bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-Molecular-Weight Iron Dextran in the Management of Renal Anaemia in Patients on Haemodialysis – the IDIRA Study
Authors: Rath Thomas , Florschütz Kai , Kalb Klaus , Rothenpieler Uwe , Schletter Jörg , Seeger Wolfgang , Zinn Stefan
Published: November 2009

Background: Intravenous iron supplementation is a basic principle in the therapy of haemodialysis (HD) patients with renal anaemia. In the Iron Dextran in Renal Anaemia (IDIRA) study, we analysed the efficacy of a therapy with low-molecular-weight iron dextran (LMW-ID) in stable HD patients with adequate iron stores previously treated with ferric gluconate. Methods: IDIRA was an open-label, prospective, non-randomized, observational multicenter trial over 12 months in iron-repleted HD patients. All patients were treated with intravenous LMW-ID. Measures of efficacy were changes of haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, erythropoietin dose and the response to iron therapy calculated as ferritin efficacy and Hb efficacy. Statistical analysis was done by the Wilcoxon test. Results: A total of 221 HD patients with a mean age 63.7 ± 13.8 years were included. A total of 208 out of 221 patients were on erythropoietin therapy. Median time on dialysis was 2 (1–4) years. Mean Kt/V was 1.3. Of the 221 patients, 208 completed the 12-month study period. Mean Hb and serum ferritin increased without the need for higher erythropoietin doses. The mean amount of iron per week administered remained stable. Ferritin efficacy and Hb efficacy improved using LMW-ID (p < 0.01). Conclusions: We conclude that LMW-ID improves anaemia management even in iron-pretreated HD patients.
Tissue Expression of TRPC3 and TRPC6 in Hypertensive Munich Wistar Frömter Rats Showing Proteinuria
Authors: Liu Ying , Thilo Florian , Kreutz Reinhold , Schulz Angela , Wendt Norbert , Loddenkemper Christoph , Jankowski Vera , Tepel Martin
Published: November 2009

Background: We investigated whether alterations of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel expression may be observed in tissues from Munich Wistar Frömter (MWF) rats showing proteinuria compared to control Wistar rats. Methods: TRPC expression was investigated in tissue from MWF and Wistar rats using quantitative real time PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared to Wistar rats MWF rats showed significantly increased systolic blood pressure and significantly higher left ventricle weight (each p < 0.01). Quantitative real time PCR revealed that TRPC3 transcripts were significantly higher in kidney cortex from MWF rats compared to Wistar rats (p < 0.01). TRPC3 transcripts were not significantly different in kidney medulla nor in aorta from both groups (p = n.s.). Furthermore, TRPC6 transcripts were significantly lower in kidney cortex from MWF rats compared to Wistar rats (p < 0.001). Immunoblotting showed that TRPC3 channel protein expression was also significantly higher in kidney cortex from MWF rats compared to Wistar rats (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation of TRPC3 mRNA and a specific marker for endothelium, von Willebrand factor (vWF; Spearman r = 0.564; p < 0.01). We observed a significant correlation between the TRPC3 transcripts to TRPC6 transcripts ratio in kidney cortex and urinary albumin excretion (Spearman r = 0.785, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Altered TRPC expression pattern in kidney cortex is associated with kidney damage in MWF rats showing hypertension and albuminuria.
Associations of Adiponectin with Paraoxonase 1 and sE-Selectin in Hemodialyzed Patients
Authors: Peti Attila , Csiky Botond , Guth Eszter , Kenyeres Peter , Varga Zsuzsa , Seres Ildiko , Jeney Zoltan , Juhasz Maria , Mezosi Emese , Paragh Gyorgy , Kovacs Gabor L. , Bajnok Laszlo
Published: November 2009

Background/Aims: In hemodialyzed (HD) patients, adiponectin and sE-selectin levels are elevated, while antioxidant paraoxonase 1 activity (PON1) is decreased. We determined if the hyperadiponectinemia in HD patients has a protective effect on the decrease in PON1 and elevation in sE-selectin in kidney failure. Methods and Design: Predialysis serum adiponectin, PON1 and sE-selectin as well as other metabolic variables were measured in 70 HD patients. Results: Adiponectin had (1) no association with PON1 or sE-selectin, (2) a positive association with dialysis efficiency and HDL-C, and (3) an inverse association with BMI, waist circumference, HOMA IR, triglyceride, hsCRP, fibrinogen, and albumin. Moreover, albumin, BMI, and HOMA-IR were independent negative predictors of adiponectin. Conclusions: In kidney failure, in contrast to normal renal function, higher adiponectin levels had no correlation with PON1 activity or the sE-selectin level. However, adiponectin has an association with dialysis efficiency and, similar to individuals with preserved kidney function, traits of metabolic syndrome. In addition to BMI and HOMA-IR, the serum albumin concentration is also one of the independent negative predictors of the serum adiponectin level. Collectively, these findings may add details to the understanding of the role that adiponectin plays in chronic renal disease related to ‘reverse epidemiology’.
Role of Renal Function and Cardiac Biomarkers (NT-proBNP and Troponin) in Determining Mortality and Cardiac Outcome in Atheromatous Renovascular Disease
Authors: Chrysochou Constantina , Manzoor Sophie , Wright Julian , Roberts Stephen A. , Wood Grahame , McDowell Garry , Kalra Philip A.
Published: November 2009

