bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antenatal Sildenafil Treatment Attenuates Pulmonary Hypertension in Experimental Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Luong Christina , Rey-Perra Juliana , Vadivel Arul , Gilmour Greg , Sauve Yves , Koonen Debby , Walker Don , Todd Kathryn G. , Gressens Pierre , Kassiri Zamaneh , Nadeem Khurram , Morgan Beverly , Eaton Farah , Dyck Jason R. , Archer Stephen L. , Thébaud Bernard
Published: May 2011

Background—

Lung hypoplasia and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn limit survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Unlike other diseases resulting in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, infants with CDH are refractory to inhaled nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide mediates pulmonary vasodilatation at birth in part via cyclic GMP production. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) limits the effects of NO by inactivation of cyclic GMP. Because of the limited success in postnatal management of CDH, we hypothesized that antenatal PDE5 inhibition would attenuate pulmonary artery remodeling in experimental nitrofen-induced CDH.

Methods and Results—

Nitrofen administered at embryonic day 9.5 to pregnant rats resulted in a 60% incidence of CDH in the offspring and recapitulated features seen in human CDH, including structural abnormalities (lung hypoplasia, decreased pulmonary vascular density, pulmonary artery remodeling, right ventricular hypertrophy), and functional abnormalities (decreased pulmonary artery relaxation in response to the NO donor 2-(
N
,
N
-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide). Antenatal sildenafil administered to the pregnant rat from embryonic day 11.5 to embryonic day 20.5 crossed the placenta, increased fetal lung cyclic GMP and decreased active PDE5 expression. Antenatal sildenafil improved lung structure, increased pulmonary vessel density, reduced right ventricular hypertrophy, and improved postnatal NO donor 2-(
N
,
N
-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide–induced pulmonary artery relaxation. This was associated with increased lung endothelial NO synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression. Antenatal sildenafil had no adverse effect on retinal structure/function and brain development.

Conclusions—

Antenatal sildenafil improves pathological features of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in experimental CDH and does not alter the development of other PDE5-expressing organs. Given the high mortality/morbidity of CDH, the potential benefit of prenatal PDE5 inhibition in improving the outcome for infants with CDH warrants further studies.
Mechanical Coupling Between Myofibroblasts and Cardiomyocytes Slows Electric Conduction in Fibrotic Cell Monolayers
Authors: Thompson Susan A. , Copeland Craig R. , Reich Daniel H. , Tung Leslie
Published: May 2011

Background—

After cardiac injury, activated cardiac myofibroblasts can influence tissue electrophysiology. Because mechanical coupling through adherens junctions provides a route for intercellular communication, we tested the hypothesis that myofibroblasts exert tonic contractile forces on the cardiomyocytes and affect electric propagation via a process of mechanoelectric feedback.

Methods and Results—

The role of mechanoelectric feedback was examined in transforming growth factor-β–treated monolayers of cocultured myofibroblasts and neonatal rat ventricular cells by inhibiting myofibroblast contraction and blocking mechanosensitive channels. Untreated (control) and transforming growth factor-β–treated (fibrotic) anisotropic monolayers were optically mapped for electrophysiological comparison. Longitudinal conduction velocity, transverse conduction velocity, and normalized action potential upstroke velocity (dV/dt
max
) significantly decreased in fibrotic monolayers (14.4±0.7 cm/s [mean±SEM], 4.1±0.3 cm/s [n=53], and 3.1±0.2% per ms [n=14], respectively) compared with control monolayers (27.2±0.8 cm/s, 8.5±0.4 cm/s [n=40], and 4.9±0.1% per ms [n=12], respectively). Application of the excitation-contraction uncoupler blebbistatin or the mechanosensitive channel blocker gadolinium or streptomycin dramatically increased longitudinal conduction velocity, transverse conduction velocity, and dV/dt
max
in fibrotic monolayers (35.9±1.5 cm/s, 10.3±0.6 cm/s [n=17], and 4.5±0.1% per ms [n=14], respectively). Similar results were observed with connexin43–silenced cardiac myofibroblasts. Spiral-wave induction in fibrotic monolayers also decreased after the aforementioned treatments. Finally, traction force measurements of individual myofibroblasts showed a significant increase with transforming growth factor-β, a decrease with blebbistatin, and no change with mechanosensitive channel blockers.

