bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trauma Quality Improvement in Low and Middle Income Countries of the Asia–Pacific Region: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Stelfox Henry Thomas , Joshipura Manjul , Chadbunchachai Witaya , Ellawala Ranjith N. , O’Reilly Gerard , Nguyen Thai Son , Gruen Russell L.
Published: April 2012

Background

Quality Improvement (QI) programs have been shown to be a valuable tool to strengthen care of severely injured patients, but little is known about them in low and middle income countries (LMIC). We sought to explore opportunities to improve trauma QI activities in LMIC, focusing on the Asia–Pacific region.

Methods

We performed a mixed methods research study using both inductive thematic analysis of a meeting convened at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Melbourne, Australia, November 21–22, 2010 and a pre‐meeting survey to explore experiences with trauma QI activities in LMIC. Purposive sampling was employed to invite participants with demonstrated leadership in trauma care to provide diverse representation of organizations and countries within Asia–Pacific.

Results

A total of 22 experts participated in the meeting and reported that trauma QI activities varied between countries and organizations: morbidity and mortality conferences (56 %), monitoring complications (31 %), preventable death studies (25 %), audit filters (19 %), and statistical methods for analyzing morbidity and mortality (6 %). Participants identified QI gaps to include paucity of reliable/valid injury data, lack of integrated trauma QI activities, absence of standards of care, lack of training in QI methods, and varying cultures of quality and safety. The group highlighted barriers to QI: limited engagement of leaders, organizational diversity, limited resources, heavy clinical workload, and medico‐legal concerns. Participants proposed establishing the Asia–Pacific Trauma Quality Improvement Network (APTQIN) as a tool to facilitate training and dissemination of QI methods, injury data management, development of pilot QI projects, and advocacy for quality trauma care.

Conclusions

Our study provides the first description of trauma QI practices, gaps in existing practices, and barriers to QI in LMIC of the Asia–Pacific region. In this study we identified opportunities for addressing these challenges, and that work will be supported by APTQIN.
Ultrahigh Pressure Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Tocopherols in B100 Biodiesel
Authors: Pauls R. E.
Published: April 2012

A reversed‐phase gradient ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatographic method with a water–acetonitrile mobile phase and UV detection has been developed to rapidly determine the concentration of the major tocopherol components in B100. The described method requires minimal sample preparation and provides short analysis times compatible with the needs of small to mid‐size laboratories involved in B100 analyses. The objectives of this work were twofold. We wished to develop an analytical method both to rapidly screen B100 samples for their tocopherol content and to provide additional information on the source (from the distribution of tocopherols) and the nature of the processing of the B100 (absence of tocopherols would suggest distillation). Information on the tocopherol content of the B100 can be used to assess the inherent antioxidant content of the B100 and the extent to which additional stabilizers are required. The method determines the concentration of alpha, gamma and delta tocopherols and has a chromatographic run time of 4.5 min with minimal sample preparation. Calibration curves were linear over the range of 5–350 μg/mL and had correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999. The short term precision of the method was evaluated, and relative standard deviations were typically 2 % or less. Recovery of spiked tocopherols averaged 97 %.
Depression of mitochondrial metabolism by downregulation of cytoplasmic deacetylase, HDAC6
Authors: Kamemura Kazuo , Ogawa Mitsutaka , Ohkubo Saki , Ohtsuka Yasuhiro , Shitara Yu , Komiya Tohru , Maeda Satoko , Ito Akihiro , Yoshida Minoru
Published: April 2012

Mitochondria perform multiple functions critical to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Here we report that the downregulation of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) causes a reduction in the net activity of mitochondrial enzymes, including respiratory complex II and citrate synthase. HDAC6 deacetylase and ubiquitin‐binding activities were both required for recovery of reduced mitochondrial metabolic activity due to the loss of HDAC6. Hsp90, a substrate of HDAC6, localizes to mitochondria and partly mediates the regulation of mitochondrial metabolic activity by HDAC6. Our finding suggests that HDAC6 regulates mitochondrial metabolism and might serve as a cellular homeostasis surveillance factor.
Perioperative morbidity associated with medically necessary panniculectomy in gynecologic oncology surgery
Authors: Singh Sareena , Laughingwell Raeph , Rosenblum Norman G.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To assess the data and outcomes of combining medically necessary panniculectomy with gynecologic oncology surgery and to discuss the associated perioperative and postoperative complications.

Methods

In a retrospective study of women with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 35 who underwent gynecologic oncology surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, between January 2005 and August 2011, patients were divided into 2 cohorts: those who had surgery with concurrent panniculectomy, and those who had surgery via standard laparotomy. Postoperative complications and lymph node (LN) yield were compared between the groups.

Results

Patient characteristics were comparable in both cohorts, except that the panniculectomy group had a greater BMI. Surgery combined with panniculectomy led to longer operating room times. Wound complications did not differ between the 2 groups. Panniculectomy did not affect LN yield or the development of venous thromboembolism.

