bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tattooing among high school students in southern Taiwan: The prevalence, correlates and associations with risk‐taking behaviors and depression
Authors: Yen Cheng‐Fang , Hsiao Ray C. , Yen Ju‐Yu , Yeh Yi‐Chun , Wang Peng‐Wei , Lin Huang‐Chi , Ko Chih‐Hung
Published: April 2012

This study aims to examine the prevalence and sociodemographics, family and peer correlates of tattooing among high school students in southern Taiwan, and to examine the associations between tattooing and a variety of adolescent risk‐taking behaviors and depression. A total of 9755 high school students (grades 7 to 12) in southern Taiwan were recruited into this study and completed the questionnaires. The prevalence of tattooing among the adolescents was calculated. The responses were analyzed using the logistic regression analysis models. It was found that 1% of high school students in southern Taiwan had 1 or more tattoos on their bodies. The older students who were perceived to have low family monitoring and who had friends who drink regularly, used illicit drugs, had a criminal record or were in a gang were more likely to have a tattoo. Tattooing was also found to be associated with violence, weekly alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, dropping out of school, unprotected sex, suicidal ideation/attempt, and depression. The results indicate that several demographics, family and peer factors are associated with adolescent tattooing. Tattooing may be an indicator of risk‐taking behaviors in high school students.
Acute aortic dissection: An update
Authors: De León Ayala Iván Alejandro , Chen Ying‐Fu
Published: April 2012

The aorta, which has a complex intrinsic biology and sophisticated mechanical properties for conducting the blood ejected from the left ventricle to the rest of the systemic arterial bed, is the largest and strongest artery in the body. It carries roughly 200 million liters of blood in an average lifetime. Any process that undermines the architecture threatens the structure, stability, and functionality of the aorta. In this regard, acute aortic dissection (AAD) requires special attention because it is the most catastrophic acute illness of the aorta; it has high morbidity and mortality because of potentially fatal complications. AAD has, therefore, become an important topic of recent research, and knowledge about this disease has improved during the past few years. Up‐to‐date knowledge about the natural history, epidemiology, presentation, physiopathology, evolution, management, follow‐up, and long‐term outcomes of AAD are summarized in this review.
The physician compliance of red blood cell transfusion by computerized transfusion decision support system
Authors: Chang Chao‐Sung , Lin Yu‐Chih , Lin Chiu‐Chu , Yeh Chi‐Jung , Wu Yung‐Chao , Lin Yi‐Ching
Published: April 2012

“When should we trigger a transfusion?” is always a critical question between the patient's benefits and risks in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. A computerized transfusion decision support system (CTDSS) has been used since September 2004 in an academic medical center with 1400 beds. In this study, the factors affecting RBC transfusion were investigated. In total 20,551 RBC‐transfusion episodes between January and December 2008 were reviewed. The nearest hemoglobin concentration before transfusion is defined as the transfusion trigger. The physician compliance, the factors associated with the transfusion triggers and posttransfusion hemoglobin increment were investigated. The physician compliance is 83.1%. The transfusion trigger is 8.32 ± 1.84 (mean ± standard deviation) g/dL. The transfusion triggers are statistically significant in terms of both different order sources and disease types (p < 0.05). The posttransfusion hemoglobin level increased in two‐thirds of the episodes. The percentages of hemoglobin increments after transfusion are dependent on the transfusion triggers. Appropriate transfusion practice may reduce the overuse of blood components and improve transfusion quality. CTDSS should be more powerful to intervene in the appropriateness of transfusion practice.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A
Authors: Huang Chiung‐Tang , Yang Wen‐Chi , Lin Sheng‐Fung
Published: April 2012

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is an autosomal dominant inherited cancer syndrome that expresses nonendocrine and endocrine tumors. Here, we describe a 42‐year‐old man with an initial presentation of low back pain and hypertension. Clinical assessments revealed pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma with bone metastasis, and parathyroid hyperplasia. MEN 2A was diagnosed, and a family history of pheochromocytoma was traced. Surgical resection of the pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland resulted in a cure of the patient's hypertension. He received systemic chemotherapy with the “MAID” regimen (mesna, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine) over three cycles of 3 weeks each, and showed a partial response.
Fracture of VerSys fully bead‐coated long femoral stems: Report on four fractures in 41 hips
Authors: Lu Hsueh‐Che , Lin Cheng‐Li , Chang Chih‐Wei , Lai Kuo‐An
Published: April 2012

The fracture of uncemented, fully porous, coated femoral stems is a rare complication that develops after primary total hip arthroplasty, and it is even rarer after revision surgery. To the best of our knowledge, cases of only 10 broken fully coated stems have been reported. This is the first report on fracture of the VerSys fully bead‐coated femoral stem, which is designed for diaphyseal fixation and for application in revision surgery or when a proximal fixation is not feasible. Between 2000 and 2008, we implanted 41 VerSys fully coated stems in 40 patients. We present four cases of femoral stem fractures at 23, 31, 40, and 86 months after surgery. The common risk factors for these four patients were inadequate support for the implant in the proximal femur due to nonunion in this area, a stem diameter ≤12 mm, and a relatively young age.
Long-term outcome of multidisciplinary intervention of chronic non-cancer pain patients in a private setting
Authors: Meineche-Schmidt Villy , Jensen Niels-Henrik , Sjøgren Per
Published: April 2012

Background and aim

The present study reports on chronic non-cancer patients who were referred to a private pain clinic, according to a waiting time guarantee and treated within one month from referral. Based on evaluation by members of the multidisciplinary staff at our pain clinic a pain management program could be offered individually or as group therapy.