Conclusions—

These observations suggest that myofibroblast-myocyte mechanical interactions develop during cardiac injury, and that cardiac conduction may be impaired as a result of increased mechanosensitive channel activation owing to tension applied to the myocyte by the myofibroblast.
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Registry Risk Score Models for Acute Procedural Complications or Death After Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation
Authors: Haines David E. , Wang Yongfei , Curtis Jeptha
Published: May 2011

Background—

Patients undergoing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation are at risk of postprocedural complications. However, we do not have a risk stratification schema to identify patients at high and low risk of adverse events.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed data from 268 701 ICD implants submitted to the ICD Registry and developed logistic regression models to identify variables most strongly associated with the risk of acute complications and/or in-hospital death. Overall, 3.2% of the population experienced an adverse event. A simple risk score consisting of 10 readily available variables successfully identified patients at high and low risk of complications. The variables included in the score and assigned points included: age ≥70 years (1 point), female (2 points), New York Heart Association class III (1 point) or IV (3 points), atrial fibrillation (1 point), prior valve surgery (3 points), chronic lung disease (2 points), blood urea nitrogen >30 (2 points), reimplantation for reasons other than battery change (6 points), ICD type dual chamber (2 points) or biventricular (4 points), and nonelective ICD implant (3 points). The risk of any in-hospital complication increased from 0.6% among patients with a score of ≤5 (8.4% of the population) to 8.4% among patients with ≥19 risk points (3.9% of the population).

Conclusions—

A simple risk score consisting of readily available clinical variables can identify high- and low-risk subsets of patients undergoing ICD implantation. This information can guide the physician in patient selection and determining the intensity of care required post procedure.
Differential Effects of Nebivolol and Metoprolol on Central Aortic Pressure and Left Ventricular Wall Thickness
Authors: Kampus Priit , Serg Martin , Kals Jaak , Zagura Maksim , Muda Piibe , Karu Külliki , Zilmer Mihkel , Eha Jaan
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the vasodilating β-blocker nebivolol and the cardioselective β-blocker metoprolol succinate on aortic blood pressure and left ventricular wall thickness. We conducted a randomized, double-blind study on 80 hypertensive patients. The patients received either 5 mg of nebivolol or 50 to 100 mg of metoprolol succinate daily for 1 year. Their heart rate, central and brachial blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, augmentation index, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and left ventricular wall thickness were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Nebivolol and metoprolol significantly reduced heart rate, brachial blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure to the same degree. However, reductions in central systolic and diastolic blood pressures, central pulse pressure, and left ventricular wall thickness were significant only in the nebivolol group. The change in left ventricular septal wall thickness was significantly correlated with central systolic blood pressure change (
r
=0.41;
P
=0.001) and with central pulse pressure change (
r
=0.32;
P
=0.01). No significant changes in augmentation index or carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were detected in either treatment group. This proof-of-principle study provides evidence to suggest that β-blockers with vasodilating properties may offer advantages over conventional β-blockers in antihypertensive therapy; however, this remains to be tested in a larger trial.
Angiogenic Growth Factors Are New and Essential Players in the Sustained Relaxin Vasodilatory Pathway in Rodents and Humans
Authors: McGuane Jonathan T. , Danielson Leslie A. , Debrah Julianna E. , Rubin J. Peter , Novak Jacqueline , Conrad Kirk P.
Published: May 2011

Relaxin is emerging as an important vasodilator of pregnancy and is being tested for afterload reduction in acute heart failure. However, the mechanisms underlying relaxin-induced vasodilation are incompletely understood. The aims of this study were to establish a new in vitro model for relaxin-induced vasodilation and to use this approach, as well as chronically instrumented, conscious rats, to investigate the role of angiogenic growth factors in the relaxin vasodilatory pathway. Incubation of rat and mouse small renal arteries with recombinant human H2 relaxin for 3 hours in vitro attenuated myogenic constriction, which was blocked by inhibitors of gelatinases, the endothelin B receptor, and NO synthase. These findings corroborate ex vivo observations in arteries isolated from relaxin-infused nonpregnant and midterm pregnant rats, thereby validating the new experimental approach and enabling the study of human arteries. Incubation of small human subcutaneous arteries with relaxin for 3 hours in vitro also attenuated myogenic constriction through the same molecular intermediates. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor SU5416, 3 different vascular endothelial growth factor, and 2 different placental growth factor neutralizing antibodies prevented relaxin from attenuating myogenic constriction in rat and mouse small renal and human subcutaneous arteries. SU5416 administration also prevented relaxin-induced renal vasodilation and hyperfiltration in chronically instrumented, conscious rats. Small renal arteries isolated from these rats demonstrated increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity in the relaxin-infused group, which was not prevented by SU5416. We conclude that there is concordance of relaxin vasodilatory mechanisms in rats, mice, and humans, and angiogenic growth factors are novel and essential intermediates.
Addition of Spironolactone in Patients With Resistant Arterial Hypertension (ASPIRANT)
Authors: Václavík Jan , Sedlák Richard , Plachý Martin , Navrátil Karel , Plášek Jiří , Jarkovský Jiří , Václavík Tomáš , Husár Roman , Kociánová Eva , Táborský Miloš
Published: May 2011