Conclusion

The data were reasonably consistent with previous studies. Although wound complications occurred, most were managed conservatively; as a result, overall morbidity was acceptable. Panniculectomy has been previously shown to facilitate lymphadenectomy and increase LN yield; however, the present results did not substantiate this conclusion. More research is required to determine which patients are optimal candidates for combined procedures.
Intravenous infusion of paracetamol versus intravenous pethidine as an intrapartum analgesic in the first stage of labor
Authors: Elbohoty Ahmed E.H. , Abd‐Elrazek Hiam , Abd‐El‐Gawad Magdi , Salama Fikria , El‐Shorbagy Mahmoud , Abd‐El‐Maeboud Karim H.I.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of an intravenous infusion of 1000 mg of paracetamol as compared with an intravenous injection of 50 mg of pethidine hydrochloride for intrapartum analgesia.

Methods

In a randomized prospective study at Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, between April and August 2010, 102 low‐risk primiparous women in active labor were allocated to received either paracetamol (n = 52) or pethidine hydrochloride (n = 50). The primary outcome was the efficacy of the drug to supply adequate analgesia as measured by a change in the visual analog scale (VAS) pain intensity score at various times after drug administration. The secondary outcomes included the need for additional rescue analgesia and the presence of adverse maternal or fetal events.

Results

As recorded by the VAS score, there was significant pain reduction at 15 minutes, and at 1 and 2 hours in both groups (P < 0.001). The reduction in pain was significantly greater in the pethidine group only at 15 minutes (P = 0.004). None of the women in the paracetamol group had adverse effects, as compared with 64% of the women receiving pethidine.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of intravenous paracetamol was comparable to that of intravenous pethidine, but paracetamol had fewer maternal adverse effects.
Commentary on “Mediation analysis and categorical variables: The final frontier” by Dawn Iacobucci
Authors: MacKinnon David P. , Cox Matthew G.
Published: April 2012

The commentary discusses several topics in Dr. Iacobucci's article on mediation analysis with categorical variables including the lack of equivalency of mediated effect measures, ab, and c–c′, that are algebraically equivalent in ordinary least squares regression models. The commentary raises the issue of correlated mediation coefficients and presents formulas to include the correlation in the test of significance. References to new developments in causal mediation analysis for categorical variables are given and the importance of programs of research to establish a mediation theory is emphasized.
Normal nasal patency: problems in obtaining standard reference values for the surgeon
Authors: Moore M , Eccles R
Published: April 2012

This review examines why there is no normal range of nasal patency available to the surgeon when assessing nasal obstruction, and discusses the factors that influence nasal patency. Current normal ranges are examined and criticised because of the variability of normal values and the poor sampling methods used. Instability of physiological nasal patency is related to factors such as the nasal cycle and the nose's direct exposure to the external environment. Decongestion of the nose is proposed as a way of stabilising anatomical nasal patency, and measurements of patency in this state may be more useful to the surgeon. Population studies are needed to establish a normal range, but these studies must control for factors such as age, height, sex, and nasal shape and size related to climatic adaptation. Rather than classify populations according to unscientific categories such as race, anthropometric measures such as the nasal index are proposed.
Branchial cleft anomalies: accuracy of pre-operative diagnosis, clinical presentation and management
Authors: Guldfred L-A , Philipsen B B , Siim C
Published: April 2012

Objective:

To examine the accuracy of the pre-operative diagnosis of branchial cleft anomalies, and also to describe their occurrence, clinical presentation and management.

Methods:

Retrospective review of the records of patients diagnosed with a branchial cleft anomaly between 1997 and 2006.

Results:

One hundred and twenty-six patients were included. Pre-operative diagnosis had a positive predictive value of 0.856 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.771–0.918) and a sensitivity of 0.944 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.869–0.979). These patients' demographic data, investigations, findings and management are presented, along with a possible strategy for dealing with solitary cystic masses in the neck.

Conclusion:

As pre-operative diagnosis has a positive predictive value of 86 per cent, cystic lesions in the neck should be presumed to be carcinomatous until proven otherwise. Branchial fistulae and sinuses seem to be a disease of childhood, while branchial cysts occur mainly in adults. Branchial cleft anomalies are equally frequent in men and women, and equally distributed on the left and right side of the neck.
A retrospective case review of isolated sinonasal amyloidosis
Authors: Naidoo Y S , Gupta R , Sacks R
Published: April 2012

Objective:

We report an extremely rare case of isolated primary sinonasal amyloidosis.

Method:

A case report and comprehensive literature review are presented. Common symptoms, signs and treatment options are examined, and used to derive an algorithm with which the practising otolaryngologist can diagnose and manage this condition.

Results:

Only 15 cases of true primary idiopathic amyloid restricted to the sinonasal tract have previously been reported. Isolated sinonasal amyloid presents with common rhinological symptoms which mimic chronic rhinosinusitis, i.e. nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, epistaxis, ‘glue ear’ and post-nasal drip. The lesion itself can appear as a simple inflammatory polyp. In children, the symptoms are easily attributed to enlarged adenoids. Although there is a concern that surgically induced trauma to the paranasal mucosa might incite reactive amyloid deposition, this seems not to be the case, and surgery provides symptomatic relief in the majority of patients.

