bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural talk and other intimate acquaintances with Russian prisons
Authors: Piacentini Laura
Published: October 2005

This article discusses a prison ethnography derived from immersion in Russian culture. It highlights the limitations of Western research testimonies as being largely silent on the interplay between cultural antecedents and prison scholarship. This is particularly problematic for conducting research into Russian prisons, which evolved along a distinctive cultural trajectory: the prisoner as the loyal hero and the prison as pillar of Soviet nationalism and identity. I argue that cultural knowledge of Russian society is essential to assess how prisons have changed. The article reports on the ethnographic approach adopted whereby the experience was one of shared subjectivity (mastering Russian and immersion in cultural rituals). The exciting ethnography of living in prisons did enrich the ‘deep level’ understanding of penal transformation. However, my own position in this study resulted in me becoming over-immersed and existentially disoriented. The article concludes by commenting on my own ethnographic conundrum and constructing an explanation that reflects the local cultural sensibility.
Spaces of (in)security: Media and fear of crime in a local context
Authors: Banks Mark
Published: October 2005

Reflecting recent efforts to understand fear of crime as a locally situated process (Walklate, 1998; Lupton and Tulloch, 1999; O’Mahony and Quinn, 1999; Sparks, Girling and Loader, 2001), this article analyses the importance of two different ‘local contexts’ for shaping audience interpretation of media crime. The first of these is the home. The integration of media technologies into the moral economy of the household, and textual readings made within the context of a contested ‘politics of the sitting room’ (Morley, 1992), provide a framework for the interpretation of media crime. Second, and of most interest here, senses of community attachment associated with living in a particular locality are judged to shape the meaning and interpretation of media crime. The article draws on interviews with two households in a suburb of Manchester and argues that the impact of media crime must be considered within a framework that takes place seriously, both as a context for everyday action and as a force in shaping community identity and personal and shared senses of fear and (in)security. The article highlights the historical neglect of spatial context in studies of audience reception of media crime and argues for the need to develop more ‘place sensitive’ research into the impact of media discourses on audiences’ fear of crime.
Driven to extremes: Fear of crime and the rise of the sport utility vehicle in the United States
Authors: Lauer Josh
Published: October 2005

During the mid-1980s, the sport utility vehicle (SUV) emerged as one of the most popular automobiles in the United States, a trend that continued throughout the 1990s. The SUV boom has attracted widespread coverage in the mainstream media but little scholarly attention. The following article examines the historical and social context of the SUV through analysis of popular press accounts, automotive reviews and trade news, and SUV print advertisements. Situating the SUV in the context of fear of crime and risk management during the 1980s and 1990s, it is suggested that the SUV’s popularity reflects American attitudes toward crime, random violence, and the importance of defended personal space. While consumer attraction to the SUV is typically attributed to two key features - safety and interior space - these pragmatic justifications may be viewed as euphemistic. Safety is not road safety but personal safety. Space is not interior cargo space but social space, including the privileged ability to traverse inhospitable terrain to remove oneself from society.
Comparison of Thermal Conductivity Measurements of Building Insulation Materials under Various Operating Temperatures
Authors: Abdou Adel A. , Budaiwi Ismail M.
Published: October 2005

In harsh climates, utilizing thermal insulation in the building envelope can substantially reduce the building thermal load and consequently its energy consumption. The performance of the thermal insulation material is mainly determined by its thermal conductivity (k), which is dependent on the material’s density, porosity, moisture content, and mean temperature difference. In practice, the k-value is normally evaluated at 24 C (i.e., k24) according to relevant ASTM standards. However, when placed in the building envelope, thermal insulation materials can be exposed to significant ambient temperature and humidity variations depending on the prevailing climatic conditions. The objective of this study is to assess and compare the effect of operating temperatures on the k-value of various insulation materials commonly used in the building envelope. The k-values for seven categories of insulation materials (i.e., fiberglass, wood wool, mineral wool, rock wool, polyethylene, polyurethane, and polystyrene) are measured at different mean temperatures using an automated heat flow meter. Some preliminary measurements are reported for the purpose of assessing the impact of k-value variation on envelope-induced cooling loads (Budaiwi et al. 2002). In this study, comprehensive measurements, comparison, and analyses of results are presented and discussed. These underline the k-value degree of sensitivity ((Δk/ΔC)/k24) of various insulation materials with rising operating temperature. This would allow designers to better evaluate the thermal performance of building envelopes leading to a more realistic thermal assessment and energy requirements of buildings.
Origin of kaolin deposits in the ‘Los Menucos’ area, Río Negro Province, Argentina
Authors: Marfil S. A. , Maiza P. J. , Cardellach E. , Corbella M.
Published: October 2005

