bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urinary Pharmacokinetics and Bactericidal Activity of Finafloxacin (200 and 800 mg) in Healthy Volunteers Receiving a Single Oral Dose
Authors: Wagenlehner Florian M.E. , Wagenlehner Christine M. , Blenk Birgit , Blenk Holger , Schubert Sabine , Dalhoff Axel , Naber Kurt G.
Published: March 2011

Background: Finafloxacin is a novel 8-cyano-fluoroquinolone under investigation for treatment of urinary tract infection. Methods: Urinary concentrations and urinary bactericidal titers (UBT) of finafloxacin 200- and 800-mg single doses in 6 healthy volunteers were measured up to 48 h. UBT were determined for a reference strain and 9 selected clinical uropathogens at the pH of native, acidified (pH 5.5) and alkalinized (pH 8.0) urine. Results: The mean maximum urine concentrations for 200 and 800 mg finafloxacin were 69.3 mg/l (0–2 h) and 150 mg/l (4–8 h). Median UBT were between 0 and 1:>2,048 and were in general agreement with minimal inhibitory concentrations of strains and urinary pH values. UBT in alkaline urine were significantly lower than those in native or acidic urine, except for Enterococcus faecalis.Conclusions: Finafloxacin exhibited significant bactericidal activity against susceptible uropathogens. The urinary bactericidal activity of finafloxacin was enhanced in acidic urine and significantly lower in alkaline urine.
A Paradigm Shift in the Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Raghuveer Talkad S. , Bloom Barry T.
Published: March 2011

For more than 50 years it has been known that oxygen therapy can lead to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Recent clinical research has led many neonatologists to lower the target oxygen saturation alarm limits to 85–93% and to titrate the inspired oxygen in small increments. Despite efforts to optimize oxygen therapy, the number of cases of severe ROP remains high as more extremely low birth weight infants survive. Based on new insights into the pathogenesis of ROP, there are multiple interventions, in addition to optimizing oxygen therapy that may help decrease severe ROP. Interventions that have the potential to prevent phase I ROP (birth to ≤32 weeks PMA) include increasing retinal erythropoietin (exogenous rHuEPO) and serum IGF-1 (breast milk and/or exogenous IGF-1), maintaining serum glucose below 120 mg, and providing omega-3 supplements. Interventions with potential to prevent proliferative ROP in phase II (infants >32–34 weeks PMA) include treating anemia with a liberal policy of transfusion in premature infants with stage III ROP, photopic adaptation, vitamin E supplements (>34 weeks PMA), and omega-3 supplements. The WINROP algorithm has shown promise as a biomarker in the early identification of extremely low birth weight infants at high risk for proliferative ROP. As there is interplay of multiple factors in the causation of ROP, we suggest that the simultaneous application of some combination of multiple interventions, mentioned above, may reduce the burden of ROP in the most vulnerable infants. These conceptsneed study in well-designed randomized clinical trials before being incorporated into clinical practice.
Blood Loss Related to Participation in Pharmacokinetic Study in Preterm Neonates
Authors: Heidmets Lenne-Triin , Metsvaht Tuuli , Ilmoja Mari-Liis , Pisarev Heti , Oselin Kersti , Lutsar Irja
Published: March 2011

Background: The amount of blood that can be safely drawn from a preterm neonate for scientific purposes is poorly established. Objectives: To provide scientific evidence on the amount of blood that can be drawn from very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates for study purposes. Methods: We performed a post-hoc analysis of a pharmacokinetic (PK) study of penicillin-G, enrolling 18 neonates with a birth weight of <1,200 g, gestational age of <28 weeks and postnatal age of <5 days, with a risk of early onset sepsis. A median of 2.3 ml/kg of blood was collected from each neonate for the PK analysis. Hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Ht), basic hemodynamic parameters, total fluid intake, number of blood component transfusions and number of blood analysis for clinical indications were recorded. The control group consisted of 35 gestational age-, postnatal age- and birth weight-matched neonates who had not participated in a PK study. Results: We did not observe significant differences in any studied safety parameter, including Hgb and Ht values, between the two groups. Median number of blood component transfusions (n = 2 in both groups), median volume of transfused red blood cells (22 vs. 24 ml/kg in study vs. control group) and total daily fluid requirement were similar. The median calculated blood loss on clinical indications was 1.9 ml/24 h in the control group and 1.66 ml/24 h in the study group. Conclusions: In VLBW neonates, up to 2.3 ml/kg of blood (corresponding to 2.4% of calculated circulating blood volume) can be drawn for scientific purposes without compromising basic hemodynamic parameters, Hgb and Ht values, blood component transfusions or fluid requirements.
Hematoma Volume Affects the Accuracy of Computed Tomographic Angiography ‘Spot Sign’ in Predicting Hematoma Expansion after Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Yue-Hua , Fan Jin-Yu , Luo Guang-Dong , Lin Tie , Xie De-Xuan , Ji Feng-Ying , Zhang Xiang-Tong
Published: March 2011

