bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing a Year-Long, Worksite-Based Incentive Program for Smoking Cessation
Authors: Glasgow Russell E. , Hollis Jack F. , Pettigrew Lee , Foster Lyn , Givi M. John , Morrisette Garth
Published: December 2011

Background.

There have been few reports of the process of implementing ongoing worksite health promotion programs. This article describes the implementation of a year-long smoking cessation program in nine worksites employing a total of approximately 700 smokers.

Methods.

Issues discussed include: forming a partnership with organizations, design of the multicomponent incentive intervention, program promotion, maintaining participation, and the need to modify program components over time.

Results.

The program produced high participation rates (29 % of smokers joined the program) and moderate cessation rates among participants (during the last half of the program, monthly cessation rates averaged 20%). There was marked variability across worksites on both participation and cessation, and qualitative features of organizations associated with outcome are discussed.

Discussion.

The importance of working with employee steering committees to tailor health promotion programs to fit the organization is discussed. The article concludes with recommendations for implementation of similar programs.
Weight Reduction in the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension: A Review of Representative Clinical Trials
Authors: Corrigan Sheila A. , Raczynski James M. , Swencionis Charles , Jennings Stephanie G.
Published: December 2011

Elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and weight reduction is currently advocated as a nonpharmacologic approach for the management of hypertension. Results of clinical trials indicate weight reduction is effective in preventing and treating hypertension. Knowledge of the results of clinical trials is extremely important for health educators since: 1) these findings provide a scientific basis for educating other health professionals about the beneficial effects of dietary approaches to the management of hypertension; 2) discussion of these results with patients may provide a means for altering patients' expectations and achieving im-. proved treatment compliance; and 3) the processes by which clinical trials have achieved their dietary goals can provide health educators with extensive clinical experience upon which to draw in working with nonstudy patients. The content and general results of clinical trial programs are reviewed as well as features associated with health promotion in clinical trial and behavioral weight loss research.
The Relationship between Sociodemographic Characteristics and Recruitment, Retention, and Health Improvements in a Worksite Health Promotion Program
Authors: Brill Patricia A. , Kohl Harold W. , Rogers Todd , Collingwood Thomas R. , Sterling Charles L. , Blair Steven N.
Published: December 2011

Background.

Recruitment, retention, and success in a worksite health promotion program was examined among various demographic groups of employees (n = 11,830) of the Dallas, Texas Independent School District.

Methods.

Enrolled employees (n =3,873) were given a health screen consisting of health habit assessment, measurement of clinical variables, physical fitness testing, and a medical examination.

Results.

Thirty-three percent of employees were successfully recruited into the program. Recruitment rates were virtually identical for men and women (32 % and 33%, respectively), but varied across ethnic, age, and education groups. Blacks, younger employees, and noncollege graduates were less likely to be recruited. Sixtynine percent of the employees were retained in the program, as defined by participation in the second screen, and women were more likely to be retained than men (71 % versus 64%, respectively). Retention rates throughout the 10-week program were higher for whites and Hispanics, and were virtually identical for each age group and education level. Overall, participants in the program showed an improvement in physical fitness and general well-being, lost weight, and smoked less. These changes were relatively consistent across the various demographic groups.

Discussion.

Data suggest demographic characteristics are related to recruitment and retention in a health promotion program.
Demographic and Predictive Correlates of Smokeless Tobacco Use in Elementary School Children
Authors: Lisnerski Donald D. , McClary Cheryl L. , Brown Tracy L. , Martin J. Paul , Jones Douglas R.
Published: December 2011

Background.

To assess the basic demographics and predictive correlates of smokeless tobacco use in school-age children, a stratified random sample of 559 rural and urban first, third, fifth, and seventh graders in western North Carolina was surveyed regarding experimentation with smokeless tobacco.

Methods.

Two versions of a survey were developed: a shorter version administered orally to first graders and a longer version provided to others. Reported percentages across demographic variables were broken down in a 4 × 2 × 2 analysis of variance; correlations were used to assess the relationships among potentially predictive variables.

Results.

Results indicated that 36 percent of male rural first graders had tried smokeless tobacco, increasing to 70 percent by the seventh grade. Overall, rural males were more likely to have tried or be regularly using smokeless tobacco than were urban males or females. Other questions correlating with smokeless tobacco use indicated that it is predicted by three general concerns: a) perceived flavor, b) self-concept and presentation to peers, and c) family influence.

Discussion.

Educational interventions must begin at the kindergarten or first grade levels. Programs for adolescents must provide for alternative ways of receiving perceived social image benefits of smokeless tobacco use. Familial support must be considered in all programming.
A Large-Scale, Short-Term, Media-Based Weight Loss Program
Authors: Jason Leonard A. , Greiner Brenda J. , Naylor Kelly , Johnson Steven P. , Van Egeren Lisa
Published: December 2011

Background.

This article describes the evaluation of a media-based weight loss and nutrition program.

Methods.

