bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatically repairing event sequence-based GUI test suites for regression testing
Authors: Memon Atif M.
Published: November 2008

Although graphical user interfaces (GUIs) constitute a large part of the software being developed today and are typically created using rapid prototyping, there are no effective regression testing techniques for GUIs. The needs of GUI regression testing differ from those of traditional software. When the structure of a GUI is modified, test cases from the original GUI's suite are either reusable or unusable on the modified GUI. Because GUI test case generation is expensive, our goal is to make the unusable test cases usable, thereby helping to retain the suite's event coverage. The idea of reusing these unusable (
obsolete
) test cases has not been explored before. This article shows that a large number of test cases become unusable for GUIs. It presents a new GUI regression testing technique that first automatically determines the usable and unusable test cases from a test suite after a GUI modification, then determines the unusable test cases that can be repaired so that they can execute on the modified GUI, and finally uses
repairing transformations
to repair the test cases. This regression testing technique along with four repairing transformations has been implemented. An empirical study for four open-source applications demonstrates that (1) this approach is effective in that many of the test cases can be repaired, and is practical in terms of its time performance, (2) certain types of test cases are more prone to becoming unusable, and (3) certain types of “dominator” events, when modified, make a large number of test cases unusable.
Sixty Years of Nuclear Moments
Authors: Waugh John S.
Published: November 2008

In keeping with the tradition of prefatory articles for the Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, this is an autobiographical essay describing my scientific career. I begin with my background and education at Dartmouth and Caltech and follow with my half-century of research and teaching at MIT. I emphasize subjects that I found especially interesting or important, including average Hamiltonians and the beginnings of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in solids, broadband spin decoupling in liquids, NMR at milli-Kelvin temperatures, and the exploration of basic physical principles by computer. Throughout I recall with affection my mentors, colleagues, and students.
Coherent Control of Quantum Dynamics with Sequences of Unitary Phase-Kick Pulses
Authors: Rego Luis G.C. , Santos Lea F. , Batista Victor S.
Published: November 2008

Coherent-optical-control schemes exploit the coherence of laser pulses to change the phases of interfering dynamical pathways and manipulate dynamical processes. These active control methods are closely related to dynamical decoupling techniques, popularized in the field of quantum information. Inspired by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, dynamical decoupling methods apply sequences of unitary operations to modify the interference phenomena responsible for the system dynamics thus also belonging to the general class of coherent-control techniques. This article reviews related developments in the fields of coherent optical control and dynamical decoupling, emphasizing the control of tunneling and decoherence in general model systems. Considering recent experimental breakthroughs in the demonstration of active control of a variety of systems, we anticipate that the reviewed coherent-control scenarios and dynamical-decoupling methods should raise significant experimental interest.
Transition-Path Theory and Path-Finding Algorithms for the Study of Rare Events
Authors: E Weinan , Vanden-Eijnden Eric
Published: November 2008

Transition-path theory is a theoretical framework for describing rare events in complex systems. It can also be used as a starting point for developing efficient numerical algorithms for analyzing such rare events. Here we review the basic components of transition-path theory and path-finding algorithms. We also discuss connections with the classical transition-state theory.
High-Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy of the Formic Acid Dimer
Authors: Birer Özgür , Havenith Martina
Published: November 2008

The formic acid dimer (HCOOH)2 (FAD), an eight-membered ring with double hydrogen bonds, has been a model complex for physical chemists. The acidic protons of the complex interchange between the oxygens of different units in a concerted tunneling motion. This proton tunneling can be described by a symmetric double-well potential. The double well results in a splitting of each rovibrational level. The magnitude of the splitting depends sensitively on the shape of the potential and the reduced mass along the tunneling path. Experimentally, one can determine the proton transfer tunneling splittings in the ground and vibrationally excited states separately. It is possible to work out the splitting of the energy levels, assign the correct symmetry, and obtain the sum and the difference of the tunneling splitting in the ground and vibrationally excited states independently using isotopically labeled molecules. Conversely, an accurate prediction of tunneling splitting even for this small prototype system still remains a challenge for theoretical chemistry because of the splitting's great sensitivity to the shape and barrier height of the potential surface. The FAD therefore has evolved into a prototype system to study theoretical methods for a description of proton transfer.
Ultrafast Dynamics in Reverse Micelles
Authors: Levinger Nancy E. , Swafford Laura A.
Published: November 2008

Recent advances in ultrafast laser technology have spurred investigations of microheterogeneous solutions. In particular, researchers have explored details of reverse micelles (RMs), which present isolated droplets of polar solvent sequestered from a continuous nonpolar phase by a surfactant layer. This review explores recent studies utilizing a variety of ultrafast laser techniques to uncover details about structure and dynamics in various RMs. Using ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy, researchers have probed hydrogen-bond dynamics and vibrational energy relaxation in RMs. These studies have developed our understanding of reverse micellar structure, identifying varying water environments in the RMs. In a plethora of experiments employing probe molecules, researchers have explored the confined environment presented by RMs and their impact on a range of chemical reactions. These studies have shown that confinement, rather than the specific interactions with surfactants, is an important factor determining the impact of the reverse micellar environment on the chemistry.
Chirality in Nonlinear Optics
Authors: Haupert Levi M. , Simpson Garth J.
Published: November 2008

