bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Concomitant Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery in Northern New England
Authors: Leavitt Bruce J. , Baribeau Yvon R. , DiScipio Anthony W. , Ross Cathy S. , Quinn Reed D. , Olmstead Elaine M. , Sisto Donato , Likosky Donald S. , Cochran Richard P. , Clough Robert A. , Boss Richard A. , Kramer Robert S. , O'Connor Gerald T.
Published: September 2009

Background—

Concomitant aortic (AV) and mitral (MV) valve surgery accounts for 4% of all valve procedures in northern New England. We examined in-hospital and long-term mortality.

Methods and Results—

This is a report of a prospective study of 1057 patients undergoing concomitant AV and MV surgery from 1989 to 2007. The Social Security Administration Death Master File was used to assess long-term survival. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests were performed. In-hospital mortality was 15.5% (11.0% for patients <70 years, 18.0% for 70- to 79-year-olds, and 24% for those ≥80 years). Overall median survival was 7.3 years. Median survival without coronary artery bypass grafting was 9.5 years and with coronary artery bypass grafting was 5.7 years (
P
<0.001). Survival in women was worse than in men (7.3 versus 9.3, years,
P
=0.033). Median survival by age was 11.0 years for patients <70 years, 5.4 years for 70- to 79-year-olds, and 4.8 years for those ≥80 years. Median survival was not significantly different for patients ≥80 years compared with those who were 70 to 79 years old (
P
=0.245).

Conclusions—

Double-valve surgery has a high in-hospital mortality rate and a median survival of 7.3 years. After patients have survived surgery, long-term survival is similar between men and women, smaller and larger patients, and those receiving MV repair or replacement. Survival continues to decline after surviving surgery for patients ≥70 years old and those who undergo concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. In patients <70 years, either mechanical valves in both positions or a tissue AV and mitral repair have the lowest in-hospital mortality and the best long-term survival. In patients ≥70 years, tissue valves in both positions have the best in-hospital and long-term survival.
Clinical Outcomes of Medical Therapy and Timely Operation in Initially Diagnosed Type A Aortic Intramural Hematoma
Authors: Kitai Takeshi , Kaji Shuichiro , Yamamuro Atsushi , Tani Tomoko , Tamita Koichi , Kinoshita Makoto , Ehara Natsuhiko , Kobori Atsushi , Nasu Michihiro , Okada Yukikatsu , Furukawa Yutaka
Published: September 2009

Background—

The management of aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) involving the ascending aorta (type A) has not been well-established. The purpose of this study was to clarify the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with type A IMH who were treated with medical therapy and timely operation.

Methods and Results—

Clinical data including operative mortality, IMH-related events, and long-term survival were retrospectively reviewed in 66 patients with type A IMH, who were admitted to our institution from 1986 to 2006. Emergent surgical repair was performed in 16 (24%) patients because of severe complications, whereas 50 patients were treated with initial medical therapy. In medically treated patients, 15 (30%) patients who demonstrated progression to classic dissection or increase in hematoma size within 30 days underwent surgical repair except for 2 patients who refused surgery. The 30-day mortality rate was 6% with emergent surgery and 4% with supportive medial therapy. There were 7 late deaths and the actuarial survival rates of all patients were 96±3%, 94±3%, and 89±5% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. In medically treated patients, maximum aortic diameter was the only predictor of early and late progression of ascending IMH (hazard ratio, 4.43; 95% CI, 2.04–9.64;
P
<0.001). Aortic diameter ≥50 mm predicted progression of ascending IMH with the positive and negative value of 83% and 84%, respectively.

Conclusions—

Combination of medical therapy and timely operation resulted in favorable long-term clinical outcomes in patients with type A IMH.
Peripheral Nociception Associated With Surgical Incision Elicits Remote Nonischemic Cardioprotection Via Neurogenic Activation of Protein Kinase C Signaling
Authors: Jones W. Keith , Fan Guo-Chang , Liao Siyun , Zhang Jun-Ming , Wang Yang , Weintraub Neal L. , Kranias Evangelia G. , Schultz Jo El , Lorenz John , Ren Xiaoping
Published: September 2009

Background—Although remote ischemic stimuli have been shown to elicit cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury, there is little known about the effects of nonischemic stimuli. We previously described a remote cardioprotective effect of nonischemic surgical trauma (abdominal incision) called remote preconditioning of trauma (RPCT). In the present study, we elucidate mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.

Methods and Results—We used a murine model of myocardial infarction to evaluate ischemia/reperfusion injury, and either abdominal surgical incision, or application of topical capsaicin, to elicit cardioprotection. We show that the cardioprotective effect of RPCT is initiated by skin nociception, and requires neurogenic signaling involving spinal nerves and activation of cardiac sensory and sympathetic nerves. Our results demonstrate bradykinin-dependent activation and repression, respectively, of PKCε and PKCδ in myocardium after RPCT, and we show involvement of the KATPchannels in cardioprotection. Finally, we show that topical application of capsaicin, which selectively activates C sensory fibers in the skin, mimics the cardioprotective effect of RPCT against myocardial infarction.

