bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased PGE2 Levels in Nonmalignant Mucosa Adjacent to Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: Schuon R. , Brieger J. , Franke R.-L. , Jakob R. , Mann W.J.
Published: April 2005

Objective: The cyclooxygenases (COX) 1 and 2 are the rate-limiting enzymes of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis, and the upregulation of COX-2 has been reported in tumors of different origins. The aim of our study was to quantify the PGE2 expression in squamous cell carcinoma and surrounding mucosa, to analyze the potential of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for reducing PGE2 levels in these tissues, and to improve our understanding of potential tumor-derived stimulation of surrounding mucosa by PGE2. Study Design and Setting: Intracellular PGE2 levels in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the surrounding mucosa at 1 and 2 cm distance were analyzed ex vivo by ELISA. Subsequently, we treated in vitro tumor and normal mucosal cells from turbinates with recombinant PGE2 and ASA, and quantified intracellular PGE2 levels. Results: We observed high PGE2 levels in the tumor samples and in tumor-surrounding mucosa. The addition of PGE2 and arachidonic acid to tumor cell cultures resulted in no further increase in intracellular PGE2 levels, while ASA reduced PGE2 levels by up to 40%. In normal epithelial cell cultures, less PGE2 (6% of that found in the tumor cells) was expressed, but stimulation with PGE2 resulted in levels comparable to those of the tumor samples. Conclusion and Significance: We conclude that HNSCC and the surrounding mucosa express high levels of PGE2. This expression is reduced efficiently by ASA. We propose a stimulation of PGE2 expression in the epithelium surrounding HNSCC by tumor-derived PGE2 with a potential impact on tumor growth.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Larynx in a 2-Year-Old Male
Authors: Rodrigues Michael , Taylor Rodney J. , Sun Chen-Chin , Wolf Jeffrey S.
Published: April 2005

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon neoplasm that is usually located in the lung in the pediatric population. These tumors contain a variety of cell types with the myofibroblast being dominant. When located in the upper airway, IMTs tend to be less aggressive, but have the potential for local invasion and recurrence. We present an unusual case of IMT in the pediatric larynx and review the medical literature describing the common locations, diagnosis, etiology, histology, and treatment of this tumor. The mainstay of treatment is complete surgical excision. Careful and frequent follow-up including frequent fiberoptic laryngoscopy and CT scans are recommended to evaluate for recurrence. More aggressive resection may be necessary if multiple recurrences occur.
The Inhibition of Ca2+ Influx Induced by Hypericin in Cultured Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Analyzed by Confocal Imaging
Authors: Gao QianYing , Ge Jian
Published: April 2005

Purpose: Hypericin, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, has been reported to have potential as a therapeutic drug for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in vitro and in vivo. In the present studies, we analyzed the dynamic changes in Ca2+ influx and free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells after stimulation with hypericin in an attempt to elucidate its mechnism as a therapeutic drug for PVR. Methods: RPE cells were plated in a special plastic dish and then stimulated with 100 nM phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and/or 6 hypericin concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 µM), after which Ca2+ influx and [Ca2+]i were determined using the fluorescence Ca2+ dye fluo-3 AM and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results: The fluorescence in resting RPE cells was strong and distributed throughout the cells. The nucleus appeared more fluorescent than the cytoplasm. After stimulation with 0.5 µM hypericin, no obvious change of Ca2+ influx and [Ca2+]i was observed. In contrast, stimulation with higher concentrations of hypericin (1–5 µM) led to a rapid decrease in Ca2+ influx and [Ca2+]i, which was significantly different from those detected without hypericin (control experiments). In addition, no significant differences in [Ca2+]i were found between 1 and 5 µM hypericin used. Stimulation with hypericin, which was applied immediately after preincubation with PMA for 24 h did not further change Ca2+ influx and [Ca2+]i. Conclusion: In RPE cells, high concentrations of hypericin (1–5 µM) significantly inhibit Ca2+ influx and induce a decrease in [Ca2+]i. Therefore, hypericin has potential as a therapeutic drug for PVR maybe through its inhibition of the Ca2+ influx pathway.
Development and Validation of the Stroke Action Test
Authors: Billings-Gagliardi Susan , Mazor Kathleen M.
Published: April 2005

Background and Purpose—

Accurately assessing the public’s readiness to respond to stroke is important. Most published measures are based on recall or recognition of stroke symptoms, or knowledge of the best action for stroke when the diagnosis is provided. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a new written instrument whose items require the respondent to associate individual symptoms with the most appropriate action.

Methods—

The Stroke Action Test (STAT) contains 21 items that name or describe stroke symptoms from all 5 groups of warning signs and 7 items that are nonstroke symptoms. For each item, the respondent selects 1 of 4 options: call 911, call doctor, wait 1 hour, or wait 1 day. The instrument validation sample included 249 subjects from community-based organizations. Score reliability and validity were analyzed using multiple data and information sources.