Fifteen broadcasts were aired on a Chicago television news program over a three-week period in November of 1986. Some participants (n = 37) received the television program and an accompanying manual, and some (n = 37) received, in addition to the television and media interventions, encouragement to attend self-help groups dealing with obesity.

Results.

Repeated measures analysts of variance tests were performed, and planned comparisons were conducted only if main effects were significant. At posttesting, those participants attending the self-help groups lost an average of more than nine pounds, whereas those provided only the television program and manual had decreased by less than a pound. Those attending the groups had significantly decreased their percent of dietary fat intake, significantly increased aerobic exercise, and had significantly more hopefulness, motivation, and stimulus control.

Discussion.

The findings suggest that short-term mass media programs by themselves were probably not very effective, but when supplemented by a self-help manual and support groups may be able to produce significant short-term weight loss.
Qualitative Methods in Program Evaluation
Authors: Broughton Walter
Published: December 2011

The choice of evaluation methodology is as important as any part of the assessment process. In the past, most selections have been made from among various quantitative strategies and techniques. Recently, program evaluation researchers have begun to discuss some of the limitations of quantitative techniques for addressing some evaluation questions. In response to these limitations — most of which characterize the evaluation of health promotion programs — some have turned to a set of techniques which can complement or, at times, replace quantitative evaluation methods. These methods are collectively called “qualitative” evaluation methods. In this article, we highlight some of the differences between quantitative and qualitative approaches and suggest ways in which both may be used in a given evaluation effort.
The Relation between Aerobic Fitness and Serum Cholesterol Levels in a Large Employed Population
Authors: Tucker Larry A. , Bagwell Marilyn
Published: December 2011

Background.

The purpose of this epidemiologic study was to determine the extent to which aerobic fitness was associated with total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios greater than 5.0 in 10,455 adults. The confounding effects of age, gender, income, body fat, smoking, and alcohol use were also examined.

Methods.

A step test was used to estimate aerobic fitness, and serum cholesterol was measured in a certified lab. Lifestyle information was gathered using written questionnaires, and body fat was assessed using skinfold measurements.

Results.

High fitness levels were associated with low prevalence of elevated total/HDL-C ratios. After controlling for the potential confounders, adults classified as having excellent, very good, good, or fair aerobic fitness levels were .46, .64, .61, and .85 times as likely to have elevated ratios compared to poorly fit adults, respectively. High-level fitness was also related to high HDL-C levels and low total cholesterol levels.

Discussion.

Cause-and-effect conclusions are not warranted; however, poorly fit adults appear to be at increased risk of elevated levels of serum cholesterol.
Effects of Weight Training on the Emotional Well-Being and Body Image of Females: Predictors of Greatest Benefit
Authors: Tucker Larry A. , Maxwell Karen
Published: December 2011

Background.

This study was conducted to determine the extent to which participation in a weight training intervention was associated with changes in the emotional well-being and body image of females compared to non-weight trainers. An ancillary objective was to study the extent to which psychological, physical, and demographic factors accounted for changes in emotional well-being and body image.

Methods.

The experimental group consisted of 60 females, and a comparison group was comprised of 92 females. Experimental subjects participated in a 15-week, two-day-per-week weight training intervention, while subjects in the comparison group did not participate in any weight training activities. Subjects were pre- and posttested on the General Well-Being Schedule and the Body Cathexis Scale. Experimental subjects were also tested in muscular strength and three skinfold measurements.

Results.

With pretest scores controlled, the weight trainers had significantly higher General Well-Being and Body Cathexis posttest scores than the comparison group. Weight trainers also showed significant increases in muscular strength, and significant decreases in skinfold thickness. Four variables predicted 38.8% of the variance of those who improved most in General Well-Being: lower pretest General Well-Being, lower parental income, greater loss of body weight, and lower posttest skinfold. Five variables predicted 61.5% of the variance of those women who improved most in Body Cathexis: lower pretest Body Cathexis, greater body weight at the outset, shorter in height, less involvement in non-weight training exercise, and lower posttest skinfold.

Discussion.

Cause-and-effect conclusions are not warranted given the use of intact groups, and the long-term effect of weight training on the emotional well-being of women was not discernible given the 15-week length of this study.
Demographic Characteristics of Users of Worksite Health Promotion Written Materials
Authors: Golaszewski Thomas , Yen Louis Tze-Ching
Published: December 2011

Background.

Despite a long history of work organizations supplying health-oriented written materials to employees, little was known about the underlying factors contributing to their use. Earlier findings suggested that demographics might play a role in this process. Therefore, this research attempted to define user profiles of four basic written materials commonly found in worksite programs; medical self-care guide, newsletter, health risk appraisal (HRA), and HRA individual report.

Methods.

The results of a post-program questionnaire were collected from 10 work organizations using a commercial health promotion program (N >= 5,167; 29.8%). After defining a user for each piece, chi-square and logistic regression determined proportional differences between users and nonusers by selected demographics.

Results.