The past decade has witnessed the emergence of new measurement approaches and applications for chiral thin films and materials enabled by the observations of the high sensitivity of second-order nonlinear optical measurements to chirality. In thin films, the chiral response to second harmonic generation and sum frequency generation (SFG) from a single molecular monolayer is often comparable with the achiral response. The chiral specificity also allows for symmetry-allowed SFG in isotropic chiral media, confirming predictions made ∼50 years ago. With these experimental demonstrations in hand, an important challenge is the construction of intuitive predictive models that allow the measured chiral response to be meaningfully related back to molecular and macromolecular structure. This review defines and considers three distinct mechanisms for chiral effects in uniaxially oriented assemblies: orientational chirality, intrinsic chirality, and isotropic chirality. The role of each is discussed in experimental and computational studies of bacteriorhodopsin films, binaphthol, and collagen. Collectively, these three model systems support a remarkably simple framework for quantitatively recovering the measured chiral-specific activity.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Polynitrophenols on Various Commercial Suspended or Deposited Titania Catalysts Using Artificial and Solar Light
Authors: Lachheb Hinda , Houas Ammar , Herrmann Jean-Marie
Published: November 2008

Phenol (PH) and three polynitrophenols (4‐nitrophenol (PNP), 2,4‐dinitrophenol (DNP), 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol (TNP)) were photocatalytically degraded by using titania under either artificial or solar light. These four reactions were chosen as test reactions to compare the efficiencies of two suspended commercial titania photocatalysts (Degussa P‐25 and Millennium PC‐500). It appears that P‐25 has a higher initial efficiency in all nitrophenol disappearance reactions. However, for the overall degradation rate, measured by the chemical oxygen demand (COD) disappearance, the performance of PC‐500 was similar to that of P25. This was attributed to a favorable textural effect since PC‐500 has a much higher surface area which facilitates the readsorption of intermediates. PC‐500 was subsequently supported on a special photoinert paper provided
by Ahlstrom Company (38‐Pont Evèque, France). The influence of the silica binder used for sticking titania particles on the paper fibers was put in evidence as an inhibitor of the coulombic adsorption of anionic species, especially 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol, because of the low pzc of silica. Once validated, this supported photocatalyst was introduced in an autonomous solar pilot photoreactor identical to the several prototypes built in the European AQUACAT program. It was demonstrated that the purification of water could be efficiently obtained in a larger scale without any final tedious filtration.
Modeling and Measurements of Novel Monolithic Filters
Authors: Aly Aly H. , El-Sharawy Badawy , Beyer Adalbert
Published: November 2008

This paper presents novel multilayer tuneable highQ-filters based on hairpin resonators including ferroelectric materials. This configuration allows the miniaturization of these filters to a size that makes them suitable for chip and package integration and narrow-band applications. The main focus was miniaturizing filters with coupled loops using multilayer dielectric substrates. A further goal was to increase the quality factor of these distributed filters by embedding high dielectric materials in a multilayer high- and low-k(dielectric constant) substrate that is supported by LTCC technology. An improved W-shape bandpass filter was proposed with a wide stopband and approximately 5% bandwidth.
Sorafenib inhibits signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling associated with growth arrest and apoptosis of medulloblastomas
Authors: Yang Fan , Van Meter Timothy E. , Buettner Ralf , Hedvat Michael , Liang Wei , Kowolik Claudia M. , Mepani Nilesh , Mirosevich Janni , Nam Sangkil , Chen Mike Y. , Tye Gary , Kirschbaum Mark , Jove Richard
Published: November 2008

Medulloblastomas are the most frequent malignant brain tumors in children. Sorafenib (Nexavar, BAY43-9006), a multikinase inhibitor, blocks cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells. Sorafenib inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in two established cell lines (Daoy and D283) and a primary culture (VC312) of human medulloblastomas. In addition, sorafenib inhibited phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in both cell lines and primary tumor cells. The inhibition of phosphorylated STAT3 (Tyr705) occurs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In contrast, AKT (protein kinase B) was only decreased in D283 and VC312 medulloblastoma cells and mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2) were not inhibited by sorafenib in these cells. Both D-type cyclins (D1, D2, and D3) and E-type cyclin were down-regulated by sorafenib. Also, expression of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1, a member of the Bcl-2 family, was decreased and correlated with apoptosis induced by sorafenib. Finally, sorafenib suppressed the growth of human medulloblastoma cells in a mouse xenograft model. Together, our data show that sorafenib blocks STAT3 signaling as well as expression of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins, associated with inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in medulloblastomas. These findings provide a rationale for treatment of pediatric medulloblastomas with sorafenib. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3519–26]
The flavonoid kaempferol sensitizes human glioma cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by proteasomal degradation of survivin
Authors: Siegelin Markus D. , Reuss David E. , Habel Antje , Herold-Mende Christel , von Deimling Andreas
Published: November 2008

