bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A history of health technology assessment at the European level
Authors: Banta David , Kristensen Finn Børlum , Jonsson Egon
Published: June 2009

This study summarizes the experience with health technology assessment (HTA) at the European level. Geographically, Europe includes approximately fifty countries with a total of approximately 730 million people. Politically, twenty-seven of these countries (500 million people) have come together in the European Union. The executive branch of the European Union is named the European Commission, which supports several activities, including research, all over Europe and in many other parts of the world. The European Commission has promoted HTA by several policy positions and has funded a series of projects aimed at strengthening HTA in Europe. Around fifteen of the European countries now have formal national programs on HTA and some also have regional public programs. All countries that are members of the European Union and do not have a national approach to HTA have an interest in becoming more involved. The HTA projects sponsored by the European Commission have focused on networking and collaboration among established agencies and institutions for HTA, however, also on capacity building, support, and facilitation in creating mechanisms for HTA in European countries that still do not have any program in the field.
The origins, evolution, and future ofThe Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Starr Mark , Chalmers Iain , Clarke Mike , Oxman Andrew D.
Published: June 2009

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(CDSR) evolved in response to Archie Cochrane's challenge to the medical profession to assemble “a critical summary, adapted periodically, of all . . . relevant randomized controlled trials”.CDSRhas been an electronic publication from its inception and this has meant that Cochrane reviews (i) need not be constrained by lack of space; (ii) can be updated as new information becomes available and when mistakes or other ways of improving them are identified; and (iii) can be cross-linked to other, related sources of relevant information. AlthoughCDSRhas become widely cited, it must continue to evolve in the light of technological and methodological developments, and in response to the needs of people making decisions about health care.
CYCLICAL TRENDS IN CONTINUOUS TIME MODELS
Authors: Ercolani Joanne S.
Published: June 2009

It is undoubtedly desirable that econometric models capture the dynamic behavior, like trends and cycles, observed in many economic processes. Building models with such capabilities has been an important objective in the continuous time econometrics literature, for instance, the cyclical growth models of Bergstrom (1966); the economy-wide macroeconometric models of, for example, Bergstrom and Wymer (1976); unobserved stochastic trends of Harvey and Stock (1988 and 1993) and Bergstrom (1997); and differential-difference equations of Chambers and McGarry (2002). This paper considers continuous time cyclical trends, which complement the trend-plus-cycle models in the unobserved components literature but could also be incorporated into Bergstrom type systems of differential equations, as were stochastic trends in Bergstrom (1997).
“We Want to Go Home!” The Great Petition of the Zhiqing, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, 1978–1979
Authors: Yang Bin
Published: June 2009

This article examines, both in internal and international contexts, the petition of the zhiqing in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, during the 1978–79 transition. It first shows how a shortage of labour on Xishuangbanna state rubber farms led to the arrival of the zhiqing from other regions. It then reviews their lives and sufferings of these revolutionary youths, followed by an analysis of the petition in terms of its process and result. This article proposes three key reasons for the win-win result: the extraordinary leadership and organization of the zhiqing, factional struggles within the Chinese Communist Party, and the Sino-Vietnamese War. Finally, it attempts to fit this event into recent literature on mass resistance in contemporary China.
Gaps in the Silk Road: An Analysis of Population Health Disparities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Authors: Schuster Brenda L.
Published: June 2009

The Han and Uyghur populations of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China differ in all major health indicators. In life expectancy, infant mortality, maternal mortality and morbidity Uyghur people are much worse off than Han. Calculations performed with the linear mixed effect multiple regression model show that poor health in Xinjiang is tied directly to Uyghur nationality. Although education, employment and income are also correlated with public health outcomes, they neither cancel out the effect of nationality nor lessen it significantly. Various socio-economic, cultural and historical factors are responsible for the health gap. Preliminary investigations suggest that lack of education, low income, cultural attitudes about gender, group-specific psychological stress, and the socio-economic and demographic changes of the past 60 years could be the major factors.
The Question of Identity in Recent Scholarship on the History of Taiwan
Authors: Dawley Evan N.
Published: June 2009

This essay provides a survey of emblematic works of recent scholarship on Taiwanese identity written in English and Chinese by scholars from around the world. The objective is to determine what a post-2000 “second wave” of scholarship says about the definition and origins of island-wide Taiwanese identities. This second wave is distinguished by a greater attention to pre-1945 and martial law era Taiwanese history, more attention to a range of identities, both national and non-national, and by the use of sources that had not been readily available to scholars writing in the 1980s and 1990s. I argue that recent works have advanced the field considerably, but that they are too heavily influenced by contemporary debates over Taiwanese independence and too reliant on literary sources to fully answer the question of “who are the Taiwanese?” I conclude by suggesting directions for future scholarship on the subject.
Massive outbreak of viral gastroenteritis associated with consumption of municipal drinking water in a European capital city
Authors: WERBER D. , LAUŠEVIĆ D. , MUGOŠA B. , VRATNICA Z. , IVANOVIĆ-NIKOLIĆ L. , ŽIŽIĆ L. , ALEXANDRE-BIRD A. , FIORE L. , RUGGERI F. M. , DI BARTOLO I. , BATTISTONE A. , GASSILLOUD B. , PERELLE S. , NITZAN KALUSKI D. , KIVI M. , ANDRAGHETTI R. , POLLOCK K. G. J.
Published: June 2009

