut dysbiosis should be tested.
Second-Generation Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: More Effective and Less Side Effects?
Authors: De Cassan Chiara , Fiorino Gionata , Danese Silvio
Published: July 2012

Background/Aims: Systemic corticosteroids are highly effective at inducing clinical remission in cases of acute exacerbation of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC); however, their use is limited by their frequent and sometimes severe side effects. Thus, a second generation of corticosteroids with less systemic effects has been developed. This review analyzed all of the studies on the new formulations of steroids with limited absorption (budesonide, budesonide MMX®, beclomethasone dipropionate and erythrocyte-mediated delivery of dexamethasone) in patients with CD and UC. Methods: All relevant articles published in English between September 1960 and April 2011 were reviewed. Results: Budesonide is superior to placebo, and as effective as systemic corticosteroids in inducing clinical remission in patients with ileo-colonic CD, but evidence of mucosal healing is limited. When administered as an MMX formula, budesonide can also effectively induce clinical remission in patients with UC, but budesonide alone is not effective in maintaining clinical remission in CD or UC. Beclomethasone dipropionate seems to be effective in patients with mild-to-moderate left-sided and extensive UC, while data on erythrocyte-mediated delivery of dexamethasone are encouraging but still limited. The safety profile for all these products is good but more studies are needed. Conclusion: Steroids remain the mainstay for the induction of clinical remission in cases of acute relapse of both CD and UC. Second-generation corticosteroids are an interesting alternative, with the advantage of high topical activity, less systemic toxicity and limited side effects.
Markers That Differentiate Early from Late IBD
Authors: Huang Clifton , Kugathasan Subra
Published: July 2012

The worldwide emergence of autoimmune and chronic disorders has become a substantial burden to our current healthcare system. The evidence that IBD can manifest at either an early or late stage of evolution poses some intriguing questions: are there any markers that differentiate early from late IBD? In this article we explore the current data to better understand if any of these genetic, serologic, clinical course and/or microbiota markers do indeed serve to differentiate early from late IBD.
How to Guide Therapeutic Decisions in a Patient-Tailored Approach to Treatment of IBD?
Authors: Rutgeerts Paul
Published: July 2012

Therapeutic decisions in the treatment of IBD involve the initial choice of therapy(ies) and designing a long-term strategy for the individual patient. Putting forward clear therapeutic aims is therefore critical in order to assess treatment success and to guide the sequential use of therapies. Although the ultimate goal of therapy is to achieve steroid-free remission and avoid complications and surgeries, the first therapeutic intervention will achieve these aims only in a minority of patients. Depending on the requirements and successes of each stage of therapy, interim goals are pursued which may be small steps towards the total control of the disease. A patient-tailored approach does not necessarily conflict with algorithm-based decision-making; indeed, they are complementary. The former allows the skipping of some steps in the algorithm, based on the individual patient characteristics. The latter supplies a basis for the rational sequential use of drugs. Many physicians use an accelerated step-up approach in the treatment of IBD, although it has not yet been established whether this is associated with a better outcome. Whether or not an endoscopic or (and) CT or MRI assessment is conducted, the therapeutic approach should be based on mucosal activity and the location and extent of the disease. Treatments that do not heal (or at least improve) ulcers are not to be continued if they have been given a reasonable time to work. Biomarkers like C-reactive protein and calprotectin can be useful surrogates in this setting.
Immunosuppression-Related Lymphomas and Cancers in IBD: How Can They Be Prevented?
Authors: Beaugerie Laurent
Published: July 2012

Most of the immunosuppressive therapy-associated excess lymphomas in IBD are due to a loss of control of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Systemic EBV viral-load monitoring and preemptive treatments are extensively used in the posttransplant setting, but these methods have not yet been evaluated in IBD patients and cannot therefore be recommended in this context. However, the systemic EBV viral load should be measured in cases of unexplained fever, lymphadenopathy or hemophagocytic syndrome, in order to optimize the diagnostics of early EBV-related lymphoproliferations. The risk of hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma can, theoretically, be limited by avoiding prolonged combination therapy with thiopurines and anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) beyond 2 years in young males. Young males seronegative for EBV are at risk for fatal forms of primary EBV infection, with postmononucleosis lymphoproliferation. This incidence could be limited by considering avoiding treatment with thiopurines in this subgroup of patients. There is a marked excess risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer in IBD patients currently or previously treated with thiopurines, which justifies lifelong sun protection and dermatological screening in these patients. The level of risk is still unclear for monotherapies with anti-TNF. An excess of human papilloma virus (HPV)-related uterine cervix dysplasia and cancer has been reported in various populations of women with IBD, but the proper role of immunosuppressive therapy remains to be quantified. However, yearly screening for uterine cervix abnormalities is recommended for all female IBD patients, along with HPV vaccination in young girls.
Towards a ‘Cure’ for IBD
Authors: Fiocchi Claudio
Published: July 2012

