bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships Among Regional Arterial Inflammation, Calcification, Risk Factors, and Biomarkers
Authors: Rudd James H.F. , Myers Kelly S. , Bansilal Sameer , Machac Josef , Woodward Mark , Fuster Valentin , Farkouh Michael E. , Fayad Zahi A.
Published: January 2009

Background—

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG PET) imaging of atherosclerosis has been used to quantify plaque inflammation and to measure the effect of plaque-stabilizing drugs. We explored how atherosclerotic plaque inflammation varies across arterial territories and how it relates to arterial calcification. We also tested the hypotheses that the degree of local arterial inflammation measured by PET is correlated with the extent of systemic inflammation and presence of risk factors for vascular disease.

Methods and Results—

Forty-one subjects underwent vascular PET/computed tomography imaging with FDG. All had either vascular disease or multiple risk factors. Forty subjects underwent carotid imaging, 27 subjects underwent aortic, 24 subjects iliac, and 13 subjects femoral imaging. Thirty-three subjects had a panel of biomarkers analyzed. We found strong associations between FDG uptake in neighboring arteries (left versus right carotid,
r
=0.91,
P
<0.001; ascending aorta versus aortic arch,
r
=0.88,
P
<0.001). Calcification and inflammation rarely overlapped within arteries (carotid artery FDG uptake versus calcium score,
r
=−0.42,
P
=0.03). Carotid artery FDG uptake was greater in those with a history of coronary artery disease (target-to-background ratio, 1.83 versus 1.61,
P
<0.01) and in males versus females (target-to-background ratio, 1.83 versus 1.63,
P
<0.05). Similar findings were also noted in the aorta and iliac arteries. Subjects with the highest levels of FDG uptake also had the greatest concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers (descending aorta target-to-background ratio versus matrix metalloproteinase 3,
r
=0.53,
P
=0.01; carotid target-to-background ratio versus matrix metalloproteinase 9,
r
=0.50,
P
=0.01). Nonsignificant positive trends were seen between FDG uptake and levels of interleukin-18, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein. Finally, we found that the atheroprotective biomarker adiponectin was negatively correlated with the degree of arterial inflammation in the descending aorta (
r
=−0.49,
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

This study shows that FDG PET imaging can increase our knowledge of how atherosclerotic plaque inflammation relates to calcification, serum biomarkers, and vascular risk factors. Plaque inflammation and calcification rarely overlap, supporting the theory that calcification represents a late, burnt-out stage of atherosclerosis. Inflammation in one arterial territory is associated with inflammation elsewhere, and the degree of local arterial inflammation is reflected in the blood levels of several circulating biomarkers. We suggest that FDG PET imaging could be used as a surrogate marker of both atherosclerotic disease activity and drug effectiveness. Prospective, event-driven studies are now underway to determine the role of this technique in clinical risk prediction.
Preoperative Brain Injury in Transposition of the Great Arteries Is Associated With Oxygenation and Time to Surgery, Not Balloon Atrial Septostomy
Authors: Petit Christopher J. , Rome Jonathan J. , Wernovsky Gil , Mason Stefanie E. , Shera David M. , Nicolson Susan C. , Montenegro Lisa M. , Tabbutt Sarah , Zimmerman Robert A. , Licht Daniel J.
Published: January 2009

Background—

Preoperative brain injury is an increasingly recognized phenomenon in neonates with complex congenital heart disease. Recently, reports have been published that associate preoperative brain injury in neonates with transposition of the great arteries with the performance of balloon atrial septostomy (BAS), a procedure that improves systemic oxygenation preoperatively. It is unclear whether BAS is the cause of brain injury or is a confounder, because neonates who require BAS are typically more hypoxemic. We sought to determine the relationship between preoperative brain injury in neonates with transposition of the great arteries and the performance of BAS. We hypothesized that brain injury results from hypoxic injury, not from the BAS itself.

Methods and Results—

Infants with transposition of the great arteries (n=26) were retrospectively included from a larger cohort of infants with congenital heart disease who underwent preoperative brain MRI as part of 2 separate prospective studies. Data collected included all preoperative pulse oximetry recordings, all values from preoperative arterial blood gas measurements, and BAS procedure data. MRI scans were performed on the day of surgery, before the surgical repair. Of the 26 neonates, 14 underwent BAS. No stroke was seen in the entire cohort, whereas 10 (38%) of 26 patients were found to have hypoxic brain injury in the form of periventricular leukomalacia. Periventricular leukomalacia was not associated with BAS; however, neonates with periventricular leukomalacia had lower preoperative oxygenation (
P
=0.026) and a longer time to surgery (
P
=0.028) than those without periventricular leukomalacia.

Conclusions—

Preoperative brain injury in neonates with transposition of the great arteries is associated with hypoxemia and longer time to surgery. We found no association between BAS and brain injury.
Determinants of Prolonged QT Interval and Their Contribution to Sudden Death Risk in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Chugh Sumeet S. , Reinier Kyndaron , Singh Tejwant , Uy-Evanado Audrey , Socoteanu Carmen , Peters Dawn , Mariani Ronald , Gunson Karen , Jui Jonathan
Published: January 2009

Background—

In a recent cohort study, prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) was associated with an independent increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). We evaluated determinants of prolonged QTc and the relationship of prolonged QTc to SCD risk among patients with coronary artery disease in the general population.