On 24 August 2008, an outbreak alert regarding cases of acute gastroenteritis in Podgorica triggered investigations to guide control measures. From 23 August to 7 September, 1699 cases were reported in Podgorica (population 136 000) and we estimated the total size of the outbreak to be 10 000–15 000 corresponding to an attack rate of ~10%. We conducted an age- and neighbourhood-matched case-control study, microbiologically analysed faecal and municipal water samples and assessed the water distribution system. All cases (83/83) and 90% (89/90) of controls drank unboiled chlorinated municipal water [matched odds ratio (mOR) 11·2, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1·6–∞]. Consumption of bottled water was inversely associated with illness (mOR 0·3, 95% CI 0·1–0·8). Analyses of faecal samples identified six norovirus genotypes (21/38 samples) and occasionally other viruses. Multiple defects in the water distribution system were noted. These results suggest that the outbreak was caused by faecally contaminated municipal water. It is unusual to have such a large outbreak in a European city especially when the municipal water supply is chlorinated. Therefore, it is important to establish effective multiple-barrier water-treatment systems whenever possible, but even with an established chlorinated supply, sustained vigilance is central to public health.
Molecular diversity of visual pigments in Stomatopoda (Crustacea)
Authors: PORTER MEGAN L. , BOK MICHAEL J. , ROBINSON PHYLLIS R. , CRONIN THOMAS W.
Published: June 2009

Stomatopod crustaceans possess apposition compound eyes that contain more photoreceptor types than any other animal described. While the anatomy and physiology of this complexity have been studied for more than two decades, few studies have investigated the molecular aspects underlying the stomatopod visual complexity. Based on previous studies of the structure and function of the different types of photoreceptors, stomatopod retinas are hypothesized to contain up to 16 different visual pigments, with 6 of these having sensitivity to middle or long wavelengths of light. We investigated stomatopod middle- and long-wavelength-sensitive opsin genes from five species with the hypothesis that each species investigated would express up to six different opsin genes. In order to understand the evolution of this class of stomatopod opsins, we examined the complement of expressed transcripts in the retinas of species representing a broad taxonomic range (four families and three superfamilies). A total of 54 unique retinal opsins were isolated, resulting in 6–15 different expressed transcripts in each species. Phylogenetically, these transcripts form six distinct clades, grouping with other crustacean opsins and sister to insect long-wavelength visual pigments. Within these stomatopod opsin groups, intra- and interspecific clusters of highly similar transcripts suggest that there has been rampant recent gene duplication. Some of the observed molecular diversity is also due to ancient gene duplication events within the stem crustacean lineage. Using evolutionary trace analysis, 10 amino acid sites were identified as functionally divergent among the six stomatopod opsin clades. These sites form tight clusters in two regions of the opsin protein known to be functionally important: six in the chromophore-binding pocket and four at the cytoplasmic surface in loops II and III. These two clusters of sites indicate that stomatopod opsins have diverged with respect to both spectral tuning and signal transduction.
The normal ageing kidney – morphology and physiology
Authors: Núñez Juan-F. Macías
Published: June 2009

This paper will review some fundamentals of normal renal physiology necessary to understand the changes occurring with age and enable the reader to distinguish between chronic renal insufficiency and the consequences of normal ageing on kidney function.
Hypergraph Packing and Sparse Bipartite Ramsey Numbers
Authors: CONLON DAVID
Published: June 2009

We prove that there exists a constant c such that, for any integer Δ, the Ramsey number of a bipartite graph on n vertices with maximum degree Δ is less than 2cΔn. A probabilistic argument due to Graham, Rödl and Ruciński implies that this result is essentially sharp, up to the constant c in the exponent. Our proof hinges upon a quantitative form of a hypergraph packing result of Rödl, Ruciński and Taraz.
The Longest Minimum-Weight Path in a Complete Graph
Authors: ADDARIO-BERRY LOUIGI , BROUTIN NICOLAS , LUGOSI GÁBOR
Published: June 2009

We consider the minimum-weight path between any pair of nodes of the n-vertex complete graph in which the weights of the edges are i.i.d. exponentially distributed random variables. We show that the longest of these minimum-weight paths has about α* log n edges, where α* ≈ 3.5911 is the unique solution of the equation α log α − α = 1. This answers a question posed by Janson [8].
Conducting family meetings in palliative care: Themes, techniques, and preliminary evaluation of a communication skills module
Authors: Gueguen Jennifer A. , Bylund Carma L. , Brown Richard F. , Levin Tomer T. , Kissane David W.
Published: June 2009

Objective:

To develop a communication skills training module for health care professionals about how to conduct a family meeting in palliative care and to evaluate the module in terms of participant self-efficacy and satisfaction.

Methods:

Forty multispecialty health care professionals from the New York metropolitan area attended a communication skills training module at a Comprehensive Cancer Center about how to conduct a family meeting in oncology. The modular content was based on the Comskil model and current literature in the field.

