bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized Controlled Trial of Cost Reductions from a Health Education Program: The California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Study
Authors: Fries James F. , Harrington Harry , Edwards Robert , Kent Louis A. , Richardson Nancy
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

This study evaluated the cost trend reduction from a health promotion program.

Design.

A randomized 12-month trial comparing claims data was conducted. Additional studies, utilizing quasi-experimental designs, analyzed changes in health habits and changes in costs estimated by self-report.

Subjects.

All active California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) employees (21,170), non-Medicare eligible retirees (8,316), and retirees with Medical Supplement coverage (25,416) administered by Blue Shield of California were included.

Intervention.

The program consisted of mailed health risk assessments at six- or 12-month intervals, with individualized reports and recommendation letters sent to participants emphasizing and encouraging change, self-management materials emphasizing self-care when appropriate, and quarterly newsletters. Passive participants received printed materials only.

Measures.

Health risks were based upon self-report; summary scores were computed by modified Framingham algorithms. Self-report cost data were estimated from reported doctor visits, hospital days, and days sick or confined to home. Claims data were those paid by Blue Shield of California.

Results.

The program was associated with: 1) reduction in health risk scores at 12 months, (p<.001), 2) reduction of subject reported medical utilization from baseline (p<.05), and 3) decrease in claims cost growth relative to controls (p=.03). Annual claims costs were approximately $3.2 to $8.0 million less than expected had costs for the experimental participants increased at the same rate as the control group.

Discussion.

Results suggest that appropriately designed health promotion programs can reduce health risks and at the same time reduce the medical care claims cost trend.
Differences in Perceived Barriers to Exercise between High and Low Intenders: Observations among Different Populations
Authors: Godin Gaston , Desharnais Raymond , Valois Pierre , Lepage Linda , Jobin Jean , Bradet Richard
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

The goal of this study was to describe the salient perceived barriers to exercise in three different groups and to examine the perceived barriers characterizing individuals with a high or a low intention to exercise in the context of the theory of planned behavior.

Design.

Cross-sectional studies relating perceived barriers and intention to exercise were utilized.

Subjects.

Three independent samples were used: general population (n=349), individuals who have suffered from coronary heart disease (n=162), and pregnant women (n=139).

Measures.

Firstly, standard elicitation procedures were applied to identify the particular perceived barriers characterizing each population. Then, three self-administered questionnaires, one per sample, were used to measure perceived barriers and intention to exercise.

Results.

MANOVA analyses contrasting high and low intenders indicated a significant difference in perceived barriers to exercise in two of the three samples: general population (F5,343=6.37, p<.001) and individuals suffering from coronary heart disease (F9,152=2.28, p<.05).

Conclusion.

The results indicate not only that each population has specific salient perceived barriers to exercise, but also that within each group high and low intenders differ on a number of these perceived barriers. Therefore, it is recommended that the study of perceived barriers to exercise in any population should be based upon a standardized method of measuring these barriers such as the method adopted in the present study.
Breast Cancer Screening in Older African-American Women: Qualitative Research Findings
Authors: Tessaro Irene , Eng Eugenia , Smith Jacqueline
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the cultural meanings that shape the breast cancer screening behavior of older African-American women.

Design.

Qualitative research methods elicited social and cultural themes related to breast cancer screening.

Setting.

Focus group interviews were conducted in the natural settings (churches, etc.) of older African-American women.

Subjects.

Interviews were conducted with 132 members from 14 social networks of older African-American women.

Measures.

A focus group guide asked about 1) perceived risk of breast cancer, 2) behavioral intentions about breast cancer screening, 3) health seeking behavior, and 4) social support.

Results.

For older African-American women: other health concerns are of more concern than breast cancer; age is generally not recognized as a risk factor for breast cancer; fear of finding breast cancer and its social consequences are salient barriers to mammography; they tend to rely on breast self-exam rather than mammography to detect a breast problem; cost may be more an issue of competing priorities than cost per se; the tradition is to go to doctors for a problem, not prevention; and women in their own social networks are important sources of social support for health concerns.

Conclusions.

These data offer explanations for mammography screening in older African-American women and emphasize the strength of naturally existing sources of social support for designing interventions to increase breast cancer screening.
Measuring Cognitive Characteristics Associated with Adoption and Implementation of Health Innovations in Schools
Authors: Gingiss Phyllis Levenson , Gottlieb Nell H. , Brink Susan G.
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

The purpose of this study was to operationalize adopter characteristics identified by Rogers and assess their relationship to the adoption and implementation of health innovations in schools.

Design.

A two-year cohort study of teachers was used following introduction of a new health promotion program.

Subjects.

From a randomly selected statewide sample of 300 second grade Texas teachers, 131 completed an initial questionnaire (54% of 244 eligible participants). Among those 131 who completed the initial questionnaire, 103 (79%) completed a follow-up postcard in year two. These represented 42 % of the original sample eligible to participate.

Measures.

