bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Genetic Testing for Personalized Nutrition: A Randomized Trial of DNA-Based Dietary Advice
Authors: Nielsen Daiva E. , Shih Sarah , El-Sohemy Ahmed
Published: August 2014

Background/Aims: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests have facilitated easy access to personal genetic information related to health and nutrition; however, consumer perceptions of the nutritional information provided by these tests have not been evaluated. The objectives of this study were to assess individual perceptions of personalized nutrition and genetic testing and to determine whether a personalized nutrition intervention modifies perceptions. Methods: A double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted among healthy men and women aged 20-35 years (n = 138). Participants in the intervention group (n = 92) were given a report of DNA-based dietary advice and those in the control group (n = 46) were given a general dietary advice report. A survey was completed at baseline and 3 and 12 months after distributing the reports to assess perceptions between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in perceptions of personalized nutrition and genetic testing were observed between the intervention and control group, so responses of both groups were combined. As compared to baseline, participant responses increased significantly toward the positive end of a Likert scale at 3 months for the statement ‘I am interested in the relationship between diet and genetics' (mean change ± SD: 0.28 ± 0.99, p = 0.0002). The majority of participants indicated that a university research lab (47%) or health care professional (41%) were the best sources for obtaining accurate personal genetic information, while a DTC genetic testing company received the fewest selections (12%). Most participants (56%) considered dietitians to be the best source of personalized nutrition followed by medical doctors (27%), naturopaths (8%) and nurses (6%). Conclusions: These results suggest that perceptions of personalized nutrition changed over the course of the intervention. Individuals view a research lab or health care professional as better providers of genetic information than a DTC genetic testing company, and registered dietitians are considered to be the best providers of personalized nutrition advice.
Neutrophils in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Döring Yvonne , Drechsler Maik , Soehnlein Oliver , Weber Christian
Published: August 2014

Infiltration of leukocyte subsets is a driving force of atherosclerotic lesion growth, and during the past decade, neutrophils have received growing attention in chronic inflammatory processes, such as atherosclerosis. Equipped with various ready to be released mediators, evolved to fight invading pathogens, neutrophils may also hold key functions in affecting sterile inflammation, such as in atherosclerosis. Many of their secretion products might instruct or activate other immune cells (particularly monocytes) to, for example, enter atherosclerotic lesions or release proinflammatory mediators. Despite the emerging evidence for the mechanistic contribution of neutrophils to early atherosclerosis in mice, their role in human atherogenesis, atheroprogression, and atherosclerotic plaque destabilization is still poorly understood. This brief review will summarize latest findings on the role of neutrophils in atherosclerosis and will pay special attention to studies describing a translation approach by combining measurements in mouse and human.
RUC-4
Authors: Li Jihong , Vootukuri Spandana , Shang Yi , Negri Ana , Jiang Jian-kang , Nedelman Mark , Diacovo Thomas G. , Filizola Marta , Thomas Craig J. , Coller Barry S.
Published: August 2014

Objective—

Treatment of myocardial infarction within the first 1 to 2 hours with a thrombolytic agent, percutaneous coronary intervention, or an αIIbβ3 antagonist decreases mortality and the later development of heart failure. We previously reported on a novel small molecule αIIbβ3 antagonist, RUC-2, that has a unique mechanism of action. We have now developed a more potent and more soluble congener of RUC-2, RUC-4, designed to be easily administered intramuscularly by autoinjector to facilitate its use in the prehospital setting. Here, we report the properties of RUC-4 and the antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of RUC-2 and RUC-4 in animal models.

Approach and Results—

RUC-4 was ≈20% more potent than RUC-2 in inhibiting human ADP-induced platelet aggregation and much more soluble in aqueous solutions (60–80 mg/mL). It shared RUC-2’s specificity for αIIbβ3 versus αVβ3, did not prime the receptor to bind fibrinogen, or induce changes in β3 identified by a conformation-specific monoclonal antibody. Both RUC-2 and RUC-4 prevented FeCl
3
-induced thrombotic occlusion of the carotid artery in mice and decreased microvascular thrombi in response to laser injury produced by human platelets infused into transgenic mice containing a mutated von Willebrand factor that reacts with human but not mouse platelets. Intramuscular injection of RUC-4 in nonhuman primates at 1.9 and 3.85 mg/kg led to complete inhibition of platelet aggregation within 15 minutes, with dose-dependent return of platelet aggregation after 4.5 to 24 hours.

Conclusions—

RUC-4 has favorable biochemical, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, antithrombotic, and solubility properties as a prehospital therapy of myocardial infarction, but the possibility of increased bleeding with therapeutic doses remains to be evaluated.
Canonical Wnt Signaling Induces Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction via p66
Shc
-Regulated Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Vikram Ajit , Kim Young-Rae , Kumar Santosh , Naqvi Asma , Hoffman Timothy A. , Kumar Ajay , Miller Francis J. , Kim Cuk-Seong , Irani Kaikobad
Published: August 2014

Objective—

Reactive oxygen species regulate canonical Wnt signaling. However, the role of the redox regulatory protein p66
Shc
in the canonical Wnt pathway is not known. We investigated whether p66
Shc
is essential for canonical Wnt signaling in the endothelium and determined whether the canonical Wnt pathway induces vascular endothelial dysfunction via p66
Shc
-mediated oxidative stress.