Background: We hypothesized that the presence of tiny, enhancing foci (‘spot sign’) within acute hematomas is associated with hematoma expansion. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the effect of hematoma volume on accuracy of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in predicting hematoma expansion in 312 patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their initial hematoma volume (<30 vs. ≧30 ml). CTA was performed at admission and 24 h after initial presentation. Results: The <30-ml group consisted of 203 patients of whom 42 had hematoma expansion (20.9%). The ≧30-ml group consisted of 109 patients of whom 34 had hematoma expansion (31.19%). In the <30-ml group, the sensitivity and specificity of CTA in predicting hematoma expansion were 71.4 and 93.8%, respectively. In the ≧30-ml group, the sensitivity and specificity of CTA were 85.7 and 91.9%, respectively. For all 312 patients, the area under the curve was 0.86 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.80–0.92); the sensitivity and specificity of CTA were 77.9 and 93.2%, respectively. Conclusions: CTA can reliably predict hematoma expansion in clinical practice, especially for hematomas >30 ml.
Tuberculous Encephalopathy without Meningitis: Pathology and Brain MRI Findings
Authors: Kim Hee-Jin , Shim Kyu-Won , Lee Moon-Kyu , Park Moo-Suk , Kim Se-Hoon , Kim Eung-Yeop , Park Soochul , Kim Tai-Seung
Published: March 2011

Tuberculous encephalopathy (TBE) is an established disease entity of diffuse cerebral damage occurring with tuberculosis and an underlying immune pathogenesis. However, the presence of this disease entity remains controversial. We report a 15-year-old boy with seizures and a progressive decline of cognitive function. Brain MRI showed diffuse, hyperintense lesions in the white matter on a T2-weighted image, with gadolinium enhancement on a T1-weighted image. Brain biopsy revealed demyelination and granuloma in the white matter. Ziehl-Neelsen staining showed acid-fast bacilli in the granulomas. Antituberculous medication with concomitant steroid treatment resulted in radiological resolution in addition to clinical improvement. Clinicopathological evidence in this case provides additional convincing evidence of TBE as a disease entity distinct from tuberculous meningitis.
Longitudinal Hemodiafilter Performance in Modeled Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Pasko Deborah A. , Churchwell Mariann D. , Salama Noha N. , Mueller Bruce A.
Published: March 2011

Background/Aims: With advanced anticoagulation, many institutions operate continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) circuits longer than manufacturers’ recommendations. This extended use may change hemodiafilter performance and clearance properties. However, hemodiafilter performance over time has not been assessed. We investigated solute clearance over time in modeled CRRT. Methods: In vitro continuous hemofiltration (CH) and continuous hemodialysis (CD) were operated for 48 h using AN69 polyacrylonitrile, cellulose triacetate, F70 polysulfone, and Optiflux F160NR polysulfone hemodiafilters with citrated bovine blood. Urea, creatinine, gentamicin, vancomycin, and albumin clearances were assessed in CH (ultrafiltration rates = 1 and 3 l/h). Clearances of urea, creatinine, gentamicin, and albumin, were assessed in CD with dialysate flow rate of 2 l/h. Results: Solute CH clearances were significantly higher at 3 l/h. Only creatinine and gentamicin clearances were affected by time. Creatinine CD clearance significantly declined at 48 h for all hemodiafilters, especially polysulfone hemodiafilters. Conclusions: CRRT duration affects solute transmembrane clearance. Clinicians should consider hemodiafilter age when assessing hemodialysis dose or drug clearance.
Extracellular YB-1 Blockade in Experimental Nephritis Upregulates Notch-3 Receptor Expression and Signaling
Authors: Raffetseder Ute , Rauen Thomas , Boor Peter , Ostendorf Tammo , Hanssen Lydia , Floege Jürgen , En-Nia Abdelaziz , Djudjaj Sonja , Frye Björn C. , Mertens Peter R.
Published: March 2011

Background: Notch receptors are involved in kidney development and pathogenesis of inflammatory glomerular diseases. Given the secretion of Y-box (YB) protein-1 following cytokine stimulation and subsequent extracellular association with membrane receptor Notch-3 in vitro, we elucidated functional effects of YB-1 targeting on the Notch-3 signaling pathway. Methods: Rat mesangial cells were challenged with a monoclonal anti-YB-1 antibody (YB-1-mAb) and analyzed for YB-1 and Notch-3 expression. Notch-3 expression in mice with a targeted disruption of one YB-1 allele (YB-1+/d) was compared with their wild-type littermates. Furthermore, YB-1-mAb was applied during mesangioproliferative anti-Thy1.1 nephritis, and glomerular Notch-3, Notch target genes and YB-1 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting. Results: Upon challenge with YB-1-mAb, rat mesangial cells showed an increased expression of YB-1 and Notch-3 protein. Concordantly, we found a significant upregulation of Notch-3 expression in renal cells of YB-1+/d mice. YB-1-mAb treatment in anti-Thy1.1 nephritis resulted in enhanced mesangial Notch-3 expression and differential Notch target gene activation (HES2/Hey-2). Notably, YB-1 mRNA content did not differ between groups; however, glomerular YB-1 protein was significantly increased, suggesting a posttranslational mechanism. Conclusion: Extracellular targeting of YB-1 potently induces glomerular Notch-3 receptor expression, Notch signaling and YB-1 stabilization, most likely via an autoregulatory feedback mechanism.
Vascular Remodeling and Arterial Calcification Are Directly Mediated by S100A12 (EN-RAGE) in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Gawdzik Joseph , Mathew Liby , Kim Gene , Puri Tipu S. , Hofmann Bowman Marion A.
Published: March 2011