Resistance to tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) limits its potential as a drug for cancer therapy. Here, we report that kaempferol, a bioactive plant flavonoid, sensitizes U251 and U87 glioma cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. In contrast, U373 cells are not affected by kaempferol treatment. Treatment of kaempferol alone for 24 h did not induce apoptosis in the cell lines. We provide evidence that TRAIL-induced apoptosis is partially driven by kaempferol-mediated reduction of survivin protein levels. On kaempferol treatment, proteasomal degradation of survivin was observed. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation with MG132 in kaempferol-treated cells restored survivin protein levels in both glial cell lines. Consequently, overexpression of survivin attenuated TRAIL-kaempferol–induced apoptosis. In addition, we show that kaempferol mediates down-regulation of phosphorylated Akt, thereby further reducing survivin protein level. Furthermore, the blockage of the serine/threonine kinase Akt activity by kaempferol is important for inhibition of survivin because active phosphorylated Akt enhances the stability of survivin. However, we also show that the combined treatment of TRAIL and kaempferol induces cleavage (activation) of caspase-8, thereby exerting a proapoptotic effect independent of survivin known not to inhibit caspase-8 activation. Other effects induced by kaempferol were suppression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis proteins as the antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. In summary, we showed that suppression of survivin is an essential mechanism in TRAIL-kaempferol–mediated apoptosis. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3566–74]
Dual targeting of Raf and VEGF receptor 2 reduces growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer through direct effects on tumor cells, endothelial cells, and pericytes
Authors: Lang Sven A. , Schachtschneider Philipp , Moser Christian , Mori Akira , Hackl Christina , Gaumann Andreas , Batt David , Schlitt Hans J. , Geissler Edward K. , Stoeltzing Oliver
Published: November 2008

The Ras/Raf/MEK pathway represents an important oncogenic signaling pathway in gastrointestinal malignancies, including pancreatic cancer. Although activating B-Raf mutations are infrequent in pancreatic cancer, we hypothesized that targeting Raf could be valuable for therapy of this cancer entity. Moreover, as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is involved in tumor angiogenesis, we sought to investigate the effects of dual inhibition of Raf and VEGFR2 on pancreatic tumor growth, vascularization, and metastasis. Effects of a Raf/VEGFR2 inhibitor (NVP-AAL881) on pancreatic cancer cells, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells were determined by Western blotting, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis, and migration assays, respectively. Changes in the expression of VEGF-A or survivin were investigated by ELISA and/or real-time PCR. The growth-inhibitory effects of Raf/VEGFR2 inhibition were additionally evaluated in orthotopic tumor models. Results showed that various Raf isoforms were activated in pancreatic cancer cells and NVP-AAL881 diminished the activation of MEK, Akt, Erk, and also STAT3. Moreover, dual inhibition of Raf/VEGFR2 significantly reduced VEGF expression and impaired cancer cell migration. Importantly, besides blocking VEGF-induced Erk and SAPK phosphorylation in endothelial cells, the Raf inhibitor diminished STAT3 phosphorylation, independent of a VEGFR2 blockade, and reduced the expression of survivin. In addition, cell proliferation and migration of both endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells were significantly reduced. In vivo, blocking Raf/VEGFR2 significantly inhibited orthotopic tumor growth and vascularization and reduced cancer metastasis. In conclusion, blocking Raf exerts growth-inhibitory effects on pancreatic tumor cells, endothelial cells, and pericytes and elicits antiangiogenic properties. Dual targeting of Raf and VEGFR2 appears to be a valid strategy for therapy of pancreatic cancer. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3509–18]
Bortezomib is ineffective in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Märten Angela , Zeiss Nina , Serba Susanne , Mehrle Stefan , von Lilienfeld-Toal Marie , Schmidt Jan
Published: November 2008

