bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying the Characteristics of Strong Southerly Wind Events at Casey Station in East Antarctica Using a Numerical Weather Prediction System
Authors: Adams Neil
Published: January 2006

Casey Station in East Antarctica is not often subject to strong southerly flow off the Antarctic continent but when such events occur, operations at the station are often adversely impacted. Not only are the dynamics of such events poorly understood, but the forecasting of such occurrences is difficult. The following study uses model output from a 12-month experiment using the Antarctic Limited-Area Prediction System (ALAPS) to advance the understanding of the dynamics of such events and postulates that what are often described as katabatic wind events are more likely to be synoptic in scale, with mid- and upper-level tropospheric dynamics forcing the surface layer flow. Strong surface layer flows that have a katabatic signature commonly develop on the steep Antarctic escarpment but rarely extend out over the coast in the Casey area, most probably as a result of cold air damming. However, the development of a strong south-southwesterly jet over Casey provides a mechanism whereby the katabatic can move out off the coast.
Numerical Simulations of the Island-Induced Circulations over the Island of Hawaii during HaRP
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Yi-Leng , Fujioka Francis M.
Published: January 2006

The fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5)/land surface model (LSM) is used to simulate the diurnal island-scale circulations over the island of Hawaii during the Hawaiian Rainband Project (HaRP, 11 July–24 August 1990). The model is initialized with the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data.

The diurnal variations of the land–sea thermal contrast at the land surface and the planetary boundary layer at Hilo, Hawaii, are well simulated. The main discrepancy occurs on the leeside areas of mountains or ridges below the trade wind inversion (2 km), where the simulated afternoon land–sea thermal contrast at the surface is 1°–3°C lower than observed mainly due to the misrepresentation of lava rocks by the bare ground category in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data and stronger than observed simulated sea breezes bringing in relatively cool maritime air.

The flow deceleration and splitting of the incoming trade wind flow and the evolution of the diurnal circulation cells on the windward side, the thermally driven diurnal winds, and the wake circulations on the lee side are well simulated. The simulated diurnal variations in rainfall are also in good agreement with observations. However, the simulated winds in areas well exposed to the trade wind flow are weaker (1–3 m s−1) than observed mainly due to the underestimation of trade wind flow in the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis. The simulated rainfall over windward lowlands at night is underestimated and the maximum rainfall axis shifts farther toward the coast as compared with observations, due to an underestimation of orographic lifting aloft and a relatively large horizontal extent of the simulated katabatic flow because of the weaker- than-observed trade wind flow in the initial conditions.

In the afternoon hours on the windward side, the strongest winds (anabatic/sea breeze and trade wind flow) are simulated in low levels over land in response to the surface heating, with a westerly wind deviation beneath the mean trade wind inversion (2 km) and sinking motion over the adjacent oceans. The simulated low-level flow deceleration of the incoming trade wind flow is most significant in the early morning as a combination of island blocking and nocturnal cooling over land. At that time, the simulated upward motion representing the rising branch of the thermally direct circulation extends more than 40 km offshore.

Sensitivity tests show that with better surface conditions in the model coupled with the Oregon State University (OSU) LSM, the simulated thermal forcing over land is improved. The improvements in simulated ground temperature, land–sea thermal contrast at the land surface, and mixing ratio lead to better simulation of the strength of land/sea breezes over the island.
Dynamics of the Low-Level Jet off the West Coast of Subtropical South America
Authors: Muñoz Ricardo C. , Garreaud RenéD.
Published: January 2006

The subtropical west coast of South America is under the influence of the southeast Pacific anticyclone year-round, which induces persistent southerly winds along the coast of north-central Chile. These winds often take the form of a low-level coastal jet, in many aspects similar to the coastal jet existing off the California coast. Extensive diagnostics of mesoscale model results for a case in October 2000 are used here to describe the mean momentum budget supporting the coastal jet. The jet appears to occur when midlatitude synoptic conditions induce a northerly directed pressure gradient force along the coast of north-central Chile. The very steep coastal terrain precludes the development of a significant easterly low-level wind that would geostrophically balance the pressure gradient. Instead, the meridional flow accelerates until turbulent friction in the marine boundary layer balances the meridional pressure gradient. The resulting force balance is semigeostrophic, with geostrophy valid only in the zonal (cross shore) direction. At higher levels, the topographic inhibition of the easterlies relaxes, and a small easterly flow ensues, which turns out to be very important in the temperature and stability budgets of the layer capping the marine boundary layer.
Atmosphere–Sea Ice Interactions during a Cyclone Passage Investigated by Using Model Simulations and Measurements
Authors: Dierer S. , Schlünzen K. H. , Birnbaum G. , Brümmer B. , Müller G.
Published: January 2006