There is currently limited data on which drug should be used to improve blood pressure (BP) control in patients with resistant hypertension. This study was designed to assess the effect of the addition of 25 mg of spironolactone on BP in patients with resistant arterial hypertension. Patients with office systolic BP >140 mm Hg or diastolic BP >90 mm Hg despite treatment with at least 3 antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. One hundred seventeen patients were randomly assigned to receive spironolactone (n=59) or a placebo (n=58) as an add-on to their antihypertensive medication, by the method of simple randomization. Analyses were done with 111 patients (55 in the spironolactone and 56 in the placebo groups). At 8 weeks, the primary end points, a difference in mean fall of BP on daytime ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), between the groups was −5.4 mm Hg (95%CI −10.0; −0.8) for systolic BP (
P
=0.024) and −1.0 mm Hg (95% CI −4.0; 2.0) for diastolic BP (
P
=0.358). The APBM nighttime systolic, 24-hour ABPM systolic, and office systolic BP values were significantly decreased by spironolactone (difference of −8.6, −6.6, and −6.5 mm Hg;
P
=0.011, 0.004, and 0.011), whereas the fall of the respective diastolic BP values was not significant (−3.0, −1.0, and −2.5 mm Hg;
P
=0.079, 0.405, and 0.079). The adverse events in both groups were comparable. In conclusion, spironolactone is an effective drug for lowering systolic BP in patients with resistant arterial hypertension.
Association of Blood Pressure and Hypertension With the Risk of Parkinson Disease
Authors: Qiu Chengxuan , Hu Gang , Kivipelto Miia , Laatikainen Tiina , Antikainen Riitta , Fratiglioni Laura , Jousilahti Pekka , Tuomilehto Jaakko
Published: May 2011

Cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and central obesity, have been associated with Parkinson disease (PD), but data on blood pressure and PD are lacking. We sought to examine the association of blood pressure and hypertension with the risk of PD among men and women. This study consisted of 7 surveys (1972–2002) on representative samples of the general population in Finland (National FINRISK Study). A total number of 59 540 participants (age 25 to 74 years; 51.8% women) who were free of PD and stroke at baseline were prospectively followed until December 31, 2006, to identify incident PD cases using the National Social Insurance Register database. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to estimate the hazard ratio of PD associated with blood pressure. During a mean follow-up period of 18.8 years (SD: 10.2 years), 423 men and 371 women were ascertained to have developed PD. In women, compared with normotensive subjects (<130/80 mm Hg), the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of PD associated with high-normal blood pressure (130 to 139/80 to 89 mm Hg) and hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive agents) were 1.63 (95% CI: 1.07 to 2.47) and 1.62 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.42). There was no significant association between blood pressure and PD risk in men. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of PD associated with use of antihypertensive agents were 1.08 (95% CI: 0.79 to 1.48) in men and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.76 to 1.38) in women. This study suggests that, in women, above-optimal blood pressure, including high-normal blood pressure and hypertension, is associated with an increased risk of PD. Optimal control of blood pressure in women may reduce the incidence of PD.
Maximum Value of Home Blood Pressure
Authors: Matsui Yoshio , Ishikawa Joji , Eguchi Kazuo , Shibasaki Seiichi , Shimada Kazuyuki , Kario Kazuomi
Published: May 2011

The maximum office systolic blood pressure (SBP) has been shown to be a strong predictor of cardiovascular events, independently of the mean SBP level. However, the clinical implications of maximum home SBP have never been reported. We investigated the association between the maximum home SBP and target organ damage (TOD). We assessed the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) using ultrasonography and the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) as measures of TOD in 356 never-treated hypertensive subjects. Home BP was taken in triplicate in the morning and evening, respectively, for 14 consecutive days with a memory-equipped device. The maximum home SBP was defined as the maximum mean triplicate BP reading in the 14-day period for each individual and was significantly correlated with LVMI (
r
=0.51,
P
<0.001), carotid IMT (
r
=0.40,
P
<0.001), and UACR (
r
=0.29,
P
<0.001). The correlation coefficients with LVMI and carotid IMT were significantly larger for the maximum home SBP than the mean home SBP. In multivariate regression analyses, the maximum home SBP was independently associated with LVMI and carotid IMT, regardless of the mean home BP level. In the prediction of left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid atherosclerosis, the goodness-of-fit of the model was significantly improved when the maximum home SBP was added to the sum of the mean office and home BPs (
P
=0.002 and
P
<0.001, respectively). These findings indicate that assessment of the maximum home SBP, in addition to the mean home SBP, might increase the predictive value of hypertensive TOD in the heart and artery.
Live Coding of Consequence
Authors: Collins Nick
Published: May 2011

A live coding movement has arisen from everyday use of interpreted programming environments, where the results of new code can be immediately established. Running algorithms can be modified as they progress. In the context of arts computing, live coding has become an intriguing movement in the field of real-time performance. It directly confronts the role of computer programmers in new media work by placing their actions, and the consequences of their actions, centrally within a work's setting. This article covers historical precedents, theoretical perspectives and recent practice. Although the contemporary exploration of live coding is associated with the rise of laptop music and visuals, there are many further links to uncover throughout rule-based art. A central issue is the role of a human being within computable structures; it is possible to find examples of live coding that do not require the use of a (digital) computer at all.
Performing Digital Aesthetics: The Framework for a Theory of the Formation of Interactive Narratives
Authors: Brown Neil C.M. , Barker Timothy S. , Del Favero Dennis
Published: May 2011