Methods

Health related quality of life, psychometric tests, use of pain medication; socio-economic status and number of consultations in general practice were recorded at referral to the clinic and by postal questionnaires at follow-up 21 months later. The primary treatment outcome (treatment success) was defined as an improvement of at least 40 points in the physical component and/or the mental component of SF-36 from baseline to follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were changes in Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and Beck’s Depression Inventory, use of analgesics, work status and transfer income and number of consultations at the GP’s office due to the chronic pain condition.

Results

A total of 306 patients were included: 141 were treated individually and 165 were treated in groups. At follow-up, data were obtained from 189 patients (62%). Comparing baseline to follow-up data, 62% of group treated patients were treated successfully, compared with 41% of individually treated patients. Anxiety and depression were significantly improved in group treated patients but not in those treated individually. significantly more patients had work income (and less patients transfer income) among group treated, compared with individually treated. At follow-up use of antidepressants and anticonvulsants was increased whereas use of tranquilizers and strong opioids was decreased in all patients. Number of consultations at their GPs due to chronic pain was significantly reduced in all patients.

Conclusions

Multidisciplinary treatment in a private pain clinic seems to have a long-term effect in relation to biological, psychological and social aspects of the chronic pain condition. Treatments based on group therapy may offer better results than individual treatment courses.

Implications

The effect of group therapy should be explored further.
PRAGMATIC ENCROACHMENT: IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT KNOWLEDGE
Authors: Fantl Jeremy , McGrath Matthew
Published: April 2012

There is pragmatic encroachment on some epistemic status just in case whether a proposition has that status for a subject depends not only on the subject's epistemic position with respect to the proposition, but also on features of the subject's non-epistemic, practical environment. Discussions of pragmatic encroachment usually focus on knowledge. Here we argue that, barring infallibilism, there is pragmatic encroachment on what is arguably a more fundamental epistemic status – the status a proposition has when it is warranted enough to be a reason one has for believing other things.
Uptake of conjugated linolenic acids and conversion tocis-9,trans-11-ortrans-9,trans-11-conjugated linoleic acids in Caco-2 cells
Authors: Schneider Anne-Catherine , Mignolet Eric , Schneider Yves-Jacques , Larondelle Yvan
Published: April 2012

Dietary oils containing large amounts of conjugated linolenic acids (CLnA) may be regarded as a source of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), which have been suspected to bear health-promoting properties. Indeed, CLnA can be converted into CLA in mammals. The objective of the present study was to investigate the uptake of CLnA and their metabolism into CLA in Caco-2 cells, as a validatedin vitromodel of the intestinal barrier. Caco-2 cells were incubated for 24 h in the presence of either α-eleostearic, β-eleostearic, catalpic or punicic acid. We first observed that Caco-2 cells take these CLnA up at different rates and then convert them but with varying efficiency depending on the structure of the Δ13 double bond. Finally, the distribution of CLnA between neutral lipids (NL) and phospholipids appeared to be linked to their number oftransdouble bonds: the higher the number, the higher the accumulation in the NL fraction.
Bayesian simultaneous equation models for the analysis of energy intake and partitioning in growing pigs
Authors: STRATHE A. B. , JØRGENSEN H. , KEBREAB E. , DANFÆR A.
Published: April 2012

The objective of the current study was to develop Bayesian simultaneous equation models for modelling energy intake and partitioning in growing pigs. A key feature of the Bayesian approach is that parameters are assigned prior distributions, which may reflect the current state of nature. In the models, rates of metabolizable energy (ME) intake, protein deposition (PD) and lipid deposition (LD) were treated as dependent variables accounting for residuals being correlated. Two complementary equation systems were used to model ME intake (MEI), PD and LD. Informative priors were developed, reflecting current knowledge about metabolic scaling and partial efficiencies of PD and LD rates, whereas flat non-informative priors were used for the reminder of the parameters. The experimental data analysed originate from a balance and respiration trial with 17 cross-bred pigs of three genders (barrows, boars and gilts) selected on the basis of similar birth weight. The pigs were fed four diets based on barley, wheat and soybean meal supplemented with crystalline amino acids to meet or exceed Danish nutrient requirement standards. Nutrient balances and gas exchanges were measured atc. 25, 75, 120 and 150 kg body weight (BW) using metabolic cages and open circuit respiration chambers. A total of 56 measurements were performed. The sensitivity analysis showed that only the maintenance component was sensitive to the prior specification, and hence the maintenance estimate of 0·91 MJ ME/kg0·60per day (0·95 credible interval (CrI): 0·78–1·09) should be interpreted with caution. It was shown that boars’ ability to deposit protein was superior to that of barrows and gilts, as these had an estimated maximum PD (PDmax) of 250 g/day (0·95 CrI: 237–263), whereas the barrows and gilts had a PDmaxof 210 g/day (0·95 CrI: 198–220). Furthermore, boars reached PDmaxat 109 kg BW (0·95 CrI: 93·6–130), whereas barrows and gilts maximized PD at 81·7 kg BW (0·95 CrI: 75·6–89·5). At 25 kg BW, the boars partitioned on average 5–6% more of the ME above maintenance into PD than barrows and gilts, and this was progressively increased to 10–11% more than barrows and gilts at 150 kg BW. The Bayesian modelling framework can be used to further refine the analysis of data from metabolic studies in growing pigs.
The associations of management and demographic factors with technical, allocative and economic efficiency of Irish dairy farms
Authors: KELLY E. , SHALLOO L. , GEARY U. , KINSELLA A. , THORNE F. , WALLACE M.
Published: April 2012

