bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of splanchnic hemodynamics in liver regeneration after living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Jiang Shui-Ming , Zhou Guang-Wen , Zhang Rui , Peng Cheng-Hong , Yan Ji-Qi , Wan Liang , Shen Chuan , Chen Hao , Li Qing-Yu , Shen Bai-Yong , Li Hong-Wei
Published: August 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in splanchnic hemodynamics after LDLT and their relationship with graft regeneration. Eighteen patients with LDLT December 2006 and June 2008 were enrolled, and color Doppler ultrasonography was performed preoperatively and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 5, 7, 30, and 90 after transplantation. The changes in the portal blood flow mean velocity (PBV) and portal blood flow volume (PBF) were monitored, and their effects on hepatic function were observed simultaneously. Graft sizes were measured on PODs 7, 30, and 90 after the operation. The regeneration rates of grafts were calculated. PBF increased in the recipient group from 1081.17 ± 277.50 to 2171.44 ± 613.15 mL/minute, and PBV increased from 15.01 ± 5.67 to 56.00 ± 22.11 cm/s; they were both significantly higher than those in the donor group (P < 0.01). On POD 1, serum aspartic aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total bilirubin all peaked; however, these indices in patients with PBF/graft weight (GW) > 300 mL/minute · 100 g were significantly higher than those in patients with PBF/GW < 300 mL/minute · 100 g. Livers in the recipient group regenerated rapidly. The graft regeneration rate reached 119.40% ± 28.21% as early as 1 month post-transplantation. PBF and PBV on PODs 1 and 3 were greatly related to liver regeneration at 30 days. The portal venous flow in patients with portal hypertension after LDLT showed a high perfusion state, which could promote graft regeneration, but PBF/GW after the operation should be controlled below 300 mL/minute · 100 g in order to protect grafts from hyperperfusion injury.
Insulin resistance and microalbuminuria are associated with microvascular disease in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Krok Karen L. , Milwalla Farida , Maheshwari Anurag , Rankin Rebecca , Thuluvath Paul J.
Published: August 2009

Cardiovascular (CV) disease has a significant impact on post–liver transplantation (LT) survival. Finding surrogate markers for occult CV disease would improve CV assessment in the LT evaluation. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of microvascular disease (MVD) and the utility of both microalbuminuria and the homeostatic model for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for assessing the presence of MVD in potential LT recipients. In this study, we examined the prevalence of MVD in 72 diabetics and 71 nondiabetics; both groups were matched for age, sex, race, and etiology of cirrhosis while awaiting LT. We prospectively collected data including fasting serum insulin and glucose levels, urine creatinine and microalbumin, and macrovascular and microvascular complications. MVD was present in 58 (40.5%) patients; MVD was more common in diabetics (n = 45, 62.5%) than nondiabetics (n = 13, 18.3%). The presence of diabetes mellitus (DM; P = 0.03), insulin use (P = 0.002), and duration (months) of DM (85.3 ± 96.1 versus 22.1 ± 46.3, P < 0.0001), hypertension (51.3 ± 101.5 versus 22.7 ± 58.2, P = 0.03), and hypertriglyceridemia (7.2 ± 17.4 versus 3.8 ± 18.5, P = 0.04) were associated with MVD. Significant microalbuminuria had a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 100%, and a positive predictive value of 100% for the presence of MVD. HOMA-IR also was associated with MVD (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, at our center, 62.5% of DM patients and 18% of non-DM patients awaiting LT have MVD. Patients with DM, significant microalbuminuria, or an elevated HOMA-IR should undergo rigorous CV assessment prior to LT.
Long-term renal function in liver transplant recipients and impact of immunosuppressive regimens (calcineurin inhibitors alone or in combination with mycophenolate mofetil): The TRY study
Authors: Karie-Guigues Svetlana , Janus Nicolas , Saliba Faouzi , Dumortier Jerome , Duvoux Christophe , Calmus Yvon , Lorho Richard , Deray Gilbert , Launay-Vacher Vincent , Pageaux Georges-Philippe
Published: August 2009

The prevalence of renal insufficiency before and at 1, 12, and 60 months after liver transplantation (LTx; primary endpoint) and the changes in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at same time points according to the immunosuppressive regimen (coprimary endpoint) were investigated. The primary outcome was determined for the entire cohort, whereas the coprimary endpoint was determined only for 2 groups of patients: those who started and remained on a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) alone, that is, the CNI-alone group (n = 624), and those who started and remained on a CNI in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), that is, the MMF group (n = 117). GFR was <60 mL/minute/1.73 kg/m2 in 11%, 48%, 51% and 58% of the patients at baseline and at 1, 12, and 60 months, respectively. The decrease in GFR was significantly lower in the MMF group compared to the CNI-alone group at 12 and 60 months (−16% versus −30% and −15% versus −33%, respectively), whereas the GFR decrease at 1 month was not different between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in CNI doses or blood levels at 12 and 60 months. In conclusion, there was a worsening of renal failure in 83% of patients post-LTx; 58% and 5% had GFRs of <60 and <30 mL/minute/1.73 kg/m2, respectively, at 5 years after LTx. The reduction of the GFR was significantly less marked in the MMF group compared to the CNI-alone agroup, and this could be related to less important CNI exposure early after LTx. It seems likely that early intervention for CNI reduction is best for reducing the use of CNIs in the long term.
Graft weight/recipient weight ratio: How well does it predict outcome after partial liver transplants?
Authors: Hill Mark J. , Hughes Michael , Jie Tun , Cohen Melissa , Lake John , Payne William D. , Humar Abhinav
Published: August 2009