Interactive narratives are inextricable from the way that we understand our encounters with digital technology. This is based upon the way that these encounters are processually formed into a narrative of episodic events, arranged and re-arranged by various levels of agency. After describing past research conducted at the iCinema Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, this paper sets out a framework within which to build a relational theory of interactive narrative formation, outlining future research in the area.
Fertilization Narratives in the Art of Gustav Klimt, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo: Repression, Domination and Eros among Cells
Authors: Gilbert Scott F. , Brauckmann Sabine
Published: May 2011

Fertilization narratives are powerful biological stories that can be used for social ends, and 20th-century artists have used fertilization-based imagery to convey political and social ideas. In Danae, Gustav Klimt used an esoteric stage of early human embryos to indicate successful fertilization and the inability of government repression to stifle creativity. In Man, Controller of the Universe, Diego Rivera painted a mural of a man controlling an ovulating ovary, depicting Trotsky's view that society will rationally regulate human fertilization. His former wife, Frida Kahlo, refuted this view in Moses: Nucleus of Creation, wherein she painted images of fertilization and embryo formation as the ultimate acts of erotic consummation and generation.
The Implicit Body as Performance: Analyzing Interactive Art
Authors: Stern Nathaniel
Published: May 2011

This paper puts contemporary theories of embodiment and performance in the service of interactive arts criticism. Rather than focusing on vision, structure or signification, the author proposes that we explicitly examine bodies-in-relation, interaction as performance, and “being” as “being-with.” He presents four concrete areas of concentration for analyzing the category of interactive art. The author also examines how such work amplifies subjects and objects as always already implicated across one another.
Social Media as a New Public Sphere
Authors: Mazali Tatiana
Published: May 2011

The information and communication technology system is constantly creating new scenarios, but a tendency in them can still be recognized: the blurring of the limits between consumers and producers and the passage from interactivity to participation (user generated contents, web 2.0, social networks). In this emerging cultural context, constantly redefined and remediated by individual and personalized forms of elaboration, it is important to understand the way in which every single person or group leads his/her own way towards reappropriation of the technological realm. The author aims to explore potential and real capacities of these new technologies to generate a new public sphere by analyzing an exemplary case study: the moblog communities in the megaphone.net project.
Regional Climate Models Add Value to Global Model Data: A Review and Selected Examples
Authors: Feser Frauke , Rockel Burkhardt , von Storch Hans , Winterfeldt Jörg , Zahn Matthias
Published: May 2011

An important challenge in current climate modeling is to realistically describe small-scale weather statistics, such as topographic precipitation and coastal wind patterns, or regional phenomena like polar lows. Global climate models simulate atmospheric processes with increasingly higher resolutions, but still regional climate models have a lot of advantages. They consume less computation time because of their limited simulation area and thereby allow for higher resolution both in time and space as well as for longer integration times. Regional climate models can be used for dynamical down-scaling purposes because their output data can be processed to produce higher resolved atmospheric fields, allowing the representation of small-scale processes and a more detailed description of physiographic details (such as mountain ranges, coastal zones, and details of soil properties).

However, does higher resolution add value when compared to global model results? Most studies implicitly assume that dynamical downscaling leads to output fields that are superior to the driving global data, but little work has been carried out to substantiate these expectations. Here a series of articles is reviewed that evaluate the benefit of dynamical downscaling by explicitly comparing results of global and regional climate model data to the observations. These studies show that the regional climate model generally performs better for the medium spatial scales, but not always for the larger spatial scales.

Regional models can add value, but only for certain variables and locations—particularly those influenced by regional specifics, such as coasts, or mesoscale dynamics, such as polar lows. Therefore, the decision of whether a regional climate model simulation is required depends crucially on the scientific question being addressed.
Predicting the Seasonal Shift in Mosquito Populations Preceding the Onset of the West Nile Virus in Central Illinois
Authors: Westcott N. E. , Hilberg S. D. , Lampman R. L. , Alto B. W. , Bedel A. , Muturi E. J. , Glahn H. , Baker M. , Kunkel K. E. , Novak R. J.
Published: May 2011

In the midwestern United States, the summertime rise in infection rate by the West Nile virus is associated with a seasonal shift in the abundance of two mosquito populations, Culex restuans and Culex pipiens. This seasonal shift usually precedes the time of the peak infection rate in mosquitoes by 2–3 weeks and generally occurs earlier in the summer with above normal temperatures and later in the summer with below-normal temperatures. Two empirical models were developed to predict this seasonal shift in mosquito species, or the “crossover,” and have been run operationally since 2004 by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center located at the Illinois State Water Survey. These models are based on daily temperature data and have been verified by use of a unique dataset of daily records of mosquito species abundance collected by the Illinois Natural History Survey. An unfortunate characteristic of the original temperature models was that the crossover date often was reached with little or no lead time. In 2009, the models were modified to incorporate National Weather Service (NWS) model output statistics (MOS) 10-day temperature forecasts. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of these models to predict the crossover date and thus the period of increased risk of West Nile virus in the Midwest.

