bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-Stage Liver Transplantation with Temporary Porto-Middle Hepatic Vein Shunt
Authors: Varotti Giovanni , Andorno Enzo , Casaccia Marco , Di Domenico Stefano , Bottino Giuliano , Diviacco Pietro , Morelli Nicola , Ferrari Chiara , Ferrante Roberto , Valente Umberto
Published: August 2010

Two-stage liver transplantation (LT) has been reported for cases of fulminant liver failure that can lead to toxic hepatic syndrome, or massive hemorrhages resulting in uncontrollable bleeding. Technically, the first stage of the procedure consists of a total hepatectomy with preservation of the recipient's inferior vena cava (IVC), followed by the creation of a temporary end-to-side porto-caval shunt (TPCS). The second stage consists of removing the TPCS and implanting a liver graft when one becomes available. We report a case of a two-stage total hepatectomy and LT in which a temporary end-to-end anastomosis between the portal vein and the middle hepatic vein (TPMHV) was performed as an alternative to the classic end-to-end TPCS. The creation of a TPMHV proved technically feasible and showed some advantages compared to the standard TPCS. In cases in which a two-stage LT with side-to-side caval reconstruction is utilized, TPMHV can be considered as a safe and effective alternative to standard TPCS.
Measuring Curved Crystal Performance for a High-Resolution, Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer
Authors: Haugh Michael J. , Stewart Richard
Published: August 2010

This paper describes the design, crystal selection, and crystal testing for a vertical Johann spectrometer operating in the 13 keV range to measure ion Doppler broadening in inertial confinement plasmas. The spectrometer is designed to use thin, curved, mica crystals to achieve a resolving power of E/ΔE>2000. A number of natural mica crystals were screened for flatness and X-ray diffraction width to find samples of sufficient perfection for use in the instrument. Procedures to select and mount high quality mica samples are discussed. A diode-type X-ray source coupled to a dual goniometer arrangement was used to measure the crystal reflectivity curve. A procedure was developed for evaluating the goniometer performance using a set of diffraction grade Si crystals. This goniometer system was invaluable for identifying the best original crystals for further use and developing the techniques to select satisfactory curved crystals for the spectrometer.
Adult Onset Still's Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Authors: Persad Paul , Patel Rajendrakumar , Patel Niki
Published: August 2010

Adult Still's Disease was first described in 1971 by Bywaters in fourteen adult female patients who presented with symptoms indistinguishable from that of classic childhood Still's Disease (Bywaters, 1971). George Still in 1896 first recognized this triad of quotidian (daily) fevers, evanescent rash, and arthritis in children with what later became known as juvenile inflammatory arthritis (Still, 1990). Adult Onset Still's Disease (AOSD) is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology characterized by an evanescent rash, quotidian fevers, and arthralgias. Numerous infectious agents have been associated with its presentation. This case is to our knowledge the first presentation of AOSD in the setting of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Although numerous infectious agents have been suggested, the etiology of this disorder remains elusive. Nevertheless, infection may in fact play a role in triggering the onset of symptoms in those with this disorder. Our case presentation is, to our knowledge, the first case of Adult Onset Still's Disease associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).
Propagation of TE-Surface Waves on Semi-Bounded Quantum Plasma
Authors: Mohamed B. F. , Abdel Aziz M.
Published: August 2010

The propagation of the TE-surface waves on a semibounded quantum plasma is investigated by using the system of generalized quantum hydrodynamic (QHD) model and Maxwell's equations. The dispersion relations for these surface waves on quantum electron plasma in the presence of external magnetic field which is parallel to the wave propagation are derived. The perturbation of electron density and the electric fields of the TE-surface waves are also obtained. However, it was found that quantum effects (Bohm potential and statistical) have no remarkable action on the electric and magnetic field components in the case of unmagnetized plasma. But, it was found that the dispersion relation of surface modes depends significantly on these effects in the case of electrostatic or unmagnetized plasma.
Small Intestinal Cancer: a Population-Based Study of Incidence and Survival Patterns in the United States, 1992 to 2006
Authors: Qubaiah Osama , Devesa Susan S. , Platz Charles E. , Huycke Mark M. , Dores Graça M.
Published: August 2010

Background: The etiology of cancers of the small intestine is largely unknown. To gain insight into these rare malignancies, we evaluated contemporaneous incidence and survival patterns.

Methods: Using small intestine cancer data from 12 population-based registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, we calculated age-adjusted and age-specific incidence rates (IRs), IR ratios, and relative survival (RS) rates.

