bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ‘DELLA ROBBIA BLUE’: A CASE STUDY FOR THE USE OF COBALT PIGMENTS IN CERAMICS DURING THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE*
Authors: ZUCCHIATTI A. , BOUQUILLON A. , KATONA I. , D’ALESSANDRO A.
Published: January 2006

The morphologies and elemental compositions of cobalt blue glazes are studied in 56 dated and undated terracotta sculptures from the Florentine della Robbia school. The data allow tracing of the pigments through correlations amongst elements that are known to be constituents of the cobalt minerals. The supply of such minerals from the Erzgebirge region in Renaissance times is compatible with our data. A substantial change in the materials is marked by the presence of arsenic and bismuth in the glaze, and by reduced amounts of iron and nickel just before 1520. We speculate that this is due to procedures introduced to industrialize the production of the blue pigment. The exploitation of different cobalt minerals in association with different production procedures may explain the variability of compositions that we observe in this unique ensemble.
Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on cold storage of the liver in rats
Authors: Ijichi Hideki , Taketomi Akinobu , Soejima Yuji , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Uchiyama Hideaki , Shimada Mitsuo , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: January 2006

Abstract: Background: The depletion of biochemical energy stores during prolonged cold storage is one of the most critical events of cold ischemia‐reperfusion (CI/R) injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on CI/R injury.

Methods: Livers were harvested from male Wistar rats and stored for 24 h at 4°C in University of Wisconsin solution (Group 1). Others were additionally treated with HBO during the preservation period (Group 2). At the end of the 24 h cold preservation, the concentrations of hepatic enzymes and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the effluent and the hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured. After preservation, the livers were reperfused for 90 min with an oxygenated Krebs–Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. Perfusate samples were obtained serially, and portal flow rates were also recorded.

Results: In group 2, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and LPO into the effluent at the end of preservation were decreased and the depletion of ATP was prevented (P<0.05). After reperfusion, the portal flow was significantly improved in group 2 (P<0.05). The time‐dependent increase of alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) observed in group 1 was suppressed significantly in group 2, and total bile production during 90 min of reperfusion was significantly greater in group 2 (P<0.05). The structure of the livers in group 2 was significantly well maintained, and the liver weight change ratio was significantly greater in group 1 (P<0.05).

Conclusions: HBO treatment during cold storage seems to prevent hepatic ischemic injury and have protective effects against CI/R injury by attenuating the depletion of energy stores.
Predictors of Appropriate Defibrillator Therapy Among Patients with an Implantable Defibrillator That Delivers Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: DESAI ASEEM D. , BURKE MARTIN C. , HONG THOMAS E. , KIM SUSAN , SALEM YASSER , YONG PATRICK G. , KNIGHT BRADLEY P.
Published: January 2006

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of appropriate implantable defibrillator (ICD) therapy among patients with heart failure who are treated with a cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator (CRT‐D).

Methods and Results: Patients enrolled in the Ventak CHF/Contak CD study were treated with a CRT‐D device and were required to have NYHA class II–IV CHF, QRS duration ≥120 msec, and a class I or II indication for an ICD. The study database was retrospectively analyzed during the 6‐month postimplant period to identify predictors of appropriate ICD therapy. Five hundred and one of the 581 patients enrolled in the trial had successful device implantation and were included in this analysis. Patients were mostly male (83%), 66 ± 11 years old, and had coronary artery disease (69%), a mean left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) = 0.22 ± 0.07, and NYHA class II (33%), III (58%), or IV (9%) CHF symptoms. During 6 months of follow‐up, 73 of 501 (14%) patients received an appropriate ICD therapy. Two independent predictors of appropriate therapy were identified: a history of a spontaneous, sustained ventricular arrhythmia (HR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.31–3.20; P = 0.002) and NYHA class IV CHF (HR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.10–2.96; P = 0.019). When patients with NYHA class II were excluded from analysis, a history of a sustained ventricular arrhythmia and the presence of NYHA class IV CHF symptoms remained as independent predictors of appropriate ICD therapy.

Conclusions: In a select population of advanced heart failure patients receiving a CRT‐D, NYHA class IV CHF was a powerful independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapy. Approximately one‐quarter of the patients with NYHA class IV CHF who received a CRT‐D device received an appropriate ICD therapy within 3 months after implant. Additional studies are needed to confirm an association between class IV CHF symptoms and an increased frequency of ICD shocks.
Ventricular Tachycardia Originating from the Epicardium Identified by Intracoronary Mapping Using a PTCA Guidewire
Authors: KUMAGAI KOJI , TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI , YAMAUCHI YASUTERU , AONUMA KAZUTAKA
Published: January 2006

We report a case in which endocardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation guided by unipolar intracoronary mapping using a guidewire was an effective therapy for treating VT originating from an epicardial site of the left ventricle. A 55‐year‐old man with dilated cardiomyopathy was referred for treatment of refractory sustained monomorphic VT. The earliest unipolar electrogram with a near‐perfect pace map was identified at segment #8 of the left anterior descending artery utilizing a guidewire through a microtube catheter during the VT. VT was terminated by an endocardial RF application at an upper midventricular septal site that did not have a good pacemap or the earliest electrogram, and that was the most adjacent anatomical endocardial site to the guidewire tip. No VT was clinically observed during a follow up period of 14 months.
A Randomized Comparison of Permanent Septal Versus Apical Right Ventricular Pacing: Short‐Term Results
Authors: VICTOR FREDERIC , MABO PHILIPPE , MANSOUR HASSAN , PAVIN DOMINIQUE , KABALU GUILLAUME , PLACE CHRISTIAN DE , LECLERCQ CHRISTOPHE , DAUBERT J. CLAUDE
Published: January 2006

Objectives: This study compared chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing at the septum versus apex.

