bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Eddy Diffusivity Profiles on Stratocumulus Liquid Water Path Biases
Authors: de Roode Stephan R.
Published: July 2007

Results from simulations of the stratocumulus-topped boundary layer with one-dimensional versions of general simulation models typically exhibit a wide range of spread in the modeled liquid water path (LWP). These discrepancies are often attributed to differences in the modeled entrainment rate. Results from a large eddy simulation of the First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project Regional Experiment I stratocumulus case are analyzed. The diagnosed eddy diffusivities for heat and moisture are found to differ by about a factor of 3. Moreover, both have a much larger magnitude than the ones typically applied in boundary layer parameterization schemes. Motivated by these results mean state solutions are analyzed for the specific case in which the vertical fluxes of heat and moisture are prescribed, whereas eddy diffusivity profiles are systematically varied by multiplication with a constant factor. The solutions demonstrate that any value, ranging from zero to a maximum adiabatic value, can be obtained for the LWP. In the subtropical parts over the ocean where horizontally extended stratocumulus fields persist, the surface sensible heat flux is typically small, whereas surface evaporation and entrainment of relatively dry air from above the surface can result in significant moisture fluxes. If the eddy diffusivity values are small, then the mean specific humidity will tend to decrease quite rapidly with height in order to support the humidity flux. This results in erroneous low humidity values in the upper part of the boundary layers causing low LWP values.
Generalization of the Discrete Brier and Ranked Probability Skill Scores for Weighted Multimodel Ensemble Forecasts
Authors: Weigel Andreas P. , Liniger Mark A. , Appenzeller Christof
Published: July 2007

This note describes how the widely used Brier and ranked probability skill scores (BSS and RPSS, respectively) can be correctly applied to quantify the potential skill of probabilistic multimodel ensemble forecasts. It builds upon the study of Weigel et al. where a revised RPSS, the so-called discrete ranked probability skill score (RPSSD), was derived, circumventing the known negative bias of the RPSS for small ensemble sizes. Since the BSS is a special case of the RPSS, a debiased discrete Brier skill score (BSSD) could be formulated in the same way. Here, the approach of Weigel et al., which so far was only applicable to single model ensembles, is generalized to weighted multimodel ensemble forecasts. By introducing an “effective ensemble size” characterizing the multimodel, the new generalized RPSSD can be expressed such that its structure becomes equivalent to the single model case. This is of practical importance for multimodel assessment studies, where the consequences of varying effective ensemble size need to be clearly distinguished from the true benefits of multimodel combination. The performance of the new generalized RPSSD formulation is illustrated in examples of weighted multimodel ensemble forecasts, both in a synthetic random forecasting context, and with real seasonal forecasts of operational models. A central conclusion of this study is that, for small ensemble sizes, multimodel assessment studies should not only be carried out on the basis of the classical RPSS, since true changes in predictability may be hidden by bias effects—a deficiency that can be overcome with the new generalized RPSSD.
The Characteristics of Key Analysis Errors. Part III: A Diagnosis of Their Evolution
Authors: Caron Jean-François , Yau M. K. , Laroche Stéphane
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a diagnostic study of the evolution of initial corrections obtained from the key analysis error algorithm that minimizes the short-range (24 h) forecast errors for four specific events poorly forecasted over the eastern part of North America. A potential vorticity (PV) perspective is employed. It is shown that the modification to the low-level structure at the initial time is mainly attributed to the modification of the low-level PV distribution, while changes in the upper-level structure are attributed to the modification of the upper-level PV distribution. The low-level corrections grow mainly through background surface potential temperature advection by the wind corrections attributable to the interior PV corrections. Changes in the diabatic processes and the vertical alignment of low-level PV corrections by differential PV advection also increase the magnitude of the low-level corrections with time. The upper-level corrections grow by advection of background PV from wind corrections. However, the cause of these latter wind corrections responsible for upper-level background PV advection varies from case to case. An investigation of the relative importance of the low-level and of the upper-level initial corrections to produce the final-time corrections also reveals strong variability between cases. Finally, comparison of two cases in which the key analysis errors propagate vertically with two others without significant vertical propagation shows how the relative position of the key analysis errors with respect to the structure of the background flow can influence the evolution of the initial corrections.
Beyond the Charter Schoolhouse Door: Teacher-Perceived Autonomy
Authors: Gawlik Marytza A.
Published: July 2007

This article presents a study that explores the relationship between charter schools and teacher autonomy. The theoretical framework is based on the charter school concept, whereby three policy levers—choice, deregulation, and accountability—lead to various goals for the charter school. One of the first and foremost of these is the enhancement of professional autonomy and opportunities for teachers. The assumption is that teachers who select the schools they want to work at will be more willing to invest their time and energy and be more dedicated to the school. Although charter school legislation has provided significant autonomy for professionals in exchange for accountability, the school-based initiatives that have been under way suggest that the autonomy is not always present.
Old Friends and New Alliances
Authors: Harris-Lacewell Melissa , Junn Jane
Published: July 2007

