bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Object-Based Verification of Precipitation Forecasts. Part II: Application to Convective Rain Systems
Authors: Davis Christopher , Brown Barbara , Bullock Randy
Published: July 2006

The authors develop and apply an algorithm to define coherent areas of precipitation, emphasizing mesoscale convection, and compare properties of these areas with observations obtained from NCEP stage-IV precipitation analyses (gauge and radar combined). In Part II, fully explicit 12–36-h forecasts of rainfall from the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) are evaluated. These forecasts are integrated on a 4-km mesh without a cumulus parameterization. Rain areas are defined similarly to Part I, but emphasize more intense, smaller areas. Furthermore, a time-matching algorithm is devised to group spatially and temporally coherent areas into rain systems that approximate mesoscale convective systems. In general, the WRF model produces too many rain areas with length scales of 80 km or greater. Rain systems typically last too long, and are forecast to occur 1–2 h later than observed. The intensity distribution among rain systems in the 4-km forecasts is generally too broad, especially in the late afternoon, in sharp contrast to the intensity distribution obtained on a coarser grid with parameterized convection in Part I. The model exhibits the largest positive size and intensity bias associated with systems over the Midwest and Mississippi Valley regions, but little size bias over the High Plains, Ohio Valley, and the southeast United States. For rain systems lasting 6 h or more, the critical success index for matching forecast and observed rain systems agrees closely with that obtained in a related study using manually determined rain systems.
A Multiwinter Analysis of Channeled Flow through a Prominent Gap along the Northern California Coast during CALJET and PACJET
Authors: Neiman Paul J. , Ralph F. Martin , White Allen B. , Parrish David D. , Holloway John S. , Bartels Diana L.
Published: July 2006

Experimental observations from coastal and island wind profilers, aircraft, and other sensors deployed during the California Land-falling Jets Experiment of 1997/98 and the Pacific Land-falling Jets Experiment of 2000/01–2003/04 were combined with observations from operational networks to document the regular occurrence and characteristic structure of shallow (∼400–500 m deep), cold airstreams flowing westward through California’s Petaluma Gap from the Central Valley to the coast during the winter months. The Petaluma Gap, which is the only major air shed outlet from the Central Valley, is ∼35–50 km wide and has walls extending, at most, a modest 600–900 m above the valley floor. Based on this geometry, together with winter meteorological conditions typical of the region (e.g., cold air pooled in the Central Valley and approaching extratropical cyclones), this gap is predisposed to generating westward-directed ageostrophic flows driven by along-gap pressure differences. Two case studies and a five-winter composite analysis of 62 gap-flow cases are presented here to show that flows through the Petaluma Gap significantly impact local distributions of wind, temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric pollutants. These gap flows preferentially occur in pre-cold-frontal conditions, largely because sea level pressure decreases westward along the gap in a stably stratified atmosphere in advance of approaching cold-frontal pressure troughs. Airstreams exiting the Petaluma Gap are only several hundred meters deep and characterized by relatively cold, easterly flow capped by a layer of enhanced static stability and directional vertical wind shear. Airborne air-chemistry observations collected offshore by the NOAA P-3 aircraft illustrate the fact that gap-flow events can transport pollutants from inland to the coast, and that they can contribute to coastally blocked airstreams. The strongest gap-flow cases occur when comparatively deep midtropospheric troughs approach the coast, while the weak cases are tied to anticyclonic conditions aloft. Low-level cold-frontal pressure troughs approaching the coast are stronger and possess a greater along-gap pressure gradient for the strong gap-flow cases. These synoptic characteristics are dynamically consistent with coastal wind profiler observations of stronger low-level gap flow and winds aloft, and greater rainfall, during the strong gap-flow events. However, gap flow, on average, inhibits rainfall at the coast.
Improving Seasonal Forecasting in the Low Latitudes
Authors: Paeth Heiko , Girmes Robin , Menz Gunter , Hense Andreas
Published: July 2006

Seasonal forecast of climate anomalies holds the prospect of improving agricultural planning and food security, particularly in the low latitudes where rainfall represents a limiting factor in agrarian production. Present-day methods are usually based on simulated precipitation as a predictor for the forthcoming rainy season. However, climate models often have low skill in predicting rainfall due to the uncertainties in physical parameterization. Here, the authors present an extended statistical model approach using three-dimensional dynamical variables from climate model experiments like temperature, geopotential height, wind components, and atmospheric moisture. A cross-validated multiple regression analysis is applied in order to fit the model output to observed seasonal precipitation during the twentieth century. This model output statistics (MOS) system is evaluated in various regions of the globe with potential predictability and compared with the conventional superensemble approach, which refers to the same variable for predictand and predictors.

