bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective congestion reduction for IC package substrate routing
Authors: Liu Shenghua , Chen Guoqiang , Jing Tom Tong , He Lei , Dutta Robi , Hong Xian-Long
Published: June 2010

Off-chip substrate routing for high-density packages is challenging due to requirements such as high density, lack of vertical detour, non-Manhattan routing, and primarily planar routing. The existing substrate routing algorithms often result in a large number of unrouted nets that have to be routed manually. This article develops an effective yet efficient diffusion-driven method D-Router to reduce congestion. Starting with an initial routing, we develop an effective diffusion-based congestion reduction. We iteratively find a congested window and spread out connections to reduce congestion inside the window by a simulated diffusion process based on the duality between congestion and concentration. The window is released after the congestion is eliminated. Compared with the state-of-the-art substrate routing method that leads to 480 nets unrouted for ten industrial designs with a total of 6415 nets, the D-Router reduces the amount of unrouted nets to 104, a reduction to the 4.6 multiple. In addition, the D-Router obtains a similar reduction on unrouted nets but runs up to 94 times faster when compared with a negotiation-based substrate routing.
Safe programmable speculative parallelism
Authors: Prabhu Prakash , Ramalingam Ganesan , Vaswani Kapil
Published: June 2010

Execution order constraints imposed by dependences can serialize computation, preventing parallelization of code and algorithms. Speculating on the value(s) carried by dependences is one way to break such critical dependences. Value speculation has been used effectively at a low level, by compilers and hardware. In this paper, we focus on the use of speculation
by programmers
as an algorithmic paradigm to parallelize seemingly sequential code.

We propose two new language constructs,
speculative composition
and
speculative iteration
. These constructs enable programmers to declaratively express speculative parallelism in programs: to indicate when and how to speculate, increasing the parallelism in the program, without concerning themselves with mundane implementation details.

We present a core language with speculation constructs and mutable state and present a formal operational semantics for the language. We use the semantics to define the notion of a correct speculative execution as one that is equivalent to a non-speculative execution. In general, speculation requires a runtime mechanism to undo the effects of speculative computation in the case of mis predictions. We describe a set of conditions under which such rollback can be avoided. We present a static analysis that checks if a given program satisfies these conditions. This allows us to implement speculation efficiently, without the overhead required for rollbacks.

We have implemented the speculation constructs as a C# library, along with the static checker for safety. We present an empirical evaluation of the efficacy of this approach to parallelization.
Evaluating the accuracy of Java profilers
Authors: Mytkowicz Todd , Diwan Amer , Hauswirth Matthias , Sweeney Peter F.
Published: June 2010

Performance analysts profile their programs to find methods that are worth optimizing: the "hot" methods. This paper shows that four commonly-used Java profilers (
xprof , hprof , jprofile, and yourkit
) often disagree on the identity of the hot methods. If two profilers disagree, at least one must be incorrect. Thus, there is a good chance that a profiler will mislead a performance analyst into wasting time optimizing a cold method with little or no performance improvement.

This paper uses causality analysis to evaluate profilers and to gain insight into the source of their incorrectness. It shows that these profilers all violate a fundamental requirement for sampling based profilers: to be correct, a sampling-based profilermust collect samples randomly.

We show that a proof-of-concept profiler, which collects samples randomly, does not suffer from the above problems. Specifically, we show, using a number of case studies, that our profiler correctly identifies methods that are important to optimize; in some cases other profilers report that these methods are cold and thus not worth optimizing.
45 years of evolution strategies
Authors: Schwefel Hans-Paul , de Brito Mendes Marcelo Augusto
Published: June 2010

June 12th 2009 has been the 45th anniversary of an evolutionary algorithm: Evolution strategies.
A prime decomposition result for parallel systems
Authors: Morgan Carroll
Published: June 2010

In this paper, we propose to investigate some aspects of the parallel composition of processes to form concurrent systems. We consider processes simply to be sets of possible action sequences, and define a
merging
operation on these sets which closely mimics parallel composition of computational processes. Synchronisation of processes is expressed in perhaps the simplest possible way: two actions in discrete processes are either independent or must occur simultaneously. This approach to synchronisation is essentially that used by Riddle [1]. A simplistic view of process behaviour is taken in the hope that those behavioural aspects which are due solely to parallel composition will be more easily identifiable, and that the parallel or sequential nature of the processes themselves may be defined in terms of the sequences they admit.
How to have your abstract rejected
Authors: van Leunen Mary-Claire , Lipton Richard
Published: June 2010

If your ideas are bad enough all on their own, you needn't worry about this advice. Banality, irrelevance, plagiarism, and plain old madness will get any abstract rejected, no matter how good it is. Similarly, if your ideas are brilliant, pointed, original, and sane, you have a hard road ahead of you. Even the worst abstract may not suffice for rejection. Program committees differ in their standards. If, however, you are like most of us, neither a genius nor an idiot, neither Newton nor Simple Simon, you will have to put some effort into making your abstract suitable for rejection. Here are a few tips we can offer.
On Presented Dimensions of Modules and Rings
Authors: Zhou Dexu , Gong Zhiwei
Published: June 2010