Barack Obama won the 2004 U.S. Senate race in Illinois, becoming the only current Black senator and only the fifth in history. This election generated particular interest in the study of race and elections because Obama's challenger, Alan Keyes, is also Black. The race was the first involving two Black men representing the major political parties in a Senate election. The election provides an opportunity to pursue the dynamics of race, religion, identity, and electoral choice. The authors ask how various racial and religious cues framing Obama and Keyes influenced voters' perceptions and assessments. They analyze data from embedded experiments in a survey of Black and White voters in Illinois and examine the significance of stimuli framing the candidates by race and religion and the effect those treatments had in eliciting racial group consciousness and altering candidate evaluations. They present the results of models estimating the effects of various influences on attitudes and behaviors in the race.
Senator Barack Obama and Immigration Reform
Authors: Dorsey Margaret E. , Díaz-Barriga Miguel
Published: July 2007

Senator Barack Obama played a key role in supporting bipartisan efforts led by Senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy to legislate “comprehensive immigration reform.” This new legislation calls for augmenting border security, enforcing employer sanctions for firms that hire “undocumented workers,” and creating a path to “earned” citizenship for workers already in the United States. The authors argue that Senator Obama uses a “both . . . and” rather than an “either . . . or” approach to immigration that seeks to shift the terms of the debate. In this article, the authors chart Senator Obama's stance on immigration in relation to conservative and liberal positions. By doing so, they explore how Obama's constructed understanding of “earned” citizenship stands in sharp contrast to ultraconservatives' essentialized notion of “patriotic” citizenship.
Barack Obama and the Politics of Blackness
Authors: Walters Ron
Published: July 2007

This analysis assesses the debate over the relevance of the strength of Barack Obama's “Blackness.” Defined as the cultural cues in his personal identity, his “Blackness” exists as a modulating factor in his capacity to attract support from potential Black voters. Yet the link between his cultural identity and the representation of Black interests is complicated by the emergence of his campaign in the center of the American electorate and the structural requirements of fund-raising and the interests projected by White voters. The campaigns of other Black presidential candidates posed no such problems because they emerged from the Black community at the margins of the American electorate. Therefore, the author concludes that although cultural identity is important, the ultimate strength of Obama's appeal to Black voters is vested in the effectiveness with which he resolves the center position of his campaign with the interests and expectations of Black voters.
Determining Areas of Safe Work for Doffing Comb Devices
Authors: Danielczyk Piotr , Stadnicki Jacek
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a methodology for the analysis of mechanical doffing comb devices taking off the web in carding machines. The continuous model of the doffing comb shaft (a beam performing coupled bending—torsional vibrations) and the discrete model of the doffing device with the use of finite element method are presented. The results of the analysis using the calculation model are compared with the results of the experiment, affirming the correctness of the adopted assumptions. Criteria of the comb device evaluation are formulated. On the basis of the results of computer simulations, diagrams of comb devices' selection to rework a given range of fibers are described.
Optimization of Fiber Friction, Top Arm Pressure and Roller Setting at Various Drafting Stages
Authors: Ishtiaque Saiyed M. , Das Apurba , Niyogi Ritesh
Published: July 2007

The influence of fiber friction, top arm pressure and roller setting at various drafting stages (draw frame, speed frame and ring frame) on yarn properties was studied. The Box and Behnken factorial design was used to optimize these three factors for better yarn quality. In each case, the optimum conditions within the industrially acceptable limits of the process were established. The results presented here show that fiber-to-fiber friction can be the dominant factor in determining the tensile properties of ring spun yarns. It is observed that a higher fiber friction value gives higher yarn tenacity and lower hairiness. On the other hand, a lower fiber friction value gives better evenness and lower imperfections. The top arm pressure and roller setting influence the yarn properties at all three drafting stages almost in similar way. With the increase of top arm pressure and roller setting the yarn tenacity increases initially up to a point and then decreases. Yarn unevenness, imperfections and hairiness shows an initial decrease up to a point with the increase of the above two parameters. In general, the moderate level of top arm pressure and roller setting gives better results.
Thermal Decomposition Behavior of In Situ Reinforcing Elastomer Composite Based on Thermoplastic Elastomer and Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer
Authors: Saikrasun Sunan , Amornsakchai Taweechai
Published: July 2007