Background: Chronic RV apical pacing may be detrimental to ventricular function. This randomized, pilot study examined whether, compared with apical, permanent septal pacing preserves cardiac function.

Methods: Ablation of the atrioventricular junction for permanent AF, followed by implantation of a DDDR pacemaker connected to two ventricular leads was performed in 28 patients. One lead screwed into the septum and another placed at the apex were connected to the atrial and ventricular port, respectively. Septum or apex was paced by programming AAIR or VVIR modes, respectively. Patients were randomly assigned, 4 months later, to pacing at one site for 3 months, and crossed over to the other for 3 months. New York Heart Association class, QRS width and axis, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), exercise duration, and peak oxygen uptake were measured. Results in patients with LVEF >45% and ≤45% were compared.

Results: Septal pacing was associated with shorter QRS (145 ± 4 msec vs 170 ± 4 msec, P < 0.01) and normal axis (40°± 10° vs −71 ± 4°, P < 0.01). At 3 months, among patients with baseline LVEF ≤45%, LVEF was 42 ± 5% after septal pacing versus 37 ± 4% after apical pacing (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: In contrast to RV apical pacing, chronic RV septal pacing preserved LVEF in patients with baseline LVEF ≤45%.
Vaccination with γ‐IrradiatedNeospora caninumTachyzoites Protects Mice Against Acute Challenge withN. caninum
Authors: RAMAMOORTHY S. , LINDSAY D. S. , SCHURIG G. G. , BOYLE S. M. , DUNCAN R. B. , VEMULAPALLI R. , SRIRANGANATHAN N.
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT.Neospora caninum, an apicomplexan parasite, is a leading cause of bovine abortions worldwide. The efficacy of γ‐irradiatedN. caninumstrain NC‐1 tachyzoites as a vaccine for neosporosis was assessed in C57BL6 mice. A dose of 528 Gy of γ irradiation was sufficient to arrest replication but not host cell penetration by tachyzoites. Female C57BL6 mice were vaccinated with two intraperitoneal inoculations of 1 × 106irradiated tachyzoites at 4‐wk intervals. When stimulated withN. caninumtachyzoite lysates, splenocytes of vaccinated mice, cultured 5 and 10 wk after vaccination, secreted significant (P<0.05) levels of interferon γ, interleukin (IL)‐10, and small amounts of IL‐4. Antibody isotype‐specific ELISA of sera from vaccinated mice exhibited both IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes of antibodies. Vaccinated mice were challenged intraperitoneally with 2 × 107N. caninumtachyzoites. All vaccinated mice remained healthy and showed no obvious signs of neosporosis up to the 25th day post‐challenge when the study was terminated. All unvaccinated control mice died within 1 wk of infection. Gamma‐irradiatedN. caninumtachyzoites can serve as an effective, attenuated vaccine forN. caninum.
Isolation and Characterization of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen from the Dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida
Authors: ZHANG HUAN , HOU YUBO , LIN SENJIE
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a co‐factor of DNA polymerases δ and ɛ, is essential for DNA replication and repair. Understanding the structure and expression characteristics of this gene in dinoflagellates would enable us to gain insights into how the cell cycle in these enigmatic eukaryotes is regulated and whether this gene can be a growth marker of these ecologically important organisms. We analyzed pcna and its encoded protein from Pfiesteria piscicida (Ppi_PCNA). Using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and RNA ligase mediated‐rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RLM‐RACE) methods, Ppi_pcna cDNA was isolated; it contained a coding region for 258 amino acid residues (aa) preceded by various 5′‐ and 3′‐untranslated ends. The deduced protein length was similar to that of typical vertebrate and plant PCNA. PCR using genomic DNA as the template yielded multiple products whose sequences revealed multiple copies of pcna in tandem repeats separated by an unknown sequence. Using real‐time PCR, we estimated 41±7 copies of this gene in each P. piscicida cell. Reverse transcription real‐time PCR indicated a similar pcna mRNA level between the exponential and the stationary growth phases. Western blot analysis revealed a slightly higher PCNA level (<2‐fold) in the exponential than in the stationary growth phases. We conclude that (1) P. piscicida possesses a typical eukaryote PCNA; (2) unlike in other eukaryotes, pcna in P. piscicida occurs in multiple copies arranged in tandem; and (3) regulation of P. piscicida PCNA probably lies in post‐translational modification.
Cell interactions between human gingival fibroblasts and monocytes stimulate the production of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 in gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Domeij Helena , Yucel‐Lindberg Tülay , Modéer Thomas
Published: January 2006

Background:  Matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) plays an important role in inflammatory diseases including periodontitis, which is characterized by tissue destruction and dense infiltration of mononuclear cells.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cell interactions between human gingival fibroblasts and human monocytes on the production of MMP‐1 in a coculture model.