To discuss a cure for IBD, one should first define the concept ‘a cure’. If it is intended as the general restoration of health, this is already possible, as many current therapies do a good job in inducing long periods of remission in Crohn’s disease, and colectomy can technically cure ulcerative colitis. If it is more strictly defined as the complete and permanent elimination of the cause, predisposing and permissive factors, reinstatement of normal microbial ecology and restoration of mucosal immune homeostasis, then a cure for IBD is out of reach, at least for now. Regardless of the definition, major strides have been made in attempting to cure IBD by addressing the key components of its pathogenesis: the environment (exposome), the genetic makeup (genome), the gut microbiota (microbiome) and the immune system (immunome). However, the isolated modulation of each component is insufficient to provide a cure, and different requirements may be needed depending on the stage of the disease and each patient subset. To achieve a cure, one key approach is currently missing: the integration of knowledge from all the pathogenic components. We continue to learn more and more about each component using traditional ‘canonical’ systems, which allow the accumulation of data without taking into consideration the other components. We are still not studying the ‘omes’ of IBD, we should be using ‘omics’ technologies that can generate a more global vision of IBD pathogenesis on which to base novel, multiple pathway-integrated therapies.
Radiosurgery for Atypical and Anaplastic Meningiomas: Histopathological Predictors of Local Tumor Control
Authors: Kim Jin Wook , Kim Dong Gyu , Paek Sun Ha , Chung Hyun-Tai , Myung Jae Kyung , Park Sung-Hye , Kim Yong Hwy , Han Jung Ho , Yang Seung-Yeob , Park Chul-Kee , Jung Hee-Won
Published: July 2012

Objectives: We investigated the radiosurgical outcomes of patients with nonbenign meningiomas retrospectively and sought to identify prognostic factors for local tumor control after radiosurgery with an emphasis on histopathology. Methods: Between 1998 and 2010, 35 patients with 49 atypical or anaplastic meningiomas were treated with radiosurgery. The mean tumor volume and marginal irradiation dose were 3.5 cm3 (range 0.3–25.3) and 16 Gy (range 12–21), respectively. Results: The actuarial local tumor control rates for patients with atypical meningiomas at 1, 2 and 3 years after radiosurgery were 78, 53 and 36%, respectively, whereas those for anaplastic meningiomas were 35% at 1 year and 10% at 2 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that the mitotic count (≤8 per 10 high-power fields; HPF) and the MIB-1 proliferation marker labeling index (LI; ≤8%) were significant favorable prognostic factors for the radiosurgical outcomes of patients with nonbenign meningiomas (p = 0.014 and p = 0.012, respectively). Conclusions: Radiosurgery could be a treatment option for patients with atypical meningiomas, but more aggressive treatments are needed for those with anaplastic meningiomas. Histopathological factors such as mitotic count and MIB-1 LI are significant prognostic factors for the radiosurgical outcomes of patients with nonbenign meningiomas and should be considered before radiosurgery.
Heterogeneity of Brain Structural Variation and the Structural Imaging Endophenotypes in Schizophrenia
Authors: Nenadic Igor , Gaser Christian , Sauer Heinrich
Published: July 2012

Schizophrenia is often assumed to comprise a group of biologically distinct disorders, yet it has been difficult to dissect subgroups using biological markers. We review recent brain imaging morphometry studies addressing the issue of heterogeneity within the diagnostic category of schizophrenia. Studies of subgroups of schizophrenia patients have mostly used either symptom structure or clinical course for the delineation of potentially meaningful subgroups. Studies defining subgroups according to outcome, i.e. good versus poor outcome (or ‘non-Kraepelinian’ vs. ‘Kraepelinian’, respectively) have shown that while these two subgroups might overlap in the extent (and possibly also strength) of prefrontal deficits, they differ in temporal and occipital areas, where poor-outcome patients show stronger deficits. More recent studies have investigated subgroups of schizophrenia based on factor analysis of psychopathology. They have demonstrated a complex pattern of regional changes, where the typical three subgroups might overlap in prefrontal changes, but show divergence in structural deficits in other areas such as the thalamus, hippocampus, or cerebellum. Altogether, these studies demonstrate that brain structure per se is not a uniform endophenotype, but rather a combination of regional deficits highly heterogeneous in both meeting endophenotype criteria as well as in their distribution within the disease category.
Psychosocial Interventions in People with Severe Mental Illness: A Bleulerian Perspective
Authors: Becker Thomas , Kösters Markus
Published: July 2012