Results: In total, 10,945 small intestine cancers (IR = 2.10/100,000 person-years) were diagnosed during 1992 to 2006, including carcinomas (n = 3,412; IR = 0.66), neuroendocrine cancers (n = 4,315; IR = 0.83), sarcomas (n = 1,084; IR = 0.20), and lymphomas (n = 2,023, IR = 0.38). For all histologic groups, males had significantly higher IRs than females, and distinct age-specific gender patterns were limited to intermediate-/high-grade lymphomas. Neuroendocrine cancer rates varied significantly by race, with rates highest among blacks and lowest among Asians/Pacific Islanders. Carcinoma IRs were highest among blacks; sarcoma IRs were highest among Asians/Pacific Islanders; and lymphoma IRs were highest among whites. Age-specific IR patterns were similar across racial/ethnic groups. During 1992 to 2006, duodenal cancer IRs increased more markedly than those for other subsites. RS varied little by gender or race. Neuroendocrine cancers had the most favorable RS, and carcinomas had the least favorable. The greatest improvement in 5-year RS from 1992 to 1998 to 1999 to 2005 was observed for sarcomas and lymphomas.

Conclusions: Distinct small intestine cancer IR patterns according to histologic subtype suggest different underlying etiologies and/or disease biology, with susceptibility varying by gender, racial/ethnic groups, and subsite. Temporal patterns support a possible role for diagnostic bias of duodenal cancers.

Impact: Future epidemiologic studies of small intestine cancer should consider histologic subtype by gender, race/ethnicity, and subsite. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1908–18. ©2010 AACR.
Oral Contraceptive Use and Estrogen/Progesterone Receptor–Negative Breast Cancer among African American Women
Authors: Rosenberg Lynn , Boggs Deborah A. , Wise Lauren A. , Adams-Campbell Lucile L. , Palmer Julie R.
Published: August 2010

Background: Oral contraceptive formulations have changed over time, making it relevant to assess the effect of more recent formulations on breast cancer risk. In addition, some studies have found stronger positive associations of oral contraceptive use with estrogen receptor–negative (ER−) than with ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer. We carried out the first assessment of the effect of oral contraceptive use on the incidence of breast cancer classified by receptor status among African American women, a group disproportionately affected by ER− cancer.

Methods: We followed 53,848 Black Women's Health Study participants from 1995 to 2007 through biennial health questionnaires, in which participants reported information about incident breast cancer, oral contraceptive use, and breast cancer risk factors. Pathology information was obtained on receptor status for 789 incident cases. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were derived from Cox regression models with control for confounding factors.

Results: Ever use of oral contraceptives was more strongly associated with ER−PR− breast cancer (279 cases; IRR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.19-2.30) than with ER+PR+ cancer (386 cases; IRR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.86-1.42). The risk of ER−PR− breast cancer increased with increasing duration of use among recent users.

Conclusions: These results indicate that the oral contraceptive formulations used in recent decades increase breast cancer risk in African American women, with a greater effect for ER− than ER+ cancer.

Impact: Mechanisms to explain the adverse influence of oral contraceptive use on ER− breast cancer need to be elucidated. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 2073–9. ©2010 AACR.
Global Patterns of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates and Trends
Authors: Jemal Ahmedin , Center Melissa M. , DeSantis Carol , Ward Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2010

While incidence and mortality rates for most cancers (including lung, colorectum, female breast, and prostate) are decreasing in the United States and many other western countries, they are increasing in several less developed and economically transitioning countries because of adoption of unhealthy western lifestyles such as smoking and physical inactivity and consumption of calorie-dense food. Indeed, the rates for lung and colon cancers in a few of these countries have already surpassed those in the United States and other western countries. Most developing countries also continue to be disproportionately affected by cancers related to infectious agents, such as cervix, liver, and stomach cancers. The proportion of new cancer cases diagnosed in less developed countries is projected to increase from about 56% of the world total in 2008 to more than 60% in 2030 because of the increasing trends in cancer rates and expected increases in life expectancy and growth of the population. In this review, we describe these changing global incidence and mortality patterns for select common cancers and the opportunities for cancer prevention in developing countries. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1893–907. ©2010 AACR.
No Association between FTO or HHEX and Endometrial Cancer Risk
Authors: Gaudet Mia M. , Yang Hannah P. , Bosquet Jesus Gonzalez , Healey Catherine S. , Ahmed Shahana , Dunning Alison M. , Easton Doug F. , Spurdle Amanda B. , Ferguson Kaltin , O'Mara Tracy , Lambrechts Diether , Despierre Evelyn , Vergote Ignace , Amant Frederic , Lacey James V. , Lissowska Jola , Peplonska Beata , Brinton Louise A. , Chanock Stephen , Garcia-Closas Montserrat
Published: August 2010

Introduction: Obesity and diabetes are known risk factors for endometrial cancer; thus, the genetic risk factors of these phenotypes might also be associated with endometrial cancer risk. To evaluate this hypothesis, we genotyped tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and candidate SNPs in FTO and HHEX in a primary set of 417 endometrial cancer cases and 406 population-based controls, and validated significant findings in a replication set of approximately 2,347 cases and 3,140 controls from three additional studies.

Methods: We genotyped 189 tagSNPs in FTO (including rs8050136) and five tagSNPs in HHEX (including rs1111875) in the primary set and one SNP each in FTO (rs12927155) and HHEX (rs1111875) in the validation set. Per allele odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to estimate the association between the genotypes of each SNPs (as an ordinal variable) and endometrial cancer risk using unconditional logistic regression models, controlling for age and site.