Background: The proinflammatory cytokine S100A12 (also known as EN-RAGE) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. In the cur- rent study, we tested the hypothesis that S100A12 expressed in vascular smooth muscle in nonatherosclerosis-prone C57BL/6J mice on normal rodent chow diet, but exposed to the metabolic changes of chronic kidney disease (CKD), would develop vascular disease resembling that observed in patients with CKD. Methods: CKD was induced in S100A12 transgenic mice and wild-type littermate mice not expressing human S100A12 by surgical ligation of the ureters. The aorta was analyzed after 7 weeks of elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and cultured aortic smooth muscle cells were studied. Results: We found enhanced vascular medial calcification in S100A12tg mice subjected to CKD. Vascular calcification was mediated, at least in part, by activation of the receptor for S100A12, RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation endproducts), and by enhanced oxidative stress, since inhibition of NADPH-oxidase Nox1 and limited access of S100A12 to RAGE attenuated the calcification and gene expression of osteoblastic genes in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Conclusion: S100A12 augments CKD-triggered osteogenesis in murine vasculature, reminiscent of features associated with enhanced vascular calcification in patients with chronic and end-stage kidney disease.
Phenotypical Manifestations of Mutations in the Genes Encoding Subunits of the Cardiac Voltage–Dependent L-Type Calcium Channel
Authors: Napolitano Carlo , Antzelevitch Charles
Published: March 2011

The L-type cardiac calcium channel (LTCC) plays a prominent role in the electric and mechanical function of the heart. Mutations in the LTCC have been associated with a number of inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndromes, including Timothy, Brugada, and early repolarization syndromes. Elucidation of the genetic defects associated with these syndromes has led to a better understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic approaches to dealing with the arrhythmic manifestations. This review provides an overview of the molecular structure and function of the LTCC, the genetic defects in these channels known to contribute to inherited disorders, and the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to the development of life-threatening arrhythmias.
Interrelationship Between Cardiac Hypertrophy, Heart Failure, and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Dickhout Jeffrey G. , Carlisle Rachel E. , Austin Richard C.
Published: March 2011

Synthesis of transmembrane and secretory proteins occurs within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is extremely important in the normal functioning of both the heart and kidney. The dysregulation of protein synthesis/processing within the ER causes the accumulation of unfolded proteins, thereby leading to ER stress and the activation of the unfolded protein response. Sarcoplasmic reticulum/ER Ca
2+
disequilibrium can lead to cardiac hypertrophy via cytosolic Ca
2+
elevation and stimulation of the Ca
2+
/calmodulin, calcineurin, NF-AT3 pathway. Although cardiac hypertrophy may be initially adaptive, prolonged or severe ER stress resulting from the increased protein synthesis associated with cardiac hypertrophy can lead to apoptosis of cardiac myocytes and result in reduced cardiac output and chronic heart failure. The failing heart has a dramatic effect on renal function because of inadequate perfusion and stimulates the release of many neurohumoral factors that may lead to further ER stress within the heart, including angiotensin II and arginine–vasopressin. Renal failure attributable to proteinuria and uremia also induces ER stress within the kidney, which contributes to the transformation of tubular epithelial cells to a fibroblast-like phenotype, fibrosis, and tubular cell apoptosis, further diminishing renal function. As a consequence, cardiorenal syndrome may develop into a vicious circle with poor prognosis. New therapeutic modalities to alleviate ER stress through stimulation of the cytoprotective components of the unfolded protein response, including GRP78 upregulation and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α phosphorylation, may hold promise to reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with cardiorenal syndrome.
Untethered Hovering Flapping Flight of a 3D-Printed Mechanical Insect
Authors: Richter Charles , Lipson Hod
Published: March 2011

This project focuses on developing a flapping-wing hovering insect using 3D-printed wings and mechanical parts. The use of 3D printing technology has greatly expanded the possibilities for wing design, allowing wing shapes to replicate those of real insects or virtually any other shape. It has also reduced the time of a wing design cycle to a matter of minutes. An ornithopter with a mass of 3.89 g has been constructed using the 3D printing technique and has demonstrated an 85-s passively stable untethered hovering flight. This flight exhibits the functional utility of printed materials for flapping-wing experimentation and ornithopter construction and for understanding the mechanical principles underlying insect flight and control.
A Horizontal Wind and Wind Confidence Algorithm for Doppler Wind Profilers
Authors: Goodrich Robert K. , Morse Corrinne S. , Cornman Larry B. , Cohn Stephen A.
Published: March 2011

