bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Changepoint Analysis of the Annual Maximum of Daily and Subdaily Precipitation over South Korea
Authors: Kim Chansoo , Suh Myoung-Seok , Hong Ki-Ok
Published: August 2009

Bayesian changepoint analysis is applied to detect a change point in the 30-year (1976–2005) time series of the area-averaged annual maximum precipitation (A3MP) for the six accumulated time periods (1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h) over South Korea. Using noninformative priors, Bayesian model selection is performed by posterior probability through the Bayes factor, and the exact Bayes estimators of the parameters and unknown change point for the selected change model are obtained. To investigate the significance of the mean differences in the six A3MP between before and after the change point, posterior probability and 90% highest posterior density credible intervals are examined. The results show that a single change occurred around 1997 in the A3MP without regard to the accumulated time periods over South Korea. This is strongly consistent with the abrupt increases in the intensity and frequency of heavy precipitation after 1997. The A3MP after the change point (1997) significantly increased more than 15% compared with the A3MP before the change point. The intensification of A3MP resulted in a great increase of the annual total precipitation (about +18%), especially a greater increase of the heavy precipitation amount (+51%) and frequency (+48%) over South Korea.
Impact of Duration Thresholds on Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Counts*
Authors: Landsea Christopher W. , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Bengtsson Lennart , Knutson Thomas R.
Published: August 2009

Records of Atlantic basin tropical cyclones (TCs) since the late nineteenth century indicate a very large upward trend in storm frequency. This increase in documented TCs has been previously interpreted as resulting from anthropogenic climate change. However, improvements in observing and recording practices provide an alternative interpretation for these changes: recent studies suggest that the number of potentially missed TCs is sufficient to explain a large part of the recorded increase in TC counts. This study explores the influence of another factor—TC duration—on observed changes in TC frequency, using a widely used Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT). It is found that the occurrence of short-lived storms (duration of 2 days or less) in the database has increased dramatically, from less than one per year in the late nineteenth–early twentieth century to about five per year since about 2000, while medium- to long-lived storms have increased little, if at all. Thus, the previously documented increase in total TC frequency since the late nineteenth century in the database is primarily due to an increase in very short-lived TCs.

The authors also undertake a sampling study based upon the distribution of ship observations, which provides quantitative estimates of the frequency of missed TCs, focusing just on the moderate to long-lived systems with durations exceeding 2 days in the raw HURDAT. Upon adding the estimated numbers of missed TCs, the time series of moderate to long-lived Atlantic TCs show substantial multidecadal variability, but neither time series exhibits a significant trend since the late nineteenth century, with a nominal decrease in the adjusted time series.

Thus, to understand the source of the century-scale increase in Atlantic TC counts in HURDAT, one must explain the relatively monotonic increase in very short-duration storms since the late nineteenth century. While it is possible that the recorded increase in short-duration TCs represents a real climate signal, the authors consider that it is more plausible that the increase arises primarily from improvements in the quantity and quality of observations, along with enhanced interpretation techniques. These have allowed National Hurricane Center forecasters to better monitor and detect initial TC formation, and thus incorporate increasing numbers of very short-lived systems into the TC database.
Simulations of Global Hurricane Climatology, Interannual Variability, and Response to Global Warming Using a 50-km Resolution GCM
Authors: Zhao Ming , Held Isaac M. , Lin Shian-Jiann , Vecchi Gabriel A.
Published: August 2009

A global atmospheric model with roughly 50-km horizontal grid spacing is used to simulate the interannual variability of tropical cyclones using observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs) as the lower boundary condition. The model’s convective parameterization is based on a closure for shallow convection, with much of the deep convection allowed to occur on resolved scales. Four realizations of the period 1981–2005 are generated. The correlation of yearly Atlantic hurricane counts with observations is greater than 0.8 when the model is averaged over the four realizations, supporting the view that the random part of this annual Atlantic hurricane frequency (the part not predictable given the SSTs) is relatively small (<2 hurricanes per year). Correlations with observations are lower in the east, west, and South Pacific (roughly 0.6, 0.5, and 0.3, respectively) and insignificant in the Indian Ocean. The model trends in Northern Hemisphere basin-wide frequency are consistent with the observed trends in the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) database. The model generates an upward trend of hurricane frequency in the Atlantic and downward trends in the east and west Pacific over this time frame. The model produces a negative trend in the Southern Hemisphere that is larger than that in the IBTrACS.

