bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explosive Cyclogenesis: A Global Climatology Comparing Multiple Reanalyses
Authors: Allen John T. , Pezza Alexandre B. , Black Mitchell T.
Published: September 2010

A global climatology for rapid cyclone intensification has been produced from the second NCEP reanalysis (NCEP2), the 25-yr Japanese Reanalysis (JRA-25), and the ECMWF reanalyses over the period 1979–2008. An improved (combined) criterion for identifying explosive cyclones has been developed based on preexisting definitions, offering a more balanced, normalized climatological distribution. The combined definition was found to significantly alter the population of explosive cyclones, with a reduction in “artificial” systems, which are found to compose 20% of the population determined by earlier definitions. Seasonally, winter was found to be the dominant formative period in both hemispheres, with a lower degree of interseasonal variability in the Southern Hemisphere (SH). Considered over the period 1979–2008, little change is observed in the frequency of systems outside of natural interannual variability in either hemisphere. Significant statistical differences have been found between reanalyses in the SH, while in contrast the Northern Hemisphere (NH) was characterized by strong positive correlations between reanalyses in almost all examined cases. Spatially, explosive cyclones are distributed into several distinct regions, with two regions in the northwest Pacific and the North Atlantic in the NH and three main regions in the SH. High-resolution and modern reanalysis data were also found to increase the climatology population of rapidly intensifying systems. This indicates that the reanalyses have apparently undergone increasing improvements in consistency over time, particularly in the SH.
A Multimodel Study of Parametric Uncertainty in Predictions of Climate Response to Rising Greenhouse Gas Concentrations
Authors: Sanderson Benjamin M.
Published: September 2010

One tool for studying uncertainties in simulations of future climate is to consider ensembles of general circulation models where parameterizations have been sampled within their physical range of plausibility. This study is about simulations from two such ensembles: a subset of the climateprediction.net ensemble using the Met Office Hadley Centre Atmosphere Model, version 3.0 and the new “CAMcube” ensemble using the Community Atmosphere Model, version 3.5. The study determines that the distribution of climate sensitivity in the two ensembles is very different: the climateprediction.net ensemble subset range is 1.7–9.9 K, while the CAMcube ensemble range is 2.2–3.2 K. On a regional level, however, both ensembles show a similarly diverse range in their mean climatology. Model radiative flux changes suggest that the major difference between the ranges of climate sensitivity in the two ensembles lies in their clear-sky longwave responses. Large clear-sky feedbacks present only in the climateprediction.net ensemble are found to be proportional to significant biases in upper-tropospheric water vapor concentrations, which are not observed in the CAMcube ensemble. Both ensembles have a similar range of shortwave cloud feedback, making it unlikely that they are causing the larger climate sensitivities in climateprediction.net. In both cases, increased negative shortwave cloud feedbacks at high latitudes are generally compensated by increased positive feedbacks at lower latitudes.
Mechanisms of Northward-Propagating Intraseasonal Oscillation—A Comparison between the Indian Ocean and the Western North Pacific
Authors: Chou Chia , Hsueh Yu-Chien
Published: September 2010

Mechanisms of northward-propagating intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) over the Indian Ocean (IO) and the western North Pacific (WNP) are examined for the possibility of their existence in observations. They include the following: 1) the vorticity advection effect, which is associated with the advection of anomalous baroclinic vorticity by mean baroclinic meridional winds; 2) the vertical wind shear effect, which is the vertical advection associated with the meridional gradient of baroclinic divergence and mean easterly vertical wind shear; 3) the moisture advection effect induced by mean flow; and 4) the air–sea interaction via surface latent heat flux. Because of differences in mean state, the influence of each mechanism on the northward-propagating ISOs is different between the IO and the WNP. The vorticity advection effect is consistently found over both the IO and the WNP, while the air–sea interaction has different impacts on the northward-propagating ISOs over the IO and the WNP. The vertical wind shear effect and the moisture advection effect are relatively important over the IO but not over the WNP. Processes to determine changes in SST are also different between the IO and the WNP. Over the IO, SST is mainly associated with surface solar radiation. Wind-stirring effects, surface latent heat flux, and subsurface water entrainment are secondary. Over the WNP, wind-stirring effects become important, but surface solar radiation is secondary.
Long-Term Water Prospects in the Western United States*
Authors: Broecker Wallace
Published: September 2010