Approach and Results—

The canonical Wnt ligand Wnt3a induced phosphorylation (activation) of p66
Shc
in endothelial cells. Wnt3a-stimulated dephosphorylation of β-catenin, and β-catenin–dependent transcription, was inhibited by knockdown of p66
Shc
. Exogenous H
2
O
2
-induced β-catenin dephosphorylation was also mediated by p66
Shc
. Moreover, p66
Shc
overexpression dephosphorylated β-catenin and increased β-catenin–dependent transcription, independent of Wnt3a ligand. P66
Shc
-induced β-catenin dephosphorylation was inhibited by antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine and catalase. Wnt3a upregulated endothelial NADPH oxidase-4, and β-catenin dephosphorylation was suppressed by knocking down NADPH oxidase-4 and by antioxidants. Wnt3a increased H
2
O
2
levels in endothelial cells and impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in mouse aortas, both of which were rescued by p66
Shc
knockdown. P66
Shc
knockdown also inhibited adhesion of monocytes to Wnt3a-stimulated endothelial cells. Furthermore, constitutively active β-catenin expression in the endothelium increased vascular reactive oxygen species and impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. In vivo, high-fat diet feeding–induced endothelial dysfunction in mice was associated with increased endothelial Wnt3a, dephosphorylated β-catenin, and phosphorylated p66
Shc
. High-fat diet–induced dephosphorylation of endothelial β-catenin was diminished in mice in which p66
Shc
was knocked down.

Conclusions—

p66
Shc
plays a vital part in canonical Wnt signaling in the endothelium and mediates Wnt3a-stimulated endothelial oxidative stress and dysfunction
Correlates of Quality of Life in Rural Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Nesbitt Thomas , Doctorvaladan Sahar , Southard Jeffrey A. , Singh Satinder , Fekete Anne , Marie Kate , Moser Debra K. , Pelter Michelle M. , Robinson Susan , Wilson Machelle D. , Cooper Lawton , Dracup Kathleen
Published: August 2014

Background—

There is abundant research indicating poor physical, psychological, and social functioning of patients with chronic heart failure (HF), a reality that can lead to poor health-related quality of life (QoL). Little is known about the experience of rural patients with HF.

Methods and Results—

This study was part of a randomized clinical trial titled Rural Education to Improve Outcomes in Heart Failure (REMOTE-HF) designed to test an education and counseling intervention to improve self-care in patients with HF. We evaluated 612 rural patients. Multiple validated questionnaires were administered to assess patient perceptions of health and health literacy. Baseline factors were collected and compared with baseline QoL measures only. Patients’ health-related QoL was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure scale. The data were analyzed using a general linear model to test the association of various patient characteristics with QoL in rural patients with HF. Patients were 65.8 (+12.9) years of age. The majority were men (58.7%), married (56.4%), and had completed a high-school education (80.9%). Factors associated with reduced QoL among this population include geographic location, younger age, male sex, higher New York Heart Association class, worse HF knowledge, poorer perceived control, and symptoms of depression or anxiety. The data provided no evidence of an association between left ventricular ejection fraction and QoL.

Conclusions—

This study of rural patients with HF confirms previously identified factors associated with perceptions of QoL. However, further study is warranted with an urban control group.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00415545.
Association Between Thoracic Aortic Disease and Inguinal Hernia
Authors: Olsson Christian , Eriksson Per , Franco‐Cereceda Anders
Published: August 2014

Background

The study hypothesis was that thoracic aortic disease (
TAD
) is associated with a higher‐than‐expected prevalence of inguinal hernia. Such an association has been reported for abdominal aortic aneurysm (
AAA
) and hernia. Unlike
AAA
,
TAD
is not necessarily detectable with clinical examination or ultrasound, and there are no population‐based screening programs for
TAD
. Therefore, conditions associated with
TAD
, such as inguinal hernia, are of particular clinical relevance.

Methods and Results

The prevalence of inguinal hernia in subjects with
TAD
was determined from nation‐wide register data and compared to a non‐
TAD
group (patients with isolated aortic stenosis). Groups were balanced using propensity score matching. Multivariable statistical analysis (logistic regression) was performed to identify variables independently associated with hernia. Hernia prevalence was 110 of 750 (15%) in subjects with
TAD
versus 29 of 301 (9.6%) in non‐
TAD
,
P
=0.03. This statistically significant difference remained after propensity score matching: 21 of 159 (13%) in
TAD
versus 14 of 159 (8.9%) in non‐
TAD
,
P
<0.001. Variables independently associated with hernia in multivariable analysis were male sex (odds ratio [
OR
] with 95% confidence interval [95%
CI
]) 3.4 (2.1 to 5.4),
P
<0.001; increased age,
OR
1.02/year (1.004 to 1.04),
P
=0.014; and
TAD
,
OR
1.8 (1.1 to 2.8),
P
=0.015.