A high-resolution atmosphere–sea ice model is used to investigate the interactions between cyclones and sea ice cover in polar regions. For this purpose, a cyclone passage observed during the 1999 Fram Strait Cyclone Experiment (FRAMZY) is simulated for two consecutive days. The results of the coupled mesoscale transport and stream model–mesoscale sea ice model (METRAS–MESIM) are compared with aircraft and ice drift measurements. With the exception of temperature, all atmospheric parameters are well simulated. Main reasons for discrepancies were found in large differences between the measurements and the forcing data taken from the results of the regional model (REMO). In addition, advection was slightly wrong as a result of a 17° deviation in wind directions. The altogether well simulated wind field is interactively used to force the sea ice model MESIM; results agree well with drift buoy measurements. Average deviations of simulated and measured ice drift are smaller than 8° for direction and smaller than 3.7 cm s−1 for speed, which is less than 10% of the average speed. The simulated ratio between ice drift and wind velocity increases slightly during cyclone passage from 2.6% to 2.9%, a tendency also known from observations. During a 36-h period, the simulated sea ice concentration locally decreases up to 20% in accordance with measurements. A neglect of changing sea ice cover causes a decrease of the heat flux to the atmosphere from 53 to 12 W m−2. The values correspond to averages over the evaluation region (approximately 228 000 km2) and period (36 h). Temperature and humidity are decreased by 2 K and 0.2 g kg−1, respectively, over the ice-covered region. In contrast, the effect on pressure and wind remains small, probably because the cyclone does not move in the vicinity of the ice edge.
Reply
Authors: Krasnopolsky Vladimir M. , Fox-Rabinovitz Michael S. , Chalikov Dmitry V.
Published: January 2006

This reply is aimed at clarifying and further discussing the methodological aspects of this neural network application for a better understanding of the technique by the journal readership. The similarities and differences of two approaches and their areas of application are discussed. These two approaches outline a new interdisciplinary field based on application of neural networks (and probably other modern machine or statistical learning techniques) to significantly speed up calculations of time-consuming components of atmospheric and oceanic numerical models.
More Observations of Small Funnel Clouds and Other Tubular Clouds
Authors: Bluestein Howard B.
Published: January 2006

In this brief contribution, photographic documentation is provided of a variety of small, tubular-shaped clouds and of a small funnel cloud pendant from a convective cloud that appears to have been modified by flow over high-altitude mountains in northeast Colorado. These funnel clouds are contrasted with others that have been documented, including those pendant from high-based cumulus clouds in the plains of the United States. It is suggested that the mountain funnel cloud is unique in that flow over high terrain is probably responsible for its existence; other types of small funnel clouds are seen both over elevated, mountainous terrain and over flat terrain at lower elevations.
NWP Grid Editing at the Met Office
Authors: Carroll E. B. , Hewson T. D.
Published: January 2006

Over the past few years the way in which central forecast guidance is disseminated by forecasters in the Met Office headquarters has been changing, with an increasing reliance on modification of variables’ output from NWP models. The editing of grids of forecast data at the Met Office Operations Centre in Exeter is described, and two case studies are presented. Results of verification of modified versus raw fields are shown, presenting the concept of “lead time gain” as a unifying measure of relative forecast accuracy. At all lead times net lead time gain outweighs time spent considering and effecting modifications.
Ground Fog Detection from Space Based on MODIS Daytime Data—A Feasibility Study
Authors: Bendix Jörg , Thies Boris , Cermak Jan , Nauß Thomas
Published: January 2006

The distinction made by satellite data between ground fog and low stratus is still an open problem. A proper detection scheme would need to make a determination between low stratus thickness and top height. Based on this information, stratus base height can be computed and compared with terrain height at a specific picture element. In the current paper, a procedure for making the distinction between ground fog and low-level stratus is proposed based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS, flying on board the NASA Terra and Aqua satellites) daytime data for Germany. Stratus thickness is alternatively derived from either empirical relationships or a newly developed retrieval scheme (lookup table approach), which relies on multiband albedo and radiative transfer calculations. A trispectral visible–near-infrared (VIS–NIR) approach has been proven to give the best results for the calculation of geometrical thickness. The comparison of horizontal visibility data from synoptic observing (SYNOP) stations of the German Weather Service and the results of the ground fog detection schemes reveals that the lookup table approach shows the best performance for both a valley fog situation and an extended layer of low stratus with complex local visibility structures. Even if the results are very encouraging [probability of detection (POD) = 0.76], relatively high percentage errors and false alarm ratios still occur. Uncertainties in the retrieval scheme are mostly due to possible collocation errors and known problems caused by comparing point and pixel data (time lag between satellite overpass and ground observation, etc.). A careful inspection of the pixels that mainly contribute to the false alarm ratio reveals problems with thin cirrus layers and the fog-edge position of the SYNOP stations. Validation results can be improved by removing these suspicious pixels (e.g., percentage error decreases from 28% to 22%).
The Impact of Different WRF Model Physical Parameterizations and Their Interactions on Warm Season MCS Rainfall
Authors: Jankov Isidora , Gallus William A. , Segal Moti , Shaw Brent , Koch Steven E.
Published: January 2006