We define the presented dimensions for modules and rings to measure how far away
a module is from having an infinite finite presentation and develop ways to compute
the projective dimension of a module with a finite presented dimension and the right
global dimension of a ring. We also make a comparison of the right global dimension,
the weak global dimension, and the presented dimension and divide rings into four
classes according to these dimensions.
In Vitro Study of Mutagenesis Induced by Crocidolite-Exposed Alveolar Macrophages NR8383 in Cocultured Big Blue Rat2 Embryonic Fibroblasts
Authors: Guichard Yves , Gaté Laurent , Darne Christian , Bottin Marie-Claire , Langlais Cristina , Micillino Jean-Claude , Goutet Michèle , Julien Schmit , Stéphane Binet
Published: June 2010

Asbestos-induced mutagenicity in the lung may involve reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) released by alveolar macrophages. With the aim of proposing an alternative in vitro mutagenesis test, a coculture system of rat alveolar macrophages (NR8383) and transgenic Big Blue Rat2 embryonic fibroblasts was developed and tested with a crocidolite sample. Crocidolite exposure induced no detectable increase in ROS production from NR8383, contrasting with the oxidative burst that occurred following a brief exposure (1 hour) to zymosan, a known macrophage activator. In separated cocultures, crocidolite and zymosan induced different changes in the gene expressions involved in cellular inflammation in NR8383 and Big Blue. In particular, both particles induced up-regulation of iNOS expression in Big Blue, suggesting the formation of potentially genotoxic nitrogen species. However, crocidolite exposure in separated or mixed cocultures induced no mutagenic effects whereas an increase in Big Blue mutants was detected after exposure to zymosan in mixed cocultures. NR8383 activation by crocidolite is probably insufficient to induce in vitro mutagenic events. The mutagenesis assay based on the coculture of NR8383 and Big Blue cannot be used as an alternative in vitro method to assess the mutagenic properties of asbestos fibres.
Semi-Automated Library Preparation for High-Throughput DNA Sequencing Platforms
Authors: Farias-Hesson Eveline , Erikson Jonathan , Atkins Alexander , Shen Peidong , Davis Ronald W. , Scharfe Curt , Pourmand Nader
Published: June 2010

Next-generation sequencing platforms are powerful technologies, providing gigabases of genetic information in a single run. An important prerequisite for high-throughput DNA sequencing is the development of robust and cost-effective preprocessing protocols for DNA sample library construction. Here we report the development of a semi-automated sample preparation protocol to produce adaptor-ligated fragment libraries. Using a liquid-handling robot in conjunction with Carboxy Terminated Magnetic Beads, we labeled each library sample using a unique 6 bp DNA barcode, which allowed multiplex sample processing and sequencing of 32 libraries in a single run using Applied Biosystems' SOLiD sequencer. We applied our semi-automated pipeline to targeted medical resequencing of nuclear candidate genes in individuals affected by mitochondrial disorders. This novel method is capable of preparing as much as 32 DNA libraries in 2.01 days (8-hour workday) for emulsion PCR/high throughput DNA sequencing, increasing sample preparation production by 8-fold.
Disseminate Fungal Infection after Acute Pancreatitis in a Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Recipient
Authors: Rossetto Anna , Baccarani Umberto , Lorenzin Dario , Risaliti Andrea , Viale Pierluigi , Bresadola Vittorio , Adani Gian Luigi
Published: June 2010

Fungal infections after kidney transplantation are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, andCandidainfection of the pancreas is considered an infrequent but important agent in necrotizing pancreatitis. We report the case of a 43-year-old Caucasian patient who underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation because of diabetes type I, and chronic renal failure with peritoneal dialysis. The postoperative course was complicated by acute pancreatitis due to the thrombosis of the splenic artery of the graft, the subsequent acute rupture of the external iliac artery caused by fungal arteritis (Candida glabrata), and peritonitis a few days later caused by sigmoid perforation with detection ofCandida glabratainfection of the resected intestinal tract. The present case remarks that awareness and prevention of fungal infection are major issues in the transplant field. Important information can be added by systematic culture of conservation perfusates but, probably, the best way for early recognition of a critical level of infectious risk remains the routine application of the colonization index screening. In cases of positive results, preemptive antifungal therapy could be warranted.
Use of Statin Therapy to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Older Patients
Authors: Wenger N. K. , Lewis S. J.
Published: June 2010