Results: In the primary study, the most significant finding in FTO was rs12927155 (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.21-2.01; P = 5.8 × 10−4), and in HHEX, it was rs1111875 (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.97; P = 0.026). In the validation studies, the pooled per allele OR, adjusted for age and study for FTO, was rs12927155 (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83-1.06; P = 0.29), whereas for HHEX, it was rs1111875 (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.92-1.10; P = 0.96).

Conclusion: Our data indicate that common genetic variants in two genes previously related to obesity (FTO) and diabetes (HHEX) by genome-wide association scans were not associated with endometrial cancer risk.

Impact: Polymorphisms in FTO and HHEX are unlikely to have large effects on endometrial cancer risk but may have weaker effects. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 2106–9. ©2010 AACR.
Are There Options to Prevent Early Occurring Deaths in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Prospective Evaluation of All <24 h In-Hospital Deaths, 2004–2006 – The MONICA/KORA Augsburg Infarction Registry
Authors: Kuch Bernhard , von Scheidt Wolfgang , Kling Birgitt , Ehmann Anja , Greschik Claudia , Meisinger Christa
Published: August 2010

Objectives: To provide valid clinical data of early in-hospital deaths with presumed acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who are often not included in clinical trials or registries. Methods: From August 2004 to August 2006 all patients (age 25–84 years) dying within 24 h after hospitalization in a large tertiary care academic teaching hospital were screened regarding an underlying cardiovascular cause of death. Results: After validation, 79 out of 1,352 patients remained with a final diagnosis of AMI. Sixty-six percent of these experienced prehospital cardiac arrest or shock. In 37% no resuscitation attempts were performed in-hospital, the most common reason being multimorbidity. Only 23% could be transferred to coronary angiography for revascularisation attempts. An independent panel of clinicians judged that only in one patient would another management strategy have been promising. Of interest, 33% of the deceased patients had typical or atypical chest pain the days before the lethal event. Conclusion: A large percentage of AMI patients who died soon after hospitalization were in critical circulatory state directly before hospitalization. In 37%, in-hospital resuscitation attempts were omitted for understandable reasons. Options for improvement in acute care in the investigated setting were not found. However, in one third of the cases earlier preventive measures might have been reasonable.
A GRAPHICAL METHOD FOR PREPARING 1000-MILLIBAR PROGNOSTIC CHARTS
Authors: Reed Richard J.
Published: August 2010

A method is presented for preparing 1000-millibar (surface) prognostic charts. The method makes use of the graphical technique developed by Fjörtoft and is based on a baroclinic model which resembles closely that employed by Estoque in the prediction of cyclone development.

Three cases tested to date have yielded correlations of 0.93, 0.89 and 0.88 between predicted and observed 1000-mb height changes.
The Effect of Drop-Size Distribution Variability on Radiometric Estimates of Rainfall Rates for Frequencies from 3 to 10 GHz
Authors: Jameson A. R.
Published: August 2010

The substantial upwelling microwave radiation emitted by rain, as well as the relative simplicity of radiometers, guarantees their continuing important role in measuring rain from space. However, for frequencies greater than around 20 GHz, ice clouds overlying rain often scatter much of the upwelling radiation out of the field of view. In addition, at these frequencies raindrops scatter so well that oven when a few more are added to an already low concentration of drops, the additional drops actually scatter away more radiation than they contribute to the field of view. Because of these two effects, the direct measurement of rainfall rate at high microwave frequencies using upwelling radiation is restricted to low rainfall rates.

In contrast, from 3 to 10 GHz emissions from raindrops and from clouds dominate the radiative transfer equation. Because emission and absorption are reciprocal, the combined absorption coefficient of the cloud and the rain can be estimated from the upwelling radiation at these frequencies. After extracting the component due to rain (ka), it may be used to estimate the rainfall rate ξ(R). It is important, therefore, that R depend as strongly as possible on ka.

The physical link between R and ka varies depending upon the microwave frequency. The weaker the relation the more sensitive ka and ξ(R) are to variations in the drop-size distribution. In this study it is shown that the scatter in ka and ξ(R), in response to variations in the drop-size distribution, is greatest at 8 and smallest at 3 GHz.
Sky-Cover Correlation within a Sky Dome
Authors: Willand James H. , Steeves Julia
Published: August 2010

A new utility for the use of whole-sky photographs has been developed through an effort to discern the structural pattern of correlations of cloud cover within an observer's sky dome. The photographs were taken from the National Weather Service observing site at Columbia, Missouri, and were originally assembled for the purpose of estimating probabilities of cloud-free lines of sight from the earth through the atmosphere. The procedure for determining the spatial correlation structure of sky cover within the sky dome starts with the defining and tabulating of a dichotomous sky-cover condition over small sectors of the sky dome, and then calculating the correlation associated with the tabulated sky conditions in each sector. This note shows that correlation of sky-cover conditions over a sky dome are very high, and that they are less degrading in the winter than in the summer. The results of this study can be applied to the estimation of cloud-free lines of sight to multiple satellites.
Acoustic Sounder Observations of Atmospheric Turbulence Parameters in a Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Quintarelli Frank
Published: August 2010

Acoustic sounder observations of atmospheric turbulence parameters presented in this paper include estimates of the dissipation rate ε, estimates of turbulent scale lengths λ, and uncertainties in measurements of the variance of the vertical wind σ2w caused by pulse volume filtering. The calculations are mainly restricted to periods when the convective regime is well established.