Partial graft liver recipients with graft weight/recipient weight (GW/RW) ratios < 0.8% are thought to have a higher incidence of postoperative complications, including small-for-size syndrome (SFSS). We analyzed a cohort of such recipients and compared those with GW/RW < 0.8% to those with GW/RW ≥ 0.8%. Between 1999 and 2008, 107 adult patients underwent partial graft liver transplants: 76 from live donors [living donor liver transplantation (LDLT)] and 31 from deceased donors [split liver transplantation (SLT)]. Of these, 22 had GW/RW < 0.8% (12 with LDLT and 10 with SLT), and 85 had GW/RW ≥ 0.8% (64 with LDLT and 21 with SLT). The baseline demographics and median length of follow-up were similar. SFSS developed in 3 recipients with GW/RW < 0.8% (13.6%) and in 8 recipients with GW/RW ≥ 0.8% (9.4%; P = not significant). Other early complications were similar between the 2 groups. Inflow modification with splenic artery occlusion was performed in 13 recipients: 7 with GW/RW < 0.8% and 6 with GW/RW ≥ 0.8%. Graft survival at 1 year post-transplant did not differ (91% versus 92%; P = not significant). In conclusion, GW/RW did not appear to be the only determinant of outcome after partial liver transplantation. Using techniques such as inflow modification may help to prevent some of the problems seen with smaller grafts.
Electrochemical methods study on corrosion of 5% Al–Zn alloy‐coated steel under thin electrolyte layers
Authors: Xing S. , Li Y. , Wu J. , Yan Y.
Published: August 2009

The corrosion behavior of a 5% Al–Zn alloy (GF) coated steel was investigated under cyclic wet–dry condition using electrochemical techniques. The wet–dry cycle was conducted by exposure to alternate condition of 1 h immersion in seawater and 7 h drying at ambient temperature. The polarization resistance, Rp of the coating was monitored during the wet–dry cycles by two points AC impedance method and the corrosion potential, Ecorr was measured only when the coating was immersed in seawater. Simultaneously, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the coating was obtained after it was immersed in different cycles of wet–dry condition. The results obtained by two points AC impedance method had good agreement with those achieved from EIS technique, which proved that the two points AC impedance method was correct and an effective method for atmospheric corrosion study. The monitoring results indicated that the corrosion rate of GF coating firstly increased, then decreased slowly with time, and at last reached a relative steady state with local corrosion under the cyclic wet–dry alternate condition.
Monitoring of corrosion processes in chloride contaminated mortar by electrochemical measurements and X‐ray tomography
Authors: Beck M. , Goebbels J. , Burkert A. , Isecke B. , Bäßler R.
Published: August 2009

Corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete exposed to chloride containing environments is a serious problem in civil engineering practice. Electrochemical methods, e.g., potential mapping, provide information whether the steel reinforcement is still passive or depassivation has been initiated. By applying such techniques no information on the type of corrosion, its extent and distribution of corrosion products is available. Particular the corrosion progress is a significant problem. Especially in the case of macrocell corrosion in reinforced concrete structures, the development at the anode cannot be separated into corrosion damage resulting from macrocell corrosion or self‐corrosion. Until now also in laboratory tests it is impossible to collect such information without destroying specimens after electrochemical testing was performed. To overcome this problem it was tried to study the steel surface within the mortar specimens by X‐ray tomography (CT). Within the scope of these investigations it could be shown, that X‐ray tomography is suitable to make corrosion pits and their development visible which are embedded in a mortar with a cover thickness of about 35 mm. In this publication the time‐dependent corrosion damage of reinforced steel is documented by X‐ray tomography.
An algorithm to identify incident myocardial infarction using Medicaid data
Authors: Choma Neesha N. , Griffin Marie R. , Huang Robert L. , Mitchel Edward F. , Kaltenbach Lisa A. , Gideon Patricia , Stratton Shannon M. , Roumie Christianne L.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Studies of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cardiovascular events using administrative data require identification of incident acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) and information on whether confounders differ by NSAID status.

Methods

We identified patients with a first AMI hospitalization from Tennessee Medicaid files as those with primary ICD‐9 discharge diagnosis 410.x and hospitalization stay of > 2 calendar days. Eligible persons were non‐institutionalized, aged 50–84 years between 1999–2004, had continuous enrollment and no AMI, stroke, or non‐cardiovascular serious medical illness in the prior year. Of 5524 patients with a potential first AMI, a systematic sample (n = 350) was selected for review. Using defined criteria, we classified events using chest pain history, EKG, and cardiac enzymes, and calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) for definite or probable AMI.