Background. Cardiovascular disease is the principal cause of mortality in older individuals, and more than 80% of deaths due to coronary heart disease or stroke occur in patients over 65 years of age. Hyperlipidemia is one of the main modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Current guidelines recommend the use of statins to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to appropriate targets based on an individual's cardiovascular risk, and clearly state that older age should not be a barrier to treatment. Despite extensive evidence demonstrating clear benefit with statin therapy in older individuals, this population remains chronically undertreated.Scope. This paper provides an overview of the current evidence available regarding the efficacy and safety of statin therapy to reduce cardiovascular risk in older patients. We use hypothetical case studies to address some of the questions frequently posed by physicians responsible for the cardiovascular health of older patients.Conclusions. Various factors may account for the failure to provide appropriate treatment, including a lack of awareness of clinical benefits and perceived safety issues. However, if current guidelines are followed and older patients treated to appropriate LDL-C goals, the likelihood of cardiovascular events will be reduced in this high-risk population. Employing an evidence-based approach to the management of cardiovascular risk in older patients is likely to yield benefits in terms of overall cardiovascular burden.
Grade-Specific Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor–Binding Proteins-2, -3, and -5 in Astrocytomas: IGFBP-3 Emerges as a Strong Predictor of Survival in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Authors: Santosh Vani , Arivazhagan Arimappamagan , Sreekanthreddy Peddagangannagari , Srinivasan Harish , Thota Balaram , Srividya Mallavarapu R. , Vrinda Marigowda , Sridevi Sambandam , Shailaja Bangalore C. , Samuel Cini , Prasanna Krishnarao V. , Thennarasu Kandavel , Balasubramaniam Anandh , Chandramouli Bangalore A. , Hegde Alangar S. , Somasundaram Kumaravel , Kondaiah Paturu , Rao Manchanahalli R.S.
Published: June 2010

Background: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)–binding protein (IGFBP) isoforms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human neoplasms including glioma. In view of this, we evaluated the expression of IGFBP isoforms (IGFBP-2, -3, and -5) during malignant progression of astrocytoma and their prognostic significance in glioblastoma.

Methods: The expression of IGFBP isoforms was analyzed in diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas by real-time quantitative PCR (n = 203) and immunohistochemistry (n = 256). Statistical methods were used to assess their grade-specific expression pattern and mRNA-protein intercorrelation. Survival analyses were done on a uniformly treated, prospective cohort of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (n = 136) by using Cox regression models.

Results: The mean transcript levels of IGFBP-2 and -3 were significantly higher in glioblastomas (GBM) relative to anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), diffuse astrocytoma (DA), and controls whereas IGFBP-5 mRNA was higher in GBM relative to AA and controls (P < 0.05). By immunohistochemistry, the mean labeling index of all isoforms was significantly higher in GBM compared with AA, DA, and control (P < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between their respective mRNA and protein expressions (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed IGFBP-3 expression (hazard ratio, 1.021; P = 0.030) and patient age (hazard ratio, 1.027; P = 0.007) to be associated with shorter survival in glioblastoma.

Conclusions: This study shows the associations of IGFBP-2, -3, and -5 expression with increasing grades of malignancy in astrocytomas. IGFBP-3 is identified as a novel prognostic glioblastoma biomarker. The strong correlation between their mRNA and protein expression patterns suggests their role in the pathogenesis of these tumors.

Impact: IGFBP isoforms have emerged as biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic utility in astrocytomas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(6); 1399–408. ©2010 AACR.
Association of Anthropometric Characteristics with the Risk of Malignant Lymphoma and Plasma Cell Myeloma in a Japanese Population: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Kanda Junya , Matsuo Keitaro , Inoue Manami , Iwasaki Motoki , Sawada Norie , Shimazu Taichi , Yamaji Taiki , Sasazuki Shizuka , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: June 2010

Background: Although Asian and Western populations differ markedly in anthropometric characteristics and the incidence of malignant lymphoma and plasma cell myeloma, few studies have evaluated the associations between these variables among Asian populations.

Methods: We conducted a large-scale, population-based prospective study in a Japanese cohort that included 45,007 men and 49,540 women ages 40 to 69 years at baseline. During an average follow-up period of 13 years, 257 cases of malignant lymphoma and 88 of plasma cell myeloma were identified. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated with the use of a Cox regression model adjusted for potential confounders.

Results: Compared with the 1st quartile, categorization in the 4th quartile for height showed a positive association with lymphoid neoplasm risk (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.00-1.91), and the association was significant among men (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.11-2.66). A similar trend was observed for subcategories of malignant lymphoma, plasma cell myeloma, and non–Hodgkin lymphoma, albeit the associations were weak due to the small number of subjects in each category. In contrast, weight and body mass index were not associated with risk of lymphoid neoplasm.

Conclusions: Height was positively associated with risk of lymphoid neoplasm in a Japanese population.