It is found that predictability is highest in the low latitudes. Given the remarkable spatial teleconnections in the Tropics, a large number of dynamical predictors can be determined for each region of interest. To avoid overfitting in the regression model an EOF analysis is carried out, combining predictors that are largely in-phase with each other. In addition, a bootstrap approach is used to evaluate the predictability of the statistical model. As measured by different skill scores, the MOS system reaches much higher explained variance than the superensemble approach in all considered regions. In some cases, predictability only occurs if dynamical predictor variables are taken into account, whereas the superensemble forecast fails. The best results are found for the tropical Pacific sector, the Nordeste region, Central America, and tropical Africa, amounting to 50% to 80% of total interannual variability. In general, the statistical relationships between the leading predictors and the predictand are physically interpretable and basically highlight the interplay between regional climate anomalies and the omnipresent role of El Niño–Southern Oscillation in the tropical climate system.
Boundary Layer and Microphysical Influences of Natural Cloud Seeding on a Lake-Effect Snowstorm
Authors: Schroeder Joshua J. , Kristovich David A. R. , Hjelmfelt Mark R.
Published: July 2006

The first detailed observations of the interaction of a synoptic cyclone with a lake-effect convective boundary layer (CBL) were obtained on 5 December 1997 during the Lake-Induced Convection Experiment. Lake-effect precipitation and CBL growth rates were enhanced by natural seeding by snow from higher-level clouds and the modified thermodynamic structure of the air over Lake Michigan due to the cyclone. In situ aircraft observations, project and operational rawinsondes, airborne radar, and operational Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler data were utilized to document the CBL and precipitation structure for comparison with past nonenhanced lake-effect events. Despite modest surface heat fluxes of 100–200 W m−2, cross-lake CBL growth was greatly accelerated as the convection merged with an overlying reduced-stability layer. Over midlake areas, CBL growth rates averaged more than twice those previously reported for lake-effect and oceanic cold-air outbreak situations. Regions of the lake-effect CBL cloud deck were seeded by precipitation from higher-level clouds over the upwind (western) portions of Lake Michigan before the CBL merged with the overlying reduced-stability layer. In situ aircraft observations suggest that in seeded regions, the CBL was deeper than in nonseeded regions. In addition, average water-equivalent precipitation rates for all of the passes with seeded regions were more than an order of magnitude greater in seeded regions than nonseeded regions because of higher concentration of snow particles of all sizes. A maximum snowfall rate of 4.28 mm day−1 was calculated using aircraft particle observations in seeded regions, comparable to snowfall rates previously reported for lake-effect events, often with much larger surface heat fluxes, but not interacting with synoptic cyclones.
Intercomparison of Bulk Cloud Microphysics Schemes in Mesoscale Simulations of Springtime Arctic Mixed-Phase Stratiform Clouds
Authors: Morrison H. , Pinto J. O.
Published: July 2006

A persistent, weakly forced, horizontally extensive mixed-phase boundary layer cloud observed on 4–5 May 1998 during the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA)/First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) Regional Experiment–Arctic Clouds Experiment (FIRE–ACE) is modeled using three different bulk microphysics parameterizations of varying complexity implemented into the polar version of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5). The two simpler schemes predict mostly ice clouds and very little liquid water, while the complex scheme is able to reproduce the observed persistence and horizontal extent of the mixed-phase stratus deck. This mixed-phase cloud results in radiative warming of the surface, the development of a cloud-topped, surface-based mixed layer, and an enhanced precipitation rate. In contrast, the optically thin ice clouds predicted by the simpler schemes lead to radiative cooling of the surface, a strong diurnal cycle in the boundary layer structure, and very weak precipitation. The larger surface precipitation rate using the complex scheme is partly balanced by an increase in the turbulent flux of water vapor from the surface to the atmosphere. This enhanced vapor flux is attributed to changes in the surface and boundary layer characteristics induced by the cloud itself, although cloud–surface interactions appear to be exaggerated in the model compared with reality. The prediction of extensive mixed-phase stratus by the complex scheme is also associated with increased surface pressure and subsidence relative to the other simulations. Sensitivity tests show that the detailed treatment of ice nucleation and prediction of snow particle number concentration in the complex scheme suppresses ice particle concentration relative to the simpler schemes, reducing the vapor deposition rate (for given values of bulk ice mass and ice supersaturation) and leading to much greater amounts of liquid water and mixed-phase cloudiness. These results suggest that the treatments of ice nucleation and the snow intercept parameter in the simpler schemes, which are based upon midlatitude observations, are inadequate for simulating the weakly forced mixed-phase clouds endemic to the Arctic.
A Modeling Study of Hurricane Landfall in a Dry Environment
Authors: Kimball Sytske K.
Published: July 2006