Results

337 of 350 (96.3%) charts were abstracted and 307 (91.1%), 6 (1.8%), and 24 (7.1%) events were categorized as definite, probable, and no AMI, respectively. PPV for any definite or probable AMI was 92.8% (95% CI 89.6–95.2); for an AMI without an event in the past year 91.7% (95% CI 88.3–94.2), and for an incident AMI was 72.7% (95% CI 67.7–77.2). Age‐adjusted prevalence of current smoking (46.4% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.35) and aspirin use (36.9% vs. 35.9%, p = 0.90) was similar among NSAID users and non‐users

Conclusions

ICD‐9 code 410.x had high predictive value for identifying AMI. Among those with AMI, smoking and aspirin use was similar in NSAID exposure groups, suggesting these factors will not confound the relationship between NSAIDs and cardiovascular outcomes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship between ‘workaholism’, basic needs satisfaction at work and personality
Authors: Andreassen Cecilie Schou , Hetland Jørn , Pallesen Ståle
Published: August 2009

The aim of this study was to examine correlates of ‘workaholism’ components (Work Involvement, Drive, Enjoyment of Work). A cross‐occupational sample of 661 Norwegian employees in six different organizations completed a web‐based survey measuring ‘workaholism’, basic needs satisfaction at work and personality. Needs satisfaction at work was positively related to Enjoyment of Work, and negatively to Drive. Conscientiousness was positively related to all ‘workaholism’ components; Extraversion and Openness to Work Involvement and Enjoyment of Work; and Neuroticism to Drive. Negative relations were found between Neuroticism and Enjoyment of Work, and Agreeableness and Drive. Although the associations were rather weak, the findings give reason to differentiate between enthusiastic and non‐enthusiastic ‘workaholic’ characteristics, which were consistent with predictions taken from central theories on ‘workaholism’. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Multi‐Characterization of Plasma Polymerized Allylamine Films
Authors: Abbas Abdennour , Vivien Céline , Bocquet Bertrand , Guillochon Didier , Supiot Philippe
Published: August 2009

Plasma polymerized allylamine (ppAA) films were deposited in a radio‐frequency glow discharge plasma reactor using a continuous‐wave mode and varying the discharge power from 15 to 125 W. The deposition rate reached 26 nm · min−1 and was constant within at least half an hour of process. The chemical structure and elemental composition of the deposited films were investigated by Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies, whereas surface properties were analyzed by atomic force microscopy and surface free energy measurement. A special focus is given to the stability of ppAA in aqueous media and primary amine quantification. The use of fluorescent microscopy and UV‐Visible spectroscopy enabled us to detect and quantify the primary amine, respectively. All the studied parameters varied widely with enhanced power with a transition point around 50 W. Over this value, the results remain relatively unchanged.

magnified image
Application of proteomic analysis to renal disease in the clinic
Authors: Julian Bruce A. , Suzuki Hitoshi , Spasovski Goce , Suzuki Yusuke , Tomino Yasuhiko , Novak Jan
Published: August 2009

Chronic kidney disease accounts for a significant portion of many national health‐care budgets. In this viewpoint, we highlight recent advances in urinary proteomic analyses that potentially may soon enhance the care of afflicted patients. To achieve this goal, cooperation of interdisciplinary teams from around the world will be vital, so as to standardize methodology for preparation urine samples and technical aspects of the analyses, and for better application of results. These collaborative activities will facilitate translational research in kidney diseases.
Proteomics and the lung: Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Authors: Govender Praveen , Dunn Michael J. , Donnelly Seamas C.
Published: August 2009

Our knowledge of the complex bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) proteome has increased significantly over the last decade; but still, there remain many aspects of the BALF proteome that need characterization. Current proteomic methodologies resolve proteins within limited dynamic ranges: thereby, being limited in their ability to examine important areas of the BALF proteome, such as low molecular weight, low abundance proteins. To ensure proper coverage of these proteins in the BALF proteome, a refined 2‐DE standard operation protocol is presented, highlighting important issues in sample collection, sample preparation, and 2‐D DIGE analysis. It is hoped that this will help advance the field of BALF proteomics, BALFomics, which has lagged behind similar biofluids such as plasma and serum.
Regime‐switching models and multiple causal factors in forecasting wind speed
Authors: Reikard Gordon
Published: August 2009

This study evaluates two types of models for wind speed forecasting. The first is models with multiple causal factors, such as offsite readings of wind speed and meteorological variables. These can be estimated using either regressions or neural networks. The second is state transition and the closely related class of regime‐switching transition models. These are attractive in that they can be used to predict outlying fluctuations or large ramp events. The regime‐switching model uses a persistence forecast during periods of high wind speed, and regressions for low and intermediate speeds. These techniques are tested on three databases. Two main criteria are used to evaluate the outcomes, the number of high and low states than can be predicted correctly and the mean absolute percent error of the forecast. Neural nets are found to predict the state transitions somewhat better than logistic regressions, although the regressions do not do badly. Three methods all achieve about the same degree of forecast accuracy: multivariate regressions, state transition and regime‐switching models. If the states could be predicted perfectly, the regime‐switching model would improve forecast accuracy by an additional 2.5 to 3 percentage points. Analysis of the density functions of wind speed and the forecasting models finds that the regime‐switching method more closely approximates the distribution of the actual data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radical Scavenging Activity of Lipophilized Products from Transesterification of Flaxseed Oil with Cinnamic Acid or Ferulic Acid
Authors: Choo Wee‐Sim , Birch Edward John , Stewart Ian
Published: August 2009