The phasing out of the European Union (EU) milk quota will create opportunities for producers to expand without the constraint of quota which has limited expansion since 1984. Therefore, it will be necessary for Irish dairy producers to become more competitive by increasing performance using the least amount of inputs per unit of output and maximizing the level of technical and economic efficiency. The objectives of the current study were to measure technical, allocative and economic efficiency, and to investigate the associations of key management, qualitative and demographic characteristics on efficiency. Efficiency scores were calculated using the non-parametric methodology data envelopment analysis (DEA). The DEA results showed that on average the sample of Irish dairy producers were not fully efficient in 2008 with technical, allocative and economic efficiency results under variable returns to scale (VRS) of 0·771, 0·740 and 0·571, respectively. In a second stage analysis, Tobit regressions were used to determine the associations of key variables with the technical, allocative and economic efficiency scores. The efficiency scores were included as dependent variables and the key independent variables were a variety of management and demographic variables. Mean calving date, number of grazing days, breeding season length, milk quality, discussion group membership and soil quality were all associated with technical and economic efficiency. Milk recording, use of artificial insemination (AI) and level of dairy specialization were associated with allocative and economic efficiency only. Age and age squared were the only significant demographic associations with the efficiency scores.
Re-conceptualising Approaches to Meeting the Health Needs of Homeless People
Authors: ANDERSON ISOBEL , YTREHUS SIRI
Published: April 2012

The experience of homelessness not only affects physical health, but can also constrain access to required health care. In a number of European countries, national strategies to tackle homelessness have sought to deliver integrated solutions across housing, health and other social policy areas. This article examines approaches to meeting the health care needs of homeless people in relation to such strategies, drawing upon recent research in Norway and Scotland. The article presents a comparative analysis of approaches to service provision in relation to welfare models and the concepts of universal and specialist provision. The analysis suggests a cross-national shift in the conceptualisation of appropriate responses to the health care needs of those who experience homelessness. The provision of some specialist health services, while reflecting a selective model of welfare, need not be solely interpreted as conflicting with a more universal model of ensuring access to mainstream services. Rather, the challenge is to recognise the need for a process approach which supports an effective transition from the (sometimes necessary) use of specialist services for this group, towards (the ideal of) full integration into mainstream health care.
Time-course of antibody responses againstCoxiella burnetiifollowing acute Q fever
Authors: TEUNIS P. F. M. , SCHIMMER B. , NOTERMANS D. W. , LEENDERS A. C. A. P. , WEVER P. C. , KRETZSCHMAR M. E. E. , SCHNEEBERGER P. M.
Published: April 2012

Large outbreaks of Q fever in The Netherlands have provided a unique opportunity for studying longitudinal serum antibody responses in patients. Results are presented of a cohort of 344 patients with acute symptoms of Q fever with three or more serum samples per patient. In all these serum samples IgM and IgG against phase 1 and 2Coxiella burnetiiwere measured by an immunofluorescence assay. A mathematical model of the dynamic interaction of serum antibodies and pathogens was used in a mixed model framework to quantitatively analyse responses toC. burnetiiinfection. Responses show strong heterogeneity, with individual serum antibody responses widely different in magnitude and shape. Features of the response, peak titre and decay rate, are used to characterize the diversity of the observed responses. Binary mixture analysis of IgG peak levels (phases 1 and 2) reveals a class of patients with high IgG peak titres that decay slowly and may represent potential chronic cases. When combining the results of mixture analysis into an odds score, it is concluded that not only high IgG phase 1 may be predictive for chronic Q fever, but also that high IgG phase 2 may aid in detecting such putative chronic cases.
Comparison of pre-emptive and reactive strategies to control an incursion of bluetongue virus serotype 1 to Great Britain by vaccination
Authors: SUMNER T. , BURGIN L. , GLOSTER J. , GUBBINS S.
Published: April 2012