Methods and Results—

A case-control design was used. Cases were SCD patients with coronary artery disease among a metropolitan area of 1 000 000 residents (2002 to 2006); controls were area residents with coronary artery disease but no history of SCD. All cases were required to have an ECG suitable for QTc analysis before and unrelated to the occurrence of SCD. A total of 373 cases and 309 controls met criteria for analysis. Mean QTc was significantly longer in cases than in controls (450±45 versus 433±37 ms;
P
<0.0001). In a multivariate model, gender, diabetes mellitus, and QTc-prolonging drugs were significant determinants of QTc prolongation in controls. In a logistic regression model predicting SCD, diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.32 to 2.96) and use of QTc-prolonging drugs (odds ratio, 2.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.92 to 4.37) were significant predictors of SCD among subjects with normal or borderline QTc. However, abnormally prolonged QTc in the absence of diabetes and QT-prolonging medications was the strongest predictor of SCD (odds ratio, 5.53; 95% confidence interval, 3.20 to 9.57).

Conclusions—

Diabetes mellitus and QTc-affecting drugs determined QTc prolongation and were predictors of SCD in coronary artery disease. However, idiopathic abnormal QTc prolongation was associated with 5-fold increased odds of SCD. A continued search for novel determinants of QTc prolongation such as genomic factors is likely to enhance risk stratification for SCD in coronary artery disease.
Continuous Improvements in “Chain of Survival” Increased Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests
Authors: Iwami Taku , Nichol Graham , Hiraide Atsushi , Hayashi Yasuyuki , Nishiuchi Tatsuya , Kajino Kentaro , Morita Hiroshi , Yukioka Hidekazu , Ikeuchi Hisashi , Sugimoto Hisashi , Nonogi Hiroshi , Kawamura Takashi
Published: January 2009

Background—

The impact of ongoing efforts to improve the “chain of survival” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incremental effect of changes in prehospital emergency care on survival after OHCA.

Methods and Results—

This prospective, population-based observational study involved consecutive patients with OHCA from May 1998 through December 2006. The primary outcome measure was 1-month survival with favorable neurological outcome. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors that were potentially associated with better neurological outcome. Among 42 873 resuscitation-attempted adult OHCAs, 8782 bystander-witnessed arrests of presumed cardiac origin were analyzed. The median time interval from collapse to call for medical help, first cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and first shock shortened from 4 (interquartile range [IQR] 2 to 11) to 2 (IQR 1 to 5) minutes, from 9 (IQR 5 to 13) to 7 (IQR 3 to 11) minutes, and from 19 (IQR 13 to 22) to 9 (IQR 7 to 12) minutes, respectively. Neurologically intact 1-month survival after witnessed ventricular fibrillation increased from 6% (6/96) to 16% (49/297;
P
<0.001). Among all witnessed OHCAs, earlier cardiopulmonary resuscitation (odds ratio per minute 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 0.93) and earlier intubation (odds ratio per minute 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 0.99) were associated with better neurological outcome. For ventricular fibrillation, only earlier shock was associated with better outcome (odds ratio 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 0.88).

Conclusions—

Data from a large, population-based cohort demonstrate a continuous increase in OHCA survival with improvement in the chain of survival. The incremental benefit of early advanced care on OHCA survival is also suggested.
Waiting List Mortality Among Children Listed for Heart Transplantation in the United States
Authors: Almond Christopher S.D. , Thiagarajan Ravi R. , Piercey Gary E. , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Blume Elizabeth D. , Bastardi Heather J. , Fynn-Thompson Francis , Singh T.P.
Published: January 2009

Background—

Children listed for heart transplantation face the highest waiting list mortality in solid-organ transplantation medicine. We examined waiting list mortality since the pediatric heart allocation system was revised in 1999 to determine whether the revised allocation system is prioritizing patients optimally and to identify specific high-risk populations that may benefit from emerging pediatric cardiac assist devices.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a multicenter cohort study using the US Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. All children <18 years of age who were listed for a heart transplant between 1999 and 2006 were included. Among 3098 children, the median age was 2 years (interquartile range 0.3 to 12 years), and median weight was 12.3 kg (interquartile range 5 to 38 kg); 1294 (42%) were nonwhite; and 1874 (60%) were listed as status 1A (of whom 30% were ventilated and 18% were on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). Overall, 533 (17%) died, 1943 (63%) received transplants, and 252 (8%) recovered; 370 (12%) remained listed. Multivariate predictors of waiting list mortality include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (hazard ratio [HR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4 to 3.9), ventilator support (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.4), listing status 1A (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.7), congenital heart disease (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.8 to 2.6), dialysis support (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0), and nonwhite race/ethnicity (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.0).