Lipase‐catalyzed transesterification of flaxseed oil with cinnamic acid (CA) or ferulic acid (FA) using an immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica (E.C. 3.1.1.3) was conducted to evaluate whether the lipophilized products provided enhanced antioxidant activity in the oil. Lipase‐catalyzed transesterification of flaxseed oil with CA or FA produced a variety of lipophilized products (identified using ESI‐MS‐MS) such as monocinnamoyl/feruloyl‐diacylglycerol, dicinnamoyl‐monoacylglycerol and monocinnamoyl‐monoacylglycerol. The free radical scavenging activity of the lipophilized products of lipase‐catalyzed transesterification of flaxseed oil with CA or FA toward 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·) were both examined in ethanol and ethyl acetate. The polarity of the solvents proved important in determining the radical scavenging activity of the substrates. Unesterified FA showed the highest free radical scavenging activity among all substrates tested while CA had negligible activity. The esterification of CA or FA with flaxseed oil resulted in significant increase and decrease in the radical scavenging activity compared with the native phenolic acid, respectively. Based on the ratio of a substrate to DPPH· concentration, lipophilized FA was a much more efficient free radical scavenger compared to lipophilized CA and was able to provide enhanced antioxidant activity in the flaxseed oil. Lipophilized cinnamic acid did not provide enhanced radical scavenging activity in the flaxseed oil as the presence of natural hydrophilic antioxidants in the oil had much greater radical scavenging activity.
Open up or close down: How do parental reactions affect youth information management?☆
Authors: Tilton‐Weaver Lauree , Kerr Margaret , Pakalniskeine Vilmante , Tokic Ana , Salihovic Selma , Stattin Håkan
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this study was to test a process model of youths' information management. Using three waves of longitudinal data collected from 982 youths, we modeled parents' positive and negative reactions to disclosure predicting youths' feelings about their parents, in turn predicting youths' disclosure and secrecy about their daily activities. Gender, age, and psychopathic personality traits were examined as potential moderators. The results showed that parents' negative reactions were associated with increases in youths' feeling controlled and decreases in youths' feeling connected to their parents, which in turn, predicted increased secrecy and decreased disclosure. In contrast, parents' positive reactions predicted increased feeling connected to parents, which in turn predicted increased disclosure. Moreover, these predictive pathways were modified by youths' psychopathic personality traits. Our results are consistent with a transactional model suggesting that how parents react to youths' disclosure affects youths' future decisions to provide their parents with information about their daily activities. The results point to the importance of considering youths' feelings and characteristics.
Aggressive characteristics of cervical cancer in young women in Taiwan
Authors: Lau Hei‐Yu , Juang Chi‐Mou , Chen Yi‐Jen , Twu Nae‐Fang , Yen Ming‐Shyen , Chao Kuan‐Chong
Published: August 2009

Objective

To compare the characteristics and prognosis of cervical cancer in young women (under 30 years) with those of older women (over 30 years).

Methods

A retrospective study of 2443 patients diagnosed with FIGO stage IA–IIA cervical cancer who underwent surgical procedures between January 1983 and December 2007.

Results

Thirty patients (1.2%) were 30 years or younger. The proportion of non‐squamous cell carcinoma was higher in patients 30 years or younger compared with in patients over 30 years (14/30, 46.7% vs 10/30, 33.3%; P = 0.001). A higher rate of parametrial involvement was found in the younger group of patients compared with those over 30 years (10/30, 33.3% vs 289/2413, 12.0%; P = 0.001). Patients under 30 years had a higher rate of distant metastases compared with older patients (60% vs 49.7%; P = 0.036).

Conclusions

Non‐squamous histology, parametrial involvement, a higher rate of distant metastases, and poorer prognosis are more common in women aged 30 or younger with cervical cancer than in older women with the disease.
Tailoring cancer therapy ‐ Validating basic science with the ‘supertrial’
Authors: Wilkinson Emma
Published: August 2009

A paradigm shift in research culture is needed in order to set up the large ambitious trials needed to make personalised medicine a reality. Emma Wilkinson talks to the experts about the hurdles they face and what needs to change.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Strongyloides ophidiae (Nematoda, Strongyloididae)
Authors: dos Santos K.R. , Carlos B.C. , Paduan K.S. , Kadri S.M. , Barrella T.H. , Amarante M.R.V. , Ribolla P.E.M. , da Silva R.J.
Published: August 2009

The aim of the present study is to report morphological data from parasitic female, rhabditoid and filarioid larvae, free-living female worms and eggs of Strongyloides ophidiae (Nematoda, Strongyloididae). In addition, a molecular DNA analysis was carried out using a pool of eight S. ophidiae parasitic females. Samples were obtained from the small intestine of Oxyrhopus guibei (Serpentes, Colubridae) collected in the municipality of Lençóis Paulista, State of São Paulo, Brazil. DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) resulted in a 350 bp band for samples containing S. ophidiae and Strongyloides venezuelensis DNA. Strongyloides ophidiae nucleotide sequence analysis showed 98% similarity with Strongyloides procyonis and 97% with Strongyloides cebus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni and Strongyloides sp. from snakes.
The Burden of Ambiguity: Nicodemus and the Social Identity of the Johannine Christians
Authors: Hakola Raimo
Published: August 2009