Conclusion:

This article is the first to report the characteristic features of isolated primary sinonasal amyloidosis. The evidence suggests that meticulous surgery can produce substantial symptomatic improvement in these patients.
Endoscopic resection of skull base tumours utilising the ultrasonic dissector
Authors: Lubbe D E , Fisher-Jeffes N , Semple P
Published: April 2012

Objective:

We report the use and benefits of the ultrasonic dissector in the resection of difficult skull base lesions.

Method:

Five case reports are presented, and the utilisation of ultrasonic dissectors in otorhinolaryngology is reviewed.

Results:

The ultrasonic dissector was found to be a useful tool during the endoscopic resection of poorly accessible skull base tumours. Safe dissection and complete removal of all five lesions were achieved without any vascular injury. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of the ultrasonic dissector for the resection of sinonasal and skull base tumours.

Conclusion:

The ultrasonic dissector was found to be particularly useful during the endoscopic transnasal approach to the petrous apex. During minimally invasive endonasal surgery, benefits include the length of the instrument, speed and precision of dissection, and low risk of vascular injury.
Tracheal resection for thyroid cancer
Authors: Shenoy A M , Burrah R , Rao V , Chavan P , Halkud R , Gowda V B , Ranganath N , Shivakumar T , Prashanth V
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

Thyroid cancers infiltrating the upper aerodigestive tract are not uncommon. The management of these cases can be demanding, with a high level of surgical skill required to achieve adequate primary resection and reconstruction.

Materials and methods:

This study was a single institution series of seven patients, managed over two years, who underwent tracheal resection for advanced thyroid cancer. All patients were older than 45 years (range, 45–65 years) and were predominantly male (six of seven). All patients presented to us with a swelling in the neck. Fine needle aspiration cytology detected thyroid cancer in all patients. None of the patients required a tracheostomy prior to surgery; however, they all had varying levels of airway compromise. One patient had lung metastasis at presentation. In all patients, the airway was successfully secured with fibre-optic assisted intubation prior to surgery. All patients underwent a total thyroidectomy with tracheal resection and anastomosis. Montgomery's suprahyoid release was utilised to achieve adequate laryngeal drop. None of the patients required a tracheostomy in the post-operative period. All patients received adjuvant therapy with either radioiodine ablation and/or radiotherapy.

Conclusion:

Tracheal resection and primary reconstruction is a feasible surgical procedure for patients with thyroid cancer infiltrating the upper aerodigestive tract, with good clinical outcomes. However, the morbidity of the procedure mandates careful case selection, airway management and meticulous surgical technique.
Grey Nomads travelling in Queensland, Australia: social and health needs
Authors: HILLMAN WENDY
Published: April 2012

At any time of the year, and particularly in the colder months of the southern part of the Australian continent, many caravans and mobile homes can be seen on the roads of northern Australia, and Queensland, in particular. Mainly during June, July, August and September, Grey Nomads frequent the northern half of Australia, to escape the colder climate of southern Australia. The term Grey Nomad is applied to the section of the older Australian population who use their retirement years as a time to experience travel once freed from the constraints of work and family commitments. This paper draws on research conducted about the health and social needs of Grey Nomads holidaying in a Central Queensland, Australia, coastal location. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 20 participants. Contingency plans concerning wellness, wellbeing and medical conditions all formed a part of the Grey Nomads’ daily existence while travelling. Many important and lasting friendships and social support networks were formed during the journeying and sojourning phases of the travel. Many of the Grey Nomads interviewed felt the need to keep in contact with home, even though they willingly chose to leave it, and to be ‘away’. Just as the Grey Nomad cohort have concerns and solutions about their health and related issues, so too, they have concerns for social networks and family connectedness while travelling in Australia.
CONSIDER CONTEXT AND STAKEHOLDERS
Authors: Sampietro-Colom Laura
Published: April 2012

Health technology assessment (HTA) is now 35 years old (1). During this time, the science and use of HTA has evolved enormously, adapting to changing healthcare and policy environments. Today, the HTA community has strong methods and procedures to produce HTA (5–7;10), and its results are increasingly used worldwide for decision making. It seems therefore that the time has arrived to set up best practices and to benchmark HTA processes and organizations. The work initiated by Drummond et al. is highly valued, because it opens a new area of needed work following the HTA community's previous emphasis on methodological and process development.
EXCHANGING VIEWS ON HTA
Authors: Mäkelä Marjukka
Published: April 2012