Background and Aims: Patients with atheromatous renovascular disease (ARVD) have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The cardiac markers N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin (cTnT) are easily measured, yet not widely used in renal patients as they are thought to be inaccurate in renal disease. We aimed to see if these markers could be used as prognostic indicators of cardiovascular events (CVEs) and death in ARVD. Methods: Subjects with ARVD treated in 1 renal center in 2003 were prospectively followed up. NT-proBNP and cTnT at baseline were correlated with CVEs and death, echocardiographic findings and degree of renal artery stenosis. Cutoff levels of 0.03 ng/ml (cTnT) and 43 pmol/l (NT-proBNP) were used. Results: Eighty-two patients (mean ± SD age 69 ± 8 years, mean follow-up 40.2 ± 16.6 months) were suitable for analysis. Twenty-nine percent of patients suffered new CVEs, and 37.8% died. Renal function was a significant predictor of CVEs and death. Patients with a raised NT-proBNP were more likely to die than those in the same chronic kidney disease (CKD) category with normal levels (p < 0.0001) even after adjusting for multivariate factors (hazard ratio 8.3 for high proBNP vs. 3.6 for low proBNP in CKD stage 4–5). Conclusion: No study to our knowledge has looked at both NT-proBNP and cTnT as outcome markers in ARVD. Our study shows that renal function is more important as a marker of suffering a CVE. However, raised NT-proBNP is associated with a greater likelihood of death when subdivided by CKD stage. Early risk stratification by simple measurement of these biomarkers may aid in intensifying management in high-risk patients, although further studies to assess the value of this approach are warranted.
Vitamin D Receptor and Calcium-Sensing Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Hypercalciuric Stone-Forming Patients
Authors: Ferreira Larissa Gorayb , Pereira Alexandre Costa , Heilberg Ita Pfeferman
Published: November 2009

Background/Aim: Some studies have identified an association of kidney stone formation with vitamin D receptor (VDR) or calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) polymorphisms. We aimed to evaluate the association between these polymorphisms with urinary calcium excretion (uCa) in calcium- stone-forming patients. Methods: VDR polymorphism, detected by BsmI digestion, and 3 CaSR polymorphisms (G/T at codon 986, G/A at codon 990 and C/G at codon 1011), detected by direct sequencing, were evaluated in 100 hypercalciuric (HCa) and 101 normocalciuric (NCa) calcium-stone-forming patients. Results: The total allelic frequency of VDR polymorphism was: 16% BB, 49% Bb and 35% bb. The prevalence of bb genotype was significantly higher in the HCa when compared to the NCa group (43 vs. 27%). With respect to CaSR polymorphisms, 986S, 990G and 1011E variant alleles were detected, respectively, in 5, 4 and 3% of the whole sample and 5 CaSR haplotypes were identified: 94% ARQ (wild-type), 3% SRQ, 1.5% AGQ, 1.0% ARE and 0.5% AGE. No statistical differences have been observed between NCa and HCa with respect to these CaSR haplotypes. Conclusions: The present study suggested that bb homozygous for VDR polymorphism was overrepresented in hypercalciuric stone formers. Urinary calcium excretion was not associated with CaSR polymorphism in the present sample.
Medication Apprehension and Compliance among Dialysis Patients – A Comprehensive Guidance Attitude
Authors: Katzir Ze’ev , Boaz Mona , Backshi Irena , Cernes Relu , Barnea Zvi , Biro Alexander
Published: November 2009

Background: Compliance with treatment regimens is a continuing challenge for chronic dialysis patients and their medical caregivers. Poor patient adherence to prescribed medications can adversely affect treatment outcome. Study Design: In this pre- versus post-intervention study, 89 chronic dialysis patients [75 hemodialysis (HD), 14 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); mean age 62.7 ± 12.39 years, 34 females] responded to a written questionnaire designed to assess knowledge about and compliance with 5 groups of prescribed medications: metabolic drugs, antihypertensives, cardiac-supporting agents, peptic disease therapy and hematological replacement therapy. Mode of intake, storage, means of supply and source of information for each class of drug were also assessed. Patients then received both oral and written instructions regarding their prescribed medications (intervention). This information was repeated 3 months later. Six months after the intervention, patients were re-administered the questionnaires. Response to the questionnaires and laboratory data were compared prior to and following the intervention. Results: Overall, compliance with prescribed medications significantly improved following the intervention, from 89 to 95.7%, p = 0.0007. This relative improvement was greater in HD than CAPD patients (27 vs. 2%, p < 0.0001). Improvement in compliance was associated with lower initial scores, fewer years of education, and longer dialysis vintage. Compared to baseline values, post-intervention blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, ferritin and Ca levels were significantly improved. Conclusions: Dialysis patients appear to benefit from receiving comprehensive guidance about medications, in terms of compliance with medications and blood chemistry and hematology measures.
Fibrinogen That Appears in Bowman’s Space of Proteinuric Kidneys in vivo Activates Podocyte Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 in vitro
Authors: Motojima Masaru , Matsusaka Taiji , Kon Valentina , Ichikawa Iekuni
Published: November 2009