Conclusions

The prevalence of inguinal hernia (15%) in
TAD
is higher than expected in a general population and higher in
TAD,
compared to non‐
TAD
.
TAD
is independently associated with hernia in multivariable analysis. Presence or history of hernia may be of importance in detecting
TAD,
and the association warrants further study.
Acute Blood Pressure Reduction in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage Does Not Result in Borderzone Region Hypoperfusion
Authors: Gould Bronwen , McCourt Rebecca , Gioia Laura C. , Kate Mahesh , Hill Michael D. , Asdaghi Negar , Dowlatshahi Dariush , Jeerakathil Thomas , Coutts Shelagh B. , Demchuk Andrew M. , Emery Derek , Shuaib Ashfaq , Butcher Ken
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose—

The Intracerebral Hemorrhage Acutely Decreasing Arterial Pressure Trial (ICH ADAPT) demonstrated blood pressure (BP) reduction does not affect mean perihematoma or hemispheric cerebral blood flow. Nonetheless, portions of the perihematoma and borderzones may reach ischemic thresholds after BP reduction. We tested the hypothesis that BP reduction after intracerebral hemorrhage results in increased critically hypoperfused tissue volumes.

Methods—

Patients with Intracerebral hemorrhage were randomized to a target systolic BP (SBP) of <150 or <180 mm Hg and imaged with computed tomographic perfusion 2 hours later. The volumes of tissue below cerebral blood flow thresholds for ischemia (<18 mL/100 g/min) and infarction (<12 mL/100 g/min) were calculated as a percentage of the total volume within the internal and external borderzones and the perihematoma region.

Results—

Seventy-five patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were randomized a median (interquartile range) of 7.8 (13.3) hours from onset. Acute hematoma volume was 17.8 (27.1) mL and mean SBP was 183±22 mm Hg. At the time of computed tomographic perfusion (2.3 [1.0] hours after randomization), SBP was lower in the <150 mm Hg (n=37; 140±18 mm Hg) than in the <180 mm Hg group (n=36; 162±12 mm Hg;
P
<0.001). BP treatment did not affect the percentage of total borderzone tissue with cerebral blood flow <18 (14.7±13.6 versus 15.6±13.7%;
P
=0.78) or <12 mL/100 g/min (5.1±5.1 versus 5.8±6.8%;
P
=0.62). Similar results were found in the perihematoma region. Low SBP load (fraction of time with SBP<150 mmHg) did not predict borderzone tissue volume with cerebral blood flow <18 mL/100 g/min (β=0.023 [−0.073, 0.119]).

Conclusions—

BP reduction does not increase the volume of critically hypoperfused borderzone or perihematoma tissue. These data support the safety of early BP reduction in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00963976.
The Effects of Recombination on Phenotypic Exploration and Robustness in Evolution
Authors: Hu Ting , Banzhaf Wolfgang , Moore Jason H.
Published: August 2014

Recombination is a commonly used genetic operator in artificial and computational evolutionary systems. It has been empirically shown to be essential for evolutionary processes. However, little has been done to analyze the effects of recombination on quantitative genotypic and phenotypic properties. The majority of studies only consider mutation, mainly due to the more serious consequences of recombination in reorganizing entire genomes. Here we adopt methods from evolutionary biology to analyze a simple, yet representative, genetic programming method, linear genetic programming. We demonstrate that recombination has less disruptive effects on phenotype than mutation, that it accelerates novel phenotypic exploration, and that it particularly promotes robust phenotypes and evolves genotypic robustness and synergistic epistasis. Our results corroborate an explanation for the prevalence of recombination in complex living organisms, and helps elucidate a better understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms involved in the design of complex artificial evolutionary systems and intelligent algorithms.
Two Defining Features of Russian Tort Law: Their Rationale and Legal Effect
Authors: Lee Jewoo
Published: August 2014

There are two aspects of Russian tort law that set it apart from that of other countries: the recognition of a general reversal of the burden of proof regarding fault in delictual obligations, and the existence of a general clause of strict liability. Such features are not only unique to Russian law but, also, constitute the very core of tort law in Russia today.

Despite the significance of these two features, this is a gravely understudied area of research. One of the main reasons for this lies in the lack of interest in (and access to) Soviet legal literature and case law. However, without examining such sources, it is impossible to grasp the rationale behind such atypical legislation, which in turn, makes it difficult to understand Russian tort law in general. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the legislative history of Russia’s past era.

Equally important is the legal effect that features may have in modern Russian tort law. This article will focus on the impact that a general reversal of the burden of proof has had on the outcome of tort cases in Russia. The author also will compare the general clause of strict liability in the Russian Civil Code with the regulation of sources of heightened danger in selected countries, a topic that deserves special attention, given Russia’s extensive experience in the field. In addition, all these questions will be examined against the backdrop of other contemporary jurisdictions and European harmonization initiatives in the area of tort law.
Checklist of helminth parasites of Goodeinae (Osteichthyes: Cyprinodontiformes: Goodeidae), an endemic subfamily of freshwater fishes from Mexico
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-AQUINO ANDRÉS , MENDOZA-PALMERO CARLOS A. , AGUILAR-AGUILAR ROGELIO , DE LEÓN GERARDO PÉREZ-PONCE
Published: August 2014