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potency of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib ± gemcitabine in vitro and in vivo in pancreatic carcinoma. It could be shown that bortezomib induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of pancreatic carcinoma very efficiently in vitro. In contrast, in an orthotopic pancreatic adenocarcinoma mouse model, gemcitabine treatment inhibited tumor growth, whereas bortezomib promoted it. Bortezomib-treated animals showed significantly higher tumor burden compared with gemcitabine-treated and control animals, although bortezomib was locally active and induced a decrease of proteasome activity, which was most pronounced following the simultaneous administration of gemcitabine. Also, tumor progression was not caused by immunosuppression as a result of proteasome inhibition. Interestingly, anti-CD31 staining of tumors showed that angiogenesis was significantly increased in the tumors of bortezomib-treated mice compared with the tumors of control animals. In addition, bortezomib resulted an increase of pericytes, vascular endothelial growth factor, RGS-5, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the tumor. Although this study supports efficacy of bortezomib against pancreatic carcinoma in vitro, it strongly indicates that bortezomib therapy has a significant tumor-promoting effect in vivo by induction of angiogenesis. The data are in accordance with the complete failure of bortezomib in a phase II trial for this indication. Choosing the right schedule of gemcitabine and bortezomib showed some synergistic effects, but the gain might not be big enough to compensate the potentially detrimental effects. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3624–31]
Proarrhythmic Defects in Timothy Syndrome Require Calmodulin Kinase II
Authors: Thiel William H. , Chen Biyi , Hund Thomas J. , Koval Olha M. , Purohit Anil , Song Long-Sheng , Mohler Peter J. , Anderson Mark E.
Published: November 2008

Background—

Timothy syndrome (TS) is a disease of excessive cellular Ca
2+
entry and life-threatening arrhythmias caused by a mutation in the primary cardiac L-type Ca
2+
channel (Ca
V
1.2). The TS mutation causes loss of normal voltage-dependent inactivation of Ca
V
1.2 current (I
Ca
). During cellular Ca
2+
overload, the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) causes arrhythmias. We hypothesized that CaMKII is a part of the proarrhythmic mechanism in TS.

Methods and Results—

We developed an adult rat ventricular myocyte model of TS (G406R) by lentivirus-mediated transfer of wild-type and TS Ca
V
1.2. The exogenous Ca
V
1.2 contained a mutation (T1066Y) conferring dihydropyridine resistance, so we could silence endogenous Ca
V
1.2 with nifedipine and maintain peak I
Ca
at control levels in infected cells. TS Ca
V
1.2–infected ventricular myocytes exhibited the signature voltage-dependent inactivation loss under Ca
2+
buffering conditions, not permissive for CaMKII activation. In physiological Ca
2+
solutions, TS Ca
V
1.2–expressing ventricular myocytes exhibited increased CaMKII activity and a proarrhythmic phenotype that included action potential prolongation, increased I
Ca
facilitation, and afterdepolarizations. Intracellular dialysis of a CaMKII inhibitory peptide, but not a control peptide, reversed increases in I
Ca
facilitation, normalized the action potential, and prevented afterdepolarizations. We developed a revised mathematical model that accounts for CaMKII-dependent and CaMKII-independent effects of the TS mutation.

Conclusion—

In TS, the loss of voltage-dependent inactivation is an upstream initiating event for arrhythmia phenotypes that are ultimately dependent on CaMKII activation.
Relations of Biomarkers Representing Distinct Biological Pathways to Left Ventricular Geometry
Authors: Velagaleti Raghava S. , Gona Philimon , Levy Daniel , Aragam Jayashri , Larson Martin G. , Tofler Geoffrey H. , Lieb Wolfgang , Wang Thomas J. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Vasan Ramachandran S.
Published: November 2008

Background—

Several biological pathways are activated concomitantly during left ventricular (LV) remodeling. However, the relative contribution of circulating biomarkers representing these distinct pathways to LV geometry is unclear.

Methods and Results—

We evaluated 2119 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age, 57 years; 57% women) who underwent measurements of biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein), hemostasis (fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), neurohormonal activation (B-type natriuretic peptide), and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (aldosterone and renin modeled as a ratio [ARR]) and echocardiography at a routine examination. LV geometry was defined on the basis of sex-specific distributions of LV mass (LVM) and relative wall thickness (RWT): normal (LVM and RWT <80th percentile), concentric remodeling (LVM <80th percentile but RWT ≥80th percentile), eccentric hypertrophy (LVM ≥80th percentile but RWT <80th percentile), and concentric hypertrophy (LVM and RWT ≥80th percentile). We related the biomarker panel to LV geometry using polytomous logistic regression adjusting for clinical covariates and used backwards elimination to identify a parsimonious set of biomarkers associated with LV geometry. Modeled individually, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and ARR were related to LV geometry (
P
<0.01). In multivariable analyses, the biomarker panel was significantly related to altered LV geometry (
P
<0.0001). On backwards elimination, logARR alone was significantly and positively associated with eccentric (odds ratio per SD increment, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.37) and concentric LV hypertrophy (odds ratio per SD increment, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.58).

Conclusions—

Our cross-sectional observations on a large community-based sample identified ARR as a key correlate of concentric and eccentric LV hypertrophy, consistent with a major role for the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in LV remodeling.
Drug-Eluting or Bare-Metal Stenting in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Garg Pallav , Normand Sharon-Lise T. , Silbaugh Treacy S. , Wolf Robert E. , Zelevinsky Katya , Lovett Ann , Varma Manu R. , Zhou Zheng , Mauri Laura
Published: November 2008

Background—

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk for restenosis, myocardial infarction, and cardiac mortality after coronary stenting, and the long-term safety of drug-eluting stents (DES) relative to bare-metal stents (BMS) in DM is uncertain. We report on a large consecutive series of patients with DM followed up for 3 years after DES and BMS from a regional contemporary US practice with mandatory reporting.