Conclusions—

US waiting list mortality for pediatric heart transplantation remains unacceptably high in the current era. Specific high-risk subgroups can be identified that may benefit from emerging pediatric cardiac assist technologies. The current pediatric heart-allocation system captures medical urgency poorly. Further research is needed to define the optimal organ-allocation system for pediatric heart transplantation.
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Circadian Blood Pressure Patterns in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: de la Sierra Alejandro , Redon Josep , Banegas José R. , Segura Julián , Parati Gianfranco , Gorostidi Manuel , de la Cruz Juan J. , Sobrino Javier , Llisterri José L. , Alonso Javier , Vinyoles Ernest , Pallarés Vicente , Sarría Antonio , Aranda Pedro , Ruilope Luis M.
Published: January 2009

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring has become useful in the diagnosis and management of hypertensive individuals. In addition to 24-hour values, the circadian variation of BP adds prognostic significance in predicting cardiovascular outcome. However, the magnitude of circadian BP patterns in large studies has hardly been noticed. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of circadian BP patterns and to assess clinical conditions associated with the nondipping status in groups of both treated and untreated hypertensive subjects, studied separately. Clinical data and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring were obtained from 42 947 hypertensive patients included in the Spanish Society of Hypertension Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry. They were 8384 previously untreated and 34 563 treated hypertensives. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was performed with an oscillometric device (SpaceLabs 90207). A nondipping pattern was defined when nocturnal systolic BP dip was <10% of daytime systolic BP. The prevalence of nondipping was 41% in the untreated group and 53% in treated patients. In both groups, advanced age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and overt cardiovascular or renal disease were associated with a blunted nocturnal BP decline (
P
<0.001). In treated patients, nondipping was associated with the use of a higher number of antihypertensive drugs but not with the time of the day at which antihypertensive drugs were administered. In conclusion, a blunted nocturnal BP dip (the nondipping pattern) is common in hypertensive patients. A clinical pattern of high cardiovascular risk is associated with nondipping, suggesting that the blunted nocturnal BP dip may be merely a marker of high cardiovascular risk.
Aortic Calcification Is Associated With Aortic Stiffness and Isolated Systolic Hypertension in Healthy Individuals
Authors: McEniery Carmel M. , McDonnell Barry J. , So Alvin , Aitken Sri , Bolton Charlotte E. , Munnery Margaret , Hickson Stacey S. , Yasmin  , Maki-Petaja Kaisa M. , Cockcroft John R. , Dixon Adrian K. , Wilkinson Ian B.
Published: January 2009

Arterial stiffening is an independent predictor of mortality and underlies the development of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). A number of factors regulate stiffness, but arterial calcification is also likely to be important. We tested the hypotheses that aortic calcification is associated with aortic stiffness in healthy individuals and that patients with ISH exhibit exaggerated aortic calcification compared with controls. A total of 193 healthy, medication-free subjects (mean age±SD: 66±8 years) were recruited from the community, together with 15 patients with resistant ISH. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured noninvasively, and aortic calcium content was quantified from high-resolution, thoraco-lumbar computed tomography images using a volume scoring method. In healthy volunteers, calcification was positively and significantly associated with aortic PWV (
r
=0.6;
P
<0.0001) but was not related to augmentation index or brachial PWV. Calcification was significantly higher in treatment-resistant and healthy subjects with ISH compared with controls (mean [interquartile range]: 1.92 [1.14 to 3.66], 0.84 [0.35 to 1.75], and 0.19 [0.1 to 0.78] cm
3
, respectively;
P
<0.0001 for both). In a multiple regression model, aortic calcium was independently associated with aortic PWV along with age, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (
R
2
=0.51;
P
<0.0001). Only age, calcium phosphate product, and aortic PWV were independently associated with calcification. These data suggest that calcification may be important in the process of aortic stiffening and the development of ISH. Calcification may underlie treatment resistance in ISH, and anticalcification strategies may present a novel therapy.
Exercise Capacity and Mortality in Hypertensive Men With and Without Additional Risk Factors
Authors: Kokkinos Peter , Manolis Athanasios , Pittaras Andreas , Doumas Michael , Giannelou Angeliki , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Faselis Charles , Narayan Puneet , Singh Steven , Myers Jonathan
Published: January 2009