Kaolinite deposits, hosted by rhyolitic tuffs, are found in the SE of the ‘Los Menucos’ area (Province of Rio Negro, Argentina). The most representative examples are from the Blanquita and Equivocada mines. To discover the origin of these deposits, a mineralogical, geochemical (major and trace element) and stable isotope study (O and H) of kaolinite was carried out. Mineralogically, Blanquita mine is characterized by the presence of dickite, kaolinite, alunite and pyrophyllite, whereas in Equivocada mine, kaolinite is accompanied by dickite and traces of alunite (without pyrophyllite). The trace element contents and ratios of kaolin samples (P vs. S, Zr vs. Ti, (Cr + Nb) vs. (Ti + Fe), and (Ce + Y + La) vs. (Ba + Sr)) suggest that they formed from the hydrothermal alteration of the enclosing rhyolites although a possible contribution of kaolinite from residual processes cannot be discounted. δ18O values of kaolinite range from +4.8 to +10.3‰, and δD varies from −88 to −116‰. The presence of pyrophyllite in Blanquita mine suggests temperatures of formation >350°C. The calculated isotopic composition of the fluid in equilibrium with kaolinite at 350°C varies from +3.6 to +9.2‰ for O and from −74 to −103‰ for H. These values are compatible with fluids of magmatic origin or with fluids of surficial origin isotopically equilibrated with a rhyolitic magma at high temperatures. The isotope composition of kaolinite from the Blanquita and Equivocada mines is clearly different from kaolinite of residual origin from deposits in the Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces. The isotopic signature has proved to be a useful tool in discriminating between different genetic processes in the formation of kaolin deposits.
Up-regulation of MDR1 and induction of doxorubicin resistance by histone deacetylase inhibitor depsipeptide (FK228) and ATRA in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells
Authors: Tabe Yoko , Konopleva Marina , Contractor Rooha , Munsell Mark , Schober Wendy D. , Jin Linhua , Tsutsumi-Ishii Yuko , Nagaoka Isao , Igari Jun , Andreeff Michael
Published: October 2005

The multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene product P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is frequently implicated in cross-resistance of tumors to chemotherapeutic drugs. In contrast, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells do not express MDR1 and are highly sensitive to anthracyclines. The combination of ATRA and the novel histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) depsipeptide (FK228) induced P-gp expression and prevented growth inhibition and apoptosis in NB4 APL cells subsequently exposed to doxorubicin (DOX). ATRA/FK228 treatment after exposure to DOX, however, enhanced apoptosis. Both agents, ATRA or FK228, induced MDR1 mRNA. This effect was significantly enhanced by ATRA/FK228 administered in combination, due in part to increased H4 and H3-Lys9 acetylation of the MDR1 promoter and recruitment of the nuclear transcription factor Y alpha (NFYA) transcription activator to the CCAAT box. Cotreatment with specific P-gp inhibitor PSC833 reversed cytoprotective effects of ATRA/FK228. G1 cell-cycle arrest and p21 mRNA induction were also observed in response to ATRA/FK228, which may restrict DOX-induced apoptosis of cells in G2 phase. These results indicate that epigenetic mechanisms involving NF-YA transcription factor recruitment and histone acetylation are activated by ATRA and HDACI, induce MDR1 in APL cells, and point to the critical importance of mechanism-based sequential therapy in future clinical trials that combine HDAC inhibitors, ATRA, and anthracyclines.
Differential involvement of PU.1 and Id2 downstream of TGF-β1 during Langerhans-cell commitment
Authors: Heinz Leonhard X. , Platzer Barbara , Reisner Peter M. , Jörgl Almut , Taschner Sabine , Göbel Florian , Strobl Herbert
Published: October 2005

Langerhans cells (LCs) are highly abundant dendritic cells (DCs) in epidermal and mucosal tissues. The transcription factors PU.1 and Id2 have been implicated as positive regulators of LC development from hematopoietic progenitor cells. LC differentiation from progenitors is absolutely dependent on transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in vitro as well as in vivo; however, downstream mechanisms are poorly defined. We found that both PU.1 and Id2 are induced by TGF-β1 in human CD34+ monocyte/LC (M/LC) progenitor cells, and that neither ectopic PU.1 or Id2 alone, nor both together, could replace TGF-β1 in its instructive function on LC commitment. However, both factors critically contributed to LC differentiation by acting at 2 distinct intersection points. Ectopic PU.1 strongly enhanced TGF-β1-dependent LC development. Additionally, Notch-induced generation of interstitial-type DCs was associated with PU.1 up-regulation. Thus, PU.1 is generally increased during myeloid DC development. Ectopic Id2 inhibits the acquisition of early monocytic characteristics by cells generated in the absence of TGF-β1 and also inhibits monocyte induction by alternative stimuli. Since TGF-β1 represses a default monocyte pathway of common progenitor cells, PU.1 and Id2 seem to modulate lineage options of M/LC precursors, downstream of TGF-β1.
Critical role for Stat3 in T-dependent terminal differentiation of IgG B cells
Authors: Fornek Jamie L. , Tygrett Lorraine T. , Waldschmidt Thomas J. , Poli Valeria , Rickert Robert C. , Kansas Geoffrey S.
Published: October 2005