Two techniques are used to determine ε and λ. Structure functions and the spectral variance of the echo are used to determine ε. The spectrum of vertical velocities are used to calculate λm and the autocorrelation function is used to calculate λe.

Estimates of ε obtained from the spectral variance of the echo compare favorably with estimates from the structure function during convective regimes but the agreement is poor in other regimes.

The autocorrelation function method for obtaining length scales yields results more reliably than the spectral method. The ratio λm/λe compares favorably with values reported in the literature except at low heights where it is markedly lower.

The effects of pulse volume filtering on measurements of σ2w were found to be significant. In convective conditions, σ2w deduced from the Doppler shift of the echo can be underestimated by up to 25% and by greater amounts in other conditions.
Lidar-Derived Distribution of Cloud Vertical Location and Extent
Authors: Carswell A. I. , Fong A. , Pal S. R. , Pribluda I.
Published: August 2010

This paper summarizes the results of a statistical analysis of lidar-determined cloud geometrical properties measured during the 1989 and 1991 campaigns of the Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study. Useful lidar descriptors are introduced to specify the bottom-, top-, and midcloud altitudes. These are used to describe the behavior of cloud vertical location and vertical extent during several months of observations using a dual wavelength (1064 and 532 nm) Nd:YAG lidar at Toronto. Frequency distributions of cloud height and cloud thickness are presented and the relationship of the lidar descriptors to cloud properties are discussed. These data are compared with other information on cloud geometry available in the literature.
A Bayesian Approach to Microwave Precipitation Profile Retrieval
Authors: Evans K. Franklin , Turk Joseph , Wong Takmeng , Stephens Graeme L.
Published: August 2010

A multichannel passive microwave precipitation retrieval algorithm is developed. Bayes theorem is used to combine statistical information from numerical cloud models with forward radiative transfer modeling. Amultivariate lognormal prior probability distribution contains the covariance information about hydrometeor distributions that resolves the nonuniqueness inherent in the inversion process. Hydrometeor profiles are retrieved by maximizing the posterior probability density for each vector of observations. The hydrometeor profile retrievalmethod is tested with data from the Advanced Microwave Precipitation Radiometer (IO, 19, 37, and 85 GHz) of convection over ocean and land in Florida. The CP-2 multiparameter radar data are used to verify theretrieved profiles. The results show that the method can retrieve approximate hydrometeor profiles, with larger errors over land than water. There is considerably greater accuracy in the retrieval of integrated hydrometeor contents than of profiles. Many of the retrieval errors are traced to problems with the cloud model microphysicalinformation, and future improvements to the algorithm are suggested.
A Method to Estimate Missing Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperature Observations
Authors: DeGaetano Arthur T. , Eggleston Keith L. , Knapp Warren W.
Published: August 2010

A method to estimate missing daily maximum and minimum temperatures is presented. Temperature estimates are based on departures from daily temperature normals at the three closest stations with similar observation times. Although applied to Cooperative Observer Network stations in the northeastern United States, the approach can be used with any network of stations possessing an adequate station density and period of record.

Generally, 75% of the estimates for both daily maximum and minimum temperature are within 1.7°C of the observed value. Median absolute differences between estimated and observed minimum temperatures, however, tend to be greater than those associated with maximum temperatures. For minimum temperatures, median absolute differences are approximately 1.0°C, whereas for maximum temperatures these differences are near 0.5°C. The accuracy of the estimates is independent of observation time, geographic location, and observed temperature but is influenced somewhat by station density.
Characteristics of Temperature Depressions Associated with Snow Cover across the Northeast United States
Authors: Leathers Daniel J. , Ellis Andrew W. , Robinson David A.
Published: August 2010

Daily snow cover and temperature data are collected for a network of 91 stations covering the northeast United States and the association between the two is explored. Observations are examined for the six-month winter season, November–April, for the period 1948/49–1987/88. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures are stratified by 15-day periods and further by the presence or absence of a snow cover. It is found that for snow covers of 2.5 cm or greater, depressions of daily maximum and minimum temperature average approximately 6° and 5°C, respectively. Relatively large variations in the temperature depressions are observed across space, whereas smaller variability is found across the snow cover season.

Temporally, maximum temperature depressions are greater during the early and later portions of the snow cover season and somewhat smaller during the midwinter months. The magnitude of minimum temperature depressions are larger during the midwinter months but decrease in size early and especially late in the snow cover season. The presence of a snow cover decreases the daily temperature range in November, March, and April and has little effect during the intervening months.