Background: Eugen Bleuler, in his book Dementia praecox oder Gruppe der Schizophrenien, discussed issues of social psychiatry, and he considered complex interventions pivotal in the care for people with schizophrenia. Bleuler emphasised the potential of therapeutic communities in providing care, the drawbacks of extended hospitalisation and the therapeutic potential of planned ‘early discharge’ and job integration. Methods: Some of the current evidence on therapeutic communities, planned early hospital discharge, alternatives to inpatient care and job integration in people with severe mental illness are reviewed. Results: (i) Current evidence suggests that therapeutic communities (and new forms of milieu therapy, e.g. Soteria) are an effective ingredient of care; (ii) the evidence on planned early discharge suggests that there is scope for early discharge if continuity of care is ensured, and (iii) the evidence on supported employment suggests that there is scope for early job placement/supported employment among people with schizophrenia with little risk to clinical stability. Conclusion: Eugen Bleuler was a far-sighted social psychiatrist who concentrated on treatment issues and complex interventions that are considered cornerstones of care for people with severe mental illness one hundred years later.
Asymptomatic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Show Histological Signs of Progression: A Quantitative Histochemical Analysis
Authors: Eberlová Lada , Tonar Zbyněk , Witter Kirsti , Křížková Věra , Nedorost Lukáš , Korabečná Marie , Tolinger Pavel , Kočová Jitka , Boudová Ludmila , Třeška Vladislav , Houdek Karel , Moláček Jiří , Vrzalová Jindra , Pešta Martin , Topolčan Ondřej , Valenta Jiří
Published: July 2012

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a serious disease due to its covert nature, relatively high prevalence and fatal prognosis in the case of rupture. To obtain new insights into AAA pathogenesis, we examined the relationships between histopathology, multiplex in vitro immunoassay data, diameter and symptomatology. Methods: In a prospective, non-randomised study, we evaluated samples from 6 normal infrarenal aortae and 65 AAA patients (65 walls, 55 thrombi). The AAA patients were either asymptomatic (n = 44), symptomatic (n = 7) or with ruptured AAA (n = 14). The AAA diameter was classified as small (<5 cm, n = 18), medium (5–7 cm, n = 26) and large (>7 cm, n = 21). We quantified the histopathology of the AAA wall and the adjacent thrombus. We assessed the expression of proteins in the same samples. Results: Asymptomatic AAAs had walls with more abundant inflammatory infiltrates, lower amounts of PAI-1, a higher number of tPA-positive elements, a tendency towards decreased collagen content, whereas the adjacent thrombi had a greater concentration of VCAM-1 and MMP-2 when compared with symptomatic AAAs. Compared with the aneurysmatic aorta, the normal aorta contained less collagen and more elastin, actin, desmin and PAI-1-positive elements; in addition, it was more vascular. Medium-sized AAAs were the most actin and vimentin rich, and large AAAs were the most vascular. Conclusion: Our results show that asymptomatic AAA walls often have more potentially deleterious histopathological alterations than symptomatic AAA walls. This result indicates that a progression from an asymptomatic AAA to rupture can be expected and screening patients who are at risk of rupture could be beneficial.
Current Status and Perspectives of Targeted Therapy in Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Naraev Boris G. , Strosberg Jonathan R. , Halfdanarson Thorvardur R.
Published: July 2012

Although neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are a relatively rare malignancy, the reported incidence is increasing, and some of the current treatment options are limited in their efficacy. Standard first-line therapy for metastatic small bowel NET includes somatostatin analogs. Although these agents can provide symptom relief and can delay disease progression in many patients, ultimately, new treatments are required for patients with progressive disease. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in developing agents specifically targeted against some of the pathways known to be involved in cancer cell growth, survival and invasion. In 2011, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib were approved for the treatment of pancreatic NET. Clinical trials evaluating novel targeted agents are ongoing, both as single agents and in combination regimens. We review the current clinical status of these potential new treatments and highlight those with particular promise for the management of well-differentiated NET.
Suspected Bacterial Endophthalmitis following Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injection: Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Hoevenaars N.E.D. , Gans D. , Missotten T. , van Rooij J. , Lesaffre E. , van Meurs J.C.
Published: July 2012