After controlling for variable interactions, the most likely user of the medical self-care guide was a non-white, lower educated female over age 40; the newsletter, a female over age 40; the HRA, a higher job rated female, and the HRA report, a female over age 40.

Discussion.

Written materials may have a different use pattern than other program offerings, or different than what might have been suspected intuitively. Other than female gender, most demographic variables either offered insignificant or unexpected contributions to prediction models. These results suggest that written materials may have a wider appeal than previously recognized.
Compliance with Worksite Nonsmoking Policies: Baseline Results from the COMMIT Study of Worksites
Authors: Sorensen Glorian , Glasgow Russell E. , Corbett Kitty , Topor Marie
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

Little is known about compliance with worksite nonsmoking policies. This study provides an examination of the relationship of policy compliance to characteristics of the organization and the manner in which the policy was implemented

Design.

Data came from two separate surveys of 1) representatives of worksites that reported having a nonsmoking policy and 2) employed residents from the same communities whose worksites had nonsmoking policies.

Setting.

This study was conducted as part of the Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation (COMMIT), being conducted in 11 diverse intervention communities.

Subjects.

Data are presented from surveys of 710 worksites (response rate =90%) and 3,143 employed residents (response rate = 80%) of the same communities.

Measures.

Compliance with nonsmoking policies was measured by self-report in both surveys and is compared with worksite and respondent characteristics, type of policy, and methods of policy implementation.

Results.

Compliance with nonsmoking policies was high; 55% of worksites with a policy restricting smoking reported that employees always adhered to the policy. Compliance was highest in worksites with more restrictive policies and where labor-management relations were reported to be good. Compliance also was high where the policy was effectively communicated to workers, as through worksite distribution channels, the absence of cigarette vending machines, and the availability cessation assistance.

Conclusions.

These findings indicate that compliance with worksite nonsmoking policies is generally high, especially in the presence of more stringent policies.
A Critique of Contemporary Community Health Promotion Approaches: Based on a Qualitative Review of Six Programs in Maine
Authors: Goodman Robert M. , Steckler Allan , Hoover Sandra , Schwartz Randy
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

This article reports on a process evaluation of three Planned Approach to Community Health (PATCH) projects and three Community Chronic Disease Prevention Programs (CCDPP) that operated in the State of Maine. PATCH and CCDPP are similar approaches to community health promotion developed and disseminated by the Centers for Disease Control. The evaluators studied how the Planned Approach to Community Health and the Community Chronic Disease Prevention Program models worked as community health strategies across the six field sites.

Research Methods Used.

Qualitative methods were used in a cross-case comparison of the six field sites. In studying each site, the evaluators focused on six stages common to both the Planned Approach to Community Health and the Community Chronic Disease Prevention Program models: Stage 1: conducting a community needs assessment; Stage 2: analyzing needs assessment data; Stage 3: setting priorities for the project based on the data; Stage 4: implementing activities; Stage 5: producing process outcomes; and Stage 6: institutionalizing the project. The analysis focused on how each of the six communities traversed these stages.

Summary of Findings.

Eight recommendations for refining Planned Approach to Community Health and Community Chronic Disease Prevention strategies resulted from the study: 1) do a community capacity assessment prior to initiating a community needs assessment; 2) do not overly rely on Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys; 3) analyze needs assessment data rapidly for community consumption; 4) allow flexibility and community input in determining priority health objectives; 5) provide technical assistance throughout a project, not just in the beginning; 6) fund at least one full-time local coordinator and extensive capacity building; 7) emphasize multiple interventions around one chronic condition at a time; and 8) emphasize program institutionalization.

Conclusions.

Community development approaches like Planned Approach to Community Health and Community Chronic Disease Prevention are promising health promotion strategies. To be optimally effective, however, these strategies need refinement based on systematic study in field settings. Because this study was limited to six sites in Maine, some of these findings may have limited generalizability.
Evaluation of a Community Bicycle Helmet Promotion Campaign: What Works and Why
Authors: Schneider Margaret L. , Ituarte Philip , Stokols Daniel
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

This study identifies effective components of a bicycle helmet promotion campaign, and mechanisms by which these components affect child helmet ownership.

Design.

A random telephone survey identified parents whose children did not own helmets prior to an educational campaign. A follow-up survey was conducted six months later. Regression analysis estimated the effects of four campaign components on child helmet ownership and tested for mediation by cognitive variables.

Setting.

Study participants were residents of a suburban community which undertook a citywide educational campaign to increase child helmet ownership.

Subjects.

Subjects were 210 parents with at least one school-aged child, none of whom owned helmets.

Intervention.

A multicomponent campaign was implemented by a community coalition. In addition, random subsamples of the study participants received direct mail or direct telephone communications.

Results.

Of the eligible respondents identified in the baseline sample, 39% completed the follow-up survey. Regression analysis showed that children whose parents received either helmet advice from a physician or direct telephone communications were 2.6 and 2.2 times more likely, respectively, to own helmets as children whose parents did not experience similar communication. Parental worry mediated the association, but parental beliefs about the effectiveness of helmets did not.