Conclusions—Nontraumatic nociceptive preconditioning represents a novel therapeutic strategy for cardioprotection with great potential clinical utility.
Manifestation of Belief and Religious Symbols at School: Setting Boundaries in English Courts
Authors: Bacquet Sylvie
Published: September 2009

Since the coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998 on 2 October 2000, state schools as public authorities have been under an obligation to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, including the right to manifest ones' religion and beliefs as laid out in Article 9 of the convention. When devising their uniform policies, schools are therefore required to accommodate religious and cultural diversity. However, the extent to which they are required to do so has given rise to much litigation and debate. This article considers some of the theoretical implications underpinning the debate on religious symbols and manifestation of belief at school. It looks at the dilemma between the legal obligation for schools to allow the expression of cultural and religious diversity yet maintain cohesion and protect children from factional pressures related to various belief systems. It examines the extent to which human rights law can help to resolve the issue and looks also at the way the Human Rights Act itself has emerged as a conduit for crises of religious and ethnic identity in contemporary society.
Sudden Surface Warming–Drying Events Caused by Typhoon Passages across Taiwan*
Authors: Chen Tsing-Chang , Wang Shih-Yu , Yen Ming-Cheng , Clark Adam J. , Tsay Jenq-Dar
Published: September 2009

Typhoon passages across Taiwan can generate sudden surface warming in downslope regions. Special characteristics and mechanisms for 54 such warming events that were identified during the 1961–2007 period are examined. Preferred warming regions were identified in northwest Taiwan, where warming is generated by downslope flow from east or northeast winds in westward-moving typhoons, and in southeast Taiwan, where it is generated by downslope flow from west or northwest winds in northwestward-moving typhoons. In addition to the orographic effect, warmings occurred exclusively within nonprecipitation zones of typhoons. Most northwest (southeast) warmings occur during the day (night) with an average lifetime of 4 (5) h, which roughly corresponds to the average time a nonprecipitation zone remains over a station. During the period examined, three typhoons generated warming events in both northwest and southeast Taiwan, and only Typhoon Haitang (2005) generated warmings with comparable magnitudes (∼12-K increase) in both regions. For Typhoon Haitang as an example, diagnostic analyses with two different approaches reveal that the majority of the warming is contributed by downslope adiabatic warming, but the warming associated with the passage of a nonprecipitation zone is not negligible. Similar results were found when these two diagnostic approaches were applied to the other warming events. The diurnal mode of the atmospheric divergent circulation over East Asia–western North Pacific undergoes a clockwise rotation. The vorticity tendency generated by this diurnal divergent circulation through vortex stretching may modulate the arrival time of typhoons to cause daily (nighttime) warming in the northwest (southeast).
Stratospheric Influences on Tropospheric Weather Systems
Authors: Colucci Stephen J.
Published: September 2009

Four cases of tropospheric weather systems (two sea level cyclones, one sea level anticyclone, and one blocking midtropospheric anticyclone) are investigated with the goal of understanding the role of stratospheric versus tropospheric processes in their developments. The relative contributions of the stratosphere and troposphere to geopotential height tendency fields (1000 mb for the sea level systems, 500 mb for the midtropospheric system) are quantified through vertical integration of thermodynamic processes (advective, adiabatic, and diabatic) over and following tendency centers associated with these systems. Previously known or suspected tropospheric contributions to system development, as well as the influence of stratospheric warm-air advection in the sea level cyclogenesis cases, are confirmed by the diagnoses. New findings include identification of the influence of stratospheric adiabatic cooling in the sea level and midtropospheric anticyclogenesis cases. It is further found that the stratospheric contribution to tropospheric development can be larger in magnitude than the tropospheric contribution and can even overwhelm an opposing tropospheric effect. In particular, it is shown that the midtropospheric anticyclogenesis associated with the blocking case critically depended on the stratospheric contribution and could not be solely explained by tropospheric processes. The 500-mb height tendencies associated with quasigeostrophic potential vorticity (QGPV) changes above the 500-mb level in this case were twice as large those associated with QGPV changes at and below 500 mb during blocking onset.
Steady-State Dynamics of a Density Current in an f-Plane Nonlinear Shallow-Water Model
Authors: Dalu Giovanni A. , Baldi Marina
Published: September 2009

The authors study the nonlinear dynamics of a density current generated by a diabatic source in a rotating and a nonrotating system, both in the presence and in the absence of frictional losses, using a steady-state hydrostatic shallow-water model and producing solutions as a function of the Coriolis parameter and of the Rayleigh friction coefficient. Results are presented in the range of the parameter values that are relevant for shallow atmospheric flows as sea–land breezes and as cold pool outflows. In the shallow-water approximation, single-layer flows and two-layer flows with a lid have three degrees of freedom, and their steady-state dynamics are governed by three ordinary differential equations (ODEs), whereas two-layer flows bounded by a free surface have six degrees of freedom, and their dynamics are governed by six ODEs.