Nicodemus is an enigmatic literary character who is wavering in no man's land in John's narrative between Jesus' opponents and his true disciples. Some scholars have taken Nicodemus as an example of someone of inadequate faith who remains an outsider throughout the narrative, while others have traced his development from initial and tentative faith to open and public commitment to Jesus. The present article, however, agrees with those who have acknowledged that no single trait determines Nicodemus's portrait, but, in the end, this portrait remains ambiguous. In the article, a text-centered approach to Nicodemus is complemented by asking how this ambiguous literary character may have functioned as a symbol for those who shared John's dualistic tendencies. The article draws upon the social identity approach in order to explain how Nicodemus's ambiguity may have helped the Johannine Christians to accept the uncertainties in their social environment without abandoning the stereotyped and fixed thrust in their symbolic world.
Q as Hypothesis: A Study in Methodology
Authors: Watson Francis
Published: August 2009

Arguments for the Q hypothesis have changed little since B. H. Streeter. The purpose of this article is not to advocate an alternative hypothesis but to argue that, if the Q hypothesis is to be sustained, the unlikelihood of Luke's dependence on Matthew must be demonstrated by a systematic and comprehensive reconstruction of the redactional procedures entailed in the two hypotheses. The Q hypothesis will have been verified if (and only if) it generates a more plausible account of the Matthean and Lukan redaction of Mark and Q than the corresponding account of Luke's use of Mark and Matthew.
The Themes of 1 Peter: Insights from the Earliest Manuscripts (the Crosby-Schøyen Codex ms 193 and the Bodmer Miscellaneous Codex containing P72)
Authors: Horrell David G.
Published: August 2009

Recent developments in textual criticism have encouraged NT scholars to regard the various NT manuscripts not merely as sources of variant readings to enable a reconstruction of the original text but as interpretative renderings with their own intrinsic interest and as important material evidence for early Christianity. Taking up this cue, this paper examines what the two (probably) earliest manuscripts of 1 Peter indicate about the status of this writing, and what early readers took to be its key themes, given the other texts with which it is bound. In both cases, and with some striking overlaps, 1 Peter is regarded as a text focused on the Easter themes of the suffering, martyrdom and vindication of Christ, and the related suffering and hope of his faithful people in a hostile world. These two manuscripts also call for some reconsideration of older scholarship, now widely rejected, which saw 1 Peter as a baptismal homily or paschal liturgy. While these remain unconvincing views of 1 Peter's origins, they do rightly identify themes and connections which the earliest editors and readers evidently also perceived.
The Route of Paul's First Journey to Pisidian Antioch
Authors: Wilson Mark
Published: August 2009

The route of Paul's first journey between Perga and Pisidian Antioch is still disputed. This article examines the three alternatives proposed by scholars. It explores the geographical and historical evidence for each route, looking especially at the extensive road system that existed in Pamphylia, Pisidia, and south Galatia in the first century. Bible atlases routinely depict one route and the reasons for this choice are discussed. Based on a review of the evidence, a fresh hypothesis for the route of the first journey is suggested.
The Idea of Fellowship in 1 Corinthians 10.14–22
Authors: Hollander Harm W.
Published: August 2009

In 1 Cor 10.14–22 Paul warns his readers to refrain from idolatry. In order to convince his readers he calls attention to the unity and solidarity which exist between worshippers of the same religion. In this context he uses the terms κοινωνία and κοινωνός (vv. 16, 18, and 20). In v. 17 Paul tells his readers that at their joint meals they are ‘partners’, this time expressed by the term μετέχειν. In the light of ancient parallels, it is concluded that the references to κοινωνία in v. 16 (cf. vv. 18 and 20) should be understood ecclesiologically, denoting ‘partnership’ rather than ‘participation’.
The Question of the Scene: On the Philosophical Foundations of Theatrical Anthropocentrism
Authors: KIRKKOPELTO ESA
Published: August 2009

The article consists of two interrelated arguments: First, all theoretical or everyday talk on theatre implies a certain scenic understanding, related to the phenomenon of human action and speech. Second, this understanding has been concealed by an anthropomorphic conception of the human phenomenon, based on the givenness of the human figure. The article tries to deconstruct this figure by analysing classical philosophical texts where the link between the human appearance and the theatrical mode of representation is theoretically established. By questioning this link, new ways to exercise the critique of theatrical anthropocentricism, both in theory and in practice, are established.
Duct Tape His Mouth! On Being Judged
Authors: RAE PAUL
Published: August 2009