The self-administered questionnaire explored the structure of underlying cognitions towards adoption of innovations, teachers' communication patterns with health agencies, responses to various tobacco prevention and general educational materials, and the association of their views about adoption with practice. Descriptive statistics, principal components analysis, and nonparametric correlation coefficients were used.

Results.

Three components of teacher views which measured adopter characteristics described by Rogers (1983) were identified: Innovativeness, Need for Collegial Support, and Conservativeness. Respective levels of reliability were .83, .76, and .60. Associations of the components with user communication patterns with health agencies and use of innovations were found.

Conclusions.

Scales identified adopter cognitions associated with use of innovations. These may be used to diagnose target audiences, plan training programs, and expand research to enhance adoption and use of new programs.
Health Promotion and World Peace: A Developmental Perspective
Authors: Fahlberg Larry L. , Wolfer John
Published: December 2011

To facilitate the inclusion of world peace as a health promotion issue, a theoretical framework is presented that describes a possible relationship between continued personal growth and development and world peace. In this framework, personal health and growth are related to the evolution of human consciousness beyond the adult ego. This personal growth is then viewed as a contribution to the multiple conditions necessary for world peace. Consequently, world peace can be viewed as a personal health issue as well as a social and political issue. So viewed, peace becomes a personal and professional concern in health promotion.
Dietary, Alcohol, and Tobacco Intake among Mexican-American Women of Childbearing Age: Results from HANES Data
Authors: Guendelman Sylvia , Abrams Barbara
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

Dietary intake and substance abuse are important predictors of pregnancy outcome yet little is known about these behaviors in Mexican Americans. Dietary, tobacco, and alcohol intake of Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white women were compared across the reproductive cycle.

Design.

Four cross-sectional groups—interconceptional, pregnant, lactating, and postpartum non-lactating—were compared within and between ethnic groups.

Subjects.

A stratified sample of 682 women, 16 to 44 years old, of Mexican birth or origin from the Hispanic HANES was contrasted with a similarly stratified sample of 1,396 white non-Hispanic women from the NHANES.

Measures.

Demographic, behavioral and health characteristics, food practices, and fluid intake were examined. Data on food servings were combined into five major food groups.

Results.

Compared with white non-Hispanics, Mexican-American women had lower socioeconomic status and worse perceived health. However, Mexican Americans reported lower consumption of tobacco, alcohol, diet soda, and caffeine, particularly during pregnancy and lactation. Although portion sizes for the foods consumed were not assessed, frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables and milk was lower and meat higher among Mexican Americans.

Conclusions.

Despite socioeconomic disadvantages, Mexican-American women have better health habits than white non-Hispanic women. From these data it is unclear how diet affects pregnancy outcomes in Mexican Americans.
The Effects of Different Percentages of Dietary Fat Intake, Exercise, and Calorie Restriction on Body Composition and Body Weight in Obese Females
Authors: Powell John J. , Tucker Larry , Fisher A. Garth , Wilcox Kim
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of varying the amount of dietary fat, while holding calories at 1,200 kcals/day, on body weight and percent body fat in 35 obese women.

Design.

A pretest, midtest, posttest experimental design was employed, and subjects were randomly divided into one of four dietary fat groups, with 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% of caloric intake as dietary fat.

Intervention.

Subjects consumed 1,200 kcals/day and a specified percentage of total energy as fat, depending on their dietary group. Protein was held constant at 20%. All subjects engaged in a five day/week walking program.

Setting.

Participants were recruited from the general community using newspaper advertisements.

Subjects.

Thirty-five obese women 25 to 45 years of age (means=38 ± 4.97) served as subjects. All were at least 20% above ideal weight and 30% to 52% body fat.

Measures.

Percent body fat, body weight, and anthropomorphic measurements were taken at baseline, six and 12 weeks. Dietary intake was recorded daily by each subject, and exercise walking logs were maintained by each participant.

Results.

All subjects lost body weight and body fat; however, there were no significant differences in the rate or amount of body weight or percent body fat lost across the four groups during the intervention.

Conclusions.

It appears that during calorie restriction and exercise for 12 weeks, percent of calories derived from dietary fats does not influence loss of body weight or percent body fat in adult obese women.
Contemporary Approaches to Frequent Mood Monitoring in Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Malik Aiysha , Goodwin Guy M. , Holmes Emily A.
Published: December 2011

Mood fluctuations are problematic in bipolar disorder. Current approaches to frequent monitoring of mood in bipolar disorder are paper diaries and electronic handheld devices. These approaches are limited in several ways, notably in the reliability of the data being collected which is often retrospectively reported. The experience sampling method offers a research paradigm which could be modified for use in clinical settings, to real time frequent mood monitoring. Mobile phone technology has also recently been developed to monitor weekly mood in a bipolar sample, demonstrating successful compliance rates. We propose the use of mobile phone technology as a novel method for frequently monitoring mood in bipolar disorder.
Effect of clay modelling on vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories
Authors: Andrade Jackie , Bosworth Sam , Baugh Sarah-Jane
Published: December 2011