The same model is used to simulate the response to the SST anomalies generated by coupled models in the World Climate Research Program Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 3 (CMIP3) archive, using the late-twenty-first century in the A1B scenario. Results are presented for SST anomalies computed by averaging over 18 CMIP3 models and from individual realizations from 3 models. A modest reduction of global and Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone frequency is obtained in each case, but the results in individual Northern Hemisphere basins differ among the models. The vertical shear in the Atlantic Main Development Region (MDR) and the difference between the MDR SST and the tropical mean SST are well correlated with the model’s Atlantic storm frequency, both for interannual variability and for the intermodel spread in global warming projections.
A One-Dimensional Cloud Model with Trimodal Convective Outflow
Authors: Folkins Ian
Published: August 2009

The author describes a one-dimensional cloud model designed to investigate the relationships between stratiform downdrafts, congestus outflow, stability, and relative humidity in the tropical lower troposphere. In the tropics, the climatological lapse rate varies with height below the melting level in a way that is inconsistent with the assumptions of either moist pseudoadiabatic or reversible adiabatic ascent. This anomalous variation is referred to as the melting-level stability anomaly (MLSA). It is argued that the MLSA is caused by a transition from static to dynamic downdrafts at the melting level. Above the melting level, evaporation of precipitation cools and moistens the tropical atmosphere but does not generate downdraft parcels with sufficient negative buoyancy to descend between model levels. Below the melting level, the evaporative cooling associated with stratiform precipitation is strong enough to overcome the stability of the atmosphere and generate a convective-scale circulation. The vertical descent within these downdrafts induces a compensatory ascent in the background atmosphere that changes the overall cooling-to-moistening downdraft ratio. The inclusion of this stratiform downdraft circulation brings the modeled lapse rate and relative humidity profiles into simultaneous agreement with observations. The transition from static to dynamic downdrafts is triggered, in the model, by imposed increases in the amount of rain falling outside clouds, in the out-of-cloud rain rate, and in the vertical coherence of the rain shafts. The destabilization of the lower tropical atmosphere triggered by the stratiform circulation affects the development of convective clouds. In particular, the melting-level stability anomaly increases detrainment near the melting level and gives rise to the congestus mode.
Enhanced Seasonal Prediction of European Winter Warming following Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Marshall A. G. , Scaife A. A. , Ineson S.
Published: August 2009

The impact of explosive volcanic eruptions on the atmospheric circulation at high northern latitudes is assessed in two versions of the Met Office Hadley Centre’s atmospheric climate model. The standard version of the model extends to an altitude of around 40 km, while the extended version has enhanced stratospheric resolution and reaches 85-km altitude. Seasonal hindcasts initialized on 1 December produce a strengthening of the winter polar vortex and anomalous warming over northern Europe characteristic of the positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) when forced with volcanic aerosol following the 1963 Mount Agung, 1982 El Chichón, and 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruptions, as is observed. The AO signal in the extended model is of comparable strength to that in the standard model, showing that there is little impact from both increasing the vertical resolution in the stratosphere and extending the model domain to near the mesopause. The presence of this signal in the models, however, is likely due to the persistence of the observed signal from the initial conditions, because a similar set of experiments initiated with the same conditions, but with no volcanic aerosol forcing, exhibits a similar response as the forced runs. This suggests that the model has limited fidelity in capturing the response to volcanic aerosols on its own, consistent with previous studies on the impact of volcanic forcing in long climate simulations, but does support the premise that seasonal winter forecasts are substantially improved with the inclusion of stratospheric information.
The Subpolar Front of the Japan/East Sea. Part II: Inverse Method for Determining the Frontal Vertical Circulation
Authors: Thomas Leif N. , Lee Craig M. , Yoshikawa Yutaka
Published: August 2009

An inverse method for inferring vertical velocities from high-resolution hydrographic/velocity surveys is formulated and applied to observations collected at the subpolar front of the Japan/East Sea (JES) taken during several cold-air outbreaks. The method is distinct from vertical velocity inferences based on the omega equation in that the driving mechanism for the ageostrophic flow is inferred rather than assumed and hence is particularly appropriate for application to wind- or buoyancy-forced upper-ocean currents where friction, mixing, inertial/superinertial motions, or higher-order effects can contribute along with shear/strain of the geostrophic flow to force vertical motions.

The inferred vertical circulation at the subpolar front of the JES has amplitudes 𝒪(100 m day−1) compared to the ∼20 m day−1 vertical velocities predicted by the omega equation. Time-dependent, near-inertial motions driven by the winds and modified by the vertical vorticity of the frontal jet appear to be the primary cause of the strong vertical motions. The strongest vertical motions are associated with submesoscale, 𝒪(5 km), frontal downdrafts that tend to align with the slanted isopycnal surfaces of the front and advect water with low salinity and high chlorophyll fluorescence down the dense side of the front.
Instability of Baroclinic Tidal Flow in a Stratified Fjord
Authors: Liu Zhiyu
Published: August 2009

The Taylor–Goldstein equation is used to investigate the stability of a baroclinic tidal flow observed in a stratified fjord. The flow is analyzed at hourly intervals when turbulent dissipation measurements were made. The critical gradient Richardson number is often close to the Miles–Howard limit of 0.25, but sometimes it is substantially less. Although during 8 of the 24 periods examined the flow is marginally stable, it is either very stable or very unstable in others. For the unstable flow, the e-folding period of the fastest growing disturbances is 83–455 s, about 46% of the buoyancy period at the levels where the fastest growing disturbances have their maximum amplitude. These disturbances to the flows have wavelengths about 20%–72% of the water depth and have mostly a second-mode structure. Simultaneous measurements of the flow and turbulence allow for testing of the hypothesis that the growth rates of the most unstable disturbances are related to the turbulent dissipation rates. Dissipation is found to depend on the growth rates, but only to a power of about 1.2; there is a stronger (power 1.8) dependence on the buoyancy frequency.
Estuarine Overmixing
Authors: Hetland Robert D.
Published: August 2009