From August 2008 to July 2010, 1,471 fish belonging to the subfamily Goodeinae (representing 28 species) were collected from 47 localities across central Mexico and analyzed for helminth parasites. In addition, a database with all available published accounts of the helminth parasite fauna of goodeines was assembled. Based on both sources of information, a checklist containing all the records was compiled as a necessary first step to address future questions in the areas of ecology, evolutionary biology and biogeography of this host-parasite association. The checklist is presented in two tables, a parasite-host list and a host-parasite list. The checklist contains 51 nominal species, from 34 genera and 26 families of helminth parasites. It includes 8 species of adult digeneans, 9 metacercarie, 6 monogeneans, 3 adult cestodes, 9 metacestodes, 1 adult acanthocephalan, 1 cystacanth, 6 adult nematodes and 8 larval nematodes. Based on the amount of information contained in the checklist, we pose that goodeines, a subfamily of viviparous freshwater fishes endemic to central Mexico, might be regarded as the first group of wildlife vertebrate for which a complete inventory of their helminth parasite fauna has been completed.
Two new species and a new synonym in the Pardosa nebulosa-group (Lycosidae: Pardosa) from China
Authors: WANG DONG , ZHANG ZHI-SHENG
Published: August 2014

The Pardosa nebulosa-group consists of at least 66 species, including 14 species recorded from the South China. In this paper, we describe two new species of this group, P. tuberosa sp. nov. and P. parathompsoni sp. nov. from Yunnan Province of China. Also, P. shuangjiangensis Yin et al., 1997 is newly synonymised with P. pusiola (Thorell, 1891), based on the examination of specimens mainly from Yunnan. Detailed figures and photos of genitalia, photos of habitus of these three species and SEM photos of male bulb of P. pusiola are given.
A new Perigrapha Lederer, 1857 from South Kazakhstan
(Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , TITOV SERGEY V. , KNYAZEV SVYATOSLAV A.
Published: August 2014

A new species of the genus Perigrapha, P. yasawii sp. n. is described from Syrdarya river valley, South Kazakhstan. The adults and male genitalia of the new and related species are illustrated.
Daily Cycle of Precipitation over the Northern Coast of Brazil
Authors: Brito Sheila Santana de Barros , Oyama Marcos Daisuke
Published: August 2014

The daily cycle of precipitation (DCP) in the austral autumn on the northern coast of Brazil (NCB) is examined in detail. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 3B42 dataset was used to obtain the DCP, and the intradaily variability was measured using the coefficient of variation (CV). The DCP data of the NCB were grouped into five regimes. A new regime was found, called the shore regime. It has a minimum CV, and its cycle shows both continental (late afternoon peak) and oceanic features (morning peak). The landside coastal regime was divided into two areas: a continental coast regime, with very high CV, and an inland coast regime, with clear inland phase propagation. The continental regime was divided into two categories: an inland regime with low and high variability. The Forecast and Tracking of the Evolution of Cloud Clusters (ForTraCC) data were used to relate convective systems (CS) and their processes to the DCP. The following processes are studied for the CS: initiation/dissipation, merge/split, area increase/reduction, and advection. Initiation is more concentrated in time, while dissipation is more distributed. Physical mechanisms that generate initiation can promote area expansion and hence CS merge. By considering a simple parameterization, the time scale of the CS area reduction under environmental conditions that are unfavorable to initiation ranges from 6 to 12 h. Therefore, there is upscaling of the CS in the afternoon and slow decay during the night and morning, which leads to a more uniform cycle inland.
Computation of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Its Use to Assess Drought Occurrences in Cameroon over Recent Decades
Authors: Guenang Guy Merlin , Kamga F. Mkankam
Published: August 2014

The standardized precipitation index (SPI) is computed and analyzed using 55 years of precipitation data recorded in 24 observation stations in Cameroon along with University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit (CRU) spatialized data. Four statistical distribution functions (gamma, exponential, Weibull, and lognormal) are first fitted to data accumulated for various time scales, and the appropriate functions are selected on the basis of the Anderson–Darling goodness-of-fit statistic. For short time scales (up to 6 months) and for stations above 10°N, the gamma distribution is the most frequent choice; below this belt, the Weibull distribution predominates. For longer than 6-month time scales, there are no consistent patterns of fitted distributions. After calculating the SPI in the usual way, operational drought thresholds that are based on an objective method are determined at each station. These thresholds are useful in drought-response decision making. From SPI time series, episodes of severe and extreme droughts are identified at many stations during the study period. Moderate/severe drought occurrences are intra-annual in short time scales and interannual for long time scales (greater than 9 months), usually spanning many years. The SPI calculated from CRU gridded precipitation shows similar results, with some discrepancies at longer scales. Thus, the spatialized dataset can be used to extend such studies to a larger region—especially data-scarce areas.
The Turbulent Structure and Diurnal Growth of the Saharan Atmospheric Boundary Layer
Authors: Garcia-Carreras L. , Parker D. J. , Marsham J. H. , Rosenberg P. D. , Brooks I. M. , Lock A. P. , Marenco F. , McQuaid J. B. , Hobby M.
Published: August 2014