For the 8-yr period from 2002 to 2009, 6 yr had at least one model predicting the crossover within one week of the actual crossover date, and for 7 yr at least one of the model predictions was within 2 weeks of the actual crossover date. Incorporation of MOS temperature forecasts for a 10-day period, although not substantially changing the predicted crossover date, greatly improved the forecast lead time by about 9 days. From a disease management point of view, this improvement in advanced notice is significant. In 2009, there was an unprecedented early crossover date and a failed forecast. The poor forecast was likely caused by an unusually early summer prolonged and intense heat wave, followed immediately by a record cold July.
Modeling Monsoon Intraseasonal Variability: From Theory to Operational Forecasting
Authors: Hendon Harry H. , Sperber Kenneth R. , Waliser Duane E. , Wheeler Matthew C.
Published: May 2011

No Abstract available.
Zonal Asymmetry of the Annular Mode and Its Downstream Subtropical Jet: An Idealized Model Study
Authors: Song Jie , Zhou Wen , Wang Xin , Li Chongyin
Published: May 2011

This study investigates linkages between the zonal asymmetry of the annular mode (AM) zonal pattern and the subtropical jet (STJ) over its downstream regions of the storm track by using an idealized model. Observational analyses show that the AM zonal patterns are more zonally asymmetric during days when the STJ downstream of the storm track is unusually strong, and vice versa. In the idealized model, the STJ downstream of the storm track is varied by introducing an additional zonally localized tropical heating. The model’s AM variability exhibits a nearly zonally uniform structure when there is no or only weak tropical heating. However, the signatures of the AM are locally strengthened in the heating sector; thus, the AM zonal pattern is zonally asymmetric when the tropical heating is large enough to create a strong STJ. The model results also show that the percentage of the variance explained by the AM, the persistence of the AM index, and the intensity of eddy feedback are also increased when the tropical heating becomes stronger. It is argued herein that the zonal asymmetry of the AM pattern is caused by the zonal asymmetry of the anomalous synoptic eddy forcing projecting on the AM, which is primarily due to the zonal asymmetry of the variations of the storm track between the nonheating and heating sectors.
Validation of River Flows in HadGEM1 and HadCM3 with the TRIP River Flow Model
Authors: Falloon Pete , Betts Richard , Wiltshire Andrew , Dankers Rutger , Mathison Camilla , McNeall Doug , Bates Paul , Trigg Mark
Published: May 2011

The Total Runoff Integrating Pathways (TRIP) global river-routing scheme in the third climate configuration of the Met Office Unified Model (HadCM3) and the newer Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model version 1 (HadGEM1) general circulation models (GCMs) have been validated against long-term average measured river discharge data from 40 stations on 24 major river basins from the Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC). TRIP was driven by runoff produced directly by the two GCMs in order to assess both the skill of river flows produced within GCMs in general and to test this as a method for validating large-scale hydrology in GCMs. TRIP predictions of long-term-averaged annual discharge were improved at 28 out of 40 gauging stations on 24 of the world’s major rivers in HadGEM1 compared to HadCM3, particularly for low- and high-latitude basins, with predictions ranging from “good” (within 20% of observed values) to “poor” (biases exceeding 50%). For most regions, the modeled annual average river flows tended to be exaggerated in both models, largely reflecting inflated estimates of precipitation, although lack of human interventions in this modeling setup may have been an additional source of error. Within individual river basins, there were no clear trends in the accuracy of HadGEM1 versus HadCM3 predictions at up- or downstream gauging stations. Relative root-mean-square error (RRMSE) scores for the annual cycle of river flow ranged from poor (>50%) to “fair” (20%–50%) with an overall range of 20.7%–1023.5%, comparable to that found in similar global-scale studies. In both models, simulations of the annual cycle of river flow were generally better for high-latitude basins than in low or midlatitudes. There was a relatively small improvement in the annual cycle of river flow in HadGEM1 compared to HadCM3, mostly in the low-latitude rivers. The findings suggest that there is still substantial work to be done to enable GCMs to simulate monthly discharge consistently well over the majority of basins, including improvements to both (i) GCM simulation of basin-scale precipitation and evaporation and (ii) hydrological processes (e.g., representation of dry land hydrology, floodplain inundation, lakes, snowmelt, and human intervention).
Conditional Probability Estimation for Significant Tornadoes Based on Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) Profiles
Authors: Togstad William E. , Davies Jonathan M. , Corfidi Sarah J. , Bright David R. , Dean Andrew R.
Published: May 2011