It is shown that in the limit case of frictionless flow, the problem has an explicit analytical solution, and in the presence of friction, the system for a one-layer flow and for a two-layer flow bounded by a lid can be reduced to two algebraic equations, plus one second-order ordinary differential equation, which can be integrated numerically. Results show that the maximum runout length of the current occurs when the Rayleigh friction coefficient in the lower layer is on the order of the Coriolis parameter. This length is larger when the upper layer is deeper than the lower layer, but it shortens when the friction coefficient of the upper layer is smaller than that in the lower layer.

In addition, the relative error of the solution to the linearized equations is computed. This error, which is enhanced when the width of the forcing is smaller than the Rossby radius, is sizable when the friction coefficient is smaller than the Coriolis parameter. In addition, by comparing the nonlinear solution with a lid (three degrees of freedom) to the nonlinear solution with a free surface as an upper boundary (six degrees of freedom), it is shown that the solution with the lid overestimates the geopotential for low values of the friction coefficient and it underestimates the geopotential for large values of this coefficient. The error, sizable when the two layers have a comparable depth, rapidly decreases when the upper layer becomes deeper than the lower layer; accordingly, a rigid lid can be safely adopted only when the depth of the upper layer is twice the depth of the lower layer, or deeper.
Use of NDVI and Land Surface Temperature for Drought Assessment: Merits and Limitations
Authors: Karnieli Arnon , Agam Nurit , Pinker Rachel T. , Anderson Martha , Imhoff Marc L. , Gutman Garik G. , Panov Natalya , Goldberg Alexander
Published: September 2009

A large number of water- and climate-related applications, such as drought monitoring, are based on spaceborne-derived relationships between land surface temperature (LST) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The majority of these applications rely on the existence of a negative slope between the two variables, as identified in site- and time-specific studies. The current paper investigates the generality of the LST–NDVI relationship over a wide range of moisture and climatic/radiation regimes encountered over the North American continent (up to 60°N) during the summer growing season (April–September). Information on LST and NDVI was obtained from long-term (21 years) datasets acquired with the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). It was found that when water is the limiting factor for vegetation growth (the typical situation for low latitudes of the study area and during the midseason), the LST–NDVI correlation is negative. However, when energy is the limiting factor for vegetation growth (in higher latitudes and elevations, especially at the beginning of the growing season), a positive correlation exists between LST and NDVI. Multiple regression analysis revealed that during the beginning and the end of the growing season, solar radiation is the predominant factor driving the correlation between LST and NDVI, whereas other biophysical variables play a lesser role. Air temperature is the primary factor in midsummer. It is concluded that there is a need to use empirical LST–NDVI relationships with caution and to restrict their application to drought monitoring to areas and periods where negative correlations are observed, namely, to conditions when water—not energy—is the primary factor limiting vegetation growth.
Estimates of Tropical Diabatic Heating Profiles: Commonalities and Uncertainties
Authors: Hagos Samson , Zhang Chidong , Tao Wei-Kuo , Lang Steve , Takayabu Yukari N. , Shige Shoichi , Katsumata Masaki , Olson Bill , L’Ecuyer Tristan
Published: September 2009

This study aims to evaluate the consistency and discrepancies in estimates of diabatic heating profiles associated with precipitation based on satellite observations and microphysics and those derived from the thermodynamics of the large-scale environment. It presents a survey of diabatic heating profile estimates from four Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) products, four global reanalyses, and in situ sounding measurements from eight field campaigns at various tropical locations. Common in most of the estimates are the following: (i) bottom-heavy profiles, ubiquitous over the oceans, are associated with relatively low rain rates, while top-heavy profiles are generally associated with high rain rates; (ii) temporal variability of latent heating profiles is dominated by two modes, a deep mode with a peak in the upper troposphere and a shallow mode with a low-level peak; and (iii) the structure of the deep modes is almost the same in different estimates and different regions in the tropics. The primary uncertainty is in the amount of shallow heating over the tropical oceans, which differs substantially among the estimates.
Interaction between El Niño and Extreme Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Luo Jing-Jia , Zhang Ruochao , Behera Swadhin K. , Masumoto Yukio , Jin Fei-Fei , Lukas Roger , Yamagata Toshio
Published: September 2009