Methods and Results—

All adults with DM undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting between April 1, 2003, and September 30, 2004, at all acute care nonfederal hospitals in Massachusetts were identified from a mandatory state database. According to index admission stent type, patients were classified as DES treated if all stents were drug eluting and as BMS treated if all stents were bare metal; patients treated with both types of stents were excluded from the primary analysis. Mortality rates were obtained from vital statistics records, and myocardial infarction and revascularization rates were obtained from the state database with complete 3 years of follow-up on the entire cohort. Risk-adjusted mortality, myocardial infarction, and revascularization differences (DES−BMS) were estimated with propensity-score matching based on clinical, procedural, hospital, and insurance information collected at the index admission. DM was present in 5051 patients (29% of the population) treated with DES or BMS during the study. Patients with DM were more likely to receive DES than BMS (66.1% versus 33.9%;
P
<0.001). The unadjusted cumulative incidence of mortality at 3 years was 14.4% in DES versus 22.2% in BMS (
P
<0.001). Based on propensity-score analysis of 1:1 matched DES versus BMS patients (1476 DES:1476 BMS), the risk-adjusted mortality, MI, and target vessel revascularization rates at 3 years were 17.5% versus 20.7% (risk difference, −3.2%; 95% confidence interval, −6.0 to −0.4;
P
=0.02), 13.8% versus 16.9% (−3.0%; 95% confidence interval, −5.6 to 0.5;
P
=0.02), and 18.4% versus 23.7% (−5.4%; confidence interval, −8.3 to −2.4;
P
<0.001), respectively.

Conclusions—

In a real-world diabetic patient population with mandatory reporting and follow-up, DES were associated with reduced mortality, myocardial infarction, and revascularization rates at long-term follow-up compared with BMS.
Angiotensin II–Dependent Hypertension Increases Na Transport-Related Oxygen Consumption by the Thick Ascending Limb
Authors: Silva Guillermo B. , Garvin Jeffrey L.
Published: November 2008

Renal medullary superoxide (O
2
−
) increases in angiotensin (Ang) II–dependent hypertension. O
2
−
increases thick ascending limb Na transport, but the effect of Ang II–dependent hypertension on the thick ascending limb is unknown. We hypothesized that Ang II–dependent hypertension increases thick ascending limb NaCl transport because of enhanced O
2
−
production and increased protein kinase C (PKC) α activity. We measured the effect of Ang II–dependent hypertension on furosemide-sensitive oxygen consumption (a measure of Na transport), O
2
−
production, and PKCα translocation (a measure of PKCα activity) in thick ascending limb suspensions. Ang II–dependent hypertension increased furosemide-sensitive oxygen consumption (26.2±1.0% versus 36.6±1.2% of total oxygen consumption;
P
<0.01). O
2
−
was also increased (1.1±0.2 versus 3.2±0.5 nmol of O
2
−
/min per milligram of protein;
P
<0.03) in thick ascending limbs. Unilateral renal infusion of Tempol decreased O
2
−
(2.4±0.4 versus 1.2±0.2 nmol of O
2
−
/min per milligram of protein;
P
<0.04) and furosemide-sensitive oxygen consumption (32.8±1.3% versus 24.0±2.1% of total oxygen consumption;
P
<0.01) in hypertensive rats. Tempol did not affect O
2
−
or furosemide-sensitive oxygen consumption in normotensive controls and did not alter systolic blood pressure. Ang II–dependent hypertension increased PKCα translocation (5.7±0.3 versus 13.8±1.4 AU per milligram of protein;
P
<0.01). Unilateral renal infusion of Tempol reduced PKCα translocation (5.0±0.9 versus 10.4±2.6 AU per milligram of protein;
P
<0.04) in hypertensive rats. Unilateral renal infusion of the PKCα inhibitor Gö6976 reduced furosemide-sensitive oxygen consumption (37.4±1.5% versus 25.1±1.0% of total oxygen consumption;
P
<0.01) in hypertensive rats. We conclude that Ang II–dependent hypertension enhances thick ascending limb Na transport–related oxygen consumption by increasing O
2
−
and PKCα activity.
Coupling of Integrated Biosphere Simulator to Regional Climate Model Version 3
Authors: Winter Jonathan M. , Pal Jeremy S. , Eltahir Elfatih A. B.
Published: November 2008

A description of the coupling of Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS) to Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3) is presented. IBIS introduces several key advantages to RegCM3, most notably vegetation dynamics, the coexistence of multiple plant functional types in the same grid cell, more sophisticated plant phenology, plant competition, explicit modeling of soil/plant biogeochemistry, and additional soil and snow layers.

A single subroutine was created that allows RegCM3 to use IBIS for surface physics calculations. A revised initialization scheme was implemented for RegCM3–IBIS, including an IBIS-specific prescription of vegetation and soil properties.