Recent literature has identified several supercell/tornado forecast parameters in common use that are operationally beneficial in assessing environments supportive of supercell tornadoes. These parameters are utilized in the computation of tornado forecast guidance such as the significant tornado parameter (STP), a dimensionless parameter developed at the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) that applies a subjectively chosen scale. The goal of this research is to determine if useful logistic regression equations can be developed to estimate the conditional probability of supercell tornadoes that are categorized as level 2 or stronger on the enhanced Fujita scale (EF) when a similar set of environmental background parameters is applied as variables. A large database of Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) analysis soundings in proximity to a representative sample of tornadic and nontornadic supercells over the central and eastern United States, a number of which were associated with EF2 or stronger tornadoes, was used to compute supercell tornado forecast parameters similar to those in the original version of STP. Three logistic regression equations were developed from this database, two of which are described and analyzed in detail. Statistical verification for both equations was accomplished using independent data from 2008 in proximity to supercell storms identified by staff at SPC. A recent version of the STP was utilized as a comparison diagnostic to accomplish part of the statistical verification. The results of this research suggest that output from both logistic regression equations can provide valuable guidance in a probabilistic sense, when adjustments are made for the ongoing convective mode. Case studies presented also suggest that this guidance can provide information complementary to STP in severe weather situations with potential for supercell tornadoes.
Political Theology
Authors: Gorringe Tim
Published: May 2011

Christian political theology is rooted in Scripture, but this must be read as an ongoing debate rather than a set of revealed terms or order. Within that debate freedom, shalom and justice are singled out as key markers in any political theology and the paper argues that consensus decision making represents a more adequate response to Scripture than representative democracy.
Paul in the Book of Acts: Differences and Distance
Authors: Thompson Michael B.
Published: May 2011

The oldest and simplest explanation of first person plural language in Acts 16.10ff--that the author was a travelling companion of Paul--remains unconvincing to many scholars because of observed differences between what we see of Paul in Acts and in the apostle’s letters. But in the light of more recent research on Paul, those differences (as offered in a contemporary critical NT Introduction) are not so significant as they were once thought to be.
HDACi
Authors: Duncan H.F. , Smith A.J. , Fleming G.J.P. , Cooper P.R.
Published: May 2011

Acetylation of histone and non-histone proteins alters gene expression and induces a host of cellular effects. The acetylation process is homeostatically balanced by two groups of cellular enzymes, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HAT activity relaxes the structure of the human chromatin, rendering it transcriptionally active, thereby increasing gene expression. In contrast, HDAC activity leads to gene silencing. The enzymatic balance can be ‘tipped’ by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), leading to an accumulation of acetylated proteins, which subsequently modify cellular processes including stem cell differentiation, cell cycle, apoptosis, gene expression, and angiogenesis. There is a variety of natural and synthetic HDACi available, and their pleiotropic effects have contributed to diverse clinical applications, not only in cancer but also in non-cancer areas, such as chronic inflammatory disease, bone engineering, and neurodegenerative disease. Indeed, it appears that HDACi-modulated effects may differ between ‘normal’ and transformed cells, particularly with regard to reactive oxygen species accumulation, apoptosis, proliferation, and cell cycle arrest. The potential beneficial effects of HDACi for health, resulting from their ability to regulate global gene expression by epigenetic modification of DNA-associated proteins, also offer potential for application within restorative dentistry, where they may promote dental tissue regeneration following pulpal damage.
Latin America Management Research: Review, Synthesis, and Extension
Authors: Nicholls-Nixon Charlene L. , Davila Castilla Jose Antonio , Sanchez Garcia Julian , Rivera Pesquera Martha
Published: May 2011

Asia and Latin America are significant emerging economies. While Asian management research has been comprehensively reviewed, the understanding of Latin America management research is fragmented. The authors address this gap by providing the first literature review of Latin America management research. Defining management research broadly (looking across the subfields of international business, strategy, entrepreneurship, organization behavior and human resources, and business ethics), this literature review responds to the call for management researchers to contextualize their research. The article begins by examining the contextual dimensions that make Latin America distinctive. The authors then review Latin America management research and position it within the larger body of emerging economy research. They conclude by presenting a framework and research agenda to guide future efforts at theory development in the Latin American context.
Synergy Sources, Target Autonomy, and Integration in Acquisitions
Authors: Zaheer Akbar , Castañer Xavier , Souder David
Published: May 2011

Determining the appropriate level of integration is crucial to realizing value from acquisitions. Most prior research assumes that higher integration implies the removal of autonomy from target managers, which in turn undermines the functioning of the target firm if it entails unfamiliar elements for the acquirer. Using a survey of 86 acquisitions to obtain the richness of detail necessary to distinguish integration from autonomy, the authors argue and find that integration and autonomy are not the opposite ends of a single continuum. Certain conditions (e.g., when complementarity rather than similarity is the primary source of synergy) lead to high levels of both integration and autonomy. In addition, similarity negatively moderates the relationship between complementarity and autonomy when the target offers both synergy sources. In contrast, similarity does not moderate the link between complementarity and integration. The authors’ findings advance scholarly understanding about the drivers of implementation strategy and in particular the different implementation strategies acquiring managers deploy when they attempt to leverage complementarities, similarities, or both.
Using Canonical Commonality Analysis to Examine the Predictive Quality of Aging and Falls Efficacy on Balance Functioning in Older Adults
Authors: Stellefson Michael , Yannessa John F. , Martel Gregory F.
Published: May 2011