A visuospatial grounding task, making shapes from modelling clay (plasticine), has been shown to reduce encoding of traumatic images (Stuart, Holmes & Brewin, 2006). We tested the impact of this task on retrieval of emotional memories. Non-clinical participants recalled autobiographical memories of negative and positive events under control (no concurrent task) or experimental (clay modelling) conditions. As predicted by a working memory model of recollection, the clay modelling task reduced the self-rated vividness and emotional intensity of the memories. We suggest that clay modelling may be a useful treatment aid for dampening emotional distress during recall of traumatic events.
Attention Bias for Angry Faces in Children with Social Phobia
Authors: Waters Allison M. , Mogg Karin , Bradley Brendan P. , Pine Daniel S.
Published: December 2011

Attention bias towards threatening stimuli is a well-established cognitive correlate of anxiety disorders. In tasks using angry faces, accumulating results link paediatric anxiety to biased attention. Nevertheless, at least in childhood social phobia, there is mixed evidence regarding the direction of this bias as some findings suggest that socially anxious children show increased attention bias towards threat, whereas other evidence suggests they have an increased bias away from threat. The present study examined attention bias for angry (and happy) faces in 27 children with a principal diagnosis of social phobia and 27 non-clinical healthy volunteers between 5 and 13 years of age. Children completed a visual probe task in which pairs of angry and neutral faces and happy and neutral faces were presented for 500 ms followed by an asterisk probe in either the same or opposite location as the emotional face. Participants were instructed to respond quickly by key-press to indicate the position of the probe. Results showed that only socially phobic children with high symptom severity showed a significant attention bias towards angry faces relative to neutral ones. In contrast, children with social phobia with lower levels of symptom severity showed a significant attention bias away from angry faces. Non-anxious volunteers showed no significant bias for angry faces. There were no significant between-group differences for happy faces. Results are discussed in terms of prior work on attention and emotion regulation.
Emotion processing in infancy: Specificity in risk for social anxiety and associations with two-year outcomes
Authors: Creswell Cathy , Cooper Peter , Giannakakis Andreas , Schofield Elizabeth , Woolgar Matt , Murray Lynne
Published: December 2011

The current study examined the specificity of patterns of responding to high and low intensity negative emotional expressions of infants of mothers with social phobia, and their association with child outcomes at two years of age. Infants of mothers with social phobia, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) or no history of anxiety were shown pairs of angry and fearful emotional expressions at 10 weeks of age. Symptoms of social withdrawal, anxiety and sleep problems were assessed at two years of age. Only infants of mothers with social phobia showed a tendency to look away from high intensity fear faces; however infants of mothers with both social phobia and GAD showed a bias towards high intensity angry faces. Among the offspring of mothers with social phobia, anxiety symptoms at two years of age were associated with a preference for high intensity fear faces in infancy. The reverse pattern was found amongst the offspring of non-anxious mothers. These findings suggest a possible specific response to emotional expressions among the children of mothers with social phobia.
Subjective and Objective Arousal Correspondence and the Role of Self-monitoring Processes in High and Low Socially Anxious Youth
Authors: Miers A. C. , Blöte A. W. , Sumter S. R. , Kallen V. L. , Westenberg P. M.
Published: December 2011

Previous research found weak correspondence between subjective and objective arousal measures during social-evaluative tasks, particularly in high socially anxious individuals. This study evaluated subjective-objective correspondence in high versus low socially anxious youth (9–17 years). Sixty-six high (HSA; 38 boys and 28 girls) and 61 low (LSA; 37 boys and 24 girls) socially anxious youth participated in a speech task, with a moderately (pre-speech), high (speech), and low anxious (recovery) phase. Subjective experience of nervousness, heart rate and sweaty palms were measured along with salivary cortisol, actual heart rate, and skin conductance. Participants also completed questionnaires measuring 3 self-monitoring variables; self-focused attention, emotional awareness, and negative thoughts. Results showed that HSA participants had exaggerated perceptions of their physiological arousal. However, they did not have weaker subjective-objective correspondence than LSA participants. Correspondence was rather low in both groups. Finally, inclusion of the self-monitoring variables improved the prediction of subjectively experienced arousal in both groups.
Peer liking, physical attractiveness, and anxiety disorders in children
Authors: Barrow M.E. , Baker J.R. , Hudson J.L.
Published: December 2011