Based on the changes in the size of closed basin lakes, the author shows that water availability has undergone large fluctuations in response to conditions experienced during full glacial time and during the period of deglaciation. Based on these observations, the author concludes that as the planet warms in response to the buildup of fossil fuel CO2, the distribution of available water will shift. The resulting changes will be particularly noticeable in the world’s drylands. In this paper, the author attempts to invert the response to cold glacial conditions and to interhemispheric temperature differences, which occurred during the interval of deglaciation, to predict how the hydrologic conditions in the western United States might evolve over the next half-century. The tentative conclusion on both scores is that this region will likely undergo a progressive drying. However, because both the glacial and deglacial hydrologic shifts were certainly influenced by the presence of excess ice, as well as by colder temperatures, the author admits that the validity of this inversion is subject to challenge.
Estimating Spatial Sampling Errors in Coarse-Scale Soil Moisture Estimates Derived from Point-Scale Observations
Authors: Miralles Diego G. , Crow Wade T. , Cosh Michael H.
Published: September 2010

The validation of satellite surface soil moisture products requires comparisons between point-scale ground observations and footprint-scale (>100 km2) retrievals. In regions containing a limited number of measurement sites per footprint, some of the observed difference between the retrievals and ground observations is attributable to spatial sampling error and not the intrinsic error of the satellite retrievals themselves. Here, a triple collocation (TC) approach is applied to footprint-scale soil moisture products acquired from passive microwave remote sensing, land surface modeling, and a single ground-based station with the goal of the estimating (and correcting for) spatial sampling error in footprint-scale soil moisture estimates derived from the ground station. Using these three soil moisture products, the TC approach is shown to estimate point-to-footprint soil moisture sampling errors to within 0.0059 m3 m−3 and enhance the ability to validate satellite footprint-scale soil moisture products using existing low-density ground networks.
Wave Breaking in Directional Fields
Authors: Babanin A. V. , Waseda T. , Kinoshita T. , Toffoli A.
Published: September 2010

Wave breaking is observed in a laboratory experiment with waves of realistic average steepness and directional spread. It is shown that a modulational-instability mechanism is active in such circumstances and can lead to the breaking.

Experiments were conducted in the directional wave tank of the University of Tokyo, and the mechanically generated wave fields consisted of a primary wave with sidebands in the frequency domain, with continuous directional distribution in the angular domain. Initial steepness of the primary wave and sidebands, as well as the width of directional distributions varied in a broad range to determine the combination of steepness/directional-spread properties that separates modulational-instability breaking from the linear-focusing breaking.
Coastal Aerosol Profiling with a Camera Lidar and Nephelometer
Authors: Sharma N. C. Parikh , Barnes John E. , Kaplan Trevor B. , Clarke Antony D.
Published: September 2010

A bistatic lidar configuration of a wide-angle camera (100°) and vertically pointed laser (532 nm) was used to profile aerosols at a coastal site. Aerosol profiles were measured on two evenings from the surface through the boundary layer. The site, on the eastern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii, is influenced by both marine boundary layer aerosols and breaking waves. Two nephelometers, located at 7 and 25 m above sea level, were compared directly with the 0.5-m-altitude resolution of the camera lidar (clidar). At 7 m, changes in aerosol were tracked quite well by the clidar. At 25 m the aerosol was fairly constant and a useful comparison could only be made with averaged values. The clidar results showed a steep gradient (decreasing with altitude) in the aerosol extinction from 7 to about 35 m. The gradient continued to 200 m at a lower rate. This demonstrated the use of the clidar in characterizing the environment for the in situ aerosol sampling. Both a measured and a NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET)-derived aerosol phase function, representing similar marine conditions but from different locations, were used to convert the single-angle clidar scatter to extinction. The measured function gave the best fit to the near-surface nephelometer data. The extinction/backscatter ratio, derived by comparing the NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth to the integrated clidar profile, was higher than the long-term average value from the AERONET aerosol phase function.
What Constrains Spread Growth in Forecasts Initialized from Ensemble Kalman Filters?
Authors: Hamill Thomas M. , Whitaker Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2010

The spread of an ensemble of weather predictions initialized from an ensemble Kalman filter may grow slowly relative to other methods for initializing ensemble predictions, degrading its skill. Several possible causes of the slow spread growth were evaluated in perfect- and imperfect-model experiments with a two-layer primitive equation spectral model of the atmosphere. The causes examined were the covariance localization, the additive noise used to stabilize the assimilation method and parameterize the system error, and the model error itself. In these experiments, the flow-independent additive noise was the biggest factor in constraining spread growth. Preevolving additive noise perturbations were tested as a way to make the additive noise more flow dependent. This modestly improved the data assimilation and ensemble predictions, both in the two-layer model results and in a brief test of the assimilation of real observations into a global multilevel spectral primitive equation model. More generally, these results suggest that methods for treating model error in ensemble Kalman filters that greatly reduce the flow dependency of the background-error covariances may increase the filter analysis error and decrease the rate of forecast spread growth.
Development of a Coupled Groundwater–Atmosphere Model
Authors: Maxwell Reed M. , Lundquist Julie K. , Mirocha Jeffrey D. , Smith Steven G. , Woodward Carol S. , Tompson Andrew F. B.
Published: September 2010