Aim: To report an up-to-date overview of all patients reported in the literature with suspected bacterial endophthalmitis following anti-VEGF injection. Secondly, to identify specific symptoms and signs to differentiate between infectious and noninfectious endophthalmitis. Methods: A Pubmed search retrieved 12 retrospective case series which had included a total of 118 patients with suspected bacterial endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF injection. Data of 15 patients from the Rotterdam Eye Hospital were added. Patients were divided into three groups: those who did not receive intravitreal antibiotics (group A), patients who received intravitreal antibiotics with biopsy-negative cultures (group B) and those with biopsy-positive cultures (group C). Results: The median time between anti-VEGF injection and presentation with suspected bacterial endophthalmitis was 1 day in group A compared to 3 days in groups B and C. At presentation, patients of group A had a better median visual acuity (logMAR 1.0) compared to those in groups B and C (logMAR 2.1 and 2.5, respectively). Conclusion: This study suggests that patients presenting with a visual acuity of 20/200 (logMAR 1.0) or less and later than 24 h after injection are more likely to have bacterial endophthalmitis. To prevent undertreatment in these patients, the threshold to proceed to vitreous biopsy and empirical intravitreous antibiotics should be low.
Localized and Sustained Delivery of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 from a Nanoparticle-Hydrogel Composite for Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Kang Catherine E. , Baumann M. Douglas , Tator Charles H. , Shoichet Molly S.
Published: July 2012

After traumatic spinal cord injury, grossly injured blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the parenchyma, leading to a large cystic cavity. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) can reduce immediate vasoconstriction of vessels in the tissue surrounding the primary injury and promote angiogenesis. A localized delivery system would both achieve restricted delivery of FGF2 to the spinal cord and limit possible systemic effects such as mitogenesis. To enhance the endogenous angiogenic response after spinal cord injury, FGF2 was encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles which were embedded in a biopolymer blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) and then injected into the intrathecal space. Treatment began immediately after a 26 g clip compression spinal cord injury in rats and consisted of intrathecal delivery of FGF2 from the HAMC/PLGA/FGF2 composite. Control animals received intrathecal HAMC loaded with blank nanoparticles, intrathecal HAMC alone or intrathecal artificial cerebrospinal fluid alone. Sustained and localized delivery of FGF2 from composite HAMC/PLGA/FGF2 achieved higher blood vessel density in the dorsal horns 28 days post-injury, due to either greater angiogenesis near the epicenter of the injury or vasoprotection acutely after spinal cord injury. Importantly, delivery of FGF2 from composite HAMC/PLGA/FGF2 did not produce proliferative lesions that had been previously reported for FGF2 delivered locally using a minipump/catheter. These results suggest that localized and sustained delivery with composite HAMC/PLGA/FGF2 is an excellent system to deliver biomolecules directly to the spinal cord, thereby circumventing the blood spinal cord barrier and avoiding systemic side effects.
Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate with GreenLight HPS 120-W Laser for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: 36 Months’ Follow-Up
Authors: Zang Yachen , Xue Boxin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Yang Dongrong , Gao Jie , Sun Chuanyang , Cui Yong , Tao Wei , Chen Dong , Shan Yuxi
Published: July 2012

Objective: To evaluate the 3-year clinical outcomes and durability of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with the GreenLight HPS laser in the treatment of symptomatic and obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: A total of 78 patients underwent PVP with the GreenLight HPS laser from October 2007 to November 2008. The baseline and treatment outcomes after surgery were evaluated 3 years later with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual rate (PVR), and transrectal ultrasound-determined prostate volume. These parameters were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Results: Patients’ urinary symptoms and QoL significantly improved after surgery. The functional outcomes showed immediate and stable improvements during the entire follow-up period. At 36 months, the average percentage of improvements compared with baseline was as follows: IPSS, 60.2%; QoL, 80.9%; Qmax, 138.7%, and PVR, 82.6%. The median prostate volume, evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography, showed a 50.4% reduction when compared to preoperative volume. Overall, complications from surgery were low; only 6.7% of the 75 patients required reoperation during the 3-year follow-up. Conclusion: PVP using the GreenLight HPS laser showed a safe and effective treatment outcome for the treatment of symptomatic and obstructive BPH.
The Future of Fundamental Physics
Authors: Arkani-Hamed Nima
Published: July 2012