Bluetongue (BT) is a disease of ruminants caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), which is spread between its hosts by Culicoides midges. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect susceptible animals against BTV and was used reactively to control the recent northern European outbreak. To assess the consequences of using vaccination pre-emptively we used a stochastic, spatially explicit model to compare reactive and pre-emptive vaccination strategies against an incursion of BTV serotype 1 (BTV-1) into Great Britain. Both pre-emptive and reactive vaccination significantly reduced the number of affected farms and limited host morbidity and mortality. In addition, vaccinating prior to the introduction of disease reduced the probability of an outbreak occurring. Of the strategies simulated, widespread reactive vaccination resulted in the lowest levels of morbidity. The predicted effects of vaccination were found to be sensitive to vaccine efficacy but not to the choice of transmission kernel.
An outbreak of post-partum breast abscesses in Mumbai, India caused by ST22-MRSA-IV: genetic characteristics and epidemiological implications
Authors: MANOHARAN A. , ZHANG L. , POOJARY A. , BHANDARKAR L. , KOPPIKAR G. , ROBINSON D. A.
Published: April 2012

A cluster of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) breast abscesses in women who had given birth at a hospital in Mumbai, India was investigated retrospectively. Nineteen of 20 cases were caused by a single clone: pvl-positive, spa type 648 (Ridom t852), ccrB:dru subtype 3:0, ST22-MRSA-IV. Despite the presence of pvl and SCCmec type IV, which are common genetic markers in community-associated MRSA, this outbreak was caused by a healthcare-associated, community-onset MRSA that was common in the hospital environment. Thus, infection control practices may have an important role in limiting the spread of this virulent clone.
Balloon atrial septostomy performed “out-of-hours”: effects on the outcome
Authors: Vimalesvaran Sunitha , Ayis Salma , Krasemann Thomas
Published: April 2012

Background

Balloon atrial septostomy is a common palliative procedure in neonates with cyanotic congenital heart disease with restricted interatrial blood flow. Despite its advantages, balloon atrial septostomy is not a risk-free procedure and can be associated with numerous complications. The objective of this study is to determine whether the performance of this procedure out-of-hours has a significant impact on the incidence of adverse outcome measures.

Methods and Results

A total of 106 neonates who underwent balloon atrial septostomy between 2004 and 2010 were studied retrospectively. In all, 64 infants had the procedure performed within routine hours (9 am to 6 pm), whereas 42 neonates underwent the procedure out-of-hours (6:01 pm to 8:59 am). Procedure-related complications occurred in 32 infants (30.2%), which included 12 out of 64 (18.8%) infants in the routine-hours group and 20 out of 42 (47.6%) in the out-of-hours group. During further follow-up after surgery and including both major and minor adverse events, seven more infants (10.9%) suffered complications after balloon atrial septostomy in the routine-hours group and four more infants (9.5%) suffered complications in the out-of-hours group. This totalled the complication rate in the routine-hours group to 19 infants (29.7%) and 24 infants (57.1%) in the out-of-hours group (p = 0.001). A higher overall mortality rate was also noted in the out-of-hours group.

Conclusions

Balloon atrial septostomy performed out-of-hours produced higher complication rates as opposed to balloon atrial septostomy performed during routine hours. Only essential cases should be undertaken at night, and all other cases should be deferred to the daytime to limit unnecessary adverse complication.
INCOME INEQUALITY, MOBILITY, AND THE WELFARE STATE: A POLITICAL ECONOMY MODEL
Authors: Bossi Luca , Gumus Gulcin
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we set up a three-period stochastic overlapping-generations model to analyze the implications of income inequality and mobility for demand for redistribution and social insurance. We model the size of two different public programs under the welfare state. We investigate bidimensional voting on the tax rates that determine the allocation of government revenues among transfer payments and old-age pensions. We show that the coalitions formed, the resulting political equilibria, and the demand for redistribution crucially depend on the level of income inequality and mobility.
Iodine status and fish intake of Sudanese schoolchildren living in the Red Sea and White Nile regions
Authors: Hussein Izzeldin S , Min Yoeju , Ghebremeskel Kebreab , Gaffar Abdelrahim M
Published: April 2012

Objective

To investigate iodine status and fish consumption of schoolchildren living in the Red Sea and White Nile regions of Sudan.

Design

Cross-sectional study to determine urinary iodine concentration, visible goitre rate, iodine content of salt and fish consumption.

Setting

Port Sudan (Red Sea) and Jabal Awliya (White Nile), Sudan.

Subjects

Two hundred eighty (n280) children aged 6–12 years (142 boys, 138 girls).

Results

The median urinary iodine concentration in children from Port Sudan and Jabal Awliya was 553 and 160 μg/l, respectively. Goitre was detected in 17·1 % of children from Port Sudan but only in 1·4 % from Jabal Awliya, The salt samples from Port Sudan contained 150–360 mg iodine (KOI3)/kg salt, whereas those from Jabal Awliya had levels below the detection limit. Despite consuming salt devoid of iodine, children from Jabal Awliya had optimal iodine status. It is plausible that consumption of Nile fish from Jabal Awliya Reservoir, which is a good source of iodine and favoured by the locals, might have provided sufficient iodine. In contrast, children from Port Sudan were at higher risk of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism resulting from consumption of excessively iodised salt.