Background: Composition of nonselective proteinuria includes several endogenous ligands of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) not normally present in Bowman’s space, thus raising the possibility that TLRs are involved in proteinuria-mediated podocyte injury. Methods: Kidneys of NEP25 mice, a model of glomerular sclerosis induced by podocyte-specific injury, were immunohistochemically evaluated for the presence of fibrin/fibrinogen, which are potent ligands for TLRs. A podocyte cell line was treated with fibrinogen or lipopolysaccharides and examined for expression of cytokines. siRNAs were used to knockdown components of TLR signaling. Results: We found deposits of fibrin/fibrinogen only in the damaged podocytes of proteinuric kidneys, indicating that podocytes are exposed to these potent TLR ligands in proteinuric state. In cultured podocytes, we confirmed mRNA expressions of TLR2, TLR4, as well as their major TLR signal transducer, MyD88. Fibrinogen and lipopolysaccharides dose-dependently upregulated mRNA expressions of MCP-1, TNF-α and TLR2 in podocytes as well as increased the MCP-1 protein in the medium. Knockdown of TLR2 and TLR4 inhibited the fibrinogen-induced MCP-1 mRNA upregulation. Knockdown of MyD88 also inhibited the upregulation. Conclusion: These results suggest that plasma macromolecules that appear in Bowman’s space in proteinuric conditions have the capacity to induce podocyte cytokines through TLRs, and thereby accelerate podocyte injury.
Analysis of the Urine Proteome of Human Contrast-Induced Kidney Injury Using Two-Dimensional Fluorescence Differential Gel Electrophoresis/Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry/Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wang Ling , Ni Zhaohui , Xie Zhengsheng , Yang Fuquan , He Ben , Liu Jianping , Dai Huili , Qian Jiaqi , Jia Minghong
Published: November 2009

Background: The pathogenesis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains unclear and is defined by changes in serum creatinine which is not a sensitive biomarker for acute kidney injury. Search for differentially expressed urinary protein or peptide could contribute to further understanding of the disease and may provide new biomarkers. Methods: This is a small sample research. Urine samples were obtained from patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and were labeled with 3 different fluorescent dyes. After 2-dimensional electrophoresis was run, the differentially regulated spots were picked out and identified by mass spectrometry. Another 31 patients were used as validation group. Results: Among 56 significantly changed spots, mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease 2 were both significantly upregulated. Compared to the baseline value, urinary MBL was significantly increased in the CIN group (2.08, 1.42–5.72, vs. 1.09, 0.516–1.411; p < 0.01). Postprocedure urinary MBL in the CIN group was also significantly higher than that in the non-CIN group (2.08, 1.42–5.72, vs. 1.057, 0.738–1.885; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The studies suggested that MBL may be associated with contrast-induced acute kidney injury. It leads to an attempt to define a new pathogenesis and a novel biomarker for CIN.
Coronary Microembolization
Authors: Heusch Gerd , Kleinbongard Petra , Böse Dirk , Levkau Bodo , Haude Michael , Schulz Rainer , Erbel Raimund
Published: November 2009

Coronary microembolization from the erosion or rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque occurs spontaneously in acute coronary syndromes and iatrogenically during percutaneous coronary interventions. Typical consequences of coronary microembolization are microinfarcts with an inflammatory response, contractile dysfunction, and reduced coronary reserve. Apart from transient elevations of creatine kinase and troponin, microemboli can be visualized by intracoronary Doppler and the resulting microinfarcts by late-enhancement nuclear magnetic resonance. Statins, antiplatelet agents, and coronary vasodilators protect against microembolization and microinfarction when started before percutaneous coronary interventions. Distal protection devices can retrieve atherothrombotic debris and prevent its embolization into the microcirculation, but their effect on clinical outcome has been disappointing so far, except for saphenous vein bypass grafts. Devices for aspiration of thrombi and thrombus-derived vasoconstrictor, thrombogenic, and inflammatory substances, however, reduce thrombus burden, improve perfusion, and provide protection in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
On Reception of Improvised Music
Authors: Dennen James
Published: November 2009

Does the concept of improvisation have any meaning when a piece is recorded and experienced at another time and place? Dennen revisits John Coltrane's “My Favorite Things” from the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival to consider a theory of the reception of improvised music.
Deer in the Headlights: The Sites and Sights of Noémie Lafrance's Home
Authors: Nicely Megan V.
Published: November 2009

Noémie Lafrance's newest site-specific work Home uses the body as both the performance site and the subject in question. This intimate work invites spectators to participate on a tactile level as we become aware of how the body creates spaces between life and death.
The Sensation of Waiting: Beth Gill's what it looks like, what it feels like
Authors: Lipton Gillian
Published: November 2009

By subverting the visual, Beth Gill's choreography opens danced performance to a broader field of sensation. Through this feminist strategy, her piece revisits foundational questions about the politics of perception and dance production.
Crossing Paths: SIGNA's The 11th Knife at PSi #14
Authors: Keidl Philipp Dominik , Smalec Theresa , Espi-Sanchis Sarah
Published: November 2009