Boundary layer wind profilers are increasingly being used in applications that require high-quality, rapidly updated winds. An example of this type of application is an airport wind hazard warning system. Wind shear can be a hazard to flight operations and is also associated with the production of turbulence. A method for calculating wind and wind shear using a linear wind field assumption is presented. This method, applied to four- or five-beam profilers, allows for the explicit accounting of the measurable shear terms. An error analysis demonstrates why some shears are more readily estimated than others, and the expected magnitudes of the variance for the wind and wind shear estimates are given. A method for computing a quality control index, or confidence, for the calculated wind is also presented. This confidence calculation is based on an assessment of the validity of the assumptions made in the calculations. Confidence values can be used as a quality control metric for the calculated wind and can also be used in generating a confidence-weighted average wind value from the rapid update values. Results are presented that show that errors in the wind estimates are reduced after removing values with low confidence. The wind and confidence methods are implemented in the NCAR Wind and Confidence Algorithm (NWCA), and have been used with the NCAR Improved Moments Algorithm (NIMA) method for calculating moments and associated moment confidence from Doppler spectra. However, NWCA may be used with any moment algorithm that also computes a first moment confidence. For example, a very simple confidence algorithm can be defined in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio.
Reply
Authors: Engelmann R. J. , Perkins R. W.
Published: March 2011

No abstract available.
TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR
Authors: DAY P. C.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DESCRIPTION OF TABLES AND CHARTS
Authors: STOCKMAN W. B.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DESTRUCTIVE STORMS IN KENTUCKY, FEBRUARY 7, 1904
Authors: HERSEY H. B.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
THE FORMATION OF HAIL
Authors: GIBSON J. B.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.

January 5, 1909
THEORIES OF THE COLOR OF THE SKY
Authors: NICHOLS EDWARD L.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.

Presidential address delivered at the New York meeting of the Physical Society

[ABSTRACT.]

February 29, 1908
A STUDY OF OVERCAST SKIES
Authors: NICHOLAS E. L.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.

[Reprinted from Physical Review, 1908, 28: 122–131.]

June, 1908
THE SOURCE OF OUR COLD WAVES
Authors: STUPART R. F.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.

March 3, 1909
THE CLIMATE OF THE GLACIAL EPOCH.1
Authors: ARCTOWSKY HENRYK
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.

[Translated by C. Abbe, jr.]
THE PRESSURE OF SATURATED VAPOR FROM WATER AND ICE AS MEASURED BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES
Authors: MARVIN CHARLES F.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.

December 10, 1908
THE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS OF BOSTON, MASS1
Authors: PALMER ANDREW H.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
BREAK IN THE LOWER COLORADO
Authors: JESUNOFSKY L. N.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
IRRIGATION IN IDAHO
Authors: HAYS S. H.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DISTRICT No. 5, UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Authors: DONNEL CHARLES A.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DISTRICT No. 12, COLUMBIA VALLEY
Authors: BEALS EDWARD A.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DISTRICT NO. 11, CALIFORNIA
Authors: MCADIE ALEXANDER G.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
NEW HEATER AND VAPORIZER FOR FROST PROTECTION
Authors: MCADIE A. G.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DISTRICT No. 7, LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Authors: CLINE ISAAC M.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DISTRICT NO. 5, UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Authors: DONNEL C. A.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DISTRICT NO. 5, UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Authors: CHAPPEL GEO. M.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
DISTRICT NO. 7, LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Authors: CLINE ISAAC M.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
RIVERS AND FLOODS DURING MARCH, 1917
Authors: HENRY ALFRED J.
Published: March 2011

No Abstract Available.
Exploring the Land–Ocean Contrast in Convective Vigor Using Islands
Authors: Robinson F. J. , Sherwood S. C. , Gerstle D. , Liu C. , Kirshbaum D. J.
Published: March 2011

Moist convection is well known to be generally more intense over continental than maritime regions, with larger updraft velocities, graupel, and lightning production. This study explores the transition from maritime to continental convection by comparing the trends in Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) radar and microwave (37 and 85 GHz) observations over islands of increasing size to those simulated by a cloud-resolving model. The observed storms were essentially maritime over islands of <100 km2 and continental over islands >10 000 km2, with a gradual transition in between.

Equivalent radar and microwave quantities were simulated from cloud-resolving runs of the Weather Research and Forecasting model via offline radiation codes. The model configuration was idealized, with islands represented by regions of uniform surface heat flux without orography, using a range of initial sounding conditions without strong horizontal winds or aerosols. Simulated storm strength varied with initial sounding, as expected, but also increased sharply with island size in a manner similar to observations. Stronger simulated storms were associated with higher concentrations of large hydrometeors. Although biases varied with different ice microphysical schemes, the trend was similar for all three schemes tested and was also seen in 2D and 3D model configurations. The successful reproduction of the trend with such idealized forcing supports previous suggestions that mesoscale variation in surface heating—rather than any difference in humidity, aerosol, or other aspects of the atmospheric state—is the main reason that convection is more intense over continents and large islands than over oceans.