Fundamental physics began the twentieth century with the twin revolutions of relativity and quantum mechanics, and much of the second half of the century was devoted to the construction of a theoretical structure unifying these radical ideas. But this foundation has also led us to a number of paradoxes in our understanding of nature. Attempts to make sense of quantum mechanics and gravity at the smallest distance scales lead inexorably to the conclusion that space-time is an approximate notion that must emerge from more primitive building blocks. Furthermore, violent short-distance quantum fluctuations in the vacuum seem to make the existence of a macroscopic world wildly implausible, and yet we live comfortably in a huge universe. What, if anything, tames these fluctuations? Why is there a macroscopic universe? These are two of the central theoretical challenges of fundamental physics in the twenty-first century. In this essay, I describe the circle of ideas surrounding these questions, as well as some of the theoretical and experimental fronts on which they are being attacked.
Biodiversity & Environmental Sustainability amid Human Domination of Global Ecosystems
Authors: Tilman David
Published: July 2012

Concern about the loss of Earth's biological diversity sparked two decades of research of unprecedented intensity, intellectual excitement, and societal relevance. This research shows that biodiversity is among the most important factors determining how ecosystems function. In particular, the loss of biodiversity decreases the productivity, stability, and efficiency of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. These research findings come at a time of rapidly increasing threats to global biodiversity resulting from agricultural land clearing, climate change, and pollution caused by globally accelerating demand for food and energy. The world faces the grand, multifaceted challenge of meeting global demand for food and energy while preserving Earth's biodiversity and the long-term sustainability of both global societies and the ecosystems upon which all life depends. The solutions to this challenge will require major advances in, and syntheses among, the environmental and social sciences.
The Jihad Paradox: Pakistan and Islamist Militancy in South Asia
Authors: Kapur S. Paul , Ganguly Sumit
Published: July 2012

Islamist militants based in Pakistan pose a major threat to regional and international security. Although this problem has only recently received widespread attention, Pakistan has long used militants as strategic tools to compensate for its severe political and material weakness. This use of Islamist militancy has constituted nothing less than a central component of Pakistani grand strategy; supporting jihad has been one of the principal means by which the Pakistani state has sought to produce security for itself. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the strategy has not been wholly disastrous. Rather, it has achieved important domestic and international successes. Recently, however, Pakistan has begun to suffer from a “jihad paradox”: the very conditions that previously made Pakistan's militant policy useful now make it extremely dangerous. Thus, despite its past benefits, the strategy has outlived its utility, and Pakistan will have to abandon it to avoid catastrophe. Other weak states, which may also be tempted to use nonstate actors as strategic tools, should take the Pakistani case as a cautionary lesson.
A Spatiotemporal Correlation Technique to Improve Satellite Rainfall Accumulation
Authors: Petković Veljko , Kummerow Christian D.
Published: July 2012

A spatiotemporal correlation technique has been developed to combine satellite rainfall measurements using the spatial and temporal correlation of the rainfall fields to overcome problems of limited and infrequent measurements while accounting for the measurement accuracies. The relationship between the temporal and spatial correlation of the rainfall field is exploited to provide information about rainfall beyond instantaneous measurements. The technique is developed using synthetic radar data. Nine months of Operational Program for the Exchange of Weather Radar (OPERA) data are used on grid sizes of 100, 248, and 500 km with pixel resolutions of 8, 12, and 24 km to simulate satellite fields of view and are then applied to the real satellite data over the Southwest to calculate 3-h rainfall accumulations. The results are compared with the simple averaging technique, which takes a simple mean of the measurements as a constant rainfall rate over the entire accumulation period. Using synthetic data, depending on the time separation of the measurements and their accuracy, a spatiotemporal correlation technique has shown the potential to yield improvements of up to 40% in absolute error and up to 25% in root-mean-square error when compared with the simple averaging technique. When applied to the real satellite data over the Southeast, the technique showed much less skill (general improvement of only 2%–6%).
The Minimum Wind Speed for Sustainable Turbulence in the Nocturnal Boundary Layer
Authors: Van de Wiel B. J. H. , Moene A. F. , Jonker H. J. J. , Baas P. , Basu S. , Donda J. M. M. , Sun J. , Holtslag A. A. M.
Published: July 2012