Conclusions.

Future helmet campaigns should use interpersonal strategies to increase parental worry about their children being involved in a bicycle accident. Generalization of these findings is limited by the high socioeconomic status of the study participants, and by the outcome measure, which is helmet ownership, not helmet use.
A Review of the Association between Abdominal Fat Distribution, Health Outcome Measures, and Modifiable Risk Factors
Authors: Emery Eileen M. , Schmid Thomas L. , Kahn Henry S. , Filozof Peter P.
Published: December 2011

Purpose of the Review.

This review of the literature examines the relationship between abdominal fat distribution and specific health outcome measures, modifiable risk factors, the impact of intervention efforts, and the significance of measurement methods.

Search Methods Used.

The research material that was received was found through several on-line data bases, including MEDLINE and CINAHL, an examination of references from selected articles, a manual review of recent relevant journals, and interviews with several physicians and epidemiologists who are experts in this field of inquiry. Forty-three research articles were reviewed for the section on health risk outcomes and abdominal fat distribution. Twenty studies were reviewed in the section on modifiable variables associated with fat distribution. Finally, 10 studies which examined the effect of behavior change on fat distribution were included in this review.

Summary of Important Findings.

Recent research indicates that people whose body fat is deposited more in the central or abdominal area, especially the intra-abdominal area, than it is in the gluteofemoral area are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This risk is independent of but exacerbated by, the degree of obesity. Several nonmodifiable factors such as age, gender, and menopause as well as some modifiable factors such as obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and alcohol intake are positively associated with abdominal fat deposition.

Major Conclusions.

Intervention results indicate that it is possible to decrease abdominal fat with total weight loss or smoking cessation.
Healthful Behaviors: Do They Protect African-American, Urban Preadolescents from Abusable Substance Use?
Authors: Ann D'Elio Mary , Mundt Diane J. , Bush Patricia J. , Iannotti Ronald J.
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

Relationships between positive health behaviors and abusable substance use in preadolescent, urban, African-American schoolchildren were investigated.

Design.

Personal interviews and classroom surveys were used to assess health behavior and abusable substance use cross-sectionally.

Setting.

All respondents resided in the District of Columbia and attended the public school system.

Subjects.

The sample consisted of 303 urban, African-American fourth and fifth graders (151 boys, 152 girls).

Measures.

Classroom surveys assessed drinking, drinking without parental knowledge, smoking, use of other abusable substances, friends' use, self-esteem, and academic performance. Personal interviews assessed children's diet, exercise, overall health behavior, and socioeconomic status.

Results.

Logistic regressions showed that children who engaged in more health behaviors (exercise and proper nutrition) were one-third less likely to have smoked (OR=0.66) or to have drunk alcohol (OR=0.63) than those who engaged in fewer healthful activities. However, when gender, socioeconomic status, self-esteem, academic performance, personal use, and friends' use of other abusable substances were controlled, relationships were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusions.

These findings suggest that although positive health behaviors appear to be inversely related to abusable substance use in urban, African-American préadolescents, the relationship may be spurious.
A Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Program for the San Francisco Bay Area Latino Community: Programa Latino Para Dejar de Fumar
Authors: Pérez-Stable Eliseo J. , Marín Barbara VanOss , Marín Gerardo
Published: December 2011

Background.

Prevalence of cigarette smoking among Latinos compared to whites is higher among men (30.9% versus 27.9%), but lower among women (16.3% versus 23.5%). More acculturated Latina women, however, smoke more. Compared to other smokers, Latinos report consuming about half the average number of cigarettes per day. Up to a quarter of Latino smokers of less than 10 cigarettes per day may be underreporting consumption. The association between smoking and depression has also been found in Latinos.

Program Goals.

The Programa Latino Para Dejar de Fumar (Programa) goals are: 1) to evaluate attitudinal, behavioral, and cultural differences between Latino and white smokers; 2) to integrate these findings into a comprehensive, culturally-appropriate smoking cessation intervention; and 3) to implement the intervention in a defined community in order to decrease cigarette smoking prevalence, increase behaviors that may lead smokers to quit, and promote a nonsmoking environment.

Program Components.

Heightened concern about health effects of smoking the importance of social smoking and the influence of the family on behavior are integrated in the Programa components: 1) the promotion of a full-color, Spanish-language, self-help, smoking cessation guide (Guia), distributed at no charge; 2) an anti-smoking Spanish-language, electronic media campaign; 3) community involvement; 4) quit smoking contests; 5) smoking cessation, individual, telephone consultations (consultas); and 6) collaboration with health care personnel.

Results.