The effects of dry air intrusion on landfalling hurricanes are investigated using eight numerical simulations. The simulations differ in the initial amount of moisture in the storm core and its horizontal extent from the storm center. The storms evolve very differently during the 36-h simulation. Storms with a small radial extent of moisture develop minimal rainbands, intensify rapidly in the first 3 h, and weaken as dry air from the 800–850-hPa layer wraps cyclonically and inward around the storm core. As the air approaches the core, it sinks (possibly by eyewall downdrafts or as a result of evaporative cooling), reaches the storm’s inflow layer, and entrains into the eyewall updrafts. Storms with large radial extent of moisture develop into larger storms with large rainbands, having smaller intensification rates initially, but continue to intensify for a longer period of time. Rainband downdrafts release low equivalent potential temperature air into the moat region. Low-level convergence into the rainbands reduces the magnitude of eyewall inflow. Both factors reduce storm intensification initially. Simultaneously, the rainbands act as a barrier between the moist core and the dry environment, preventing dry air from penetrating the storm core. As land is approached, inflowing air is no longer replenished with heat and moisture. Eventually, rainband convection erodes and dry air approaches the storm core from the landward side causing the storms to weaken. Without the presence of land, a hurricane can sustain itself in a dry environment, provided its moist envelope is large enough.
The Interaction of Simulated Squall Lines with Idealized Mountain Ridges
Authors: Frame Jeffrey , Markowski Paul
Published: July 2006

Numerical simulations of squall lines traversing sinusoidal mountain ridges are performed using the Advanced Regional Prediction System cloud-resolving model. Precipitation and updraft strength are enhanced through orographic ascent as a squall line approaches a ridge. The simulated squall line then weakens as it descends the ridge because some of the cold pool is blocked by the terrain, resulting in less lift along the gust front and weaker convective cells. The flow within the cold pool accelerates slightly and the depth of the cold air decreases owing to upstream blocking, transitioning the flow in the cold pool head from subcritical to supercritical, then back to subcritical at the bottom of the ridge. A hydraulic jump forms when the flow transitions the second time, enabling the development of a new convective line downwind of the mountain. These new updrafts grow and eventually replace the older updrafts that weakened during descent. This process results in the discrete propagation of a squall line just downstream of a ridge, resulting in the formation of rain shadows downstream from topographic features. Discrete propagation only occurs if a ridge is of sufficient height, however. This replacement process repeats itself if a squall line encounters multiple ridges. The risk of damaging winds from a squall line is greater on the lee side of ridges and on the top of high ridges. These terrain-forced intensity fluctuations increase with mountain height, because the higher terrain permits even less cold air to flow over it. A wider ridge results in a more gradual orographic enhancement and downslope-induced weakening.
Dimension Characteristics and Precipitation Efficiency of Cumulonimbus Clouds in the Region Far South from the Mei-Yu Front over the Eastern Asian Continent
Authors: Shusse Yukari , Tsuboki Kazuhisa
Published: July 2006

Dimension characteristics in precipitation properties of cumulonimbus clouds are basic parameters in understanding the vertical transport of water vapor in the atmosphere. In this study, the dimension characteristics and precipitation efficiency of cumulonimbus clouds observed in the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Asian Monsoon Experiment (GAME) Huaihe River Basin Experiment (HUBEX) are studied using data from X-band Doppler radars and upper-air soundings. The maximum echo area (EAmax) of the cumulonimbus clouds ranged from 0.5 to 470 km2, and the maximum echo top (ETmax) ranged from 2 to 19 km. The total number of cells (TNC) within the cumulonimbus clouds over their lifetime was from 1 to 25.

The ETmax, TNC, area time integral (ATI), and total rainfall amount (Rtot) strongly correlate with the EAmax of the cumulonimbus clouds. The cell-averaged ATI (ATIcell = ATI/TNC), maximum rainfall intensity (RImax), and cell-averaged rainfall amount (Rcell = Rtot/TNC) increase when the EAmax is smaller than 100 km2. On the other hand, they are almost constant when the EAmax is larger than 100 km2. The rain productivity of small clouds (<100 km2 in EAmax) increases not only by the increase of the TNC but also by the intensification of cells, while that of large cumulonimbus clouds (>100 km2 in EAmax) increases by the increase of the TNC rather than by the intensification of cells.

In the present study, precipitation efficiency (ɛp) is defined as the ratio of the total rainfall amount (Rtot) to the total water vapor amount ingested into the cloud through the cloud base (Vtot). The ɛp was calculated for six clouds whose vertical velocity data at the cloud-base level were deduced by dual-Doppler analysis throughout their lifetime. The ɛp ranged from 0.03% to 9.31% and exhibited a strong positive correlation with the EAmax. This indicates that more than 90% of the water vapor that enters the clouds through the cloud base is consumed to moisten the atmosphere and less than 10% is converted to precipitation and returned to the ground. The cumulonimbus clouds in the region far south from the mei-yu front over the eastern Asian continent efficiently transport water vertically and humidify the upper troposphere.
The Multiple-Vortex Nature of Tropical Cyclogenesis
Authors: Sippel Jason A. , Nielsen-Gammon John W. , Allen Stephen E.
Published: July 2006

This study explores the extent to which potential vorticity (PV) generation and superposition were relevant on a variety of scales during the genesis of Tropical Storm Allison. Allison formed close to shore, and the combination of continuous Doppler radar, satellite, aircraft, and surface observations allows for the examination of tropical cyclogenesis in great detail.