In recent years, a mixed-physics ensemble approach has been investigated as a method to better predict mesoscale convective system (MCS) rainfall. For both mixed-physics ensemble design and interpretation, knowledge of the general impact of various physical schemes and their interactions on warm season MCS rainfall forecasts would be useful. Adopting the newly emerging Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for this purpose would further emphasize such benefits. To pursue this goal, a matrix of 18 WRF model configurations, created using different physical scheme combinations, was run with 12-km grid spacing for eight International H2O Project (IHOP) MCS cases. For each case, three different treatments of convection, three different microphysical schemes, and two different planetary boundary layer schemes were used. Sensitivity to physics changes was determined using the correspondence ratio and the squared correlation coefficient. The factor separation method was also used to quantify in detail the impacts of the variation of two different physical schemes and their interaction on the simulated rainfall.

Skill score measures averaged over all eight cases for all 18 configurations indicated that no one configuration was obviously best at all times and thresholds. The greatest variability in forecasts was found to come from changes in the choice of convective scheme, although notable impacts also occurred from changes in the microphysics and planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes. Specifically, changes in convective treatment notably impacted the forecast of system average rain rate, while forecasts of total domain rain volume were influenced by choices of microphysics and convective treatment. The impact of interactions (synergy) of different physical schemes, although occasionally of comparable magnitude to the impacts from changing one scheme alone (compared to a control run), varied greatly among cases and over time, and was typically not statistically significant.
Improving Tropical Cyclogenesis Statistical Model Forecasts through the Application of a Neural Network Classifier
Authors: Hennon Christopher C. , Marzban Caren , Hobgood Jay S.
Published: January 2006

A binary neural network classifier is evaluated against linear discriminant analysis within the framework of a statistical model for forecasting tropical cyclogenesis (TCG). A dataset consisting of potential developing cloud clusters that formed during the 1998–2001 Atlantic hurricane seasons is used in conjunction with eight large-scale predictors of TCG. Each predictor value is calculated at analysis time. The model yields 6–48-h probability forecasts for genesis at 6-h intervals. Results consistently show that the neural network classifier performs comparably to or better than linear discriminant analysis on all performance measures examined, including probability of detection, Heidke skill score, and forecast reliability. Two case studies are presented to investigate model performance and the feasibility of adapting the model to operational forecast use.
Validation of the Coupled NCEP Mesoscale Spectral Model and an Advanced Land Surface Model over the Hawaiian Islands. Part I: Summer Trade Wind Conditions and a Heavy Rainfall Event*
Authors: Zhang Yongxin , Chen Yi-Leng , Hong Song-You , Juang Hann-Ming Henry , Kodama Kevin
Published: January 2006

Validations of the 10-km operational Regional Spectral Model (RSM) and the coupled Mesoscale Spectral Model (MSM) with an advanced land surface model (LSM) forecasts during a 1-month period from 20 May through 20 June 2002 are performed at three surface sites on the island of Oahu. One heavy rainfall case over the Hawaiian Islands is also simulated using the MSM–LSM. Over land with adequate representation of the terrain, the 1.5-km MSM provides better forecasts of surface variables than the 10-km operational RSM. However, there are still appreciable discrepancies between the MSM simulations and observations. Further improvements are achieved by coupling the MSM with the LSM. In particular, overestimation of the surface wind speed and daytime cold biases experienced by the MSM are largely corrected in the coupled MSM–LSM.

Composite analyses of surface variables at three surface sites under different trade wind conditions show that the observed diurnal cycles in 2-m temperature, 2-m dewpoint temperature, and 10-m wind are better forecasted by the MSM–LSM than by the MSM. The observed daytime minima in 2-m dewpoint temperatures during the strong trade wind days at two urban sites are reproduced by the MSM–LSM. The heavy rainfall case studies presented herein indicate that the high-resolution MSM–LSM has better capability in simulating localized rainfall distributions and airflows associated with the heavy rainfall event than the 10-km RSM–LSM. A major model bias is that the MSM–LSM produces excessive rainfall on the windward side of the island of Oahu with no rainfall downstream of the mountain ridges, in contrast to the observed rainfall distribution that shows the maximum rainfall axis occurring slightly downstream of the mountain ridges.
Validation of the Coupled NCEP Mesoscale Spectral Model and an Advanced Land Surface Model over the Hawaiian Islands. Part II: A High Wind Event*
Authors: Zhang Yongxin , Chen Yi-Leng , Kodama Kevin
Published: January 2006

A high wind event (14–15 February 2001) over the Hawaiian Islands associated with a cold front is simulated using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Mesoscale Spectral Model (MSM) coupled with an advanced land surface model (LSM). During this period, a strong high pressure cell moved to the northeast of the Hawaiian Islands following the passage of the cold front. The cell then merged with the semipermanent subtropical high and resulted in windy conditions across the state of Hawaii. Analyses of soundings from Lihue on Kauai and Hilo on the Big Island reveal a mean-state critical level below 400 hPa, a strong cross-barrier flow (∼13 m s−1), and the presence of a trade wind inversion.