This experiment examined peer-liking of anxious children, with particular emphasis on children with Social Phobia. Using a zero acquaintance paradigm, peer-raters randomly viewed video footage of 81 children, 21 with an anxiety disorder and 60 with no anxiety disorder, delivering a brief speech. Age and gender matched peer-raters completed measures assessing perceived liking, anxiety, speech performance, and peer attributes (including friendship attributes, physical characteristics, popularity, and social power). Peer observed anxiety negatively predicted peer liking. Anxiety disordered children, specifically children with Social Phobia, were found to be less liked and judged more harshly in relation to physical attractiveness than non-anxious children. Perceived physical attractiveness accounted for a significant degree of variance in peer liking; observed anxiety and the presence of an anxiety disorder were no longer significant determinants of liking once physical attractiveness was considered.
Shortwave radiative forcing and efficiency of key aerosol types using AERONET data
Authors: García O. E. , Díaz J. P. , Expósito F. J. , Díaz A. M. , Dubovik O. , Derimian Y. , Dubuisson P. , Roger J.-C.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The shortwave radiative forcing (ΔF) and the radiative forcing efficiency (ΔFeff) of natural and anthropogenic aerosols have been analyzed using estimates of radiation both at the top (TOA) and at the bottom of atmosphere (BOA) modeled based on AERONET aerosol retrievals. In this study we have considered six main types of atmospheric aerosols: desert mineral dust, biomass burning, urban-industrial, continental background, oceanic and free troposphere. The ΔF averages obtained vary from −148 ± 44 Wm−2 (aerosol optical depth, AOD, at 0.55 μm, 0.85 ± 0.45) at the BOA for the mixture of desert mineral dust and biomass burning aerosols in Central Africa and −42 ± 22 Wm−2 (AOD = 0.86 ± 0.51) at the TOA for the pure mineral dust also in this region up to −6 ± 3 Wm−2 and −4 ± 2 Wm−2 (AOD = 0.03 ± 0.02) at the BOA and the TOA, respectively, for free troposphere conditions. This last result may be taken as reference on a global scale. Furthermore, we observe that the more absorbing aerosols are overall more efficient at the BOA in contrast to at the TOA, where they backscatter less solar energy into the space. The analysis of the radiative balance at the TOA shows that, together with the amount of aerosols and their absorptive capacity, it is essential to consider the surface albedo of the region on which they are. Thus, we document that in regions with high surface reflectivity (deserts and snow conditions) atmospheric aerosols lead to a warming of the Earth-atmosphere system, contributing to the greenhouse gas effect.
Transport of mesospheric H2O during and after the stratospheric sudden warming of January 2010: observation and simulation
Authors: Straub C. , Tschanz B. , Hocke K. , Kämpfer N. , Smith A. K.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The transportable ground based microwave radiometer MIAWARA-C monitored the upper stratospheric and lower mesospheric (USLM) water vapor distribution over Sodankylä, Finland (67.4° N, 26.6° N) from January to June 2010. At the end of January, approximately 2 weeks after MIAWARA-C's start of operation in Finland, a stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) disturbed the circulation of the middle atmosphere. Shortly after the onset of the SSW water vapor in the USLM rapidly increased from approximately 5.5 to 7 ppmv in the end of January. Backward trajectory calculations show that this strong increase is due to the break down of the polar vortex and meridional advection of subtropical air to the arctic USLM region. In addition, mesospheric upwelling in the course of the SSW led to an increase in observed water vapor between 0.1 and 0.03 hPa. After the SSW MIAWARA-C observed a decrease in mesospheric water vapor volume mixing ratio (VMR) due to the subsidence of H2O poor air masses in the polar region. Backward trajectory analysis and the zonal mean water vapor distribution from the Microwave Limb Sounder on the Aura satellite (Aura/MLS) indicate the occurrence of two regimes of circulation from 50° N to the north pole: 1) regime of enhanced meridional mixing throughout February and 2) regime of an eastward circulation in the USLM region reestablished between early March and equinox. The polar descent rate determined from MIAWARA-C's 5.2 ppmv isopleth is 350 m d−1 in the pressure range 0.6 to 0.06 hPa between mid February and early March. For the same time interval the descent rate was determined using trajectories calculated from the Transformed Eulerian Mean (TEM) wind fields simulated by means of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). The values found using these different methods are in good agreement.
Inversion of tropospheric profiles of aerosol extinction and HCHO and NO2 mixing ratios from MAX-DOAS observations in Milano during the summer of 2003 and comparison with independent data sets
Authors: Wagner T. , Beirle S. , Brauers T. , Deutschmann T. , Frieß U. , Hak C. , Halla J. D. , Heue K. P. , Junkermann W. , Li X. , Platt U. , Pundt-Gruber I.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. We present aerosol and trace gas profiles derived from MAX-DOAS observations. Our inversion scheme is based on simple profile parameterisations used as input for an atmospheric radiative transfer model (forward model). From a least squares fit of the forward model to the MAX-DOAS measurements, two profile parameters are retrieved including integrated quantities (aerosol optical depth or trace gas vertical column density), and parameters describing the height and shape of the respective profiles. From these results, the aerosol extinction and trace gas mixing ratios can also be calculated. We apply the profile inversion to MAX-DOAS observations during a measurement campaign in Milano, Italy, September 2003, which allowed simultaneous observations from three telescopes (directed to north, west, south). Profile inversions for aerosols and trace gases were possible on 23 days. Especially in the middle of the campaign (17–20 September 2003), enhanced values of aerosol optical depth and NO2 and HCHO mixing ratios were found. The retrieved layer heights were typically similar for HCHO and aerosols. For NO2, lower layer heights