This issue of the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care (IJTAHC) brings to the readers a lively discussion on the possibility of benchmarking health technology assessment (HTA) organizations. Michael Drummond and colleagues present a paper discussing “the conceptual and methodological challenges associated with benchmarking” (1). They propose a set of criteria for comparing the quality of organizations that produce assessments on health technologies. Aiming at explicit and transparent comparisons, Drummond et al. also highlight the possible problems in their approach, and present their paper as a starting point for discussion.
Effect of leaf-cutting ant nests on plant growth in an oligotrophic Amazon rain forest
Authors: Saha Amartya K. , Carvalho Karine S. , Sternberg Leonel da S. L. , Moutinho Paulo
Published: April 2012

This study examined whether high nutrient concentrations associated with leaf-cutting ant nests influence plant growth and plant water relations in Amazon rain forests. Three nests of Atta cephalotes were selected along with 31 Amaioua guianensis and Protium sp. trees that were grouped into trees near and distant (>10 m) from nests. A 15N leaf-labelling experiment confirmed that trees located near nests accessed nutrients from nests. Trees near nests exhibited higher relative growth rates (based on stem diameter increases) on average compared with trees further away; however this was significant for A. guianensis (near nest 0.224 y−1 and far from nest 0.036 y−1) but not so for Protium sp. (0.146 y−1 and 0.114 y−1 respectively). Water relations were similarly species-specific; for A. guianensis, near-nest individuals showed significantly higher sap flow rates (16 vs. 5 cm h−1), higher predawn/midday water potentials (−0.66 vs. −0.98 MPa) and lower foliar δ13C than trees further away indicating greater water uptake in proximity to the nests while the Protium sp. showed no significant difference except for carbon isotopes. This study thus shows that plant response to high nutrient concentrations in an oligotrophic ecosystem varies with species. Lower seedling abundance and species richness on nests as compared with further away suggests that while adult plants access subterranean nutrient pools, the nest surfaces themselves do not encourage plant establishment and growth.
Optimal distribution of traffic flows in emergency cases
Authors: MANZO R. , PICCOLI B. , RARITÀ L.
Published: April 2012

The aim of this work is to present a technique for the optimisation of emergency vehicles travel times on assigned paths when critical situations, such as car accidents, occur. Using a fluid-dynamic model for the description of car density evolution, the attention is focused on a decentralised approach reducing to simple junctions with two incoming roads and two outgoing ones (junctions of 2 × 2 type). We assume the redirection of cars at junctions is possible and choose a cost functional that describes the asymptotic average velocity of emergency vehicles. Fixing an incoming road and an outgoing road for the emergency vehicle, we determine the local distribution coefficients that maximise such functional at a single junction. Then we use the local optimal coefficients at each node of the network. The overall traffic evolution is studied via simulations, both for simple junctions or cascade networks, evaluating global performances when optimal parameters on the network are used.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents with Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Case Series
Authors: Krebs Georgina , Turner Cynthia , Heyman Isobel , Mataix-Cols David
Published: April 2012

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is relatively common in adolescents and can have serious negative consequences. However, the treatment of BDD in young people has received virtually no empirical attention to date, and the evidence-base for cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in this population is limited to a small number of single case reports. Aims: This study aimed to investigate treatment outcomes associated with CBT, primarily consisting of exposure and response prevention, in a group of young people with BDD. Method: Six adolescents with a diagnosis of BDD received a course of developmentally appropriate CBT for BDD with parental involvement. BDD and depressive symptoms were evaluated at pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 3- or 6-month follow-up, using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for BDD (BDD-YBOCS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-Youth, respectively. Results: Scores on the BDD-YBOCS indicated a 44% improvement in BDD symptoms at post-treatment and a 57% improvement at follow-up for the group. Considering response as a ≥30% reduction in BDD-YBOCS score, four of the six adolescents were classified as treatment responders. Improvements in depressive symptoms were observed among the treatment responders, but not the non-responders. Conclusions: These findings indicate the potential efficacy of CBT, including exposure and response prevention for adolescents with BDD, and highlight the need for further controlled trials.
Breakfast consumption and CVD risk factors in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study
Authors: Hallström Lena , Labayen Idoia , Ruiz Jonatan R , Patterson Emma , Vereecken Carine A , Breidenassel Christina , Gottrand Frédéric , Huybrechts Inge , Manios Yannis , Mistura Lorenza , Widhalm Kurt , Kondaki Katerina , Moreno Luis A , Sjöström Michael
Published: April 2012

Objective

To examine the association between breakfast consumption and CVD risk factors in European adolescents.

Design

Cross-sectional. Breakfast consumption was assessed by the statement ‘I often skip breakfast’ and categorized into ‘consumer’, ‘occasional consumer’ and ‘skipper’. Blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), TAG, insulin and glucose were measured and BMI, TC:HDL-C, LDL-C:HDL-C and homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated.

Setting

The European Union-funded HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study.

Subjects

European adolescents, aged 12·50–17·49 years, from ten cities within the HELENA study (n2929,n925 with blood sample, 53 % females).