A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP), a copolyester with a 60/40 molar ratio of p-hydroxy benzoic acid (HBA) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), known as Rodrun LC3000, is melt blended with styrene— (ethylene—butylene)—styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer using a twin-screw extruder. The nonisothermal and isothermal thermogravimetry (TG) in nitrogen and in air of the neat SEBS and a blend containing 30 wt% Rodrun LC3000 (SEBS-30) are performed. The isoconversional method is employed to study the kinetics of thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of the neat polymers and its blend. The nonisothermal TG profiles of SEBS and SEBS-30 reveal a single weight loss step in nitrogen and two stages of weight loss in air. For nonisothermal heating, a very small amount of char residues of SEBS are left, whereas the residues of SEBS-30 are left as high as 10 wt% after degradation in nitrogen. The isothermal degradation of SEBS and SEBS-30 in nitrogen becomes relatively more rapid with increasing temperature. A remarkable increase in weight loss rate is observed under isothermal heating in nitrogen above 350°C. By heating isothermally in air, SEBS shows a single weight loss stage and rapid decomposition whereas SEBS-30 exhibits minor and major weight losses in the first step and the second step, respectively. The apparent activation energy (E), ln(frequency factor) (lnA), and decomposition order (n) from nonisothermal and isothermal degradation of SEBS-30 are mostly higher than that of SEBS. The obtained kinetic parameters indicate that the thermal stability in nitrogen is higher than that in air. The estimated lifetimes at different temperatures suggest an enhancement of thermal resistance of SEBS with in situ reinforcing by Rodrun LC3000.
Effects of Rubber—Filler Interaction on the Developments of Physical, Mechanical, and Interfacial Properties of Vamac—Silica Nano-composites
Authors: Mahaling R.N. , Kumar S. , Rath T. , Das C.K.
Published: July 2007

Vamac GR is generally cured by amine curative systems but in some cases peroxide is also used. Here both the curative systems amine (DPG and MDA) as well as peroxide (Varox DCP 40C) have been used. Mixing with different nanofillers in the presence of different curative systems is expected to improve interchain cross-linking between the filler and the elastomer. ZnO is a common curative for many functional elastomers. The possibility of using nanosilica filler and surface modified (Zn-ion coated) nanosilica filler has been tried. The surface modified silica offers good results in the development of advanced materials for enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability. The use of Zn-ion coated nanosilica filler leads to an increase of the adhesion at the interfaces between the modified filler and the elastomer matrix. The modified nanosilica filler (Zn-ion coated) shows higher mechanical properties, thermal stability, as well as higher dynamic modulus in comparison to the peroxide curative system. The modified silica filler containing composites clearly reveals the predominant interfacial adhesion rather than chemical cross-linking in the presence of an amine curative system.
Micromorphology and Miscibility of Dynamically Vulcanized TPV under Vibration Force Field
Authors: Du Yaoxue , Qu Jinping , Cao Xianwu
Published: July 2007

Micromorphology and miscibility of thermoplastic vulcanized rubber (TPV) processed in the experimental equipment of vibrational induction for dynamic vulcanization are analyzed using SEM and FTIR. Experimental and theoretical results show that interpenetration and entanglement of macromolecular chains in TPV under vibration force field allow the formation of a thermoplastic interpenetrating network structure. In addition, the interfacial area of two-phase interpenetrating action increases and two-phase interface becomes less pronounced, which makes two-phase miscibility increase. With the increasing of vibrational frequency or amplitude, dispersed phase dimension decreases, the rubber phase becomes finer, and the flow resistance and dispersibility of rubber particles into the plastic matrix improves. Steady and dynamic samples are of similar molecular structure and the influence of steady and dynamic states on the type and relative number of feature absorption groups is not obvious. Dynamically processed samples are of better miscibility. Through reasonable selection of vibrational parameters, processing control of dynamic vulcanization, mixing dispersion, and reactant performance can be realized, and TPV with good comprehensive properties can be obtained.
Quality of Life After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Spadoti Dantas Rosana Aparecida , Aparecida Ciol Márcia
Published: July 2007

This study assessed the quality of life (QoL) of 124 people with coronary artery disease who had coronary artery bypass surgery in a hospital in Brazil, by using the Modified Flanagan's QoL instrument as the outcome measure. In addition, we studied the association between QoL and demographic, clinical, and perceived health status (using SF-36 Health Survey) measures. The mean for the Modified Flanagan's QoL was high ( M = 84.8, SD = 13.6) when compared to similar studies in the United States. In a linear regression analysis, the SF-36 subscales of vitality, and general and mental health were statistically significant ( p < .01 for all), after adjusting for other demographic and clinical variables. Increasing values of those SF-36 subscales corresponded to increasing Modified Flanagan's QoL. Despite the limitations of the study, this result suggests that future clinical interventions aimed to improve QoL in this population could focus on the patient's psychological conditions after the surgery.
Community capacity-building: Something old, something new . . .?
Authors: Craig Gary
Published: July 2007

Fifteen years ago, the term `community capacity-building' was not to be found anywhere within the policy literature. Now it is used worldwide, particularly in the context of urban policy, regeneration and social development. The paper argues that the term has been introduced as part of a political fashion but that in practice it is difficult to distinguish it from the practice of community development. A critique, drawing on experience worldwide, suggests that its widespread use represents a continuing failure of governments properly to engage in `bottom-up' development, is built on a `deficit' model of communities which fails to engage properly with their own skills, knowledge and interests, and helps to obscure structural reasons for poverty and inequality.
Are English local authorities' practices on housing and council tax benefit administration meeting race equality requirements?
Authors: Aspinall Peter , Mitton Lavinia
Published: July 2007