Effectiveness of the Programa is being evaluated by annual, cross-sectional, random digit dialing telephone surveys compared to two baseline surveys. After 19 months of intervention, the proportion who had heard of the Programa increased from 18.5% to 44.0%, and over one third of less acculturated smokers had the Guia. Future directions will emphasize smoking prevention among youth, prevention of relapse among quitters, and depression prevention.
Explicit modeling of organic chemistry and secondary organic aerosol partitioning for Mexico City and its outflow plume
Authors: Lee-Taylor J. , Madronich S. , Aumont B. , Baker A. , Camredon M. , Hodzic A. , Tyndall G. S. , Apel E. , Zaveri R. A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The evolution of organic aerosols (OA) in Mexico City and its outflow is investigated with the nearly explicit gas phase photochemistry model GECKO-A (Generator of Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere), wherein precursor hydrocarbons are oxidized to numerous intermediate species for which vapor pressures are computed and used to determine gas/particle partitioning in a chemical box model. Precursor emissions included observed C3-10 alkanes, alkenes, and light aromatics, as well as larger n-alkanes (up to C25) not directly observed but estimated by scaling to particulate emissions according to their volatility. Conditions were selected for comparison with observations made in March 2006 (MILAGRO). The model successfully reproduces the magnitude and diurnal shape for both primary (POA) and secondary (SOA) organic aerosols, with POA peaking in the early morning at 15–20 μg m−3, and SOA peaking at 10–15 μg m−3 during mid-day. The majority (≥75%) of the model SOA stems from reaction products of the large n-alkanes, used here as surrogates for all emitted hydrocarbons of similar volatility, with the remaining SOA originating mostly from the light aromatics. Simulated OA elemental composition reproduces observed H/C and O/C ratios reasonably well, although modeled ratios develop more slowly than observations suggest. SOA chemical composition is initially dominated by δ-hydroxy ketones and nitrates from the large alkanes, with contributions from peroxy acyl nitrates and, at later times when NOx is lower, organic hydroperoxides. The simulated plume-integrated OA mass continues to increase for several days downwind despite dilution-induced particle evaporation, since oxidation chemistry leading to SOA formation remains strong. In this model, the plume SOA burden several days downwind exceeds that leaving the city by a factor of >3. These results suggest significant regional radiative impacts of SOA.
Simultaneous satellite observations of IO and BrO over Antarctica
Authors: Schönhardt A. , Begoin M. , Richter A. , Wittrock F. , Kaleschke L. , Gómez Martín J. C. , Burrows J. P.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. This article reports on satellite observations of iodine monoxide (IO) and bromine monoxide (BrO). The region of interest is Antarctica in the time between spring and autumn. Both molecules, IO and BrO, are reactive halogen species and strongly influence tropospheric composition. As a result, a better understanding of their spatial distribution and temporal evolution is necessary to assess accurately their role in tropospheric chemistry. Especially in the case of IO, information on its present magnitude, spatial distribution patterns and source regions is still sparse. The present study is based on six years of SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY) data recorded in nadir viewing geometry. Multi-year averages of monthly mean IO columns are presented and compared to the distributions of BrO. Influences of the IO air mass factor and the IO absorption cross section temperature dependence on the absolute vertical columns are discussed. The long-term observations of IO and BrO columns yield new insight into the temporal and spatial variation of IO above the Antarctic region. The occurrence of IO on Antarctic sea ice in late spring (November) is discovered and presented. In addition, the comparison between IO and BrO distributions show many differences, which argues for different mechanisms and individual nature of the release of the two halogen oxide precursors. The state of the ecosystem, in particular the changing condition of the sea ice in late spring, is used to explain the observations of the IO behaviour over Antarctica and the differences between IO and BrO distributions.
Kinetic multi-layer model of gas-particle interactions in aerosols and clouds (KM-GAP): linking condensation, evaporation and chemical reactions of organics, oxidants and water
Authors: Shiraiwa M. , Pfrang C. , Koop T. , Pöschl U.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. We present a novel kinetic multi-layer model for gas-particle interactions in aerosols and clouds (KM-GAP) that treats explicitly all steps of mass transport and chemical reaction of semi-volatile species partitioning between gas phase, particle surface and particle bulk. KM-GAP is based on the PRA model framework (Pöschl-Rudich-Ammann, 2007), and it includes gas phase diffusion, reversible adsorption, surface reactions, bulk diffusion and reaction, as well as condensation, evaporation and heat transfer. The size change of atmospheric particles and the temporal evolution and spatial profile of the concentration of individual chemical species can be modeled along with gas uptake and accommodation coefficients. Depending on the complexity of the investigated system, unlimited numbers of semi-volatile species, chemical reactions, and physical processes can be treated, and the model shall help to bridge gaps in the understanding and quantification of multiphase chemistry and microphysics in atmospheric aerosols and clouds. In this study we demonstrate how KM-GAP can be used to analyze, interpret and design experimental investigations of changes in particle size and chemical composition in response to condensation, evaporation, and chemical reaction. For the condensational growth of water droplets, our kinetic model results provide a direct link between laboratory observations and molecular dynamic simulations, confirming that the accommodation coefficient of water at ~270 K is close to unity. Literature data on the evaporation of dioctyl phthalate as a function of particle size and time can be reproduced, and the model results suggest that changes in the experimental conditions like aerosol particle concentration and chamber geometry may influence the evaporation kinetics and can be optimized for efficient probing of specific physical effects and parameters. With regard to oxidative aging of organic aerosol particles, we illustrate how the formation and evaporation of volatile reaction products like nonanal can cause a decrease in the size of oleic acid particles exposed to ozone.