Preceding Allison’s genesis, PV superposition on the large scale created an environment where decreased vertical shear and increased instability, surface fluxes, and low-level cyclonic vorticity coexisted. This presented a favorable environment for meso-α-scale PV production by widespread convection and led to the formation of surface-based, meso-β-scale vortices [termed convective burst vortices (CBVs)]. The CBVs seemed to form in association with intense bursts of convection and rotated around each other within the meso-α circulation field. One CBV eventually superposed with a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV), resulting in a more concentrated surface vortex with stronger pressure gradients.

The unstable, vorticity-rich environment was also favorable for the development of even smaller, meso-γ-scale vortices that formed within the cores of deep convective cells. Several meso-γ-scale convective vortices were present in the immediate vicinity when a CBV developed, and the smaller vortices may have contributed to the formation of the CBV. The convection associated with the meso-γ vortices also fed PV into existing CBVs.

Much of the vortex behavior observed in Allison has been documented or simulated in studies of other tropical cyclones. Multiscale vortex formation and interaction may be a common aspect of many tropical cyclogenesis events.
The NCAR CCM as a Numerical Weather Prediction Model
Authors: Cocke Steven , Lee Hee-Sang , Lim Gyu-Ho , Lee Chun-Woo
Published: July 2006

The NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM, version 3.6) is evaluated as a numerical weather prediction model. The model was run in real-time mode at relatively high resolution (T126 or approximately 1°) to produce 10-day forecasts over a 1-yr period ending 1 March 2004. The evaluation of the performance of the CCM could be useful for both the climate modeling community as well as the operational forecast centers. For climate modelers, the higher-resolution, short-range forecasts can be used to diagnose deficiencies in the physical parameterizations in the model. While climate models may produce good mean climatologies, they may fail to simulate important higher-frequency phenomena that may be important to climate. For operational centers, the examination of an open, well-developed, and studied model could provide insights that could lead to improvement in their own models. Furthermore, the CCM could be considered a candidate as a member for a suite of models for use in an operational context. And, finally, as operational centers gradually extend their forecast range, and climate scientists are paying more attention to the subseasonal time scales, the study of a climate model in the short range becomes more appropriate.
Group Revenue Management
Authors: Choi Sunmee
Published: July 2006

Although proprietary hotel revenue management systems may take group business into account, substantial research is not available on revenue management for groups. A series of formulas presented here shows how to calculate the expected contribution of a prospective group’s offer. In particular, the decision on whether to accept a group’s offer depends on the opportunity cost of transient business lost when the group’s rooms are blocked. In the event that the group’s offer falls short of covering that opportunity cost, the equations also indicate how much the group needs to offer to get the hotel to accept the business. Further equations show how to account for revenues from functions other than room purchases.
Revisiting Plog’s Model of Allocentricity and Psychocentricity... One More Time
Authors: Litvin Stephen W.
Published: July 2006

Stanley Plog’s model of allocentricity and psychocentricity, a seminal tourism model, has been widely cited in the tourism literature and is included in virtually every hospitality and tourism text. At the same time, it has been scrutinized by a host of critics who questioned aspects of the model’s applicability and validity. This study of travelers’ vacation histories seeks to add to the research regarding this important model. The results present an interesting dichotomy, indicating that although the model does not really help to predict where travelers are likely to visit, it is highly effective in suggesting where they would ideally like to visit. These findings should be of significant value to tourism marketers and researchers attracted to Plog’s model.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Authors: Dev Chekitan S.
Published: July 2006

Carnival Cruise Lines is the market leader in the low-price cruise market. Carnival achieved this position by emphasizing onboard activities, targeting a relatively young cruiser, using extensive television advertising, and focusing on the travel agent as its channel of distribution. As a result of industry growth, new companies have entered the business and existing lines have added ships. Currently, Carnival controls 24 percent of the berth space in the North American market. This commentary on Professor Robert Kwortnik’s case offers nearly a dozen opportunities for Carnival management to strengthen its position—notably, paying attention to the market’s changing demographics and considering expanded marketing opportunities, including operating land-based resorts.
“One Mo’, Once”
Authors: Plog Stanley C.
Published: July 2006

A research study testing Plog’s psychographic model of traveler motivation is critically examined, with specific rejoinders to comments made by a number of researchers.
The Importance of Information Asymmetry in Customers’ Booking Decisions
Authors: Chen Chih-Chien , Schwartz Zvi
Published: July 2006