Some dynamical storm aspects, notably the peak rainfall and minimum surface pressure low, were more sensitive to surface forcing than to the atmospheric sounding or ice scheme. Large hydrometeor concentrations and simulated microwave and radar signatures, however, were at least as sensitive to initial humidity levels as to surface forcing and were more sensitive to the ice scheme.

Issues with running the TRMM simulator on 2D simulations are discussed, but they appear to be less serious than sensitivities to model microphysics, which were similar in 2D and 3D. This supports the further use of 2D simulations to economically explore modeling uncertainties.
Radar Anomalous Propagation Associated with Foehn Winds Induced by Typhoon Krosa (2007)
Authors: Chang Pao-Liang , Lin Pin-Fang
Published: March 2011

In this study, unusual radar anomalous propagation (AP) phenomena associated with foehn winds induced by Typhoon Krosa (2007) were documented by using observations from radar, surface stations, and soundings. The AP echoes embedded within rainband areas and exhibited inward motions toward the radar site within 2–3 h prior to the occurrences of foehn winds at the radar site, which would interfere with the interpretation of radar data and associated downstream applications. As Typhoon Krosa appeared in the vicinity of the northeastern coast of Taiwan, foehn winds with significant subsidence warming and drying generated by downslope winds were observed in southeastern Taiwan. The foehn winds continuously moved northward within confined areas from the southeastern to eastern–central parts of Taiwan. Before the foehn winds penetrated to the surface, the subsidence warming introduced a temperature inversion layer above the surface and caused the ducting of radar beams. Analyses of refractive index and ray tracing suggested that the occurrence and evolution of the AP echoes during Typhoon Krosa were closely related to the varying inversion heights induced by downslope winds.
A Robust Dual-Frequency Radar Profiling Algorithm
Authors: Grecu Mircea , Tian Lin , Olson William S. , Tanelli Simone
Published: March 2011

In this study, an algorithm to retrieve precipitation from spaceborne dual-frequency (13.8 and 35.6 GHz, or Ku/Ka band) radar observations is formulated and investigated. Such algorithms will be of paramount importance in deriving radar-based and combined radar–radiometer precipitation estimates from observations provided by the forthcoming NASA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. In GPM, dual-frequency Ku-/Ka-band radar observations will be available only within a narrow swath (approximately one-half of the width of the Ku-band radar swath) over the earth’s surface. Therefore, a particular challenge is to develop a flexible radar retrieval algorithm that can be used to derive physically consistent precipitation profile estimates across the radar swath irrespective of the availability of Ka-band radar observations at any specific location inside that swath, in other words, an algorithm capable of exploiting the information provided by dual-frequency measurements but robust in the absence of Ka-band channel. In the present study, a unified, robust precipitation retrieval algorithm able to interpret either Ku-only or dual-frequency Ku-/Ka-band radar observations in a manner consistent with the information content of the observations is formulated. The formulation is based on 1) a generalized Hitschfeld–Bordan attenuation correction method that yields generic Ku-only precipitation profile estimates and 2) an optimization procedure that adjusts the Ku-band estimates to be physically consistent with coincident Ka-band reflectivity observations and surface reference technique–based path-integrated attenuation estimates at both Ku and Ka bands. The algorithm is investigated using synthetic and actual airborne radar observations collected in the NASA Tropical Composition, Cloud, and Climate Coupling (TC4) campaign. In the synthetic data investigation, the dual-frequency algorithm performed significantly better than a single-frequency algorithm; dual-frequency estimates, however, are still sensitive to various assumptions such as the particle size distribution shape, vertical and cloud water distributions, and scattering properties of the ice-phase precipitation.
An Integrated TKE-Based Eddy Diffusivity/Mass Flux Boundary Layer Closure for the Dry Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Witek Marcin L. , Teixeira Joao , Matheou Georgios
Published: March 2011

This study presents a new approach to the eddy diffusivity/mass flux (EDMF) framework for the modeling of convective boundary layers. At the root of EDMF lies a decomposition of turbulent transport mechanisms into strong ascending updrafts and smaller-scale turbulent motions. The turbulent fluxes can be therefore described using two conventional approaches: mass flux (MF) for the organized thermals and eddy diffusivity (ED) for the remaining turbulent field. Since the intensities of both MF and ED transports depend on the kinetic energy of the turbulent motions, it seems reasonable to formulate an EDMF framework based on turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). Such an approach allows for more physical and less arbitrary formulations of parameters in the model. In this study the EDMF–TKE coupling is achieved through the use of (i) a new parameterization for the lateral entrainment coefficient ɛ and (ii) the MF contribution to the buoyancy source of TKE. Some other important features of the EDMF parameterization presented here include a revised mixing length formulation and Monin–Obukhov stability scaling for the surface layer. The scheme is implemented in a one-dimensional (1D) model. Several cases of dry convective boundary layers (CBL) with different surface sensible heat fluxes in the free-convection limit are investigated. Results are compared to large-eddy simulation (LES). Good agreement between LES and the 1D model is achieved with respect to mean profiles, boundary layer evolution, and updraft characteristics. Some disagreements between the models are found to most likely relate to deficiencies in the TKE simulation in the 1D model. Comparison with other previously established ɛ parameterizations shows that the new TKE-based formulation leads to equally accurate, and in many respects better, simulation of the CBL. The encouraging results obtained with the proposed EDMF framework indicate that full integration of EDMF with higher-order closures is possible and can further improve boundary layer simulations.
A Simplified Model for Intermittent Turbulence in the Nocturnal Boundary Layer
Authors: Costa Felipe D. , Acevedo Otávio C. , Mombach José C. M. , Degrazia Gervásio A.
Published: March 2011