Climate variability in the tropical Indo-Pacific sector has undergone dramatic changes under global ocean warming. Extreme Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events occurred repeatedly in recent decades with an unprecedented series of three consecutive episodes during 2006–08, causing vast climate and socioeconomic effects worldwide and weakening the historic El Niño–Indian monsoon relationship. Major attention has been paid to the El Niño influence on the Indian Ocean, but how the IOD influences El Niño and its predictability remained an important issue to be understood. On the basis of various forecast experiments activating and suppressing air–sea coupling in the individual tropical ocean basins using a state-of-the-art coupled ocean–atmosphere model with demonstrated predictive capability, the present study shows that the extreme IOD plays a key role in driving the 1994 pseudo–El Niño, in contrast with traditional El Niño theory. The pseudo–El Niño is more frequently observed in recent decades, coincident with a weakened atmospheric Walker circulation in response to anthropogenic forcing. The study’s results suggest that extreme IOD may significantly enhance El Niño and its onset forecast, which has being a long-standing challenge, and El Niño in turn enhances IOD and its long-range predictability. The intrinsic El Niño–IOD interaction found here provides hope for enhanced prediction skill of both of these climate modes, and it sheds new light on the tropical climate variations and their changes under the influence of global warming.
Impact of Common Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies on Global Drought and Pluvial Frequency
Authors: Findell Kirsten L. , Delworth Thomas L.
Published: September 2009

Climate model simulations run as part of the Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) Drought Working Group initiative were analyzed to determine the impact of three patterns of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on drought and pluvial frequency and intensity around the world. The three SST forcing patterns include a global pattern similar to the background warming trend, a pattern in the Pacific, and a pattern in the Atlantic. Five different global atmospheric models were forced by fixed SSTs to test the impact of these SST anomalies on droughts and pluvials relative to a climatologically forced control run.

The five models generally yield similar results in the locations of drought and pluvial frequency changes throughout the annual cycle in response to each given SST pattern. In all of the simulations, areas with an increase in the mean drought (pluvial) conditions tend to also show an increase in the frequency of drought (pluvial) events. Additionally, areas with more frequent extreme events also tend to show higher intensity extremes. The cold Pacific anomaly increases drought occurrence in the United States and southern South America and increases pluvials in Central America and northern and central South America. The cold Atlantic anomaly increases drought occurrence in southern Central America, northern South America, and central Africa and increases pluvials in central South America. The warm Pacific and Atlantic anomalies generally lead to reversals of the drought and pluvial increases described with the corresponding cold anomalies. More modest impacts are seen in other parts of the world. The impact of the trend pattern is generally more modest than that of the two other anomaly patterns.
The Physical Mechanisms by Which the Leading Patterns of SST Variability Impact U.S. Precipitation
Authors: Wang Hailan , Schubert Siegfried , Suarez Max , Koster Randal
Published: September 2009

This study uses the NASA Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction Project (NSIPP-1) AGCM to investigate the physical mechanisms by which the leading patterns of annual mean SST variability impact U.S. precipitation. The focus is on a cold Pacific pattern and a warm Atlantic pattern that exert significant drought conditions over the U.S. continent. The precipitation response to the cold Pacific is characterized by persistent deficits over the Great Plains that peak in summer with a secondary peak in spring, and weakly pluvial conditions in summer over the Southeast (SE). The precipitation response to the warm Atlantic is dominated by persistent deficits over the Great Plains with the maximum deficit occurring in late summer. The precipitation response to the warm Atlantic is overall similar to the response to the cold Pacific with, however, considerably weaker amplitude.

An analysis of the atmospheric moisture budget combined with a stationary wave model diagnosis of the associated atmospheric circulation anomalies is conducted to investigate mechanisms of the precipitation responses. A key result is that, while the cold Pacific and warm Atlantic are two spatially distinct SST patterns, they nevertheless produce similar diabatic heating anomalies over the Gulf of Mexico during the warm season. In the case of the Atlantic forcing, the heating anomalies are a direct response to the SST anomalies, whereas in the case of Pacific forcing they are a secondary response to circulation anomalies forced from the tropical Pacific. The diabatic heating anomalies in both cases force an anomalous low-level cyclonic flow over the Gulf of Mexico that leads to reduced moisture transport into the central United States and increased moisture transport into the eastern United States. The precipitation deficits over the Great Plains in both cases are greatly amplified by the strong soil moisture feedback in the NSIPP-1 AGCM. In contrast, the response over the SE to the cold Pacific during spring is primarily associated with an upper-tropospheric high anomaly over the southern United States that is remotely forced by tropical Pacific diabatic heating anomalies, leading to greatly reduced stationary moisture flux convergences and anomalous subsidence in that region. Moderately reduced evaporation and weakened transient moisture flux convergences play secondary roles. It is only during spring that these three terms are all negative and constructively contribute to produce the maximum dry response in spring.