We assessed the association between exercise capacity and mortality in hypertensive men with and without additional cardiovascular risk factors. A cohort of 4631 hypertensive veterans, who successfully completed a graded exercise test at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC, and Palo Alto, California, was followed for 7.7±5.4 years (35 629 person-years) for all-cause mortality. Fitness categories were established based on peak metabolic equivalent (MET) levels achieved. In each fitness category, we defined individuals with and without additional cardiovascular risk factors. Exercise capacity was the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality. The adjusted mortality risk was 13% lower for every 1-MET increase in exercise capacity. Compared with the very low fit (≤5.0 MET), the adjusted risk was 34% lower for those achieving 5.1 to 7.0 MET (low fit; hazard ratio: 0.66; CI: 0.58 to 0.76;
P
<0.001), 59% lower for the moderate fit (7.1 to 10.0 MET; hazard ratio: 0.41; CI: 0.35 to 0.50;
P
<0.001), and 71% lower for the high-fit category (>10.0 MET; hazard ratio: 0.29; CI: 0.21 to 0.40;
P
<0.001). Within the very-low-fit category, mortality risk was 47% higher for those with additional risk factors compared with individuals with no risk factors. This risk was eliminated for those in the next fitness category (5.1 to 7.0 MET) and was progressively reduced for the moderate and high-fit categories regardless of the presence or absence of additional risk factors. In conclusion, exercise capacity was the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality in hypertensive men. The increased risk imposed by low fitness and additional cardiovascular risk factors was eliminated by relatively small increases in exercise capacity and declined progressively with higher exercise capacity.
Stent Placement in Acute Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Authors: Brekenfeld Caspar , Schroth Gerhard , Mattle Heinrich P. , Do Do-Dai , Remonda Luca , Mordasini Pasquale , Arnold Marcel , Nedeltchev Krassen , Meier Niklaus , Gralla Jan
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Stent placement has been applied in small case series as a rescue therapy in combination with different thrombolytic agents, percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA), and mechanical thromboembolectomy (MT) in acute stroke treatment. These studies report a considerable mortality and a high rate of intracranial hemorrhages when balloon-mounted stents were used. This study was performed to evaluate feasibility, efficacy, and safety of intracranial artery recanalization for acute ischemic stroke using a self-expandable stent.

Methods—

All patients treated with an intracranial stent for acute cerebral artery occlusion were included. Treatment comprised intraarterial thrombolysis, thromboaspiration, MT, PTA, and stent placement. Recanalization result was assessed by follow-up angiography immediately after stent placement. Complications related to the procedure and outcome at 3 months were assessed.

Results—

Twelve patients (median NIHSS 14, mean age 63 years) were treated with intracranial stents for acute ischemic stroke. Occlusions were located in the posterior vertebrobasilar circulation (n=6) and in the anterior circulation (n=6). Stent placement was feasible in all procedures and resulted in partial or complete recanalization (TIMI 2/3) in 92%. No vessel perforations, subarachnoid, or symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages occurred. One dissection was found after thromboaspiration and PTA. Three patients (25%) had a good outcome (mRS 0 to 2), 3 (25%) a moderate outcome (mRS 3), and 6 (50%) a poor outcome (mRS 4 to 6). Mortality was 33.3%.

Conclusions—

Intracranial placement of a self-expandable stent for acute ischemic stroke is feasible and seems to be safe to achieve sufficient recanalization.
Simulating Haptic Feedback Using Vision: A Survey of Research and Applications of Pseudo-Haptic Feedback
Authors: Lécuyer Anatole
Published: January 2009

This paper presents a survey of the main results obtained in the field of “pseudo-haptic feedback”: a technique meant to simulate haptic sensations in virtual environments using visual feedback and properties of human visuo-haptic perception. Pseudo-haptic feedback uses vision to distort haptic perception and verges on haptic illusions. Pseudo-haptic feedback has been used to simulate various haptic properties such as the stiffness of a virtual spring, the texture of an image, or the mass of a virtual object. This paper describes the several experiments in which these haptic properties were simulated. It assesses the definition and the properties of pseudo-haptic feedback. It also describes several virtual reality applications in which pseudo-haptic feedback has been successfully implemented, such as a virtual environment for vocational training of milling machine operations, or a medical simulator for training in regional anesthesia procedures.
Richly Connected Systems and Multi-Device Worlds
Authors: Tomlinson Bill , Yau Man Lok , Baumer Eric , Ross Joel , Correa Andrew , Ji Gang
Published: January 2009

Many human activities now take place in settings that include several computational devices—such as desktop computers, laptops, and mobile phones—in the same physical space. However, we lack interaction paradigms that support a coherent experience across these collocated technologies and enable them to work effectively as systems. This article presents a conceptual framework for building richly connected systems of collocated devices, and offers two implemented examples of interactive virtual worlds built on this framework. Aspects of this framework include multiple channels of real and apparent connectivity among devices: for example, multiple kinds of data networking, cross-device graphics and sound, and embodied mobile agents that inhabit the multi-device system. In addition, integration of the system with the physical world helps bridge the gap between devices. We evaluate the framework in terms of the types of user experiences afforded and enabled by the implemented systems. We also present a number of lessons learned from this evaluation regarding how to develop richly connected systems using heterogeneous devices, as well as the expectations that users bring to this kind of system. The core contribution of this paper is a novel framework for collocated multi-device systems; by presenting this framework, this paper lays the groundwork for a wide range of potential applications.
Comparison of High-Cloud Characteristics as Estimated by Selected Spaceborne Observations and Ground-Based Lidar Datasets
Authors: Plana-Fattori Artemio , Brogniez Gérard , Chervet Patrick , Haeffelin Martial , Lado-Bordowsky Olga , Morille Yohann , Parol Frédéric , Pelon Jacques , Roblin Antoine , Sèze Geneviève , Stubenrauch Claudia
Published: January 2009