Impact: Our data suggested that early life exposure to growth-related hormones, such as insulin-like growth factors and growth hormones, or genetic factors relating to height may affect the risk of lymphoid neoplasm. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(6); 1623–31. ©2010 AACR.
Rivastigmine in the Treatment of Dementia Associated with Parkinson’s Disease: Effects on Activities of Daily Living
Authors: Olin Jason T. , Aarsland Dag , Meng Xiangyi
Published: June 2010

Aims: To investigate the effects of rivastigmine capsule 3–12 mg/day over 24 weeks on activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PDD). Methods: Post hocanalysis of a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with PDD (≧50 years) randomized to rivastigmine 3–12 mg/day (capsules bid) or placebo over 24 weeks. This analysis was carried out with three subscales derived from a factor analysis of the 23 items in the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study – Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scale. These subscales were basic ADLs (10 items), high-level function ADLs (eight items) and autonomy ADLs (five items). Results: 541 patients were randomized (362 to rivastigmine, 179 to placebo) and 410 (75.8%) completed the study. Rivastigmine was associated with significantly better outcomes in basic ADLs (–0.5 ± 6.19 vs. –1.7 ± 5.46; p = 0.025; effect size 22.1%) and high-level function ADLs (0.1 ± 4.95 vs. –1.0 ± 4.49; p = 0.017; effect size 22.9%) compared with placebo, at week 24. Conclusion: In patients with PDD, treatment with rivastigmine may show beneficial effects on overall ADLs, as well as modest, statistically significant improvements in basic ADLs and high-level function ADLs.
Validity and Reliability of the Persian Language Version of the Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool
Authors: Barekatain M. , Walterfang M. , Behdad M. , Tavakkoli M. , Mahvari J. , Maracy M.R. , Velakoulis D.
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: Only a limited number of cognitive screening tools are available for the Persian-speaking population, and we sought to translate and validate the Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool (NUCOG), a multidimensional cognitive screening tool. Methods: We used multiple language specialists to translate and then back-translate the NUCOG, and administered the Persian language NUCOG and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to 184 individuals: 60 controls and 124 patients, 33 of whom had dementia, 30 non-dementing neurological disorders and 61 a psychiatric illness. Results: The NUCOG outperformed the MMSE in differentiating the patient groups and controls. The ‘profile’ across the 5 NUCOG domains differentiated dementia subgroups such as senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT), frontotemporal dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Psychiatric patients with psychosis and posttraumatic stress disorder were more impaired than patients with affective disorders. The NUCOG reliably differentiated controls from patients with MCI (at 86.5/100, sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 87.5%) and SDAT (at 75/100, sensitivity and specificity of 100%) patients from controls. Conclusions: The Persian language NUCOG appears to perform strongly in an unselected population, reliably differentiating patients with dementia from controls, and detecting cognitive impairment in a range of clinical disorders.
The Non-Muscle Myosin Heavy Chain 9 Gene (MYH9) Is Not Associated with Lupus Nephritis in African Americans
Authors: Freedman Barry I. , Edberg Jeffrey C. , Comeau Mary E. , Murea Mariana , Bowden Donald W. , Divers Jasmin , Alarcón Graciela S. , Brown Elizabeth E. , McGwin, Jr. Gerald , Kopp Jeffrey B. , Winkler Cheryl A. , Nelson George W. , Illei Gabor , Petri Michelle , Ramsey-Goldman Rosalind , Reveille John D. , Vilá Luis M. , Langefeld Carl D. , Kimberly Robert P. ,   for the PROFILE Study Group
Published: June 2010

Background: African Americans (AA) disproportionately develop lupus nephritis (LN) relative to European Americans and familial clustering supports causative genes. Since MYH9 underlies approximately 40% of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in AA, we tested for genetic association with LN. Methods: Seven MYH9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the E1 risk haplotype were tested for association with LN in three cohorts of AA. Results: A preliminary analysis revealed that the MYH9 E1 risk haplotype was associated with ESRD in 25 cases with presumed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated ESRD, compared to 735 non-SLE controls (odds ratio 3.1; p = 0.010 recessive). Replication analyses were performed in 583 AA with SLE in the PROFILE cohort (318 with LN; 265 with SLE but without nephropathy) and 60 AA from the NIH (39 with LN; 21 with SLE but without nephropathy). Analysis of the NIH and larger PROFILE cohorts, as well as a combined analysis, did not support this association. Conclusions: These results suggest that AA with ESRD and coincident SLE who were recruited from dialysis clinics more likely have kidney diseases in the MYH9-associated spectrum of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. PROFILE and NIH participants, recruited from rheumatology practices, demonstrate that MYH9 does not contribute substantially to the development of LN in AA.
A Randomized Phase II Study Comparing Two Schedules of the 21-Day Regimen of Gemcitabine and Carboplatin in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Surmont V. , Aerts J.G.J.V. , van Klaveren R.J. , Tournoy K. , Tan K.Y. , Vernhout R.M. , Schmitz P.I.M. , Legrand C. , Hoogsteden H.C. , van Meerbeeck J.P.
Published: June 2010