H. Stommel and H. G. Farmer derived a theory for the maximal exchange between an estuary and the adjacent shelf sea based on a combination of mass and salt conservation (also known as Knudsen’s relation) and hydraulic control theory at the estuary mouth. This upper limit of exchange flow is termed overmixing, because there is more than enough mixing in the estuary to maintain the density difference and exchange flow at the mouth. This seminal work inspired a number of papers on hydraulic control of baroclinic flow through constrictions. However, none of these papers returned to the idea that the limitations on the exchange imposed by hydraulic control could in turn modify the outflow density at the mouth: that is, that the mass and salt flux at the mouth must obey Knudsen’s relation in a steady state. Numerical simulations of an idealized estuary with artificially enhanced mixing show that the estuary never quite reaches the theoretical overmixing limit, although some of the qualitative features of the overmixing solution are reproduced. In particular, it is possible to locate the point in parameter space where constriction begins to limit the exchange flow. However, the exchange is always submaximal with regard to inviscid, two-layer hydraulic control.
Interannual Variability of the North Pacific Subtropical Countercurrent and Its Associated Mesoscale Eddy Field
Authors: Qiu Bo , Chen Shuiming
Published: August 2009

Interannual changes in the mesoscale eddy field along the Subtropical Countercurrent (STCC) band of 18°–25°N in the western North Pacific Ocean are investigated with 16 yr of satellite altimeter data. Enhanced eddy activities were observed in 1996–98 and 2003–08, whereas the eddy activities were below average in 1993–95 and 1999–2002. Analysis of repeat hydrographic data along 137°E reveals that the vertical shear between the surface eastward-flowing STCC and the subsurface westward-flowing North Equatorial Current (NEC) was larger in the eddy-rich years than in the eddy-weak years. By adopting a 2½-layer reduced-gravity model, it is shown that the increased eddy kinetic energy level in 1996–98 and 2003–08 is because of enhanced baroclinic instability resulting from the larger vertical shear in the STCC–NEC’s background flow. The cause for the STCC–NEC’s interannually varying vertical shear can be sought in the forcing by surface Ekman temperature gradient convergence within the STCC band. Rather than El Niño–Southern Oscillation signals as previously hypothesized, interannual changes in this Ekman forcing field, and hence the STCC–NEC’s vertical shear, are more related to the negative western Pacific index signals.
Joint Calibration of Multiplatform Altimeter Measurements of Wind Speed and Wave Height over the Past 20 Years
Authors: Zieger S. , Vinoth J. , Young I. R.
Published: August 2009

Since 1985, for a period of more than 23 yr, seven altimeter missions have provided global coverage of significant wave height and wind speed. This study undertakes a long-term analysis of the accuracy and stability of altimeter-derived values of significant wave height and wind speed from the following satellites: European Remote Sensing-1 (ERS-1), ERS-2, Environmental Satellite (Envisat), Geosat, Geosat Follow-On (GFO), Jason-1, and the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX). This study is a necessary step in developing a quality-controlled and fully calibrated and validated dataset from the combined satellites. Calibration of all altimeters is performed against National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) buoy data over the extended period. These calibrations are validated using intercomparisons between satellite missions at crossover ground points. This analysis shows that, for a number of the satellites, small “step like” changes occur during the missions. These inconsistencies are removed by subdividing these missions and undertaking a partial calibration for each section of the mission. The analysis also highlights that care is necessary when attempting to apply relationships between radar cross section and wind speed derived for one altimeter to other platforms. Before undertaking such steps, it is first necessary to apply a platform-specific radar cross-sectional offset to the data.
Algorithm for Estimation of the Specific Differential Phase
Authors: Wang Yanting , Chandrasekar V.
Published: August 2009

The specific differential phase Kdp is one of the important parameters measured by dual-polarization radar that is being considered for the upgrade of the current Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) system. Estimation of the specific differential phase requires computing the derivative of range profiles of the differential propagation phase. The existence of possible phase wrapping, noise, and associated fluctuation in the differential propagation phase makes the evaluation of derivatives an unstable numerical process. In this paper, a robust algorithm is presented to estimate the specific differential phase, which is able to work on wrapped phases and keep up with the spatial gradients of rainfall, to provide a high-resolution specific differential phase.
Evaluation of Distributed Collaborative Adaptive Sensing for Detection of Low-Level Circulations and Implications for Severe Weather Warning Operations
Authors: Brotzge J. , Hondl K. , Philips B. , Lemon L. , Bass E. J. , Rude D. , Andra D. L.
Published: August 2009

The Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) is a multiyear engineering research center established by the National Science Foundation for the development of small, inexpensive, low-power radars designed to improve the scanning of the lowest levels (<3 km AGL) of the atmosphere. Instead of sensing autonomously, CASA radars are designed to operate as a network, collectively adapting to the changing needs of end users and the environment; this network approach to scanning is known as distributed collaborative adaptive sensing (DCAS). DCAS optimizes the low-level volume coverage scanning and maximizes the utility of each scanning cycle. A test bed of four prototype CASA radars was deployed in southwestern Oklahoma in 2006 and operated continuously while in DCAS mode from March through June of 2007.