Conclusions

The findings of the study clearly demonstrated that (i) Sudan still has a problem with iodine nutrition and quality control and monitoring of salt iodisation and (ii) including fish in the diet could provide a sufficient amount of iodine for schoolchildren.
A comparison of the cost of generic and branded food products in Australian supermarkets
Authors: Chapman Kathryn , Innes-Hughes Christine , Goldsbury David , Kelly Bridget , Bauman Adrian , Allman-Farinelli Margaret
Published: April 2012

Objective

Food cost is an important factor influencing the consumption of nutritious foods and subsequent chronic disease risk. The present study compared the cost of branded food products with their generic equivalents across a range of food categories.

Setting

The survey was conducted within two major supermarket chains across six locations in Sydney, Australia (n12).

Design

Price differences were calculated for ‘core’ (nutrient dense and low in energy) and ‘extra’ (high in undesirable nutrients and/or energy) packaged foods (n22) between generic and branded items.

Results

A cost saving of 44 % was found by purchasing generic over branded products across all food categories. The most significant savings were for core foods, such as bread and cereals, and the smallest cost savings were seen for fruit products. There was little variation in cost saving between branded and generic products by socio-economic status of the supermarket location.

Conclusions

The large price differential between branded and generic food products implies that consumers, particularly those on lower incomes, could benefit financially from purchasing generic items. The promotion of core generic products may be an effective strategy to assist people on lower incomes to meet dietary guidelines.
Fruit and vegetable intake: issues with definition and measurement
Authors: Roark Randall A , Niederhauser Victoria P
Published: April 2012

Accurate determination of fruit and vegetable consumption is essential for research that seeks to determine current fruit and vegetable intake patterns, what type and amount of fruit and vegetable consumption is optimal for human health and for evaluating interventions developed to increase such consumption. However, there are many issues that make accurate determination of fruit and vegetable consumption quite difficult. There are many methods used to measure fruit and vegetable intake, but all have limitations. Also, what foods individuals consider to be or to not be fruits or vegetables appear to be quite variable, with such variability often associated with the individual's racial/ethnic background. Researchers and governmental agencies vary with respect to what foods they include and do not include when calculating fruit and vegetable intake. These differences make it difficult to conduct, evaluate and compare studies in this area. The current paper reviews some of the major issues with measuring and determining fruit and vegetable intake.
The fiscal burden of the legacy of the civil service pension systems in northern Cyprus
Authors: ALTIOK HASAN U. , JENKINS GLENN P.
Published: April 2012

This paper estimates the fiscal burden of the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) civil service pension systems that were closed in 2008 to new members in North Cyprus. Estimates are made of the difference between the present values of future contributions and the future pension benefits. The future pension benefits are those received by the individuals covered through these plans for the period from 2009 to the death of the last member in the system. The estimated unfunded cost of these historical civil service pension plans is 7.3 billion euros or 276% of GDP.
In a Different Parliamentary Voice?
Authors: Bicquelet Aude , Weale Albert , Bara Judith
Published: April 2012

One question at the heart of the analysis of gender and politics is whether women and men act and speak in different ways to significant political effect. In terms of political representation, this issue is particularly important. Arguments for increasing the number of women representatives in parliament, for example, are not about an abstract numerical parity, but rest on a claim about the distinctive voice and experience that women bring to political debate and decisions. For some, the difference turns on the view that women bring a more empathetic and less adversarial style to politics. A number of feminist scholars have suggested that the quality of deliberation is correlated with the presence of women in a group—for Mansbridge (1996, 123), for example, the process of persuasion is related to a consultative and participatory style that seems to characterize women more than men. For others, arguments for increasing the number of women representatives in parliament turn on a difference of values. Such views were particularly widespread in the 1980s, when psychological and social theories of gender differences claimed to have found evidence of parallel but different moral reasoning in women and men (Gilligan 1982; Ruddick 1989; Tronto 1993). Gilligan (1982, 57), among others, advanced in her seminal work, In a Different Voice, that female politicians are more likely to espouse an “ethic of care” concerned with responsibility and interpersonal relationships, while men are, by contrast, prone to embrace an “ethic of justice.”
Regulation of Abortion as State-Socialist Governmentality: The Case of Czechoslovakia
Authors: Dudova Radka
Published: April 2012

In the countries of the former Eastern bloc (and the USSR), abortion politics followed a different historical path than in Western Europe. In Czechoslovakia, abortion was made legal relatively early on, almost as soon as the social and political turmoil that followed World War II and the communist coup in 1948 had settled. Unlike in Western Europe, however, it was not legalized in response to pressure from civil society or the feminist movement. It was a bureaucratic decision made in relation to specific macrosocial and political circumstances. The Czechoslovak Act on Artificial Termination of Pregnancy in 1957 made abortion legal on certain conditions. Special commissions were established and endowed with the authority to decide whether to grant women permission for abortion on demand. The decision to terminate an unwanted pregnancy was thus not placed directly in the hands of women.
Atmosphere‐ionosphere conductivity enhancements during a hard solar energetic particle event
Authors: Kokorowski M. , Seppälä A. , Sample J. G. , Holzworth R. H. , McCarthy M. P. , Bering E. A. , Turunen E.
Published: April 2012