Spatially, the magnitude of both maximum and minimum temperature depressions increases away from coastal areas. In the case of maximum temperature depressions, there is also a consistent increase toward the southern portion of the region. For minimum temperature depressions, no large-scale geographic control, except for coastal proximity, dominates the spatial distribution of the depression magnitudes.

Potential geographic “forcing” mechanisms are evaluated. The results indicate that large sensible and, in some cases, latent heat fluxes from the lower atmosphere to the snowpack account for much of the observed temperature depressions.
Radar and Surface Measurement of Rainfall during CaPE: 26 July 1991 Case Study
Authors: Gorgucci Eugenio , Chandrasekar V. , Scarchilli Gianfranco
Published: August 2010

Conventional usage of multiparameter radar measurements for rainfall estimation has been associated with tracking the variability of the raindrop size distribution. The use of multiparameter radar measurements in a statistical framework to estimate rainfall is presented in this paper. The techniques developed in this paper are applied to the radar and rain gauge measurement of rainfall observed on 26 July 1991, during the Convection and Precipitation Electrification program. Conventional pointwise estimates of rainfall are also compared. The probability matching procedure, when applied to the radar and surface measurements shows that multiparameter radar algorithms can match the probability distribution functions better than the reflectivity based algorithms, thereby indicating the potential of multiparameter radar measurements for statistical approach to rainfall estimation.
Simultaneous Measurements of Atmospheric Water Vapor with MIR, Raman Lidar, and Rawinsondes
Authors: Wang J. R. , Melfi S. H. , Racette P. , Whitemen D. N. , Chang L. A. , Ferrare R. A. , Evans K. D. , Schmidlin F. J.
Published: August 2010

Simultaneous measurements of atmospheric water vapor were made by the Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (MIR), Raman lidar, and rawinsondes. Two types of rawinsonde sensor packages (AIR and Vaisala) were carried by the same balloon. The measured water vapor profiles from Raman lidar, and the Vaisala and AIR sondes were used in the radiative transfer calculations. The calculated brightness temperatures were compared with those measured from the MIR at all six frequencies (89, 150, 183.3 ± 1, 183.3 ±3, 183.3 ±7, and 220 GHz). The results show that the MIR-measured brightness temperatures agree well (within ±K) with those calculated from the Raman lidar and Vaisala measurements. The brightness temperatures calculated from the AIR sondes differ from the MIR measurements by as much as 10 K, which can be attributed to low sensitivity of the AIR sondes at relative humidity less than 20%. Both calculated and the MIR-measured brightness temperatures were also used to retrieve water vapor profiles. These retrieved profiles were compared with those measured by the Raman lidar and rawinsondes. The results of these comparisons suggest that the MIR can measure the brightness of a target to an accuracy of at most ±K and is capable of retrieving useful water vapor profiles.
Meteorological Modeling on High-Ozone Days in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Hurley P. J. , Manins P. C.
Published: August 2010

The West Australian capital city of Perth is located on a coastal plain between the sea to the west and an escarpment rising to the east. It is isolated from all other cities or sources of pollution. In this study, the meteorological conditions leading to high ozone levels have been classified according to the dominant weather patterns using both synoptic charts and air monitoring data. The data revealed that practically all high-ozone days were associated with recirculation of ozone or its precursors. Meteorological modeling was then performed for the generic conditions leading to high ozone in the Perth region. The modeling predicted that recirculation of surface air over the Perth region was common. Both same-day and next-day recirculation of surface air are features of the model predictions and are conducive to high ozone levels. The modeling predicts day-by-day buildup of smog to be a favored occurrence under these synoptic conditions. Other interesting meteorological features seen in Perth observations on high-ozone days were also predicted by the modeling, including stalling sea breezes under some conditions, hydraulic jump effects over the escarpment, and mesoscale enhancement of the west coast trough.
Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Lightning over Arizona from a Power Utility Perspective
Authors: López Raúl E. , Holle Ronald L. , Watson Andrew I. , Skindlov Jon
Published: August 2010

This study was designed to determine whether a spatially significant and temporally persistent variation in cloud-to-ground lightning frequency exists across the Salt River Project (SRP) region of central Arizona. Cloud-to-ground lightning data for 8 years from the Bureau of Land Management detection network were compiled to develop maps of lightning strike density across Arizona and the SRP region. In space, lightning frequency varied significantly across both of these topographically diverse regions. There was nearly five times more lightning over the high-altitude eastern border of the SRP region than over the lower western desert portion. The spatial pattern was consistent through time, so that more substantial lightning protection is warranted over the eastern SRP region than over the west. However, lightning frequency is highly variable from month to month and year to year on both the state and SRP scales, so that the value of newly installed lightning protection cannot be judged on experiences from a few years.
Distant Green Thunderstorms—Fraser’s Theory Revisited
Authors: Gallagher Frank W.
Published: August 2010