Methods:  The fibroblasts were cultured in either cell‐to‐cell contact with monocytes or in separated cocultures using a microporous membrane to prevent cell‐to‐cell contact. The mRNA expression of MMP‐1 was analyzed using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and the protein levels of MMP‐1 in the cell medium were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:  Coculturing gingival fibroblasts with monocytes in cell‐to‐cell contact increased the mRNA expression of MMP‐1 in both fibroblasts and monocytes. The protein levels of MMP‐1 increased in the culture media of the cocultures and correlated to the number of fibroblasts as well as to the number of monocytes. When fibroblasts were cultured with monocytes in separated cocultures, the mRNA expression and protein level of MMP‐1 increased in the fibroblasts. In addition, treatment of fibroblasts with conditioned medium from monocytes also stimulated the production of MMP‐1 in the fibroblasts. Moreover, the levels of the MMP‐1 inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1), increased in cocultures with cell‐to‐cell contact, but not in fibroblasts of separated cocultures. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone and the tetracycline doxycycline reduced the enhanced level of MMP‐1 in the cocultures with cell‐to‐cell contact.

Conclusion:  The current study demonstrates that monocytes stimulate the production of MMP‐1 in gingival fibroblasts by cell interactions, which may contribute to the maintenance of MMP‐mediated tissue destruction in periodontitis.
The influence of cigarette smoke inhalation and its cessation on the tooth‐supporting alveolar bone: a histometric study in rats
Authors: César‐Neto João Batista , Benatti Bruno Braga , Sallum Enilson Antônio , Casati Márcio Zaffalon , Nociti Francisco Humberto
Published: January 2006

Objective:  It has been previously shown that smoking may enhance periodontal breakdown and impair bone healing around titanium implants. However, there is a lack of information concerning the effect of smoking on the tooth‐supporting alveolar bone. Thus, the aim of this study was to histometrically evaluate the influence of cigarette smoke inhalation and its cessation on tooth‐supporting alveolar bone.

Methods:  Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group 1 – control (n = 15), group 2 – 2 months of cigarette smoke inhalation (n = 13), group 3 – 3 months of cigarette smoke inhalation and 2 months without exposure to cigarette smoke inhalation (n = 16) and group 4 – 5 months of cigarette smoke inhalation (n = 16). Five months after the beginning of cigarette smoke inhalation regime (2 months for group 2), the animals were killed and the mandible was removed and prepared for histological sections. The proportion of mineralized tissue in the furcation area (i.e. a 1000 µm zone under the furcation and between the roots) was obtained.

Results:  Data analysis demonstrated that the animals continuously exposed to cigarette smoke inhalation presented a decreased proportion of mineralized tissue (groups 2 and 4), when compared to control and cessation groups (groups 1 and 3) (p < 0.05). Similar levels of proportion of mineralized tissue were observed in groups 1 and 3, showing a beneficial effect of cigarette smoke inhalation cessation on proportion of mineralized tissue.

Conclusion:  Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that cigarette smoke inhalation may affect the tooth‐supporting bone as early as 2 months after the initial exposure, and that smoke exposure cessation may revert its negative impact on the alveolar bone.
Extrasolar planets, stellar winds and chromospheric hotspots
Authors: McIvor T. , Jardine M. , Holzwarth V.
Published: January 2006

Recent observations have shown what is believed to be planet-induced chromospheric activity on stars with hot Jupiters. We present a model of the magnetic interaction between a planet and a star with a dipolar magnetic field. Reconnection between the fields of the star and planet accelerates electrons along the field lines that connect the star and planet. By determining the locations at which these field lines connect to the stellar surface, we can model the surface pattern of the chromospheric response to the planet–star interaction. We find that the inclination of the rotation axis of the star determines the magnitude of the emission, while a misalignment of the magnetic and rotation axes produces a phase shift between the peak of the observed chromospheric emission and the phase where the planet is directly in front of the star. This phase shift increases as the extent of the stellar corona increases. This model reproduces the cyclic signature of chromospheric enhancement seen in stars with hot Jupiters. It can reproduce the 65° phase lag reported for HD 179949 if the closed corona of the star extends out to the orbital radius of the planet at 8.5R⋆. It cannot, however, reproduce the phase lag of 169° reported for υ And.
Constraints on alternatives to supermassive black holes
Authors: Miller M. Coleman
Published: January 2006