On 20 January 2005, a solar energetic particle (SEP) event caused the largest recorded solar proton ground level event since 1956. Serendipitously, a balloon‐borne experiment intended to measure effects of relativistic electron precipitation was aloft over Antarctica (∼32 km; near 70°S, 345°E geographic) throughout the duration of the SEP event, including the fast (∼6 min) onset. The balloon instrumentation included dc electric field and scalar electrical conductivity sensors. The observed conductivity increased by nearly a factor of 20 above ambient with the SEP event onset and returned to within a factor of two above normal levels within 17 h. Results from a newly developed, globally applicable atmosphere–ionosphere conductivity model based on the Sodankylä Ion and Neutral Chemistry (SIC) model suggest that proton‐induced ionization was directly responsible for the observed conductivity increase at the balloon. Model input for this event included estimates of ionization from energetic particle precipitation and rigidity cutoffs. Altitudes between 20 and 150 km were considered during model runs. The results show a maximum conductivity increase near 60 km of more than 600‐fold directly after SEP event onset. Relatively small conductivity enhancements (two‐ to fivefold) are suggested to have occurred above 70 km as a result of SEP ionization, while almost no enhancement is thought to have occurred above 95 km. These results quantify the real effect that an SEP‐event can have on atmosphere–ionosphere electrical conductivity on a large, nearly global scale and provide a detailed comparison to one of the few direct stratospheric conductivity observations made during an SEP event.
TWP‐ICE global atmospheric model intercomparison: Convection responsiveness and resolution impact
Authors: Lin Yanluan , Donner L. J. , Petch J. , Bechtold P. , Boyle J. , Klein S. A. , Komori T. , Wapler K. , Willett M. , Xie X. , Zhao M. , Xie S. , McFarlane S. A. , Schumacher C.
Published: April 2012

Results are presented from an intercomparison of atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations of tropical convection during the Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment (TWP‐ICE). The distinct cloud properties, precipitation, radiation, and vertical diabatic heating profiles associated with three different monsoon regimes (wet, dry, and break) from available observations are used to evaluate 9 AGCM forecasts initialized daily from realistic global analyses. All models captured well the evolution of large‐scale circulation and thermodynamic fields, but cloud properties differed substantially among models. Compared with the relatively well simulated top‐heavy heating structures during the wet and break period, most models had difficulty in depicting the bottom‐heavy heating profiles associated with cumulus congestus during the dry period. The best performing models during this period were the ones whose convection scheme was most responsive to the free tropospheric humidity. Compared with the large impact of cloud and convective parameterizations on model cloud and precipitation characteristics, resolution has relatively minor impact on simulated cloud properties. However, one feature that was influenced by resolution in several models was the diurnal cycle of precipitation. Peaking at a different time from convective precipitation, large‐scale precipitation generally increases in high resolution forecasts and modulates the total precipitation diurnal cycle. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for convection parameterizations that are more responsive to environmental conditions as well as the substantial diversity among large‐scale cloud and precipitation schemes in current AGCMs. This experiment has demonstrated itself to be a very useful test bed for those developing cloud and convection schemes for AGCMs.
Toward a robust retrieval of snow accumulation over the Antarctic ice sheet using satellite radar
Authors: Dierking W. , Linow S. , Rack W.
Published: April 2012

The sensitivity of radar measurements to snow accumulation rate is determined by the firn volume characteristics of the ice sheets. Here we present a new approach for calculating the volume backscattering of dry firn, which is combined with recently developed empirical parameterizations of firn grain size and density as functions of depth, surface temperature, and accumulation rate. To this end, dense medium radiative transfer theory is applied to calculate the volume scattering and absorption coefficients. The coefficients for the density transition between snow and dense firn are evaluated using polynomial interpolation. For testing the method, we used measured accumulation rates, Envisat ASAR C‐band wide‐swath mode images, and QuikSCAT Ku‐band backscattering data from Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. The comparison between measured and simulated backscattering coefficients shows that no tuning parameter is necessary to obtain the correct absolute level of scattering intensity. The robustness of accumulation rate retrievals depends on the consideration of technical and environmental factors. Due to the presence of sastrugi on the ice sheet surface the measured intensities are sensitive to the radar look direction. Wind compaction of snow and depth hoar formation change the depth‐dependent snow density and grain size profiles. Theoretical simulations revealed that the backscattering coefficient at C‐band is more sensitive to changes of accumulation rates than at Ku‐band. Penetration depths can vary significantly, dependent on radar frequency and firn characteristics. This has to be taken into account when comparing accumulation rates from different locations.
Measurement reduction for mutual coupling calibration in DOA estimation
Authors: Aksoy Taylan , Tuncer T. Engin
Published: April 2012