This performance installation was a campsite inhabited by a small group who opened their activities to the public 24 hours a day, for the five days of the Copenhagen PSi conference. Those who entered the campsite were invited to play a “game of life and death” in which the weakest contestant would be sacrificed.
Ketmanship in Opole: Jerzy Grotowski and the Price of Artistic Freedom
Authors: Baumrin Seth
Published: November 2009

Jerzy Grotowski—a member of the Communist Party in Poland—gamed the system in order to protect his theatre and gain for it a unique place of relative liberty. This, of course, did not win Grotowski friends among the emerging anti-Communist movement inside Poland.
Tadeusz Kantor and Hamed Taheri: Of Political Theatre/Performance
Authors: Kobialka Michal
Published: November 2009

Is political performance still viable? Kobialka shows how Iranian theatre director Hamed Taheri—influenced by Polish avantgarde artist Tadeusz Kantor—develops a new kind of radical theatre/performance using actor-immigrants from African nations, Chile, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Cognitive Neuroscience and Acting: Imagination, Conceptual Blending, and Empathy
Authors: Blair Rhonda
Published: November 2009

Cognitive science is increasingly recognized as important to performance theory and practice. Blair explains how conceptual blending and compression relate to embodiment, the imagination, and new ways that directors are working with actors.
The Bozkurt-Interpretation Rule and the Legal Status of Family Members of Turkish Workers under Decision 1/80 of the EEC-Turkey Association Council
Authors: van der Mei A.P.
Published: November 2009

Since the 1995 ruling in Bozkurt, as far possible, the Court of Justice has applied the leading principles governing free movement of workers in its case law on the legal status of Turkish nationals under Decision 1/80 of the EEC-Turkey Association Council. This article considers the implications of the Bozkurt-interpretation rule for the rights of family members of Turkish workers. Judgments such as Ayaz, Derin and Gürol reveal a gradual strengthening of the rights of Turkish family members, which enable them, like family members of Community workers, to integrate into the host State’s society.
European Asylum Policy ‐ Inclusions and Exclusions under the Surface of Universal Human Rights Language
Authors: Pirjola Jari
Published: November 2009

The tension between universal human rights commitments and particular interests of the EU or its Member States is at the heart of the creation of a common asylum system. This article explores some of the inherent and structural contradictions as well as the sometimes hidden paradoxes that affect the creation of common asylum policies. The development of the European asylum system is examined as a process of including and excluding. It is argued that open, abstract and empty human rights commitments can provide only limited guidance on how to develop migration and asylum policies in Europe. We should not try to hide the development of the European asylum system behind the obscurity of legal reasoning or institutionalized rights language, but see the emerging common asylum system as a result of different and often conflicting priorities, power struggles and ideological influences.
EU Mobility Partnerships: A Model of Policy Coordination?
Authors: Parkes Roderick
Published: November 2009

As migration cooperation has grown in stature at the European level, a premium has been set on its conceptual coordination with related areas of EU policy. The Mobility Partnerships which the bloc recently signed with Moldova and Cape Verde appear as a model of this kind of coordination. Indeed their advocates believe they can regulate migration in such a way that the Union’s economic, social, development and neighbourhood policies all benefit. A simple tri-partite method is here employed to gauge the complementarity of one of the Partnerships, that with Moldova, with its broader policy context. The present analysis suggests that the political exigencies involved in realising the agreement led to conceptual overstretch. Although the Partnership seldom clashes with its broader policy context, the considerable demands placed on its coordinators in the European Commission mean that the Partnership’s positive contribution to related policy areas remains bitty and lacking in coherence.
Comparison of AIRS and IASI Radiances Using GOES Imagers as Transfer Radiometers toward Climate Data Records
Authors: Wang Likun , Wu Xiangqian , Goldberg Mitch , Cao Changyong , Li Yaping , Sohn Seung-Hee
Published: November 2009

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), together with the future Cross-track Infrared Sounder, will provide long-term hyperspectral measurements of the earth and its atmosphere at ∼10 km spatial resolution. Quantifying the radiometric difference between AIRS and IASI is crucial for creating fundamental climate data records and establishing the space-based infrared calibration standard. Since AIRS and IASI have different local equator crossing times, a direct comparison of these two instruments over the tropical regions is not feasible. Using the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagers as transfer radiometers, this study compares AIRS and IASI over warm scenes in the tropical regions for a time period of 16 months. The double differences between AIRS and IASI radiance biases relative to the GOES-11 and -12 imagers are used to quantify the radiance differences between AIRS and IASI within the GOES imager spectral channels. The results indicate that, at the 95% confidence level, the mean values of the IASI − AIRS brightness temperature differences for warm scenes are very small, that is, −0.0641 ± 0.0074 K, −0.0432 ± 0.0114 K, and −0.0095 ± 0.0151 K for the GOES-11 6.7-, 10.7-, and 12.0-μm channels, respectively, and −0.0490 ± 0.0100 K, −0.0419 ± 0.0224 K, and −0.0884 ± 0.0160 K for the GOES-12 6.5-, 10.7-, and 13.3-μm channels, respectively. The brightness temperature biases between AIRS and IASI within the GOES imager spectral range are less than 0.1 K although the AIRS measurements are slightly warmer than those of IASI.
The Distribution of Rainfall over Oceans from Spaceborne Radars
Authors: Berg Wesley , L’Ecuyer Tristan , Haynes John M.
Published: November 2009