This paper investigates the extent to which the national and local state are meeting the requirements of race relations legislation in the area of means-tested housing and council tax benefits. Compliance with the prioritized duties is assessed in the context of both the wider issues driving the race equality agenda and more detailed arguments about managerial regimes and the central role of data. Two specific examples are pursued: the capacity to monitor take-up of benefits through an examination of ethnic monitoring on claims forms at different tiers of local government and an evaluation of progress through an analysis of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's reports. The evidence indicates that compliance with the Act is patchy and piecemeal and that in many local authorities, even the basic building block for assessing impacts, ethnic monitoring of claimants, is not available. Alternative sources are evaluated, including pooled data from government social surveys and eligibility for free school meals, collected in the annual pupil census. Given the evidence for continuing differentials in the incomes of people from minority ethnic groups, prompt action is needed to ensure that race equality is mainstreamed in benefit administration.
Making child employment in Britain more visible
Authors: Hobbs Sandy , Mc Kechnie Jim , Anderson Seonaid
Published: July 2007

The lack of action on child employment by the British government following the 2004 recommendations by the Better Regulation Task Force is part of a broader pattern. In 1973, the Conservative government supported, but did not enact, an Employment of Children Act. In 1998, New Labour set up an interdepartmental enquiry into child employment legislation but did not act on its findings. National legislation requires local authorities to ensure the protection of school-aged workers, but few local authorities devote many resources to this responsibility. Apart from such periodic shows of activity, child workers generally remain `invisible' as far as central government is concerned. More policy-orientated research is required to help local authorities discover `best practice' for ensuring the welfare of this group of young workers.
Factors associated with depressive distress among Taiwanese family caregivers of cancer patients at the end of life
Authors: Siew Tzuh Tang  , Li Chung-Yi , Liao Yen-Chi
Published: July 2007

Family caregivers in East Asian countries are known to have a strong sense of filial piety and a traditional caregiving ideology. They are generally presumed to be protected from psychological distress arising from caregiving. However, there is scant information regarding the impact of caregiving on Chinese/Taiwanese families. The purpose of this study was aimed at identifying those family caregivers of Taiwanese terminally ill cancer patients who are at risk of experiencing depressive distress from the following three categories of predisposing factors: 1) contextual factors; 2) stressors; and 3) appraisal of the caregiving situation.

Of the 170 Taiwanese family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients that participated in this survey, 129 (75.9%) were at an extraordinarily high risk of being distressed because of depressive symptoms (CES-D > 15). Results indicated that family caregivers were vulnerable to clinically depressive distress if they were the patient's spouse (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19—7.01), or evaluated caregiving as imposing a greater negative impact on their own health (AOR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.09—1.47). In contrast, if family caregivers felt very confident in their knowledge of how to take care of the patient at home (AOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.15—0.81), or were sufficiently aware of the patient's thoughts and feelings about disease experiences and symptoms (AOR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25—0.88), they were less likely to suffer from depressive distress.

These finding have significant clinical implications when they are put into the context of Confucian cultures which place great emphasis on filial piety and familism. Interventions and policy should be developed to target spousal caregivers to enhance their confidence in caregiving and understanding of the patient's disease experiences. This will reduce the negative caregiving impact on the caregiver's health, which in turn may prevent the development of depressive distress among family caregivers. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21: 249—257
What are patients' priorities for palliative care research? Focus group study
Authors: Perkins P. , Barclay S. , Booth S.
Published: July 2007

To elucidate the research priorities of palliative care patients we conducted focus groups with day therapy and hospice in-patients with cancer with an estimated prognosis of 6 months or less. Patients were positive about taking part in this research project identifying five main priorities for future research — talking with patients; help for patients and families; oncology; symptoms; medication/treatments. Patients gave great emphasis to communication issues and little to symptom control. A patient questionnaire was created with these themes which is currently being used in five hospices across East Anglia. This paper describes the qualitative component of the study. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21: 219—225
Youth Civic Engagement in China: Results From a Program Promoting Environmental Activism
Authors: Johnson Laura R. , Johnson-Pynn Julie S. , Pynn Thomas M.
Published: July 2007