Mutual coupling is an important source of error in antenna arrays that should be compensated for super resolution direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) algorithms, such as Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm. A crucial step in array calibration is the determination of the mutual coupling coefficients for the antenna array. In this paper, a system theoretic approach is presented for the mutual coupling characterization of antenna arrays. The comprehension and implementation of this approach is simple leading to further advantages in calibration measurement reduction. In this context, a measurement reduction method for antenna arrays with omni‐directional and identical elements is proposed which is based on the symmetry planes in the array geometry. The proposed method significantly decreases the number of measurements during the calibration process. This method is evaluated using different array types whose responses and the mutual coupling characteristics are obtained through numerical electromagnetic simulations. It is shown that a single calibration measurement is sufficient for uniform circular arrays. Certain important and interesting characteristics observed during the experiments are outlined.
Map of Jupiter's moon Io
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: April 2012

Map of Jupiter's moon Io The first global geologic map of the Jovian satellite Io has been published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the agency announced on 19 March. “More than 130 years after the USGS first began producing quality geologic maps here on Earth, it is exciting to have the reach of our science extend across 400 million miles to this volcanically active moon of Jupiter,” said USGS director Marcia McNutt. “Somehow it makes the vast expanse of space seem less forbidding to know that similar geologic processes which have shaped our planet are active elsewhere.” The map illustrates the geologic character of the unique and active volcanoes on Io, a planetary body that has about 25 times more volcanic activity than Earth does, according to USGS.
Support for marine microbial ecology research
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: April 2012

Support for marine microbial ecology research A new research competition will provide support to innovative scientists in marine microbial ecology and related fields, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced on 30 March. The foundation's Investigators in Marine Microbiology program will select 10–15 current and emerging leaders based on their potential to conduct cutting‐edge research on the principles that govern microbially mediated nutrient flow and the interactions among marine microbes in ocean ecosystems. The foundation will invest a total of $25 million in the new investigator program over the next 5 years. The competition is open to researchers around the world at varying stages of their careers who represent a variety of scientific backgrounds, including microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, evolutionary biology, and bioinformatics.
Improved proxy record of past warm climates needed
Authors: Langebroek Petra , Bradshaw Catherine , Yanchilina Anastasia , Caballero‐Gill Rocio , Pew Caroline , Armour Kyle , Lee Shih‐Yu , Jansson Ida‐Maria
Published: April 2012

Before the end of the present century, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is projected to reach the high levels last seen in past warm periods such as the Eocene (˜40 million years ago) [Beerling and Royer, 2011]. Climate reconstructions from sediment cores (“proxy data”) and paleoclimate modeling studies show that such higher CO2 periods are characterized by warmer temperatures, smaller ice sheets, and higher sea level than today. The proxy record of past warm climates is thus fundamental in guiding scientists' understanding of future climate changes. However, we believe that currently available data sets are not yet adequate for this task.
Kelley receives 2011 Hisashi Kuno Award: Response
Authors: Kelley Katherine A.
Published: April 2012

Katherine Kelley received the Hisashi Kuno Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “accomplishments of junior scientists who make outstanding contributions to the fields of volcanology, geochemistry, and petrology.”
Effect of vegetation die‐off on tidal marshland tested
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: April 2012

Consisting of densely vegetated platforms raised slightly above sea level, and interwoven by channels of water meandering inland from the coast, tidal marshlands help buffer against strong storm surges, protect against flooding, limit coastal erosion, and provide a valuable habitat for a vast array of coastal species. Continued global climate change, however, has researchers worried about the stability of coastal marshlands in light of rising temperatures and sea levels and a declining ocean pH. Of particular concern over shorter time scales are the potential consequences for marsh dynamics should there be a mass die‐off of marshland vegetation. Investigations of the effects of mass vegetative death on marshland behavior have been conducted almost exclusively using computer simulations, but Temmerman et al. sought to bolster this previous research with empirical evidence.
Model investigation overthrows assumptions of watershed research
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: April 2012

A 2009 study revealed serious flaws in a standard technique used by hydrological researchers to understand how changes in watershed land use affect stream flow behaviors, such as peak flows. The study caused academics and government agencies alike to rethink decades of watershed research and prompted Kuraś et al. to reinvestigate a number of long‐standing assumptions in watershed research using a complex and well‐validated computer model that accounts for a range of internal watershed dynamics and hydrologic processes. For the test site at 241 Creek in British Columbia, Canada, the authors found not only that deforestation increased the severity of floods but also that it had a scaling influence on both the magnitudes and frequencies of the floods. The model showed that the larger the flood, the more its magnitude was amplified by deforestation, with 10‐to 100‐year‐return‐period floods increasing in size by 9%–25%. Following a simulated removal of half of the watershed's trees, the authors found that 10‐year‐return‐period floods occurred twice as often, while 100‐year‐return‐period events became 5–6.7 times more frequent. This proportional relationship between the increase in flood magnitudes and frequencies following deforestation and the size of the flood runs counter to the prevailing wisdom in hydrological science.
Mantle hotspot neon in basalts from the Northwest Lau Back‐arc Basin
Authors: Lupton J. E. , Arculus R. J. , Evans L. J. , Graham D. W.
Published: April 2012