Observations of the centres of galaxies continue to evolve, and it is useful to take a fresh look at the constraints that exist on alternatives to supermassive black holes at their centres. We discuss constraints complementary to those of Maoz and demonstrate that an extremely wide range of other possibilities can be excluded. In particular, we present the new argument that for the velocity dispersions inferred for many galactic nuclei, even binaries made of point masses cannot stave off core collapse because hard binaries are so tight that they merge via emission of gravitational radiation before they can engage in three-body or four-body interactions. We also show that under these conditions core collapse leads inevitably to runaway growth of a central black hole with a significant fraction of the initial mass, regardless of the masses of the individual stars. For clusters of non-interacting low-mass objects (from low-mass stars to elementary particles), the relaxation of stars and compact objects that pass inside the dark region will be accelerated by interactions with the dark mass. If the dark region is instead a self-supported object, such as a fermion ball, then if stellar-mass black holes exist they will collide with the object, settle, and consume it. The net result is that the keyhole through which alternatives to supermassive black holes must pass is substantially smaller and more contrived than it was even a few years ago.
Fluorescent Indolylboronic Acids that are Useful Reporters for the Synthesis of Boronolectins
Authors: Wang Junfeng , Jin Shan , Lin Na , Wang Binghe
Published: January 2006

Lectins are known to regulate a wide variety of biological processes. Therefore, small molecule mimics of lectins have the potential to be used as novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents. In our combinatorial search for lectin mimics, we are in need a large number of boronic acids that change fluorescent properties upon carbohydrate binding. Along this line, a series of indolylboronic acids have been found to show significant fluorescent property changes upon binding with carbohydrates in 0.1 M phosphate buffer at physiological pH. These boronic acids will be very useful for the synthesis of lectin mimics for biological applications.
Discovery of Diphenylmethanepropionic and Dihydrostilbeneacetic Acids as Antagonists of the Integrin αvβ3
Authors: Nagarajan Srinivasan R. , Meyer Jane M. , Miyashiro Julie M. , Engleman V. Wayne , Freeman Sandra K. , Griggs David W. , Klover Jon A. , Nickols G. Alan
Published: January 2006

A peptidomimetic inhibitor of the integrin αvβ3 has been substantially modified to produce several new nonpeptidic antagonists. These inhibitors are simpler to synthesize and belong to new classes of scaffolds. Some of the compounds served as the initial lead for further optimization, which led to the discovery of potent and selective inhibitors of the integrin αvβ3.
Effects of altered nitric oxide availability on rat muscle microvascular oxygenation during contractions
Authors: Ferreira L. F. , Padilla D. J. , Williams J. , Hageman K. S. , Musch T. I. , Poole D. C.
Published: January 2006

Aim:  To explore the role of nitric oxide (NO) in controlling microvascular O2 pressure (Po2mv) at rest and during contractions (1 Hz). We hypothesized that at the onset of contractions sodium nitroprusside (SNP) would raise Po2mv and slow the kinetics of Po2mv change whereas l‐nitro arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) would decrease Po2mv and speed its kinetics.

Methods:  We superfused the spinotrapezius muscle of female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 7, body mass = 298 ± 10 g) with SNP (300 μM) and l‐NAME (1.5 mm) and measured Po2mv (phosphorescence quenching) during contractions.

Results:  SNP decreased mean arterial pressure (92 ± 5 mmHg) below that of control (CON, 124 ± 4 mmHg) and l‐NAME (120 ± 4 mmHg) conditions. SNP did not raise Po2mv at rest but it did elevate the Po2mv‐to‐MAP ratio (50% increase, P < 0.05) and slow the kinetics by lengthening the time‐delay (TD, 14.0 ± 5.0 s) and time constant (τ, 24.0 ± 10.0 s) of the response compared with CON (TD, 8.4 ± 3.3 s; τ, 16.0 ± 4.5 s, P < 0.05 vs. SNP). l‐NAME decreased Po2mv at rest and tended to speed τ (10.1 ± 3.8 s, P =0.1), while TD (8.1 ± 1.0 s) was not significantly different. l‐NAME also caused Po2mv to fall transiently below steady‐state contracting values.

Conclusions:  These results indicate that NO availability can significantly affect Po2mv at rest and during contractions and suggests that Po2mv derangements in ageing and chronic disease conditions may potentially result from impairments in NO availability.
Interaction of Phosphates of the Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates with Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase from Yeast and Bovine Liver
Authors: Horská Květoslava , Votruba Ivan , Holý Antonín
Published: January 2006

The ability of monophosphates of selected acyclic nucleoside phosphonates to serve as substrates for the title NDP kinases was studied. Comparison of the kinetic constants (KM, Vmax, kcat and kcat/KM) estimates indicates that the yeast enzyme catalyzes the phosphorylation of purine and pyrimidine acyclic nucleoside phosphate phosphonates of the 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl] and/or 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] series more efficiently than bovine liver NDP kinase. Yeast enzyme preferentially phosphorylates phosphates of the (phosphono- methoxyalkyl)guanines rather than their adenine counterparts; both enzymes phosphorylate R-enantiomers of the 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] series more efficiently than the corresponding S-enantiomers. Substitution of the aliphatic chain at the position 3 with hydroxymethyl group considerably increases the substrate activity of phosphate of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate. The resulting substrate activity (kcat/KM ratio) of all acyclic nucleoside phosphonate phosphates studied is three to five orders of magnitude lower than that for natural NDPs.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SECONDARY CRATERING TO AGE CONSTRAINTS ON PLANETARY SURFACES
Authors: McEwen Alfred S. , Bierhaus Edward B.
Published: January 2006