China is a key player on the global stage, and nearly 300 million Chinese youth stand to be affected by rapid social and ecological transformations. Programs that promote developmental assets in Chinese youth could increase their resilience in the face of contemporary stressors and enhance their capacity to contribute to China's development. In this paper we describe a unique, service-learning approach to youth development, the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots program (R&S), as it is implemented in China. Through qualitative and quantitative methods we explore perceptions of program impact on the personal and social development of Chinese youth. Cultural, sociopolitical, and environmental issues related to program practices, outcomes and viability are highlighted. Results suggest that R&S mobilized Chinese youth to work for the benefit of their environment, their communities, and themselves.
A Case of Major Form Familial Hyperekplexia: Prenatal Diagnosis and Effective Treatment With Clonazepam
Authors: Doria Lamba Laura , Giribaldi Gaia , De Negri Emanuela , Follo Roberta , De Grandis Elisa , Pintaudi Maria , Veneselli Edvige
Published: July 2007

Hyperekplexia (OMIM 149400) is an uncommon neurologic disorder characterized by exaggerated response to sensitive stimuli. It may be sporadic or familial. The disease is usually caused by mutations in the inhibitory glycine receptor α1-subunit. The authors report a male patient who is affected by the major form of familial hyperekplexia. He is currently 5 years old and is being successfully treated with clonazepam. Prenatal diagnosis was made owing to prior identification of point mutation K276E in his affected mother. Early diagnosis avoided complex and prolonged differential diagnostic procedures and allowed for early and effective intervention on severe neonatal symptoms: hypertonia, episodes of cyanosis, apneic spells, and massive myoclonic jerks. During his first year of life, the patient was treated with cycles of phenobarbital and diazepam and achieved partial clinical response. Subsequent therapy with low-dose clonazepam was highly effective in reducing myoclonic jerks and exaggerated startle reaction, and unlike previously used drugs, it was decisive in reducing hypertonia.
Topiramate Monotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Glauser Tracy A. , Dlugos Dennis J. , Dodson W. Edwin , Grinspan Augusto , Wang Steven , Wu Shu-Chen ,   and the EPMN-106/INT-28 Investigators
Published: July 2007

A double-blind, dose-controlled study evaluated topiramate as monotherapy in 470 patients with newly diagnosed (≤ 3 months) epilepsy or epilepsy relapse in the absence of therapy. In addition to having at least 2 lifetime-unprovoked seizures, patients had 1 or 2 partial-onset seizures or generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures during a 3-month retrospective baseline. The trial included a large cohort (N = 151, 32%) of children and adolescents 6 to 15 years of age. Eligible patients were randomized to treatment groups in which topiramate was titrated to target maintenance dosages of either 400 mg/day (n = 77) or 50 mg/day (n = 74). Patients were followed for at least 6 months. Based on Kaplan-Meier analyses, the primary efficacy endpoint of time to first seizure favored the higher topiramate dose in both the overall population and the cohort of children/adolescents. The probability that children/adolescents remaining in the study were seizure free at 6 months was 78% in the 50-mg target dose group and 90% with the higher dose. At 12 months, the probability of being seizure free was 62% and 85%, respectively. The incidence of treatment-limiting adverse events was 4% in the 50-mg target dose group and 14% in the group assigned to 400 mg as a target dose. The most common adverse events, excluding typical childhood illnesses, were headache, appetite decrease, weight loss, somnolence, dizziness, concentration/attention difficulty, and paresthesia. As shown in this subset analysis, topiramate is effective and well tolerated as monotherapy in children and adolescents.
Successful Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Stroke in a Child
Authors: Ortiz Gustavo A. , Koch Sebastian , Wallace Douglas M. , Lopez-Alberola Robert
Published: July 2007

We report an 8-year-old white girl with no previous medical history who developed sudden onset right hemiplegia, left gaze preference, and global aphasia. An acute left middle cerebral artery stroke syndrome was diagnosed. She was treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, 2 hours after the onset of symptoms. A magnetic resonance image demonstrated an acute left middle cerebral artery stroke, and a magnetic resonance angiography showed a patent left middle cerebral artery. At discharge, she was able to speak normally and walk without support. She was also able to raise the right arm up to the level of the shoulder and showed increased motility of the hand and fingers. No treatment-related complications happened. To the best of our knowledge, this is, so far, the youngest child successfully treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke.
A Novel Mutation of the ARX Gene in a Male With Nonsyndromic Mental Retardation
Authors: Troester Matthew M. , Trachtenberg Tamara , Narayanan Vinodh
Published: July 2007

ARX (Aristaless-related homeobox gene) is located at Xp22. It contains 5 exons and encodes a 562—amino acid protein. The protein contains 4 polyalanine tracts, 3 of which are encoded in exon 2 and 1 in exon 4. Mutations in the ARX gene have been found in X-linked infantile spasms syndrome, Partington syndrome (mental retardation with dystonic movements of the hands), X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia, X-linked myoclonus epilepsy with spasticity and intellectual disability, and in nonsyndromic X-linked mental retardation. The most common mutation in ARX (seen in X-linked infantile spasms syndrome, Partington syndrome, and X-linked mental retardation) is a 24-bp duplication in exon 2 resulting in expansion of a polyalanine tract. Truncating mutations (deletions, frameshift, non-sense) have been found in X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia, as well as homeodomain missense mutations in X-linked myoclonus epilepsy with spasticity and intellectual disability. The authors report a novel 24-bp in-frame deletion within exon 2 of the ARX gene in a male child with X-linked mental retardation and review the spectrum of ARX mutations. This mutation results in a contraction of the second polyalanine repeat.
Two Cousins With Neonatal Stroke, PAI-1 4G Variant and MTHFR A1298C Mutation
Authors: Golomb Meredith R. , Heiny Mark , Garg Bhuwan P.
Published: July 2007