The neon isotope compositions of basalts from the Northwest Lau Back‐arc Basin reflect three‐component mixing between an ocean island basalt (OIB) mantle hotspot component, mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) mantle, and atmosphere. Our study confirms that a mantle hotspot signature is present in the neon isotopes of both the Rochambeau Rifts and the Northwest Lau Spreading Center (NWLSC), just as it is in the helium isotopes. Furthermore, the Ne isotope signature in the Rochambeau Rifts lava having the highest3He/4He ratio (28 Ra) most closely resembles that observed previously in the highest 3He/4He lavas from Samoa. The coupled He–Ne isotope systematics are further evidence for incursion into this region of material derived from the Samoan mantle plume.
Noninvasive MRI Measurement of CBF: Evaluating An Arterial Spin Labelling Sequence with 99mTc-HMPAO CBF Autoradiography in a Rat Stroke Model
Authors: Baskerville Tracey A , McCabe Christopher , Weir Christopher J , Macrae I Mhairi , Holmes William M
Published: April 2012

Arterial spin labelling (ASL) is increasingly available for noninvasive cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement in stroke research. Here, a pseudo-continuous ASL technique (pCASL) was evaluated against 99mTc-D, L-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) autoradiography in a rat stroke model. The 99mTc-HMPAO was injected (intravenously, 225 MBq) during pCASL acquisition. The pCASL and 99mTc-HMPAO autoradiography CBF measures, relative to the contralateral hemisphere, were in good agreement across the spectrum of flow values in normal and ischemic tissues. The pCASL-derived quantitative regional CBF values (contralateral: 157 to 177 mL/100 g per minute; ipsilateral: 9 to 104 mL/100 g per minute) were consistent with the literature values. The data show the potential utility of pCASL for CBF assessment in a rat stroke model.
Measurement of 5-HT1A Receptor Density and in-vivo Binding Parameters of [18F]mefway in the Nonhuman Primate
Authors: Wooten Dustin W , Hillmer Ansel T , Moirano Jeffrey M , Ahlers Elizabeth O , Slesarev Maxim , Barnhart Todd E , Mukherjee Jogeshwar , Schneider Mary L , Christian Bradley T
Published: April 2012

The goal of this work was to characterize the in-vivo behavior of [18F]mefway as a suitable positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for the assay of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptor density ( Bmax). Six rhesus monkeys were studied using a multiple-injection (M-I) protocol consisting of three sequential bolus injections of [18F]mefway. Injection times and amounts of unlabeled mefway were optimized for the precise measurement of Bmax and specific binding parameters koff and kon for estimation of apparent KD. The PET time series were acquired for 180 minutes with arterial sampling performed throughout. Compartmental analysis using the arterial input function was performed to obtain estimates for K1, k2, koff, Bmax, and KDapp in the cerebral cortex and raphe nuclei (RN) using a model that accounted for nontracer doses of mefway. Averaged over subjects, highest binding was seen in the mesial temporal and dorsal anterior cingulate cortices with Bmax values of 42±8 and 36±8 pmol/mL, respectively, and lower values in the superior temporal cortex, RN, and parietal cortex of 24±4, 19±4, and 13±2 pmol/mL, respectively. The KDapp of mefway for the 5-HT1A receptor sites was 4.3±1.3 nmol/L. In conclusion, these results show that M-I [18F]mefway PET experiments can be used for the in-vivo measurement of 5-HT1A receptor density.
Deletion of Astroglial Connexins Weakens the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Ezan Pascal , André Pascal , Cisternino Salvatore , Saubaméa Bruno , Boulay Anne-Cécile , Doutremer Suzette , Thomas Marie-Annick , Quenech'du Nicole , Giaume Christian , Cohen-Salmon Martine
Published: April 2012

Astrocytes, the most prominent glial cell type in the brain, send specialized processes named endfeet, which enwrap blood vessels and express a large molecular repertoire dedicated to the physiology of the vascular system. One of the most striking properties of astrocyte endfeet is their enrichment in gap junction protein connexins 43 and 30 (Cx43 and Cx30) allowing for direct intercellular trafficking of ions and small signaling molecules through perivascular astroglial networks. The contribution of astroglial connexins to the physiology of the brain vascular system has never been addressed. Here, we show that Cx43 and Cx30 expression at the level of perivascular endfeet starts from postnatal days 2 and 12 and is fully mature at postnatal days 15 and 20, respectively, indicating that astroglial perivascular connectivity occurs and develops during postnatal blood–brain barrier (BBB) maturation. We demonstrate that mice lacking Cx30 and Cx43 in GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein)-positive cells display astrocyte endfeet edema and a partial loss of the astroglial water channel aquaporin-4 and β-dystroglycan, a transmembrane receptor anchoring astrocyte endfeet to the perivascular basal lamina. Furthermore, the absence of astroglial connexins weakens the BBB, which opens upon increased hydrostatic vascular pressure and shear stress. These results demonstrate that astroglial connexins are necessary to maintain BBB integrity.