A combination of rainfall estimates from the 13.8-GHz Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) and the 94-GHz CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) is used to assess the distribution of rainfall intensity over tropical and subtropical oceans. These two spaceborne radars provide highly complementary information: the PR provides the best information on the total rain volume because of its ability to estimate the intensity of all but the lightest rain rates while the CPR’s higher sensitivity provides superior rainfall detection as well as estimates of drizzle and light rain. Over the TRMM region between 35°S and 35°N, rainfall frequency from the CPR is around 9%, approximately 2.5 times that detected by the PR, and the CPR estimates indicate a contribution by light rain that is undetected by the PR of around 10% of the total. Stratifying the results by total precipitable water (TPW) as a proxy for rainfall regime indicates dramatic differences over stratus-dominated subsidence regions, with nearly 20% of the total rain occurring as light rain. Over moist tropical regions, the CPR substantially underestimates rain from intense convective storms because of large attenuation and multiple-scattering effects while the PR misses very little of the total rain volume because of a lower relative contribution from light rain. Over low-TPW regions, however, inconsistencies between estimates from the PR and the CPR point to uncertainties in the algorithm assumptions that remain to be understood and addressed.
Nonnormal Frontal Dynamics
Authors: Feliks Yizhak , Tziperman Eli , Farrell Brian
Published: November 2009

The generalized stability of the secondary atmospheric circulation over strong SST fronts is studied using a hydrostatic, Boussinesq, two-dimensional f-plane model. It is shown that even in a parameter regime in which these circulations are stable to small perturbations, significant nonnormal growth of optimal initial perturbations occurs. The maximum growth factor in perturbation total energy is 250 and is dominated by the potential energy, which obtains a growth factor of 219 two to five hours after the beginning of the integration. This domination of potential energy growth is consistent with the observation that the available potential energy (APE) of the secondary circulation is larger by two orders of magnitude than the kinetic energy as well as with the transfer of kinetic to potential perturbation energy at the beginning of the growth of the perturbations.

The norm kernel is found to significantly influence the structure of the optimal initial perturbation as well as the energy obtained by the mature perturbations, but the physical mechanism of growth and the structure of the mature perturbations are robust.
Strong Turbulence in the Wave Crest Region
Authors: Gemmrich Johannes
Published: November 2009

High-resolution vertical velocity profiles in the surface layer of a lake reveal the turbulence structure beneath strongly forced waves. Dissipation rates of turbulence kinetic energy are estimated based on centered second-order structure functions at 4-Hz sampling. Dissipation rates within nonbreaking wave crests are on average 3 times larger than values found at the same distance to the free surface but within the wave trough region. This ratio increases to 18 times for periods with frequent wave breaking. The depth-integrated mean dissipation rate is a function of the wave field and correlates well with the mean wave saturation in the wave band ωp ≤ ω ≤ 4ωp. It shows a clear threshold behavior in accordance with the onset of wave breaking. The initial bubble size distribution is estimated from the observed distribution of energy dissipation rates, assuming the Hinze scale being the limiting size. This model yields the slope of the size distribution, , consistent with laboratory results reported in the literature, and implies that bubble fragmentation associated with intermittent high dissipation rates is a valid mechanism for the setup of bubble size spectra.
Energetics of Winter Troughs Entering South America
Authors: Piva Everson Dal , Gan Manoel A. , Rao V. Brahmananda
Published: November 2009

The energetics and behavior of midtropospheric troughs over the Southern Hemisphere and their relationship with South America surface cyclogenesis were studied during the winters of 1999–2003. All surface cyclogenesis situations over Uruguay and adjacent areas associated with 500-hPa troughs were analyzed. The atmospheric circulation associated with type-B and type-C cyclones form the basis for two composites: composite B (with 25 cases) and composite C (with 13 cases). The results showed that the midtropospheric troughs were more intense in composite C than in composite B before the surface cyclogenesis and that the opposite occurred during the surface cyclogenesis. The baroclinic conversion was dominant in both composites. In composite B, the ageostrophic flux convergence (AFC) contributed positively to the intensification of the surface cyclone since it imported energy into the area before the cyclogenesis started. But in composite C, the AFC served as a sink because it exported energy. Based on these results, it can be concluded that (i) the trough was crucial for the cyclogenesis; (ii) the variables in the mid- and upper levels did not differ significantly from one composite to another; (iii) the northerly heat and moisture flow acted as a preconditioning for the cyclogenesis, mainly for composite C; (iv) the baroclinic conversion dominated the energetics; and (v) the AFC had only a secondary role, contributing negatively to the development of the cyclone in composite C and positively to the initial development in composite B.
COSMIC GPS Radio Occultation Temperature Profiles in Clouds
Authors: Lin L. , Zou X. , Anthes R. , Kuo Y-H.
Published: November 2009