Results:

Based on a retrospective pre–post measure, participants reported a significant increase in self-efficacy about their ability to conduct a family meeting. Furthermore, at least 93% of participants expressed their satisfaction with various aspects of the module by agreeing or strongly agreeing with statements on the course evaluation form.

Significance of results:

Family meetings play a significant role in the palliative care setting, where family support for planning and continuing care is vital to optimize patient care. Although these meetings can be challenging, this communication skills module is effective in increasing the confidence of participants in conducting a family meeting.
Palliative care: A need for a family systems approach
Authors: Mehta Anita , Cohen S. Robin , Chan Lisa S.
Published: June 2009

Objective:

When a family member is faced with a terminal illness, the impending death presents a crisis and a challenge to the entire family as a system. This article highlights the importance of caring for a family when one member has a life-threatening illness, and describes the applicability of Family Systems Theory and its major tenets to the palliative cancer population.

Methods:

A MedLine and CINAHL search of Family Systems Theory related papers was conducted.

Results:

Research studies that have been done fail to capture the view of the entire family system, often limiting the perspectives of the family to one single member. The concepts of holism, balance, boundaries, and hierarchal subsystems must be addressed in the care of any family, including those who have a family member who is dying.

Significance of results:

A Family Systems Theory framework can be useful in helping health care providers, and particularly nurses, deliver optimal care to palliative cancer patients and their families and standardize the way research is done by providing an appropriate framework with which to study the family. In addition, the adoption of Family Systems Theory as the standard framework from which to study families in palliative care will provide consistency for future studies that is presently lacking. Finally, nursing interventions to care for the family are suggested based on Family Systems Theory.
Why do judges talk the way they do?
Authors: Nobles Richard , Schiff David
Published: June 2009

The Hartian tradition of jurisprudence utilises linguistic philosophy to examine legal communications, most particularly those made by judges, and seeks to reach conclusions about the commitment of legal actors towards legal systems, the part played by morality, and what aspects of law involve the exercise of discretion. But this approach fails to take account of the nature of communication within modern society. If one approaches these issues through the application of communication theory, applying Niklas Luhmann’s concept of redundancy, our understanding alters radically. Systems theory explains how and why the communication resources available to legal actors are both limited and system specific. Whilst one can accept that actors use communications to achieve particular legal operations, one cannot attribute the meaning of these communications to their intentions, motivations or commitments. This conclusion and reasons for it change our understanding of long-standing and unresolved jurisprudential debates about the nature of judicial discourse.
Power, culture and method in comparative law
Authors: Banakar Reza
Published: June 2009

This review essay draws on a recently edited handbook by Esin Örücü and David Nelken to reflect on the methodological concerns and challenges of comparative law and sociolegal research. It argues that the contextualisation of laws should be regarded as the indispensable methodological characteristic of all comparative studies of law that aspire to transcend the understanding of law as a body of rules and doctrine. It further argues that although the cultural perspective facilitates contextualisation of the law, a cultural understanding is neither a precondition for undertaking comparative legal research nor necessarily the correct approach under all circumstances; for certain aspects of law and legal behaviour need not be conceptualised in cultural terms. The essay concludes by proposing that the combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches could provide a meta-methodological framework within which specific comparative techniques can be employed. Such a framework will enable comparatists and sociolegal researchers to account for how law interacts with, and simultaneously manifests itself at, the macro-, micro- and the intermediary meso-levels of society over time.
Feminist reconstructions of universalism and the discourse of human rights
Authors: Marshall Jill
Published: June 2009

In recent years, universal principles and, in turn, the universalistic discourse of human rights, have fallen under critical review by feminist scholars. This is part of a more general suspicion of a search for universalism and abstraction in law: feminist legal scholars have highlighted and critiqued the gendered dimension of such an approach.1Particular concepts fundamental to political, legal and social theory such as justice,2equality,3freedom4and rights5have been under the spotlight to see if their structure leads to detrimental consequences for women. Criticisms of rights have taken a variety of forms with rights being seen as too individualistic, reinforcing existing power imbalances, failing to account for women’s experiences and focusing too much on the public sphere.
A subharmonic front-end in SiGe:C technology for 94-GHz imaging arrays
Authors: Öjefors Erik , Borngräber Johannes , Korndörfer Falk , Pfeiffer Ullrich
Published: June 2009

The design of a subharmonic downconverter for 94-GHz imaging arrays in SiGe:C technology is presented. A three-stage differential low-noise amplifier (LNA) with lumped matching networks is used together with a subharmonic mixer driven by a single-pole local-oscillator poly-phase network to form the front-end. The LNA yields 15 dB gain at 94 GHz, while the mixer provides 5 dB conversion gain over a 10 GHz IF bandwidth. The integrated downconverter provides 20 dB conversion gain at 94 GHz with an input 1-dB compression point of −31 dBm and has a current consumption of 45 mA at a 3.3 V supply voltage. The total required die area of the complete downconverter (excluding pad frame) is 0.1 mm, thus making it particularly suitable as a front-end in multi-channel receiver systems.
50 GHz S-shaped rat-race balun with 1.4 dB insertion loss in a wafer-level chip-size package process
Authors: Oncu Ahmet , Inui Chiaki , Manzawa Yasuo , Fujishima Minoru
Published: June 2009