were found, which increased during the day. The MAX-DOAS inversion results are compared to independent measurements: (1) aerosol optical depth measured at an AERONET station at Ispra; (2) near-surface NO2 and HCHO (formaldehyde) mixing ratios measured by long path DOAS and Hantzsch instruments at Bresso; (3) vertical profiles of HCHO and aerosols measured by an ultra light aircraft. Depending on the viewing direction, the aerosol optical depths from MAX-DOAS are either smaller or larger than those from AERONET observations. Similar comparison results are found for the MAX-DOAS NO2 mixing ratios versus long path DOAS measurements. In contrast, the MAX-DOAS HCHO mixing ratios are generally higher than those from long path DOAS or Hantzsch instruments. The comparison of the HCHO and aerosol profiles from the aircraft showed reasonable agreement with the respective MAX-DOAS layer heights. From the comparison of the results for the different telescopes, it was possible to investigate the internal consistency of the MAX-DOAS observations. As part of our study, a cloud classification algorithm was developed (based on the MAX-DOAS zenith viewing directions), and the effects of clouds on the profile inversion were investigated. Different effects of clouds on aerosols and trace gas retrievals were found: while the aerosol optical depth is systematically underestimated and the HCHO mixing ratio is systematically overestimated under cloudy conditions, the NO2 mixing ratios are only slightly affected. These findings are in basic agreement with radiative transfer simulations.
Modelling post-fire vegetation recovery in Portugal
Authors: Bastos A. , Gouveia C. M. , DaCamara C. C. , Trigo R. M.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Wildfires in Mediterranean Europe have been increasing in number and extension over the last decades and constitute one of the major disturbances of these ecosystems. Portugal is the country with more burnt area in the last decade and the years of 2003 and 2005 were particularly devastating, the total burned areas of 425 000 and 338 000 ha being several times higher than the corresponding average. The year of 2005 further coincided with one of the most severe droughts since early 20th century. Due to different responses of vegetation to diverse fire regimes and to the complexity of landscape structures, fires have complex effects on vegetation recovery. Remote sensing has revealed to be a powerful tool in studying vegetation dynamics and in monitoring post-fire vegetation recovery, which is crucial to land-management and to prevent erosion. The main goals of the present work are (i) to assess the accuracy of a vegetation recovery model previously developed by the authors; (ii) to assess the model's performance, namely its sensitivity to initial conditions, to the temporal length of the input dataset and to missing data; (iii) to study vegetation recovery over two selected areas that were affected by two large wildfire events in the fire seasons of 2003 and 2005, respectively. The study relies on monthly values of NDVI over 11 years (1998–2009), at 1 km × 1 km spatial resolution, as obtained by the VEGETATION instrument. According to results from sensitivity analysis, the model is robust and able to provide good estimations of recovery times of vegetation when the regeneration process is regular, even when missing data is present. In respect to the two selected burnt scars, results indicate that fire damage is a determinant factor of regeneration, as less damaged vegetation recovers more rapidly, which is mainly justified by the high coverage of Pinus pinaster over the area, and by the fact that coniferous forests tend to recover slower than transitional woodland-shrub, which tend to dominate the areas following the fire event.
Bio-optical provinces in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and their biogeographical relevance
Authors: Taylor B. B. , Torrecilla E. , Bernhardt A. , Taylor M. H. , Peeken I. , Röttgers R. , Piera J. , Bracher A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The relationship between phytoplankton assemblages and the associated optical properties of the water body is important for the further development of algorithms for large-scale remote sensing of phytoplankton biomass and the identification of phytoplankton functional types (PFTs), which are often representative for different biogeochemical export scenarios. Optical in-situ measurements aid in the identification of phytoplankton groups with differing pigment compositions and are widely used to validate remote sensing data. In this study we present results from an interdisciplinary cruise aboard the RV Polarstern along a north-to-south transect in the eastern Atlantic Ocean in November 2008. Phytoplankton community composition was identified using a broad set of in-situ measurements. Water samples from the surface and the depth of maximum chlorophyll concentration were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), flow cytometry, spectrophotometry and microscopy. Simultaneously, the above- and underwater light field was measured by a set of high spectral resolution (hyperspectral) radiometers. An unsupervised cluster algorithm applied to the measured parameters allowed us to define bio-optical provinces, which we compared to ecological provinces proposed elsewhere in the literature. As could be expected, picophytoplankton was responsible for most of the variability of PFTs in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Our bio-optical clusters agreed well with established provinces and thus can be used to classify areas of similar biogeography. This method has the potential to become an automated approach where satellite data could be used to identify shifting boundaries of established ecological provinces or to track exceptions from the rule to improve our understanding of the biogeochemical cycles in the ocean.
Distinct responses of East Asian summer and winter monsoons to astronomical forcing