Information asymmetry is a key building block of revenue management. Would-be customers have far less indication of future rates and availability than do the service providers. Even with the relatively transparent pricing on various Web sites, customers do not know the extent of demand for their desired itineraries. However, a tool that allows customers to book specific airplane seats and hotel rooms gives customers a greater indication of existing demand. A test of a simulated hotel-room-selection site confirmed that knowledge of demand influenced participants’ willingness to book. However, that knowledge was most salient when room rates were high. On the other hand, when rates were low, knowledge about demand levels did not influence bookings.
The Role of Intimacy in the Production and Perception of Relationship Talk Within Courtship
Authors: Knobloch Leanne K. , Solomon Denise Haunani , Theiss Jennifer A.
Published: July 2006

The authors define relationship talk as content messages that reference the nature of the relationship between people. They seek to contribute to the literature by (a) conceptualizing relationship talk in ways that attend to its nuances, and (b) evaluating how intimacy predicts the production and perception of relationship talk. They conducted an observational study of conversations between 120 dating couples. Length of romantic interest, compared to intimacy, was the more proximal predictor of the prominence, explicitness, depth, and negative valence of relationship talk. In general, relationship talk was positively associated with people's perceptions of the relational impact of conversation, but intimacy was unrelated to relational impact. The prominence of relationship talk noted by third-party judges was positively associated with relational impact when intimacy was low but not high. The authors discuss how their findings illuminate content messages about relationships.
Understanding Employees' Willingness to Contribute to Shared Electronic Databases
Authors: Jian Guowei , Jeffres Leo W.
Published: July 2006

Work organizations increasingly adopt shared electronic databases. However, employees' unwillingness to contribute to shared resources undermines the utility of such technologies. Current research is limited to either a utilitarian or normative perspective. To advance understanding in this area, this study proposes a three-dimensional framework. It includes the utilitarian and normative perspectives as two complementary dimensions in addition to a third collaborative dimension. Based on this framework, the study identifies three key organizational processes and advances an additive model to predict employees' willingness to contribute to shared electronic databases. An empirical test was conducted to assess the model in a large manufacturing organization. The test showed both significant overall effects of the model and significant main effects of each predictor variable. The article will discuss the findings and address both theoretical and practical implications.
Social Comparisons With News Personae
Authors: Knobloch-Westerwick Silvia , Hastall Matthias R.
Published: July 2006

Appeal of personae in news is investigated based on social comparison theory. Participants ( N = 276) of two age groups browsed through online news while selective exposure was unobtrusively logged. Manipulated articles focused on individuals and varied along three within factors: sex and age group of portrayed individual and story valence. After browsing news, participants completed a questionnaire including a self-esteem scale. Recipients preferred news on same-sex individuals, and young readers favored articles about same-age characters. Impacts of self-esteem to positive and negative articles, offering upward and downward comparison opportunities, were mediated by sex of recipient. Exploratory analyses indicated that this interaction results from gender-based preferences for comparison contexts—social issues for women and achievement topics for men.
Is It the Medium or the Message? Structuring Complex News to Enhance Engagement and Situational Understanding by Nonexperts
Authors: Yaros Ronald A.
Published: July 2006

An experimental design, theoretically motivated by cognitive models of text comprehension, investigates effects of structures in complex news on readers (undergraduate non-science majors) who have little or no expertise for the content (science and technology). Text from two New York Times stories were modified for a proposed explanatory structure building (ESB) model to enhance reader interest in and comprehension of the content. Dependent variables include self-reported situational interest and a deeper situational understanding of the text as measured by sorting tasks and inference generating questions. A between-subjects field experiment exposed participants ( N = 235) to text on a Web page in either the traditional inverted pyramid or ESB structure. As predicted, when controlling for pretest levels of scientific literacy, the ESB news text significantly enhanced reader interest and understanding of the content, as compared to the original inverted pyramid news stories. Results are interpreted in the context of enhancing the public understanding of complex news issues.
Suicidal Behavior Among Low-Income African American Women: A Comparison of First-Time and Repeat Suicide Attempters
Authors: Kaslow Nadine J. , Jacobs Carli H. , Young Sharon L. , Cook Sarah
Published: July 2006

This investigation ascertained dimensions of a suicide attempt and psychological and historical risk factors that differentiate low-income, female, African American suicide attempters as a function of having made a single, first-time attempt versus multiple attempts. Two groups were compared: first time attempters ( n= 135) and repeat attempters ( n= 139). Participants were recruited from a large, urban hospital following a suicide attempt (i.e., index suicide attempt). Sociodemographic characteristics, details of the index attempt (i.e., the attempt that prompted entry into the study), psychological functioning, hopelessness, substance abuse, and trauma history were assessed. The two groups were largely similar across sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariate analyses of variance were used to test hypotheses. Relative to first-time attempters, the attempts of repeat attempters involved higher levels of intent, planning, and perceived lethality and were associated with more psychological distress, hopelessness, substance abuse, and childhood trauma. Research and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
Explaining Changes in the Patterns of Black Suicide in the United States From 1981 to 2002: An Age, Cohort, and Period Analysis
Authors: Joe Sean
Published: July 2006