The theoretical development presented by Fraser can produce a spectrum of light that would be perceived as a faint green. The theory assumed a perfectly black background thunderstorm. Severe thunderstorms are certainly not black when observed from a distance of 30–40 km. Thus it is useful to compare the theory with some observed examples of severe thunderstorms that should have been green by the Fraser theory but were not. Therefore, some elementary modifications of the Fraser model such as using a nonblack background are suggested. The use of a nonblack cloud background tends to shift the resulting dominant wavelengths away from the green portion of the spectrum, suggesting a better match with observations.
Adequacy of Using a 1/3-Degree Special Sensor Microwave Imager Dataset to Estimate Climate-Scale Rainfall
Authors: Li Qihang , Ferraro Ralph , Grody Norman
Published: August 2010

Until recently, monthly rainfall products using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service Office of Research and Applications Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) rainfall algorithm have been generated on a global 2.5° × 2.5° grid. The rainfall estimates are based on a subsampled set of the full-resolution SSM/I data, with a resulting spatial density of about one-third of what is possible at SSM/I’s highest spatial resolution. The reduction in the spatial resolution was introduced in 1992 as a compromise dictated by data processing capabilities. Currently, daily SSM/I data processing at full resolution has been established and is being operated in parallel with the subsampled set. Reprocessing of the entire SSM/I time series based on the full-resolution data is plausible but requires the reprocessing of over 10 yr of retrospective data. Because the Global Precipitation Climatology Project is considering the generation of a daily 1° × 1° rainfall product, it is important that the effects of using the reduced spatial resolution be reexamined.

In this study, error due to using the reduced-resolution versus the full-resolution SSM/I data in the gridded products at 2.5° and 1° grid sizes is examined. The estimates are based on statistics from radar-derived rain data and from SSM/I data taken over the Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) radar site. SSM/I data at full resolution were assumed to provide rain estimates with 12.5-km spacing. Subsampling with spacings of 25, 37.5 (which corresponds to the present situation of ⅓° latitude–longitude spatial resolution), and 50 km were considered. For the instantaneous 2.5° × 2.5° product, the error due to subsampling, expressed as a percentage of the gridbox mean, was estimated using radar-derived data and was 6%, 10%, and 15% at these successively poorer sampling densities. For monthly averaged products on a 2.5° × 2.5° grid, it was substantially lower: 3%, 4%, and 7%, respectively. Subsampling errors for monthly averages on a 1° × 1° grid were 8%, 16%, and 23%, respectively. Estimates based on SSM/I data at full resolution gave errors that were somewhat larger than those from radar-based estimates. It was concluded that a rain product of monthly averages on a 1° × 1° grid must use the full-resolution SSM/I data. More work is needed to determine how applicable these estimates are to other areas of the globe with substantially different rain statistics.
Multiscale Local Forcing of the Arabian Desert Daytime Boundary Layer, and Implications for the Dispersion of Surface-Released Contaminants
Authors: Warner Thomas T. , Sheu Rong-Shyang
Published: August 2010

Four 6-day simulations of the atmospheric conditions over the Arabian Desert during the time of the 1991 detonation and release of toxic material at the Khamisiyah, Iraq, weapons depot were performed using a mesoscale model run in a data-assimilation mode. These atmospheric simulations are being employed in a forensic analysis of the potential contribution of the toxic material to so-called Gulf War illness. The transport and concentration of such surface-released contaminants are related strongly to the planetary boundary layer (PBL) depth and the horizontal wind speed in the PBL. The product of the PBL depth and the mean wind speed within it is referred to as the ventilation and is used as a metric of the horizontal transport within the PBL. Thus, a corollary study to the larger forensic analysis involves employing the model solutions and available data in an analysis of the multiscale spatial variability of the daytime desert PBL depth and ventilation as they are affected by surface forcing from terrain elevation variations, coastal circulations, and contrasts in surface physical properties.

The coarsest computational grid spanned the entire northern Arabian Desert and surrounding areas of the Middle East, and represented the large-scale PBL modulation by the orography. The PBL depths were greatest over the high elevations of the western Arabian Peninsula and over the Zagros Mountains in western Iran and were shallowest over water bodies and the lower elevations in the Tigris–Euphrates Valley. Higher-resolution grids in the nest (the smallest grid increment was 3.3 km) showed that the PBL depth minimum in the Tigris–Euphrates Valley was likely a consequence of compensating subsidence associated with the thermally forced daytime upward motion over the Zagros Mountains to the east in Iran, with possible contributions from an elevated mixed layer. Further local modulation of the daytime desert PBL occurred as a result of the inland penetration of the coastal sea-breeze circulation on the west side of the Persian Gulf, where PBL depths were suppressed as far as 100 km inland. On the finest scales, significant PBL-depth variability resulted from surface thermal differences associated with contrasts between barren desert and partially vegetated desert.