Results

In males, significant differences across breakfast consumption category (‘consumer’, ‘occasional consumer’ and ‘skipper’) were seen for age, BMI, skinfold thickness, waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, TC:HDL-C, LDL-C:HDL-C, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and LDL-C; in females, for cardiorespiratory fitness, skinfold thickness, BMI, insulin and HOMA-IR. In overweight/obese males significant differences were also seen for TC and LDL-C, whereas no differences were observed in non-overweight males or in females regardless of weight status.

Conclusions

Our findings among European adolescents confirm previous data indicating that adolescents who regularly consume breakfast have lower body fat content. The results also show that regular breakfast consumption is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents, and with a healthier cardiovascular profile, especially in males. Eating breakfast regularly may also negate somewhat the effect of excess adiposity on TC and LDL-C, especially in male adolescents.
Maternal dietary patterns and associated nutrient intakes during each trimester of pregnancy
Authors: McGowan Ciara A , McAuliffe Fionnuala M
Published: April 2012

Objective

To determine the main dietary patterns of pregnant women during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy and to examine associated nutrient intakes.

Design

Participants completed a 3 d food diary during each trimester of pregnancy. Thirty-six food groups were created and dietary patterns were derived using k-means cluster analysis.

Setting

National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Subjects

Two hundred and eighty-five healthy pregnant women aged between 20 and 41 years.

Results

Two dietary patterns were identified at each time point. They were labelled ‘Unhealthy’ (n 143, 150 and 155 at trimester 1, 2 and 3, respectively) and ‘Health Conscious’ (n 142, 135 and 130 at trimester 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Women in the ‘Health Conscious’ cluster were significantly older, had lower BMI and were higher educated than those in the ‘Unhealthy’ cluster. Of those in the ‘Unhealthy’ cluster in the first trimester (n 143), 103 (72·0 %) continued in this dietary pattern into trimester 2 and eighty-one (56·6 %) continued into trimester 3. Of those in the ‘Health Conscious’ cluster in trimester 1 (n 142), ninety-five (66·9 %) continued in this dietary pattern into trimester 2 and sixty-nine (48·6 %) continued into trimester 3.

Conclusions

Cluster analysis produced two clearly defined dietary patterns at each stage of pregnancy. Knowledge of maternal dietary patterns is important for the development of pregnancy-specific dietary guidelines. Identifying women with an ‘Unhealthy’ dietary pattern in early pregnancy affords the opportunity for a dietary intervention which may positively impact both maternal and infant health.
Association between commercial and traditional sugar-sweetened beverages and measures of adiposity in Costa Rica
Authors: Rhee Jinnie J , Mattei Josiemer , Campos Hannia
Published: April 2012

Objective

Increasing trends in the consumption of commercial sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) have occurred in parallel with rising levels of obesity in Latin America, but data showing the relationship between these SSB and obesity are limited. The current study examined the association between commercial and traditional SSB and measures of adiposity in Costa Rica.

Design

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in which the exposure, SSB intake, was defined as frequency of daily servings of ‘fresco’ (a traditional home-made beverage), fruit drink (commercially available SSB), soda and fruit juice (made from fruits at home). Multivariate linear regression was used to estimate associations between SSB intake and BMI, waist-to-hip ratio and skinfold thickness.

Setting

Central Valley, Costa Rica.

Subjects

Controls (n 2045) of a case–control study on diet and heart disease in Costa Rica.

Results

Fresco, fruit drink, soda and fruit juice were consumed ≥1 time/d by 47 %, 14 %, 4 % and 14 % of the population, respectively. One serving/d of soda, fruit drink and fresco was associated with 0·89, 0·49 and 0·21 kg/m2 higher BMI, respectively (all P < 0·05). Fruit drink (≥1 serving/d) was associated with higher waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0·004), while soda and fresco were associated with higher skinfold thickness (P = 0·02 and 0·01, respectively). Associations with fruit juice intake were modest and not statistically significant. Other factors associated with higher BMI were higher income and less education, smoking and physical inactivity (all P < 0·05).

Conclusions

Increasing intake of commercially available SSB could be in part responsible for the high prevalence of obesity among Hispanic adults.
Linking institutions to economic performance: the role of macro-structures in micro-explanations
Authors: HÉDOIN CYRIL
Published: April 2012

Economists have been investigating the link between institutions and economic performance for several years. While econometric studies of this link have flourished, they are of limited use in understanding the causal mechanisms making some institutions responsible for economic performance. Several works using game theory and akin to the ‘new institutional economics’ have entertained the goal of developing micro-explanations of the institutions–performance link. Because game theory focuses on individuals’ actions and beliefs, game-theoretic studies of institutions are thought to oppose more ‘structuralist’ explanations that downplay the role of individual agents and put more emphasis on the importance of social (or ‘macro’) structures. This paper demonstrates that this claim is misconceived, as the micro-explanations produced by game-theoretic models must assume already existing macro-structures. Institutions produce downward effects, shaping each agent's action. Moreover, in a game-theoretic framework, macro-structures are constitutive of individual agency since, without them, agents would often be unable to choose. I illustrate this claim with the example of Avner Greif's study of the role of cultural beliefs in the economic organisation of medieval societies.
Controls on dissolved cobalt in surface waters of the Sargasso Sea: Comparisons with iron and aluminum
Authors: Shelley R. U. , Sedwick P. N. , Bibby T. S. , Cabedo‐Sanz P. , Church T. M. , Johnson R. J. , Macey A. I. , Marsay C. M. , Sholkovitz E. R. , Ussher S. J. , Worsfold P. J. , Lohan M. C.
Published: April 2012