The above findings based on the NSIPP-1 AGCM are generally consistent with observations, as well as with four other AGCMs included in the U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) project.
Subduction on the Northern and Southern Flanks of the Gulf Stream
Authors: Thomas Leif N. , Joyce Terrence M.
Published: September 2009

Sections of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and velocity were made crossing the Gulf Stream in late January 2006 to investigate the role of frontal processes in the formation of Eighteen Degree Water (EDW), the Subtropical Mode Water of the North Atlantic. The sections were nominally perpendicular to the stream and measured in a Lagrangian frame by following a floating spar buoy drifting in the Gulf Stream’s warm core. During the survey, EDW was isolated from the mixed layer by the stratified seasonal pycnocline, suggesting that EDW was not yet actively being formed at this time in the season and at the longitudes over which the survey was conducted (64°–70°W). However, in two of the sections, the seasonal pycnocline in the core of the Gulf Stream was broken by an intrusion of cold, fresh, weakly stratified water, nearly saturated in oxygen, that appears to have been subducted from the surface mixed layer north of the stream. The intrusion was identified in three of the sections in profiles with a nearly identical temperature–salinity relation. From the western-to-easternmost sections, where the intrusion was observed, the depth of the intrusion’s salinity minimum descended by ∼90 m in the 71 h it took to complete this part of the survey. This apparent subduction occurred primarily on the upstream side of a meander trough, where the cross-stream velocity was confluent and frontogenetic. Using a variant of the omega equation, the vertical velocity driven by the confluent flow was inferred and yielded downwelling in the vicinity of the intrusion spanning 10–40 m day−1, a range of values consistent with the intrusion’s observed descent, suggesting that frontal subduction was responsible for the formation of the intrusion. In the easternmost section located downstream of the meander trough, the flow was diffluent, driving an inferred vertical circulation that was of the opposite sense to that in the section upstream of the trough. In transiting the two sides of the trough, the intrusion was observed to move toward the center of the stream between the downwelling branches of the opposing vertical circulations, resulting in a downward Lagrangian mean vertical velocity and net subduction. Hydrographic evidence of the subduction of weakly stratified surface waters was seen in the southern flank of the Gulf Stream as well. The solution of the omega equation suggests that this subduction was associated with a relatively shallow vertical circulation confined to the upper 200 m of the water column in the proximity of the front marking the southern edge of the warm core.
Upper-Ocean Processes under the Stratus Cloud Deck in the Southeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Zheng Yangxing , Kiladis George N. , Shinoda Toshiaki , Metzger E. Joseph , Hurlburt Harley E. , Lin Jialin , Giese Benjamin S.
Published: September 2009

The annual mean heat budget of the upper ocean beneath the stratocumulus/stratus cloud deck in the southeast Pacific is estimated using Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) and an eddy-resolving Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Both are compared with estimates based on Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Improved Meteorological (IMET) buoy observations at 20°S, 85°W. Net surface heat fluxes are positive (warming) over most of the area under the stratus cloud deck. Upper-ocean processes responsible for balancing the surface heat flux are examined by estimating each term in the heat equation. In contrast to surface heat fluxes, geostrophic transport in the upper 50 m causes net cooling in most of the stratus cloud deck region. Ekman transport provides net warming north of the IMET site and net cooling south of the IMET site. Although the eddy heat flux divergence term can be comparable to other terms at a particular location, such as the IMET mooring site, it is negligible for the entire stratus region when area averaged because it is not spatially coherent in the open ocean. Although cold-core eddies are often generated near the coast in the eddy-resolving model, they do not significantly impact the heat budget in the open ocean in the southeast Pacific.
Feasibility of Cloud Screening Using Proxy Photon Pathlength Distributions Derived from High-Resolution Spectra in the Near Infrared
Authors: O’Brien D. M. , Polonsky Igor , Stephens Philip , Taylor Thomas E.
Published: September 2009

High-resolution spectra of reflected sunlight in the 2-μm absorption band of CO2 are simulated at the top of the atmosphere using cloud profiles and particle sizes from CloudSat analyzed meteorology from ECMWF, surface bidirectional distribution functions over land derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and a facet model of ocean reflectance. It is argued that in clear sky the photons will follow the direct path from sun to surface to satellite, because Rayleigh scattering is negligible at 2 μm, so the distribution of photon pathlengths will be a δ function. A proxy for the photon pathlength distribution under any sky condition is recovered from the high-resolution spectrum by representing the distribution as a weighted sum of δ functions. Scenes are classified as clear or cloudy according to how closely the distribution approximates the ideal single δ function for the direct path. The algorithm has an efficiency of approximately 75%, meaning that 25% of the clear cases will be rejected as cloudy. For scenes that pass the clear-sky test, the probability that the prediction will be correct is typically 95%. The algorithm appears to be robust, insensitive to instrument noise and to errors in the surface pressure and profiles of temperature and water vapor. The efficiency and confidence level of the algorithm are almost unchanged for bright surfaces such as sun glint.
The Diurnal Cycle of Winds, Rain, and Clouds over Taiwan during the Mei-Yu, Summer, and Autumn Rainfall Regimes
Authors: John Kerns Brandon Wesley , Chen Yi-Leng , Chang Mei-Yu
Published: September 2009