In this short article, the author, who was one of the performers in The King Lear Project, reflects on critical responses to the trilogy, and on what they reveal about the process of evaluating theatre. Having played the role of the Producer in the trilogy, Paul Rae notes that one of his functions was to deliver pre-emptive judgments on the performances as they developed, thereby challenging reviewers to be more than usually self-reflexive in delivering their own. In largely failing to meet this challenge, Rae asserts, the critics' response to the trilogy underscored the role of misrecognition, prescriptiveness and an implicit violence in the act of theatrical judgment.
Critical Issues in the Bemba Confirmation Decision
Authors: AMBOS KAI
Published: August 2009

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued its third confirmation decision against Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo,1 the former president of the rebel Mouvement de Libération du Congo (MLC) and commander in chief of its military wing, the Armée de Libération du Congo (ALC).2 The decision is, in principle, to be welcomed, since it constitutes a further consolidation of the ICC case law and breaks new ground in some important areas, for example the law of crimes against humanity (Art. 7 of the ICC Statute3)4 and command responsibility (Art. 28).5 From an outsider's perspective it also seems that the Chamber, on the basis of the available (disclosed) evidence, took the right decision when it changed the Prosecutor's liability from (co-)perpetration (Art. 25(3)(a)) to command responsibility. Yet there are some fine legal-technical points where the Chamber did not dig deep enough, incurred conceptual errors, or drew some illogical conclusions. These issues shall be discussed briefly here, not in a destructive spirit but to contribute constructively to the improvement of the future case law.
Clinical Ethics as Liaison Service: Concepts and Experiences in Collaboration with Operative Medicine
Authors: RICHTER GERD
Published: August 2009

Over the past decade, clinical ethics has received growing attention in Germany as in most European countries. In the mid-1990s, most European countries made efforts to establish healthcare ethics committees (HEC) and clinical ethics consultation (CEC) services. The development of clinical ethics discourse and activities in Germany, however, was delayed and, consequently, is still in its natal phase. Until the end of the 1990s, the only institutionalized bodies of ethical reflection were the research ethics committees at university medical centers and at the State Physician Chambers. In March 1997, the Catholic and Protestant hospital association in Germany recommended the implementation of HECs, modeled after the American HECs. Consequently, the establishment of clinical ethics consultation in the form of HECs started in Germany in denominational hospitals, followed by a small but increasing number of community hospitals.
Is Consent Necessary for Ethics Consultation?
Authors: FINDER STUART G.
Published: August 2009

Is consent necessary prior to the initiation of a specific clinical ethics consultation? This is not a question that has received much attention despite the fact that the issue of consent is one of the earliest considerations associated with bioethics. Perhaps this is because of how clinical ethics consultation, as a formidable clinical practice, came into being. Specifically, although the place and time of its conception is not readily identifiable, it is not unreasonable to say it was born on March 31, 1976, when the New Jersey Supreme Court stated, in its Quinlan decision, that consultation would be necessary with “the hospital ‘Ethics Committee’ or like body of the institution in which Karen is then hospitalized. [And i]f that consultative body agrees that there is no reasonable possibility of Karen's ever emerging from her present comatose condition [then her] life-support system may be withdrawn.”
Possible organosedimentary structures on Mars
Authors: Rizzo Vincenzo , Cantasano Nicola
Published: August 2009

This study, using the Microscopic Imager (MI) of NASA Rover Exploration Mission's (REM) ‘Opportunity’, aims to explain the origin of laminated sediments lying at Meridiani Planum of Mars, and of the strange spherules, known as blueberries, about which several hypotheses have been formulated. To this purpose, images of the sedimentary textures of layers and fragments captured by REM have been analysed; sediments that NASA has already established as ‘pertinent to water presence’. Our study shows that such laminated sediments and the spherules they contain could be organosedimentary structures, probably produced by microorganisms. The laminated structures are characterized by a sequence of a thin pair of layers, which have the features of skeletal/agglutinated laminae and whose basic constituents are made by a partition of septa and vacuoles radially arranged around a central one. The growth of these supposed organosedimentary masses is based on the ‘built flexibility’ of such a basal element; it may be a coalescing microfossil formed by progressive film accretion (calcimicrobe), in a variety of geometrical gross forms, such as a repeated couplet sequence of laminae or domal mass and large composite polycentric spherule, both in elevation. The acquired structural and textural data seem to be consistent with the existence of life on Mars and could explain an origin of sediments at Meridiani Planum similar to that of terrestrial stromatolites. The Martian deposits, probably produced by cyanobacterial activity, and the embedded blueberries could represent a recurrent and multiform product of colonies with sheath forms, resembling in shape those of the fossil genus Archaeosphaeroides (stromatolites of Fig Tree, South Africa).
The rise of pragmatism in state/market debate
Authors: SALTMAN RICHARD B.
Published: August 2009

Discussion about the relative role of public and private in health care has evolved substantially across Europe since the 1980s. The previous, broadly ideological debate about state ‘versus’ market has been superceded by pragmatic considerations on how best to combine state ‘and’ market to achieve specific health sector outcomes. The London School of Economics debate about expanded patient choice demonstrated the extent to which pragmatism has gained the upper hand.
Monsoon hydrography and productivity changes in the East China Sea during the past 100,000 years: Okinawa Trough evidence (MD012404)
Authors: Chang Yuan‐Pin , Chen Min‐Te , Yokoyama Yusuke , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Thompson William G. , Kao Shuh‐Ji , Kawahata Hodaka
Published: August 2009