A model for the exchange between the surface and the atmosphere under stable conditions is proposed. It is based on the classical scheme first suggested by Blackadar and comprises prognostic equations for the wind components and air and ground temperature. The main difference from previous works consists in the fact that the turbulent intensity is determined by a prognostic equation for turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), rather than by using stability functions that arbitrarily relate it to atmospheric stability. Results show that the model reproduces the condition of connection and disconnection between the surface and upper levels. Furthermore, it leads to periodic turbulence bursts when one level within the stable boundary layer (SBL) is considered and the use of additional levels increasingly leads to more complex solutions, characterizing the occurrence of global intermittency. Such turbulence bursts occur in the disconnected state and cause large fluctuations of the variables near the surface. The boundary layer height plays a role in the sense that for the same geostrophic winds, connection is favored for shallower layers. Although playing a role in the intermittency characteristics, soil type is not determinant to their existence, as the bursts occur even for very high values of heat capacity. Vertical profiles for both the intermittent and connected state are analyzed and in general agree with observations. It is shown that, near the surface, weak turbulence bursts favor the exchange between the air and the cooler ground, leading to a local temperature decrease, while stronger events that mix the air deeper in the SBL cause an average warming tendency. An opposite pattern occurs at the upper SBL. Intermittency is favored over a range of low geostrophic winds and clear skies, in agreement with previous suggestions. The vertical structure of the intermittent events is analyzed, and it shown that they are generated at the surface by a local shear increase above a threshold, propagating upward through the turbulence transfer term in the TKE equation. It is proposed that such events constitute a natural characteristic of the disconnected SBL, which occurs along with low large-scale winds and clear skies.
Mapping the Relationship between Northern Hemisphere Winter Surface Air Temperature and the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Zhou Yang , Thompson Keith R. , Lu Youyu
Published: March 2011

A regression-based modeling approach is described for mapping the dependence of atmospheric state variables such as surface air temperature (SAT) on the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). For the special case of a linear model the dependence can be described by two maps corresponding to the amplitude and lag of the mean atmospheric response with respect to the MJO. In this sense the method leads to a more parsimonious description than traditional compositing, which usually results in eight maps, one for each MJO phase. Another advantage of the amplitude and phase maps is that they clearly identify propagating signals, and also regions where the response is strongly amplified or attenuated. A straightforward extension of the linear model is proposed to allow the amplitude and phase of the response to vary with the amplitude of the MJO or indices that define the background state of the atmosphere–ocean system. Application of the approach to global SAT for boreal winter clearly shows the propagation of MJO-related signals in both the tropics and extratropics and an enhanced response over eastern North America and Alaska (further enhanced during La Niña years). The SAT response over Alaska and eastern North America is caused mainly by horizontal advection related to variations in shore-normal surface winds that, in turn, can be traced (via signals in the 500-hPa geopotential height) back to MJO-related disturbances in the tropics.
What Do We Really Know About Racial Inequality? Labor Markets, Politics, and the Historical Basis of Black Economic Fortunes
Authors: Sites William , Parks Virginia
Published: March 2011

Racial earnings inequalities in the United States diminished significantly over the three decades following World War II, but since then have not changed very much. Meanwhile, black—white disparities in employment have become increasingly pronounced. What accounts for this historical pattern? Sociologists often understand the evolution of racial wage and employment inequality as the consequence of economic restructuring, resulting in narratives about black economic fortunes that emphasize changing skill demands related to the rise and fall of the industrial economy. Reviewing a large body of work by economic historians and other researchers, this article contends that the historical evidence is not consistent with manufacturing- and skills-centered explanations of changes in relative black earnings and employment. Instead, data from the 1940s onward suggest that racial earnings inequalities have been significantly influenced by political and institutional factors—social movements, government policies, unionization efforts, and public-employment patterns—and that racial employment disparities have increased over the course of the postwar and post-1970s periods for reasons that are not reducible to skills. Taking a broader historical view suggests that black economic fortunes have long been powerfully shaped by nonmarket factors and recenters research on racial discrimination as well as the political and institutional forces that influence labor markets.
World Upside Down? A Conversation with C. Kavin Rowe
Authors: Walton Steve
Published: March 2011

An introduction to a discussion of C. Kavin Rowe’s World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age, which summarizes the book.
Translating Management Ideas: A Discursive Devices Analysis
Authors: Mueller Frank , Whittle Andrea
Published: March 2011