To explore the different trends of suicide incidence among Blacks and possible contributing factors, the current study compared national epidemiologic data of suicide in the United States from 1981 to 2002. For the first time, period and birth-cohort effects on the incidence trends of Black suicide were evaluated using an age-period-cohort analysis. Cohort effects were found for males and females, suggesting that younger generations of Blacks are at higher risk. If younger cohorts carry their increased suicide risk into later life, then the recent decline in Black suicide rates will be reversed. The results of the current study are only interpretable in terms of group-level characteristics and population suicide rates and not individual-level characteristics. The possible explanation and the implications for prevention and future research are discussed.
Relationship Between Religious Coping and Suicidal Behaviors Among African American Adolescents
Authors: Molock Sherry Davis , Puri Rupa , Matlin Samantha , Barksdale Crystal
Published: July 2006

This study investigated whether hopelessness and depression were risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in African American adolescents and looked at whether religious participation and religious coping protected these students from suicidality. Participants were 212 African American high school students (133 females, 79 males). The results of multiple and logistic regression analyses found that hopelessness and depression were risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts. Religious coping style was significantly related to suicidal behaviors: Self-directed coping was related to increased hopelessness, depression, and suicide attempts, and collaborative coping was related to increased reasons for living. Gender differences were found in symptoms of depression, religious coping style and religious participation. Results provide additional support for suicide interventions to target hopelessness and depressive symptoms and highlight the importance of examining the role of culturally salient variables, such as religious participation and religious coping style, when developing intervention programs for suicide.
Lay Theories of Suicide: An Examination of Culturally Relevant Suicide Beliefs and Attributions among African Americans and European Americans
Authors: Walker Rheeda L. , Lester David , Joe Sean
Published: July 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine African Americans' lay beliefs and attributions toward suicide. The Attitudes Toward Suicide Scale, Life Ownership Orientation Questionnaire, Stigma Questionnaire, and Suicide Ideation Questionnaire were administered to 251 undergraduate college students. Beliefs about stigma associated with suicide were comparable across ethnic groups. However, African American college students were significantly less likely than European American college students were to attribute suicide to interpersonal problems and to report that the individual or government is responsible for life. African American students were significantly more likely to report that God is responsible for life. These findings have important implications for suicide risk and also for developing culturally appropriate interventions.
Racial Differences in Hopelessness as a Risk Factor for a Nearly Lethal Suicide Attempt
Authors: Durant Tonji , Mercy James , Kresnow Marcie-jo , Simon Thomas , Potter Lloyd , Hammond W. Rodney
Published: July 2006

Hopelessness is associated with suicide. Hopelessness has been associated with life experiences, social-environmental, and biological factors. Racial differences exist in these factors and in coping behaviors. Better understanding racial differences in hopelessness and suicide may result in more effective interventions to slow the increasing Black American suicide rate. Data from a case-control study of nearly lethal suicide attempters were analyzed. Interaction results from logistic regression suggest that the effect of hopelessness on a nearly lethal suicide attempt may differ for Black and White Americans. Hopelessness was strongly associated with a nearly lethal suicide attempt for Blacks and Whites, but the odds were greater for Blacks than Whites. Interventions may need to be adjusted to address the difference.
Examining the Complexities of Suicidal Behavior in the African American Community
Authors: Griffin-Fennell Felicia , Williams Michelle
Published: July 2006

Once considered a “White thing,” suicide is now the third leading cause of death for African Americans, behind only homicide and unintentional injury. Although the rates of suicide for African American women remain low and relatively unchanged, the rates for African American men have increased dramatically during the past 20 years. The changes in the suicide rates for African American youth have motivated researchers to investigate protective and risk factors associated with suicide. In light of some of the current findings that identify religious participation as a protective factor against suicide for African Americans, an alternative perspective is provided that examines the contribution of spirituality and specific religious practices on gender differences in suicide risk.
The Aftermath of Suicide among African Americans
Authors: Barnes Donna Holland
Published: July 2006

This article describes an exploratory qualitative study that examined the impact of suicide on a group of 19 African American families who lost a family member to suicide. The majority of suicide survivors were women who lost children to suicide. The participants were interviewed for an average of 2.5 hours using a semi-structured interview that was developed by the author. The majority of survivors felt that they had to go through the grieving process alone. Those survivors who did receive support most often received it from family members and friends. Most of the respondents felt that the support, if any, that was offered from the church was unhelpful. Negative attitudes about suicide from the broader community and from family members made it more difficult for these families to grieve.
Introduction: Suicidal Behaviors in the African American Community
Authors: Crosby Alex E. , Molock Sherry Davis
Published: July 2006