Results—

The mean overall STAT score (all 28 items) for the lay people was 36.8%. On average, they chose call 911 for 34.1% of the stroke symptoms. They chose call doctor for 39.4% of the stroke symptoms, wait 1 hour for 20.1%, and wait 1 day for 6.0%. Score reliability is good (α=0.83). Evidence confirming score validity is presented based on analysis of item content and response patterns, and examination of the relationships between test scores and key variables related to stroke knowledge.

Conclusions—

STAT directly assesses a critical aspect of practical stroke knowledge that has been largely overlooked and provides scores with good reliability and validity.
Absolute Stroke Mortality Burden for Non-Hispanic Non-Latino Whites Was Disproportionately Higher Than Expected Simply Based on the US Population in 2001
Authors: Fields Larry E.
Published: April 2005

Background and Purpose—

The absolute burden of stroke is a major determinant of health care costs and should also be considered when developing and implementing effective health policy. This study evaluated the impact of specific racial-ethnic categorization on absolute stroke mortality burden and population percentages.

Methods—

In this population-based analysis, 2001 US data was used to compute absolute values of population and stroke mortality burden for white and black, and other racial–ethnic groups. To test the effect of age-mix, values were age-adjusted using the 2000 US standard population. The z test statistic was computed and a 2-tailed
P
value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Result—

Whites comprised a majority of the 2001 absolute US stroke mortality burden and US population (86% and 82%, respectively). Surprisingly, nHnL whites comprised a much higher percentage of the absolute US stroke mortality burden than expected based on their percentage of the US population alone (81% and 69%, respectively;
P
<0.001). Age-adjustment indicated a contribution by age-mix, however, an age-independent residual component remained.

Conclusions—

Specific race-ethnicity categorization significantly influences comparisons of the proportion of absolute stroke mortality burden to the population proportion. Accordingly, appropriate caution and care are needed when estimating the societal impact of conditions such as stroke.
Critical Role of Angiotensin II in Excess Salt-Induced Brain Oxidative Stress of Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Kim-Mitsuyama Shokei , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Tanaka Tomoko , Zhan Yumei , Izumi Yasukatsu , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Ioroi Takeshi , Wanibuchi Hideki , Iwao Hiroshi
Published: April 2005

Background and Purpose—

The detailed role of angiotensin II in salt-exacerbated stroke is unclear. We examined the role of angiotensin II in salt-accelerated stroke of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).

Methods—

Salt-loaded SHRSP were orally given the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker candesartan (0.3 to 3 mg/kg per day) and calcium channel blocker amlodipine (1 mg/kg per day), and the effects on stroke (n=61) and brain superoxide were compared between them. We also examined the effect of angiotensin II infusion (200 ng/kg per min) on brain superoxide production and blood–brain barrier.

Results—

Despite the comparable hypotensive effect between candesartan and amlodipine, candesartan prolonged survival of salt-loaded SHRSP much more than amlodipine (
P
<0.01), being associated with more improvement of cerebral arteriolar thickening, cerebral arteriolar cell proliferation, and hippocampal CA1 neuronal cell reduction (1024.9±20.6 versus 724.9±22.8 cells/mm
2
;
P
<0.01; n=7 to 10 in each group) in SHRSP by candesartan (
P
<0.05) than amlodipine. Salt loading increased superoxide and NADPH oxidase activity in brain cortex and hippocampus of SHRSP, and this increase was prevented by candesartan (
P
<0.01) but not amlodipine. Angiotensin II infusion, via AT1 receptor, directly increased brain superoxide by 1.8-fold (
P
<0.05; n=6 to 7 in each group) and impaired blood–brain barrier in salt-loaded SHRSP by 1.7-fold (
P
<0.05), and this increase in brain superoxide and blood–brain barrier impairment was prevented by tempol as well as candesartan.

Conclusion—

Excess salt, via oxidative stress, accelerates stroke, and angiotensin II, via AT1 receptor, plays a pivotal role in brain superoxide production of SHRSP by excess salt.
A Digital Map of Middle Cerebral Artery Infarcts Associated With Middle Cerebral Artery Trunk and Branch Occlusion
Authors: Phan Thanh G. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Wright Peter M. , Reutens David C.
Published: April 2005

Background and Purpose—

Knowledge of the topographic distribution of infarcts of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) may give insight into the limits of the arterial territory and infarct mechanism and may influence the decision to use thrombolytic therapy. We describe the creation of a digital atlas of MCA (DA-MCA) infarction associated with MCA branch and trunk occlusion using magnetic resonance (MR) techniques.

Methods—

Hemispheric infarcts, with evidence of MCA trunk or branch occlusion, were manually segmented into binary images, linearly registered into a common stereotaxic coordinate space, and averaged to yield the probability of involvement by infarction at each voxel. Comparisons were made with existing maps of the MCA territory.