Stat proteins are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that are crucial in many aspects of mammalian development. In the immune system, Stat3 has distinct roles in T-cell, neutrophil, and macrophage function, but a role for Stat3 in B-cell development, particularly in the terminal differentiation of B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells, has never been directly tested. In this study, we used the Cre/lox system to generate a mouse strain in which Stat3 was conditionally deleted in the B-cell lineage (Stat3fl/flCD19Cre/+). B-cell development, establishment of the peripheral B-cell compartment, and baseline serum antibody levels were unperturbed in Stat3fl/flCD19Cre/+ mice. Strikingly, Stat3fl/flCD19Cre/+ mice displayed profound defects in T-dependent (TD) IgG responses, but normal TD IgM, IgE, and IgA responses and T-independent (TI) IgM and IgG3 responses. In addition, germinal center (GC) formation, isotype switching, and generation of memory B cells, including IgG+ memory cells, were all intact in Stat3fl/flCD19Cre/+ mice, indicating that the requirement for Stat3 was limited to plasma cell differentiation. These results demonstrate a profound yet highly selective role for Stat3 in TD IgG plasma cell differentiation, and therefore represent a unique example of a transcription factor regulating isotype-specific terminal B-cell differentiation.
A novel form of immune signaling revealed by transmission of the inflammatory mediator serotonin between dendritic cells and T cells
Authors: O'Connell Peta J. , Wang Xiangbin , Leon-Ponte Matilde , Griffiths Corrie , Pingle Sandeep C. , Ahern Gerard P.
Published: October 2005

Adaptive immunity is triggered at the immune synapse, where peptide-major histocompatibility complexes and costimulatory molecules expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) are physically presented to T cells. Here we describe transmission of the inflammatory monoamine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) between these cells. DCs take up 5-HT from the microenvironment and from activated T cells (that synthesize 5-HT) and this uptake is inhibited by the antidepressant, fluoxetine. Expression of 5-HT transporters (SERTs) is regulated by DC maturation, exposure to microbial stimuli, and physical interactions with T cells. Significantly, 5-HT sequestered by DCs is stored within LAMP-1+ vesicles and subsequently released via Ca2+-dependent exocytosis, which was confirmed by amperometric recordings. In turn, extracellular 5-HT can reduce T-cell levels of cAMP, a modulator of T-cell activation. Thus, through the uptake of 5-HT at sites of inflammation, and from activated T cells, DCs may shuttle 5-HT to naive T cells and thereby modulate T-cell proliferation and differentiation. These data constitute the first direct measurement of triggered exocytosis by DCs and reveal a new and rapid type of signaling that may be optimized by the intimate synaptic environment between DCs and T cells. Moreover, these results highlight an important role for 5-HT signaling in immune function and the potential consequences of commonly used drugs that target 5-HT uptake and release.
Antiplasmin-cleaving enzyme is a soluble form of fibroblast activation protein
Authors: Lee Kyung N. , Jackson Kenneth W. , Christiansen Victoria J. , Lee Chung S. , Chun Jin-Geun , McKee Patrick A.
Published: October 2005

Circulating antiplasmin-cleaving enzyme (APCE) has a role in fibrinolysis and appears structurally similar to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a cell-surface proteinase that promotes invasiveness of certain epithelial cancers. To explore this potential relationship, we performed comparative structure/function analyses of the 2 enzymes. APCE from human plasma and recombinant FAP (rFAP) exhibited identical pH optima of 7.5, extinction coefficients (\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \({\in}_{280\mathrm{nm}}^{1\%}\) \end{document}) of 20.2 and 20.5, common sequences of tryptic peptides, and cross-reactivity with FAP antibody. APCE and rFAP are homodimers with monomeric subunits of 97 and 93 kDa. Only homodimers appear to have enzymatic activity, with essentially identical kinetics toward Met-α2-antiplasmin (Met-α2AP) and peptide substrates. APCE and rFAP cleave both Pro3-Leu4 and Pro12-Asn13 bonds of Met-α2AP, but relative kcat/Km values for Pro12-Asn13 are about 16-fold higher than for Pro3-Leu4. APCE and rFAP demonstrate higher kcat/Km values toward a peptide modeled on P4-P4′ sequence surrounding the Pro12-Asn13 primary cleavage site than for Z-Gly-Pro-AMC and Ala-Pro-AFC substrates. These data support APCE as a soluble derivative of FAP and Met-α2AP as its physiologic substrate. Conversion of Met-α2AP by membrane or soluble FAP to the more easily fibrin-incorporable form, Asn-α2AP, may increase plasmin inhibition within fibrin surrounding certain neoplasms and have an impact on growth and therapeutic susceptibility.
NK-cell activation by LIGHT triggers tumor-specific CD8+ T-cell immunity to reject established tumors
Authors: Fan Zusen , Yu Ping , Wang Yang , Wang Yugang , Fu May Lynne , Liu Wenhua , Sun Yonglian , Fu Yang-Xin
Published: October 2005