This paper puts forward a discursive devices approach to analysing the linguistic practices involved in the translation of management ideas. The paper draws on empirical data from a study of a quality improvement initiative in a UK public—private partnership. To illustrate our argument, we examine the discursive devices skilfully employed by two change champions during a training session to introduce staff to the new quality regime. Drawing insights from the field of discursive psychology, we analyse how a variety of discursive devices, such as footing, are employed to translate the idea during dialogue between sellers and recipients. We suggest that skilful variation can play a relevant role in the translation of management ideas.
The Stigma of Obesity
Authors: Schafer Markus H. , Ferraro Kenneth F.
Published: March 2011

Obesity is widely recognized as a health risk, but it also represents a disadvantaged social position. Viewing body weight within the framework of stigma and its effects on life chances, we examine how perceived weight-based discrimination influences identity and physical health. Using national survey data with a 10-year longitudinal follow-up, we consider whether perceptions of weight discrimination shape weight perceptions, whether perceived weight discrimination exacerbates the health risks of obesity, and whether weight perceptions are the mechanism explaining why perceived weight discrimination is damaging to health. Perceived weight discrimination is found to be harmful, increasing the health risks of obesity associated with functional disability and, to a lesser degree, self-rated health. Findings also reveal that weight-based stigma shapes weight perceptions, which mediate the relationship between perceived discrimination and health.
The Norm-Activating Power of Celebrity
Authors: Lindenberg Siegwart , Joly Janneke F. , Stapel Diederik A.
Published: March 2011

Social Psychology Quarterly retracts the article “The Norm-activating Power of Celebrity: The Dynamics of Success and Influence,” by Siegwart Lindenberg, Janneke F. Joly, and Diederik A. Stapel, which appeared in the March 2011 issue (74(1):98–120; DOI: 10.1177/0190272511398208). This retraction stems from the results of an investigation into the work of Diederik A. Stapel ( https://www.commissielevelt.nl/noort-committee/publications-examined/ ), which finds strong evidence of fraud in the dataset supplied by Stapel. His coauthors had no knowledge of his actions and were not involved in the production of the fraudulent data.

On the basis of previous evidence, we reasoned that even if people do not identify with celebrities, these celebrities can influence their behavior by activating bundles of social norms. Activating a norm means making both content and “oughtness” of the norm more directly relevant for behavior. We further reasoned that in order to have this norm-activating effect, celebrities have to have prestige. The question is whether they need to be seen as successful in order to have this effect. In four experimental studies, we examined the effects of a normative message presented by a celebrity on the activation of a target norm and of related and unrelated norms. As predicted, the normative message activated both target and related norms and did not activate unrelated norms. Also as expected, this ability to activate norms vanished entirely when the celebrities were tarnished by waning success. This result also shows that “success” and “lack of success” of a celebrity can be the result of relatively minor differences in media reporting. As expected, the norm-activating effect of celebrities was not mediated by self-reported measures of seeing celebrities as role models or of identifying with them. Implications for the impact of someone’s environment on norm conformity beyond positive and negative sanctions are discussed.
Acquisition of the constraints on wanna contraction by advanced second language learners: Universal grammar and imperfect knowledge
Authors: Kweon Soo-Ok , Bley-Vroman Robert
Published: March 2011

Contraction of want to to wanna is subject to constraints that have been related to the operation of Universal Grammar. Contraction appears to be blocked when the trace of an extracted wh-word intervenes. Evidence for knowledge of these constraints by young English-speaking children has been taken to show the operation of Universal Grammar in early child language acquisition. The present study investigates knowledge of these constraints in adults, both English native speakers and advanced Korean learners of English. The results of three experiments — using elicited production, oral repair, and grammaticality judgments — confirmed native speaker knowledge of the constraints. A second process of phonological elision may also operate to produce wanna. Learners also showed some differentiation of contexts, but much less clearly than native speakers. We speculate that non-natives may be using rules of complement selection, rather than the constraints of Universal Grammar (UG) to control contraction.
Brain science of the mind
Authors: Nakada Tsutomu
Published: March 2011

The human cerebral cortex contains more than one hundred billion neurons and 1014 synapses. Even without regard to the size of the genome, it can be easily deduced that a deterministic blueprint for connectivity of such an enormous number of networks is unrealistic. Existing scientific knowledge indicates that nature utilizes principal rules instead of complete deterministic descriptions to fashion a desired structure, namely, the rules of self-organization. The brain is a complex system and self-organizes based on the Markovian process. Accordingly, brain functionality can be seen as specific patterns created by self-organizing processes based on conditions defined by genes and the environment. Three categorically different systems are now recognized based on their physiological functional unit configuration. While the oldest system is made up of deterministic connectivity, the remaining two systems, namely, cerebellum and cerebrum, utilize modifiable units, often referred to as cerebellar chip and brain chip, respectively. Classical conditioning, as in the case of Pavlov’s dog, is now recognized to be based on functionality of the cerebellum and its learning unit, the cerebellar chip, which in principle works as McCulloch-Pitts neurons. The cerebrum utilizes the concept of Kohonen’s non-linear self-organizing map in the organization of the brain chip, a system that effectively creates entropy fields. In contrast to cerebellar learning which is adaptive, cerebral learning is stochastic in nature, and follows the rule known as Pólya’s Urn.
Reading Haiku poems in English with special emphasis on personal pronouns
Authors: Maruyama Toru
Published: March 2011