210Pb-226Ra chronology reveals rapid growth rate of Madrepora oculata and Lophelia pertusa on world's largest cold-water coral reef
Authors: Sabatier P. , Reyss J.-L. , Hall-Spencer J. M. , Colin C. , Frank N. , Tisnérat-Laborde N. , Bordier L. , Douville E.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Here we show the use of the 210Pb-226Ra excess method to determine the growth rate of corals from one of the world's largest known cold-water coral reef, the Røst Reef off Norway. Two large branching framework-forming cold-water coral specimens, one Lophelia pertusa and one Madrepora oculata were collected alive at 350 m water depth from the Røst Reef at ~67° N and ~9° E. Pb and Ra isotopes were measured along the major growth axis of both specimens using low level alpha and gamma spectrometry and the corals trace element compositions were studied using ICP-QMS. Due to the different chemical behaviors of Pb and Ra in the marine environment, 210Pb and 226Ra were not incorporated the same way into the aragonite skeleton of those two cold-water corals. Thus to assess of the growth rates of both specimens we have here taken in consideration the exponential decrease of initially incorporated 210Pb as well as the ingrowth of 210Pb from the decay of 226Ra. Moreover a~post-depositional 210Pb incorporation is found in relation to the Mn-Fe coatings that could not be entirely removed from the oldest parts of the skeletons. The 226Ra activities in both corals were fairly constant, then assuming constant uptake of 210Pb through time the 210Pb-226Ra chronology can be applied to calculate linear growth rate. The 45.5 cm long branch of M. oculata reveals an age of 31 yr and a~linear growth rate of 14.4 ± 1.1 mm yr−1, i.e. 2.6 polyps per year. However, a correction regarding a remaining post-depositional Mn-Fe oxide coating is needed for the base of the specimen. The corrected age tend to confirm the radiocarbon derived basal age of 40 yr (using 14C bomb peak) with a mean growth rate of 2 polyps yr−1. This rate is similar to the one obtained in Aquaria experiments under optimal growth conditions. For the 80 cm-long specimen of L. pertusa a remaining contamination of metal-oxides is observed for the middle and basal part of the coral skeleton, inhibiting similar accurate age and growth rate estimates. However, the youngest branch was free of Mn enrichment and this 15 cm section reveals a growth rate of 8 mm yr−1 (~1 polyp every two to three years). However, the 210Pb growth rate estimate is within the lowermost ranges of previous growth rate estimates and may thus reflect that the coral was not developing at optimal growth conditions. Overall, 210Pb-226Ra dating can be successfully applied to determine the age and growth rate of framework-forming cold-water corals, however, removal of post-depositional Mn-Fe oxide deposits is a prerequisite. If successful, large branching M. oculata and L. pertusa coral skeletons provide unique oceanographic archive for studies of intermediate water environmentals with an up to annual time resolution and spanning over many decades.
Increasing iron concentrations in surface waters – a factor behind brownification?
Authors: Kritzberg E. S. , Ekström S. M.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Browning of inland waters has been noted over large parts of the Northern Hemisphere and is a phenomenon with both ecological and societal consequences. The increase in water color is generally ascribed to increasing amounts of dissolved organic matter of terrestrial origin. However, oftentimes the increase in water color is larger than that of organic matter, implying that changes in the amount of organic matter alone cannot explain the enhanced water color. Water color is known to be affected also by the quality of organic matter and the prevalence of iron. Here we investigated trends in water color, organic matter and iron between 1972 and 2010 in 30 rivers draining into the Swedish cost, and peformed a laboratory iron addition experiment to natural waters, to evaluate the role of iron and organic matter in determining water color. By comparing the effect of iron additions on water color in the experiment, to variation in water color and iron concentration in the monitoring data, we show that iron can explain a significant share of the variation in water color (on average 25%), especially in the rivers in the north of Sweden (up to 74%). Further more, positive trends for iron are seen in 27 of 30 rivers (21–468%) and the increase in iron is larger than that of organic matter, indicating that iron and organic matter concentrations are controlled by similar but not identical processes. We speculate that increasing iron concentrations can be caused by changes in redox conditions, that mean that more anoxic water with high concentrations of soluble FeII are feeding into the surface waters. More studies are needed about why iron is increasing so strongly, since both causes and consequences are partly different from those of increasing organic matter content.
Multi-decadal uptake of carbon dioxide into subtropical mode water of the North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Bates N. R.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Natural climate variability impacts the multi-decadal uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (Cant) into the North Atlantic Ocean subpolar and subtropical gyres. Previous studies have shown that there is significant uptake of CO2 into the subtropical mode water (STMW) that forms south of the Gulf Stream in winter and constitutes the dominant upper-ocean water mass in the subtropical gyre of the North Atlantic Ocean. Observations at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site near Bermuda show an increase in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of +1.51 ± 0.08 μmol kg−1 yr−1 between 1988 and 2011. It is estimated that the sink of CO2 into STMW was 0.985 ± 0.018 Pg C (Pg = 1015 g C) between 1988 and 2011 (~70 % of which is due to uptake of Cant). However, the STMW sink of CO2 was strongly coupled to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) with large uptake of CO2 into STMW during the 1990s (NAO positive phase). In contrast, uptake of CO2 into STMW was much reduced in the 2000s during the NAO neutral/negative phase. Thus, NAO induced variability of the STMW CO2 sink is important when evaluating multi-decadal changes in North Atlantic Ocean CO2 sinks.