Purpose: Carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 5 ml/min on day 1 with gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 is a widely used regimen in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia are frequent. The aim of this study is to investigate whether toxicity of gemcitabine/carboplatin could be reduced by administering carboplatin on day 8 instead of day 1 without a decrease in response rate (RR). Methods: Patients received gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1 (arm A) or day 8 (arm B). Drugs were administered over a 21-day cycle. Toxicity and RR were evaluated weekly and every second cycle, respectively. Results: 71 patients were enrolled into the study. We found 79% (95% CI 61–91%) grade 3–4 toxicity (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) in arm A and 50% (95% CI 32–68%) in arm B; 66% grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia in arm A and 26% in arm B. We observed 30% grade 4 hematological toxicity in arm A and 3% in arm B. In arm A an overall RR of 20% (95% CI 7.7–38.6%) was seen, and 18.2% (95% CI 7–35.5%) in arm B. Conclusions: Although the study was prematurely closed, the current data are of interest. The schedule with carboplatin on day 8 is associated with substantially lower grade 3–4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia with comparable dose intensity and RR.
Long-Term Efficiency and Toxicity of Adjuvant Dose-Dense Sequential Adriamycin-Paclitaxel-Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapy in High-Risk Breast Cancer
Authors: Kelemen Gyöngyi , Uhercsák Gabriella , Ormándi Katalin , Eller József , Thurzó László , Kahán Zsuzsanna
Published: June 2010

Objectives: To perform a protocol-specified analysis of the dose-dense adriamycin-paclitaxel-cyclophosphamide (ddATC) study. Methods: Survival and late toxicity were analyzed in 55 patients enrolled to receive 4 × adriamycin 60 mg/m2, 4 × paclitaxel 200 mg/m2, 4 × cyclophosphamide 800 mg/m2, every 2 weeks, with cardioxane and filgrastim support. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze relapse-free survival (RFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS). Survival analyses were performed according to the presence of casting-type calcifications on the mammogram. Results: After a median follow-up time of 78.5 (64.3–100.0) months, 29 (52.7%) patients were free of relapse (local, regional, distant or contralateral breast cancer), 34 (61.8%) patients were free of distant metastases, and 36 patients (65.5%) survived. The median times of RFS, DDFS and OS were not yet reached at 100.0 months. The median RFS, DDFS and OS times among breast cancer patients with tumors not associated with casting-type calcifications were >100.0 months, the corresponding parameters among patients with tumors accompanied by casting calcifications were 11.5 (p < 0.001), 11.5 (p < 0.001) and 29.6 months (p = 0.035), respectively. None of the patients developed myelodysplastic syndrome or leukemia. No cardiac failure occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Our results indicate that adjuvant sequential ddATC is an efficient and less toxic chemotherapy regimen in high-risk breast cancer. The presence of casting-type calcifications on the mammogram points to a special biologic nature with very poor prognosis.
Nifedipine Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Dedifferentiation via Downregulation of Akt Signaling
Authors: Kaimoto Taeko , Yasuda Osamu , Ohishi Mitsuru , Mogi Masaki , Takemura Yukihiro , Suhara Toshimitsu , Ogihara Toshio , Fukuo Keisuke , Rakugi Hiromi
Published: June 2010

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule that controls vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction, proliferation, and differentiation. Here, we show that the calcium antagonist nifedipine inhibits VSMC dedifferentiation in vitro and in vivo. Differentiated VSMCs cultured on laminin-coated dishes were transferred to laminin-free dishes to induce dedifferentiation. Induction of dedifferentiation resulted in the upregulation of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain expression, a marker of dedifferentiation, and the downregulation of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain expression, a marker of differentiation. Nifedipine significantly inhibited both the induction of these phenotypic changes and upregulation of Akt signaling in these cells. Administration of nifedipine at a low concentration that did not affect blood pressure could inhibit the increase in nonmuscle myosin heavy chain expression and decrease in smooth muscle myosin heavy chain expression in a rat balloon-injury model. Furthermore, nifedipine suppressed neointimal hyperplasia and upregulation of Akt signaling. However, phospho-Akt expression was not suppressed in the regenerating arterial endothelium of the nifedipine-treated rats. The inhibitory effect of the downregulation of Akt signaling by dominant-negative Akt on the induction of VSMC dedifferentiation in the intima was identical to that of nifedipine. In contrast, upregulation of Akt signaling by transfection of the cells with a constitutively active Akt reversed the nifedipine-induced inhibition of VSMC dedifferentiation. In conclusion, nifedipine inhibits VSMC dedifferentiation by suppressing Akt signaling, thereby preventing neointimal thickening.
Maimonides and the Pre-Maimonidean Jewish Philosophical Tradition According to Hermann Cohen
Authors: Hughes Aaron W.
Published: June 2010

This paper examines Hermann Cohen’s idiosyncratic construction of a medieval Jewish philosophical tradition, focusing primarily, though not exclusively, on his Charakteristik der Ethik Maimunis. This construction, not unlike modern accounts, is filtered through the central place of Maimonides. For Cohen, however, Maimonides’ centrality is defined not by his systematization of Aristotelianism, but by his elevation of ethics over metaphysics. The ethical and pantheistic concerns of Maimonides’ precursors, according to this reading, anticipate his uniqueness. Whereas Shlomo ibn Gabirol’s pantheistic doctrine of emanation, for example, assigned little weight to ethics, Abraham ibn Daud rebelled against such a doctrine. Ibn Daud—much like Bahya ibn Paquda and Abraham ibn Ezra—becomes part of a Jewish philosophical tradition that culminates in Maimonides’ rejection of Aristotelian metaphysics. In particular, this paper examines the way in which Cohen envisaged the pre-Maimonidean philosophical tradition, putting his highly critical reading of Shlomo ibn Gabirol and his pantheistic obsession with prime matter in counterpoint with his more favorable readings of Abraham ibn Daud and Bahya ibn Paquda.
Hermann Cohen, Maimonides, and the Jewish Virtue of Humility
Authors: Erlewine Robert
Published: June 2010