We analyzed the high‐resolution foraminifer isotope records, total organic carbon (TOC), and opal content from an Okinawa Trough core MD012404 in order to estimate the monsoon hydrography and productivity changes in the East China Sea (ECS) of the tropical western Pacific over the past 100,000 years. The variability shown in the records on orbital time scales indicates that high TOC intervals coincide with the increases of boreal May–September insolation driven by precession cycles (∼21 ka), implying a strong connection to the variations in monsoons. We also observed possibly nearly synchronous, millennial‐scale changes of the ECS surface hydrography (mainly driven by salinity changes but also by temperature effects) and productivity coincident with monsoon events in the Hulu/Dongge stalagmite isotope records. We found that increased freshening and high productivity correlate with high monsoon intensity in interstadials. This study suggests that the millennial‐scale changes in monsoon hydrography and productivity in the ECS are remarkable and persistent features over the past 100,000 years.
Signature of the atmospheric compressibility factor in COSMIC, CHAMP, and GRACE radio occultation data
Authors: Aparicio Josep M. , Deblonde Godelieve , Garand Louis , Laroche Stéphane
Published: August 2009

It is shown that the deviation of air from an ideal gas has nonnegligible effects when assimilating GPS radio occultation (GPSRO) data in a Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) system. Therefore an assimilation system that aims to be unbiased to within the threshold of detection should account for this effect. GPSRO data are vertically referenced in terms of mean sea level altitude. Many other data types are vertically referenced in pressure units. The assimilation system may use yet another vertical coordinate. The required transformations between vertical coordinate systems should not induce significant biases. In the context of NWP the threshold of detection for a systematic height bias is on the order of 1–2 m. This study demonstrates that this level of accuracy cannot be obtained unless the deviation of air from an ideal gas, known as compressibility factor, is properly taken into account. With the current volume of GPSRO data an inconsistency between pressure and altitude scales larger than the mentioned threshold can lead to the development of nonnegligible biases in NWP assimilation cycles. Consideration of the compressibility factor realigns the altitude‐ and pressure‐based scales to better than 1 m in the entire troposphere. Impacts are appreciated not only from global averages but from zonal averages as well.
Fine jet structure of electrically charged grains in Enceladus' plume
Authors: Jones G. H. , Arridge C. S. , Coates A. J. , Lewis G. R. , Kanani S. , Wellbrock A. , Young D. T. , Crary F. J. , Tokar R. L. , Wilson R. J. , Hill T. W. , Johnson R. E. , Mitchell D. G. , Schmidt J. , Kempf S. , Beckmann U. , Russell C. T. , Jia Y. D. , Dougherty M. K. , Waite J. H. , Magee B. A.
Published: August 2009

By traversing the plume erupting from high southern latitudes on Saturn's moon Enceladus, Cassini orbiter instruments can directly sample the material therein. Cassini Plasma Spectrometer, CAPS, data show that a major plume component comprises previously‐undetected particles of nanometer scales and larger that bridge the mass gap between previously observed gaseous species and solid icy grains. This population is electrically charged both negative and positive, indicating that subsurface triboelectric charging, i.e., contact electrification of condensed plume material may occur through mutual collisions within vents. The electric field of Saturn's magnetosphere controls the jets' morphologies, separating particles according to mass and charge. Fine‐scale structuring of these particles' spatial distribution correlates with discrete plume jets' sources, and reveals locations of other possible active regions. The observed plume population likely forms a major component of high velocity nanometer particle streams detected outside Saturn's magnetosphere.
New production stimulated by high‐frequency winds in a turbulent mesoscale eddy field
Authors: Lévy M. , Klein P. , Ben Jelloul M.
Published: August 2009

Using an idealized model of an oligotrophic open‐ocean region characterized by intense sub‐mesoscale turbulence, we show that the presence of energetic near‐inertial motions, forced by high‐frequency winds, triggers transient nutrient inputs in the surface mixed‐layer, stimulating new production. We also show that this production increase is larger than the increase due to the Ekman transport resulting from a slow‐evolving wind forcing. The nutrient supplies are due to the interaction between near‐inertial motions and the sub‐mesoscale frontogenetic dynamics that reinforces both the vertical advection and vertical diffusion, especially within sub‐mesoscales features. The net result is an uplift of new production from the subsurface to the mixed‐layer. A direct consequence is that the sub‐mesoscale filamentary patterns of phytoplankton should become much more observable from space in the presence of high‐frequency winds.
Magnetic merging line and reconnection voltage versus IMF clock angle: Results from global MHD simulations
Authors: Hu Y. Q. , Peng Z. , Wang C. , Kan J. R.
Published: August 2009