The MSM–LSM predicts downslope windstorms on the lee sides of mountains or ridges with tops beneath the trade wind inversion and within ocean channels between islands. In the case of high mountains with a peak height above the trade wind inversion, weak winds are simulated on the lee side. Around the corners of the islands and in gaps between mountains, gap winds and downslope windstorms are both important for the development of localized leeside windstorms.

The localized windstorms over the Hawaiian Islands develop as a result of interactions between large-scale airflow and the complex local topography. Since the terrain is not adequately resolved by the 10-km RSM–LSM, it is no surprise that these windstorms are better simulated by the high-resolution nonhydrostatic MSM–LSM than the 10-km RSM–LSM.
A Single-Station Approach to Model Output Statistics Temperature Forecast Error Assessment
Authors: Taylor Andrew A. , Leslie Lance M.
Published: January 2006

Error characteristics of model output statistics (MOS) temperature forecasts are calculated for over 200 locations around the continental United States. The forecasts are verified on a station-by-station basis for the year 2001. Error measures used include mean algebraic error (bias), mean absolute error (MAE), relative frequency of occurrence of bias and MAE values, and the daily forecast errors themselves. A case study examining the spatial and temporal evolution of MOS errors is also presented.

The error characteristics presented here, together with the case study, provide a more detailed evaluation of MOS performance than may be obtained from regionally averaged error statistics. Knowledge concerning locations where MOS forecasts have large errors or biases and why those errors or biases exist is of great value to operational forecasters. Not only does such knowledge help improve their forecasts, but forecaster performance is often compared to MOS predictions. Examples of biases in MOS forecast errors are illustrated by examining two stations in detail. Significant warm and cold biases are found in maximum temperature forecasts for Los Angeles, California (LAX), and minimum temperature forecasts for Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS), respectively. MAE values for MOS temperature predictions calculated in this study suggest that coastal stations tend to have lower MAE values and lower variability in their errors, while forecasts with high MAE and error variability are more frequent in the interior of the United States. Therefore, MAE values from samples of MOS forecasts are directly proportional to the variance in the observations. Additionally, it is found that daily maximum temperature forecast errors exhibit less variability during the summer months than they do over the rest of the year, and that forecasts for any one station rarely follow a consistent temporal pattern for more than two or three consecutive days. These inconsistent error patterns indicate that forecasting temperatures based on recent trends in MOS forecast errors at an individual station is usually not a good strategy. As shown in earlier studies by other authors and demonstrated again here, MOS temperature forecasts are often inaccurate in the vicinity of strong temperature gradients, for locations affected by shallow cold air masses, or for stations in regions of anomalously warm or cold temperatures.

Finally, a case study is presented examining the spatial and temporal distributions of MOS temperature forecast errors across the United States from 13 to 15 February 2001. During this period, two surges of cold arctic air moved south into the United States. In contrast to error trends at individual stations, nationwide spatial and temporal patterns of MOS forecast errors could prove to be a powerful forecasting tool. Nationwide plots of errors in MOS forecasts would be useful if made available in real time to operational forecasters.
Performance of Long-Term Integrations of the Japan Meteorological Agency Nonhydrostatic Model Using the Spectral Boundary Coupling Method
Authors: Yasunaga Kazuaki , Sasaki Hidetaka , Wakazuki Yasutaka , Kato Teruyuki , Muroi Chiashi , Hashimoto Akihiro , Kanada Sachie , Kurihara Kazuo , Yoshizaki Masanori , Sato Yasuo
Published: January 2006

The spectral boundary coupling (SBC) method, which is an approach used to couple a limited-area model with a large-scale model, was introduced into a nonhydrostatic model. To investigate whether the SBC method works well in a long-term integration of a high-resolution nonhydrostatic model, two numerical experiments were conducted with a model having a horizontal grid interval of 5 km. In one experiment, the SBC method was employed, while it was not in the other experiment. The time integration in both experiments was over a 40-day period. The nonhydrostatic model was nested into objectively analyzed fields, instead of the forecasts from an extended-area model.

Predicted patterns of sea level pressure and precipitation were compared with objective analyses, and data provided by the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP), respectively. The predicted rainfall amounts and surface temperature over the Japanese islands were statistically evaluated, making use of the analyzed rainfall and surface data observed by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). All results examined in the present study exhibited better performances with use of the SBC method than those without the SBC method. It was found that the SBC method was highly useful in long-term simulations by a high-resolution nonhydrostatic model.
Performance of National Weather Service Forecasts Compared to Operational, Consensus, and Weighted Model Output Statistics
Authors: Baars Jeffrey A. , Mass Clifford F.
Published: January 2006

Model output statistics (MOS) guidance has been the central model postprocessing approach used by the National Weather Service since the 1970s. A recent advancement in the use of MOS is the application of “consensus” MOS (CMOS), an average of MOS from two or more models. CMOS has shown additional skill over individual MOS forecasts and has performed well compared to humans in forecasting contests. This study compares MOS, CMOS, and WMOS (weighting component MOS predictions by their past performance) forecasts of temperature and precipitation to those of the National Weather Service (NWS) subjective forecasts. Data from 29 locations throughout the United States from 1 August 2003 through 1 August 2004 are used. MOS forecasts from the Global Forecast System (GMOS), Eta (EMOS), and Nested Grid Model (NMOS) models are included, with CMOS being a simple average of these three forecasts. WMOS is calculated using weights determined from a minimum variance method, with varying training periods for each station and variable.