Results—

Twenty-eight patients with median age of 74 years (range, 26 to 87 years) were studied. On the DA-MCA, the highest frequency of infarction was within the striatocapsular region, centrum semiovale, and the insula. The mean and maximal MCA infarct volumes were 195.5 cm
3
and 366.3 cm
3
, respectively. Comparison with published maps showed that the most common difference from the DA-MCA was in the superomedial extent of the MCA territory. Some maps showed the MCA territory reaching the interhemispheric fissure, whereas in the DA-MCA it did not. There was a lower variability in the anterior boundary of the MCA territory compared with its posterior counterpart.

Conclusion—

We have created a digital atlas of MCA infarction using MR imaging techniques. This approach may be useful to establish the distribution of the MCA and other arterial territories and the border zones between them with greater certainty.
A 7-Yr Climatological Study of Land Breezes over the Florida Spaceport
Authors: Case Jonathan L. , Wheeler Mark M. , Manobianco John , Weems Johnny W. , Roeder William P.
Published: April 2005

Seven years of wind and temperature data from a high-resolution network of 44 towers at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station were used to develop an objective method for identifying land breezes, which are defined as seaward-moving wind shift lines in this study. The favored meteorological conditions for land breezes consisted of surface high pressure in the vicinity of the Florida peninsula, mainly clear skies, and light synoptic onshore flow and/or the occurrence of a sea breeze during the afternoon preceding a land breeze. The land breeze characteristics are examined for two events occurring under different weather regimes—one with light synoptic onshore flow and no daytime sea breeze, and another following a daytime sea breeze under a prevailing offshore flow. Land breezes were found to occur over east-central Florida in all months of the year and had varied onset times and circulation depths. Land breezes were most common in the spring and summer months and least common in the winter. The average onset times were ∼4–5 h after sunset from May to July and ∼6.5–8 h after sunset from October to January. Land breezes typically moved from the west or southwest during the spring and summer, from the northwest in the autumn, and nearly equally from all directions in the winter. Shallow land breezes (<150-m depth) were typically not associated with the afternoon sea breeze and behaved like density currents, exhibiting the largest temperature decreases and latest onset times. Deep land breezes (>150-m depth) were most often preceded by an afternoon sea breeze, had the smallest horizontal temperature gradients, and experienced a mean onset time that is 4 h earlier than that of shallow land breezes.
A Very Large, Spontaneous Stratospheric Sudden Warming in a Simple AGCM: A Prototype for the Southern Hemisphere Warming of 2002?
Authors: Kushner Paul J. , Polvani Lorenzo M.
Published: April 2005

An exceptionally strong stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) that spontaneously occurs in a very simple stratosphere–troposphere AGCM is discussed. The model is a dry, hydrostatic, primitive equation model without planetary stationary waves. Transient baroclinic wave–wave interaction in the troposphere thus provides the only source of upward-propagating wave activity into the stratosphere. The model’s SSW is grossly similar to the Southern Hemisphere major SSW of 2002: it occurs after weaker warmings “precondition” the polar vortex for breaking, it involves a split of the polar vortex, and it has a downward-propagating signature. These similarities suggest that the Southern Hemisphere SSW of 2002 might itself have been caused by transient baroclinic wave–wave interaction. The simple model used for this study also provides some insight into how often such extreme events might occur. The frequency distribution of SSWs in the model has exponential, as opposed to Gaussian, tails. This suggests that very large amplitude SSWs, though rare, might occur with higher frequency than might be naively expected.
Ground-Based DOAS Measurements of Stratospheric Trace Gases at Two Antarctic Stations during the 2002 Ozone Hole Period
Authors: Frieß U. , Kreher K. , Johnston P. V. , Platt U.
Published: April 2005

Compared to recent years, the development of the Antarctic ozone hole in 2002 showed very unusual dynamical features. The midwinter polar vortex was one of the smallest observed during the past decade. Driven by planetary waves, the vortex showed a strong asymmetry in early spring. A large air mass separated in late September, leaving what was previously a small vortex even smaller. Furthermore, stratospheric temperatures exceeded the polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) threshold earlier than in previous years, leading to a decrease in halogen activation by heterogeneous surface reactions.

Ground-based observation of stratospheric trace gases in austral spring of 2001 and 2002 using passive Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) observations of zenith-scattered sunlight in the UV and visible wavelength region (320–650 nm) are presented. Using DOAS measurements of ozone, NO2, BrO, and OClO at two different Antarctic sites, Neumayer Station (70°S, 8°W) and Arrival Heights (78°S, 167°E), the chemical composition of the stratosphere is investigated under the unusual conditions of the 2002 ozone hole period and compared to the more typical observations of the previous year (2001).
Antarctic Ozone Transport and Depletion in Austral Spring 2002
Authors: Siegmund Peter , Eskes Henk , van Velthoven Peter
Published: April 2005