The characterization of high clouds as performed from selected spaceborne observations is assessed in this article by employing a number of worldwide ground-based lidar multiyear datasets as reference. Among the latter, the ground lidar observations conducted at Lannion, Bretagne (48.7°N, 3.5°W), and Palaiseau, near Paris [the Site Instrumental de Recherche par Télédétection Atmosphérique (SIRTA) observatory: 48.7°N, 2.2°E], both in France, are discussed in detail. High-cloud altitude statistics at these two sites were found to be similar. Optical thicknesses disagree, and possible reasons were analyzed. Despite the variety of instruments, observation strategies, and methods of analysis employed by different lidar groups, high-cloud optical thicknesses from the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) on board the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) were found to be consistent on the latitude band 40°–60°N. Respective high-cloud altitudes agree within 1 km with respect to those from ground lidars at Lannion and Palaiseau; such a finding remains to be verified under other synoptic regimes. Mean altitudes of high clouds from Lannion and Palaiseau ground lidars were compared with altitudes of thin cirrus from the Television and Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) Path-B 8-yr climatology for a common range of optical thicknesses (0.1–1.4). Over both sites, the annual altitude distribution of thin high clouds from TOVS Path-B is asymmetric, with a peak around 8–9.5 km, whereas the distribution of high clouds retrieved from ground lidars seems symmetric with a peak around 9.5–11.5 km. Additional efforts in standardizing ground lidar observation and processing methods, and in merging high-cloud statistics from complementary measuring platforms, are recommended.
Detection and Attribution of Streamflow Timing Changes to Climate Change in the Western United States
Authors: Hidalgo H. G. , Das T. , Dettinger M. D. , Cayan D. R. , Pierce D. W. , Barnett T. P. , Bala G. , Mirin A. , Wood A. W. , Bonfils C. , Santer B. D. , Nozawa T.
Published: January 2009

This article applies formal detection and attribution techniques to investigate the nature of observed shifts in the timing of streamflow in the western United States. Previous studies have shown that the snow hydrology of the western United States has changed in the second half of the twentieth century. Such changes manifest themselves in the form of more rain and less snow, in reductions in the snow water contents, and in earlier snowmelt and associated advances in streamflow “center” timing (the day in the “water-year” on average when half the water-year flow at a point has passed). However, with one exception over a more limited domain, no other study has attempted to formally attribute these changes to anthropogenic increases of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Using the observations together with a set of global climate model simulations and a hydrologic model (applied to three major hydrological regions of the western United States—the California region, the upper Colorado River basin, and the Columbia River basin), it is found that the observed trends toward earlier “center” timing of snowmelt-driven streamflows in the western United States since 1950 are detectably different from natural variability (significant at the p < 0.05 level). Furthermore, the nonnatural parts of these changes can be attributed confidently to climate changes induced by anthropogenic greenhouse gases, aerosols, ozone, and land use. The signal from the Columbia dominates the analysis, and it is the only basin that showed a detectable signal when the analysis was performed on individual basins. It should be noted that although climate change is an important signal, other climatic processes have also contributed to the hydrologic variability of large basins in the western United States.
Variations of U.S. Regional Precipitation and Simulations by the NCEP CFS: Focus on the Southwest
Authors: Yang Song , Jiang Yundi , Zheng Dawei , Higgins R. Wayne , Zhang Qin , Kousky Vernon E. , Wen Min
Published: January 2009

Variations of U.S. regional precipitation in both observations and free-run experiments with the NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFS) are investigated. The seasonality of precipitation over the continental United States and the time–frequency characteristics of precipitation over the Southwest (SW) are the focus. The differences in precipitation variation among different model resolutions are also analyzed.

The spatial distribution of U.S. precipitation is characterized by high values over the East and the West Coasts, especially over the Gulf Coast and southeast states, and low values elsewhere except over the SW in summer. A large annual cycle of precipitation occurs over the SW, northern plains, and the West Coast. Overall, the CFS captures the above features reasonably well, except for the SW. However, it overestimates the precipitation over the western United States, except the SW in summer, and underestimates the precipitation over the central South, except in springtime. It also overestimates (underestimates) the precipitation seasonality over the intermountain area and Gulf Coast states (SW, West Coast, and northern Midwest). The model using T126 resolution captures the observed features more realistically than at the lower T62 resolution over a large part of the United States.