Small craters (less than one kilometer diameter) can be primary craters produced by impact of interplanetary debris, or they can be secondary craters produced by fallback of high-velocity ejecta blocks from much larger but infrequent primary impacts. The prevalent assumption over recent decades has been that primaries are most abundant, so most small craters are independent random events and can be used for dating. However, recent results from Europa and Mars support the early theory that distant secondaries globally dominate the number of small lunar craters; this would invalidate part of production functions that have been widely used for age dating. Crater excavation results in higher mean ejection velocities for smaller fragments, resulting in a steeper size-frequency distribution for secondary craters than is produced by the same size-frequency distribution of interplanetary debris. This review also discusses how small craters can sometimes be used to derive meaningful age constraints.
Chronic Antioxidant Supplementation Impairs Coronary Endothelial Function and Myocardial Perfusion in Normal Pigs
Authors: Versari Daniele , Daghini Elena , Rodriguez-Porcel Martin , Sattler Katherine , Galili Offer , Pilarczyk Kevin , Napoli Claudio , Lerman Lilach O. , Lerman Amir
Published: January 2006

Experimental studies have shown the beneficial effects of antioxidant supplementation on endothelial function in the presence of increased endogenous oxidative stress, whereas limited data are available under normal conditions. The present study tested the hypothesis that in normal pigs long-term antioxidants would have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. Normal domestic pigs (V, n=6) were studied 12 weeks after dietary supplementation with vitamin E (100 IU/kg per day) and vitamin C (1 g/day) and compared with normal controls (C, n=7). Myocardial perfusion and permeability index were evaluated by electron beam computed tomography after intravenous adenosine and dobutamine. Coronary endothelial function was evaluated in vitro by organ chamber and coronary tissue studied by immunoblotting and staining. Myocardial perfusion response was lower in V than in C after adenosine (10.1±4.5 versus 53.4±5.2%;
P
<0.01) and dobutamine (V, 78.4±8.1; C, 193.0±39.0%;
P
<0.05). The permeability index increased in V after adenosine (48.8±5.1%) and dobutamine (59.9±13.6%) and did not change in C. Coronary vasodilation to bradykinin and substance P was lower in V than in C. Moreover, in V, coronary nitrotyrosine and superoxide content was significantly higher than in C. The groups had similar total monomer expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, whereas the dimerized form, reflecting coupled enzyme, was lower in V. These findings suggest that long-term experimental antioxidant vitamin supplementation in normal pigs impairs myocardial perfusion and coronary endothelial function via an increased level of oxidative stress in the arterial wall, which may be partly related to the uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and/or the direct prooxidant effect of vitamin radicals.
Electrocardiographic Predictors of Incident Congestive Heart Failure and All-Cause Mortality in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Rautaharju Pentti M. , Kooperberg Charles , Larson Joseph C. , LaCroix Andrea
Published: January 2006

Background—

Information is limited about ECG predictors of the risk of incident congestive heart failure (CHF), particularly in women without overt manifestations of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods and Results—

We evaluated hazard ratios for incident CHF and all-cause mortality using Cox regression in 38 283 participants of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) during a 9-year follow-up. All risk models were adjusted for demographic and available clinical and therapeutic variables (multivariable-adjusted models). A backward selection procedure was used to identify dominant predictors among those that were significant as individual ECG predictors. Eleven ECG variables were significant predictors of incident CHF, with none of them having a significant interaction with baseline CVD status. From 6 dominant ECG predictors, wide QRS/T angle had a nearly 3-fold increased risk in multivariable-adjusted single ECG variable models. Two other repolarization variables, STV
5
depression and high TV
1
amplitude, and 2 QRS-related variables, QRS non-dipolar voltage and myocardial infarction (MI) by ECG, were all associated with &2-fold increase of incident CHF risk. Overall, 11 of the 12 ECG variables were significant predictors of all-cause mortality. Four variables had a significant interaction with CVD status requiring stratification. Three among these 4 were strong, dominant predictors in the CVD group: ECG MI, wide QRS/T angle, and low TV
5
amplitude had risk increase from >2-fold to 3-fold, with considerably lower risks in the CVD-free group.

Conclusions—

Several repolarization variables in postmenopausal women are predictors of the risk of incident CHF and all-cause mortality as important as old ECG MI.
Gender Differences in the Management and Clinical Outcome of Stable Angina
Authors: Daly Caroline , Clemens Felicity , Lopez Sendon Jose L. , Tavazzi Luigi , Boersma Eric , Danchin Nicholas , Delahaye Francois , Gitt Anselm , Julian Desmond , Mulcahy David , Ruzyllo Witold , Thygesen Kristian , Verheugt Freek , Fox Kim M.
Published: January 2006

Background—

We sought to examine the impact of gender on the investigation and subsequent management of stable angina and to assess gender differences in clinical outcome at 1 year.

Methods and Results—

The Euro Heart Survey of Stable Angina enrolled patients with a clinical diagnosis of stable angina on initial assessment by a cardiologist. Baseline clinical details and cardiac investigations planned or performed within a 4-week period of the assessment were recorded, and follow-up data were collected at 1 year. A total of 3779 patients were included in the survey; 42% were female. Women were less likely to undergo an exercise ECG (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.95) and less likely to be referred for coronary angiography (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.72). Antiplatelet and statin therapies were used significantly less in women than in men, both at initial assessment and at 1 year, even in those in whom coronary disease had been confirmed. Women with confirmed coronary disease were less likely to be revascularized than their male counterparts and were twice as likely to suffer death or nonfatal myocardial infarction during the 1-year follow-up period (hazard ratio, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.85), even after multivariable adjustment for age, abnormal ventricular function, severity of coronary disease, and diabetes.