The ozone budget in the Antarctic region during the stratospheric warming in 2002 is studied, using ozone analyses from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) ozone-transport and assimilation model called TM3DAM. The results show a strong poleward ozone mass flux during this event south of 45°S between about 20 and 40 hPa, which is about 5 times as large as the ozone flux in 2001 and 2000, and is dominated by eddy transport. Above 10 hPa, there exists a partially compensating equatorward ozone flux, which is dominated by the mean meridional circulation. During this event, not only the ozone column but also the ozone depletion rate in the Antarctic region, computed as a residual from the total ozone tendency and the ozone mass flux into this region, is large. The September–October integrated ozone depletion in 2002 is similar to that in 2000 and larger than that in 2001. Simulations for September 2002 with and without ozone assimilation and parameterized ozone chemistry indicate that the parameterized ozone chemistry alone is able to produce the evolution of the ozone layer in the Antarctic region in agreement with observations. A comparison of the ozone loss directly computed from the model’s chemistry parameterization with the residual ozone loss in a simulation with parameterized chemistry but without ozone assimilation shows that the numerical error in the residual ozone loss is small.
Interannual Variations of the Seasonal March in the Southern Hemisphere Stratosphere for 1979–2002 and Characterization of the Unprecedented Year 2002
Authors: Hio Yasuko , Yoden Shigeo
Published: April 2005

Dynamical features of the interannual variations of the seasonal march in the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere are investigated with the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis dataset from 1979 to 2002, and the unprecedented year 2002, in which a major stratosphere sudden warming occurred, is characterized by comparing it with the other 23 yr.

A multiple empirical orthogonal function analysis of the stratospheric mean zonal wind and a composite analysis based on the principal component of the leading mode show that the interannual variations are characterized by early or late deceleration of the polar-night jet, which is well correlated with the variation of a time-averaged upward Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux in the lower stratosphere. The stronger wave activity in the lower stratosphere is associated with the earlier “shift down” of the jet. The composite difference of the stratospheric mean zonal wind can be traced down to the lower troposphere in September and October. These features are consistent with the variations of the Southern Hemisphere annular mode, although the main disturbance to maintain the variations is different between the stratosphere and troposphere.

Some scatter diagrams show the extreme situation of the year 2002. It is far from the cluster of the other 23 yr, but the large deviation in 2002 is consistent with the tendency of the fluctuations in the other years except for its extreme nature.
Three-Dimensional Model Study of the Antarctic Ozone Hole in 2002 and Comparison with 2000
Authors: Feng W. , Chipperfield M. P. , Roscoe H. K. , Remedios J. J. , Waterfall A. M. , Stiller G. P. , Glatthor N. , Höpfner M. , Wang D.-Y.
Published: April 2005

An offline 3D chemical transport model (CTM) has been used to study the evolution of the Antarctic ozone hole during the sudden warming event of 2002 and to compare it with similar simulations for 2000. The CTM has a detailed stratospheric chemistry scheme and was forced by ECMWF and Met Office analyses. Both sets of meteorological analyses permit the CTM to produce a good simulation of the evolution of the 2002 vortex and its breakup, based on O3 comparisons with Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) column data, sonde data, and first results from the Environmental Satellite–Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (ENVISAT–MIPAS) instrument. The ozone chemical loss rates in the polar lower stratosphere in September 2002 were generally less than in 2000, because of the smaller average active chlorine, although around the time of the warming, the largest vortex chemical loss rates were similar to those in 2000 (i.e., −2.6 DU day−1 between 12 and 26 km). However, the disturbed vortex of 2002 caused a somewhat larger influence of polar processing on Southern Hemisphere (SH) midlatitudes in September. Overall, the calculations show that the average SH chemical O3 loss (poleward of 30°S) by September was ∼20 DU less in 2002 compared with 2000. A significant contribution to the much larger observed polar O3 column in September 2002 was due to the enhanced descent at the vortex edge and increased horizontal transport, associated with the distorted vortex.
Ozone Forecasts of the Stratospheric Polar Vortex–Splitting Event in September 2002
Authors: Eskes Henk , Segers Arjo , van Velthoven Peter
Published: April 2005

The Southern Hemisphere major warming event in September 2002 has led to a breakup of the vortex in the middle and higher stratosphere and to a corresponding splitting of the ozone hole. Daily 3D ozone forecasts, produced at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) with a tracer transport and assimilation model based on the ECMWF dynamical forecasts, provided an accurate prediction of this event a week prior to the actual breakup of the vortex. The ozone forecast model contains parameterizations for gas phase and heterogeneous chemistry. Initial states for the forecast are obtained from the assimilation of near-real-time ozone data from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) on European Space Agency (ESA) Remote Sensing Satellite-2 (ERS-2). In this paper, the ozone forecasts and analyses are discussed as produced before, during, and after the event. These fields are compared with ground-based Dobson, ozonesonde, and Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) observations. The total ozone comparisons show that the location of the vortex edge is generally well described by the 5–7-day forecasts in September and October. The GOME assimilation compared with TOMS shows a good correspondence concerning vortex location and ozone features but also reflects clear differences in the average ozone amount between the two retrieval schemes. The assimilation system produces realistic ozone profiles, apart from a systematic underestimation of ozone around 150 hPa inside the vortex in August–October.
The Ozone Hole of 2002 as Measured by TOMS
Authors: Stolarski Richard S. , McPeters Richard D. , Newman Paul A.
Published: April 2005