The variability of observed SW precipitation is characterized by a large annual cycle, followed by a semiannual cycle, and the oscillating signals on annual, semiannual, and interannual time scales account for 41% of the total precipitation variability. However, the CFS, at both T62 and T126 resolution, fails in capturing the above feature. The variability of SW precipitation in the CFS is much less periodic. The annual oscillation of model precipitation is much weaker than that observed and it is even much weaker than the simulated semiannual oscillation. The weakly simulated annual cycle is attributed by the unrealistic precipitation simulations of all seasons, especially spring and summer. On the annual time scale, the CFS fails in simulating the relationship between the SW precipitation and the basinwide sea surface temperature (SST) and the overlying atmospheric circulation. On the semiannual time scale, the model exaggerates the response of the regional precipitation to the variations of SST and atmospheric circulation over the tropics and western Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico. This study also demonstrates a challenge for the next-generation CFS, at T126 resolution, to predict the variability of North American monsoon climate.
Vertical Mixing in the Ocean and Its Impact on the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere System in the Eastern Tropical Pacific*
Authors: Richards Kelvin J. , Xie Shang-Ping , Miyama Toru
Published: January 2009

The zonal and meridional asymmetries in the eastern tropical Pacific (the eastern equatorial cold tongue and the northern intertropical convergence zone) are key aspects of the region that are strongly influenced by ocean–atmosphere interactions. Here the authors investigate the impact of vertical mixing in the ocean on these asymmetries, employing a coupled ocean–atmosphere regional model. Results highlight the need to study the impact of processes such as vertical mixing in the context of the coupled system.

Changes to the vertical mixing in the ocean are found to produce large changes in the state of the system, which include changes to the surface properties of the ocean, the ocean currents, the surface wind field, and clouds and precipitation in the atmosphere. Much of the strength of the impact is through interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. Increasing ocean mixing has an opposite effect on the zonal and meridional asymmetries. The zonal asymmetry is increased (i.e., a colder eastern equatorial cold tongue and increased easterly winds), whereas the meridional asymmetry is decreased (a reduced north–south temperature difference and reduced southerlies), with the impact being enhanced by the Bjerknes and wind–evaporation–sea surface temperature feedbacks.

Water mass transformations are analyzed by consideration of the diapynic fluxes. Although the general character of the diapycnic transport remains relatively unchanged with a change in ocean mixing, there are changes to the magnitude and location of the transport in density space. Oceanic vertical mixing impacts the balance of terms contributing to the heating of the ocean surface mixed layer. With reduced mixing the advection of heat plays an increased role in areas such as the far eastern tropical Pacific and under the intertropical convergence zone.
Seasonal Predictability of European Discharge: NAO and Hydrological Response Time
Authors: Bierkens M. F. P. , van Beek L. P. H.
Published: January 2009

In this paper the skill of seasonal prediction of river discharge and how this skill varies between the branches of European rivers across Europe is assessed. A prediction system of seasonal (winter and summer) discharge is evaluated using 1) predictions of the average North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index for the coming winter based on May SST anomalies of the North Atlantic; 2) a global-scale hydrological model; and 3) 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data. The skill of seasonal discharge predictions is investigated with a numerical experiment. Also Europe-wide patterns of predictive skill are related to the use of NAO-based seasonal weather prediction, the hydrological properties of the river basin, and a correct assessment of initial hydrological states. These patterns, which are also corroborated by observations, show that in many parts of Europe the skill of predicting winter discharge can, in theory, be quite large. However, this achieved skill mainly comes from knowing the correct initial conditions of the hydrological system (i.e., groundwater, surface water, soil water storage of the basin) rather than from the use of NAO-based seasonal weather prediction. These factors are equally important for predicting subsequent summer discharge.
A Modeling and Observational Framework for Diagnosing Local Land–Atmosphere Coupling on Diurnal Time Scales
Authors: Santanello Joseph A. , Peters-Lidard Christa D. , Kumar Sujay V. , Alonge Charles , Tao Wei-Kuo
Published: January 2009

Land–atmosphere interactions play a critical role in determining the diurnal evolution of both planetary boundary layer (PBL) and land surface temperature and moisture states. The degree of coupling between the land surface and PBL in numerical weather prediction and climate models remains largely unexplored and undiagnosed because of the complex interactions and feedbacks present across a range of scales. Furthermore, uncoupled systems or experiments [e.g., the Project for the Intercomparison of Land-Surface Parameterization Schemes (PILPS)] may lead to inaccurate water and energy cycle process understanding by neglecting feedback processes such as PBL-top entrainment. In this study, a framework for diagnosing local land–atmosphere coupling is presented using a coupled mesoscale model with a suite of PBL and land surface model (LSM) options along with observations during field experiments in the U.S. Southern Great Plains. Specifically, the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) has been coupled to the Land Information System (LIS), which provides a flexible and high-resolution representation and initialization of land surface physics and states. Within this framework, the coupling established by each pairing of the available PBL schemes in WRF with the LSMs in LIS is evaluated in terms of the diurnal temperature and humidity evolution in the mixed layer. The coevolution of these variables and the convective PBL are sensitive to and, in fact, integrative of the dominant processes that govern the PBL budget, which are synthesized through the use of mixing diagrams. Results show how the sensitivity of land–atmosphere interactions to the specific choice of PBL scheme and LSM varies across surface moisture regimes and can be quantified and evaluated against observations. As such, this methodology provides a potential pathway to study factors controlling local land–atmosphere coupling (LoCo) using the LIS–WRF system, which will serve as a test bed for future experiments to evaluate coupling diagnostics within the community.
A Geometry-Based Approach to Identifying Cloud Shadows in the VIIRS Cloud Mask Algorithm for NPOESS
Authors: Hutchison Keith D. , Mahoney Robert L. , Vermote Eric F. , Kopp Thomas J. , Jackson John M. , Sei Alain , Iisager Barbara D.
Published: January 2009