This paper analyzes three convective events observed during April–May 2007, during CASA’s intense operation period (IOP), with a special focus on evaluating the benefits and weaknesses of CASA radar system deployment and DCAS scanning strategy of detecting and tracking low-level circulations. Data collected from nearby Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) and CASA radars are compared for mesoscyclones, misocyclones, and low-level vortices. Initial results indicate that the dense, overlapping coverage at low levels provided by the CASA radars and the high temporal (60 s) resolution provided by DCAS give forecasters more detailed feature continuity and tracking. Moreover, the CASA system is able to resolve a whole class of circulations—misocyclones—far better than the WSR-88Ds. In fact, many of these are probably missed completely by the WSR-88D. The impacts of this increased detail on severe weather warnings are under investigation. Ongoing efforts include enhancing the DCAS data quality and scanning strategy, improving the DCAS data visualization, and developing a robust infrastructure to better support forecast and warning operations.
Global 4DVAR Assimilation and Forecast Experiments Using AMSU Observations over Land. Part I: Impacts of Various Land Surface Emissivity Parameterizations
Authors: Karbou Fatima , Gérard Elisabeth , Rabier Florence
Published: August 2009

To improve the assimilation of Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A and -B (AMSU-A and -B) observations over land, three methods, based either on an estimation of the land emissivity or the land skin temperature directly from satellite observations, have been developed. Some feasibility studies have been performed in the Météo-France assimilation system in order to choose the most appropriate method for the system. This study reports on three 2-month assimilation and forecast experiments that use different methods to estimate AMSU-A and -B land emissivities together with the operational run as a control experiment. The experiments and the control have been subjected to several comparisons. The performance of the observation operator for simulating window channel brightness temperatures has been studied. The study shows considerable improvements in the statistics of the window channels’ first-guess departures (bias, standard deviation). The correlations between the observations and the model’s simulations have also been improved, especially over snow-covered areas. The performances of the assimilation system, in terms of cost function change, have been examined: the cost function is generally improved during the screening and remains stable during the minimization. Moreover, comparisons have been made in terms of impacts on both analyses and forecasts.
Global 4DVAR Assimilation and Forecast Experiments Using AMSU Observations over Land. Part II: Impacts of Assimilating Surface-Sensitive Channels on the African Monsoon during AMMA
Authors: Karbou Fatima , Rabier Florence , Lafore Jean-Philippe , Redelsperger Jean-Luc , Bock Olivier
Published: August 2009

Observations from Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A and -B (AMSU-A and -B) have been more intensively used over sea than over land because of large uncertainties about the land surface emissivity and the skin temperature. Several methods based on a direct estimation of the land emissivity from satellite observations have been found to be very useful for improving the assimilation of sounding channels over land. Feasibility studies have been conducted within the Météo-France global assimilation system in order to examine the possibility of assimilating low-level atmospheric observations receiving a contribution from the land surface. The present study reports on three 2-month assimilation and forecast experiments, which include the assimilation of surface-sensitive observations from AMSU-A and -B together with a control experiment, which represents the operational model. The assimilation experiments have been compared with the control, and important changes in the analyzed atmospheric fields and in the precipitation forecasts over parts of the tropics, and especially over West Africa, have been noticed. The experiments seem to emphasize the atmospheric moistening in India, South America, and in West Africa, together with atmospheric drying over Saudi Arabia and northeast Africa. The drying or moistening of the atmosphere has been successfully evaluated using independent measurements from the GPS African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) network. Precipitation and OLR forecasts have also been examined and compared with independent measurements. Physically, the changes result in a better-organized African monsoon with a stronger ITCZ in terms of ascent, vorticity, and precipitation, but there is no northward shift of the monsoon system. Low-level humidity observations have been found to have important impacts on the analysis and to produce positive impacts on forecast scores over the tropics.
The Impacts of Multiscale Weather Systems on Freezing Rain and Snowstorms over Southern China
Authors: Sun Jianhua , Zhao Sixiong
Published: August 2009