Thermodynamic states in clouds are closely related to physical processes such as phase changes of water and longwave and shortwave radiation. Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) data are not affected by clouds and have high vertical resolution, making them ideally suited to cloud profiling on a global basis. By comparing the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) RO refractivity data with those of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis and ECMWF analysis for soundings in clouds and clear air separately, a systematic bias of opposite sign was found between large-scale global analyses and the GPS RO observations under cloudy and clear-sky conditions. As a modification to the standard GPS RO wet temperature retrieval that does not distinguish between cloudy- and clear-sky conditions, a new cloudy retrieval algorithm is proposed to incorporate the knowledge that in-cloud specific humidity (which affects the GPS refractivities) should be close to saturation. To implement this new algorithm, a linear regression model for a sounding-dependent relative humidity parameter α is first developed based on a high correlation between relative humidity and ice water content. In the absence of ice water content information, α takes an empirical value of 85%. The in-cloud temperature profile is then retrieved from GPS RO data modeled by a weighted sum of refractivities with and without the assumption of saturation. Compared to the standard wet retrieval, the cloudy temperature retrieval is consistently warmer within clouds by ∼2 K and slightly colder near the cloud top (∼1 K) and cloud base (1.5 K), leading to a more rapid increase of the lapse rate with height in the upper half of the cloud, from a nearly constant moist lapse rate below and at the cloud middle (∼6°C km−1) to a value of 7.7°C km−1, which must be closer to the dry lapse rate than the standard wet retrieval.
Forward Semi-Lagrangian Advection with Mass Conservation and Positive Definiteness for Falling Hydrometeors
Authors: Henry Juang Hann-Ming , Hong Song-You
Published: November 2009

A semi-Lagrangian advection scheme is developed for falling hydrometeors in hopes of replacing the conventional Eulerian scheme that has been widely used in the cloud microphysics scheme of numerical atmospheric models. This semi-Lagrangian scheme uses a forward advection method to determine the advection path with or without iteration, and advected mass in a two-time-level algorithm with mass conservation. Monotonicity is considered in mass-conserving interpolation between Lagrangian grids and model Eulerian grids, thus making it a positive definite advection scheme. For mass-conserving interpolation between the two grid systems, the piecewise constant method (PCM), piecewise linear method (PLM), and piecewise parabolic method (PPM) are proposed. The falling velocity at the bottom cell edge is modified to avoid unphysical deformation by scanning from the top layer to the bottom of the model, which enables the use of a large time step with reasonable accuracy. The scheme is implemented and tested in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Single-Moment 3-Class Microphysics Scheme (WSM3).

In a theoretical test bed with constant terminal velocity, the proposed semi-Lagrangian algorithm shows that the higher-order interpolation scheme produces less diffusive features at maximal precipitation. Results from another idealized test bed with mass-weighted terminal velocity demonstrate that the accuracy of the proposed scheme is still satisfactory even with a time step of 120 s when the mean terminal velocity averaged at the departure and arrival points is employed. A two-dimensional (2D) squall-line test using the WSM3 scheme shows that the control run with the Eulerian advection scheme and the semi-Lagrangian run with the PCM method reveal similar results, whereas behaviors using the PLM and PPM are similar with higher-resolution features, such as mammatus-like clouds.
Filtering Turbulent Sparsely Observed Geophysical Flows
Authors: Harlim John , Majda Andrew J.
Published: November 2009

Filtering sparsely turbulent signals from nature is a central problem of contemporary data assimilation. Here, sparsely observed turbulent signals from nature are generated by solutions of two-layer quasigeostrophic models with turbulent cascades from baroclinic instability in two separate regimes with varying Rossby radius mimicking the atmosphere and the ocean. In the “atmospheric” case, large-scale turbulent fluctuations are dominated by barotropic zonal jets with non-Gaussian statistics while the “oceanic” case has large-scale blocking regime transitions with barotropic zonal jets and large-scale Rossby waves. Recently introduced, cheap radical linear stochastic filtering algorithms utilizing mean stochastic models (MSM1, MSM2) that have judicious model errors are developed here as well as a very recent cheap stochastic parameterization extended Kalman filter (SPEKF), which includes stochastic parameterization of additive and multiplicative bias corrections “on the fly.” These cheap stochastic reduced filters as well as a local least squares ensemble adjustment Kalman filter (LLS-EAKF) are compared on the test bed with 36 sparse regularly spaced observations for their skill in recovering turbulent spectra, spatial pattern correlations, and RMS errors. Of these four algorithms, the cheap SPEKF algorithm has the superior overall skill on the stringent test bed, comparable to LLS-EAKF in the atmospheric regime with and without model error and far superior to LLS-EAKF in the ocean regime. LLS-EAKF has special difficulty and high computational cost in the ocean regime with small Rossby radius, which creates stiffness in the perfect dynamics. The even cheaper mean stochastic model, MSM1, has high skill, which is comparable to SPEKF for the oceanic case while MSM2 has significantly worse filtering performance than MSM1 with the same inexpensive computational cost. This is interesting because MSM1 is based on a simple new regression strategy while MSM2 relies on the conventional regression strategy used in stochastic models for shear turbulence.
The Role of Equatorial Rossby Waves in Tropical Cyclogenesis. Part II: Idealized Simulations in a Monsoon Trough Environment
Authors: Gall Jeffrey S. , Frank William M.
Published: November 2009