This paper explores Hermann Cohen’s engagement with, and appropriation of, Maimonides to refute the common assumption that Cohen’s endeavor was to harmonize Judaism with Western culture. Exploring the changes of Cohen’s conception of humility from Ethik des reinen Willens to the Ethics of Maimonides and Religion of Reason out of the Sources of Judaism, this paper highlights the centrality of the collective Jewish mission to bear witness against the dominant order of Western civilization and philosophy in Cohen’s Jewish thought.
Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) Intersensor Calibration Using a Simultaneous Conical Overpass Technique
Authors: Yang Song , Weng Fuzhong , Yan Banghua , Sun Ninghai , Goldberg Mitch
Published: June 2010

A new intersensor calibration scheme is developed for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) to correct its scan-angle-dependent bias, the radar calibration beacon interference on the F-15 satellite, and other intersensor biases. The intersensor bias is characterized by the simultaneous overpass measurements with the F-13 SSM/I as a reference. This sensor data record (SDR) intersensor calibration procedure is routinely running at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is now used for reprocessing all SSM/I environmental data records (EDR), including total precipitable water (TPW) and surface precipitation. Results show that this scheme improves the consistency of the monthly SDR’s time series from different SSM/I sensors. Relative to the matched rain products from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, the bias of SSM/I monthly precipitation is reduced by 12% after intersensor calibration. TPW biases between sensors are reduced by 75% over the global ocean and 20% over the tropical ocean, respectively. The intersensor calibration reduces biases by 20.6%, 15.7%, and 6.5% for oceanic, land, and global precipitation, respectively. The TPW climate trend is 1.59% decade−1 (or 0.34 mm decade−1) for the global ocean and 1.39% decade−1 (or 0.63 mm decade−1) for the tropical ocean, indicating related trends decrease of 38% and 54%, respectively, from the uncalibrated SDRs. Results demonstrate the large impacts of this calibration on the TPW climate trend.
An Innovative Calibration Method for the Inversion of Satellite Observations
Authors: Aires Filipe , Bernardo Frédéric , Brogniez Héléne , Prigent Catherine
Published: June 2010

Retrieval schemes often use two important components: 1) a radiative transfer model (RTM) inside the retrieval procedure or to construct the learning dataset for the training of the statistical retrieval algorithms and 2) a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model to provide a first guess or, again, to construct a learning dataset. This is particularly true in operational centers. As a consequence, any physical retrieval or similar method is limited by inaccuracies in the RTM and NWP models on which it is based. In this paper, a method for partially compensating for these errors as part of the sensor calibration is presented and evaluated. In general, RTM/NWP errors are minimized as best as possible prior to the training of the retrieval method, and then tolerated. The proposed method reduces these unknown and generally nonlinear residual errors by training a separate preprocessing neural network (NN) to produce calibrated radiances from real satellite data that approximate those radiances produced by the “flawed” NWP and RTM models. The final “compensated/flawed” retrieval assures better internal consistency of the retrieval procedure and then produces more accurate results. To the authors’ knowledge, this type of NN model has not been used yet for this purpose. The calibration approach is illustrated here on one particular application: the retrieval of atmospheric water vapor from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) and the Humidity Sounder for Brazil (HSB) measurements for nonprecipitating scenes, over land and ocean. Before being inverted, the real observations are “projected” into the space of the RTM simulation space from which the retrieval is designed. Validation of results is performed with radiosonde measurements and NWP analysis departures. This study shows that the NN calibration of the AMSR-E/HSB observations improves water vapor inversion, over ocean and land, for both clear and cloudy situations. The NN calibration is efficient and very general, being applicable to a large variety of problems. The nonlinearity of the NN allows for the calibration procedure to be state dependent and adaptable to specific cases (e.g., the same correction will not be applied to medium-range measurement and to extreme conditions). Its multivariate nature allows for a full exploitation of the complex correlation structure among the instrument channels, making the calibration of each single channel more robust. The procedure would make it possible to project the satellite observations in a reference observational space defined by radiosonde measurements, RTM simulations, or other instrument observational space.
A New Definition of the Virtual Temperature, Valid for the Atmosphere and the CO2-Rich Air of the Vadose Zone
Authors: Kowalski Andrew S. , Sánchez-Cañete Enrique Pérez
Published: June 2010