Authors: Shi Z. G. , Liu X. D. , Sun Y. B. , An Z. S. , Liu Z. , Kutzbach J.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Influences of the Earth's astronomical forcing on the evolution of East Asian monsoon have been demonstrated with various geological records and climate models. Here, we present time series of climatic proxies from the Chinese Loess Plateau and Sanbao/Hulu caves and the winter/summer monsoon intensity index from a long-term transient climate model simulation. Both the observations and modelling results reveal consistently distinct responses of East Asian summer and winter monsoons to astronomical forcing. Different from the dominant local impact on the summer monsoon at the precession scale (~20 ka period), the East Asian winter monsoon is driven predominantly by the obliquity forcing (~40 ka period). We propose that the obliquity forcing controls the meridional insolation difference and, therefore, exerts a more significant effect on the evolution of the East Asian winter monsoon than previously expected.
Precipitation changes in the South American Altiplano since 1300 AD reconstructed by tree-rings
Authors: Morales M. S. , Christie D. A. , Villalba R. , Argollo J. , Pacajes J. , Silva J. S. , Alvarez C. A. , Llancabure J. C. , Solíz C.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. During the second half of the 20th century, the Central Andes has experienced significant climatic and environmental changes characterized by a persistent warming trend, an increase in elevation of the 0 °C isotherm, and a sustained shrinkage of glaciers. These changes have occurred in conjunction with a steady growing demand for water resources. Given the short span of instrumental hidroclimatic records in this region, longer records are needed to understand the nature of climate variability and improve the predictability of precipitation, a key factor modulating the socio-economic development in the South American Altiplano and the adjacent arid lowlands. In this study we present the first quasi-millennial, tree-ring based precipitation reconstruction for the South American Altiplano. This annual (November–October) precipitation reconstruction is based on Polylepis tarapacana tree-ring series and represents the closest dendroclimatological record to the Equator in South America. This high-resolution reconstruction covers the past 707 yr and provides a unique record to characterize the occurrence of extreme events and consistent oscillations in precipitation, as well as to check the spatial and temporal stabilities of the teleconnections between rainfall in the Altiplano and hemispheric forcings such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Since the 1930s up to present a persistent negative trend in precipitation is recorded in the reconstruction, with the three driest years since 1300 AD occurring in the last 70 yr. The reconstruction contains a clear ENSO-like pattern at interannual to multicentennial time scales which determines inter-hemispheric linkages between our reconstruction and other precipitation-sensitive records modulated by ENSO in North America. Our reconstruction points out that century-scale dry periods are a recurrent feature in the Altiplano climate, and that the potential coupling of natural and anthropogenic-induced droughts in the future would have a severe impact on current socio-economical activities in the region. Water resource managers must anticipate these changes to adapt for future climate change, reduce vulnerability and provide water equitably to all users.
Interannual hydroclimatic variability and its influence on winter nutrients variability over the southeast United States
Authors: Oh J. , Sankarasubramanian A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. It is well established in the hydroclimatic literature that the interannual variability in seasonal streamflow could be partially explained using climatic precursors such as tropical Sea Surface Temperature (SST) conditions. Similarly, it is widely known that streamflow is the most important predictor in estimating nutrient loadings and the associated concentration. The intent of this study is to bridge these two findings so that nutrient loadings could be predicted using season-ahead climate forecasts forced with forecasted SSTs. By selecting 18 relatively undeveloped basins in the Southeast US (SEUS), we relate winter (January-February-March, JFM) precipitation forecasts that influence the JFM streamflow over the basin to develop winter forecasts of nutrient loadings. For this purpose, we consider two different types of low-dimensional statistical models to predict 3-month ahead nutrient loadings based on retrospective climate forecasts. Split sample validation of the predictive models shows that 18–45% of interannual variability in observed winter nutrient loadings could be predicted even before the beginning of the season for at least 8 stations. Stations that have very high R2(LOADEST) (>0.8) in predicting the observed WQN loadings during the winter (Table 2) exhibit significant skill in loadings. Incorporating antecedent flow conditions (December flow) as an additional predictor did not increase the explained variance in these stations, but substantially reduced the RMSE in the predicted loadings. Relating the dominant mode of winter nutrient loadings over 18 stations clearly illustrates the association with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions. Potential utility of these season-ahead nutrient predictions in developing proactive and adaptive nutrient management strategies is also discussed.
Identifying links between origami and compliant mechanisms
Authors: Greenberg H. C. , Gong M. L. , Magleby S. P. , Howell L. L.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Origami is the art of folding paper. In the context of engineering, orimimetics is the application of folding to solve problems. Kinetic origami behavior can be modeled with the pseudo-rigid-body model since the origami are compliant mechanisms. These compliant mechanisms, when having a flat initial state and motion emerging out of the fabrication plane, are classified as lamina emergent mechanisms (LEMs). To demonstrate the feasibility of identifying links between origami and compliant mechanism analysis and design methods, four flat folding paper mechanisms are presented with their corresponding kinematic and graph models. Principles from graph theory are used to abstract the mechanisms to show them as coupled, or inter-connected, mechanisms. It is anticipated that this work lays a foundation for exploring methods for LEM synthesis based on the analogy between flat-folding origami models and linkage assembly.
How to Live? One Question and Six or Seven Life Lessons with Albert Memmi
Authors: Kelly Debra
Published: December 2011