Dissolved cobalt (dCo), iron (dFe) and aluminum (dAl) were determined in water column samples along a meridional transect (∼31°N to 24°N) south of Bermuda in June 2008. A general north‐to‐south increase in surface concentrations of dFe (0.3–1.6 nM) and dAl (14–42 nM) was observed, suggesting that aerosol deposition is a significant source of dFe and dAl, whereas no clear trend was observed for near‐surface dCo concentrations. Shipboard aerosol samples indicate fractional solubility values of 8–100% for aerosol Co, which are significantly higher than corresponding estimates of the solubility of aerosol Fe (0.44–45%). Hydrographic observations and analysis of time series rain samples from Bermuda indicate that wet deposition accounts for most (>80%) of the total aeolian flux of Co, and hence a significant proportion of the atmospheric input of dCo to our study region. Our aerosol data imply that the atmospheric input of dCo to the Sargasso Sea is modest, although this flux may be more significant in late summer. The water column dCo profiles reveal a vertical distribution that predominantly reflects ‘nutrient‐type’ behavior, versus scavenged‐type behavior for dAl, and a hybrid of nutrient‐ and scavenged‐type behavior for dFe. Mesoscale eddies also appear to impact on the vertical distribution of dCo. The effects of biological removal of dCo from the upper water column were apparent as pronounced sub‐surface minima (21 ± 4 pM dCo), coincident with maxima in Prochlorococcus abundance. These observations imply that Prochlorococcus plays a major role in removing dCo from the euphotic zone, and that the availability of dCo may regulate Prochlorococcus growth in the Sargasso Sea.
Evaluation of atmospheric boundary layer–surface process relationships in a regional climate model along an East Antarctic traverse
Authors: Rinke Annette , Ma Yongfeng , Bian Lingen , Xin Yufei , Dethloff Klaus , Persson P. Ola G. , Lüpkes Christof , Xiao Cunde
Published: April 2012

Some primary physical relationships related to the surface climate and atmospheric boundary layer were examined over East Antarctica and evaluated in the regional climate model HIRHAM for 2005–2008. For stable conditions, the observation‐derived relationship between wind‐scaled sensible heat flux and air‐surface temperature difference distinctively differs between different surface flux parameterizations. Some of them decrease the heat transfer coefficient CH for strongly stable conditions, while others, such as the Louis scheme, do not. However, HIRHAM's application of the Louis parameterization produces small CH for strongly stable conditions similar to observations and other schemes, likely because a surface roughness much larger than observed is used and the bulk Richardson number differs. For Zhongshan, the observed radiation‐cloud, temperature‐cloud, and temperature‐wind relationships are reproduced in the model, though quantitative differences are evident. An observed longwave warming effect of clouds is larger in the model, while the reduction of downwelling shortwave radiation by clouds is twice as large in the model. The model partially reproduces an observed weak wind regime associated with atmospheric decoupling, but fails to reproduce increasing temperatures with increasing winds. The quantitative differences in the radiation‐cloud relationship suggest that errors in cloud characteristics produce a significant deficiency in downwelling net radiation for clear and cloudy conditions. This deficiency is the likely cause of HIRHAM's strong cold bias in the surface temperature and positive bias in near‐surface stability. The sensible heat flux analyses and a sensitivity test suggest that errors in the sensible heat flux relationship are not the primary cause.
Is geometry more universal than physics in atmospheric boundary layer flow?
Authors: Belušić D. , Mahrt L.
Published: April 2012

We show that the geometry of motions in atmospheric boundary‐layer time series exhibits considerable independence from scale in spite of changing physics. The scale‐independence of structure shapes is shown by using a simple technique to extract basic shapes from the time series for timescales between 3 s and 2 h. A set of predefined basic shapes is chosen subjectively as those that occur most frequently in the time series: sine, step, ramp‐cliff and cliff‐ramp. The frequency of occurrence of shapes changes with the timescale, with a pronounced minimum at scales between 2 and 10 min depending on the stability and the shape function. This is in accordance with the minimum of kinetic energy between turbulence and mesoscales. However, the ratios of occurrences between different shapes are approximately scale‐independent. What shapes are preferred depends only on the variable examined. The physics of different shapes and scales is examined from characteristics of individual shapes. Steep edges of shapes seem to be predominantly related to downward transport of heat and momentum, which weakens with increasing scale. Sine shapes on the other hand seem to be related to turbulent eddies and shear instability at small scales, and to internal gravity waves at larger scales with stable stratification. Therefore, the physics of individual shapes is shown to change with scale, while the geometry seems to remain approximately scale‐independent.
Response of the Atlantic Ocean circulation to Greenland Ice Sheet melting in a strongly‐eddying ocean model
Authors: Weijer W. , Maltrud M. E. , Hecht M. W. , Dijkstra H. A. , Kliphuis M. A.
Published: April 2012