Purpose: The effects of important variables measuring the psychobiological aspects of falls among older adults were considered to determine their utility in predicting balance functioning among older adults. To partition the effects of aging and falls efficacy on balance and leg strength simultaneously, canonical commonality analysis (CCA) was used. Methods: CCA is a multivariate technique which decomposes squared semipartial correlation effect sizes into constituent, nonoverlapping segments that describe unique and common explanatory powers of predictor variables. Data from a study conducted to examine the psychobiological and aging influences on unintended falls among physically active older adults were analyzed. Findings: CCA showed balance confidence as measured by the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and age to be noteworthy predictors of balance; yet, age was determined to be more important than balance confidence when predicting balance and leg strength (i.e., balance functioning) simultaneously. In addition, results suggest that data obtained from the ABC better predicted balance functioning among active older adults as compared to the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), a traditional measure used to assess the construct. Conclusion: The ABC stands as a viable alternative to consider when assessing falls efficacy among dynamic older adults. Future research would benefit from using CCA to understand how various psychobiological constructs predict fall-related outcomes.
Explaining the Difference of Work Attitudes Between Public and Nonprofit Managers
Authors: Chen Chung-An
Published: May 2011

Work attitudes (e.g., job satisfaction, job involvement, organizational commitment, etc.) have long been important indicators for managers and researchers in evaluating whether one is motivated to work. Existing empirical studies tend to suggest that public managers are less likely to exhibit positive work attitudes as compared with their private sector peers. However, literature about the comparison of work attitudes between public and nonprofit managers is scant. The current study addresses this topic. By using the National Administrative Studies Project-III (NASP-III) survey data, the author found that nonprofit managers are more likely than public managers to show positive work attitudes. This attitudinal difference, based on the results of mediation tests, originates from two important reasons. First, higher levels of rule constraints (i.e., red tape and personnel flexibility) in the public sector undermine managers’ work attitudes. Second, individuals attracted to work in the public sector have stronger extrinsic motivation, stronger amotivation, and weaker intrinsic motivation. These motivation styles compromise their work attitudes.
Closer Than “Arms Length”
Authors: Amirkhanyan Anna A. , Kim Hyun Joon , Lambright Kristina T.
Published: May 2011

This article focuses on collaborative relationships between contractors and government agencies and explores which contract characteristics, contractor traits, and environmental factors are associated with the development of such relationships. The study uses data from the Partnership Impact Research Project, a three-round longitudinal survey of over one hundred child care centers and Head Start agencies in Ohio. Our findings suggest that stronger collaborative contracting relationships are associated with greater contract specificity, better contractor service quality, and contractor affiliation with a larger organization. On the other hand, a contractor’s financial autonomy and nonprofit status are negatively related to collaborative relationship strength. We also find that a contractor’s internal management capacity is positively associated with the development of shared procedures governing contractual relationships.
Cognitive Capitalism
Authors: Rindermann Heiner , Thompson James
Published: May 2011

Traditional economic theories stress the relevance of political, institutional, geographic, and historical factors for economic growth. In contrast, human-capital theories suggest that peoples’ competences, mediated by technological progress, are the deciding factor in a nation’s wealth. Using three large-scale assessments, we calculated cognitive-competence sums for the mean and for upper- and lower-level groups for 90 countries and compared the influence of each group’s intellectual ability on gross domestic product. In our cross-national analyses, we applied different statistical methods (path analyses, bootstrapping) and measures developed by different research groups to various country samples and historical periods. Our results underscore the decisive relevance of cognitive ability—particularly of an intellectual class with high cognitive ability and accomplishments in science, technology, engineering, and math—for national wealth. Furthermore, this group’s cognitive ability predicts the quality of economic and political institutions, which further determines the economic affluence of the nation. Cognitive resources enable the evolution of capitalism and the rise of wealth.
The Unanticipated Interpersonal and Societal Consequences of Choice
Authors: Savani Krishna , Stephens Nicole M. , Markus Hazel Rose
Published: May 2011

Choice makes North Americans feel more in control, free, and independent, and thus has many positive consequences for individuals’ motivation and well-being. We report five studies that uncovered novel consequences of choice for public policy and interpersonal judgments. Studies 1 through 3 found that activating the concept of choice decreases support for policies promoting intergroup equality (e.g., affirmative action) and societal benefits (e.g., reducing environmental pollution), but increases support for policies promoting individual rights (e.g., legalizing drugs). Studies 4 and 5 found that activating the concept of choice increases victim blaming and decreases empathy for disadvantaged people. Study 5 found that choice does not decrease Indians’ empathy for disadvantaged individuals, indicating that the social and interpersonal consequences of choice are likely culture-specific. This research suggests that the well-known positive effects of choice for individuals can be accompanied by an array of previously unexamined and potentially negative outcomes for other people and for society.
Enhancing Retention Through Reconsolidation
Authors: Finn Bridgid , Roediger Henry L.
Published: May 2011