Since its discovery in 1985, the ozone hole has been regularly mapped using the data from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instruments on several satellites. The current TOMS, on the Earth Probe satellite, has been taking measurements since 1996. The ozone hole first appeared during the 1980s. Since 1990, the hole has consistently developed during each Antarctic spring over a broad area with the minimum total ozone value reaching about 100 Dobson units (DU; 1 DU = 2.69 × 1016 molecules cm−2) in late September or early October. The year 2002 was markedly different from the past 12 years. A series of strong wave events weakened the South Polar vortex. In late September, a major stratospheric warming took place, reversing the direction of the polar flow and the latitudinal temperature gradient. This warming resulted in a division of the ozone hole into two pieces, one that migrated to lower latitudes and disappeared and one that reformed over the Pole in a weakened form. The development of this year’s unusual ozone hole is shown here and is contrasted to a climatology of the years since 1990. Minimum daily values of total ozone barely reached 150 DU in contrast to values nearer to 100. The area of the ozone hole briefly reached 18 × 106 km2, then dropped rapidly to only 2 × 106 km2, and finally recovered to about 8 × 106 km2 before disappearing in early November. The positive anomaly compared with the last 12 yr near the Pole was accompanied by a smaller negative anomaly north of 45°S.
A Possible Influence of Equatorial Winds on the September 2002 Southern Hemisphere Sudden Warming Event
Authors: Gray Lesley , Norton Warwick , Pascoe Charlotte , Charlton Andrew
Published: April 2005

The stratospheric sudden warming in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) in September 2002 was unexpected for two reasons. First, planetary wave activity in the Southern Hemisphere is very weak, and midwinter warmings have never been observed, at least not since observations of the upper stratosphere became regularly available. Second, the warming occurred in a west phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the lower stratosphere. This is unexpected because warmings are usually considered to be more likely in the east phase of the QBO, when a zero wind line is present in the winter subtropics and hence confines planetary wave propagation to higher latitudes closer to the polar vortex. At first, this evidence suggests that the sudden warming must therefore be simply a result of anomalously strong planetary wave forcing from the troposphere. However, recent model studies have suggested that the midwinter polar vortex may also be sensitive to the equatorial winds in the upper stratosphere, the region dominated by the semiannual oscillation. In this paper, the time series of equatorial zonal winds from two different data sources, the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA) and the Met Office assimilated dataset, are reviewed. Both suggest that the equatorial winds in the upper stratosphere above 10 hPa were anomalously easterly in 2002. Idealized model experiments are described in which the modeled equatorial winds were relaxed toward these observations for various years to examine whether the anomalous easterlies in 2002 could influence the timing of a warming event. It is found that the 2002 equatorial winds speed up the evolution of a warming event in the model. Therefore, this study suggests that the anomalous easterlies in the 1–10-hPa region may have been a contributory factor in the development of the observed SH warming. However, it is concluded that it is unlikely that the anomalous equatorial winds alone can explain the 2002 warming event.
Estimating the Uncertainty in a Regional Climate Model Related to Initial and Lateral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Wu Wanli , Lynch Amanda H. , Rivers Aaron
Published: April 2005

There is a growing demand for regional-scale climate predictions and assessments. Quantifying the impacts of uncertainty in initial conditions and lateral boundary forcing data on regional model simulations can potentially add value to the usefulness of regional climate modeling. Results from a regional model depend on the realism of the driving data from either global model outputs or global analyses; therefore, any biases in the driving data will be carried through to the regional model. This study used four popular global analyses and achieved 16 driving datasets by using different interpolation procedures. The spread of the 16 datasets represents a possible range of driving data based on analyses to the regional model. This spread is smaller than typically associated with global climate model realizations of the Arctic climate. Three groups of 16 realizations were conducted using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5) in an Arctic domain, varying both initial and lateral boundary conditions, varying lateral boundary forcing only, and varying initial conditions only. The response of monthly mean atmospheric states to the variations in initial and lateral driving data was investigated.