The sensitivity of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) to high‐latitude freshwater input is one of the key uncertainties in the climate system. Considering the importance of the AMOC for global heat transports, and the vulnerability of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) to global warming, assessing this sensitivity is critical for climate change projections. Here we present a unique set of computational experiments to investigate the adjustment of the AMOC to enhanced melt water from the GrIS under present‐day conditions. For the first time, the response in a global, strongly‐eddying ocean model is systematically compared to that of an ocean model typical of IPCC‐class climate models. We find that the overall decline of the AMOC on decadal time scales is quantitatively similar (<10%) in the two configurations. Nonetheless, the transient response is significantly different, as the AMOC decline and reduction in wintertime convection is markedly more gradual and persistent in the strongly‐eddying configuration.
Waldo Smith responds
Authors: Smith Waldo E.
Published: April 2012

It is my feeling that the members, officers, and staff of AGU are fully aware of the important role, both national and international, that AGU has played in the development of geophysics. Many of the foundation stones are found in the early Transactions, especially in the issues of the 30's. I feel that many are also aware of the importance of taking a broad view of the physical processes of the entire earth and recognize the increasing number of relationships between and among the various fields of geophysics. A large percentage of geophysical scientists and technologists are, at least in the earlier years of their careers, concerned with only one or perhaps two specific areas of research, and thus they become known as geodesists, seismologists, meteorologists, geomagneticians, … , and carry those designations, rather than the designation of geophysicist, throughout their lives. As a result the natural tendency is to fragmentize geophysics.
The President's Page: Study of man's impact on the environment
Authors: Newell Homer E.
Published: April 2012

During the October Council Meeting of the American Meteorological Society in Boston, I sat in on a one‐day seminar for science writers and editors at which a report on man's inlpact on the global environment was presented. The report was the result of a Study of Critical Environmental Problems (SCEP) sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and eonducted under the direction of Professor Carroll Wilson this past summer at Williamstown, Massachusetts. Entitled Man's Impact on the Global Environment, the report is published by the MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts (324 pp.; $2.95 paperbound, $10 clothbound).
Thermodynamics and stones
Authors: Bowley Wallace W. , Burghardt Marshall D.
Published: April 2012

In New England each spring most gardeners are faced with clearing their plots of a multitude of varying sized stones. These same plots were cleared of stones during the spring planting of the previous year. Now the reappearance of surface stones is not without merit, for the phenomenon gives rise to some much needed exercise and the stones make walls of lasting practical and aesthetic value. It has also been suggested that the layer of stones that appear each spring upon the surface of tilled fields protects the soil from erosion by heavy spring rains. It is recommended that these surface stones be crushed and returned to the field. This process allows the use of farm machinery, and it still maintains a protective stone shield [Epstein et al., 1966] Even the most indolent observer should eventually begin to inquire as to the fundamental mechanism behind the phenomemon.
Surprising conclusions from Deep Sea Drilling Projects
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

Long ago, the Mediterranean Sea acted like a giant rain pond, alternately filling with water and drying up many times as its access to the Atlantic opened and closed repeatedly. The process ceased five and a half million years ago, but the Mediterranean has continued in a precarious geological balance ever since.

Scientists drew this unexpected conclusion following the Deep Sea Drilling Project's first expedition to the Mediterranean, which ended October 6, 1970. William B.F. Ryan of Columbia University's Lamont‐Doherty Geological Observatory and Kenneth J. Hsu of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology were co‐chief scientists aboard the drilling ship Glomar Challenger on Leg 13 of the DSDP, sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
Three astronauts to experiment with ocean sensors aboard Skylab
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

Astronauts will help scientists at the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office to develop methods of predicting sea states and mass water movements by experimenting with four oceanographic sensors aboard Skylab A, a billion‐dollar, earth‐orbiting laboratory to be launched in late 1972 or early 1973. The astronauts' experiments will eventually lead to the development of functional sensors geared to detect surface phenomena contributing to wave propagation and mass water movements on a global, uninterrupted basis.
Moon's albedo mapped
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

An unusual map, portraying the light‐refleeting characteristics (albedo) of the moon, has just been published by the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior. The albedo map, measuring 34×34 inches, features a spectrum of 20 different colors that depict brightness variations on the lunar surface under full‐moon illumination. The color coding on the map, which is a by‐product of intensive studies of lunar geology during the past decade by USGS astrogeologists on behalf of NASA, will be a useful tool in advancing geologic interpretations.
NAPCA asks for halt to airline fuel dumping
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

The National Air Pollution Control Administration has asked airline officials to stop the dumping of jet fuel into the air after takeoff. This fuel seeps from the engines into holding tanks during stops. Such dumping is likely to increase air pollution problems in neighborhoods around airports.