To illustrate the relative strengths and weaknesses of RegCM3–IBIS, one 4-yr numerical experiment was completed to assess ability of both RegCM3–IBIS (with static vegetation) and RegCM3 with its native land surface model, Biosphere–Atmosphere Transfer Scheme 1e (RegCM3–BATS1e), to simulate the energy and water budgets. Each model was evaluated using the NASA Surface Radiation Budget, FLUXNET micrometeorological tower observations, and Climate Research Unit Time Series 2.0. RegCM3–IBIS and RegCM3–BATS1e simulate excess shortwave radiation incident and absorbed at the surface, especially during the summer months. RegCM3–IBIS limits evapotranspiration, which allows for the correct estimation of latent heat flux, but increases surface temperature, sensible heat flux, and net longwave radiation. RegCM3–BATS1e better simulates temperature, net longwave radiation, and sensible heat flux, but systematically overestimates latent heat flux. This objective comparison of two different land surface models will help guide future adjustments to surface physics schemes within RegCM3.
Will Extratropical Storms Intensify in a Warmer Climate?
Authors: Bengtsson Lennart , Hodges Kevin I. , Keenlyside Noel
Published: November 2008

Extratropical cyclones and how they may change in a warmer climate have been investigated in detail with a high-resolution version of the ECHAM5 global climate model. A spectral resolution of T213 (63 km) is used for two 32-yr periods at the end of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and integrated for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) A1B scenario. Extremes of pressure, vorticity, wind, and precipitation associated with the cyclones are investigated and compared with a lower-resolution simulation. Comparison with observations of extreme wind speeds indicates that the model reproduces realistic values.

This study also investigates the ability of the model to simulate extratropical cyclones by computing composites of intense storms and contrasting them with the same composites from the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40). Composites of the time evolution of intense cyclones are reproduced with great fidelity; in particular the evolution of central surface pressure is almost exactly replicated, but vorticity, maximum wind speed, and precipitation are higher in the model. Spatial composites also show that the distributions of pressure, winds, and precipitation at different stages of the cyclone life cycle compare well with those from ERA-40, as does the vertical structure.

For the twenty-first century, changes in the distribution of storms are very similar to those of previous study. There is a small reduction in the number of cyclones but no significant changes in the extremes of wind and vorticity in both hemispheres. There are larger regional changes in agreement with previous studies.

The largest changes are in the total precipitation, where a significant increase is seen. Cumulative precipitation along the tracks of the cyclones increases by some 11% per track, or about twice the increase in global precipitation, while the extreme precipitation is close to the globally averaged increase in column water vapor (some 27%). Regionally, changes in extreme precipitation are even higher because of changes in the storm tracks.
Regional Differences in the Influence of Irrigation on Climate
Authors: Lobell David , Bala Govindasamy , Mirin Art , Phillips Thomas , Maxwell Reed , Rotman Doug
Published: November 2008

A global climate model experiment is performed to evaluate the effect of irrigation on temperatures in several major irrigated regions of the world. The Community Atmosphere Model, version 3.3, was modified to represent irrigation for the fraction of each grid cell equipped for irrigation according to datasets from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Results indicate substantial regional differences in the magnitude of irrigation-induced cooling, which are attributed to three primary factors: differences in extent of the irrigated area, differences in the simulated soil moisture for the control simulation (without irrigation), and the nature of cloud response to irrigation. The last factor appeared especially important for the dry season in India, although further analysis with other models and observations are needed to verify this feedback. Comparison with observed temperatures revealed substantially lower biases in several regions for the simulation with irrigation than for the control, suggesting that the lack of irrigation may be an important component of temperature bias in this model or that irrigation compensates for other biases. The results of this study should help to translate the results from past regional efforts, which have largely focused on the United States, to regions in the developing world that in many cases continue to experience significant expansion of irrigated land.
Global and Continental Drought in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century: Severity–Area–Duration Analysis and Temporal Variability of Large-Scale Events
Authors: Sheffield J. , Andreadis K. M. , Wood E. F. , Lettenmaier D. P.
Published: November 2008

Using observation-driven simulations of global terrestrial hydrology and a cluster algorithm that searches for spatially connected regions of soil moisture, the authors identified 296 large-scale drought events (greater than 500 000 km2 and longer than 3 months) globally for 1950–2000. The drought events were subjected to a severity–area–duration (SAD) analysis to identify and characterize the most severe events for each continent and globally at various durations and spatial extents. An analysis of the variation of large-scale drought with SSTs revealed connections at interannual and possibly decadal time scales. Three metrics of large-scale drought (global average soil moisture, contiguous area in drought, and number of drought events shorter than 2 years) are shown to covary with ENSO SST anomalies. At longer time scales, the number of 12-month and longer duration droughts follows the smoothed variation in northern Pacific and Atlantic SSTs. Globally, the mid-1950s showed the highest drought activity and the mid-1970s to mid-1980s the lowest activity. This physically based and probabilistic approach confirms well-known droughts, such as the 1980s in the Sahel region of Africa, but also reveals many severe droughts (e.g., at high latitudes and early in the time period) that have received relatively little attention in the scientific and popular literature.
Psychopathy Subtypes Among African American County Jail Inmates
Authors: Swogger Marc T. , Walsh Zach , Kosson David S.
Published: November 2008