Complete models of the hydrologic cycle have gained recent attention as research has shown interdependence between the coupled land and energy balance of the subsurface, land surface, and lower atmosphere. PF.WRF is a new model that is a combination of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) atmospheric model and a parallel hydrology model (ParFlow) that fully integrates three-dimensional, variably saturated subsurface flow with overland flow. These models are coupled in an explicit, operator-splitting manner via the Noah land surface model (LSM). Here, the coupled model formulation and equations are presented and a balance of water between the subsurface, land surface, and atmosphere is verified. The improvement in important physical processes afforded by the coupled model using a number of semi-idealized simulations over the Little Washita watershed in the southern Great Plains is demonstrated. These simulations are initialized with a set of offline spinups to achieve a balanced state of initial conditions. To quantify the significance of subsurface physics, compared with other physical processes calculated in WRF, these simulations are carried out with two different surface spinups and three different microphysics parameterizations in WRF. These simulations illustrate enhancements to coupled model physics for two applications: water resources and wind-energy forecasting. For the water resources example, it is demonstrated how PF.WRF simulates explicit rainfall and water storage within the basin and runoff. Then the hydrographs predicted by different microphysics schemes within WRF are compared. Because soil moisture is expected to impact boundary layer winds, the applicability of the model to wind-energy applications is demonstrated by using PF.WRF and WRF simulations to provide estimates of wind and wind shear that are useful indicators of wind-power output.
Three-Dimensional Characteristics of Stratospheric Mountain Waves during T-REX
Authors: Doyle James D. , Jiang Qingfang , Smith Ronald B. , Grubišić Vanda
Published: September 2010

Measurements from the National Science Foundation/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF/NCAR) Gulfstream V (G-V) obtained during the recent Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) indicate marked differences in the character of the wave response between repeated flight tracks across the Sierra Nevada, which were separated by a distance of approximately 50 km. Observations from several of the G-V research flights indicate that the vertical velocities in the primary wave exhibited variations up to a factor of 2 between the southern and northern portions of the racetrack flight segments in the lower stratosphere, with the largest amplitude waves most often occurring over the southern flight leg, which has a terrain maximum that is 800 m lower than the northern leg. Multiple racetracks at 11.7- and 13.1-km altitudes indicate that these differences were repeatable, which is suggestive that the deviations were likely due to vertically propagating mountain waves that varied systematically in amplitude rather than associated with transients. The cross-mountain horizontal velocity perturbations are also a maximum above the southern portion of the Sierra Nevada ridge.

Real data and idealized nonhydrostatic numerical model simulations are used to test the hypothesis that the observed variability in the wave amplitude and characteristics in the along-barrier direction is a consequence of blocking by the three-dimensional Sierra Nevada and the Coriolis effect. The numerical simulation results suggest that wave launching is sensitive to the overall three-dimensional characteristics of the Sierra Nevada barrier, which has an important impact on the wave amplitude and characteristics in the lower stratosphere. Real-time high-resolution Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) forecasts successfully capture the along-barrier variations in the wave amplitude (using vertical velocity as a proxy) as well as skillfully distinguishing between large- and small-amplitude stratospheric wave events during T-REX.
Improving the Prevention, Early Recognition, and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity by Primary Care Physicians
Authors: Young Paul C. , DeBry Sandra , Jackson W. Daniel , Metos Julie , Joy Elizabeth , Templeman Mark , Norlin Chuck
Published: September 2010

To determine if participation in a learning collaborative (LC) would improve care processes for prevention, early recognition, and treatment of childhood obesity by primary care physicians (PCP), the authors conducted pre-post evaluations of the use of obesity related care processes by 18 primary care practices following participation in a 9-month LC based on the Model for Improvement. Prior to the LC, chart audits revealed that 55% of patients had a BMI recorded; this rose to 97% of patients at its conclusion. Following the LC, 11 practices had implemented systematic prevention advice to parents of infants compared with 3 prior to the LC. All practices developed plans for evaluation and management of children with an elevated BMI. Participation in an LC increased the number of primary care practices that provided anticipatory guidance regarding obesity prevention and that identified and treated overweight or obese children.
Single Question in Delirium (SQiD): testing its efficacy against psychiatrist interview, the Confusion Assessment Method and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale
Authors: Sands MB , Dantoc BP , Hartshorn A. , Ryan CJ , Lujic S
Published: September 2010