Performance is analyzed at various forecast periods, by region of the United States, and by time/season, as well as for periods of large daily temperature changes or large departures from climatology. The results show that CMOS is competitive or superior to human forecasts at nearly all locations and that WMOS is superior to CMOS. Human forecasts are most skillful compared to MOS during the first forecast day and for periods when temperatures differ greatly from climatology. The implications of these results regarding the future role of human forecasters are examined in the conclusions.
An Odds Ratio Parameterization for ROC Diagram and Skill Score Indices
Authors: Manzato Agostino
Published: January 2006

The relative operating characteristic (ROC) diagram is often used to assess the performance of a classification system, like the categorical forecast of an event occurrence. Categorical forecasting can be obtained by imposing a threshold on a continuous variable in order to make it dichotomous. In practice this threshold could be varied to create different contingency tables. From each table, it is then possible to derive many statistical indices and skill scores, which are functions of the chosen threshold. The ROC curve is obtained by plotting two of these indices: probability of detection (POD) versus probability of false detection (POFD).

In this work a simple approximation for another of these indices, the odds ratio (O), is proposed. Thus, O is parameterized as a function of POFD and that leads to a parameterization of all the theoretical ROC curves. Using this approximation, it is also possible to derive the theoretical maximum Hanssen and Kuipers skill score (KSS) and the theoretical maximum Heidke skill score (HSS), for each ROC. It is found that the maximum HSS depends explicitly on the database event frequency (α), while the KSS seems independent of it.

Out of the approximation framework, some general properties of ROC points corresponding to the maximum KSS, to the maximum HSS, and to the BIAS = 1 condition have also been found. It is also suggested that many of these performance measures are influenced by the event frequency, which must be taken into account when comparing classifiers made for different databases. Another interesting outcome of this study is that it is shown how the KSS is also equitable (in the sense introduced by Gandin and Murphy) for a generic “cost ratio” (λ) between miss and false alarm cases, not only for the original case λ = 1.
The Historical Traditions of the Jews of Kochi
Authors: Katz Nathan
Published: January 2006

Three very different types of data must be considered in any attempt at constructing a history of the ancient Jewish community of Kochi in Kerala. There are scant historical data—a third-century patristic letter, a ninth-century Muslim travelogue, an eleventh-century royal charter engraved on copperplates, a twelfth-century Hebrew tombstone. There are numerous motifs from Kochini folklore, especially the intriguing Malayalam songs of Jewish women. Finally, there are indigenous narrations by which the community presents itself to the outside world. Even taken together, these three types of data do not yield a comprehensive history. But what they do reveal is perhaps more significant; they chart the community's crafting for themselves a niche within the social framework of Kerala. In sum, in their narrations they create an identity that resonates exceptionally well with both Indian and Jewish values, themes and motifs.
Linkages Between Negative Work-to-Family Spillover and Mothers’ and Fathers’ Knowledge of Their Young Adolescents’ Daily Lives
Authors: Bumpus Matthew F. , Crouter Ann C. , McHale Susan M.
Published: January 2006

This study examines the relationships between mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of negative work-to-family spillover and their knowledge of their preadolescent children’s (mean age = 11.8 years) daily lives in a sample of dual-earner families. Three constructs are tested as potential mediators of the association between spillover and parental knowledge: marital love, parent-child involvement in joint activities, and parent-child acceptance. Evidence supporting mediation emerges for fathers: negative work-to-family spillover predicts paternal knowledge of children’s daily activities indirectly via both (a) father-child acceptance and (b) fathers’ involvement in joint activities with their children. No evidence in support of mediation is found for mothers.
Heterosexual Risk Behaviors Among Urban Young Adolescents
Authors: O’Donnell Lydia , Stueve Ann , Wilson-Simmons Renée , Dash Kim , Agronick Gail , JeanBaptiste Varzi
Published: January 2006

Urban 6th graders (n = 294) participate in a survey assessing early heterosexual risk behaviors as part of the Reach for Health Middle Childhood Study. About half the boys (47%) and 20% of girls report having a girlfriend or boyfriend; 42% of boys and 10% of girls report kissing and hugging for a long time. Stepwise regressions model the relationships between heterosexual behaviors and gender, background characteristics, and parenting practices and peer influences. In the final model, being male, parental approval of having a girlfriend or a boyfriend, lower parental oversight of activities, having older or mixed-aged peers, and expressing peer norms supporting sexual behaviors are significant risk factors of heterosexual behaviors. Findings indicate the importance of parenting practices and peer influences on early sexual behaviors and inform strategies for helping urban young adolescents delay sexual initiation.
Precocious Behaviors in Early Adolescence
Authors: Bozick Robert
Published: January 2006