This paper investigated the interactions between the synoptic patterns, quasi-stationary fronts, eastward-propagating cloud clusters from the Tibetan Plateau, surface conditions, and atmospheric stratification processes associated with a 20-day event of freezing precipitation over southern China from January to February 2008. It was found that the long duration of the freezing precipitation process was primarily caused by stationary and anomalous synoptic weather patterns such as a blocking high pressure system in the northern branch and a trough in the south branch of the westerlies, which resulted in the convergence of cold air from northern China and warm, moist air from the south. The cloud clusters over the Tibetan Plateau propagated eastward and showed noticeable impacts in the local areas when they moved over southern China during several similar cloud propagation processes from January to February 2008. An east–west-oriented quasi-stationary front system in southern China, which is rare during the Asian winter monsoon season, is responsible for producing freezing precipitation and snowstorms. A stronger horizontal gradient of the isolines of the pseudo-equivalent potential temperature and higher temperatures at the inversion layer in the western part of the front than that in its eastern part can be found. At the same time, low-level moisture convergence ahead of the front enhanced the formation, development, and persistence of freezing precipitation in the west part of the front. The thickness of the warm layer and the temperature inversion layer also modulated the intensity and duration of freezing rain and ice pellets. Temperature from about −1° to −3°C and weak winds were found to be favorable meteorological factors at the surface level for freezing precipitation. These analysis results are synthesized into a conceptual model that coherently describes the physics processes associated with the synoptic features and quasi-stationary front system as well as the atmospheric stratification process during the freezing precipitation event.
Evaluation of the National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Cyclone Wind Speed Probability Forecast Product
Authors: Splitt Michael E. , Shafer Jaclyn A. , Lazarus Steven M. , Roeder William P.
Published: August 2009

A tropical cyclone (TC) wind speed probability forecast product developed at the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) and adopted by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is evaluated for U.S. land-threatening and landfalling events over four hurricane seasons from 2004 to 2007. A key element of this work is the discernment of risk associated with the interval forecast probabilities for the three wind speed categories (i.e., 34, 50, and 64 kt, where 1 kt = 0.52 m s−1). A quantitative assessment of the interval probabilities (0–12, 12–24, 24–36, 36–48, 48–72, 72–96, and 96–120 h) is conducted by converting them into binary (yes–no) forecasts using decision thresholds that are selected using the true skill statistic (TSS) and the Heidke skill score (HSS). The NHC product performs well as both the HSS and TSS demonstrate skill out to the 48–72- and 72–120-h intervals, respectively. Overall, reliability diagrams and bias scores indicate that the NHC product has a tendency to overforecast event likelihood for cases where the forecast probabilities exceed 60%. Specifically, the NHC product tends to overforecast for the 34-kt category but underforecasts for the 64-kt category, especially at later forecast intervals. Results for the 50-kt category are mixed but also exhibit a tendency to underforecast during the latter intervals. Decision thresholds range from 1% to 55% depending on the selection method, wind speed category, and time interval. Given that the average forecast probabilities decrease with forecast hour, small forecast probabilities may be meaningful. The HSS is recommended over the TSS for decision threshold selection because the use of the TSS introduces significant bias and the HSS is less sensitive to filtering of correct negatives.
Lipid Profile, Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation and Ceruloplasmin in the Progeny of Families with a Positive History of Cardiovascular Diseases and/or Hyperlipidemia
Authors: Makedou Kali G. , Mikhailidis Dimitri P. , Makedou Areti , Iliadis Stavros , Kourtis Anargyros , Vavatsi-Christaki Norma , Papageorgiou Georgios E.
Published: August 2009

Fifty-eight healthy progeny (mean age ± SD 13.9 ± 7.9 years) of 39 families with a positive history for Cardiovascular Diseases ([CVD] n = 44) or hyperlipidemia (n = 14) were included in the study and were compared with 30 age-matched control participants, with a negative family history, to evaluate lipid profile, ceruloplasmin (Cp), and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels, as well as in vitro copper-induced Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidizability. Mean serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B-100, and MDA of the participants were significantly higher than those of the controls. Lag time, an LDL resistance oxidation marker, was lower in the study group and negatively correlated with LDL-C ( r = -.437, P < .05) and Cp ( r = -.272, P < .05) serum levels. In conclusion, progeny with a positive family history for CVD or hyperlipidemia have an atherogenic lipid profile and increased LDL susceptibility to oxidation. High Cp levels seem to be related to lower resistance of LDL to oxidation.
The Relationship Between Microalbuminuria and the Presence and Extent of Coronary Atherosclerosis
Authors: Deveci Onur Sinan , Kabakci Giray , Tulumen Erol , Okutucu Sercan , Aksoy Hakan , Kaya Ergun Baris , Canpolat Ugur , Aytemir Kudret , Tokgozoglu Lale , Oto Ali
Published: August 2009