Natural killer (NK) cells are generally reported as innate effector cells for killing virally infected and transformed cells. It is unclear how NK cells evoke adaptive immunity to eradicate tumors. We now demonstrate that the TNF superfamily member, LIGHT, known as TNFSF14 and a T-cell costimulatory molecule, is a critical ligand for the activation of NK cells. Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is expressed on NK cells, and its engagement with LIGHT mediates NK-cell activation. The expression of LIGHT inside tumors leads to rapid rejection in a NK-dependent manner. Both NK and CD8+ cells are essential but not sufficient for the rejection of tumors because mice lacking either population fail to reject the tumor. Interestingly, activated NK cells do not kill tumors directly but can facilitate the priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in an IFN-γ–dependent manner. Conversely, intratumor depletion of either NK cells or IFN-γ during tumor progression disrupts CD8+ cell–mediated tumor rejection, suggesting that the tumor is the essential site for the crosstalk between NK and CD8+ cells. Furthermore, IFNG-deficient NK cells fail to effectively activate CD8+ T cells, suggesting IFN-γ plays an important role in NK-mediated activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Our findings establish a direct role for LIGHT in NK activation/expansion and a critical helper role of activated NK cells in priming CD8+ T cells and breaking T-cell tolerance at the tumor site.
Palliative care of patients with a primary malignant brain tumour: case review of service use and support provided
Authors: Faithfull Sara , Cook Karen , Lucas Caroline
Published: October 2005

Individuals with a primary malignant brain tumour require intensive palliative care services because of the symptoms and cognitive problems they experience. Many of these patients stay with their families at home, being supported by palliative care home teams rather than being admitted for hospice care. The provision of respite care and community services to support these families goes largely unreported. This study arises out of a need to review support services for patients and carers within one cancer and palliative care service. This retrospective case analysis identifies that there are a range of services used in the community to support patients with primary malignant brain tumours but that only a small proportion receive inpatient hospice care. District nursing services were extensively used but also a high number (74%) of patients were admitted to local hospitals for symptom management. This paper attempts to explore the services utilized but also questions the apparently limited provision of hospice care for supporting individuals in the palliative care stages of such an illness. This paper considers the illness trajectory, the complex symptoms experienced by patients and respite services utilized. Issues of those engaged in informal care giving and in the provision of support for those with a primary malignant glioma are also considered.
Randomized Comparison of Weekly Cisplatin or Protracted Venous Infusion of Fluorouracil in Combination With Pelvic Radiation in Advanced Cervix Cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study
Authors: Lanciano Rachelle , Calkins Alison , Bundy Brian N. , Parham Groesbeck , Lucci Joseph A. , Moore David H. , Monk Bradley J. , O'Connor Dennis M.
Published: October 2005

Purpose

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care for locally advanced cervix cancer; the optimal chemotherapy regimen is not yet defined. This trial was designed to compare the outcome of protracted venous infusion (PVI) fluorouracil (FU) with standard weekly cisplatin and concurrent radiation therapy (RT).

Patients and Methods

Patients with stage IIB, IIIB, and IVA cervical cancer with clinically negative aortic nodes were eligible. Pelvic RT dose was 45 Gy with a parametrial boost to involved sides of 5.4 to 9 Gy, and high- or low-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy. Standard therapy was weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2, and experimental therapy was PVI FU 225 mg/m2/d for 5 d/wk for six cycles during RT.

Results

The study was closed prematurely when a planned interim futility analysis indicated that PVI FU/RT had a higher treatment failure rate (35% higher) and would, most likely, not result in an improvement in progression-free survival compared with weekly cisplatin/RT. The PVI FU/RT arm continues to show a higher risk of treatment failure (relative risk [RR] unadjusted, 1.29) and a higher mortality rate (RR unadjusted, 1.37). There was no difference in pelvic treatment failure between regimens, but there was an increase in the failure rate at distant sites in the PVI FU arm.

Conclusion

In this study, PVI FU does not show improved outcome over weekly cisplatin. Future research should explore combinations of FU with cisplatin, new radiosensitizers, and active drugs combined with RT to reduce the high rate of pelvic and distant treatment failure still seen in advanced cervix cancer.
Palmitate Induces Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Expression in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells by a Mechanism Involving Protein Kinase C and Nuclear Factor-κB Activation
Authors: Jové Mireia , Planavila Anna , Sánchez Rosa M. , Merlos Manuel , Laguna Juan Carlos , Vázquez-Carrera Manuel
Published: October 2005

The mechanisms responsible for increased expression of TNF-α in skeletal muscle cells in diabetic states are not well understood. We examined the effects of the saturated acid palmitate on TNF-α expression. Exposure of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells to 0.75 mm palmitate enhanced mRNA (25-fold induction, P < 0.001) and protein (2.5-fold induction) expression of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. This induction was inversely correlated with a fall in GLUT4 mRNA levels (57% reduction, P < 0.001) and glucose uptake (34% reduction, P < 0.001). PD98059 and U0126, inhibitors of the ERK-MAPK cascade, partially prevented the palmitate-induced TNF-α expression. Palmitate increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and incubation of the cells with the NF-κB inhibitors pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and parthenolide partially prevented TNF-α expression. Incubation of palmitate-treated cells with calphostin C, a strong and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), abolished palmitate-induced TNF-α expression, and restored GLUT4 mRNA levels. Palmitate treatment enhanced the expression of phospho-PKCθ, suggesting that this PKC isoform was involved in the changes reported, and coincubation of palmitate-treated cells with the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine prevented the palmitate-induced reduction in the expression of IκBα and insulin-stimulated Akt activation. These findings suggest that enhanced TNF-α expression and GLUT4 down-regulation caused by palmitate are mediated through the PKC activation, confirming that this enzyme may be a target for either the prevention or the treatment of fatty acid-induced insulin resistance.
Thyroid Hormone Regulates Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Expression in the Growth Plate
Authors: Bassett J. H. D. , Swinhoe R. , Chassande O. , Samarut J. , Williams G. R.
Published: October 2005