This article explores the relationship between employment and first sexual intercourse in the early teen years. Past research has examined the influence of a wide range of social contexts on adolescent sexual behavior. Very few studies, however, consider the work-place. In this study, a series of Cox proportional hazard models predicting the risk of first sexual intercourse were estimated for a sample of eighth graders aged 12 to 14 from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (N = 10,704). Working more than 4 hr a week and holding an adult-type job is associated with an increased risk of engaging in sexual intercourse in early adolescence. These effects remain after controlling for sociodemographic variables, family and academic factors, and measures of age-graded development. The findings lend support to the precocious development hypothesis, which posits that taking on adult roles at an early age may speed up the onset of other adult behaviors.
Depression Prevention for Early Adolescent Girls
Authors: Chaplin Tara M. , Gillham Jane E. , Reivich Karen , Elkon Andrea G. L. , Samuels Barbra , Freres Derek R. , Winder Breanna , Seligman Martin E. P.
Published: January 2006

Given the dramatic increase in depression that occurs during early adolescence in girls, interventions must address the needs of girls. The authors examined whether a depression prevention program, the Penn Resiliency Program, was more effective for girls in all-girls groups than in co-ed groups. Within co-ed groups, the authors also tested whether there were greater effects for boys than for girls. Participants were 20811-to 14-year-olds. Girls were randomly assigned to all-girls groups, co-ed groups, or control. Boys were assigned to co-ed groups or control. Students completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and explanatory style before and after the intervention. Girls groups were better than co-ed groups in reducing girls’ hopelessness and for session attendance rates but were similar to co-ed groups in reducing depressive symptoms. Co-ed groups decreased depressive symptoms, but this did not differ by gender. Findings support prevention programs and suggest additional benefits of girls groups.
Measuring Violence Risk and Outcomes Among Mexican American Adolescent Females
Authors: Cervantes Richard C. , Duenas Norma , Valdez Avelardo , Kaplan Charles
Published: January 2006

Central to the development of culturally competent violence prevention programs for Hispanic youth is the development of psychometrically sound violence risk and outcome measures for this population. A study was conducted to determine the psychometric properties of two commonly used violence measures, in this case for Mexican American adolescent females. The Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) and the Past Feelings and Acts of Violence Scale (PFAV) were analyzed to examine their interitem reliability, criterion validity, and discriminant validity. A sample of 150 low-risk and 150 high-risk adolescent females was studied. Discriminant validity was indicated by the perpetrator negotiation scale and by the victim psychological aggression and sexual coercion scales of the CTS2 and the PFAV. Analysis indicates that the CTS2 scales and the PFAV demonstrate adequate reliability, whereas strong criterion validity was evidenced by eight of the CTS2 scales and the PFAV.
Relational Outcomes of Childhood Sexual Trauma in Female Survivors
Authors: Liang Belle , Williams Linda M. , Siegel Jane A.
Published: January 2006

This longitudinal study examines the effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on the intimate and marital relationships of adult survivors from a sample composed primarily of African American women. In addition, the authors explore the protective role of maternal support. Interview data are collected on 136 women with documented histories of CSA who indicate the quality and nature of their current marital relationships and other interpersonal connections. Results suggest that CSA survivors with poor maternal attachment are more likely to enter into marital or cohabiting relationships. However, more severe sexual trauma in childhood correlates with greater marital dissatisfaction. Good maternal attachment during childhood has a negative main effect on adult interpersonal problems and a buffering effect on the relationship between abuse and marital dissatisfaction. These data can help guide future research on the adult relational outcomes of female CSA survivors, especially among minority populations.
Violence Among Arab Elementary School Pupils in Israel
Authors: Marie-Alsana Wisam , Haj-Yahia Muhammad M. , Greenbaum Charles W.
Published: January 2006

This article examines the prevalence of violence in primary schools attended by Arab children in Israel and the relationship between such exposure and violent behavior among these children. Participants are 388 Arab children (aged 10 to 12 years) living in three localities in Israel. The research focuses on three of the child’s roles in relation to violence: witness, victim, and perpetrator. An adapted Arabic translation of the Violence Exposure Scale-Revised is administered to children in group settings. The children report more exposure to moderate levels than to severe levels of violence. Boys are exposed to more violence as victims, and witness and perpetrate more violence than girls do. Multiple regression analysis shows that the experience of being a victim predicts violent behavior in the children, above the effects of age and gender. The limitations of the study and its implications for future research and theory development are discussed.
Sexual Victimization Among African American Adolescent Females
Authors: Cecil Heather , Matson Steven C.
Published: January 2006