Reconstruction of a continuous high-resolution CO2 record over the past 20 million years
Authors: van de Wal R. S. W. , de Boer B. , Lourens L. J. , Köhler P. , Bintanja R.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The gradual cooling of the climate during the Cenozoic has generally been attributed to a decrease in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. The lack of transient climate models and, in particular, the lack of high-resolution proxy records of CO2, beyond the ice-core record prohibit, however, a full understanding of, for example, the inception of the Northern Hemisphere glaciation and mid-Pleistocene transition. Here we elaborate on an inverse modelling technique to reconstruct a continuous CO2 series over the past 20 million year (Myr), by decomposing the global deep-sea benthic δ18O record into a mutually consistent temperature and sea level record, using a set of 1-D models of the major Northern and Southern Hemisphere ice sheets. We subsequently compared the modelled temperature record with ice core and proxy-derived CO2 data to create a continuous CO2 reconstruction over the past 20 Myr. Results show a gradual decline from 450 ppmv around 15 Myr ago to 225 ppmv for mean conditions of the glacial-interglacial cycles of the last 1 Myr, coinciding with a gradual cooling of the global surface temperature of 10 K. Between 13 to 3 Myr ago there is no long-term sea level variation caused by ice-volume changes. We find no evidence of change in the long-term relation between temperature change and CO2, other than the effect following the saturation of the absorption bands for CO2. The reconstructed CO2 record shows that the Northern Hemisphere glaciation starts once the long-term average CO2 concentration drops below 265 ppmv after a period of strong decrease in CO2. Finally, only a small long-term decline of 23 ppmv is found during the mid-Pleistocene transition, constraining theories on this major transition in the climate system. The approach is not accurate enough to revise current ideas about climate sensitivity.
A new glacier inventory for 2009 reveals spatial and temporal variability in glacier response to atmospheric warming in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula, 1988–2009
Authors: Davies B. J. , Carrivick J. L. , Glasser N. F. , Hambrey M. J. , Smellie J. L.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The Northern Antarctic Peninsula has recently exhibited ice-shelf disintegration, glacier recession and acceleration. However, the dynamic response of land-terminating, ice-shelf tributary and tidewater glaciers has not yet been quantified or assessed for variability, and there are sparse published data for glacier classification, morphology, area, length or altitude. This paper firstly uses ASTER images from 2009 and a SPIRIT DEM from 2006 to classify the area, length, altitude, slope, aspect, geomorphology, type and hypsometry of 194 glaciers on Trinity Peninsula, Vega Island and James Ross Island. Secondly, this paper uses LANDSAT-4 and ASTER images from 1988 and 2001 and data from the Antarctic Digital Database (ADD) from 1997 to document glacier change 1988–2009. From 1988–2001, 90 % of glaciers receded, and from 2001–2009, 79 % receded. Glaciers on the western side of Trinity Peninsula retreated relatively little. On the eastern side of Trinity Peninsula, the rate of recession of ice-shelf tributary glaciers has slowed from 12.9 km2 a−1 (1988–2001) to 2.4 km2 a−1 (2001–2009). Tidewater glaciers on the drier, cooler Eastern Trinity Peninsula experienced fastest recession from 1988–2001, with limited frontal retreat after 2001. Land-terminating glaciers on James Ross Island also retreated fastest in the period 1988–2001. Large tidewater glaciers on James Ross Island are now declining in areal extent at rates of up to 0.04 km2 a−1. This east-west difference is largely a result of orographic temperature and precipitation gradients across the Antarctic Peninsula. Strong variability in tidewater glacier recession rates may result from the influence of glacier length, altitude, slope and hypsometry on glacier mass balance. High snowfall means that the glaciers on the Western Peninsula are not currently rapidly receding. Recession rates on the eastern side of Trinity Peninsula are slowing as the floating ice tongues retreat into the fjords and the glaciers reach a new dynamic equilibrium. The rapid glacier recession of tidewater glaciers on James Ross Island is likely to continue because of their low elevations and flat profiles. In contrast, the higher and steeper tidewater glaciers on the Eastern Antarctic Peninsula will attain more stable frontal positions after low-lying ablation areas are removed.
Stable isotope and gas properties of two ice wedges from Cape Mamontov Klyk, Laptev Sea, Northern Siberia
Authors: Boereboom T. , Samyn D. , Meyer H. , Tison J.-L.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. This paper presents and discusses the texture, fabric and gas properties (contents of total gas, O2, N2, CO2, and CH4) of two ice wedges from Cape Mamontov Klyk, Laptev Sea, Northern Siberia. The two ice wedges display contrasting structures: one being of relatively "clean" ice and the other showing clean ice at its centre as well as debris-rich ice on its sides (referred to as ice-sand wedge). A comparison of gas properties, crystal size, fabrics and stable isotope data (δ18O and δD) allows discriminating between three different facies of ice with specific paleoenvironmental signatures, suggesting different climatic conditions and rates of biological activity. More specifically, total gas content and composition reveal variable intensities of meltwater infiltration and show the impact of biological processes with contrasting contributions from anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Stable isotope data are shown to be valid for discussing changes in paleoenvironmental conditions and/or decipher different sources for the snow feeding into the ice wedges with time. Our data also give support to the previous assumption that the composite ice wedge was formed in Pleistocene and the ice wedge in Holocene times. This study sheds more light on the conditions of ice wedge growth under changing environmental conditions.
Putting Up Moscow: The Commissarat of Education in Kirov, 1941–1943
Authors: Holmes Larry E.
Published: December 2011