This article reviews the risk and protective factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the African American community. The authors provide a brief review of the history of suicide research in African American communities and critique some of the paradigms and underlying assumptions that have made it difficult to address the problem of suicidal behaviors in the African American community. The article also summarizes the articles that are presented in this special edition of the Journal of Black Psychology on suicidality in the African American community.
Who Is Offering and How Often? Gender Differences in Drug Offers Among American Indian Adolescents of the Southwest
Authors: Rayle Andrea Dixon , Kulis Stephen , Okamoto Scott K. , Tann Sheila S. , LeCroy Craig Winston , Dustman Patricia , Burke Aimee M.
Published: July 2006

This exploratory study examined gender differences in the patterns of drug offers among a sample of 71 American Indian middle school students. Participants responded to an inventory of drug-related problem situations specific to the cultural contexts of Southwestern American Indian youth. They were asked to consider the frequency of drug offers from specific groups in their social networks and the difficulty associated with refusing drugs from various offerers. The results indicated that female and male American Indian youth differ in the degree of exposure to drug offers and the degree of perceived difficulty in handling such offers. Even after controlling for differences in age, grade level, socioeconomic status, family structure, and residence on a reservation, girls reported significantly more drug offers from friends, cousins, and other peers than did boys. Compared to boys, girls also reported a significantly higher sense of difficulty in dealing with drug offers from all sources.
Early Adolescents’ Conceptions of Parental and Friend Authority Over Relational Aggression
Authors: Goldstein Sara E. , Tisak Marie S.
Published: July 2006

The purpose of the present research is to compare early adolescents’ beliefs about parental and friend jurisdiction over relational aggression to their beliefs about parental and friend jurisdiction over physical aggression and personal behaviors. One hundred three adolescents (Xı age = 12 years, 11 months; SD = 12.46 months) are individually interviewed and asked to evaluate the acceptability of parents and friends negating their physically aggressive behaviors (e.g., hitting), relationally aggressive behaviors (e.g., gossiping), and personally aggressive behaviors (e.g., changing hairstyles). They are also asked to justify their responses. Results highlight the complexity in adolescents’ thinking about these issues. For example, adolescents believe that parental jurisdiction is more acceptable over physical aggression as compared to relational aggression. However, adolescents do not make this distinction with regard to friend jurisdiction. When justifying their responses for relational aggression, adolescents cite social conventions, personal choice, and relationship maintenance reasons.
Relations of Friends’ Activities to Friendship Quality
Authors: Mathur Ravisha , Berndt Thomas J.
Published: July 2006

Two studies were conducted to examine age and sex differences in friends’ activities and relations of participation in these activities to perceived friendship quality. In Study 1, 52 fourth and eighth graders were asked open-ended questions about activities they do with their best friends. In Study 2, 105 fourth and eighth graders reported both on perceived friendship quality and frequency of participation in 40 activities mentioned in Study 1. Eighth graders participated in more school, maintenance, media, and socializing activities with friends than fourth graders did. Boys participated in more sports and media activities with friends than girls did. Students who did more socializing, school, and maintenance activities with friends perceived more positive features in their friendships. These results suggest that engaging in some but not all types of activities with friends may enhance the development of high-quality friendships.
Longitudinal Relations Among Parenting, Best Friends, and Early Adolescent Problem Behavior
Authors: Reitz Ellen , Deković Maja , Meijer Anne Marie , Engels Rutger C. M. E.
Published: July 2006

In this longitudinal study, the bidirectional relations between parenting and friends’ deviance, on one hand, and early adolescent externalizing and internalizing problem behavior, on the other hand, are examined. Of the 650 adolescents (13- to 14-year-olds) who filled out the Youth Self-Report and questionnaires about their parents at two times within a 1-year interval, 141 adolescents could be paired, at both assessments, with the same best friend who also filled out the questionnaires. Stable friends were used as a control for selection effects within friendships. The results showed significant effects of adolescent externalizing and internalizing problem behavior on parenting 1 year later, but not vice versa. Friends’ deviance affected adolescent externalizing but not internalizing problem behavior over time. The inclusion of friends’ self-reports about their own behavior and the examination of reciprocal effects seems to be a step forward in understanding the processes among parents, peers, and early adolescent problem behavior.
Nonparent Adult Social Support and Depressive Symptoms Among Mexican American and European American Adolescents
Authors: Casey-Cannon Shannon , Pasch Lauri A. , Tschann Jeanne M. , Flores Elena
Published: July 2006