Conclusions—

Significant gender bias has been identified in the use of investigations and evidence-based medical therapy in stable angina. Women were also less likely to be revascularized. The observed bias is of particular concern in light of the adverse prognosis observed among women with stable angina and confirmed coronary disease.
Obesity as Compared With Physical Activity in Predicting Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Women
Authors: Li Tricia Y. , Rana Jamal S. , Manson JoAnn E. , Willett Walter C. , Stampfer Meir J. , Colditz Graham A. , Rexrode Kathryn M. , Hu Frank B.
Published: January 2006

Background—

The comparative importance of physical inactivity and obesity as predictors of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk remains unsettled.

Methods and Results—

We followed 88 393 women, 34 to 59 years of age, in the Nurses’ Health Study from 1980 to 2000. These participants did not have cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline. We documented 2358 incident major CHD events (including nonfatal myocardial infarction and fatal CHD) during 20 years of follow-up, including 889 cases of fatal CHD and 1469 cases of nonfatal myocardial infarction. In a multivariate model adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, overweight and obesity were significantly associated with increased risk of CHD, whereas increasing levels of physical activity were associated with a graded reduction in CHD risk (
P
<0.001). In joint analyses of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity in women who had a healthy weight (BMI, 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m
2
) and were physically active (exercise ≥3.5 h/wk) as the reference group, the relative risks of CHD were 3.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.81 to 4.21) for women who were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m
2
) and sedentary (exercise <1 h/wk), 2.48 (95% CI, 1.84 to 3.34) for women who were active but obese, and 1.48 (95% CI, 1.24 to 1.77) for women who had a healthy weight but were sedentary. In combined analyses of waist-hip ratio and physical activity, both waist-hip ratio and physical activity were significant predictors of CHD, and the highest risk was among women in the lowest category of physical activity and the highest tertile of waist-hip ratio (relative risk=3.03; 95% CI, 1.96 to 4.18). Even a modest weight gain (4 to 10 kg) during adulthood was associated with 27% (95% CI, 12% to 45%) increased risk of CHD compared with women with a stable weight after adjusting for physical activity and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions—

Obesity and physical inactivity independently contribute to the development of CHD in women. These data underscore the importance of both maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity in preventing CHD.
Impact of CAMEX-4 Datasets for Hurricane Forecasts Using a Global Model
Authors: Kamineni Rupa , Krishnamurti T. N. , Pattnaik S. , Browell Edward V. , Ismail Syed , Ferrare Richard A.
Published: January 2006

This study explores the impact on hurricane data assimilation and forecasts from the use of dropsondes and remotely sensed moisture profiles from the airborne Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) system. It is shown here that the use of these additional datasets, more than those from the conventional world weather watch, has a positive impact on hurricane predictions. The forecast tracks and intensity from the experiments show a marked improvement compared to the control experiment in which such datasets were excluded. A study of the moisture budget in these hurricanes showed enhanced evaporation and precipitation over the storm area. This resulted in these datasets making a large impact on the estimate of mass convergence and moisture fluxes, which were much smaller in the control runs. Overall this study points to the importance of high vertical resolution humidity datasets for improved model results. It is noted that the forecast impact from the moisture-profiling datasets for some of the storms is even larger than the impact from the use of dropwindsonde-based winds.
Drop Size Ambiguities in the Retrieval of Precipitation Profiles from Dual-Frequency Radar Measurements
Authors: Haddad Ziad S. , Meagher Jonathan P. , Durden Stephen L. , Smith Eric A. , Im Eastwood
Published: January 2006

The threat of flooding from landfalling tropical cyclones is a function of the local variation in rain rate and rain accumulation. To date, these have been inferred from single-frequency radar reflectivity measurements. However, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission experience has confirmed that one of the main difficulties in retrieving rain profiles using a single-frequency radar is the unknown raindrop size distribution (DSD). A dual-frequency radar such as the one planned for the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core satellite is expected to help sort out at least part of this DSD-induced ambiguity. However, the signature of precipitation at 14 GHz does not differ greatly from its signature at 35 GHz (the GPM radar frequencies). To determine the extent of the vertical variability of the DSD in tropical systems and to quantify the effectiveness of a dual-frequency radar in resolving this ambiguity, several different models of DSD shape are considered and used to estimate the rain-rate and mean-diameter profiles from the measurements made by Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL’s) airborne second generation precipitation radar (PR-2) over Hurricanes Gabrielle and Humberto during the Fourth Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-4) in September 2001. It turns out that the vertical structures of the rain profiles retrieved from the same measurements under different DSD assumptions are similar, but the profiles themselves are quantitatively significantly different.
Mesoscale Aspects of the Downshear Reformation of a Tropical Cyclone
Authors: Molinari John , Dodge Peter , Vollaro David , Corbosiero Kristen L. , Marks Frank
Published: January 2006