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between microalbuminuria (MA) and the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Four hundred and two consecutive patients were divided into 4 groups based on the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and MA: DM(+)/MA(+), DM(+)/MA(-), DM(-)/MA(+), and DM(-)/MA(-). Severity of CAD was assessed by the Gensini scoring system. Results: The Gensini score was 57 ± 38.2 vs 16.5 ± 19.5 (P < .001) in the DM(+)/MA(+) and DM(+)/MA(-) groups and 45 ± 39.8 vs 9.9 ± 16.6 (P < .001) in the DM(-)/MA(+) and DM(-)/MA(-) groups. Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a positive relation between urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and extent of CAD both in the diabetic and nondiabetic patients (r = .584, P = .001; r = .545, P = .001). Microalbuminuria was found to be an independent predictor for the presence (OR for MA: 3.728; 95% CI, 1.931-7.196; P < .001) and severity of CAD (P < .001, β = .563). Conclusion: A strong relationship between MA and the severity of CAD was reported.
The Model Does Matter II: Admissions and Training in APA–Accredited Counseling Psychology Programs
Authors: Norcross John C. , Evans Krystle L. , Ellis Jeannette L.
Published: August 2009

This study collected information on the acceptance rates, admission standards, financial assistance, student characteristics, theoretical orientations, and select outcomes of American Psychological Association—accredited counseling psychology programs (99% response rate). Results are presented collectively for all 66 counseling programs as well as separately for practice-oriented PhD, equal-emphasis PhD, and research-oriented PhD programs. Practice-oriented programs accepted more applicants (29%) than equal-emphasis or research-oriented programs (19% and 17%); however, they offered less full funding (30%) than equal-emphasis (72%) or research-oriented programs (83%). Average Graduate Record Examination scores (594 quantitative, 552 verbal) and average grade point averages (3.57) were strong and similar across programs. Approximately 70% of incoming students were women, 29% ethnic and racial minorities, and 8% international students. On average, 89% of students secured an accredited internship as part of their 5.5-year-long program. The research-driven portrait of doctoral training in counseling psychology is of highly competitive, multiculturally diverse, and theoretically pluralistic programs in which the training model does matter in several respects.
Effects of Geometric Parameters on the Pin-bearing Strength of Glass/Polyphenylenesulphide Composites
Authors: Yilmaz Taner , Sinmazcelik Tamer
Published: August 2009

In this experimental study, under conditions of static loading, load-bearing performance of pin connected multilayered (angle-ply) glass fiber-reinforced polyphenylenesulphide matrix composites with [(0°/90° )]4s and [(0°/90°)/ (+/—45 °)]2s stacking sequence was analyzed. The experiments were carried out according to the ASTM D953. The ratio of the distance between pin center and sample end, to pin diameter E/D; and the ratio of sample width to pin diameter W/D, were changed systematically during the experiments. From the results of the experiment, maximum bearing failure loads were obtained for [(0°/90°)/(+/—45°)] 2s lay-up with geometric parameters of D = 10 mm and W/D = 2. Macro images belonging to failure modes, which occurred as results of the tests were examined. In addition to this, from the fractographic examinations carried out with scanning electron microscope, it was concluded that the geometric parameters intimately affect fracture morphology.
Modeling of Strength Degradation for Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites in Fire
Authors: Bai YU , Keller Thomas
Published: August 2009

A model for predicting composite material strength degradation under elevated and high temperatures is proposed. This model is based on the morphology of the mixture of materials in different states. The degradation of resin-dominated shear strength can be well described by the rule of mixture while the degradation of nominal compressive strength tends to follow the lower bound of strength defined by the inverse rule of mixture. Composite materials under tension may exhibit fiber- or resin-dominated behavior. In a lower temperature range, strength is dominated by the fiber tensile strength, while at higher temperatures, tensile components may exhibit resin-dominated failure in joint regions. The parameters required in the model can be obtained on the basis of kinetic analysis of dynamic mechanical analysis results. The fitting of experimental curves of material strength degradation is not necessary. The proposed modeling scheme can easily be incorporated into structural theory to predict mechanical responses and time-to-failure.
Effect of Mixing Sequences on the Flexural and Morphological Properties of Epoxy/ Organo-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites
Authors: Yap Y.P. , Chow W.S.
Published: August 2009

The epoxy nanocomposites were prepared by addition of Organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) varied from 0 to 10 wt%. In-situ polymerization method was used to prepare epoxy/OMMT nanocomposites by three different mixing sequence methods. Method 1 was performed by mixing OMMT with cycloaliphatic amine (curing agent) first, followed by addition of diglycidyl ether-bisphenol A (DGEBA). Method 2 was carried out by mixing the DGEBA with OMMT first, followed by addition of curing agent. In method 3, the DGEBA and curing agent were mixed first, followed by the addition of OMMT. The objective of the research is to study the effects of mixing sequences on the flexural properties and morphology of epoxy/OMMT nanocomposites. The flexural and morphological properties of epoxy/ OMMT nanocomposites were studied by flexural tests, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The flexural modulus of epoxy was improved significantly by the incorporation of OMMT. This is attributed to the reinforcement and exfoliation/intercalation of the OMMT. The flexural modulus and strength of epoxy/OMMT nanocomposites prepared by method 3 was relatively higher than that of the composites prepared by method 1 and 2. The XRD results showed the formation of exfoliated structure in the epoxy/OMMT nanocomposites. Sequence of mixing influenced the dispersion and intercalation/exfoliation of the OMMT in the epoxy matrix. Appropriate mixing sequence should be selected in order to achieve better exfoliation of OMMT and higher flexural modulus and strength of the epoxy nanaocomposites.
Effects of Songs With Prosocial Lyrics on Prosocial Behavior: Further Evidence and a Mediating Mechanism
Authors: Greitemeyer Tobias
Published: August 2009