Thyroid hormone is essential for normal skeletal development. Hypothyroidism is associated with growth arrest, failure of chondrocyte differentiation, and abnormal matrix synthesis. Thyroid hormone modulates the Indian hedgehog/PTHrP feedback loop and regulates fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor signaling. Because heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans (Prgs) (HSPGs) are absolutely required by these signaling pathways, we have investigated whether thyroid status affects HSPG expression within the growth plate. Tibial growth plate sections were obtained from 12-wk-old rats rendered euthyroid, thyrotoxic, or hypothyroid at 6 wk of age, 14-d-old congenitally hypothyroid Pax8-null mice, and TRα/TRβ double-null mice lacking all thyroid hormone receptors. HS and chondroitin sulfate Prg expression was determined by immunohistochemistry using three monoclonal antibodies. There was increased HS staining in growth plates from hypothyroid animals predominantly within the extracellular matrix of reserve and proliferative zones. Cellular HS staining was also increased particularly in prehypertrophic chondrocytes. T3 regulation of HSPG core protein and HS synthetic and modification enzyme expression was studied in ATDC5 cells using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Thyroid hormone negatively regulated expression of the core protein Gpc6, the polymerase Ext1, and the modification enzyme Hs6st2. These studies demonstrate that the expression and distribution of growth plate Prgs are regulated by thyroid hormone, and the regulation of HSPG expression provides an important additional link between FGF and Indian hedgehog signaling and T3. These novel observations suggest that the cartilage matrix and especially HSPGs are critical mediators of the skeletal response to thyroid hormone.
Molecular Cloning and Spatiotemporal Expression of Prostaglandin F Synthase and Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 in Porcine Endometrium
Authors: Waclawik Agnieszka , Rivero-Muller Adolfo , Blitek Agnieszka , Kaczmarek Monika M. , Brokken Leon J. S. , Watanabe Kikuko , Rahman Nafis A. , Ziecik Adam J.
Published: October 2005

Endometrial prostaglandins (PGs) and the PGE2/PGF2α ratio play an important role in regulating the estrous cycle and establishment of pregnancy. The enzymes downstream of cyclooxygenase-2 may determine the PGE2/PGF2α ratio in the porcine uterus. Thus, we have cloned porcine PGF synthase (PGFS) and microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and characterized their expression in porcine endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. PGFS and mPGES-1 amino acid sequences possessed a high degree (>67% and >77%, respectively) of identity with the other mammalian homologs. There was little modulation of mPGES-1 throughout the estrous cycle; however, PGFS expression was highly up-regulated in endometrium around the time of luteolysis. During early pregnancy, PGFS at the protein level showed a time-dependent increase (low on d 10–13, intermediate on d 14–23, and high on d 24–25). In pregnancy, expression of mPGES-1 was intermediate on d 10–11 and low on d 14–17 and then increased after d 22, reaching the maximum on d 24–25. Immunohistochemistry showed localization of PGFS and mPGES-1 proteins mainly in luminal and glandular epithelium. Concluding, the spatiotemporal expression of PGFS throughout the estrous cycle indicates an involvement of PGFS in regulating luteolysis in the pig. The comparison of endometrial PGFS and mPGES-1 expression on d 10–13 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy suggest a supportive role of these enzymes in determining the increase of uterine PGE2/PGF2α ratio during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Moreover, high expression of both PG synthases after initiation of implantation may indicate their significant role in placentation.
Air–sea exchanges in the equatorial area from the EQUALANT99 dataset: Bulk parametrizations of turbulent fluxes corrected for airflow distortion
Authors: Brut A. , Butet A. , Durand P. , Caniaux G. , Planton S.
Published: October 2005