The notion that nonparent social support buffers the impact of parent depressive symptoms and substance use on adolescent depressive symptoms was tested in 142 Mexican American and 148 European American families with 12- through 15-year-old adolescents. Parent risk factors and adolescent nonparent adult social support were measured at baseline; adolescent symptoms were measured 1 year later. Analyses revealed significant interactions between social support, gender, ethnicity, and paternal depressive symptoms and substance use. Greater social support related to fewer depressive symptoms at follow-up. Mexican American girls benefited from more social support when fathers had lower depression and substance use scores; European American girls benefited from more social support when fathers had higher depression and substance use scores. No interaction effects emerged for boys or for mother depression and substance use. Variations based on gender, ethnicity, and parent risk factors suggest that nonparent social support might be different for girls and boys from diverse environments.
Quantitative Assessment of Glenohumeral Translation after Anterior Shoulder Dislocation and Subsequent Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
Authors: Marquardt Björn , Hurschler Christof , Schneppendahl Johannes , Witt Kai-Axel , Pötzl Wolfgang , Steinbeck Jörn
Published: July 2006

Background

During the past decade, developments in arthroscopic technology have made arthroscopic repair of labral lesions feasible. However, results with the use of the transglenoid suture technique, or with the use of bioabsorbable tacks, have remained variable in the literature, and the recurrence rates are still inferior to those of open Bankart repair.

Hypothesis

Arthroscopic Bankart repair with suture anchors can re-create translational and rotational range of motion of the intact glenohumeral joint, and the number of preoperative dislocations has an influence on the result.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Materials

Twelve cadaveric shoulders were tested in a robot-assisted shoulder simulator. Anterior and posterior translation and external rotation were measured for intact, dislocated (shoulders were randomly selected to 1 of 3 groups, which were dislocated 1, 3, or 7 times), and repaired conditions at 0° and 90° of glenohumeral elevation.

Results

After shoulder dislocation, a significant increase was found in translation and rotation, confirming the creation of a traumatic shoulder instability model. Further testing of the specimen revealed that translational and rotational ranges of motion were reduced by arthroscopic Bankart repair at both testing positions. External rotation was decreased significantly at 0° and 90° of abduction. No significant differences were found between the 3 dislocation groups.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate a sufficient biomechanical performance of arthroscopic Bankart repair using suture anchors in a traumatic anterior shoulder instability model. With the numbers available, no relationship was found between the number of dislocations and the postoperative result concerning translational or rotational motion.

Clinical Relevance

Glenohumeral translation and rotation after arthroscopic Bankart repair with use of suture anchors approached near normal values, confirming the clinical success of this technique.
The Enlightenment, Public Memory, Liberalism, and the Post-Communist World
Authors: DeLue Steven M.
Published: July 2006

This article discusses the central role of public memory of radical injustice—or the systematic denial by a regime of the principle of equal respect for persons under the rule of law—in creating and preserving a liberal democratic regime. My contention is that, in the aftermath of the Enlightenment, efforts to deny equal respect in a systematic way to entire groups of people must be remembered by a society—indeed, there is a moral obligation to do so. And when these events are remembered, the basis for establishing and maintaining the rule of law in society on behalf of civic equality is more likely. A public memory of radical injustice has become much stronger in the countries of Eastern Europe than in Russia, and I speculate what the consequences of this circumstance are likely to be for the political relationships between Russia and the countries of Eastern Europe.
The Corruption Eruption in East-Central Europe: The Increased Salience of Corruption and the Role of Intergovernmental Organizations
Authors: Grigorescu Alexandru
Published: July 2006

This article focuses on the increased salience of corruption in East-Central Europe. It shows that press coverage of the issue is much greater than in the past and also greater than in other regions with comparable or higher levels of corruption. This finding is relevant because anticorruption rhetoric can have an important impact on political and economic developments, one that is partially independent of the actual levels of corruption. The study investigates several domestic and international factors that may have led to this development and finds that the role of intergovernmental organizations has been essential in bringing the issue to the forefront of public debates. Moreover, it shows that the European Union has recently been more effective in raising the salience of corruption in the region than other organizations. The article concludes with a discussion of the effect that EU membership may have on future anticorruption rhetoric and policies.
Internal Exclusion, External Inclusion: Diaspora Politics and Party-Building Strategies in Post-Communist Hungary
Authors: Waterbury Myra A.
Published: July 2006

This article examines the domestic politics behind Hungary’s controversial 2001 “Status Law,” which granted special cultural and economic benefits to ethnic Hungarians who are citizens of other states. It argues that Hungary’s increasingly interventionist policy toward ethnic Hungarians beyond its borders in the late 1990s was driven not by a growing sense of ethnic nationalism in society or as a reaction to the plight of ethnic kin but by the party-building strategy of right-wing elites. These elites utilized and co-opted transnational ties with the diaspora to further their own political goals. Specifically, engagement with the diaspora issue provided the then-governing Federation of Young Democrats (FIDESZ) government with symbolically charged ideological content, important organizational resources, and the basis of a longer-term strategy for governance and institutional embeddedness.