Citing National Airport in Washington, D.C., John T. Middleton, NAPCA's Commissioner, said castoff jet fuel amounts to an estimated 110 tons a year, and such quantities ‘could have significant effects on the health and welfare of people who live and work near the airport.’
Urban environment pilot studies planned
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey will begin comprehensive environmental and resource demonstration studies of six major urban areas of the United States. Six target areas have been selected from among 34 areas recommended by state organizations for consideration: Connecticut Valley (Hartford); Denver, Colorado; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Seattle, Washington; Tuscon‐Phoenix, Arizona; and the Washington, D.C.‐Baltimore, Maryland, area.
Four universities elected to UCAR membership
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

Harvard University, the University of Illinois, the State University of New York at Albany, and the University of Toronto have been elected to membership in the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, bringing the total number of UCAR member universities to 31.
Watershed monitoring study at Carleton College
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey is sponsoring an intensive, long‐term watershed monitoring study to determine the effect of materials in underground water drainage on the quality of river water. Caryl E. Buchwald, Assistant Professor of geology at Carleton College, will direct the study which will take place on the Carleton campus. He will measure seasonal variations in underground and river water levels and will also measure any differences in content between water from four wells in the Cannon River watershed on campus and water from the river.
United States National Committee”Tenth Meeting: Washington, D.C., October 19”20, 1970
Authors: Anonymous
Published: April 2012

A comprehensive review of Work Group activities and consideration of international arrangements and, particularly, post‐Decade proposals were the dominant items on the agenda at the tenth meeting of the United States National Committee for the International Hydrological Decade (USNC IHD).

The meeting began with a brief discussion of the international aspects of environmental concerns, which includes hydrology, by Donald King, the Science Adviser to the Special Assistant Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs in the Office of Environmental Affairs (OEA). All U.S. IHD international dealings go through the State Department.
Groundwater Recharge Conference Reading, England September 21”24, 1970
Authors: Sniegocki Richard T.
Published: April 2012

An international Conference on Artificial Groundwater Recharge was held at the University of Reading, Whiteknights Park, Reading, Berkshire, England, sponsored by the Water Research Association, Medmenham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire. One hundred sixty‐one delegates, representing 20 countries, registered. Five excellent tours were made available for them, to such installations as: the Hydraulics Research Station and Institute of Hydrology, Weilingford, Berkshire; the Metropolitan Water Board, Ashford Common Works, Sunbury‐on‐Thames; the Water Pollution Research Laboratory, Stevenage; and the Water Research Association, Medmenham, and Water Resources Board, Reading, Berkshire.
Sea Grant Conference University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin October 15”16, 1970
Authors: Robb David C. N.
Published: April 2012

The third annual Sea Grant Conference at the University of Wisconsin brought together decision makers from industry, legislatures, public agencies, the general public, and Sea Grant researchers to promote a useful exchange of ideas about current public policy issues and research and their potential effects on the economic and environmental well‐being of the public.
Call for rehearsal
Authors: Cohen Robert
Published: April 2012

It is my conviction that the quality and timing of the AGU meetings would be much improved if each speaker were to rehearse his talk before colleagues. Such a rehearsal would improve the content, emphasis, and presentation of the talk and would also help to optimize informationtransfer at the meeting. Rehearsal is, in fact, the verbal counterpart of the editorial process.

Authors submitting manuscripts to journals are willing that their drafts undergo editorial scrutiny, so by analogy, authors ought to be willing to rehearse their talks. A step in this direction would be to include a statement in each Call for Papers to the following effect: ‘The submission of an abstract to AGU constitutes a commitment by the author(s) that, in the event of acceptance, the speaker will rehearse the talk before colleagues.’
[Comment on “Mechanical Properties and Processes in the Mantle” by Sykes, Kay and Anderson] Disagreement With Terms
Authors: Tatsch J. H.
Published: April 2012

Attention is invited to the misuse of the word ‘rheology’ by some of your writers. See, for example, ‘Mechanical Properties and Processes in the Mantle,’ by Sykes, Kay, and Anderson, in the December issue of EOS.

The word ‘rheology,’ as defined in Dictionary of Geological Terms, Dolphin, 1962, page 423; and Glossary of Geology and Earth Sciences with Supplement, American Geological Institute, 1962, page 56, means a ‘study of the flowage of materials, particularly plastic flow of solids and flow of non‐Newtonian liquids’ (my italics).
The President's Page: Science for the people
Authors: Spillhaus A. F.
Published: April 2012

In a recent letter sent to the heads of a number of scientific societies, the Director of the National Science Foundation has requested the support of these societies in making the arguments that will ensure maintenance of a broad basic research effort during this period of rapidly shifting priorities. McElroy wrote:

"One problem all of us in science have struggled with over the years is the demonstration by case of the payoff of basic scientific research. Every government science administrator has had the problem, and it is one which is likely to continue, especially since basic research depends so heavily upon public funds."