Turbulent fluxes of momentum, sensible heat and water vapour were calculated using both the eddy covariance (EC) and the inertial dissipation (ID) methods applied to data collected on board the research vessel La Thalassa during 40 days of the EQUALANT99 oceanographic campaign. The aim of this experiment was to establish accurate parametrizations of air–sea fluxes for the equatorial Atlantic area from a large dataset. However, the accuracy of turbulent fluxes measured aboard ships is strongly affected by the distortion of airflow patterns generated by obstacles such as the ship and mast. For the EQUALANT99 experiment, the effects of airflow distortion were estimated using physical simulations in a water channel. To reproduce the conditions of the campaign, a neutral boundary layer was simulated in the water channel and a detailed model of the ship La Thalassa was built. Correction coefficients for the mean wind speed were evaluated from these physical simulations. They show a dependence on both the azimuth angle of the flow (i.e. the horizontal direction of the flow with respect to the ship's longitudinal axis) and the angle of incidence of the wind. The correction for airflow distortion was applied to the measured wind speed and also included in the flux computation using the ID method. Compared with earlier studies which applied a single correction per flux sample, it appears that our results for the corrected transfer coefficients present greater dependence on neutral wind speed than the previous parametrizations; the method also shows encouraging results, with a decrease in the scatter of the transfer coefficients parametrization. However, the distortion could not be corrected for in the fluxes calculated using the EC method, because this technique integrates a wide range of turbulence scales for which the airflow distortion cannot be simulated in a water channel.

Fluxes computed using the ID and EC methods are presented and compared in order to determine which method, in the configuration of the EQUALANT99 experiment, provides the best resulting transfer coefficients. According to the results, fluxes of momentum and latent heat computed by ID were better for deriving the drag and humidity coefficients. The EC method seemed better adapted to calculate sensible‐heat fluxes than the ID method, although a high scatter remained on the Stanton neutral number. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Assimilation of along‐track altimeter data in the tropical Pacific region of a global OGCM ensemble
Authors: Leeuwenburgh O.
Published: October 2005

Identical‐twin experiments are performed with an ocean general‐circulation model ensemble to investigate the potential for correction of subsurface ocean model states through assimilation of altimetric sea level observations with the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF). The EnKF provides a convenient extension to existing ensemble prediction systems. Observations are simulated for the tropical Pacific by sampling a truth run at 10‐day intervals at the TOPEX/POSEIDON along‐track measurement points and adding realistic instrument and orbit errors. Ensemble spread is generated by perturbing the best‐guess forcing fields. The perturbations are based on a multivariate EOF decomposition of differences between two reanalysis products. The effectiveness of the assimilation is investigated by comparison of the forecasts and analyses with a control run and with the truth. Time series of subsurface state variables along the equator show that the analyses are closer to the truth than the control in all cases, indicating a significant potential for improved ENSO forecast initialization. A second assimilation run with an Ensemble Square‐Root Filter (ESRF) shows that the analyses are very similar to those from the EnKF. However, ensemble spread in the subsurface state variables is found to be a poor proxy for the true analysis error in this experiment, in particular in the case of the ESRF. While the sea level analyses remain close to the truth, persistent offsets are introduced in the subsurface state, suggesting a role for bias correction schemes in ensemble methods. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Temperature and salinity dependence of sea surface emissivity in the thermal infrared
Authors: Newman S. M. , Smith J. A. , Glew M. D. , Rogers S. M. , Taylor J. P.
Published: October 2005

Aircraft and ground‐based interferometer measurements are used to investigate the dependence of sea surface emissivity on water temperature and salinity in the infrared spectral region. The effect of dissolved salts is found to be small and in line with previous studies, whereas temperature (often neglected in current emissivity models) has a greater impact. The influence on satellite sea surface temperature (SST) retrievals is found to be significant for high‐resolution infrared sounders: neglecting a temperature‐dependent emissivity leads to systematic errors in SST of as much as 0.6 K depending on channel frequency. © Crown copyright, 2005. Royal Meteorological Society
A new fast stratospheric ozone chemistry scheme in an intermediate general‐circulation model. I: Description and evaluation
Authors: Taylor C. P. , Bourqui M. S.
Published: October 2005

Simulation of future climate‐composition changes requires simulations of coupled dynamical‐radiative‐chemical models of many decades in length. Yet, to assure the generality of the simulation's results against uncertainties in emissions, unforced year‐to‐year variability and dependence on initial conditions, it is necessary to repeat them a significant number of times. The computational cost of such an exercise is still too large when using complex three‐dimensional coupled models.

We introduce in this paper a computationally efficient chemical scheme, the FAst STratospheric Ozone Chemistry (FASTOC) scheme, which has advantages over many existing fast methods, as it does not rely on relaxation to assumed conditions, does not rely on tuning parameters, and does not rely on linearization approximations. The scheme is nevertheless three orders of magnitude faster than a stiff kinetic equations solver.

Part I of the paper gives a detailed description of the FASTOC model and some performance evaluations when incorporated in a general‐circulation model (GCM). In Part II, the FASTOC model, coupled to a GCM, is specifically applied to study the impact of climate–chemistry interactions on stratospheric ozone in the middle of the twenty‐first century. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
The effect of the continental boundary layer on the dynamics of fronts in a 2D model of baroclinic instability. II: Surface heating and cooling
Authors: Reeder Michael J. , Tory Kevin J.
Published: October 2005