During World War II, a quarter of million people and many factories, institutions, and government agencies evacuated to the region and city of Kirov (known as Viatka before December 1934) and located 530 miles northeast of Moscow. Their number included the Russian Republic’s Commissariat of Education (Narkompros). Putting Up Moscow focuses on the resistance by local, municipal, and regional organs in Kirov, when confronted with Narkompros’s demands of them. While the commissariat at fi rst received scarce resources, including prime physical facilities, Kirov’s soviet and party organs pushed back, tentatively at fi rst, and more boldly later, in order to limit the strain on the region’s resources and the harm to local interests. In 1943, Narkompros completed its return to Moscow. Its leaders and rank-and-file members were happy to go home. Kirov’s government and many of its citizens were equally happy to see them go.
Studying the Land, Contesting the Land: A Select Historiographic Guide to Modern Bukovina: Volume 2: Notes
Authors: Frunchak Svetlana
Published: December 2011

This guide surveys the historiography of Bukovina, a region adjacent to the slopes of the outer, eastern Carpathians in East Central Europe. This work is intended as an introductory guide to the historical literature on Bukovina, which is voluminous but not easily accessible to readers who are not familiar with Eastern European languages. Another purpose of this guide is to demonstrate how historiography became a tool for political and cultural controversy in a borderland region. The discourse about Bukovina’s past, or rather the multiple controversial interpretations that tend to ignore each other, suggest that ideas of nationalism and territoriality, which have provided the major framework for conceptualizing of Europe’s past and present since the late eighteenth century, continue to dominate historical writings about the region. A (linguistically equipped) student of Bukovina would be looking at a large variety of general studies and an even more striking number of period- and theme-specific studies, published at different times and in various places. The naïve researcher might be surprised to fi nd quite divergent stories about the same region: many historical studies of Bukovina illustrate what might be called the  borderland syndrome of contesting shared land―different ethnic communities produce quite separate historical narratives.
Oculocardiac Reflex in a Dog Caused by a Choroidal Melanoma with Orbital Extension
Authors: Steinmetz Andrea , Ellenberger Kristin , März Imke , Ludewig Eberhard , Oechtering Gerhard
Published: December 2011

A 7 yr old mixed-breed dog was presented with a choroidal melanoma of the left eye that had penetrated the sclera, producing an orbital mass. Bradycardia was detected on auscultation. The bradycardia resolved after exenteration of the orbit and was therefore presumed to be associated with the oculocardiac reflex.
An Analysis of Tourists' Expenditure on Winter Sports Events through the Tobit Censorate Model
Authors: Barquet Andrea , Brida Juan Gabriel , Osti Linda , Schubert Stefan
Published: December 2011

This study analyses the economic impact of the Biathlon World Cup 2009 in Antholz-Anterselva. The survey concentrates on the immediate, direct and short-term additional revenue brought into the region by foreign sports event spectators. The authors first apply an expenditure-based segmentation technique to data collected during the event to separate respondents according to socio-demographic variables. Second, a Tobit analysis is applied to obtain an expenditure model that is useful in explaining the different determinants of trip expenditures by spectators of the event. The results reveal significant socio-demographic differences between the four expenditure groups. For instance, heavy spenders are composed mainly of mature tourists, arriving for the first time in medium-sized groups. Also, the most important factors in total expenditure are income level, the geographical origin of the spectator and the size of the travel group.