The average 1500 LT ventilation over the Arabian Desert for the 6-day period varied spatially from less than 4000 m2 s−1 to over 24 000 m2 s−1. This range represents over a factor-of-6 variation in the ability of the atmosphere to transport contaminants away from a source region.
Dispersion of Particles Released into a Neutral Planetary Boundary Layer Using a Markov Chain–Monte Carlo Model
Authors: Avila R. , Raza S. S.
Published: August 2010

The dispersion and concentration of particles (fluid elements) that are continuously released into a neutral planetary boundary layer is presented. The velocity fluctuations of the particles are generated using a Markov chain–Monte Carlo (MCMC) process at random time intervals with a one-step memory. The local mean concentration of the particles is calculated by using a fully Lagrangian method, which performs an efficient near-neighbor search and employs a smoothing kernel for eliminating the statistical noise. The predicted vertical and transversal root-mean-square of the particles’ deviation from their mean position [()1/2 and ()1/2] for an elevated continuous release source in a neutral atmosphere are compared with empirical parameters like the Pasquill–Gifford σz and σy. The numerical predictions of the particle concentration are compared with a Gaussian model and field measurement data on the ground concentration obtained during the Green Glow Program. The comparison between the numerical predictions and the field data shows that the MCMC model can successfully predict the particle dispersion and concentration in a neutral atmosphere.
Third Spaces or Heterotopias? Recreating and Negotiating Migrant Identity Using Online Spaces
Authors: Davis Teresa
Published: August 2010

A cyberethnographic (Robinson and Shulz, 2009) study of one friendship group reunited online after 20 years is presented.This study follows a group of eight migrant and non-migrant women living over three continents (four countries).The study uses data gathered over a period of one year from the archives of one ‘e-group’. Beginning with the notion of Babha’s (1994) ‘third space’ and cultural hybridity, the study examines the interactions of these ‘in-between’ subjects. The disjunctive notions of place, ‘other space’ and time are examined within this online site. The Foucauldian idea of heterotopias is offered as an explanation of this online ‘other space’ and of the migrant experience.
‘People Are Just Becoming More Conscious of How Everything’s Connected’: ‘Ethical’ Food Consumption in Two Regions of Canada
Authors: Beagan Brenda L. , Ristovski-Slijepcevic Svetlana , Chapman Gwen E.
Published: August 2010

In this qualitative study with three ethnocultural groups in two regions of Canada, we explore the ways reflexivity and tradition may help explain regional differences concerning ‘ethical consumption’ in relation to food. We argue that ‘reflexive modernity’ cannot be said to apply unambiguously in contemporary Canada. The food concerns of Punjabi British Columbian and African Nova Scotian participants centred more on cultural traditions than on ethical consumption. While European Canadians in British Columbia (BC) and Nova Scotia (NS) appear similar on the surface, British Columbians expressed strong commitment to discourses of ethical consumption, while those in Nova Scotia displayed almost no engagement with those discourses. In contrast, tradition was a more prominent concern in food decision-making. Availability of resources for ethical consumption both shaped and was shaped by local discourses. Differing relationships to community may contribute to reflexive ethical consumption.
Impact of Increases in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol on Cardiovascular Outcomes During the Armed Forces Regression Study
Authors: Devendra Ganesh P. , Whitney Edwin J. , Krasuski Richard A.
Published: August 2010

Introduction: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a well-established inverse risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The extent to which cardiovascular risk can be modified through changes in HDL, however, is less clear. We further examined the role of aggressive HDL raising therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in the 143 patients enrolled in the Armed Forces Regression Study (AFREGS). Methods: Reanalysis of the AFREGS population. Patients with stable coronary disease were randomized to receive gemfibrozil, niacin, and cholestyramine in combination or matching placebos, on top of aggressive dietary and exercise modification for a 30-month period. Blood work was performed at baseline and repeated after 1 year of therapy. Results: Patients were divided into 3 groups based on their therapeutic response: no HDL increase, mild HDL increase, and large HDL increase (% change in HDL ≤0, ≤ the lower 2 tertiles of HDL increase, and > the upper tertile of HDL increase, respectively). A progressive decrease in cardiovascular events was noted across these groups (30.4%, 19.4%, and 3.2%, respectively, P = .01). Kaplan-Meier analysis according to percentage change in HDL demonstrated a similar improvement in event-free survival (P = .01). Proportional hazards modeling also demonstrated that increasing HDL predicted a lower hazard of cardiovascular events, even after adjusting for changes in low-density lipoprotein ([LDL] P < .01). For every 1% increase in HDL achieved, a 2% decrease in events was recognized. Conclusions: These data suggest that in a population of patients with stable atherosclerosis, the greater the percentage increase in HDL achieved, the greater the cardioprotective benefit. This further supports HDL raising as a beneficial therapeutic strategy.
The transformation of citizenship in complex societies
Authors: Susen Simon
Published: August 2010