The effect of surface heating and cooling on the structure and evolution of the surface front that develops in the finite‐amplitude Eady wave is investigated. Spatially uniform short‐wave radiative heating of the surface is weakly frontolytic, although it appears this result may be sensitive to the way in which the boundary‐layer turbulence is parametrized. The cross‐front potential temperature gradient is weakened principally by the differential heating produced by horizontal variations in the depth of the mixed layer, and to a smaller extent by horizontal variations in the surface sensible heat flux. The direct effect of enhanced daytime turbulent stresses is to retard the winds in the boundary layer, reducing the convergence in the cross‐front plane, while the indirect effect is to produce a strong cross‐isobaric flow towards the trough, thereby increasing the convergence. The net effect is to reduce the rate of frontogenesis near the surface front. During the day the front is oriented vertically in the boundary layer because of the strong mixing. Nocturnal cooling through long‐wave radiative emission from the surface is strongly frontogenetic. At night, as the turbulence decays in the trough ahead of the surface front, air parcels accelerate down the pressure gradient towards the centre of the trough, producing low‐level cross‐front surges on both sides of the trough axis. This enhanced nocturnal convergence rapidly strengthens the cross‐front potential temperature gradient and tilts the front westward with height. Such nocturnal frontogenesis is especially intense when it follows strong daytime turbulent mixing. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Mode decomposition as a methodology for developing convective‐scale representations in global models
Authors: Yano Jun‐ichi , Redelsperger Jean‐luc , Bechtold Peter , Guichard Françoise
Published: October 2005

Mode decomposition is proposed as a methodology for developing subgrid‐scale physical representations in global models by a systematic reduction of an originally full system such as a cloud‐resolving model (CRM). A general formulation is presented, and also discussed are mathematical requirements that make this procedure possible. Features of this general methodology are further elucidated by the two specific examples: mass fluxes and wavelets.

The traditional mass‐flux formulation for convective parametrizations is derived as a special case from this general formulation. It is based on the decomposition of a horizontal domain into an approximate sum of piecewise‐constant segments. Thus, a decomposition of CRM outputs on this basis is crucial for their direct verification. However, this decomposition is mathematically not well‐posed nor unique due to the lack of admissibility. A classification into cloud types, primarily based on precipitation characteristics of the atmospheric columns, that has been used as its substitute, does not necessarily provide a good approximation for a piecewise‐constant segment decomposition. This difficulty with mass‐flux decomposition makes a verification of the formulational details of parametrizations based on mass fluxes by a CRM inherently difficult.

The wavelet decomposition is an alternative possibility that can more systematically decompose the convective system. Its completeness and orthogonality also allow a prognostic description of a CRM system in wavelet space in the same manner as is done in Fourier space. The wavelets can, furthermore, efficiently represent the various convective coherencies by a limited number of modes due to their spatial localizations. Thus, the degree of complexity of the wavelet‐based prognostic representation of a CRM can be extensively reduced. Such an extensive reduction may allow its use in place of current cumulus parametrizations. This wavelet‐based scheme can easily be verified from the full original system due to its direct reduction from the latter. It also fully takes into account the multi‐scale nonlinear interactions, unlike the traditional mass‐flux‐based schemes. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Reconstruction of an atmospheric tracer source using the principle of maximum entropy. I: Theory
Authors: Bocquet Marc
Published: October 2005

Over recent years, tracing back sources of chemical species dispersed through the atmosphere has been of considerable importance, with an emphasis on increasing the precision of the source resolution. This need stems from many problems: being able to estimate the emissions of pollutants; spotting the source of radionuclides; evaluating diffuse gas fluxes; etc.

We study the high‐resolution retrieval on a continental scale of the source of a passive atmospheric tracer, given a set of concentration measurements. In the first of this two‐part paper, we lay out and develop theoretical grounds for the reconstruction. Our approach is based on the principle of maximum entropy on the mean. It offers a general framework in which the information input prior to the inversion is used in a flexible and controlled way. The inversion is shown to be equivalent to the minimization of an optimal cost function, expressed in the dual space of observations. Examples of such cost functions are given for different priors of interest to the retrieval of an atmospheric tracer. In this respect, variational assimilation (4D‐Var), as well as projection techniques, are obtained as biproducts of the method. The framework is enlarged to incorporate noisy data in the inversion scheme. Part II of this paper is devoted to the application and testing of these methods. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Reconstruction of an atmospheric tracer source using the principle of maximum entropy. II: Applications
Authors: Bocquet Marc
Published: October 2005

A new method of performing the source inversion of a passive tracer at continental scale was proposed in Part I of this two‐part paper. The method made use of prior information, general or specific (depending on the situation), to perform a better reconstruction using only the prior information and the field measurements of the tracer. In this paper the method is tested on its first applications. It is used on several test examples, using the meteorological conditions of the European Joint Research Centre ETEX‐I campaign. The retrieval of a temporal profile of emission from a source whose location is known is studied before testing the method on a full reconstruction of the space–time profile of the source. Synthetic, but also real‐measurement, inversions are tested, thanks to the extension of the formalism to noisy data. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Evolution of a subgrid deep convection parametrization in a limited‐area model with increasing resolution
Authors: Gerard L. , Geleyn J.‐F.
Published: October 2005