Uncertainty in the regional model is induced by the interaction between biases from different sources. Because of the nonlinearity of the problem, contributions from initial and lateral boundary conditions are not additive. For monthly mean atmospheric states, biases in lateral boundary conditions generally contribute more to the overall uncertainty than biases in the initial conditions. The impact of initial condition variations decreases with the simulation length while the impact of variations in lateral boundary forcing shows no clear trend. This suggests that the representativeness of the lateral boundary forcing plays a critical role in long-term regional climate modeling. The extent of impact of the driving data uncertainties on regional climate modeling is variable dependent. For some sensitive variables (e.g., precipitation, boundary layer height), even the interior of the model may be significantly affected.
GCM Simulations of the Climate in the Central United States
Authors: Kunkel Kenneth E. , Liang Xin-Zhong
Published: April 2005

A diagnostic analysis of relationships between central U.S. climate characteristics and various flow and scalar fields was used to evaluate nine global coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation models (CGCMs) participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP). To facilitate identification of physical mechanisms causing biases, data from 21 models participating in the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) were also used for certain key analyses.

Most models reproduce basic features of the circulation, temperature, and precipitation patterns in the central United States, although no model exhibits small differences from the observationally based data for all characteristics in all seasons. Model ensemble means generally produce better agreement with the observationally based data than any single model. A fall precipitation deficiency, found in all AMIP and CMIP models except the third-generation Hadley Centre CGCM (HadCM3), appears to be related in part to slight biases in the flow on the western flank of the Atlantic subtropical ridge. In the model mean, the ridge at 850 hPa is displaced slightly to the north and to the west, resulting in weaker southerly flow into the central United States.

The CMIP doubled-CO2 transient runs show warming (1°–5°C) for all models and seasons and variable precipitation changes over the central United States. Temperature (precipitation) changes are larger (mostly less) than the variations that are observed in the twentieth century and the model variations in the control simulations.
The Warming of the California Current System: Dynamics and Ecosystem Implications
Authors: Di Lorenzo Emanuele , Miller Arthur J. , Schneider Niklas , McWilliams James C.
Published: April 2005

Long-term changes in the observed temperature and salinity along the southern California coast are studied using a four-dimensional space–time analysis of the 52-yr (1949–2000) California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) hydrography combined with a sensitivity analysis of an eddy-permitting primitive equation ocean model under various forcing scenarios. An overall warming trend of 1.3°C in the ocean surface, a deepening in the depth of the mean thermocline (18 m), and increased stratification between 1950 and 1999 are found to be primarily forced by large-scale decadal fluctuations in surface heat fluxes combined with horizontal advection by the mean currents. After 1998 the surface heat fluxes suggest the beginning of a period of cooling, consistent with colder observed ocean temperatures. Salinity changes are decoupled from temperature and appear to be controlled locally in the coastal ocean by horizontal advection by anomalous currents. A cooling trend of –0.5°C in SST is driven in the ocean model by the 50-yr NCEP wind reanalysis, which contains a positive trend in upwelling-favorable winds along the southern California coast. A net warming trend of +1°C in SST occurs, however, when the effects of observed surface heat fluxes are included as forcing functions in the model. Within 50–100 km of the coast, the ocean model simulations show that increased stratification/deepening of the thermocline associated with the warming reduces the efficiency of coastal upwelling in advecting subsurface waters to the ocean surface, counteracting any effects of the increased strength of the upwelling winds. Such a reduction in upwelling efficiency leads in the model to a freshening of surface coastal waters. Because salinity and nutrients at the coast have similar distributions this must reflect a reduction of the nutrient supply at the coast, which is manifestly important in explaining the observed decline in zooplankton concentration. The increased winds also drive an intensification of the mean currents of the southern California Current System (SCCS). Model mesoscale eddy variance significantly increases in recent decades in response to both the stronger upwelling winds and the warmer upper-ocean temperatures, suggesting that the stability properties of the SCCS have also changed.
Justice and Peace? How the International Criminal Tribunal Affects Societal Peace in Bosnia
Authors: Meernik James
Published: April 2005

The reconstruction and maintenance of peaceful communities in the aftermath of conflicts is one of the most critical areas of concern for both policymakers and scholars. This article examines explanations of the level of societal peace - the degree of conflict and/or cooperation in a society - and the extent to which internationally provided justice contributes to the maintenance of peaceful societies. In particular, it investigates the efforts of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to provide justice for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina by analyzing the impact of the arrests and judgments of war criminals on societal peace in Bosnia. Some research suggests that internationally provided justice is critical to peace and reconciliation; some scholars argue that such attempts can do more harm than good by inflaming ethnic violence; while still other research contends that its effects are limited at best. Using event data from the Kansas Event Data System, it is found that the arrests and judgments of war criminals had only a limited effect on improving relations among Bosnia’s ethnic groups. Mostly, the apprehension and judgments of suspected war criminals had no statistically significant effect.
Public Opinion in the Israeli-Palestinian Two-Level Game
Authors: Shamir Jacob , Shikaki Khalil
Published: April 2005