There is evidence that the classification of psychopath captures a heterogeneous group of offenders. Although several studies have provided evidence for two distinct psychopath subtypes, these studies have inadequately addressed potentially important ethnic differences. A recent taxonomic study found evidence for primary and secondary psychopath subgroups in a sample of European American offenders. The present study used cluster analysis to attempt to replicate those findings in a sample of African American offenders. Results confirm the presence of primary and secondary subtypes in African Americans. However, differences between the clusters obtained in the present and previous studies suggest that caution is warranted in generalizing offender taxonomies across ethnicity.
Examining the Generality of Citizens' Views on Racial Profiling in Diverse Situational Contexts
Authors: Higgins George E. , Gabbidon Shaun L. , Jordan Kareem L.
Published: November 2008

This article examines the generality of citizens' views concerning racial profiling across several contexts. More specifically, the research investigated whether citizens' perceptions regarding the widespread nature of racial profiling and their belief whether this profiling is justified converged when considering the practice in diverse settings, such as during traffic stops, in retail establishments, and at airports. Using data from a nationally representative poll with an oversample of Blacks and Hispanics, the results of the structural equation model analysis supported the supposition that perceptions regarding racial profiling across contexts form one latent construct. The perceptions of airport, traffic stop, and consumer racial profiling—in the context of widespread nature and justification—form two general latent measures. These perceptions differ based on race, age, sex, and income.
The Effectiveness of an Electronic Security Management System in a Privately Owned Apartment Complex
Authors: Greenberg David F. , Roush Jeffrey B.
Published: November 2008

Poisson and negative binomial regression methods are used to analyze the monthly time series data to determine the effects of introducing an integrated security management system including closed-circuit television (CCTV), door alarm monitoring, proximity card access, and emergency call boxes to a large privately-owned complex of apartment buildings in New York City. Crime rates in a control apartment complex under the same ownership, and in the police precinct in which the 2 complexes are located, serve as controls.
The Contributions of Qualitative Research to Discussions of Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education
Authors: McDuffie Kimberly A. , Scruggs Thomas E.
Published: November 2008

In response to recent trends and legislation, the concept of implementing evidence-based practices has become a critical component of contemporary schooling. It is important that teachers and families of students with disabilities understand the role that qualitative research plays in determining whether a practice is in fact evidence based. Qualitative research may play a role in the development, implementation, and promotion of evidence-based practices in a number of ways. However, qualitative research by its very nature is not intended to demonstrate causality or answer questions about whether a practice is evidence based.
Nonexperimental Quantitative Research and Its Role in Guiding Instruction
Authors: Cook Bryan G. , Cook Lysandra
Published: November 2008

Different research designs answer different questions. Educators cannot use nonexperimental quantitative research designs, such as descriptive surveys and correlational research, to determine definitively that an intervention causes improved student outcomes and is an evidence-based practice. However, such research can (a) inform educators about a number of issues related to the education of students with disabilities and (b) guide experimental research efforts that can more definitively determine whether a practice is evidence based. Additionally, in the absence of relevant, high-quality experimental research, special educators can use some types of correlational research as the best available evidence to guide their instructional and curricular decision making.
Evidence-Based Special Education and Professional Wisdom: Putting It All Together
Authors: Cook Bryan G. , Tankersley Melody , Harjusola-Webb Sanna
Published: November 2008

There has been an increasing focus on evidence-based practices in special education with efforts underway to authoritatively identify those practices that are evidence based. However, the identification of evidence-based practices is only the beginning of the process of implementing evidence-based special education. The professional wisdom of special educators will be necessary for evidence-based practices to be implemented effectively and result in improved outcomes for students with disabilities. Specifically, special educators will have to apply their professional wisdom in (a) selecting and adapting evidence-based practices to their students' learning needs and goals, their own teaching strengths, and the educational environments in which the practice will be implemented; (b) assessing the effects of evidence-based practices; and (c) integrating effective teaching techniques in the delivery of evidence-based practices.
Using Single-Subject Research to Establish the Evidence Base of Special Education
Authors: Tankersley Melody , Harjusola-Webb Sanna , Landrum Timothy J.
Published: November 2008