The downshear reformation of Tropical Storm Gabrielle (2001) was investigated using radar reflectivity and lightning data that were nearly continuous in time, as well as frequent aircraft reconnaissance flights. Initially the storm was a marginal tropical storm in an environment with strong 850–200-hPa vertical wind shear of 12–13 m s−1 and an approaching upper tropospheric trough. Both the observed outflow and an adiabatic balance model calculation showed that the radial-vertical circulation increased with time as the trough approached. Convection was highly asymmetric, with almost all radar return located in one quadrant left of downshear in the storm. Reconnaissance data show that an intense mesovortex formed downshear of the original center. This vortex was located just south of, rather than within, a strong downshear-left lightning outbreak, consistent with tilting of the horizontal vorticity associated with the vertical wind shear. The downshear mesovortex contained a 972-hPa minimum central pressure, 20 hPa lower than minimum pressure in the original vortex just 3 h earlier. The mesovortex became the new center of the storm, but weakened somewhat prior to landfall. It is argued that dry air carried around the storm from the region of upshear subsidence, as well as the direct effects of the shear, prevented the reformed vortex from continuing to intensify.

Despite the subsequent weakening of the reformed center, it reached land with greater intensity than the original center. It is argued that this intensification process was set into motion by the vertical wind shear in the presence of an environment with upward motion forced by the upper tropospheric trough. In addition, the new center formed much closer to the coast and made landfall much earlier than predicted. Such vertical-shear-induced intensity and track fluctuations are important to understand, especially in storms approaching the coast.
A Numerical Study of Hurricane Erin (2001). Part I: Model Verification and Storm Evolution
Authors: Wu Liguang , Braun Scott A. , Halverson J. , Heymsfield G.
Published: January 2006

The fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5) is used to simulate Hurricane Erin (2001) at high resolution (4-km spacing) from its early development as a tropical depression on 7 September 2001, through a period of rapid intensification into a strong hurricane (8–9 September), and finally into a stage during which it maintains its intensity on 10 September. These three stages of formation, intensification, and maintenance in the simulation are in good agreement with the observed evolution of Erin. The simulation shows that during the formation and early portions of the intensification stages, intensification is favored because the environmental wind shear is weak and the system moves over a warm tongue of water. As Erin intensifies, the wind shear gradually increases with the approach of an upper-level trough and strengthening of a low-level high pressure system. By 10 September, the wind shear peaks and begins to decrease, the storm moves over slightly cooler waters, and the intensification ends. Important structural changes occur at this time as the outer precipitation shifts from the northeastern and eastern sides to the western side of the eye. A secondary wind maximum and an outer eyewall begin to develop as precipitation begins to surround the entire eye.

The simulation is used to investigate the role of vertical wind shear in the changes of the precipitation structure that took place between 9 and 10 September by examining the effects of changes in storm-relative flow and changes in the shear-induced tilt. Qualitative agreement is found between the divergence pattern and advection of vorticity by the relative flow with convergence (divergence) generally associated with asymmetric inflow (outflow) in the eyewall region. The shift in the outer precipitation is consistent with a shift in the low-level relative inflow from the northeastern to the northwestern side of the storm. The changes in the relative flow are associated with changes in the environmental winds as the hurricane moves relative to the upper trough and the low-level high pressure system. Examination of the shear-induced tilt of the vortex shows that the change in the tilt direction is greater than that of the shear direction as the tilt shifts from a northerly orientation to northwesterly. Consistent with theory for adiabatic vortices, the maximum low-level convergence and upper-level divergence (and the maximum upward motion) occurs in the direction of tilt. Consequently, both mechanisms may play roles in the changes in the precipitation pattern.
Potential Vorticity Structure of Simulated Hurricanes
Authors: Hausman Scott A. , Ooyama Katsuyuki V. , Schubert Wayne H.
Published: January 2006

To better understand the processes involved in tropical cyclone development, the authors simulate an axisymmetric tropical-cyclone-like vortex using a two-dimensional model based on nonhydrostatic dynamics, equilibrium thermodynamics, and bulk microphysics. The potential vorticity principle for this nonhydrostatic, moist, precipitating atmosphere is derived. The appropriate generalization of the dry potential vorticity is found to be P = ρ−1 {(−∂υ/∂z) (∂θρ/∂r) + [ f + ∂(rυ)/r∂r] (∂θρ/∂z)}, where ρ is the total density, υ is the azimuthal component of velocity, and θρ is the virtual potential temperature. It is shown that P carries all the essential dynamical information about the balanced wind and mass fields. In the fully developed, quasi-steady-state cyclone, the P field and the θ̇ρ field become locked together, with each field having an outward sloping region of peak values on the inside edge of the eyewall cloud. In this remarkable structure, the P field consists of a narrow, leaning tower in which the value of P can reach several hundred potential vorticity (PV) units.