Memmi’s work is every sense a “life project”: a coherent project pursued throughout his long life as an intellectual, but also as the member of a minority group as he has consistently reminded his readers. It is therefore a personal project that is intimately intertwined with the life experiences of an individual, yet has implications for understanding broader communities and societies. The implication – and sometimes the stated intention – is that this is a life project from which the individual concerned and others who read the work can learn something, at both private and public levels, concerning the functioning of human interactions.  What then, does such an inventory of a lifetime of writing mean?
Albert Memmi in the Era of Decolonization
Authors: McBride Keally
Published: December 2011

This essay considers the reception of Albert Memmi's Decolonization and the Decolonized.  Memmi himself observed that it is much harder to be a writer about postcolonialism than colonialism. Why would this be true?  What can we learn about the difficutlies of postcolonial philosophizing and the politics of decolonization through this publication of Memmi's?
Algeria as Postcolony? Rethinking the Colonial Legacy of Post-Structuralism
Authors: Davis Muriam Haleh
Published: December 2011

While there is little doubt that Algeria was of enormous importance to the theoretical output that is often recognized as French, here I would like to ask: what is at stake in re-inscribing these French intellectuals as postcolonial? In what ways did the particularities of Algerian history impact French philosophy? Indeed, if the term postcolonial is meant to describe those who were influenced by events in Algeria, then an entire generation of French thinkers might be considered postcolonial to varying degrees. Surely Derrida’s oeuvre was influenced by his experiences in Algeria, but does this make him postcolonial in the same way as Jean-Paul Sartre or Pierre Bourideu, who have also become important figures in postcolonial theory?
Donna V. Jones, The Racial Discourses of Life Philosophy: Négritude, Vitalism, and Modernity
Authors: Drabinski John E.
Published: December 2011

An extended discussion of Donna V. Jones, The Racial Discourses of Life Philosophy: Négritude, Vitalism, and Modernity (New York: Columbia University Press, 2010), 217 pp.
Edwidge Danticat, Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work
Authors: Ellis Alicia E.
Published: December 2011

A review of Edwidge Danticat, Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work. The Toni Morrison Lecture Series (Princeton/Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2010).
Front Matters
Authors: Editors The
Published: December 2011

Editorial Board & Journal Mission
Endocalyx melanoxanthus var. melanoxanthus (Ascomycota): new to Brazil and three new hosts
Authors: Vitoria Nadja Santos , Cavalcanti Maria Auxiliadora Q. , Luz Edna Dora Martins Newman , Bezerra José Luiz
Published: December 2011

Endocalyx melanoxanthus var. melanoxanthus was recovered during a survey of microfungi on palms in Atlantic Rainforest areas of Northeast Brazil. Three new hosts were identified for the fungus, newly reported for Brazil.
Morphology and phylogeny of Pseudocercospora kamalii sp. nov., a foliar pathogen on Terminalia from India
Authors: Rajeshkumar Kunhiraman C. , Sharma Rahul , Hepat Rahul P. , Swami Santosh V. , Singh Paras Nath , Singh Sanjay K.
Published: December 2011

Pseudocercospora kamalii (Mycosphaerellaceae, Capnodiales) is associated with severe leaf spot disease of Terminalia chebula (Combretaceae) in natural forests of Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats of India. Morphological characterization reveals that the
new species proposed has some affinity with the species of genus Prathigada. However, based on the molecular sequence data (LSU and ITS 1-5.8S-ITS 2) generated in the present study, we established its identity as a species of Pseudocercospora. The species is also compared morphologically
with other Pseudocercospora species reported on Terminalia from different parts of the world.
Caloplaca allochroa (lichenized Ascomycetes), a new saxicolous lichen species from South Korea
Authors: Joshi Yogesh , Vondrák Jan , Vondráková Olga , Nguyen Thi Thuy , Hur Jae-Seoun
Published: December 2011

The saxicolous lichen species, Caloplaca allochroa, is described as new from subtropical inland localities of Gangwon and Jeollanam Province (South Korea). It is characterized by occurring as two colour variants, yellowish and gray, based on presence vs. absence of anthraquinone
pigments. Its colour contrast between brownish-red to brownishblack apothecial disc and yellowish-orange apothecial margin is very characteristic. Further diagnostic characters are a hymenium with numerous oil-drops and specific ecology. The species is related to Caloplaca flavorubescens
and C. flavovirescens.
Four anamorphic fungi (with two new species) from forests of Western Ghats, India
Authors: Pratibha J. , Bhat S. , Raghukumar S.
Published: December 2011