The turbulent structure and growth of the remote Saharan atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is described with in situ radiosonde and aircraft measurements and a large-eddy simulation model. A month of radiosonde data from June 2011 provides a mean profile of the midday Saharan ABL, which is characterized by a well-mixed convective boundary layer, capped by a small temperature inversion (<1 K) and a deep, near-neutral residual layer. The boundary layer depth varies by up to 100% over horizontal distances of a few kilometers due to turbulent processes alone. The distinctive vertical structure also leads to unique boundary layer processes, such as detrainment of the warmest plumes across the weak temperature inversion, which slows down the warming and growth of the convective boundary layer. As the boundary layer grows, overshooting plumes can also entrain free-tropospheric air into the residual layer, forming a second entrainment zone that acts to maintain the inversion above the convective boundary layer, thus slowing down boundary layer growth further. A single-column model is unable to accurately reproduce the evolution of the Saharan boundary layer, highlighting the difficulty of representing such processes in large-scale models. These boundary layer processes are special to the Sahara, and possibly hot, dry, desert environments in general, and have implications for the large-scale structure of the Saharan heat low. The growth of the boundary layer influences the vertical redistribution of moisture and dust, and the spatial coverage and duration of clouds, with large-scale dynamical and radiative implications.
Stratospheric Wave–Mean Flow Feedbacks and Sudden Stratospheric Warmings in a Simple Model Forced by Upward Wave Activity Flux
Authors: Sjoberg Jeremiah P. , Birner Thomas
Published: August 2014

A classic result of studying stratospheric wave–mean flow interactions presented by Holton and Mass is that, for constant incoming wave forcing (at a notional tropopause), a vacillating stratospheric response may ensue. Simple models, such as the Holton–Mass model, typically prescribe the incoming wave forcing in terms of geopotential perturbation, which is not a proxy for upward wave activity flux. Here, the authors reformulate the Holton–Mass model such that incoming upward wave activity flux is prescribed. The Holton–Mass model contains a positive wave–mean flow feedback whereby wave forcing decelerates the mean flow, allowing enhanced wave propagation, which then further decelerates the mean flow, etc., until the mean flow no longer supports wave propagation. By specifying incoming wave activity flux, this feedback is constrained to the model interior. Bistability—where the zonal wind may exist at one of two distinct steady states for a given incoming wave forcing—is maintained in this reformulated model. The model is perturbed with transient pulses of upward wave activity flux to produce transitions between the two stable states. A minimum of integrated incoming wave activity flux necessary to force these sudden stratospheric warming–like transitions exists for pulses with time scales on the order of 10 days, arising from a wave time scale internal to the model at which forcing produces the strongest mean-flow response. The authors examine how the tropopause affects the internal feedback for this model setup and find that the tropopause inversion layer may potentially provide an important source of wave activity in the lower stratosphere.
Variability in the South Atlantic Anticyclone and the Atlantic Niño Mode*
Authors: Lübbecke Joke F. , Burls Natalie J. , Reason Chris J. C. , McPhaden Michael J.
Published: August 2014

Previous studies have argued that the strength of the South Atlantic subtropical high pressure system, referred to as the South Atlantic anticyclone (SAA), modulates sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern equatorial Atlantic. Using ocean and atmosphere reanalysis products, it is shown here that the strength of the SAA from February to May impacts the timing of the cold tongue onset and the intensity of its development in the eastern equatorial Atlantic via anomalous tropical wind power. This modulation in the timing and amplitude of seasonal cold tongue development manifests itself via SST anomalies peaking between June and August. The timing and impact of this connection is not completely symmetric for warm and cold events. For cold events, an anomalously strong SAA in February and March leads to positive wind power anomalies from February to June resulting in an early cold tongue onset and subsequent cold SST anomalies in June and July. For warm events, the anomalously weak SAA persists until May, generating negative wind power anomalies that lead to a late cold tongue onset as well as a suppression of the cold tongue development and associated warm SST anomalies. Mechanisms by which SAA-induced wind power variations south of the equator influence eastern equatorial Atlantic SST are discussed, including ocean adjustment via Rossby and Kelvin wave propagation, meridional advection, and local intraseasonal wind variations.
An Isentropic Analysis of the Temporal Evolution of East Asian Cold Air Outbreaks
Authors: Shoji Takamichi , Kanno Yuki , Iwasaki Toshiki , Takaya Koutarou
Published: August 2014

The equatorward cold airmass flux below potential temperature θT = 280 K across 45°N integrated from 90°E to 180° is used as an index to quantitatively measure cold air outbreaks (CAOs) in the East Asian winter monsoon. Intermittent CAOs over East Asia significantly contribute to the global equatorward cold airmass flux. An autocorrelation analysis indicates that CAO events persist for approximately 5 days. The geographical distributions of lagged correlations/regressions with the CAO index (CAOI) clarify the temporal evolution of synoptic conditions associated with CAOs. The developing Siberian high located northwest of Lake Baikal (65°N, 100°E) on day −4 slowly moves southeastward, reaches maximum intensity over Siberia (50°N, 110°E) on day 0, and then decays while moving rapidly southward. By contrast, the Aleutian low is almost stagnant and maintains a strong intensity. The eastward pressure gradient geostrophically induces the equatorward cold airmass flux. After day −2, the cold air mass significantly decreases over Siberia, but increases over East Asia and the western North Pacific Ocean. The cold air mass continues to migrate southward while spreading eastward, and disappears mainly over the ocean. The leading edge of the high pressure anomaly moves southward at 13 m s−1 and reaches the equator simultaneously with the equatorward wind anomaly on about day +4. An additional analysis of separating the equatorward flux into 90°–135°E and 135°E–180° suggests that CAOs are, to some extent, caused by the Siberian high and the Aleutian low acting separately.
Mediterranean Tropical-Like Cyclones in Present and Future Climate
Authors: Cavicchia Leone , von Storch Hans , Gualdi Silvio
Published: August 2014