The article focuses on public opinion as a policy-relevant imperative in negotiators’ two-level games, in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Specifically, it highlights two characteristics of public opinion: its multifaceted nature and its susceptibility to framing efforts. The two are related in the sense that they provide negotiators with opportunities to shape their own and the other side’s win-sets: the sets of possible agreements that will gain majority support among their constituents. Both characteristics are exemplified using data from joint Palestinian-Israeli surveys focusing on two of the most difficult issues in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute: the recognition of the Palestinian refugees’ right of return by Israelis and the recognition of the Jewish identity of Israel by Palestinians. First, the study shows how framing a solution to the Palestinian refugees’ problem as the implementation or surrender of the right of return greatly affects respondents’ support for it. The article then discusses the implications of constructive ambiguity and framing for negotiators. Next it demonstrates the utility of a multifaceted approach to public opinion research in detecting pluralistic ignorance and mutual misperceptions on the issue of Israel’s national identity, pointing again to the implications of these conditions for policy-makers involved in two-level games.
Dyadic assessment of sexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction in heterosexual dating couples
Authors: MacNeil Sheila , Byers E. Sandra
Published: April 2005

We examined two proposed pathways between sexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction. According to the proposed expressive pathway, reciprocal sexual self-disclosure contributes to relationship satisfaction, which in turn leads to greater sexual satisfaction. According to the instrumental pathway, own sexual self-disclosure leads to greater partner understanding of sexual likes and dislikes, which in turn leads to a more favorable balance of sexual rewards and costs and thus to higher sexual satisfaction. Seventy-four heterosexual dating couples completed questionnaires assessing self-disclosure, sexual and relationship satisfaction, as well as own and partner positive and negative sexual exchanges. Support was found for the instrumental pathway for both women and men and for the expressive pathway for women. For men, the expressive pathway was between own nonsexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction. These results are interpreted in light of the more instrumental role for men in sexual relationships.
Cognitive responses to favor requests from different social targets in a Confucian society
Authors: Han Kuei-Hsiang , Li Mei-Chih , Hwang Kwang-Kuo
Published: April 2005

Responses of Taiwanese graduate students to favor requests from different social targets (peer vs. superior) were compared across two scenarios. Factors influencing the decision to accept or reject the request were also explored. When the favor request was consistent with the relational context (academic research), participants were more likely to accept the request from a professor than from a classmate. Those who accepted the professor’s request were more likely to report authority-oriented reasons. When the content of the favor request was inconsistent with the relational context, participants tended to reject the request from both a professor and a classmate. Those who rejected the professor’s request reported more self-assertive reasons for their decision. Although participants rated Rational Reciprocity as the most important factor in making their decision, interpersonal closeness seemed to be a major concern in deciding to do a favor for a peer. Social interactions for acquaintances in a Confucian society are influenced by Confucian ethics advocating the principle of respecting the superior and the principle of favoring the intimate, rather than solely by the principle of social exchange.
Elastic-Plastic and Residual Stress Analysis of an Aluminum Metal-Matrix Composite Disk under Internal Pressures
Authors: Bektaş Numan B. , Topcu Muzaffer , Çallioglu Hasan , Altan Gürkan
Published: April 2005

This paper deals with the elastic-plastic stress analysis of a thin aluminum metal-matrix composite disk under internal pressure. An analytical solution is performed for satisfying the elastic-plastic stress-strain relations and boundary conditions for small plastic deformations. The Tsai-Hill Criterion is used as a yield criterion, and an elastic-perfectly-plastic material is assumed. Elastic-plastic and residual stress distributions are obtained from inner radius to outer radius, and they are presented in the tables and figures. All radial stresses, σr, are compressive, and they are highest where the plastic deformation begins. All tangential stresses, σ θ, are tensile, and they are highest at the inner radius. Magnitude of the tangential residual stresses is higher than that of the radial residual stresses, and it is changing from negative sign to positive.
Influence of Consolidation Process on the Drilling Performance and Machinability of PIXA-M and PEEK Thermoplastic Composites
Authors: Kim D. , Ramulu M. , Doan X.
Published: April 2005

In this paper, the drilling performance of two composite systems, namely graphite-PIXA-M (PIXA-M) and graphite-PEEK (PEEK) induction heat-pressed thermoplastic composites, are compared with their counterpart from autoclave processing. Machinability is evaluated in terms of drilling forces and hole quality. Hole quality characteristics are evaluated in terms of geometric accuracy and surface finish. The experimental observations discuss unique chip characteristics during drilling both autoclaved and induction heat-pressed thermoplastic composites. The mechanism of material removal in drilling of thermoplastic composites is investigated through the further calculation of the specific cutting energy. The induction-processed composite material produced equivalent or better holes than the autoclave-processed composites although it required larger cutting force magnitudes and protruded fibers on the bottom ply are produced. The induction heat press may be a viable alternative for the processing of thermoplastic composites in terms of drilling performance.
Current State of Recycling Sheet Molding Compounds and Related Materials
Authors: Derosa R. , Telfeyan E. , Mayes J. S.
Published: April 2005