In millimeter-wave CMOS circuits, a balun is useful for connecting off-chip single-end devices and on-chip differential circuits to improve noise immunity. However, an on-chip balun occupies a large chip area. To reduce the chip area required for the on-chip balun, a new rat-race balun using a rewiring technology with a wafer-level chip-size package (W-CSP) is proposed. The W-CSP balun occupies no area in a die because it is placed over integrated circuits. In the proposed balun, an S-shaped structure is adopted in order to directly connect the balun to differential GSGSG pads on a chip with a small area. The S-shaped W-CSP balun was fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The core area of the S-shaped rat-race balun is 480×735 µm, which is 22.4% that of a square rat-race balun. As a result of measurement, we found that the minimum insertion loss is 1.4 dB and the operating frequency ranges from 40 to 61 GHz.
X-band T/R-module front-end based on GaN MMICs
Authors: Schuh Patrick , Sledzik Hardy , Reber Rolf , Fleckenstein Andreas , Leberer Ralf , Oppermann Martin , Quay Rüdiger , van Raay Friedbert , Seelmann-Eggebert Matthias , Kiefer Rudolf , Mikulla Michael
Published: June 2009

Amplifiers for the next generation of T/R modules in future active array antennas are realized as monolithically integrated circuits (MMIC) on the basis of novel AlGaN/GaN (is a chemical material description) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structures. Both low-noise and power amplifiers are designed for X-band frequencies. The MMICs are designed, simulated, and fabricated using a novel via-hole microstrip technology. Output power levels of 6.8 W (38 dBm) for the driver amplifier (DA) and 20 W (43 dBm) for the high-power amplifier (HPA) are measured. The measured noise figure of the low-noise amplifier (LNA) is in the range of 1.5 dB. A T/R-module front-end with mounted GaN MMICs is designed based on a multi-layer low-temperature cofired ceramic technology (LTCC).
An L-band SiGe HBT differential amplifier with frequency and rejection-level tunable, multiple stopband
Authors: Shirata Masaki , Shinohara Toshio , Sato Minoru , Itoh Yasushi
Published: June 2009

An L-band frequency and rejection-level tunable SiGe HBT differential amplifier with dual stopband is presented. To achieve frequency and rejection-level tunable performance, dual LCR-tank circuit with an active load is incorporated into the design of the series feedback loops of the differential amplifier. The active load consists of a varactor diode represented as a variableCand a common-emitter transistor represented as a variableR. The frequency and rejection level can be tuned independently by controlling a cathode bias voltage of the varactor diode or a base bias voltage of the transistor. The implemented 0.35 μm SiGe HBT amplifier with dual stopband demonstrates a frequency tuning of 0.53–1.16 GHz and a rejection-level variation up to 9.5 dB. The input and output return losses are better than 17.5 and 11 dB over 0.2–1.5 GHz, respectively. The measured P1dB is+3 dBm and IIP3 is 0 dBm withVcc = 6 V andIc = 8 mA.
FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC observations of seasonal and longitudinal variations of equatorial ionization anomaly and its interhemispheric asymmetry during the solar minimum period
Authors: Tulasi Ram S. , Su S.‐Y. , Liu C. H.
Published: June 2009

Using an extremely valuable global data set from Formosa Satellite (FORMOSAT‐3)/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) radio occultation experiment, a comprehensive study has been carried out on the seasonal and longitudinal variations of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and the temporal variation in the hemispheric asymmetry of EIA during the low solar activity period from November 2006 to October 2007. The interesting result observed from this investigation is the local‐time‐dependent variation in the hemispheric asymmetry of EIA. During the solstices, it has been consistently observed that the EIA crest in the winter hemisphere appears stronger than that in the summer hemisphere during morning to noon hours. In contrast to this, during noon to early afternoon hours, the ionization in the winter EIA crest decreases rapidly, and the crest in the summer hemisphere becomes more intensified than that in the winter hemisphere. Further, this transition of stronger EIA crest from winter hemisphere to summer hemisphere occurs around 1200–1300 LT during the December solstice months and is delayed by a couple of hours (seen around ∼1400 LT) during June solstice months. The causative neutral and electrodynamical mechanisms are discussed in light of relative contributions from the field‐aligned plasma transport due to transequatorial interhemispheric neutral wind, the strength of the equatorial fountain process, and the ion drag effects during different local times and seasons. The results from the Sami2 is Another Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI2) model simulation also exhibit similar local‐time‐dependent variation in the hemispheric asymmetry of EIA, which further supports our argument. Also, it was observed that the large magnetic declination of the field lines and the four‐peaked longitudinal structure of EIA can significantly modulate the interhemispheric asymmetry of EIA even during the equinoxes.
Evidence for preservation of crustal root beneath the Proterozoic Lapland‐Kola orogen (northern Fennoscandian shield) derived from P and S wave velocity models of POLAR and HUKKA wide‐angle reflection and refraction profiles and FIRE4 reflection transect
Authors: Janik Tomasz , Kozlovskaya Elena , Heikkinen Pekka , Yliniemi Jukka , Silvennoinen Hanna
Published: June 2009