The Mediterranean has been identified as one of the most responsive regions to climate change. It has been conjectured that one of the effects of a warmer climate could be to make the Mediterranean Sea prone to the formation of hurricanes. Already in the present climate regime, however, a few of the numerous low pressure systems that form in the area develop a dynamical evolution similar to the one of tropical cyclones. Even if their spatial extent is generally smaller and the life cycle shorter compared to tropical cyclones, such storms produce severe damage on the highly populated coastal areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. This study, based on the analysis of individual realistically simulated storms in homogeneous long-term and high-resolution data from multiple climate change scenarios, shows that the projected effect of climate change on Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones is decreased frequency and a tendency toward a moderate increase of intensity.
Mass-Conserving Remapping of Radar Data onto Two-Dimensional Cartesian Coordinates for Hydrologic Applications
Authors: Sharif Hatim O. , Ogden Fred L.
Published: August 2014

Recent upgrades to operational radar-rainfall products in terms of quality and resolution call for reexamination of the factors that contribute to the uncertainty of radar-rainfall estimation. Remapping or regridding of radar observations onto Cartesian coordinates is implemented by practitioners when radar estimates are compared against rain gauge observations, in hydrologic applications, or for merging data from different radars. However, assuming perfect radar observations, many of the widely used remapping methodologies do not conserve mass for the rainfall rate field. The most popular remapping approaches used are those based on extracting information from radar bins whose centers fall within a certain distance from the center of the Cartesian grid. This paper develops a mass-conserving method for remapping, which is called “precise remapping,” which is compared against two other commonly used remapping methods. Results show that the choice of the remapping method can make a substantial difference in grid-averaged rainfall accumulations (up to more than 100%). Differences were quantified using observations from two radars, collected during a field experiment. The interpolation grid resolution was also found to affect interpolated rainfall estimates. Approximate remapping methods tend to be much more sensitive to the interpolation grid resolution than precise remapping. High-resolution radar data such as those from radars with short gate spacing or narrow beams, or the super-resolution Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) sampling format, are significantly more sensitive (by up to 100%) to the remapping method and the interpolation grid resolution than the legacy WSR-88D rainfall data resolution of 1° × 1 km.
The social structure of the market for force
Authors: Petersohn Ulrich
Published: August 2014

Over the past two decades, governments have increasingly contracted private military and security companies (PMSCs) to support military operations in conflicts. However, many observers have argued that such companies are ‘greedy market actors’ or ‘reckless mercenaries’ and their level of performance very poor. A minority has defended them as security professionals. If market competition is present, the level of performance is high and positive contributions to the client’s military operation can be expected. However, neither PMSC opponents nor proponents can account for the variance in the level of performance in three crucial cases – Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This article argues that different market structures explain this variance. At least three ideal configurations exist: collaborative, competitive, and rival structures. These structures influence the level of performance. PMSC performance levels are expected to decrease from the first configuration, being positive, to the last, being negative.
Marco Polo incontra l’Altro: Modernità ed esotismo nel Milione
Authors: Sica Giorgio
Published: August 2014

Allo sguardo del lettore contemporaneo, Il Milione sorprende per la modernità con cui il suo autore si rapporta e descrive la straordinaria varietà di genti, usi e costumi che incontra durante il suo viaggio, con un’apertura e una mancanza di pregiudizi sorprendenti per un uomo del suo tempo. Marco Polo tende a sottolineare la novità e la bellezza di ciò che il suo occhio vede, rivelandosi capace di andare ben oltre le rappresentazioni correnti dell’Altro: il tartaro, il saraceno, l’infedele vengono per la prima volta visti e analizzati attraverso una lente obiettiva, che lascia presagire un’etica nuova, quella mercantesca, e anticipa di secoli alcune caratteristiche inclusive dell’esotismo moderno. Mostrandosi pronto a cogliere aspetti della magnificenza e della spiritualità dell’Altro che nessun occidentale aveva conosciuto né tanto meno lodato, Marco si mostra capace di andare oltre secoli di paura e di rifiuto, che avevano caratterizzato l’Altro come un monstrum, una differenza da temere o, in base alla stessa ottica, cercare di convertire. Uno sguardo sorprendentemente moderno, che non cessa di affascinare il lettore.
Reframing the anti-mercenary norm: Private military and security companies and mercenarism
Authors: Petersohn Ulrich
Published: August 2014