This is the second of two papers examining the role of equatorial Rossby (ER) waves in tropical cyclone (TC) genesis. Based on results from Part I, it is hypothesized that genesis resulting from the circulation of an ER wave alone is uncommon and that the majority of ER wave–related genesis events occur when a sufficiently intense ER wave interacts with a favorable background flow environment. This paper examines this contention by performing a series of simulations in which ER waves are imposed upon idealized background flows. The background flows are designed to resemble a region of a monsoon trough (MT), a flow feature observed at certain times of the year in all of the TC basins, and most dramatically, in the western North Pacific basin. It is believed that ER wave interactions with the MT may speed up the internal breakdown genesis mechanism of the MT, or even result in genesis when the MT is too weak to breakdown from in situ processes alone. The latter scenario is examined here. When just the MT is simulated without the ER wave anomaly fields, the MT remains quasi-steady and TC genesis does not occur. It is only when the ER wave is imposed on the MT that TC genesis is initiated. The results imply that the ER wave–MT interactions produce more TCs than would otherwise occur if no such interactions took place. Results demonstrate that wave breaking of the ER wave is a mechanism by which vorticity is organized on the scale of a TC. This process features a decrease in the initial horizontal scale of the cyclonic gyre of the ER wave to a scale comparable with a TC. This genesis mechanism is sensitive to the magnitude of the background cyclonic vorticity of the MT, as TC genesis is only initiated when the value of the 850-mb relative vorticity of the MT is larger than 2 × 10−5 s−1. This genesis pathway provides a unique interpretation of TC genesis and is compared with previous theories on TC genesis.
A Seven-Year Wind Profiler–Based Climatology of the Windward Barrier Jet along California’s Northern Sierra Nevada
Authors: Neiman Paul J. , Sukovich Ellen M. , Ralph F. Martin , Hughes Mimi
Published: November 2009

This wind profiler–based study highlights key characteristics of the barrier jet along the windward slope of California’s Sierra Nevada. Between 2000 and 2007 roughly 10% of 100 000 hourly wind profiles, recorded at two sites, satisfied the sierra barrier jet (SBJ) threshold criteria described in the text. The mean magnitude of the terrain-parallel flow in the SBJ core (i.e., Vmax) was similar at both sites (∼17.5 m s−1) and at a comparable altitude, 500–1000 m above the surface. The cross-mountain wind speed was weak at the altitude of Vmax, consistent with blocked conditions. The seasonal cycle of SBJ occurrences showed a maximum during the cooler months and a minimum in summer. Additionally, the SBJ was stronger in winter than in summer. Because the warm-season (May–September) SBJs were different than their cool-season (October–April) counterparts and occurred during California’s dry season, they were not discussed in detail. An inventory of ∼250 cool-season SBJ cases from the two sites was generated (a case contains ≥8 consecutive SBJ profiles). Up to 60% of the nearby cool-season precipitation fell during SBJ cases, and these cases shifted the precipitation down the sierra’s windward slope and enhanced precipitation at the north end of the Central Valley (relative to non-SBJ conditions). The large number of cool-season SBJ cases was stratified by the mean strength and altitude of Vmax and by the case duration. Composite profiles of the along-barrier component for the top- and bottom-20 ranked cases in each of these three SBJ classes reveal stark differences in the magnitude and vertical positioning of the barrier jet. The three SBJ classes yielded uniquely different local precipitation characteristics in proximity to the wind profilers, with the strongest and longest-lived SBJs yielding the greatest precipitation. North American Regional Reanalysis plan-view composites were generated to explore the synoptic conditions responsible for, and to showcase the precipitation distributions associated with, the top- and bottom-20 ranked cases in each of the three classes of SBJs. The composite analyses yielded large contrasts between the SBJ classes that could prove useful in forecasting SBJs and their precipitation impacts. All SBJ classes occurred, on average, in the pre-cold-frontal environment of landfalling winter storms.
“A Persistent Truth”—Reflections on Drought Risk Management in Southern Africa
Authors: Vogel Coleen , Koch Ingrid , Van Zyl Koos
Published: November 2009

Severe droughts in southern Africa are associated with livelihood impacts, a strain on local economies, and other hardships. Extensive effort has been spent in the past trying to improve responses to periods of extensive drought. There have also been renewed calls for improvements to climate change adaptation by adopting more proactive governance and disaster risk reduction approaches. Few efforts, however, have been made to assess how to learn more from past drought efforts so as to enhance overall resilience to future drought risks. Few have examined the role and contributions of institutions and drought governance, either across spatial scales [from regional (i.e., Southern African Development Community) to national scales (e.g., South Africa) to the very local scale (e.g., Limpopo Province, South Africa)] or across temporal scales (over at least 100 yr). Despite calls for better risk management approaches at all levels, this paper illustrates two points. First, a failure to fully understand, integrate, and learn from past efforts may undermine current and future drought response. Second, state-led drought risk reduction, which remains focused on a financial “bail-out” mentality, with little follow-through on proactive rather than reactive drought responses, is also seriously contributing to the vulnerability of the region to future drought impacts.
Prepare the way of the Lord: John the Baptist and Advent
Authors: McKinney Stephen J.
Published: November 2009