The collapse of turbulence in the nocturnal boundary layer is studied by means of a simple bulk model that describes the basic physical interactions in the surface energy balance. It is shown that for a given mechanical forcing, the amount of turbulent heat that can be transported downward is limited to a certain maximum. In the case of weak winds and clear skies, this maximum can be significantly smaller than the net radiative loss minus soil heat transport. In the case when the surface has low heat capacity, this imbalance generates rapid surface cooling that further suppresses the turbulent heat transport, so that eventually turbulence largely ceases (positive feedback mechanism). The model predicts the minimum wind speed for sustainable turbulence for the so-called crossing level. At this level, some decameters above the surface, the wind is relatively stationary compared to lower and higher levels. The critical speed is predicted in the range of about 5–7 m s−1, depending on radiative forcing and surface properties, and is in agreement with observations at Cabauw. The critical value appears not very sensitive to model details or to the exact values of the input parameters. Finally, results are interpreted in terms of external forcings, such as geostrophic wind. As it is generally larger than the speed at crossing height, a 5 m s−1 geostrophic wind may be considered as the typical limit below which sustainable, continuous turbulence under clear-sky conditions is unlikely to exist. Below this threshold emergence of the very stable nocturnal boundary layer is anticipated.
Modulation of Atmospheric Response to North Pacific SST Anomalies under Global Warming: A Statistical Assessment
Authors: Gan Bolan , Wu Lixin
Published: July 2012

In this study the modulation of ocean-to-atmosphere feedback over the North Pacific in early winter from global warming is investigated based on both the observations and multiple climate model simulations from a statistical perspective. It is demonstrated that the basin-scale atmospheric circulation displays an equivalent barotropic ridge in response to warm SST anomalies in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension (KOE) region. This warm SST–ridge response in early winter can be enhanced significantly by global warming, indicating a strengthening of air–sea coupling over the North Pacific. This enhancement is likely associated with the intensification of storm tracks and, in turn, the amplification of atmospheric transient eddy feedback in a warm climate, although the secular trend of enhanced storm-track activity over the North Pacific is suggested to be biased in reanalysis product.
Seasonal Predictions of Tropical Cyclones Using a 25-km-Resolution General Circulation Model
Authors: Chen Jan-Huey , Lin Shian-Jiann
Published: July 2012

Retrospective seasonal predictions of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the three major ocean basins of the Northern Hemisphere are performed from 1990 to 2010 using the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory High-Resolution Atmospheric Model (HiRAM) at 25-km resolution. Atmospheric states are initialized for each forecast, with the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) “persisted” from that at the starting time during the 5-month forecast period (July–November). Using a five-member ensemble, it is shown that the storm counts of both tropical storm (TS) and hurricane categories are highly predictable in the North Atlantic basin during the 21-yr period. The correlations between the 21-yr observed and model predicted storm counts are 0.88 and 0.89 for hurricanes and TSs, respectively. The prediction in the eastern North Pacific is skillful, but it is not as outstanding as that in the North Atlantic. The persistent SSTA assumption appears to be less robust for the western North Pacific, contributing to less skillful predictions in that region. The relative skill in the prediction of storm counts is shown to be consistent with the quality of the predicted large-scale environment in the three major basins. It is shown that intensity distribution of TCs can be captured well by the model if the central sea level pressure is used as the threshold variable instead of the commonly used 10-m wind speed. This demonstrates the feasibility of using the 25-km-resolution HiRAM, a general circulation model designed initially for long-term climate simulations, to study the impacts of climate change on the intensity distribution of TCs.
Combining CMORPH and Rain Gauges Observations over the Rio Negro Basin
Authors: De Vera Alejandra , Terra Rafael
Published: July 2012

Several algorithms that combine daily precipitation surface data and satellite Climate Prediction Center Morphing Technique (CMORPH) estimations were implemented and tested for the Rio Negro basin in northeastern Uruguay. Bias removal of satellite data through quantile matching—which requires historical data on nearby rain gauges—produces an unbiased estimate whose skill, as measured by the probability of detection (POD), is better than that obtained from surface observations for distances larger than approximately 50 km, which is twice the network characteristic distance between gauges of 23 km. Adjustment of satellite estimate using spatial interpolation of CMORPH deviations evaluated at nearby points—which requires simultaneous neighboring surface observations—eliminates biases to a large degree. Moreover, it shows higher POD skill than using only surface data for the entire range of distances and daily precipitation thresholds and for both seasons (cold and warm). The skill improvement attained, though, is small when the network density is as high as in the present study. However, these results suggest a promising scenario for the combined use of surface data and satellite retrievals as the latter continues to improve over time, both in resolution—spatial and temporal—and skill.
Examination of Analysis and Forecast Errors of High-Resolution Assimilation, Bias Removal, and Digital Filter Initialization with an Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Ancell Brian C.
Published: July 2012