Recycling of thermoset molding compounds has been intermittently investigated for roughly the past 15 years. The use of sheet molding and bulk molding compounds has steadily increased over the same time period, but no closed-loop recycling regime has been developed. First, a general discussion is made on the materials involved and some of their applications. The major recycling methodologies, energy recovery, chemical breakdown, thermal breakdown, and size reduction are all reviewed. Also, some of the new technologies being developed and areas where further work is needed are outlined.
Thermal Conductivity of PTFE Composites with Three-dimensional Randomly Distributed Fillers
Authors: Cai Wen-Zhong , Tu Shan-Tung , Tao Guo-Liang
Published: April 2005

Aiming at the optimal design of physical properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites with random three-dimensional (3-D) fillers, the present paper studies the thermal conductivity of PTFE composites reinforced with single-phase and two-phase reinforcements (particles and fibers), respectively by the use of 3-D finite element simulations. To improve the accuracy, the random distribution of the sizes and locations of particles is taken into account. It is found that there exists a filler to matrix saturation conductivity ratio at a certain volume fraction in the PTFE composites with particle reinforcement above which the conductivity does not increase. The filling of carbon fibers, with the initial purpose of improving the mechanical properties of PTFE composites plays an important role in the improvement of the conductivity performance of the multiphase PTFE composites. Compared with single-phase filler composites, it is seen that the saturation point moves forward in the PTFE composites with both graphite particles and fibers.
Joseph as Pedagogue: Biblical Precedents for the Depiction of Joseph in Aramaic Levi (4Q213)
Authors: Rothstein David
Published: April 2005

The present article examines several biblical passages which have been interpreted as portraying Joseph as functioning, inter alia, as a pedagogue. On the basis of these passages a new translation of Aramaic Levi (4Q213, frag. 1 i, ll. 11-12) is proposed.
Some Aspects of Deregulation-led Industrial Transformation and Inter-firm Differences
Authors: Putatunda Barendranath
Published: April 2005

Deregulation, an external stimulus, triggers industrial transformation. Increased entropy may cause fragmentation of existing industries in a sector, while systemic adaptation may lead to concentration of industries in one sector. The industrial organization perspective leads one to assume that because firms in an industry share a common technology or production function, their responses to external stimuli and likely outcomes are unlikely to differ qualitatively. However, from the resource-based view, one may make out a case for inter-firm differences in resources and capabilities, imprinting consistent patterns of outcome of increase in the market share of industry leaders. Exploring the transformation witnessed by the manufacturing industry in India, following the changes ushered in by the Exim policy (1997–2002), this article identifies distinct patterns that industry leaders have set for themselves. Capability, guerilla and complexity logic again posit different outcomes of firms’ efforts to sustain competitive advantages related to different assumptions of market conditions. The article seeks to discover the validity of this logic in the context under study.
The Importance of Situation, Actors and Process in Management of Strategic Alliances
Authors: Likhi Dinesh , Sushil
Published: April 2005

Strategic alliances are a powerful means of attaining sustainable competitive advantage in the fast-changing uncertain world of business. The broad definition, importance and benefits are well defined in literature. A conceptual framework has been suggested here to manage strategic alliances effectively. Nine caselet-based studies indicate that there is a need to evaluate situations, actors and processes on continuous basis to identify the variables of success and those that may constrain successful management of strategic alliances.
Some Aspects of Market Dynamics and Customer Satisfaction in the Indian Domestic Airlines Sector
Authors: R. Sarkar  , K. Baisya Rajat
Published: April 2005

In India, the domestic airlines industry is going through an interesting phase with three-way competition among Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara and the possibility of emerging competition from budget airlines in the future. This article examines two areas related to the domestic airlines industry: the market dynamics of the industry and some aspects of customer satisfaction. The changing market dynamics over the last few years and its various causal factors are also seen. The initial findings of a research study are highlighted and the relative importance of satisfaction variables and the linkage between customer satisfaction and future usage are examined.
Exposure to Political Violence and Psychological Well-being in Bosnian Adolescents: A Mixed Method Approach
Authors: Jones Lynne , Kafetsios Konstantinos
Published: April 2005

Previous research on political violence has shown an inverse relationship between overall exposure and psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to examine this relationship in more detail by exploring the impact of specific types of war-related events upon psychological well-being, as well as the role of social and political context in moderating these outcomes. The psychological well-being of 337 Bosnian adolescents living in two towns on opposite sides of the war was assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Based on the combined symptom scores, and in-depth interviews regarding life history, war experiences, and subjective experience of psychological well-being a gender-matched sub-sample of 40 adolescents was selected and completed a 45-item trauma event scale. Results from the quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that the relationship between exposure, displacement and well-being varied significantly depending on the community in which the adolescents lived. Specific meanings given to different types of war events were important in moderating their effect. Living in a neglected, isolated and depressed community, worry about school performance, missing friends and family breakdown could have as significant an effect on well-being as exposure to war-related events. The findings demonstrate the need to take social context and meaning of events into account when examining the impact of war exposure on psychological well-being.