This article explores some of the key features of the early part of the story of John the Baptist in the four gospels and discusses the significance of these key features for the season of Advent.
Sacred archipelagos: geographies of secularization
Authors: Wilford Justin
Published: November 2009

The burgeoning subfield of the geography of religion has largely advanced under the assumption that secularization is marginal to understanding contemporary religion. This assumption, evinced in terms such as ‘postsecular’, suggests that the theory of secularization has little to offer geography. This paper elaborates on the current debates over secularization theory’s validity within geography and across other disciplines in an effort to salvage several key geographical insights from the most advanced work in secularization theory. It is argued here that secularization theory, far from being irrelevant, offers geographers of religion a powerful theoretical framework for analyzing and interpreting modern religion.
Effect of Clarias gariepinus cultured in contaminated water on rats
Authors: Adeyemi Oyeyemi , Adeyemi Olalekan , Osubor Chris C
Published: November 2009

In this study, African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were cultured in water contaminated with phthalate, benzene and cyclohexane (10 μg/mL), respectively, over a period of 65 days. They were, thereafter, used as protein source to formulate feed for albino rats (Wistar strain) for 28 days. The weights of the body and selected tissues of the rats were monitored and standard enzyme assays were conducted for some enzymes in the serum. Results showed that rats in cyclohexane group gained 58% whereas the control group gained 46% of body weight. Liver weight (absolute and relative) of test rats were found to be significantly lower than that of control (p < .05). Enzyme activity of serum of test rats was found to be significantly higher than that of control (p < .05). Experimental evidence suggests leakage of enzymes from the liver to the serum, thus the elevated serum enzyme activity and that the contaminants may damage the liver.
Lack of association between HLA-G 14-bp polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus in a Han Chinese population
Authors: Wu F-X. , Wu L-J. , Luo X-Y. , Tang Z. , Yang M-H. , Xie C-M. , Liu N-T. , Zhou J-G. , Guan J-L. , Yuan G-H.
Published: November 2009

HLA-G is a non-classical HLA-class Ib molecule with multiple immunoregulatory properties. A 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the HLA-G gene has been suggested to influence the expression of HLA-G and to associate with certain pathological conditions, including autoimmune diseases. We investigated the influence of the 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the HLA-G gene on disease susceptibility in systemic lupus erythematosus by genotyping this polymorphism in 231 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 367 healthy controls and analyzing the levels of soluble HLA-G in a subset of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy subjects from a Han Chinese population. No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequencies of the 14-bp insertion/deletion HLA-G alleles or genotypes between controls and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, a significant increased expression of soluble HLA-G was noted in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (mean value = 230.2 U/ml vs 118.3 U/ml in controls, p = 0.0001). Moreover, patients with high levels of soluble HLA-G presented with higher disease activity and had more neurological involvement. Our results do not support the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism as a genetic factor influencing systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility. It is possible that the expression of soluble HLA-G in systemic lupus erythematosus is enhanced as part of a mechanism to try to restore the tolerance process towards auto-antigens and to counteract inflammation. However, the participation of this molecule in the pathological process of the disease also could not be excluded. Lupus (2009) 18, 1259—1266.
Prevalence of community-acquired and nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Navarro-Zarza JE , Álvarez-Hernández E. , Casasola-Vargas JC , Estrada-Castro E. , Burgos-Vargas R.
Published: November 2009

Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus. We aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of infections in patients hospitalized because of systemic lupus erythematosus, and to identify which factors influence their outcome. The medical records of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus hospitalized between January 2002 and December 2007 were reviewed according to a standardized case form including demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data. The diagnosis of infection was based on clinical findings, the identification of the causative agent or response to antibiotic treatment. The study included 473 patients (mean age 30 ± 11 years; 421 (89%) female) who were hospitalized for a mean of 13 ± 9 days. A community-based infection was suspected in 268 (57%) at admission; the diagnosis was confirmed in 96 patients (22%) and ruled out in 20 (4.2%); nevertheless, 152 patients (32%) received antibiotics on an empirical basis. A nosocomial infection was suspected in 63 (13.3%) of 453 patients and was confirmed in 59 (12.5%). The two most common community-acquired and nosocomial infections affected the respiratory and genitourinary tracts. Gram-negative bacteria were major etiological agents isolated. In the multivariate analysis, community-based infections associated with mucocutaneous, renal, or central nervous system disease activity as well as fever, and Mex-SLEDAI at admission and nosocomial infections to azathioprine use, infection at admission, disease duration, and hospitalization >7 days. We conclude that infections are an important cause of hospitalization of systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Risk factors include disease activity, use of immunosuppressants, disease duration, and length of hospital stay.