When information is retrieved from memory, it enters a labile state rendering it amenable to change. This process of reconsolidation may explain, in part, the benefits that are observed in later retention following retrieval of information on an initial test. We examined whether the benefits of retrieval could be modulated by an emotional event occurring after retrieval. Participants studied Swahili-English vocabulary pairs. On a subsequent cued-recall test, each retrieval was followed by a blank screen, a neutral picture, or a picture inducing negative affect. Performance on a final cued-recall test was best for items whose initial retrieval was followed by negative pictures. This outcome occurred when a negative picture was presented immediately after (Experiment 1) or 2 s after (Experiment 2) successful retrieval, but not when it was presented after restudy of the vocabulary pair (Experiment 3). Postretrieval reconsolidation via emotional processing may enhance the usual positive effects of retrieval.
Marital Abuse and Psychological Well-Being Among Women in the Southern Region of Jordan
Authors: Hamdan-Mansour Ayman M. , Arabiat Diana Hashem , Sato Tokiko , Obaid Batoul , Imoto Atsuko
Published: May 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between marital abuse and psychological well-being among women in the southern region of Jordan. Design: A descriptive correlational design was used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 915 women in the southern region of Jordan. Data collected were related to forms of marital abuse and six domains of psychological well-being. Results: The analysis showed that women have moderate to high level of psychological well-being. The prevalence of ever being abused during the past 12 months ranged from 3.2% ( n = 25) for being threatened with a knife to 45.1% ( n = 348) for their husbands being unconcerned about them while they were sick. There were significant differences in marital abuse related to having ever had school education (χ2 = 8.56, df = 2, p = .014). All forms of marital abuse were highly correlated ( p < .01). Self-acceptance and environmental mastery domains of psychological well-being had negative and significant correlation with all forms of marital abuse ( p < .01). Discussion and Conclusion: Health professionals in health care centers need to assess for marital abuse and its consequence on women’s health. Interventions should emphasize promotion of psychological well-being and the factors that influence women empowerment.
The Impact of Cancer on Family Relationships Among Chinese Patients
Authors: Lee Joyce , Bell Kirsten
Published: May 2011

This study examines the impact of cancer on family relationships among members of a Chinese cancer support group. A qualitative research design was used, including participant observation of 96 participants at group meetings over an 8-month period and in-depth interviews with seven group members. Findings indicated that family members were integral to the support group, constituting almost 40% of the participants. Patients in the group expressed concerns about family, with family members identified as having “equal suffering” when caring for patients. Notably, among both patients and family members, there was a strong emphasis on the need to conceal emotion, coupled with a focus on instrumental support in caregiving. Furthermore, patients’ anxiety about “burdening” their family appeared to inflate their own experience of distress, as patients and their family carers both sought to maintain a positive front. The findings highlight the need for practitioners to focus on the entire family when designing interventions to help patients cope with cancer. More important, interventions need to be culturally sensitive that will empower patients and family members in living with the illness.
Teacher Perceptions of Games in Singapore Schools
Authors: Koh Elizabeth , Kin Yeo Gee , Wadhwa Bimlesh , Lim John
Published: May 2011

With the proliferation of entertainment games, supported by heavy investment in the underlying technologies, educators are now examining the educational values of gaming and attempting to incorporate games into their teaching. In Singapore, the game sector is worth many million Singapore dollars (SGDs), and gaming is an engaging activity of the young. Using a survey, this study examined the use of games and simulations in schools. The study was designed to shed light on the use of gaming activities in learning, perception of adoption and use, and problems encountered in teachers’ attempts to adopt games. Factors related to teaching level, experience, and subject were also analyzed for possible influence on teachers’ perceptions of game-related learning.
In Search of Effective Methodology for Organizational Learning: A Japanese Experience
Authors: Tsuchiya Shigehisa
Published: May 2011

The author’s personal journey regarding simulation and gaming started about 25 years ago when he happened to realize how powerful computerized simulation could be for organizational change. The metaphors created by computerized simulation enabled him to transform a stagnant university into a high-performance organization. Through extensive surveys, the author found that gaming/simulation could be most effective for organizational learning. In 1997, Professor Duke gave him a rare opportunity to acquire the tacit knowledge about developing policy exercises. The author started to create policy exercises for Japanese companies, a national agency, and local authorities. On the basis of his gaming experience, he believes that the key success factors of effective policy exercises for organizational learning are confidence and trust that the exercise designer can win by addressing two key elements: participation and transparency.