Mesoscale atmospheric data assimilation is becoming an integral part of numerical weather prediction. Modern computational resources now allow assimilation and subsequent forecasting experiments ranging from resolutions of tens of kilometers over regional domains to smaller grids that employ storm-scale assimilation. To assess the value of the high-resolution capabilities involved with assimilation and forecasting at different scales, analyses and forecasts must be carefully evaluated to understand 1) whether analysis benefits gained at finer scales persist into the forecast relative to downscaled runs begun from lower-resolution analyses, 2) how the positive analysis effects of bias removal evolve into the forecast, and 3) how digital filter initialization affects analyses and forecasts. This study applies a 36- and 4-km ensemble Kalman filter over 112 assimilation cycles to address these important issues, which could all be relevant to a variety of short-term, high-resolution, real-time forecasting applications.

It is found that with regard to surface wind and temperature, analysis improvements gained at higher resolution persist throughout the 12-h forecast window relative to downscaled, high-resolution forecasts begun from analyses on the coarser grid. Aloft, however, no forecast improvements were found with the high-resolution analysis/forecast runs. Surface wind and temperature bias removal, while clearly improving surface analyses, degraded surface forecasts and showed little forecast influence aloft. Digital filter initialization degraded temperature analyses with or without bias removal, degraded wind analyses when bias removal was used, but improved wind analyses when bias removal was absent. No forecast improvements were found with digital filter initialization. The consequences of these results with regard to operational assimilation/forecasting systems on nested grids are discussed.
Migrant Youths’ Educational Achievement
Authors: Cobb-Clark Deborah A. , Sinning Mathias , Stillman Steven
Published: July 2012

The authors use 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data to link institutional arrangements in OECD countries’ to disparities in reading, math, and science test scores for migrant and native-born students. The authors find that achievement gaps are larger for migrant youths who arrive at older ages and for those who do not speak the language of the PISA test at home. Institutional arrangements often serve to mitigate the achievement gaps of some migrant students while leaving unaffected or exacerbating those of others. For example, earlier school starting ages help migrant youths in some cases but by no means in all. Limited tracking of students by ability appears to be beneficial for migrants’ relative achievement, while complete tracking and the presence of a large private school sector appear to be detrimental. Migrant students’ achievement, relative to their native-born peers, suffers as educational spending and teachers’ salaries increase, but it improves when teacher evaluation includes an examination component.
Educational Achievement Gaps between Immigrant and Native Students in Two “New” Immigration Countries
Authors: Azzolini Davide , Schnell Philipp , Palmer John R. B.
Published: July 2012

The authors use 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data to determine how immigrant children in Italy and Spain compare with native students in reading and mathematics skills. Drawing on the vast empirical literature in countries with traditionally high rates of immigration, the authors test the extent to which the most well-established patterns and hypotheses of immigrant/native educational achievement gaps also apply to these comparatively “new” immigration countries. The authors find that both first- and second-generation immigrant students underperform natives in both countries. Although socioeconomic background and language skills contribute to the explanation of achievement gaps, significant differences remain within the countries even after controlling for those variables. While modeling socioeconomic background reduces the observed gaps to a very similar extent in both countries, language spoken at home is more strongly associated with achievement gaps in Italy. School-type differentiation, such as tracking in Italy and school ownership in Spain, do not reduce immigrant/native gaps, although in Italy tracking is strongly associated with immigrant students’ test scores.
Age at Immigration and the Adult Attainments of Child Migrants to the United States
Authors: Beck Audrey , Corak Miles , Tienda Marta
Published: July 2012

Immigrants’ age at arrival matters for schooling outcomes in a way that is predicted by child development theory: the chances of being a high school dropout increase significantly each year for children who arrive in a host country after the age of eight. The authors document this process for immigrants in the United States from a number of regions relative to appropriate comparison regions. Using instrumental variables, the authors find that the variation in education outcomes associated with variation in age at arrival influences adult outcomes that are important in the American mainstream, notably English-language proficiency and intermarriage. The authors conclude that children experience migration differently from adults depending on the timing of migration and show that migration during the early years of child development influences educational outcomes. The authors also find that variation in education outcomes induced by the interaction of migration and age at arrival changes the capacity of children to become fully integrated into the American mainstream as adults.
Child-Parent Separations among Senegalese Migrants to Europe
Authors: González-Ferrer Amparo , Baizán Pau , Beauchemin Cris
Published: July 2012