A geometry-based approach is presented to identify cloud shadows using an automated cloud classification algorithm developed for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program. These new procedures exploit both the cloud confidence and cloud phase intermediate products generated by the Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) cloud mask (VCM) algorithm. The procedures have been tested and found to accurately detect cloud shadows in global datasets collected by NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor and are applied over both land and ocean background conditions. These new procedures represent a marked departure from those used in the heritage MODIS cloud mask algorithm, which utilizes spectral signatures in an attempt to identify cloud shadows. However, they more closely follow those developed to identify cloud shadows in the MODIS Surface Reflectance (MOD09) data product. Significant differences were necessary in the implementation of the MOD09 procedures to meet NPOESS latency requirements in the VCM algorithm. In this paper, the geometry-based approach used to predict cloud shadows is presented, differences are highlighted between the heritage MOD09 algorithm and new VIIRS cloud shadow algorithm, and results are shown for both these algorithms plus cloud shadows generated by the spectral-based approach. The comparisons show that the geometry-based procedures produce cloud shadows far superior to those predicted with the spectral procedures. In addition, the new VCM procedures predict cloud shadows that agree well with those found in the MOD09 product while significantly reducing the execution time as required to meet the operational time constraints of the NPOESS system.
Fast k-Nearest-Neighbors Calculation for Interpolation of Radar Reflectivity Field*
Authors: Gao Feng
Published: January 2009

To efficiently implement the interpolation methods (e.g., Shepard’s method and its variants) for the radar reflectivity field, a fast method that calculates the k-nearest-neighbor nodes (sampling points in radar volume scan) of the interpolated point (grid point) is described and proved. Several geometric propositions of radar volume scan on which the method is based are suggested and proved. Finally, the computational cost of the method is analyzed. The method is fast enough for real-time applications.
Miniature Supercells in an Offshore Outer Rainband of Hurricane Ivan (2004)
Authors: Eastin Matthew D. , Link M. Christopher
Published: January 2009

Airborne Doppler radar observations are used to document the structure of three miniature supercells embedded in an outer rainband of Hurricane Ivan on 15 September 2004. The cells were located more than 100 km offshore, beyond the Doppler range of coastal radars. The combination of large CAPE, large vertical wind shear, and moderate cell-relative helicity with an apparent midlevel dry air intrusion provided an offshore environment supporting rotating storms. Each shallow cell contained a ∼5–7-km-diameter mesocyclonic updraft with midlevel updraft and vorticity maxima that exceeded 6 m s−1and 0.008 s−1, respectively. Such offshore structures are consistent with miniature supercells observed onshore in association with tropical cyclone tornado outbreaks. The strong updrafts resulted from a combination of kinematic convergence, thermal instability, and shear-induced vertical perturbation pressure gradients. Mesocyclone production largely resulted from the tilting and subsequent stretching of low-level horizontal streamwise vorticity into the vertical by the strong updrafts. Evidence of baroclinic contributions from inflow along cell-generated outflow boundaries was minimal. The miniature supercells persisted for at least 3 h during transit from offshore to onshore. Tornadoes were reported in association with two cells soon after moving onshore. These observations build upon a growing body of evidence suggesting that miniature supercells often develop offshore in the outer rainbands of tropical cyclones.
Bridging the Global and the Local
Authors: Chou Chih Chieh
Published: January 2009

This article aims to explore China's attempt to shift the tension between the global value and local difference over human rights debates. In other words, this article examines the relationship between West-promoted human rights and China-led neo-Confucian values within the context of globalisation rather than examining what Confucian values are. In what ways can a cultural discourse be viewed and employed to promote human rights without denying their universality, is the focal point of this article. This article: (a) reviews why universalist versus relativist is a false dichotomy; (b) introduces the reconstruction of Confucianism since the 1980s in China and examines the possibility of re-appropriating Confucian values; (c) elaborates the necessity of nation–states for resisting the threats of globalisation and for implementing human rights practices; and (d) concludes with Confucian discourse, developed in China, as an exemplary case that universal values and particular differences can be negotiated in a way that respecting cultural differences constitutes a universal value.
Technology Transfer in Sino-Japanese Relations
Authors: Sekhar D. Varaprasad
Published: January 2009

Technology transfer in Sino-Japanese relations assumes immense significance given the increasing role of technology in the developmental trajectory of the international, regional and their respective domestic contexts. What is singularly distinct about the technology transfer process is that it is punctuated by two contrasting phenomena of conflict and cooperation. Of these two, cooperation dominated until the 1980s, so long as the Chinese technological capabilities were still in the process of maturation. Once China began its journey on the path of becoming a technological superpower in the 1990s, conflict entered the technology transfer architecture between the two. Currently, both these phenomena characterise technology transfer between China and Japan in varying proportions and this trend might continue in the foreseeable future. The challenge for China and Japan, therefore, is to augment the component of cooperation while minimising conflict for the benefit of global technological development in general and of their respective technological capabilities and thereby, their economies in particular.
The Making of Mavericks
Authors: Tavits Margit
Published: January 2009