Previous research has shown that exposure to prosocial songs increased the accessibility of prosocial thoughts, led to more interpersonal empathy, and fostered helping behavior. However, inasmuch as cognition, affect, and behavior were measured in different studies, it remained unclear what variable constituted the mediating path from media exposure to action. This was tested in the present research. In four studies, listening to songs with prosocial, relative to neutral, lyrics increased helping behavior. This effect was mediated by interpersonal empathy. The results are consistent with the general learning model and point to the importance of the affective route in explaining how media exposure influences social behavior.
Barriers to advance care planning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Gott M. , Gardiner C. , Small N. , Payne S. , Seamark D. , Barnes S. , Halpin D. , Ruse C.
Published: August 2009

The English End of Life Care Strategy promises that all patients with advanced, life limiting illness will have the opportunity to participate in Advance Care Planning (ACP). For patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the barriers to this being achieved in practice are under-explored. Five focus groups were held with a total of 39 health care professionals involved in the care of patients with COPD. Participants reported that discussions relating to ACP are very rarely initiated with patients with COPD and identified the following barriers: inadequate information provision about the likely course of COPD at diagnosis; lack of consensus regarding who should initiate ACP and in which setting; connotations of comparing COPD with cancer; ACP discussions conflicting with goals of chronic disease management; and a lack of understanding of the meaning of ‘end of life’ within the context of COPD. The findings from this study indicate that, for patients with COPD, significant service improvement is needed before the objective of the End of Life Care Strategy regarding patient participation in end of life decision-making is to be achieved. Whilst the findings support the Strategy’s recommendations regarding an urgent for both professional education and increased public education about end of life issues, they also indicate that these alone will not be enough to effect the level of change required. Consideration also needs to be given to the integration of chronic disease management and end of life care and to developing definitions of end of life care that fit with concepts of ‘continuous palliation’.
Can ketamine prescribed for pain cause damage to the urinary tract?
Authors: Storr TM , Quibell R.
Published: August 2009

Presentation of three palliative care patients who were given ketamine as an analgesic and subsequently developed significant and debilitating urological symptoms. In one patient there was resolution of symptoms following cessation of ketamine, but some symptoms persisted until death in the other two. Possible mechanisms for damage to the urothelium by ketamine are suggested.
The palliative care knowledge test: reliability and validity of an instrument to measure palliative care knowledge among health professionals
Authors: Nakazawa Y. , Miyashita M. , Morita T. , Umeda M. , Oyagi Y. , Ogasawara T.
Published: August 2009

Development of palliative care educational programmes continues in Japan. An instrument to evaluate a wider range of palliative care knowledge among general physicians and nurses is needed. However, such an instrument does not currently exist. The aim of this study was to develop an assessment to measure the efficacy of palliative care educational programmes. The questionnaire survey was validated with a group of 940 nurses at two facilities. The response rate was 85 % (n = 797). This study used psychometric methods such as item response theory and intraclass correlation coefficients. Ultimately, 20 items in 5 domains including ‘philosophy’, ‘pain’, ‘dyspnoea’, ‘psychiatric problems’ and ‘gastrointestinal problems’ were selected. For these items, the intraclass correlation was 0.88 overall and 0.61—0.82 in each domain; the Kuder-Richardson formula 20 in internal consistency was 0.81. Validity and reliability of the instrument were established. This tool is designed to evaluate a wider range of palliative care knowledge than currently available assessments and can be used for general physicians and nurses. The evaluation of educational programmes and the clarification of actual knowledge acquired are possible using this instrument.
Modafinil for attentional and psychomotor dysfunction in advanced cancer: a double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial
Authors: Lundorff LE , Jønsson BH , Sjøgren P.
Published: August 2009

Cognitive impairment seems to be highly prevalent in patients with advanced cancer. Modafinil, a novel vigilance and wake-promoting agent, may be an alternative treatment. We wanted to investigate this treatment on attentional and psychomotor dysfunction in cancer patients. 28 cancer patients with a tiredness score of 50 mm or more on a scale of 0 to 10 (0=no tiredness, 10=worst possible tiredness) and Karnofsky Performance Status 40—70 were included. All medications were kept stable during the trial despite short acting opioids for breakthrough pain. On day 1 the patients were randomly assigned to receive 200 mg Modafinil orally or placebo and on day 4 they crossed-over to the alternative treatment. Finger Tapping Test (FTT), Trail Making Test (TMT) and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) were evaluated before tablet intake and again 4, 5 hours after. FTT for the dominant hand as well as TMT were statistically significantly improved on modafinil (p-values=0.006 and 0.042, respectively). On ESAS, depression and drowsiness also improved statistically significantly (p-values=<0.001 and 0.038, respectively). Modafinil in a single dose regimen was significantly superior to placebo regarding two cognitive tests of psychomotor speed and attention. Furthermore subjective scores of depression and drowsiness were significantly improved by modafinil.
Adverse events arising from a palliative care survey
Authors: Braithwaite M. , Philip J. , Finlayson F. , Tranberg H. , Gold M. , Kotsimbos T. , Wilson J.
Published: August 2009