When reading haiku poems in English, the knowledge that surface subjects (and personal pronouns) are not obligatory in Japanese is indispensable for interpretation. Considering the geographical and temporal distribution of the overt grammatical subjects, it is suggested that the emergence of the concept of ‘ego’ in Western Europe may have something to do with the appearance of the obligatory use of overt grammatical subjects, especially in English, French and German, in the medieval period. The fact that Descartes himself seemed to have stuck to the overt subject ‘ego’ even in the Latin version of his famous theme, i.e. Ego cogito ergo sum instead of Cogito ergo sum, is also thought provoking.
Description of Thai as an isolating language
Authors: Minegishi Makoto
Published: March 2011

The article illustrates morphosyntactic characteristics of Thai, an isolating language, in contrast to the modern European languages. Thai is characterized as a topic-prominent language, where the voluntary–spontaneous contrast rather than transitive–intransitive one plays significant roles in forming basic sentence constructions. By assuming non-hierarchical serial verb constructions as its basic sentence structures, the author claims that the modern hierarchical view of language structure is not appropriate for Thai. In Thai, verbs are serialized to denote not only successive actions or an action and its objective, but also a cause and its result, an action and its evaluation. Furthermore, causative and passive constructions are analyzed as part of verb serializations which are structurally identical, but antiparallel to each other in the direction of affectedness.
Mature care in professional relationships and health care prioritizations
Authors: Nordhaug Marita , Nortvedt Per
Published: March 2011

This article addresses some ambiguities and normative problems with the concept of mature care in professional relationships and in health care priorities. Mature care has recently been introduced in the literature on care ethics as an alternative to prevailing altruistic conceptions of care. The essence of mature care is an emphasis on reciprocity, where the mature agent has the ability to balance the concerns of self with those of others and act from a principle of not causing harm. Our basic claim is that the prevailing concept of mature care does not capture the real nature of professional relationships and role obligations in health care. As the focus of attention in professional care is and must be the patient’s particular medical and care needs, such care must principally be altruistic. Furthermore, we argue that mature care cannot adequately address moral conflict in health care without accepting some more principle-based approaches and a richer notion of partiality.
The Real Challenge of ESD
Authors: Jackson M.G.
Published: March 2011

Between the Inter-governmental Conference on Environmental Education at Tbilisi in 1977 and the Fourth International Conference on Environmental Education at Ahmedabad in 2007, our conception of the challenge posed by the global crises of climate change, environmental destruction, social disintegration, poverty, natural resources exhaustion and lately financial instability has evolved significantly. It has evolved, in fact, to the point at which there is a general consensus among education for sustainable development (ESD) practitioners and policymakers that we now understand what we need to do and can turn our attention to ‘getting on with the job’. This article suggests that massive action programs may be premature because we still do not understand the nature of the challenge before us, not to mention what needs to be done to meet it. Only by examining the assumptions of our world view, preferably in facilitated groups, can we come to see clearly the ‘way forward’.
The Efficacy of Assertive Community Treatment to Treat Substance Use
Authors: Fries Heather P. , Rosen Marc I.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) has been studied extensively in people with severe mental illness, but there have only been a few clinical trials in which substance use was one of the measured outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article was to describe the efficacy of ACT in treating co-occurring substance use disorders and suggest approaches to make it more efficacious. DESIGN: A literature review was conducted and randomized clinical trials describing ACT’s impact on substance use were reviewed. RESULTS: Four randomized clinical trials of ACT that measured substance abuse adequately were identified, all of which showed small to no effect on substance abuse compared with control conditions. Methodological issues might account for the small effects. ACT might further reduce substance use by being paired with evidenced-based substance abuse treatment, helping clients become housed or helping them manage their money better. CONCLUSION: Integrated ACT, in which the ACT team provides substance abuse counseling, has the potential to reduce substance use by several mechanisms, but this has been difficult to demonstrate in clinical trials when participants in control groups receive similar interventions.
Transforming Assertive Community Treatment Into an Integrated Care System: The Role of Nursing and Primary Care Partnerships
Authors: Carson Weinstein Lara , Henwood Benjamin F. , Cody Julianne W. , Jordan Maria , Lelar Rebecca
Published: March 2011

Despite the high rate of co-occurring medical conditions experienced by individuals receiving assertive community treatment (ACT), this comprehensive service model continues to be considered primarily a mental health intervention. Without compromising fidelity to the model, ACT can serve as an ideal platform from which to provide both primary and behavioral health care to those with complex service needs. Using a case example, this article considers the transformation of the ACT mental health care model into an integrated health care delivery system through establishing nursing and primary care partnerships. Specifically, by expanding and explicitly redefining the role of the ACT nurse, well-developed care models, such as Guided Care, can provide additional guidelines and training to ACT nurses who are uniquely trained and oriented to serve as the leader and coordinator of health integration efforts.