Adolescent females are disproportionately represented among reported cases of sexual victimization. Because sexual victimization is associated with an array of negative sequelae (e.g., depression, alcohol abuse), psychometrically sound instruments are urgently needed to assess sexual victimization or coercion. The investigation conducts a preliminary analysis of the reliability and validity of the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) for a sample drawn from a high-risk population—African American adolescent females. Our analyses indicate good internal consistency for the SES with this sample. Convergent validity is demonstrated. Specifically, scores on the SES are associated with significantly lower levels of self-esteem and mastery, higher levels of depression, lower levels of family cohesion, higher levels of family conflict, and higher levels of using alcohol and being a smoker. Preliminary support for discriminant validity is also obtained. This study is a stepping stone for future investigations into the psychometric evaluation of the SES.
Jocks, Gender, Binge Drinking, and Adolescent Violence
Authors: Miller Kathleen E. , Melnick Merrill J. , Farrell Michael P. , Sabo Donald F. , Barnes Grace M.
Published: January 2006

Previous research has suggested a link between athletic involvement and elevated levels of adolescent violence outside the sport context. The present study expanded on this literature by positing differences in the sport-violence relationship across dimensions of athletic involvement (athletic participation vs. jock identity), type of violence (family vs. nonfamily), and gender as well as by examining the impact of binge drinking on the sport-violence relationship. Regression analyses using a sample of 608 Western New York adolescents indicated that (a) jock identity (but not athletic participation) was associated with more frequent violence, (b) jock identity predicted nonfamily violence (but not family violence), and (c) the link between jock identity and nonfamily violence was stronger for boys than for girls. Binge drinking predicted family violence among nonjocks only.
How Batterer Intervention Programs Work
Authors: Silvergleid Courtenay S. , Mankowski Eric S.
Published: January 2006

Understanding what facilitates change in men who perpetrate domestic violence can aid the development of more effective batterer intervention programs (BIPs). To identify and describe key change processes, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine successful BIP completers and with 10 intervention group facilitators. The accounts described a range of individual-level processes of change consistent with prior research but also included several processes spanning the community, organizational, and group levels of analysis. Program completers and facilitators gave mostly similar accounts, though differed in their emphasis of criminal justice system sanctions, group resocialization of masculinity, and the participants’ own decision to change. All accounts especially emphasized group-level processes and the importance of balancing support and confrontation from facilitators and group members. The findings demonstrate the importance of obtaining multiple perspectives on change processes, and support ecological and systems models of batterer intervention.
Natural gene therapy in monozygotic twins with Fanconi anemia
Authors: Mankad Anuj , Taniguchi Toshiyasu , Cox Barbara , Akkari Yassmine , Rathbun R. Keaney , Lucas Lora , Bagby Grover , Olson Susan , D'Andrea Alan , Grompe Markus
Published: January 2006

Monozygotic twin sisters, with nonhematologic symptoms of Fanconi anemia (FA), were discovered to be somatic mosaics for mutations in the FANCA gene. Skin fibroblasts, but not lymphocytes or committed hematopoietic progenitors, were sensitive to DNA cross-linking agents. Molecular analysis revealed, in skin cells of both twins, a frameshift causing deletion in exon 27 (2555ΔT) and an exon 28 missense mutation (2670G>A/R880Q). The latter resulted in primarily cytoplasmic expression and reduced function of the mutant FANCA (R880Q) protein. Surprisingly, the same acquired exon 30 missense change (2927G>A/E966K) was detected in the hematopoietic cells of both sisters, but not in their fibroblasts, nor in either parent. This compensatory mutation existed in cis with the maternal exon 28 mutation, and it restored function and nuclear localization of the resulting protein. Both sisters have been free of hematologic symptoms for more than 2 decades, suggesting that this de novo mutation occurred prenatally in a single hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) in one twin and that descendants of this functionally corrected HSC, via intra-uterine circulation, repopulated the blood lineages of both sisters. This finding suggests that treating FA patients with gene therapy might require transduction of only a few hematopoietic stem cells.
Absolute values of immunoglobulin free light chains are prognostic in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Dispenzieri Angela , Lacy Martha Q. , Katzmann Jerry A. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Abraham Roshini S. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Kumar Shaji K. , Clark Raynell , Kyle Robert A. , Litzow Mark R. , Inwards David J. , Ansell Stephen M. , Micallef Ivana M. , Porrata Luis F. , Elliott Michelle A. , Johnston Patrick B. , Greipp Philip R. , Witzig Thomas E. , Zeldenrust Steven R. , Russell Stephen J. , Gastineau Dennis , Gertz Morie A.
Published: January 2006