This paper proposes diagnosis methods to trace the magnetic merging line and to calculate the electric potential along it for Earth's magnetospheric magnetic fields obtained by global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere (SMI) system. The points with minimum magnetic field strength along last closed magnetic field lines and properly selected closed field lines are combined to trace the whole merging line, and the radial ray integration of convectional electric field is used to calculate the electric potential on the merging line. The diagnosis methods are then applied to magnetospheric magnetic fields associated with different interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angles, and a preliminary analysis is presented on the clock angle response of the geometry of the merging line and the associated reconnection voltage. The merging line is found to be similar in geometry to that of the compound field superposed by the Earth's dipole field and the IMF, whereas the reconnection voltage is approximately fitted by sin3/2(θIMF/2) for its response to the IMF clock angle θIMF. The ionospheric transpolar potential and the voltage along the polar cap boundary show different dependence from that of the reconnection voltage, so it is not justified to take them as substitutes for the reconnection voltage. The length of the sunward merging line between the two peaks of reconnection potential shows a nonmonotonic variation in response to θIMF, peaked at θIMF = 90°, so it is also not justified to take electric fields along the merging line, however defined they may be, to characterize the total reconnection rate and the coupling strength between the solar wind and the magnetosphere. The reconnection nearby magnetic nulls closest to the subsolar point is found to be negligible, which gives support to the component reconnection hypothesis for dayside reconnection of quasi‐steady states of the SMI system.
Rice Convection Model simulation of the substorm‐associated injection of an observed bubble into the inner magnetosphere: 1. Magnetic field and other inputs
Authors: Zhang J.‐C. , Wolf R. A. , Erickson G. M. , Spiro R. W. , Toffoletto F. R. , Yang J.
Published: August 2009

The objective of this work is a realistic Rice Convection Model (RCM) simulation of a modest substorm that occurred on 22 July 1998 and was observed by the Geotail spacecraft in the inner plasma sheet. It represents the first time the RCM has been used for detailed modeling of an inner magnetospheric event using data from a spacecraft in the inner plasma sheet beyond geosynchronous orbit to drive the model's time‐dependent boundary conditions. Since this represents a substantial departure from past practice, we present, in this paper, a detailed account of how model inputs are determined. An accompanying paper presents results and interpretations. Model inputs are adjusted to achieve approximate consistency between RCM‐computed values and measurements by Geotail, which was within the RCM modeling region near XGSM = −9 RE, YGSM = 0. To represent the magnetic field in the growth phase, we utilize a Tsyganenko (1989) statistical magnetic field model, adjusted to agree with Geotail‐measured pressure and magnetic field in a new way using analytic solutions to the linear Grad‐Shafranov equation. The magnetic field during the expansion phase is represented by adding a substorm current wedge using formulas developed by Tsyganenko. Induction electric fields play a central role in these simulations, because they are large in the vicinity of the substorm injection region. We provide a detailed description of how induction electric fields are included in the RCM as well as a prescription of the electromagnetic gauge condition used in the code.
Fire parameterization on a global scale
Authors: Pechony O. , Shindell D. T.
Published: August 2009

We present a convenient physically based global‐scale fire parameterization algorithm for global climate models. We indicate environmental conditions favorable for fire occurrence based on calculation of the vapor pressure deficit as a function of location and time. Two ignition models are used. One assumes ubiquitous ignition, the other incorporates natural and anthropogenic sources, as well as anthropogenic fire suppression. Evaluation of the method using Global Precipitation Climatology Project precipitation, National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research temperature and relative humidity, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Leaf Area Index as a proxy for global vegetation density gives results in remarkable correspondence with global fire patterns observed from the MODIS and Visible and Infrared Scanner satellite instruments. The parameterized fires successfully reproduce the spatial distribution of global fires as well as the seasonal variability. The interannual variability of global fire activity derived from the 20‐year advanced very high resolution radiometer record are well reproduced using Goddard Institute for Space Studies general circulation models climate simulations, as is the response to the climate changes following the eruptions of El Chichon and Mount Pinatubo. In conjunction with climate models and data sets on vegetation changes with time, the suggested fire parameterization offers the possibility to estimate relative variations of global fire activity for past and future climates.
Effective forecasting of hourly typhoon rainfall using support vector machines
Authors: Lin Gwo‐Fong , Chen Guo‐Rong , Wu Ming‐Chang , Chou Yang‐Ching
Published: August 2009

Typhoon rainfall is one of the most difficult elements of the hydrologic cycle to forecast because of the high variability in space and time and the complex physical process. To obtain more effective forecasts of hourly typhoon rainfall, novel models with better ability are desired. On the basis of support vector machines (SVMs), which are a novel kind of neural networks (NNs), effective hourly typhoon rainfall forecasting models are constructed. As compared with backpropagation networks (BPNs), which are the most frequently used conventional NNs, SVMs have three advantages: (1) SVMs have better generalization ability, (2) the architectures and the weights of the SVMs are guaranteed to be unique and globally optimal, and (3) SVM is trained much more rapidly. An application is conducted to clearly demonstrate these three advantages. The results indicate that the proposed SVM‐based models are better performed, robust, and efficient than the existing BPN‐based models. To further improve the long lead time forecasting, typhoon characteristics are added as key input to the proposed models. The comparison between SVM‐based models with and without typhoon characteristics confirms the significant improvement in forecasting performance due to the addition of typhoon characteristics for long lead time forecasting. The proposed SVM‐based models are recommended as an alternative to the existing models. The proposed modeling technique is also expected to be useful to support reservoir operation systems and flood, landslide, debris flow, and other disaster warning systems.