The diurnal variations in surface winds, rain, and clouds over Taiwan are presented for three rainfall regimes: the mei-yu (16 May–15 June), summer (16 July–31 August), and autumn (16 September–15 October). Though the magnitude of diurnal island divergence and convergence is similar under each regime, the diurnal variations of rain and clouds vary considerably between the regimes. These differences are related to the seasonal changes in environment winds, stability, moisture, and weather systems. In addition to orographic lifting on the windward side, rainfall occurrences for all three rainfall regimes are strongly modulated by the diurnal heating cycle with an afternoon maximum. The largest day–night differences in rainfall occur in summer and the smallest differences occur in autumn. The upper-level high cloud (<235 K) frequencies have a pronounced afternoon maximum over the mountainous areas in the afternoon because of combined effects of orographic lifting and solar heating. These clouds are advected downstream by the upper-level winds in late afternoon and early evening. The highest afternoon high cloud frequencies occur in summer (>30%) with the lowest upper-level cloud cover in autumn (∼10%). In autumn, most of the orographic showers on the eastern and northeastern windward side in the late afternoon and early evening are not from deep clouds. The weak early-morning rainfall maxima for all three seasons are related to the localized boundary layer convergence due to the orographic blocking of the prevailing winds and their interactions with the offshore/land breeze. During disturbed, prefrontal periods in the mei-yu, bands of high clouds and rain tend to develop in the early morning in the convergence zone off the northwest coast. These rainbands are responsible for the early-morning rainfall maximum on the northwest coast. They do not occur in summer or autumn.
Advances in Predicting Continental Low Stratus with a Regional NWP Model
Authors: Kann Alexander , Seidl Harald , Wittmann Christoph , Haiden Thomas
Published: September 2009

In the eastern Alpine region, subinversion cloudiness associated with elevated temperature inversions is a frequent phenomenon in autumn and winter, which often persists for several days. Although the prediction of fog and low stratus by numerical weather prediction (NWP) models has improved in recent years, these models still show deficiencies in the spatial and temporal evolution of such wintertime weather phenomena. In spite of sophisticated current assimilation schemes or simply due to unknown conditions, even the analysis shows large discrepancies compared to the true atmospheric state. Inversions are often “smeared out” and the moist layer below the inversion is too far from saturation. Model integration from such an initial state leads to strong biases in the total cloudiness and, due to erroneous radiative response, in 2-m temperature forecasts. In the present paper, an empirical enhancement scheme for subinversion cloudiness is introduced within the framework of Aire Limitée Adaptation Dynamique Développement International (ALADIN), the operational limited area model (LAM) at the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG). The scheme attempts to compensate for model deficiencies in the vertical temperature and humidity profiles in order to enhance or keep preexisting signals of inversions and associated low cloudiness. Thus, a positive feedback due to radiative reaction is activated, which finally leads to more realistic vertical profiles, low (and total) cloudiness, and improved 2-m temperature predictions. Case studies demonstrate the impacts of the scheme on predictions of the spatial distribution of low cloudiness and on the vertical profiles of temperature and humidity. Verification over stratus episodes within a 2-month period comparing a reference model run without the scheme with a modified model version with the subinversion cloudiness scheme confirms the ability of the scheme to improve stratus-related wintertime weather prediction.
Scale, Composition, and Technology
Authors: Victor Peter A.
Published: September 2009

Scale (gross domestic product), composition (goods and services), and technology (impacts per unit of goods and services) in combination are the proximate determinants in an economy of the resources used, wastes generated, and land transformed. In this article, we examine relationships among these determinants to understand better the contribution that changes in each have made in the past, and might in the future, to reduce the burden placed on the environment by the economy. Using the IPAT equation we assess quantitatively historical changes in scale, composition, and technology in Canada and their respective contributions to changes in environmental impact. The Kaya equation provides a similar framework for a more in-depth consideration of the changes in scale, composition, and technology required to achieve a substantial reduction in global emissions of carbon dioxide. We conclude that it is essential to address scale as part of the solution.
Science and Ecological Economics
Authors: Costanza Robert
Published: September 2009

Ecological economics is a transdisciplinary field that seeks to integrate the study of humans and the rest of nature as the basis for the creation of a sustainable and desirable future. It seeks to dissolve the barriers between the traditional disciplines and achieve a true consilience of all the sciences and humanities. This consilient, transdisciplinary science represents a rebalancing of analysis and synthesis; a recognition of the central role of envisioning in science; a pragmatic philosophy built on complex systems theory, thermodynamics, and modeling; a multiscale approach; and a consistent integration of cultural and biological coevolution. It will allow us to build a world that is both sustainable and desirable and that recognizes our fundamental partnership with the rest of nature.
Executive-Level Reviews of Seclusion and Restraint Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Innovation
Authors: Allen Diane E. , de Nesnera Alexander , Souther Justin W.
Published: September 2009