We present an analysis of the crust and upper mantle in the northern Fennoscandian shield, based on new P and S wave 2‐D velocity models of the POLAR and HUKKA wide‐angle reflection and refraction profiles and results of a new seismic reflection experiment in Finland (Finnish Reflection Experiment). The profiles are almost collocated and crossed the Proterozoic Lapland‐Kola orogen. A substantial difference of the depth of “the wide‐angle Moho” (40–42 km) and “the reflection Moho” (47–50 km) was found. In order to explain this difference, we compared the velocity models to published values of Vp and Vp/Vs for the main types of lower crustal and mantle rocks. We found that the main reason for disagreement is that the wide‐angle Moho and the reflection Moho correspond to different petrological boundaries. In the southwest and northeast portions of the profiles, the wide‐angle Moho marks contact of either anorthositic or granulitic lower crust with a reflective layer in the upper mantle composed of peridotites and pyroxenites. The reflection Moho represents the bottom of this lower layer. In the center of the profile the wide‐angle Moho marks the top of a large eclogitic body in the upper mantle, representing a well‐preserved crustal root beneath the Lapland‐Kola orogen formed because of the collision of three former Archaean crustal blocks (terranes or microcontinents). Lack of postorogenic tectonic collapse suggests another mechanism for stabilization of the lithosphere in the area. Upper mantle reflectors at depth of 65–75 km may mark the upper boundary of the cold and mechanically strong Archaean upper mantle wedge. Alternatively, these reflectors may represent a top of uplifted asthenosphere that can explain preservation of crustal root.
Dynamic modeling of slow earthquakes based on thermoporoelastic effects and inelastic generation of pores
Authors: Suzuki Takehito , Yamashita Teruo
Published: June 2009

We numerically simulate features of slow earthquakes to understand their generation mechanism in the framework of dynamic modeling. Their typical features will be that the fault rupture velocity and stress drop are markedly lower than those of ordinary earthquakes. We assume a fault in a thermoporoelastic medium taking account of fluid flow and inelastic creation of pores on the fault. This paper is an extension of our studies published in the work of Suzuki and Yamashita (2006, 2007, 2008), in which a nondimensional parameter Su was shown to play a critical role in dynamic fault rupture. The parameter Su represents the dominance of the effect of inelastic pore creation over that of frictional heating under the condition of no fluid flow. However, it can be shown that Su plays an important role even if the fluid flow is considered. In the present study we successfully simulate slow fault rupture growth and low stress drop, which characterize the slow earthquakes. Critical ingredients of our modeling are assumptions of (1) Su considerably larger than assumed for the simulation of ordinary earthquakes, (2) fluid flow into the inelastically created pores, and (3) initial shear stress significantly smaller than assumed for the simulation of ordinary earthquakes. The assumption of a large value of Su corresponds to that of a slip‐resistant and low‐stress‐drop zone. The fluid inflow can promote the fault rupture in the slip‐resistant zone.
Wave‐induced pore pressure measurements near a coastal structure
Authors: Michallet H. , Mory M. , Piedra‐Cueva I.
Published: June 2009

Wave‐induced pore pressures were measured at various depths below the sandy bed in front of a coastal structure. The results of a weeklong field experiment carried out in September 2003 on the beach of Capbreton, in southwest France, are presented. The coastal structure was located in the intertidal zone of the beach. The transmission of pressure variations inside the soil, as compared to the pressure variations produced by the waves in the water layer, are analyzed in terms of both amplitude decay and phase shifts and compared to theoretical models. The gas content inside the soil was also measured. The results confirm that the gas content is a key parameter affecting the transmission of pressure inside the soil. It is shown that a significant upward pressure gradient is generated during a wave period, which can liquefy a 30 cm deep superficial layer of the soil. This is interpreted in terms of momentary liquefaction events. The manner in which the phenomena change during the different tidal periods investigated is described. The dependence of the results on wave height and bed level is discussed. Whereas the soil properties were not modified over a tidal period when the wave activity was sufficiently low, a significant change in the transmission of pressure variations inside the soil was observed when the structure was subjected to larger waves. This is interpreted in terms of a change in the gas content in the superficial layer.
Scenario changes in the climatology of winter midlatitude cyclone activity over eastern North America and the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: Long Z. , Perrie W. , Gyakum J. , Laprise R. , Caya D.
Published: June 2009