The authors describe 2 female cousins with neonatal stroke. One was heterozygous for the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G variant and compound heterozygous for the A1298C and C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutations. Her cousin was homozygous for the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G variant and heterozygous for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C and factor V Leiden mutations.
Plasma Interleukin-1β Levels in Children With Febrile Seizures
Authors: Tomoum Hoda Y. , Badawy Nagya M. , Mostafa Afaf A. , Harb Manal Y.
Published: July 2007

Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines regulate the febrile response during infection. In this study, the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures was investigated, through comparing levels of interleukin-1β in the peripheral blood of children with febrile seizures and in a matched control group of children with febrile illnesses without seizures. The study included 33 children with febrile seizures (mean ± SD, 29.94 ± 14.9 months) and 38 controls with comparable age, sex, and type of infection. A laboratory workup for the diagnosis of infection was performed, and interleukin-1β levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the patients and the control groups immediately on arrival at the hospital. The plasma levels of interleukin-1β were comparable in the patients and the control group (mean ± SD, 7.321 ± 3.123 and 8.087 ± 4.8 pg/mL, respectively). Furthermore, there was no significant difference when comparing the plasma levels of interleukin-1β in patients with simple and complex types of febrile seizures. Plasma interleukin-1β levels did not show a significant correlation to either the duration of the last seizure, the number of the previous attacks of febrile convulsion, or the degree of temperature. However, interleukin-1β levels were negatively correlated to the duration from the last seizure attack ( r = −.8). Thus, the results of the present study do not support the hypothesis that increased production of interleukin-1β is involved in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures in children.
Severe Speech Delay as the Presenting Symptom of Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency
Authors: Vodopiutz J. , Item C.B. , Häusler M. , Korall H. , Bodamer O.A.
Published: July 2007

Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency typically presents with muscular hypotonia, global developmental delay, extrapyramidal signs, and seizures during infancy and childhood. The authors report a 5-year-old child with guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency who presented with severe speech delay, emphasizing the importance of an early screening for disorders of creatine synthesis and transport in every infant or child with isolated speech delay of unknown cause.
Aseptic Meningitis Associated With Cephalosporins in an Infant With Trisomy 21
Authors: Nakajima Wako , Ishida Akira , Takahashi Maya , Sato Yoko , Ito Tomoo , Takada Goro
Published: July 2007

The authors report a case of aseptic meningitis associated with cephalosporins in an infant. A 1-year-old boy with trisomy 21 received several antimicrobials including cefotaxime and ceftriaxone for bacterial meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae b. High fever continued for more than a month, and discontinuation of cefotaxime broke the fever and improved the findings of cerebrospinal fluid. Because third-generation cephalosporins are the first choice against bacterial meningitis for infants, recognition and diagnosis of this rare occurrence of drug-induced aseptic meningitis is important. It is treatable by withdrawal of the drug, and recurrence can be prevented.
Environmental Movements and Social Organizations in Shanghai
Authors: Lee Seungho
Published: July 2007

This research aims to analyze environmental movements and social organizations in Shanghai since the late 1990s. The study reveals that civil society in Shanghai has increasingly had an impact on environmentally unfriendly policies given the priority of economic well-being in every aspect of society. The development of social organizations in environmental protection in Shanghai was identified through fieldwork carried out in 2002. Alongside existing social organizations already engaged in environmental protection, there was also an emergence of new social organizations. Most of the environmental NGOs in Shanghai—spearheaded by university students—lack capacity to exert much influence on environmental policies. In addition to student-based environmental NGOs, other types of social organizations include government-organized NGOs (GONGOs), local communities (s hequ), the media, and international NGOs. The study evaluates how the local environmental NGOs in Shanghai evolved and survived in the transitional period interacting with other social organizations. It is concluded that a collaboration of GONGOs, NGOs, and various environmental groups together with international NGOs has led to the formation of a civil force that influences Shanghai's environmental policymaking.
Quality of Women's Lives in India: Some Findings from Two Decades of Psychological Research on Gender
Authors: Vindhya U.
Published: July 2007