Elimination of seclusion and restraint requires support at all levels of an organization, especially from leaders who visibly champion and communicate their vision. Nurses, physicians, educators, and administrators at New Hampshire Hospital, an acute psychiatric inpatient facility, have established a standard meeting time and place for an executive-level review of every episode of seclusion and restraint. The standing meeting demonstrates the organization’s commitment to caring for both patients and staff. The daily meetings foster a spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration, where direct care staff have the opportunity to tell their stories and share their ideas and concerns in an environment that is caring, supportive, and devoid of criticism or blame. Narrative descriptions of emergency interventions, including what was learned from debriefings with patients and staff involved, provide data about factors that may contribute to the use of seclusion or restraint. This forum provides visible administrative and clinical support that promotes creative thinking, collaborative problem solving, and the exploration of new ideas recommended by those directly involved in providing patient care. It has fostered exploration and development of strategies that have minimized episodes of aggressive behavior as well as seclusion and restraint.
Sensitivity kernels for seismic Fresnel volume tomography
Authors: Liu Yuzhu , Dong Liangguo , Wang Yuwei , Zhu Jinping , Ma Zaitian
Published: September 2009

Fresnel volume tomography (FVT) offers higher resolution and better accuracy than conventional seismic raypath tomography. A key problem in FVT is the sensitivity kernel. We propose amplitude and traveltime sensitivity kernels expressed directly with Green’s functions for transmitted waves for 2D/3D homogeneous/heterogeneous media. The Green’s functions are calculated with a finite-difference operator of the full wave equation in the frequency-space domain. In the special case of homogeneous media, we analyze the properties of the sensitivity kernels extensively and gain new insight into these properties. According to the constructive interference of waves, the spatial distribution ranges of the monochromatic sensitivity kernels in FVT differ from each other greatly and are [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] periods of seismic waves, respectively, for 2D amplitude, 3D amplitude, 2D traveltime, and 3D traveltime conditions. We also have a new understanding of the relationship between raypath tomography and FVT. Within the first Fresnel volume of the dominant frequency, the band-limited sensitivity kernels of FVT in homogeneous media or smoothly heterogeneous media are very close to those of the dominant frequency. Thus, it is practical to replace the band-limited sensitivity kernel with a few selected frequencies or even the single dominant frequency to save computation when performing band-limited FVT. The numerical experiment proves that FVT using our sensitivity kernels can achieve more accurate results than traditional raypath tomography.
225Ac Metallofullerene: Toward 225Ac Nanogenerator in Fullerene
Authors: Akiyama Kazuhiko , Haba Hiromitsu , Sueki Keisuke , Tsukada Kazuaki , Asai Masato , Toyoshima Atsushi , Nagame Yuichiro , Katada Motomi
Published: September 2009

We report on the successful production of a metallofullerene encapsulating the radioactive tracer 225Ac and on its electronic properties studied by radiochromatography. Considering the number of π electrons on the fullerene cage estimated from the HPLC retention time on the 5PBB column and the general oxidation state of Ac(III), the chemical species of the dominant chromatographic peak is suggested to be Ac@C82.
Crystallographic Study of Superelastic Deformation of Nitinol
Authors: Wu Ming H. , Gong Xiao-Yan , Mao Shengcheng , Han Xiaodong
Published: September 2009

Limitations of finite element analysis (FEA) in providing accurate localized stress and strain information in superelastic nitinol are well recognized. Understanding the parent texture and the crystallography of stress-induced martensitic transformation holds the key to bridge the gap between continuum mechanics and the microscopic stress-strain condition imposed by the phase transformation in understanding the deformation mechanism of this complex material. A scanning electron microscope equipped with an electron beam back scatter diffraction detector is a powerful tool that can extract microscopic crystallographic information from bulk specimens. The technique has been employed to study the crystallography of stress-induced martensitic transformation during tensile and bend deformations of superelastic nitinol. The results suggest that for tensile deformation, the transformation variants of stress-induced martensite (SIM) inside the Lüders band follow maximum shear stress along the martensite shape change direction. The observation also confirms that the SIM transformation is incomplete, leaving a significant amount of retained B2 parent phase inside the Lüders band. As tensile deformation proceeds, the Lüders band propagates by nucleating new martensite plates instead of by thickening of the existing martensite variants. For bend deformation, SIM appears to transform much easier in the tension side than in the compression side, confirming previous studies on the asymmetrical tension-compression property in superelastic nitinol materials. Lastly, the local stress field at the tip of martensite plate has been computed by finite element (FEA) simulation based on the observed martensite morphology. The implication on local stress field and plasticity provides a rationalization in explaining why nitinol fatigue life appears to be insensitive to the mean strain effect.
Masonry
Authors: Trimble Brian E. , Brisch Joseph H.
Published: September 2009

Description

Thirteen peer-reviewed papers cover the latest information on all aspects of masonry materials, design, specification, construction, maintenance and rehabilitation.