Sensitivity experiments reveal that the simulated cyclones are sensitive to the effects of ice, primarily through the reduced fall velocity of precipitation above the freezing level rather than through the latent heat of fusion, and to the effects of vertical entropy transport by precipitation.
Structure of Highly Sheared Tropical Storm Chantal during CAMEX-4
Authors: Heymsfield G. M. , Simpson Joanne , Halverson J. , Tian L. , Ritchie E. , Molinari J.
Published: January 2006

Tropical Storm Chantal during August 2001 was a storm that failed to intensify over the few days prior to making landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula. An observational study of Tropical Storm Chantal is presented using a diverse dataset including remote and in situ measurements from the NASA ER-2 and DC-8 and the NOAA WP-3D N42RF aircraft and satellite. The authors discuss the storm structure from the larger-scale environment down to the convective scale. Large vertical shear (850–200-hPa shear magnitude range 8–15 m s−1) plays a very important role in preventing Chantal from intensifying. The storm had a poorly defined vortex that only extended up to 5–6-km altitude, and an adjacent intense convective region that comprised a mesoscale convective system (MCS). The entire low-level circulation center was in the rain-free western side of the storm, about 80 km to the west-southwest of the MCS. The MCS appears to have been primarily the result of intense convergence between large-scale, low-level easterly flow with embedded downdrafts, and the cyclonic vortex flow. The individual cells in the MCS such as cell 2 during the period of the observations were extremely intense, with reflectivity core diameters of 10 km and peak updrafts exceeding 20 m s−1. Associated with this MCS were two broad subsidence (warm) regions, both of which had portions over the vortex. The first layer near 700 hPa was directly above the vortex and covered most of it. The second layer near 500 hPa was along the forward and right flanks of cell 2 and undercut the anvil divergence region above. There was not much resemblance of these subsidence layers to typical upper-level warm cores in hurricanes that are necessary to support strong surface winds and a low central pressure. The observations are compared to previous studies of weakly sheared storms and modeling studies of shear effects and intensification.

The configuration of the convective updrafts, low-level circulation, and lack of vertical coherence between the upper- and lower-level warming regions likely inhibited intensification of Chantal. This configuration is consistent with modeled vortices in sheared environments, which suggest the strongest convection and rain in the downshear left quadrant of the storm, and subsidence in the upshear right quadrant. The vertical shear profile is, however, different from what was assumed in previous modeling in that the winds are strongest in the lowest levels and the deep tropospheric vertical shear is on the order of 10–12 m s−1.
Risk Area Accuracy and Hurricane Evacuation Expectations of Coastal Residents
Authors: Arlikatti Sudha , Lindell Michael K. , Prater Carla S. , Zhang Yang
Published: January 2006

This study examined the accuracy with which Texas coastal residents were able to locate their residences on hurricane risk area maps provided to them. Overall, only 36% of the respondents correctly identified their risk areas and another 28% were off by one risk area. Risk area accuracy shows minimal correlations with respondents’ demographic characteristics but is negatively correlated with the respondent’s previous hurricane exposure and evacuation experience. Ultimately, risk area accuracy appears to have little significance because it is uncorrelated with evacuation expectations. Instead, the latter were related to respondents’ previous hazard experience and expected evacuation context.
Environmental Activism in the Forest Sector
Authors: McFarlane Bonita L. , Hunt Len M.
Published: January 2006

Forest management in North America has been a focus of environmental activism directed at changing forest policy and management practices. To understand the causal influences of activism directed at the forest sector, a mail survey was distributed to residents of Ontario, Canada, in 2001. A structural equation model provided support for a model of environmental activism based on social psychological and social-cultural variables shaping attitudes and influencing behavior. The contextual effect of region of residence produced significant interaction effects. Results provide support for an elaborated model of environmental activism that includes an individual’s characteristics interacting with macro-factors such as the social, economic, and cultural context in which activism occurs.
Household Willingness to Recycle Electronic Waste
Authors: Saphores Jean-Daniel M. , Nixon Hilary , Ogunseitan Oladele A. , Shapiro Andrew A.
Published: January 2006

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become the main contributor of lead to landfills in the United States. Households also store large volumes of e-waste, yet little is known about their willingness to recycle e-waste. This article starts filling this gap based on a 2004 mail survey of California households. Using multivariate models, the authors find that gender, education, convenience, and environmental beliefs but not income or political affiliation are key factors explaining the willingness to drop off e-waste at recycling centers. A comparison of an ordered probit with a semi-nonparametric extended ordered probit model of the survey responses shows that the latter better predicts less frequent answers. The results suggest targeting public education programs about recycling at teenagers or younger adults and making recycling more convenient for older adults; moreover, e-waste drop-off centers should first be created in communities that already offer curbside collection programs for conventional recyclable products.
Chinese Family Research
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: January 2006

The adoption of the open-door policy and economic reforms in China since the late 1970s have placed Chinese families, which have deep roots in traditional Chinese cultural values and Chinese socialist thoughts, under the strong influences of Western cultural values, market economy, and globalization. This article examines the puzzles intrinsic to Chinese family research and the related progress as highlighted by the articles in this special issue. Several issues regarding research paradigms in Chinese family research are identified, including quantitative versus qualitative approach, cross-sectional versus longitudinal study, simple versus complex statistical analyses, local versus comparative research, intuitive versus validated assessment tools, assessment based on single perspective versus multiple perspectives, and indigenous versus imported family concepts and theories. Finally, the question of how Chinese family research may inform public policies is discussed.