Development of evidence-based practice requires investigation of the attitudes and needs of patients, families and healthcare professionals, particularly for sensitive subject areas. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessively inherited life-limiting disorder resulting in early death. Patients with this condition generally expect that lung transplantation will be an available treatment option; however, this is uncertain. A dual approach to care that involves both preparing patients for transplant assessment, while simultaneously exploring acceptable palliative care options is needed. A survey amongst patients with CF, their families and health carers was conducted to understand their attitudes and needs in relation to end-of-life care. The survey encompassed five separate domains, with a total of 60 questions requiring approximately 20 min to complete. Of the 200 surveys sent to patients, 82 (41%) completed responses were received. The Institutional Ethics Committee received six complaints from families of seven patients (3.5% of those surveyed). This article explores the nature of the adverse responses to the survey. The majority of complaints were received from family members rather than from patients. Complaints described dissatisfaction with the topic, little warning about the study and felt it to be inappropriate for their family member’s level of health. Survey instruments used to determine attitudes and needs in relation to end-of-life patient care are likely to elicit adverse responses that should be reported in a similar way to other investigational studies. Also arising from adverse responses and the complaint process, is the impact of criticism on study researchers.
Attenuation of cue-induced smoking urges and brain reward activity in smokers treated successfully with bupropion
Authors: Weinstein A. , Greif J. , Yemini Z. , Lerman H. , Weizman A. , Even-Sapir E.
Published: August 2009

Twenty-two regular smokers (15+ cigarettes per day) were treated with bupropion and group therapy for 2 months. Subjects underwent positron emission tomography (PET) studies using measures of brain global and regional glucose metabolism (regional cerebral metabolic rates of glucose [rCMRglc]) with [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) twice, after watching a videotape showing smoking scenes and after watching a control movie in counter-balanced order. A questionnaire of smoking urges (QSU) was filled in before and after watching both the movies. Changes in brain metabolic rates of FDG were analysed using Statistical Parametric Maps (SPM 2) in 11 smokers who abstained from smoking in comparison with 11 smokers who continued to smoke during the second month of treatment. Still-smokers had higher craving scores after watching the videotape showing smoking scenes compared with non-smokers. Second, watching the videotape showing smoking scenes compared with the control videotape in still-smokers resulted in increased metabolic rates in the striatum, thalamus and midbrain. Third, the ratings of the urge to smoke cigarettes while watching the videotape showing smoking scenes in still-smokers were associated with brain metabolic activity in the ventral striatum, anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal cortex, middle temporal lobe, hippocampus, insula, midbrain and thalamus. In conclusion, successfully treated smokers showed attenuated craving and reduced activity in the mesolimbic reward circuit.
The effects of a glycine reuptake inhibitor R231857 on the central nervous system and on scopolamine-induced impairments in cognitive and psychomotor function in healthy subjects
Authors: Liem-Moolenaar M , Zoethout RWM , de Boer P , Schmidt M , de Kam ML , Cohen AF , Franson KL , van Gerven JMA
Published: August 2009

The effects of the selective inhibitor of the glycine transporter 1, R231857, in development for schizophrenia, on the central nervous system (CNS) were investigated in healthy males in the absence and presence of scopolamine. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-period crossover ascending dose study. Pharmacokinetics, body sway, saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements, pupillometry, pharmacoelectroencephalogram (EEG), Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for alertness, mood, calmness and psychedelic effects, adaptive tracking, finger tapping, Stroop test, Visual and Verbal Learning Task (VVLT) and hormone levels were assessed. R231857 was administered alone and together with scopolamine to investigate the potential reversal of anticholinergic CNS impairment by the glycine reuptake inhibitor. Forty-two of the 45 included subjects completed the study. Scopolamine significantly affected almost every CNS parameter measured in this study. R231857 alone showed some pharmacodynamic changes compared with placebo. Although these effects might be an indication that R231857 penetrated the CNS, they were not consistent or dose-related. R231857 had some small effects on scopolamine-induced CNS-impairment, which were also not clearly dependent on dose. Scopolamine proved to be an accurate, reproducible and safe model to induce CNS impairment by an anticholinergic mechanism. R231857 lacked consistent dose-related effects in this study, probably because CNS concentrations were too low to produce significant/ reproducible CNS-effects or to affect the scopolamine challenge in healthy volunteers. The effects of higher doses in healthy volunteers and the clinical efficacy in patients remain to be established.