Anaselenosporella indica and Arachnophora goanensis, two new species of anamorphic fungi isolated from decaying plant litter collected from the forest of Goa, India, are described and illustrated. Anaselenosporella indica, found growing on dead twig of an unidentified
plant, is characterized by polyblastic, sympodial, discrete, conidiogenous cells and cylindrical, rarely curved, aseptate, hyaline conidia. Arachnophora goanensis, collected from dry decaying bark of an unidentified tree, is characterized by blastic pigmented stauroconidia and blastic
hyaline fusiform synanamorphic conidia. Two other species from the monotypic genera Catenosynnema and Cheiromyceopsis are also reported for the first time from India.
Rhexodenticula zhengii sp. nov. from fallen leaves from China
Authors: Li De-Wei , Chen Jingyuan , Wang Yixun
Published: December 2011

A new species, Rhexodenticula zhengii from leaf litter of Sycopsis sinensis collected from Houhe National Nature Reserve, Wufeng, Hubei, China is described and illustrated with cymbiform conidia 18.5–22.0 × 4.5–5.0 μm, constricted at proximal and distal
septa. A key to the species of Rhexodenticula is provided.
Septobasidium atalantiae sp. nov. (Septobasidiaceae) and S. henningsii new to China
Authors: Chen Suzhen , Guo Lin
Published: December 2011

A new species, Septobasidium atalantiae on Atalantia buxifolia associated with nymphal stage of a scale insect, and a new Chinese record of Septobasidium henningsii on Memecylon floribundum are reported. They were collected from Hainan Province, China.
Gymnopus fuscotramus (Agaricales), a new species from southern China
Authors: Meši Armin , Tkalčec Zdenko , Deng Chun-Ying , Li Tai-Hui , Pleše Bruna , Ćetković Helena
Published: December 2011

A new species, Gymnopus fuscotramus, is described from China. It is characterized by brown-incarnate colors in pileus and lamellae, sulcate pileus, free and distant lamellae, floccose-squamulose, mostly black stipe, well-developed black rhizomorphs, repent and diverticulate pileipellis
hyphae, abundant clamp connections, diverticulate to coralloid cheilocystidia, moderately thick-walled caulocystidia with obtuse apex, dextrinoid hyphae in cortex of stipe, and gray-brown pileal and hymenophoral trama. Color images of basidiomata and microscopic elements accompany the description.
Gymnopus fuscotramus is compared with similar species and its systematic position is also inferred using the ITS rDNA sequence data.
A new species of Terriera (Rhytismatales, Ascomycota) from China
Authors: Yang Zhong-Zhou , Lin Ying-Ren , Hou Cheng-Lin
Published: December 2011

A new Terriera species, T. huangshanensis on leaves of Eurya muricata var. huiana, is described. The species is placed in Terriera based on the presence of strongly carbonized extensions adjacent to the ascoma opening, somewhat thin-walled cells at
the marginal parts of the ascoma composed of colorless to light brown textura angularis-prismatica, and the absence of lip cells. The new species is similar to T. minor, which is distinguished by smaller ascomata with rounded ends, textura prismatica in the corner between
the covering and basal stroma, paraphyses branching 2 – 3 times in the apical 30 – 40μm, sequentially ripening asci, and ascospores tapering towards the ends. The type specimen is deposited in the Herbarium of Forest Fungi of Anhui Agricultural University, China (AAUF).
New Bulgarian records of fungi associated with glacial relict plants
Authors: Denchev Cvetomir M. , Stoykov Dimitar Y. , Sameva Ekaterina F. , Assyov Boris
Published: December 2011

The paper contributes to knowledge of Bulgarian fungal diversity on glacial relict vascular plants. Eleven new country records of ascomycetes and anamorphic fungi are presented with descriptions, namely Asteromella silvarum, Cainiella johansonii, Gnomoniella vagans, Hendersonia culmicola,
Leptosphaerulina dryadis, Melasmia mougeotii, Phaeosphaeria nardi, Pseudomassaria islandica, Septoria macropoda, S. tenella, and Sydowiella dryadis. Microbotryum silenes-acaulis is also an addition to the list reflecting the recent changes in M. violaceum s. lat. New data
are included about the distribution of Leptosphaeria doliolum, Nodulosphaeria modesta, Ophiognomonia gei-montani, and Phaeosphaeria juncina, all previously recorded in Bulgaria. In addition, a brief review is presented of previously encountered fungal species on glacial
relicts in the country.
New records of Digitoramispora from China
Authors: Zhang Yi-Dong , Ma Jian , Ma Li-Guo , Zhang Xiu-Guo
Published: December 2011

Four species collected from plant debris in natural areas of southern China are recorded for the first time from China. Digitoramispora caribensis, D. tambdisurlensis, D. excentrica, and D. lageniformis are described and illustrated,
and a key to currently accepted Digitoramispora species is provided. The specimens are deposited in Herbarium of Shandong Agricultural University, Plant Pathology (HSAUP), and Mycological Herbarium, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HMAS).