By focusing on parliamentary systems, this article presents an argument that legislators who have strong local ties and individual support bases are more likely to be individualistic and so break party unity in parliament. They are simply less dependent on parties for their careers, political and otherwise. The article draws on an original data set of legislators' votes and their biographies from five European democracies. The results show that local-level political experience is a strong predictor of being a maverick in parliament.
Texts, Scribes and Scholars: Reflections on a Busy Decade in Dead Sea Scrolls Research
Authors: Hempel Charlotte
Published: January 2009

This article offers an overview of a number of developments in the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the last decade. This period witnessed the full publication of the corpus as well as some very important fresh perspectives on this extraordinary collection of ancient Jewish texts.
Ora et Labora: Barth's Forgotten Hermeneutical Principle
Authors: Gignilliat Mark
Published: January 2009

This article explores the interface between our theological confession, spiritual formation and intellectual efforts in the context of theological exegesis and theological education. In the broader discourse about theological exegesis and methods attendant to these concerns, a central task in the process of reading and interpreting Scripture has not received the attention it deserves and demands. This task, or posture, is prayer. The bulk of the article is given to listening to Karl Barth's formulations of this matter in Church Dogmatics I.2 . For Barth, all of one's theological exegetical labours from beginning to end must take place in the context of prayer.
“A Married Out Daughter Is Like Spilt Water”?
Authors: Weiguo Zhang
Published: January 2009

This article investigates how the intersection of two state policies, the market reforms initiated in 1978 and the “one-child” policy launched in 1979, is shaping gender, family, and kin relations in rural North China. It focuses particularly on women's ties with their natal families after marriage; these have become closer, with more frequent daughter-parent contact. The qualitative data were collected from interviews and focus group discussions conducted intermittently between 2002 and 2004 in three Hebei counties. The changing context of the new political economy, brought about by market reforms, has broken down the pre-reform institutional and economic constraints inherent in daughter-parent ties, thereby enhancing these relationships in post-reform rural society. Moreover, the “one-child” policy, which aims to regulate individual fertility and retard population growth, has had the unintended consequence of strengthening relations between married daughters and their birth parents.
Interpersonal Predictors of Stress Generation
Authors: Eberhart Nicole K. , Hammen Constance L.
Published: January 2009

Hammen (1991) provided evidence for a stress generation process in which individuals with a history of depression contributed to the occurrence of stressors, especially interpersonal and conflict events. However, few studies have examined the factors contributing to stress generation. This study examines aspects of individuals' interpersonal style, operationalized as attachment, dependency, and reassurance seeking, as predictors of conflict stress generation within romantic relationships. These effects were examined both prospectively over a 4-week period and cross-sectionally using a 14-day daily diary in a sample of female college students. Overall, there was significant evidence that interpersonal style contributes to the occurrence of interpersonal stressors. Specifically, anxious attachment and reassurance seeking prospectively predicted romantic conflict stress over a 4-week period, and a variety of interpersonal behaviors were associated with romantic conflict stressors on a daily basis. These results are interpreted in relation to previous literature, and limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
The Liver Toxicity Biomarker Study: Phase I Design and Preliminary Results
Authors: Mcburney Robert N. , Hines Wade M , Von Tungeln Linda S. , Schnackenberg Laura K. , Beger Richard D. , Moland Carrie L. , Tao Han  , Fuscoe James C. , Chang Ching-Wei , Chen James J. , Zhenqiang Su  , Fan Xiao-Hui , WEIDA TONG  , Booth Shelagh A. , Balasubramanian Raji , Courchesne Paul L. , Campbell Jennifer M. , Graber Armin , YU GUO  , Juhasz Peter J. , Li Tricin Y. , Lynch Moira D. , Morel Nicole M. , Plasterer Thomas N. , Takach Edward J. , CHENHUI ZENG  , Beland Frederick A.
Published: January 2009

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the primary adverse event that results in withdrawal of drugs from the market and a frequent reason for the failure of drug candidates in development. The Liver Toxicity Biomarker Study (LTBS) is an innovative approach to investigate DILI because it compares molecular events produced in vivo by compound pairs that (a) are similar in structure and mechanism of action, (b) are associated with few or no signs of liver toxicity in preclinical studies, and (c) show marked differences in hepatotoxic potential. The LTBS is a collaborative preclinical research effort in molecular systems toxicology between the National Center for Toxicological Research and BG Medicine, Inc., and is supported by seven pharmaceutical companies and three technology providers. In phase I of the LTBS, entacapone and tolcapone were studied in rats to provide results and information that will form the foundation for the design and implementation of phase II. Molecular analysis of the rat liver and plasma samples combined with statistical analyses of the resulting datasets yielded marker analytes, illustrating the value of the broad-spectrum, molecular systems analysis approach to studying pharmacological or toxicological effects.