Research in the field of special education often incorporates single-subject designs to investigate the effectiveness of educational practices for students with disabilities. As such, it is important that educators and educational professionals understand the characteristics of single-subject research methodologies and how those characteristics allow conclusions to be drawn about effectiveness of practices. Because conclusions about whether an intervention causes changes in student outcomes can be derived from single-subject research, it has much to offer to discussion of evidence-based practice and the ultimate identification of evidence-based practices for students with disabilities.
Examining the Role of Group Experimental Research in Establishing Evidenced-Based Practices
Authors: Cook Lysandra , Cook Bryan G. , Landrum Timothy J. , Tankersley Melody
Published: November 2008

Using evidence-based practices, or those instructional techniques shown by research to improve student outcomes meaningfully, increases the performance of students with disabilities and should therefore be a priority for special educators. But how does a practice come to be considered evidence based? The unique characteristics of group experimental research (i.e., the use of a meaningful comparison group and the active manipulation of an intervention) allow research consumers to conclude whether an intervention causes desired changes in student outcomes. As such, group experimental research is one type of research that is well suited to determine evidence-based practices. Examples of group experimental research are provided from the contemporary special education literature.
A Perspective on the Patient's Role in Treatment Decisions
Authors: Sepucha Karen , Mulley Albert G.
Published: November 2008

There is considerable evidence, across different clinical contexts, that treatment decisions are characterized by poor communication, significant knowledge gaps, and a lack of attention to patients' preferences for different health states. Over the past two decades, patient decision aids have been shown to be an effective means to improve the quality of decisions. More recently, the Internet has increased expectations about the impact of information and decision aids on the involvement of patients in decisions. However, there are several challenges to effective dissemination and implementation of decision support interventions, through the Internet or other media. The authors recommend specific policy and research initiatives to facilitate the local and system-level changes necessary to support patients more effectively in making treatment choices. More attention to measurement and policy-level interventions will be required to increase the use of proven tools and to achieve significant improvements in the quality of treatment decisions.
Does Bruising Help Determine Which Fractures Are Caused by Abuse?
Authors: Valvano Thomas J. , Binns Helen J. , Flaherty Emalee G. , Leonhardt Dan E.
Published: November 2008

To determine whether the presence or absence of bruising can be used to differentiate between abusive and nonabusive fractures, a retrospective study was conducted of patients with acute fractures referred to a child abuse team. A bruise and fracture were considered associated if both occurred on the same body site. Chart summaries, excluding information on bruising, were reviewed by 2 abuse experts to assign cause of injury. Of the 150 participants, fractures of 93 (62%) were categorized as abusive and 57 (38%) as nonabusive. Bruising associated with a fracture was found for 26% of abused and 25% of nonabused children. Most children (61%) had no bruises anywhere on the body, and this did not differ significantly by cause of injury. The sensitivity of a bruise associated with a fracture to predict abuse was only 26%. The presence or absence of bruising was not useful to differentiate between abusive and nonabusive fractures.
Potential Value of Quantitative Analysis of Cerebral PET in Early Cognitive Decline
Authors: Patterson James C. , Lilien David L. , Takalkar Amol , Kelley Roger E. , Minagar Alireza
Published: November 2008

Background. In patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, positron emission tomography brain scans can have characteristic hypometabolic patterns that strongly support this diagnosis, but this pattern is often subtle or absent in early stages. A sensitive and objective method for detection of positron emission tomography abnormalities may have value in early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods. A 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography scans from cognitively impaired patients (n = 43) were compared individually to 28 normal controls using statistical parametric mapping, hypometabolic regions visualized, and clinically correlated. The objective SPM results were compared to the official Nuclear Medicine report based upon subjective interpretation criteria.

Results. A total of 22/43 had abnormalities per the Nuclear Medicine physician, while 21/43 appeared normal. The objective analysis detected abnormalities in 41/43 participants, including 19 of 21 that appeared normal. In these 19, 8 had findings consistent with early Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion. Objective analysis of positron emission tomography brain scans may extend the ability to detect early brain abnormalities in patients with cognitive decline.
Group, Individual, and Staff Therapy: An Efficient and Effective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Long-Term Care
Authors: Hyer Lee , Yeager Catherine A. , Hilton Nathan , Sacks Amanda
Published: November 2008

Objective. Depression is a major problem in long-term care (LTC) as is the lack of related empirically supported psychological treatments. This small study addressed a variant of cognitive behavioral therapy, GIST (group, individual, and staff therapy), against treatment as usual (TAU) in long-term care.

Method. 25 residents with depression were randomized to GIST (n = 13) or TAU (n = 12). Outcome measures included geriatric depression scale-short form (GDS-S), life satisfaction index Z (LSI-Z), and subjective ratings of treatment satisfaction. The GIST group participated in 15 group sessions. TAU crossed over to GIST at the end of the treatment trial.

Results. There were significant differences between GIST and TAU in favor of GIST on the GDS-S and LSI-Z. The GIST group maintained improvements over another 14 sessions. After crossover to GIST, TAU members showed significant improvement from baseline. Participants also reported high subjective ratings of treatment satisfaction. Discussion. This trial demonstrated GIST to be more effective for depression in LTC than standard treatments.