In speleological environments, partial pressures of carbon dioxide (CO2) are often large enough to affect overall air density. Excluding this gas when defining the gas constant for air, a new definition is proposed for the virtual temperature Tυ that remains valid for the atmosphere in general but furthermore serves to examine the buoyancy of CO2-rich air in caves and other subterranean airspaces.
Characterization of Momentum Transport Associated with Organized Moist Convection and Gravity Waves
Authors: Lane Todd P. , Moncrieff Mitchell W.
Published: June 2010

Tropical convection is inherently multiscalar, involving complex fields of clouds and various regimes of convective organization ranging from small disorganized cumulus up to large organized convective clusters. In addition to being a crucial component of the atmospheric water cycle and the global heat budget, tropical convection induces vertical fluxes of horizontal momentum. There are two main contributions to the momentum transport. The first resides entirely in the troposphere and is due to ascent, descent, and organized circulations associated with precipitating convective systems. The second resides in the troposphere, stratosphere, and farther aloft and is caused by vertically propagating gravity waves. Both the convective momentum transport and the gravity wave momentum flux must be parameterized in general circulation models; yet in existing parameterizations, these two processes are treated independently. This paper examines the relationship between the convective momentum transport and convectively generated gravity wave momentum flux by utilizing idealized simulations of multiscale tropical convection in different wind shear conditions. The simulations produce convective systems with a variety of regimes of convective organization and therefore different convective momentum transport properties and gravity wave spectra. A number of important connections are identified, including a consistency in the sign of the momentum transports in the lower troposphere and stratosphere that is linked to the generation of gravity waves by tilted convective structures. These results elucidate important relationships between the convective momentum transport and the gravity wave momentum flux that will be useful for interlinking their parameterization in the future.
Effect of Tropical Waves on the Tropical Tropopause Transition Layer Upwelling
Authors: Ryu Jung-Hee , Lee Sukyoung
Published: June 2010

An initial-value problem is employed with a GCM to investigate the role of the convectively driven Rossby and Kelvin waves for tropopause transition layer (TTL) upwelling in the tropics. The convective heating is mimicked with a prescribed heating field, and the Lagrangian upwelling is identified by examining the evolution of passive tracer fields whose initial distribution is identical to the initial heating field. This study shows that an overturning circulation, induced by the tropical Rossby waves, is capable of generating the TTL upwelling. Even when the heating is placed in the eastern Pacific, the TTL upwelling occurs only over the western tropical Pacific, indicating that the background flow plays a crucial role. The results from a Rossby wave source analysis suggest that a key feature of the background flow is the strong absolute vorticity gradient associated with the Asian subtropical jet. In addition, static stability is relatively weak over the western Pacific, suggesting that this may also contribute to the TTL upwelling in that region.

The background flow also modulates the internal Kelvin waves in such a manner that the coldest region in the TTL (resembling the observed “cold trap”) occurs over the western tropical Pacific. As a consequence, the upwelling air, induced by the meridional momentum flux of the Rossby wave, passes through the cold trap generated by the Kelvin wave. Since in reality the background flow is shaped by the convective heating, the climatological western tropical Pacific heating is ultimately responsible for both the TTL upwelling and the cold trap; however, both processes are realized indirectly through its impact on the background flow and the generation of the tropical waves.
Numerical Simulation of Radial Cloud Bands within the Upper-Level Outflow of an Observed Mesoscale Convective System
Authors: Trier S. B. , Sharman R. D. , Fovell R. G. , Frehlich R. G.
Published: June 2010

Turbulence affecting aircraft is frequently reported within bands of cirrus anvil cloud extending radially outward from upstream deep convection in mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). A high-resolution convection permitting model is used to simulate bands of this type observed on 17 June 2005. The timing, location, and orientation of these simulated bands are similar to those in satellite imagery for this case. The 10–20-km horizontal spacing between the bands is also similar to typical spacing found in a recent satellite-based climatology of MCS-induced radial outflow bands.

The simulated bands result from shallow convection in the near-neutral to weakly unstable MCS outer anvil. The weak stratification of the anvil, the ratio of band horizontal wavelength to the depth of the near-neutral anvil layer (5:1 to 10:1), and band orientation approximately parallel to the vertical shear within the same layer are similar to corresponding aspects of horizontal convective rolls in the atmospheric boundary layer, which result from thermal instability. The vertical shear in the MCS outflow is important not only in influencing the orientation of the radial bands but also for its role, through differential temperature advection, in helping to thermodynamically destabilize the environment in which they originate.

High-frequency gravity waves emanating from the parent deep convection are trapped in a layer of strong static stability and vertical wind shear beneath the near-neutral anvil and, consistent with satellite studies, are oriented approximately normal to the developing radial bands. The wave-generated vertical displacements near the anvil base may aid band formation in the layer above.
Seasonal Synchronization of ENSO Events in a Linear Stochastic Model*
Authors: Stein Karl , Schneider Niklas , Timmermann Axel , Jin Fei-Fei
Published: June 2010

A simple model of ENSO is developed to examine the effects of the seasonally varying background state of the equatorial Pacific on the seasonal synchronization of ENSO event peaks. The model is based on the stochastically forced recharge oscillator, extended to include periodic variations of the two main model parameters, which represent ENSO’s growth rate and angular frequency. Idealized experiments show that the seasonal cycle of the growth rate parameter sets the seasonal cycle of ENSO variance; the inclusion of the time dependence of the angular frequency parameter has a negligible effect. Event peaks occur toward the end of the season with the most unstable growth rate.