The present study explores how midlatitude winter cyclone activity can be modified under warming‐induced conditions due to enhanced greenhouse gas concentrations. We performed simulations with the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM version 3.5) implemented on a domain that covers the Northwest Atlantic and eastern North America. These simulations are driven by control conditions (1975–1994) and high‐CO2 scenario conditions (2040–2059) suggested by the Canadian Climate Centre model, CGCM2 (Second Generation Coupled Global Climate Model), following the IPCC IS92a scenario. Comparisons between model simulations for the control period (1975–1994) and North America Regional analysis (NARR) suggest that both CGCM2 and CRCM reliably reproduce the overall NARR patterns of sea level pressure, tropospheric baroclinicity and Atlantic storm tracks. However, compared to CGCM2 results, CRCM offers an improvement in simulations of the most intense cyclones. Although both models underestimate the track density of intense cyclones, the CGCM2 underestimates are larger than those of CRCM. Under the high‐CO2 climate change scenario, the CRCM and CGCM2 model simulations show similar changes in sea level pressure, surface temperature, and total track density of midlatitude winter cyclones. Although we can see the northwest shift of the dominant Atlantic storm track, it is not statistically significant. Moreover, simulations from both models show a decrease in the total cyclone track density along the Canadian east coast; the decrease is more robust in CRCM simulations than in CGCM2 results. For intense cyclones, CRCM simulations show a slight decrease in the track density, while no such change is found in CGCM2 simulations.
Observations of a potential Mars analog at the microscale using rover‐inspired methods: A 10‐sol observation of Fort Rock tuff ring
Authors: Yingst R. A. , Schmidt M. E. , Lentz R. C. F.
Published: June 2009

The terrestrial geologist's hand lens is a fundamental tool for identifying and correlating rocks and minerals. We used rover‐inspired methods of remote hand lens–scale data acquisition to conduct reconnaissance of a well‐characterized Martian analog field site. The objective was to determine if the current methodologies associated with the use of remote hand lens–scale imagers maximizes science return. Field geologists provided with hand lens–scale images of targets in geologic context could correctly identify many important characteristics of those targets. However, they could not fully confirm or rule out any formation hypothesis using the data provided solely through rover‐driven observational strategies. This was due to (1) a lack of “intermediate‐scale,” or millimeter‐ to centimeter‐scale images providing important contextual information for the targets studied and (2) the limited number of hand lens–scale images that were taken using rover‐driven methodology. We conclude that the benefits of the hand lens as an effective triage tool and discriminator of microtexture are limited using current rover‐driven methodology because the hand lens–type imager is not deployed frequently, and resulting data cannot be used to fully support geochemical observations. We recommend pursuing ways to increase the number of images that can reasonably be acquired at the hand lens scale. In order for hand lens–scale imaging to be fully effective, textural characteristics diagnostic of the nature of a geologic site need to be identifiable at a number of different resolutions; rover microscale observational strategies must include more contextual imaging.
Influence of hydraulic conditions over dunes on the distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates in a large sand bed river
Authors: Amsler Mario L. , Blettler Martín C. M. , Ezcurra de Drago Inés
Published: June 2009

This study aims to relate the flow structure over mobile dunes recorded on the channel bed of the Paraná River (Argentina) with the spatial distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates. The following main conclusions have been obtained: (1) the dunes found in the active channel could be considered as hydraulic biotopes at a mesohabitat scale: the bed forms in the thalweg region are subjected to higher shear stresses with low benthic densities; (2) differences in benthic densities were also recorded at within‐dunes microhabitat scales: the largest densities were found in the dune troughs where small bed shear stresses occur and minimum densities on the low stoss side of dunes where turbulent agitation near the bottom strongly disturb the bed particles; (3) superimposed dunes on larger dunes may be considered as another microhabitat of still smaller dimensions. Summarizing, multiscale approaches are needed if a comprehensive understanding linking hydrodynamics and morphodynamics processes with benthic ecology is intended.
Recent thinning and migration of the Western Divide, central West Antarctica
Authors: Conway H. , Rasmussen L. A.
Published: June 2009

We report observations that show the Western Divide, between the Ross and Amundsen Sea sectors in West Antarctica, is currently thinning ∼0.08 m a−1 and migrating toward the Ross Sea at 10 m a−1. The asymmetric pattern of thickness change across the divide is not caused by changes in the accumulation gradient, but rather by dynamical thinning that is stronger in the Amundsen Sea sector than in the Ross Sea sector. Available geological and glaciological data indicate that this pattern of thinning has persisted for at least two millennia, with increased asymmetry likely over the past few centuries. Our data however, are not sufficient to determine whether the present‐day migration of the Western Divide is a response to long‐term (millennial) forcing, shorter‐term (centennial) forcing, or both.
Depth variations of the 410 and 520 km‐discontinuities beneath Asia and the Pacific from PP precursors
Authors: Schäfer J. , Wölbern I. , Rümpker G.
Published: June 2009

We investigate depth variations of the 410 and 520 km‐discontinuities beneath Asia and the Pacific which serve as examples for a continental and an oceanic region, respectively. The depths are derived from travel‐time differences between the PP‐phase and its precursors that are reflected at the discontinuities. After accounting for differences in average crustal thickness, we find that the depth of the ‘410’ is rather uniform but larger than expected beneath both regions with a value of approximately 418 km. Signals from the ‘520’ are slightly less pronounced. However, while the average depth of the ‘520’ beneath Asia is about 519 km, we obtain a value of about 531.5 km for the Pacific. Here, the depression of the discontinuities can be explained in view of thermal anomalies in relation to mantle plumes. For Asia, however, the observations seem to require a more complex pattern of thermal anomalies possibly complemented by variations in chemical composition.
A complex earthquake sequence captured by the continuous GPS network in SW Iceland
Authors: Hreinsdóttir S. , Árnadóttir T. , Decriem J. , Geirsson H. , Tryggvason A. , Bennett R. A. , LaFemina P.
Published: June 2009