The authors use the Migration between Africa and Europe (MAFE) project data to examine the incidence and duration of child-parent separations and the determinants of child-parent reunification among Senegalese migrants. Their findings indicate that approximately one-sixth of the Senegalese children in the sample were separated from their parents due to parental migration to Europe. These separations are relatively long, especially if the absent parent is the father. Reunification of Senegalese migrant parents with their children is infrequent, both in Senegal and in Europe. However, the location where reunification occurs is important, as it is associated with markedly different family types. Parents who end separations by returning to Senegal belong to families that clearly depart from the Western nuclear model, whereas Senegalese families in which parents decided to bring their children to Europe are closer to Western family arrangements.
Nativity Differences in Mothers’ Health Behaviors
Authors: Jackson Margot , McLanahan Sara , Kiernan Kathleen
Published: July 2012

Nativity differences in birth outcomes in the United States are well documented, with more favorable outcomes among children of foreign-born parents than those of native-born parents. Using longitudinal data on mothers from the United States Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study ( N ~ 4,000) and the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study ( N ~ 15,000), the authors provide a comparative and longitudinal perspective on nativity differences in mothers’ health behaviors. First, the authors ask whether healthier behaviors observed among Hispanic immigrants in the United States extend to foreign-born mothers in the United Kingdom, including South Asian, black African and Caribbean, and East Asian immigrants. Second, the authors consider the persistence of differences throughout early childhood. The findings demonstrate healthier behaviors among foreign-born mothers in both the United States and the United Kingdom, including both socioeconomically disadvantaged and advantaged mothers. These differences are stable over early childhood, suggesting a “universality” of healthier behaviors among foreign-born mothers, spanning racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups, time, and two different policy contexts.
Race/Ethnic and Nativity Disparities in Child Overweight in the United States and England
Authors: Martinson Melissa L. , McLanahan Sara , Brooks-Gunn Jeanne
Published: July 2012

Child overweight is a growing problem in wealthy countries. There is also evidence that child overweight varies by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. In this article, the authors use data from two recent birth cohort studies in the United States and England to address four questions: (1) Are race/ethnic and immigrant status associated with child overweight? (2) Is the association between socioeconomic status and child overweight similar across race/ethnic and nativity subgroups? (3) Does the age of immigrant mothers at migration moderate the association between immigrant status and child overweight? and (4) Does maternal obesity mediate the association between race/ethnicity and nativity and child overweight? Findings indicate that (1) race/ethnicity and immigrant status are risk factors for child overweight in both countries, (2) the influence of socioeconomic status differs by subgroup, (3) mother’s age at migration does not moderate the association, and (4) mother’s obesity mediates some of the race/ethnic disparities in child overweight.
Cultural Differences in Moral Justifications Enhance Understanding of Chinese and Canadian Children’s Moral Decisions
Authors: Lau Yat Laam , Cameron Catherine Ann , Chieh Kai Men , O’Leary Jennifer , Fu Genyue , Lee Kang
Published: July 2012

Chinese, Chinese-Canadian, and Euro-Canadian children 7, 9, and 11 years of age were presented scenarios in which story characters either lied or told the truth to help themselves but harm a collective, or vice versa. Children classified, evaluated, and justified their evaluations of the truthful or untruthful statements in each scenario. Cultural differences emerged in the children’s evaluations but were especially apparent in their justifications. Chinese children rated more positively statements that helped a collective and harmed an individual than vice versa, and they showed concerns for a group over the self when evaluating moral statements, thus reflecting collectivist inclinations. Euro-Canadian children did the reverse, demonstrating individualistic tendencies. Bicultural, Chinese-Canadian, children’s judgments and justifications were situation specific, offering preliminary evidence for the possibility that bicultural individuals shift, at a relatively early age, between cultural frames in their interpretations and evaluations of moral dilemmas, depending upon the context.
Human Rights, Freedom, and Political Authority
Authors: Valentini Laura
Published: July 2012

In this article, I sketch a Kant-inspired liberal account of human rights: the freedom-centred view. This account conceptualizes human rights as entitlements that any political authority—any state in the first instance—must secure to qualify as a guarantor of its subjects’ innate right to freedom. On this picture, when a state (or state-like institution) protects human rights, it reasonably qualifies as a moral agent to be treated with respect. By contrast, when a state (or state-like institution) fails to protect human rights, it loses its moral status and becomes liable to both internal and external interference. I argue that this account not only steers a middle course between so-called natural-law and political approaches to human rights but also satisfies three important theoretical desiderata—explanatory power, functional specificity, and critical capacity.