In this study we address the research question; How sensitive is a single question in delirium case finding? Of 33 ‘target’ admissions, consent was obtained from 21 patients. The single question: ‘Do you think [name of patient] has been more confused lately?’ was put to friend or family. Results of the Single Question in Delirium (SQiD) were compared to psychiatrist interview (ΨI) which was the reference standard. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and two other tools were also applied. Compared with ΨI, the SQiD achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 80% (95% CI 28.3—99.49%) and 71% (41.90—91.61%) respectively. The CAM demonstrated a negative predictive value (NPV) of 80% (51.91—95.67%) and the SQiD showed a NPV of 91% (58.72—99.77%). Kappa correlation of SQiD with the ΨI was 0.431 (p = 0.023). The CAM had a kappa value of 0.37 (p = 0.050). A further important finding in our study was that the CAM had only 40% sensitivity in the hands of minimally trained clinical users. Conclusion: The SQiD demonstrates potential as a simple clinical tool worthy or further investigation.
Designing From Data: Rhetorical Appeals in Support of Design Decisions
Authors: Friess Erin
Published: September 2010

This case study investigates how a group of novice technical communicators used appeals to support their design decisions during group meetings. The results of this ethnographic study suggest that although these technical communicators were well acquainted with user-centered design (UCD) concepts and claimed to actively practice UCD, their appeals often did not reference data collected within user-centered research and instead referenced designer-centric appeals to support their claims. This group’s overall use of appeals to support their design decisions suggests that more empirical study into UCD theory and practice as well as students’ argumentation skills is warranted.
Analyzing the Genre Structure of Chinese Call-Center Communication
Authors: Xunfeng Xu  , Yan Wang  , Forey Gail , Lan Li
Published: September 2010

This study investigates the genre structure of Chinese call-center discourse based on data collected from the call centers of a telecommunication company in China. Using an integrated theoretical framework informed by approaches to genre from English for specific purposes, systemic functional linguistics, and social perspectives, the study focuses on an analysis of the recurrent situation and social practices, the communicative purposes, the move structure, the exchange structure, and the generic-structure potential of call-center communication. A corpus-based quantitative analysis further reveals the dynamic complexity of interaction at call centers. The study compares Chinese and English call-center interactions in order to illustrate universal language functions as well as institutional and cultural differences in this professional discourse. The findings may have implications for both academics and practitioners in the call-center industry.
Insight Into Evaluation Practice: A Content Analysis of Designs and Methods Used in Evaluation Studies Published in North American Evaluation-Focused Journals
Authors: Christie Christina A. , Fleischer Dreolin Nesbitt
Published: September 2010

To describe the recent practice of evaluation, specifically method and design choices, the authors performed a content analysis on 117 evaluation studies published in eight North American evaluation-focused journals for a 3-year period (2004—2006). The authors chose this time span because it follows the scientifically based research (SBR) movement, which prioritizes the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to study programs and policies. The purpose of this study was to determine the designs and data collection methods reportedly used in evaluation practice in light of federal guidelines enacted prior to 2004. Results show that, in contrast to the movement, nonexperimental designs dominate the field, that mixed-methods approaches just barely nudged out qualitative methods for most commonly used and that the majority of studies where statistical significance was reported indicated mixed significance.
Unpacking Black Boxes: Mechanisms and Theory Building in Evaluation
Authors: Astbury Brad , Leeuw Frans L.
Published: September 2010

There is growing interest in the concept of ‘‘mechanism’’ across many areas of the social sciences. In the field of program and policy evaluation, a number of scholars have also emphasized the importance of causal mechanisms for explaining how and why programs work. However, there appears to be some ambiguity about the meaning and uses of mechanism-based thinking in both the social science and evaluation literature. In this article we attempt to clarify what is meant by mechanisms in the context of program evaluation by identifying three main characteristics of mechanisms and outlining a possible typology of mechanisms. A number of theoretical and practical implications for evaluators are also discussed, along with some precautions to consider when investigating mechanisms that might plausibly account for program outcomes.
Eyes on the Prize: Multicultural Validity and Evaluation Theory
Authors: Kirkhart Karen E.
Published: September 2010