Research on gender is being increasingly recognized as critical to accomplishing the goals of societal development. This article reviews the engagement of psychological research in India with issues of gender over the last two decades in particular and the consequent production of knowledge about quality of women's lives. Three significant areas of inquiry can be identified: the work—family interface; mental health experiences; and violence against women. The work—family linkage among urban middle-class women is vigorously pursued in mainstream psychological research reflective of a sample bias. Mental health and domestic violence, on the other hand, are areas of research emanating from the cross-disciplinary engagement between academics and advocacy groups and characterized by a critical women's studies perspective, calling attention to the power relations that are disempowering forces in women's lives.
Stories from Outside the Frame: Intimate Partner Abuse in Sexual-minority Women's Relationships with Transsexual Men
Authors: Brown Nicola
Published: July 2007

This qualitative research study examined the relational experiences of sexual-minority women partners of female-to-male transsexuals (N = 20) using grounded theory analysis. This article reports data on abusive relationships reported by a subset of the sample (N = 5), representing a unique and under-studied population. It explores the theoretical constructions that are available from the mainstream anti-violence movement and those from the anti-violence writings of other marginalized communities. Sexual-minority women described abuse tactics by their trans men partners that were influenced by the particularities of their trans partner's identity and oppression, as well as the features of the activist communities of which they were a part. The research findings of this aspect of the study suggest that the context of a `first relationship' with a trans man, the social context of transphobia, and the traditional gender-based heterosexual model of relationship violence in which participants do not recognize themselves as victims of abuse all contribute to vulnerability to abuse. Clinical applications and community implications are discussed.
Late-Holocene palaeoclimatic change at the Dongnimdong archaeological site, Gwangju, SW Korea
Authors: Soo Lim Hyoun , Chung Chull-Hwan , Kim Cheong-Bin , Il Lee Yong , Jong Lee Heon , Chul Lee Young
Published: July 2007

A late-Holocene swamp sediment record is presented from the Dongnimdong archaeological site in SW Korea. Pollen analysis, geochemical analyses and radiocarbon dating have been used to reconstruct the vegetation and climatic changes. According to the pollen records, temperate deciduous broadleaved trees combined with herbs predominated in the study area ecology. Reduction of deciduous broadleaved trees with the spread of herbaceous taxa found in the middle part ( c. 3300—2600 yr BP) indicates climatic change toward cooler and drier conditions. Significant increase in sand content and concomitant decrease in TOC content may suggest the occurrence of a period of drought. Vegetation changes recorded in the pollen sequence indicate the destruction of lowland deciduous forests and an accompanied expansion of grasses resulting from the climate changes. However, the increase of cultivation-accompanied herbs and excavated wooden tools for agriculture suggest the significant anthropogenic influence on the vegetation changes.
Holocene organic carbon burial rates in the southeastern Swedish Baltic Sea
Authors: Yu Shi-Yong , Berglund Björn E. , Sandgren Per , Colman Steven M.
Published: July 2007

To estimate Holocene changes in organic carbon mass accumulation rates (Corg MARs) in the southeastern Swedish Baltic Sea, two sediment cores were studied in combination with biogeochemical modelling. Prior to 11 300 cal. BP, Corg MARs were extremely low, indicating low organic matter production on the catchment of the Baltic Ice Lake. Following a brief regression, the Ancylus Lake stage occurred between 11 100 and 9800 cal. BP. Corg MARs increased substantially during this period because of enhanced washing in of terrestrial organic matter, when boreal forests were initially established. The prominent marine stage, known as the Littorina transgression between 8500 and 3000 cal. BP, is marked by a minor increase in Corg MARs. Our modelling reveals a changing terrestrial organic carbon input between 100 and 1000 g/m2 per yr that accounts for 30—80% of total organic carbon in sediments of the southeastern Swedish Baltic Sea, with maximum values ( c. 20 × 103g/m2 per yr) occurring during the Bronze/Iron Age transition at about 3000 cal. BP. Corg MAR in the entire Baltic basin is estimated at 3.01 × 106 t/yr during the pre-industrial Holocene, comparable with other large inland water bodies. Regardless of the source of carbon, our data indicate that the Baltic basin is an important sedimentary reservoir for organic carbon storage and thus should be included in accounting for global terrestrial carbon cycling during the pre-industrial Holocene.
Revealing the Emperor's new clothes: niche-based palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in the light of recent ecological theory
Authors: Belyea Lisa R.
Published: July 2007

Niche-based models, such as transfer functions, are commonly used in a wide variety of ecological systems for quantitative reconstruction of past environments. Recent ecological theory challenges some of the major assumptions underpinning these models. Spatial autocorrelation in species and/or environment data in the training set may lead to overestimation of model fit and bias in the selection of environmental variables. Neutral processes may lead to species—environment relationships that are variable and context-sensitive, and community dynamics that are driven primarily by stochastic processes. Localized interactions and non-linear processes may result in complex dynamics, including step-like changes between stable states, multiple stable states for the same external forcing and hysteresis effects. Null models and independent validation may be used to test for spatial autocorrelation and neutrality. Experimentation with spatially explicit, process-based models is required to understand how complex dynamics affect interpretations of the palaeorecord.
Modeling Steady-state and Transient Forces on a Cylinder
Authors: Marzouk Osama , Nayfeh Ali H. , Akhtar Imran , Arafat Haider N.
Published: July 2007