Realistic values of the parameters are estimated from a linearized upper-ocean heat budget with output from a high-resolution general circulation model hindcast. Analysis of the hindcast output suggests that the damping by the mean flow field dominates the seasonal cycle of ENSO’s growth rate and, thereby, seasonal ENSO variance. The combination of advective, Ekman pumping, and thermocline feedbacks plays a secondary role and acts to enhance the seasonal cycle of the ENSO growth rate.
Can North Atlantic Sea Ice Anomalies Account for Dansgaard–Oeschger Climate Signals?*
Authors: Li Camille , Battisti David S. , Bitz Cecilia M.
Published: June 2010

North Atlantic sea ice anomalies are thought to play an important role in the abrupt Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) cycles of the last glacial period. This model study investigates the impacts of changes in North Atlantic sea ice extent in glacial climates to help provide geographical constraints on their involvement in D–O cycles. Based on a coupled climate model simulation of the Last Glacial Maximum (21 ka), the Nordic seas and western North Atlantic (broadly, south of Greenland) are identified as two plausible regions for large and persistent displacements of the sea ice edge in the glacial North Atlantic. Sea ice retreat scenarios targeting these regions are designed to represent ice cover changes associated with the cold-to-warm (stadial-to-interstadial) transitions of D–O cycles. The atmospheric responses to sea ice retreat in the Nordic seas and in the western North Atlantic are tested individually and together using an atmospheric general circulation model. The Nordic seas ice retreat causes 10°C of winter warming and a 50% increase in snow accumulation at Greenland Summit; concomitant ice retreat in the western North Atlantic has little additional effect. The results suggest that displacements of the winter sea ice edge in the Nordic seas are important for creating the observed climate signals associated with D–O cycles in the Greenland ice cores.
On Cyclonic Tracks over the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Flocas Helena A. , Simmonds Ian , Kouroutzoglou John , Keay Kevin , Hatzaki Maria , Bricolas Vicky , Asimakopoulos Demosthenes
Published: June 2010

In this study, an updated and extended climatology of cyclonic tracks affecting the eastern Mediterranean region is presented, in order to better understand the Mediterranean climate and its changes. This climatology includes intermonthly variations, classification of tracks according to their origin domain, dynamic and kinematic characteristics, and trend analysis. The dataset used is the 1962–2001, 2.5° × 2.5°, 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40). The identification and tracking of the cyclones was performed with the aid of the Melbourne University algorithm. It was verified that considerable intermonthly variations of track density occur in the eastern Mediterranean, consistent with previous studies for the entire Mediterranean, while further interesting new features have been revealed. The classification of the tracks according to their origin domain reveals that the vast majority originate within the examined area itself, mainly in the Cyprus area and the southeastern Aegean Sea, while the tracks that originate elsewhere most frequently enter from the west. Deeper cyclones follow the southwest track originating from the area between Algeria and the Atlas Mountains. A greater size characterizes the westerly tracks (southwest, northwest, and west), while the northwest tracks propagate faster over the study area. A negative trend of the track frequency was found on an annual basis that can be mostly attributed to the winter months, being associated with variations in the baroclinicity. This negative trend is more prominent for the westerly and northeasterly tracks, as well as for those originating in the northern part of the examined area.
Climate of West Antarctica and Influence of Marine Air Intrusions*
Authors: Nicolas Julien P. , Bromwich David H.
Published: June 2010

High-resolution numerical weather forecasts from the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) archive are used to investigate the climate of West Antarctica (WA) during 2006–07. A comparison with observations from West Antarctic automatic weather stations confirms the skill of the model at simulating near-surface variables. AMPS cloud cover is also compared with estimates of monthly cloud fractions over Antarctica derived from spaceborne lidar measurements, revealing close agreement between both datasets. Comparison with 20-yr averages from the Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) dataset demonstrates that the 2006–07 time period as a whole is reflective of the West Antarctic climate from the last two decades. On the 2006–07 annual means computed from AMPS forecasts, the most salient feature is a tongue-shaped pattern of higher cloudiness, accumulation, and 2-m potential temperature stretching over central WA. This feature is caused by repeated intrusions of marine air inland linked to the sustained cyclonic activity in the Ross and western Amundsen Seas. It is further enhanced by the ice sheet’s topography and by the mid–low-tropospheric wind flow on either side of the central ice divide. Low pressures centered over the Ross Sea (as opposed to the Bellingshausen Sea) are found to be most effective in conveying heat and moisture into WA. This study offers a perspective on how recent and projected changes in cyclonic activity in the South Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean may affect the climate and surface mass balance of WA.