The adaptation of a convective parametrization to high resolution has been successfully performed, to a certain point, by refinements in the representation of the entrainment, detrainment and some other features of the original general‐circulation‐model oriented scheme. But, passing to resolutions below 10 km requires dispensing with some fundamental hypotheses, starting with quasi‐equilibrium and the assumption of negligible up‐ and downdraught mesh fractions. A prognostic scheme has been used for the draughts' vertical velocities and mesh fractions. The prognostic closure of the convective scheme has many benefits, but additional enhancements are required, starting with a coherent treatment of the cloud condensates and a more integrated combination of the different schemes producing condensation, cloud and precipitation. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Experimental use of TRMM precipitation radar observations in 1D+4D−Var assimilation
Authors: Benedetti Angela , Lopez Philippe , Bauer Peter , Moreau Emmanuel
Published: October 2005

This paper presents a new application of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) observations for indirect assimilation into the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model. The PR reflectivities are first processed using a one‐dimensional variational (1D‐Var) method to adjust model temperature and specific humidity. The retrieved Total Column Water Vapour (TCWV) is then assimilated into the operational four‐dimensional variational (4D‐Var) system. The applicability of the 1D+4D−Var approach to the radar observations is discussed in detail.

Several case studies were run to assess the feasibility and the effectiveness of assimilating PR reflectivities with a 1D‐Var approach. Results show good behaviour of the 1D‐Var system in terms of convergence and stability. Its performance in terms of retrieved TCWV is comparable to that of other 1D‐Vars which make use of TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) observations. When the 1D‐Var TCWV pseudo‐observations are input into the 4D‐Var system, a positive impact is shown in the analysis and the subsequent forecasts, both on moisture‐related fields and also on winds and surface pressure. The quality of the forecast is verified using track observations for the tropical cyclones. The track forecasts from the experiments which include 1D‐Var TCWV are generally closer to the observed track than a control run. Despite their much smaller spatial coverage than TMI observations, it is found that the PR data have a comparable impact, provided the satellite samples a meaningful portion of the storm, possibly its centre. This is possibly due to the fact that TCWV increments from PR and from TMI brightness temperature have similar magnitudes.

These results show that active sensor data can provide indirect yet useful information on the moisture field and that this information can effectively be assimilated to improve the analysis and the forecast of tropical disturbances. Although this is a sub‐optimal use of PR observations, due to the underexploitation of the vertical information contained in the reflectivity profiles, it is still a step forward towards using active sensor data in preparation for future satellite missions which will deliver this type of data on a global scale and at higher temporal resolution. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Can Coal Contribute to Sustainable Development?
Authors: Wicks Roger , Keay Malcolm
Published: October 2005

Coal is not always seen as a route to sustainable development; renewable energy, energy efficiency and a move away from fossil fuels are what people usually have in mind. The paper argues that such a view is incomplete.

One of the key development challenges facing the 21st century is to ensure wider access to clean energy. There are 1.6 billion people currently lacking electricity and the enormous benefits it brings in terms of poverty reduction and improved quality of life. Coal has been the route to electrification for millions in the developing world – China alone secured electricity access for over 700 million people between 1980 and 2000 in a system based 84 percent on coal.

Clean technologies generally involve higher costs. Can the higher environmental expectations of the 21st century be met without denying or delaying access to electricity for millions in need?

The paper identifies ways in which the cost penalty and other barriers to the introduction of clean coal-based technologies can be overcome.

Higher efficiencies reduce both costs and emissions – the universal deployment of existing commercial best practice would produce savings equivalent to those from the Kyoto protocol. Emerging coal-based technologies enable cost-effective carbon dioxide emissions reductions. Co-firing of coal and renewables is often the most effective route to enabling resources such as biomass and solar power to be exploited. In the longer run, carbon sequestration offers huge potential for near zero emissions power at costs comparable with or lower than the alternatives.

The conclusion is that no single fuel source provides the answer to sustainable development; a range of options is needed. Cleaner coal-based technologies must be one of those options: they can meet both immediate development goals and longer-term climate change imperatives.
Energy Access: Illusion or Reality for the Poor?
Authors: Fall Latsoucabe
Published: October 2005

Electricity access is vital for alleviating poverty, and reversing the past and current negative economic and social trends in developing countries. However, despite efforts undertaken so far, the technological accomplishments and so-called breakthroughs, as well as global wealth, the population without electricity access in developing countries is still tremendous.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, at least three-quarters of the population currently have no access to electricity; and over the past three decades, the number of people without access to electricity in this region has doubled. Moreover, if we applied the electricity connection rates of the past decade, one must wait until at least the end of this century, before achieving the electricity access objective set for the region.

Some experts contend that electricity reform options experienced in Africa have not yet reached the expected beneficial effects, in terms of improvement of the electricity access rate for the poor, and that they were not designed to address the energy problems of the poor, but were explicitly aimed at achieving other objectives.

It is thus well founded to raise the following questions:

Is the WSSD objective of energy access realistic or utopian, particularly for Africa? Is the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of African poor by 2015 a ‘white vow’? How can we reverse the past and current negative trends and move towards the achievement of ambitious yet realistic objectives of widespread energy access?