A complex sequence of earthquakes struck the western part of the South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) on 29 May 2008. The sequence initiated with a Mw6.3 (NEIC) earthquake in the western part of the SISZ. Aftershocks from the earthquake delineate two parallel N–S trending structures 4 km apart, in addition to activity along an E‐W zone further westward. Continuous GPS measurements can best be explained by right‐lateral strike‐slip motion on two parallel N–S trending faults, with little slip occurring on other structures illuminated by earthquake activity. We estimate a total moment release of Mw6.2, with Mw6.1 on the first rupture and Mw6.0 on the second rupture. High rate (1 Hz) CGPS data from a near‐field station suggest that the main asperity on the Kross fault ruptured within 3 s of the initial mainshock on the Ingólfsfjall fault.
Observable Weight Distributions and Children's Individual Weight Assessment
Authors: Brown H. Shelton , Evans Alexandra E. , Mirchandani Gita G. , Kelder Steven H. , Hoelscher Deanna M.
Published: June 2009

Social networks theory suggests obesity is “contagious” within peer groups in that known friends highly influence weight. On the other hand, an alternative model suggests that observable weight distributions affect perception of one's own obesity level. We examine whether the BMI levels of the most obese classmates in the individual student's grade by gender is positively associated with “under‐assessment” of obesity and overweight (i.e., independently measured obesity or overweight, but subjective self‐assessment of normal weight). The data are the 2004–2005 School Physical Activity and Nutrition III (SPAN), a stratified, multistage probability sample of 4th, 8th, and 11th grade public school children in Texas. We used logistic regression to test whether the gender‐specific 85th percentile BMI level within the individual student's grade at their school is positively associated with “under‐assessment” of obesity and overweight. The results show that students are much more likely to under‐assess their own weight if the gender‐specific 85th percentile BMI level is higher in their grade at their school. These data suggest that observable weight distributions play a key role in the obesity epidemic.
Anandamide Increases the Differentiation of Rat Adipocytes and Causes PPARγ and CB1 Receptor Upregulation
Authors: Karaliota Sevasti , Siafaka‐Kapadai Athanasia , Gontinou Chrisanthi , Psarra Katerina , Mavri‐Vavayanni Mary
Published: June 2009

Anandamide (N‐arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) or its metabolites participate in energy balance mainly through feeding modulation. In addition, AEA has been found to increase 3T3–L1 adipocyte differentiation process. In this study, the effect of AEA, R(+)‐methanandamide (R(+)‐mAEA), URB597, and indomethacin on primary rat adipocyte differentiation was evaluated by a flow cytometry method and by Oil Red‐O staining. Reverse transcription‐PCR and western blotting analysis were performed in order to study the effect of AEA on peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)γ2, cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), fatty acid amidohydrolase (FAAH), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression, during the differentiation process. AEA increased adipocyte differentiation in primary cell cultures in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner and induced PPARγ2 gene expression, confirming findings with 3T3–L1 cell line. CB1R, FAAH, and COX‐2 expression was also increased while CB2R expression was decreased. Inhibition of FAAH and COX‐2 attenuated the AEA‐induced differentiation. Our findings indicate that AEA regulates energy homeostasis not only by appetite modulation but may also regulate adipocyte differentiation and phenotype.
Interaction of Leptin and Amylin in the Long‐term Maintenance of Weight Loss in Diet‐induced Obese Rats
Authors: Trevaskis James L. , Lei Chunli , Koda Joy E. , Weyer Christian , Parkes David G. , Roth Jonathan D.
Published: June 2009

We have previously shown that combined amylin + leptin agonism elicits synergistic weight loss in diet‐induced obese (DIO) rats. Here, we assessed the comparative efficacy of amylin, leptin, or amylin + leptin in the maintenance of amylin + leptin–mediated weight loss. DIO rats pretreated with the combination of rat amylin (50 µg/kg/day) and murine leptin (125 µg/kg/day) for 4 weeks were subsequently infused with either vehicle, amylin, leptin, or amylin + leptin for an additional 4 weeks. Food intake, body weight, body composition, plasma parameters, and the expression of key metabolic genes in liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) were assessed. Amylin + leptin treatment (weeks 0–4) reduced body weight to 87.5% of baseline. Rats subsequently maintained on vehicle or leptin regained all weight (to 104.2 and 101.2% of baseline, respectively), those maintained on amylin had partial weight regain (97.0%). By contrast, weight loss was largely maintained with continued amylin + leptin treatment (91.4%), associated with a 10% decrease in adiposity. Cumulative food intake (weeks 5–8) was reduced by amylin and amylin + leptin, but not by leptin alone. Amylin + leptin, but not amylin or leptin alone, reduced plasma triglycerides (by 55%), total cholesterol (by 19%), and insulin (by 57%) compared to vehicle. Amylin + leptin also reduced hepatic stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 (Scd1) mRNA, and increased WAT mRNA levels of adiponectin, fatty acid synthase (Fasn), and lipoprotein lipase (Lpl). We conclude that, in DIO rats, maintenance of amylin + leptin–mediated weight loss requires continued treatment with both agonists, and is accompanied by sustained improvements in body composition, and indices of lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Role of Endogenous ET‐1 in the Regulation of Myocardial Blood Flow in Lean and Obese Humans
Authors: Mather Kieren J. , Lteif Amale A. , Veeneman Emily , Fain Richard , Giger Susan , Perry Kevin , Hutchins Gary D.
Published: June 2009