Numerical simulations of the flow past a stationary circular cylinder at different Reynolds numbers (Re) have been performed using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver that is based on the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier—Stokes equations (RANS). The results obtained are used to develop reduced-order models for the lift and drag coefficients. The models not only match the numerical simulation results in the time domain, but also in the spectral domain. They capture the steady-state region with excellent accuracy. Further, the models are verified by comparing their results in the transient region with their counterparts from the CFD simulations and very good agreement is found. The work performed here is a step towards building models for vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) encountered in risers, spars, and other offshore structures.
Hybrid Active—passive Damping Treatment of Sandwich Beams in Non-linear Dynamics
Authors: Galucio A.C. , Deü J.-F. , Ohayon R.
Published: July 2007

In the context of large displacement and rotations, this work presents a co-rotational finite element formulation of an adaptive sandwich beam composed of a viscoelastic core constrained by laminated elastic/piezoelectric faces. A classical sandwich theory is used for the face/core/face set, considering transverse shear deformations for the core. The four-parameter fractional Zener model is used in order to take the viscoelastic behavior of the middle layer into account, while a classical linear piezoelectric constitutive law is used for modeling the piezoelectric material. The finite element formulation allows large displacements and rotations with a local small strain measure. Moreover, local electrical degrees-of-freedom are used in order to reproduce sensor configurations. Another particularity consists of approximating the fractional derivative operator by the Grünwald-Letnikov scheme, where the history of the internal memory force is used to take into account the damping effect.
Robust Adaptive Control of Residual Vibration in Point-to-Point Motion of Flexible Bodies
Authors: Dharne Avinash Gopal , Jayasuriya Suhada
Published: July 2007

Input Shaping is a widely used method of suppressing residual vibrations in point-to-point motion of flexible bodies. It is easy to implement and gives good results if the dynamics of the system are known accurately. However, it is not very robust to system parameter variations. Early methods of increasing the robustness incurred a large time penalty. Hence attempts were made to apply adaptive control to increase the robustness of the shaper. These methods met with varying degrees of success. In this paper, we propose a new adaptive control scheme which is effective in increasing the robustness of the shaper, even in the presence of additive noise in the system output. It is also able to handle sudden changes in the plant parameters. The performance of the system in the presence of high-order unmodelled dynamics is also studied and found to be satisfactory.
Finite Element Analysis of Sloshing in Rectangular Liquid-filled Tanks
Authors: Arafa Mustafa
Published: July 2007

The focus of the present paper is on the development of a finite element formulation to investigate the sloshing of liquids in partially filled rigid rectangular tanks undergoing base excitation. The liquid domain is discretized into two-dimensional four-node rectangular elements with the liquid velocity potential representing the nodal degrees of freedom. Liquid sloshing effects induced by both steady-state harmonic and arbitrary horizontal base excitation are investigated in terms of the slosh frequencies, liquid velocity field, free surface displacement and hydrodynamic forces acting on the tank walls. The model is employed to study the effects of inserting a bottom-mounted vertical rigid baffle, as well as side-mounted horizontal baffles that are wholly immersed in the liquid region, in an attempt to investigate their viability in acting as slosh suppression devices.
Improving Compilation of Java Scientific Applications
Authors: Budimlić Zoran , Joyner Mackale , Kennedy Ken
Published: July 2007

Java is a high productivity object-oriented programming language that is rapidly gaining popularity in high-performance application development. One major obstacle to its broad acceptance is its mediocre performance when compared with Fortran or C, especially if the developers use object-oriented features of the language extensively. Previous work in improving the performance of object-oriented, high-performance, scientific Java applications consisted of high level compiler optimization and analysis strategies, such as class specialization and object inlining. This paper extends prior work on object inlining by improving the analysis and developing new code transformation techniques to further improve the performance of high performance applications written in high-productivity, object-oriented style. Two major impediments to effective object inlining are object and array aliasing and binary method invocations. This paper implements object and array alias strategies to address the aliasing problem while utilizing an idea from Telescoping Languages to address the binary method invocation problem. Application runtime gains of up to 20% result from employing these techniques. These improvements should further increase the scientific community's acceptance of the Java programming language in the development of high-performance, high-productivity, scientific applications.
Parallel Programmability and the Chapel Language
Authors: Chamberlain B.L. , Callahan D. , Zima H.P.
Published: July 2007

In this paper we consider productivity challenges for parallel programmers and explore ways that parallel language design might help improve end-user productivity. We offer a candidate list of desirable qualities for a parallel programming language, and describe how these qualities are addressed in the design of the Chapel language. In doing so, we provide an overview of Chapel's features and how they help address parallel productivity. We also survey current techniques for parallel programming and describe ways in which we consider them to fall short of our idealized productive programming model.