The main purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework for understanding the transformation of citizenship in complex societies. To this end, the paper is divided into six sections. The first section elucidates the main reasons for the renaissance of the concept of citizenship in the contemporary social sciences. The second section argues that a comprehensive sociological theory of citizenship needs to account for the importance of four dimensions: the content, the type, the conditions, and the arrangements of citizenship. The third section suggests that in order to understand the sociological significance of T.H. Marshall’s account of legal, political, and social rights we need to explore the particular historical contexts in which citizenship rights became ideologically and institutionally relevant. The fourth section offers some critical reflections on the main shortcomings of the Marshallian approach to citizenship. The fifth section draws an analogy between the transformation of social movements and the transformation of citizenship. The sixth section sheds light on the fact that contemporary citizenship studies are confronted with a curious paradox: the differentiation of citizenship has led to both the relativistic impoverishment and the pluralistic enrichment of contemporary accounts of ‘the social’ and ‘the political’. The paper concludes by arguing that, under conditions of late modernity, the state’s capacity to gain political legitimacy increasingly depends on its ability to confront the normative challenges posed by the ubiquity of societal complexity.
Ferret badger rabies origin and its revisited importance as potential source of rabies transmission in Southeast China
Authors: Liu Ye , Zhang Shoufeng , Wu Xianfu , Zhao Jinghui , Hou Yanli , Zhang Fei , Velasco-Villa Andres , Rupprecht Charles E , Hu Rongliang
Published: August 2010

Background

The frequent occurrence of ferret badger-associated human rabies cases in southeast China highlights the lack of laboratory-based surveillance and urges revisiting the potential importance of this animal in rabies transmission. To determine if the ferret badgers actually contribute to human and dog rabies cases, and the possible origin of the ferret badger-associated rabies in the region, an active rabies survey was conducted to determine the frequency of rabies infection and seroprevalence in dogs and ferret badgers.

Methods

A retrospective survey on rabies epidemics was performed in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces in southeast China. The brain tissues from ferret badgers and dogs were assayed by fluorescent antibody test. Rabies virus was isolated and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The sera from ferret badgers and dogs were titrated using rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA) test.

Results

The ferret badgers presented a higher percentage of rabies seroconversion than dogs did in the endemic region, reaching a maximum of 95% in the collected samples. Nine ferret badger-associated rabies viruses were isolated, sequenced, and were phylogenetically clustered as a separate group. Nucleotide sequence revealed 99.4-99.8% homology within the ferret badger isolates, and 83-89% homology to the dog isolates in the nucleoprotein and glycoprotein genes in the same rabies endemic regions.

Conclusions

Our data suggest ferret badger-associated rabies has likely formed as an independent enzootic originating from dogs during the long-term rabies infestation in southeast China. The eventual role of FB rabies in public health remains unclear. However, management of ferret badger bites, rabies awareness and control in the related regions should be an immediate need.
Label-free Biosensor Using Polyion-modified Gold Nanorods Adsorbed on a Glass Substrate
Authors: Honda Kanako , Kawazumi Hirofumi , Nakashima Naotoshi , Niidome Yasuro
Published: August 2010

Gold nanorods (NRs), which were modified with polyions, were fixed on polycation-modified glass substrates. Adsorption of antibodies and antigens on the glass substrates induced large peak shifts (44 nm) of longitudinal surface plasmon bands in the near-infrared region. The shifts were assignable to changes of refractive indices of polyion layers at the glass surfaces.
Fabrication and Enhanced Rectifying Performance of Zn1−xCoxO Nanowall Vertically Growing on Si Wafer
Authors: Zhu Guoxing , Liu Yuanjun , Zhang Chi , Zhu Zonglong , Xu Zheng
Published: August 2010

Mesocrystalline ZnO and Co-doped ZnO nanowall/p-Si heterojunctions are prepared by a chemical precursor route, which exhibits a rectifying behavior with a lower turn-on voltage tuned by Co2+ dopant concentration.
Ethics in Research with Human Subjects - A Brief Review
Authors: Khan Md Uzire Azam , Amin Md Ruhul , Begum Firoza , Begum Momotaz
Published: August 2010

Ethics in research involving humans were first codified in 1946 as Nuremberg code. Subsequently other ethical declarations and guide lines were developed to protect the research participants as well as the researchers. The basic research bioethics includes three principles-respects for person, beneficence, and justice. To make a research with human subjects ethically sound the research protocol should have social and scientific values, fair subject selection, favorable risk benefit ratio, independent review, and informed consent of and respect for the participants. Above all the researcher should be honest and responsible enough to safeguard the rights and welfare of the research subjects. DOI: 10.3329/bjpp.v24i1.5734Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2008; 24(1&2) : 24-26
Caesarean Delivery: Increases Subsequent Risk of Placenta Praevia
Authors: Banu Nasreen , Begum Nasima
Published: August 2010

This case control study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, in the period from April 07 to March 08. A total of 232 multiparous pregnant women were included in this study; among them 51 were cases (with placenta praevia) and 181 were similar matched control. Past mode of delivery were explored in both the groups and analyzed statistically.Out of 232 subjects, prior caesarean delivery had 25.5% (n=13) in cases and 44.2% (n=80) in controls. After statistical analysis, caesarean section was considered as a risk factor for placenta praevia in subsequent pregnancy. The odds ratio = 0.43 (CI 0.22 – 0.86) and chi square test = 5.80 (df =1; p= 0.016). Key words: Placenta praevia; caesarean section. DOI: 10.3329/bjpp.v25i1.5740Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2009; 25(1&2) : 13-17