Endothelin is an important determinant of peripheral vascular tone, and increased endogenous endothelin activity contributes to peripheral vascular dysfunction in human obesity. The contributions of endothelin to the regulation of coronary vascular tone in health in humans have not been well studied. We hypothesized that the contribution of endothelin to the regulation of myocardial perfusion would be augmented in human obesity. Using [NH3]ammonia positron emission tomography (PET), we measured myocardial perfusion under resting and adenosine‐stimulated conditions on two separate days, with and without concurrent exposure to BQ123, an antagonist of type A endothelin receptors (1 µmol/min IV beginning 90 min before measurement). We studied 10 lean and 9 obese subjects without hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes mellitus. We observed a BQ123‐induced increase in resting myocardial perfusion of ∼40%, not different between lean and obese subjects (BQ123‐induced increase in flow: lean 0.12 ± 0.20, obese 0.32 ± 0.51 ml/g/min,P= 0.02 BQ123 effect,P= 0.27 comparing response across groups). Although basal flow rates varied by region of the myocardium, the BQ123 effect was seen in all regions. BMI and cholesterol were significantly related to BQ123‐induced increases in basal tone in multivariable analysis. There was no baseline difference in the adenosine‐stimulated increase in blood flow between lean and obese subjects, and BQ123 failed to augment these responses in either group. These observations suggest that endothelin is an important contributor to the regulation of myocardial perfusion under resting conditions in healthy lean and obese humans, with increased contributions in proportion to increasing obesity.
The Associations of LPIN1 Gene Expression in Adipose Tissue With Metabolic Phenotypes in the Chinese Population
Authors: Chang Yi‐Cheng , Chang Ling‐Yin , Chang Tien‐Jyun , Jiang Yi‐Der , Lee Kuan‐Ching , Kuo Shan‐Shan , Lee Wei‐Jei , Chuang Lee‐Ming
Published: June 2009

The LPIN1 gene, encoding lipin‐1 protein, plays critical roles in adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to analyze the association of LPIN1 mRNA levels in human adipose tissue with metabolic phenotypes. We also examined the association of LPIN1 genetic variation with type 2 diabetes and related metabolic phenotypes in the Chinese population. The relative LPIN1 mRNA levels were measured in abdominal visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) obtained from 102 nondiabetic Chinese females. Seven single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning from the 5′‐upstream region to the 3′‐end of the LPIN1 gene were genotyped in 1,520 Chinese (760 type 2 diabetic cases and 760 controls). LPIN1 mRNA levels in VAT were negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.21, P = 0.03), body fat percentage (r = −0.22, P = 0.02), plasma triglycerides levels (r = −0.21, P = 0.03), and plasma leptin levels (r = −0.63, P = 0.0002). LPIN1 mRNA levels were positively correlated with PPARG and ADIPOQ mRNA levels in both VAT and SAT. No single SNP of the LPIN1 gene was associated with type 2 diabetes in our population. One rare haplotype showed a significant association with type 2 diabetes (odds ratio (OR), 4.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.86–11.75; P = 4 × 10−4). No SNP or haplotype of the LPIN1 gene was associated with quantitative metabolic traits in the nondiabetic subjects. The results confirmed the association of LPIN1 gene expression in adipose tissue with lower adiposity and favorable metabolic profiles in the Chinese population. However, the LPIN1 gene seemed not to be a major susceptibility gene for type 2 diabetes or related metabolic phenotypes in the Chinese population.
How Many Calories Are on Our Plate? Expected Fullness, Not Liking, Determines Meal‐size Selection
Authors: Brunstrom Jeffrey M. , Rogers Peter J.
Published: June 2009

The availability of highly palatable food is thought to stimulate the selection of larger meals (leading to weight gain and obesity). In this article, we explore aspects of this proposition. Specifically, we scrutinize two basic assumptions: (i) palatable energy‐dense foods are more rewarding (desired), and (ii) these palatable foods are selected in relatively larger portions. In combination with palatability, we also consider the relative role for “expected satiation”—the extent to which a food is expected to deliver satiation. A total of 17 commonly consumed foods were assessed by 28 normal‐weight participants at lunchtime. Critically, our measure of food reward and expected satiation involves comparisons between foods based on equicaloric portions. When assessed in this way, we find that food reward and ideal portion sizes (in kcal) are both closely associated with expected satiation, but not with “expected liking.” Low expected satiation (not expected liking) predicts the selection of large portion sizes (in kcal) and foods with this characteristic tend to be more energy dense and are regarded as less (not more) rewarding (when compared calorie for calorie). Together, these findings challenge the role of palatability in meal‐size selection and they highlight the importance of expected satiation, a “nonaffective” component of food reward.