The immunoglobulin free light chain (FLC) is the precursor protein of amyloid in primary systemic amyloidosis (AL). Historically, the ability to monitor the amyloid protein precursor protein has been crude. We evaluated the utility of the FLC assay in a retrospective analysis of patients with AL undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Ninety-three such patients had serial FLC measurements performed. The prognostic effects of the initial concentration and the extent of reduction of monoclonal FLC on survival were studied. There was a significantly higher risk of death in patients with higher baseline FLC (hazard ratio 2.6, P < .04). Baseline FLC correlated with serum cardiac troponin levels, and higher FLC levels were associated with more organs involved by amyloid, suggesting that high FLC levels may be associated with more advanced disease. The percent FLC reduction did not predict for survival, but the absolute level of FLC achieved after therapy did. Normalization of FLC level after PBSCT predicted for both organ response and complete hematologic response. Achievement of FLC response was a better predictor of survival than achievement of complete hematologic response or normalization of the FLC ratio. FLC measurements both before and after PBSCT are important predictors of patient outcome.
Human plasmacytoid predendritic cells activate NK cells through glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-ligand (GITRL)
Authors: Hanabuchi Shino , Watanabe Norihiko , Wang Yi-Hong , Wang Yui-Hsi , Ito Tomoki , Shaw Joanne , Cao Wei , Qin F. Xiao-Feng , Liu Yong-Jun
Published: January 2006

Plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursors (pDCs) are professional type I interferon-producing cells, a critical cell type in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses. By microarray gene expression analysis, we found that pDCs activated by virus or CpG-ODN preferentially express the ligand for the glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITRL), which was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry analysis. Using the same approaches, we found GITR is expressed by activated natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. We show that pDCs activated by CpG-ODN promote NK cell cytotoxicity and interferon (IFN)-γ production through type I IFNs and GITRL. Using a GITRL-transfected cell line, we further demonstrate that GITRL promotes NK cell cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production in synergy with interleukin-2 (IL-2), IFN-α, and NKG2D triggering. We also demonstrated that pDCs localized in close contact to NK cells in T-cell areas of the tonsils, and a subpopulation of the pDCs expressed GITRL. This study reveals a novel function of GITR/GITRL in pDC-mediated coactivation of NK cells.
Notch-dependent T-lineage commitment occurs at extrathymic sites following bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Maillard Ivan , Schwarz Benjamin A. , Sambandam Arivazhagan , Fang Terry , Shestova Olga , Xu Lanwei , Bhandoola Avinash , Pear Warren S.
Published: January 2006

Early T-lineage progenitors (ETPs) arise after colonization of the thymus by multipotent bone marrow progenitors. ETPs likely serve as physiologic progenitors of T-cell development in adult mice, although alternative T-cell differentiation pathways may exist. While we were investigating mechanisms of T-cell reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), we found that efficient donor-derived thymopoiesis occurred before the pool of ETPs had been replenished. Simultaneously, T lineage–restricted progenitors were generated at extrathymic sites, both in the spleen and in peripheral lymph nodes, but not in the bone marrow or liver. The generation of these T lineage–committed cells occurred through a Notch-dependent differentiation process. Multipotent bone marrow progenitors efficiently gave rise to extrathymic T lineage–committed cells, whereas common lymphoid progenitors did not. Our data show plasticity of T-lineage commitment sites in the post-BMT environment and indicate that Notch-driven extrathymic Tlineage commitment from multipotent progenitors may contribute to early T-lineage reconstitution after BMT.
Mutation of mouse Mayp/Pstpip2 causes a macrophage autoinflammatory disease
Authors: Grosse Johannes , Chitu Violeta , Marquardt Andreas , Hanke Petra , Schmittwolf Carolin , Zeitlmann Lutz , Schropp Patricia , Barth Bettina , Yu Philipp , Paffenholz Rainer , Stumm Gabriele , Nehls Michael , Stanley E. Richard
Published: January 2006

Macrophage actin-associated tyrosine phosphorylated protein (MAYP)/PSTPIP2, a PCH protein, is involved in the regulation of macrophage motility. Mutations in a closely related gene, PSTPIP1/CD2BP1, cause a dominantly inherited autoinflammatory disorder known as PAPA syndrome. A mutant mouse obtained by chemical mutagenesis exhibited an autoinflammatory disorder characterized by macrophage infiltration and inflammation, leading to osteolysis and necrosis in paws and necrosis of ears. Positional cloning of this recessive mutation, termed Lupo, identified a T to A nucleotide exchange leading to an amino acid substitution (I282N) in the sequence of MAYP. MaypLp/Lp disease was transferable by bone marrow transplantation and developed in the absence of lymphocytes. Consistent with the involvement of macrophages, lesion development could be prevented by the administration of clodronate liposomes. MAYP is expressed in monocytes/macrophages and in a Mac1+ subfraction of granulocytes. LPS stimulation increases its expression in macrophages. Because of the instability of the mutant protein, MAYP expression is reduced 3-fold in MaypLp/Lp macrophages and, on LPS stimulation, does not rise above the level of unstimulated wild-type (WT) cells. MaypLp/Lp mice expressed elevated circulating levels of several cytokines, including MCP-1; their macrophages exhibited altered cytokine production in vitro. These studies suggest that MAYP plays an anti-inflammatory role in macrophages.