Since the nineteenth century, the anti-mercenary norm has prohibited violent market actors from participating in combat. Today, however, private military and security companies (PMSCs) are widely perceived as legitimate. How did they achieve that legitimacy? This article argues that PMSCs initially resembled mercenaries. Previously, mercenaries were defined as fighters participating in combat for pay, be it offensive or defensive. PMSC advocates aimed to alter the combat component of the anti-mercenary norm. By arguing that PMSCs’ use of force was not combat, but rather individual self-defence, they created an alternative interpretation that established the practice as appropriate. As critical actors like the US, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations adopted their interpretation, the regulatory scope of the norm changed. In short, PMSCs are perceived to be legitimate because they are no longer implicated in the anti-mercenary norm.
Psychiatric disorders among a sample of internally displaced persons in South Darfur
Authors: Elhabiby Mahmoud M , Radwan Doaa N , Okasha Tarek A , El-Desouky Eman D
Published: August 2014

Background:

The violent armed conflict in Darfur has been ongoing for years getting the attention of human rights activists and mental health professionals.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess psychiatric disorders in a sample of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Darfur.

Method:

A cross-sectional observational study, as a part of the ‘Darfur Campaign’ organized by Arab Federation of Psychiatrists, assessing psychiatric disorders in a sample of internally displaced women using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) (clinical version).

Results:

Up to 25.7% of participants had lost a close family member or more in the violent clashes. Psychiatric diagnoses were found in 62.2% of the participants. The most frequently reported was post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reaching 14.9%, followed by depression 13.5% (among which 2.7% with psychotic features), while comorbid PTSD and depression reached 8.1% of participants. Patients with psychiatric diagnoses had an older age (36.6 years) ( p = .024). Suffering from a psychiatric disorder was found to be associated with losing a family member in the conflict ( p = .015), being 35.6% in patients with psychiatric diagnoses compared to 10.3% in those without losing a family member in the conflict (odds ratio (OR) = 4.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25–18.28).

Conclusions:

This study used a standardized tool for diagnosing psychiatric morbidity among refugees in Darfur to give as much as possible an actual description of the problems and psychiatric morbidity caused by human-made disasters. This study can help to lead to a more detailed and specific mental health service program much needed by this population.
Long-term mental health outcome in post-conflict settings: Similarities and differences between Kosovo and Rwanda
Authors: Eytan Ariel , Munyandamutsa Naasson , Mahoro Nkubamugisha Paul , Gex-Fabry Marianne
Published: August 2014

Background:

Few studies investigated the long-term mental health outcome in culturally different post-conflict settings. This study considers two surveys conducted in Kosovo 8 years after the Balkans war and in Rwanda 14 years after the genocide.

Methods:

All participants ( n = 864 in Kosovo; n = 962 in Rwanda) were interviewed using the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive episode (MDE) sections of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results:

Proportions of participants who met diagnostic criteria for either PTSD or MDE were 33.0% in Kosovo and 31.0% in Rwanda, with co-occurrence of both disorders in 17.8% of the Rwandan sample and 9.5% of the Kosovan sample. Among patients with PTSD, patterns of symptoms significantly differed in the two settings, with avoidance and inability to recall less frequent and sense of a foreshortened future and increased startle response more common in Rwanda. Significant differences were also observed in patients with MDE, with loss of energy and difficulties concentrating less frequent and suicidal ideation more common in Rwanda. Comorbid PTSD and MDE were associated with decreased SF-36 subjective mental and physical health scores in both settings, but significantly larger effects in Kosovo than in Rwanda.

Conclusion:

Culturally different civilian populations exposed to mass trauma may differ with respect to their long-term mental health outcome, including comorbidity, symptom profile and health perception.
Uniaxial tensile behaviour modelling of natural-fiber-reinforced viscoplastic polymer using normalized stress–strain curves
Authors: Fotouh Ahmed , Wolodko John D , Lipsett Michael G
Published: August 2014

The monotonic uniaxial tensile behaviour of hemp-fiber-reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated at different values of hemp fiber volume fraction (vf) and strain rate ([Formula: see text]). A normalized stress–strain family of curves was generated. An exponential normalized monotonic model was developed. A general uniaxial monotonic model was developed from the normalized model to simulate the stress–strain relationship at different values of [Formula: see text] and vf. A modified Harris mechanistic model and a linear model were proposed to incorporate the effect of vf and the absorbed moisture into the developed model.
Type IV Collagen is a Novel DEJ Biomarker that is Reduced by Radiotherapy
Authors: McGuire J.D. , Gorski J.P. , Dusevich V. , Wang Y. , Walker M.P.
Published: August 2014