Topics cover:

• Glazed brick cladding

• Analyzing hardened masonry mortars

• Masonry beams

• Stone adhered veneer

• Concrete masonry walls

• Brick masonry

• And much more!
Durability Tests of Structural Sandwich
Authors: Kuenzi EW , Wood LW
Published: September 2009

This paper presents the results of tests and a discussion of the behavior of structural sandwiches having facings of plywood, hardboard, cement-asbestos board, aluminum, and procelain enameled, steel-faced hardboard on cores of resin-treated paper honeycomb. The construction and behavior of these sandwiches in a structural unit erected 10 yr ago are discussed. Also presented are results of “accelerated aging” exposures that are of aid in predicting the durability of such constructions
The Durability of Buildings
Authors: Legget RF , Hutcheon NB
Published: September 2009

The durability of buildings is a subject of timely importance in view of current changes in building types. The meaning of the term is explored. This leads to the suggestion that it is the question, “How much durability do you want in a building?” that must be faced by the designer. Correspondingly, it is demonstrated that the durability of a building is really the durability of its components. The interrelation of building components can only usefully be considered in relation to the climatic environment, interior and exterior, in which the building is to serve, and this suggests some of the limitations of testing for durability.
Emission Spectrometric Determination of Oxygen in Metals
Authors: Fassel VA , Gordon WA , Tabeling RW
Published: September 2009

The problems encountered in extending emission spcctrometric methods to the determination of the oxygen content of metals are surveyed and several techniques for surmounting some of these problems are discussed. Methods for the determination of oxygen in steel, titanium, the rare earths, and other metals are presented in detail. These procedures are based on the liberation of the oxygen content of the metal into an argon atmosphere by the high temperatures attained in direct-current arc discharges. The intensity ratio of the line pair 07771 Å/A7891Å is related to the oxygen content of the metal sample. The procedures described determine oxygen with a precision comparable to vacuum fusion or bromination — carbon reduction techniques and have the advantage of greatly reduced time requirements.
Material Properties that Affect Acoustical Fatigue Life, and the Role of Damping
Authors: Trapp W. J. , Lazan B. J.
Published: September 2009

The causes and nature of acoustical fatigue are discussed and recent experiences reviewed. The types of acoustical excitation are classified and typical spectral curves indicated. The dynamic response of a structure exposed to an acoustical environment is discussed to indicate the four material and configuration properties which govern fatigue life. The role and importance of each of these properties, particularly structural damping, is appraised. The mechanisms involved in both inherent structural damping and in various types of surface layer additions are analyzed and their potential damping contributions are compared.
The Fatigue Damaging Effect of a Random Load
Authors: Weibull Waloddi
Published: September 2009

It is postulated that a representation that would provide necessary and sufficient information on fatigue damage must be based on the statistical distribution of the peak values. Statistics affecting fatigue life are examined and a convenient method for estimating their numerical values is demonstrated and illustrated by an example including four different spectra. The proper specification of a random load is discussed and some conclusions regarding the planning of random fatigue tests are presented.
Development and Application of the PRL Single-Pass Capillary Viscometer
Authors: Klaus E. Erwin , Angeloni Francis M. , Fenske Merrell R.
Published: September 2009

The design and construction of a versatile capillary high-shear viscometer is described. Use of nitrogen pressure as the driving force and of a single pass through the capillary completely eliminate all areas of nonstreamline flow from the viscometer. By using interchangeable capillaries and efflux bulbs, the viscometer has a temperature range of -65 to 300 F, a viscosity range of S to 1 million centipoises, and a rate-of-shear range of 1 to 1 million reciprocal seconds. The maximum shearing stress for the three capillaries described varies from 92,000 to 300,000 dynes per sq cm.

Calibration techniques with Newtonian hydrocarbon fluids are described. Temperature and pressure effects of both Newtonian hydrocarbons and non-Newtonian polymer solutions are evaluated in capillary instruments.

Non-Newtonian data for the PRL (Petroleum Refining Laboratory) single-pass viscometer, using ASTM oils 103 and 104, are compared with similar data for the Kingsbury tapered plug viscometer and for the PRL high-shear viscometer.

High-shear-rate viscosity measurement of polymer solutions without permanent viscosity change is demonstrated. The effects of polymer type, polymer molecular weight, and solvent type are illustrated, using the PRL single-pass viscometer.
Current Density Distribution on Composite Structures Under Cathodic Protection in Seawater
Authors: Compton K. G.
Published: September 2009

The distribution of cathodic protection current between members of copper-steel and stainless steel-aluminum galvanic couples was found to vary by ratio of 940 to 0.05 as the relative areas were varied from 100:1 to 1:100. Polarization curves and the distribution of current are given. Above a 1:1 ratio of cathode to anode, cathodic protection does not appear to be practical.
Galvanic Corrosion of Underground Power Distribution Cable Materials
Authors: Schick George , Mitchell D. A.
Published: September 2009

Bare concentric neutral conductors of buried power cables have failed due to corrosion in several areas of the United States. Galvanic corrosion, between the neutral conductor anode and a “semiconducting polyethylene” tape cathode, was investigated as one of the possible corrosion mechanisms. The results indicate that the rate of the galvanic corrosion is controlled by the cathode and in the present cable design contributes little to the neutral wire failure. If a semiconducting polyethylene jacket is extruded over the neutral conductors, the contribution of galvanic corrosion at jacket defects may become significant.