The dental basement membrane (BM) is composed of collagen types IV, VI, VII, and XVII, fibronectin, and laminin and plays an inductive role in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during tooth development. The BM is degraded and removed during later-stage tooth morphogenesis; however, its original position defines the location of the dentin-enamel junction (DEJ) in mature teeth. We recently demonstrated that type VII collagen is a novel component of the inner enamel organic matrix layer contiguous with the DEJ. Since it is frequently co-expressed with and forms functional complexes with type VII collagen, we hypothesized that type IV collagen should also be localized to the DEJ in mature human teeth. To identify collagen IV, we first evaluated defect-free erupted teeth from various donors. To investigate a possible stabilizing role, we also evaluated extracted teeth exposed to high-dose radiotherapy – teeth that manifest post-radiotherapy DEJ instability. We now show that type IV collagen is a component within the morphological DEJ of posterior and anterior teeth from individuals aged 18 to 80 yr. Confocal microscopy revealed that immunostained type IV collagen was restricted to the 5- to 10-µm-wide optical DEJ, while collagenase treatment or previous in vivo tooth-level exposure to > 60 Gray irradiation severely reduced immunoreactivity. This assignment was confirmed by Western blotting with whole-tooth crown and enamel extracts. Without reduction, type IV collagen contained macromolecular α-chains of 225 and 250 kDa. Compositionally, our results identify type IV collagen as the first macromolecular biomarker of the morphological DEJ of mature teeth. Given its network structure and propensity to stabilize the dermal-epidermal junction, we propose that a collagen-IV-enriched DEJ may, in part, explain its well-known fracture toughness, crack propagation resistance, and stability. In contrast, loss of type IV collagen may represent a biochemical rationale for the DEJ instability observed following oral cancer radiotherapy.
The Relationship Between English Language Learner Status and Music Ensemble Participation
Authors: Lorah Julie A. , Sanders Elizabeth A. , Morrison Steven J.
Published: August 2014

Authors of previous research have reported that U.S. English language learner (ELL) students participate in school-sponsored music ensembles (band, orchestra, and choir) at a lower rate than their native-English-speaking peers (non-ELLs). The current study examined this phenomenon using a nationally representative sample of U.S. 10th graders (14- to 16-year-olds across 751 high schools, N = 15,011) to estimate school music ensemble participation rates for ELL and non-ELL students. Consistent with prior research, initial results indicated that individual ELL status was a significant, negative predictor of participation. However, when our analyses took into account student socioeconomic status and academic achievement, results provided no evidence that ELL students participate in ensembles at different rates than non-ELL students. Results also indicate that school membership accounted for different ensemble participation rates. It may be that lack of opportunity—not lack of interest—explains the gap between ELL and non-ELL music participation that has been observed in prior research.
Petrine apologetics: Hope, imagination, and forms of life
Authors: Barnard Justin D.
Published: August 2014

In practice, apologetics is all about arguments. The danger in this lies in the fact that hope, a key feature of the classic apologetics proof-text (1 Pet 3:15), gets overlooked. This article suggests that the task of apologetics must be grounded in an eschatological hope—one that manifests itself in the embodied forms of life that believers inhabit. Moreover, since imagination is the faculty that gives concrete form to hope, the most urgent task of apologetics in the twenty-first century is not the perpetuation of ratiocination, but the recovery of lively imaginations. Specifically, we are to imagine and lead lives of quiet moral confidence in cultures whose flirtation with despair leaves them bereft of meaning.
The heavens are declaring the glory of God: Contemporary teleological arguments
Authors: DePoe John M.
Published: August 2014

This article presents an overview of various formations of contemporary teleological arguments with a brief historical background. The fine-tuning argument and three of its most well-known objections are considered first. Next, the argument from design based on the origins of life is presented. The third teleological argument is based on the temporal order of the universe. The final section of the article considers and responds to well-known objections commonly raised against design arguments. The conclusion is that the contemporary versions of the teleological argument have a positive role to play in Christian apologetics despite some of their limitations.
Holding the faith: Lessons on suffering and transformation in the book of Job
Authors: Carney Josh
Published: August 2014

The book of Job teaches us that suffering does not just raise questions of theodicy, but that it also makes for a context of spiritual formation. The story in the book of Job is about the transformation of its main character. Job is continually learning how to keep his faith in light of new circumstances. Moving past the naivety of adolescent faith the character Job becomes a deconstructionist, then a mystic, and eventually a priest. Through his conversation with Bildad, Zophar, Eliphaz, and eventually God, Job exemplifies a different expression of faith development that pastors find within their congregations.
The contours and issues of contemporary apologetics
Authors: Robinson Michael
Published: August 2014

In this article, I examine five important components of the apologetic enterprise. Specifically, based on two biblical examples, I note that apologetics occurs within particular and broad cultural contexts, addresses perennial religious and philosophical concerns, involves defending diverse Christian traditions, and sometimes necessitates clarification or even development of theological insights. I also discuss several key issues facing contemporary apologists, issues arising from our own modern and now postmodern historical context. Among those issues are concerns over how religious knowledge may be accrued, how faith and reason relate, whether God’s existence or nature can be established by reason, whether it is reasonable to believe miracles have happened or are even possible, whether the Bible is trustworthy, how science and Christianity relate, whether core doctrines of Christianity—like the Incarnation or the Trinity—are coherent, why God allows evil, and how Christianity and other religions interrelate. By describing these various features of apologetics, I hope to aid the reader in seeing the complex and intricate nature of the contemporary Christian apologetic task.
A word from ...
Authors: Callam Neville
Published: August 2014

The church, in New Testament usage, may be understood as signifying a worldwide company of persons who, enabled by the Holy Spirit, put their faith in the God made known to us in Jesus Christ. The universal church is given expression in the local community, whether as a congregation or as a group of congregations in a region.