Examining evaluation theory in cultural context is an important component of evaluating theory; however, it is not the ultimate goal. The foundational element in good evaluation is validity, and appreciating the cultural location of evaluation theory is an important building block in the argument supporting multicultural validity. Multicultural validity requires congruence between theory and context. This article first addresses validity as the foundational aspiration of all evaluation, then moves to a succinct discussion of culture. Suggestions for reflecting on the cultural location of evaluation theory and cultural dimensions of context are described, illustrated by three different approaches to establishing cultural congruence—Indigenous Evaluation Framework (IEF), Talent Development (TD) Model, and Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE). Closing comments return to validity as the fundamental prize and to the centrality of culture in supporting it.
Behavioral Intervention Promotes Successful Use of an iPod-Based Communication Device by an Adolescent With Autism
Authors: Kagohara Debora M. , van der Meer Larah , Achmadi Donna , Green Vanessa A. , O'Reilly Mark F. , Mulloy Austin , Lancioni Giulio E. , Lang Russell , Sigafoos Jeff
Published: September 2010

Individuals with autism and limited speech are candidates for speech-generating devices (SGDs), but some individuals might experience difficulty in operating these devices. We describe the case of Steven, a 17-year-old adolescent with autism who used an iPod-based SGD, but had difficulty activating the speech output feature of this device. His difficulties were initially interpreted as motor control problems, suggesting the need to abandon this technology, prescribe a different SGD, or adapt his existing device. An alternative conceptualization was that the existing intervention procedures had failed to shape more effective response topographies. Along these lines, a behavioral intervention, involving differential reinforcement and delayed prompting, proved effective in shaping response topographies that enabled Steven to be more successful in activating the speech output function of his iPod-based SGD. The results suggest that behavioral intervention may provide an alternative to the more costly and involved process of replacing or modifying the person’s SGD.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With a Paranoid Schizophrenic Patient
Authors: Kuller Andrew M. , Björgvinsson Thröstur
Published: September 2010

This case study describes the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) of a married adult male diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. “Michael” was initially oriented to CBT for psychosis (CBTp) in a partial hospital program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Michael was then followed as an outpatient over 30 weekly sessions of CBTp. Over the course of treatment, Michael remained paranoid. However, his self-reported levels of conviction and preoccupation decreased measurably, and he experienced improvements in mood and psychosocial functioning. These results support a growing body of research demonstrating effectiveness of CBTp with schizophrenia and have implications for solo practitioners facing pressure to utilize evidence-based treatments. Further research is needed on the effectiveness of CBTp in outpatient settings.
Family Behavior Therapy for Use in Child Welfare: Results of a Case Study Involving an Abused Woman Formally Diagnosed With Alcohol Dependence, Bipolar Disorder, and Several Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Romero Valerie , Donohue Brad C. , Hill Heather H. , Powell Suzanne , Van Hasselt Vincent B. , Azrin Nathan , Allen Daniel N.
Published: September 2010

The results of a multiple-baseline case study of family behavior therapy (FBT) is described in a woman formally diagnosed with alcohol dependence, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, and panic disorder. She was referred to treatment from the local Department of Family Services for child neglect and domestic violence. After baseline measures were administered, the first phase of treatment involved home safety tours aimed at reducing home hazards and cleanliness. A second phase of treatment additionally targeted family relationships through communication skills training exercises, and a third phase involved administration of the remaining FBT components to assist in comprehensively addressing other problem areas. Results indicated most problem areas were substantially improved, but only after they were comprehensively targeted in therapy.
Cognitive Therapy for Co-Occurring Depression and Behaviors Associated With Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder
Authors: Yanes Paula K. , Tiffany Stephen T. , Roberts John E.
Published: September 2010

The following case study illustrates the use of cognitive therapy for treating depression that co-occurs with behaviors associated with passive-aggressive personality disorder (PAPD). Depression and co-occurring PAPD-associated behaviors present several challenges for treatment, including the transient nature of PAPD-associated behaviors and the effect of these behaviors on the effective treatment and remission of depression. Cognitive therapy was initially effective at treating depression and PAPD tendencies. As treatment progressed, dysfunctional interactions with the environment resulted in the reemergence of PAPD-associated behaviors as these behaviors were reinforced and assertive behaviors punished. With the continued use of cognitive therapy, PAPD tendencies were once again reduced and depressive status remained in remission. The present case study highlights the importance of targeting behaviors associated with personality pathology when co-occurring with depression.
Guided Motor Imagery in Healthy Adults and Stroke: Does Strategy Matter?
Authors: Hovington Cindy L. , Brouwer Brenda
Published: September 2010

Background. Motor imagery (MI) enhances physical performance and skill acquisition in healthy and neurorehabilitation populations, yet little is known about the use of strategies to guide MI. Objectives. To examine the relative effectiveness of visual, auditory, and combined (visual + auditory) cueing of an imagined finger abduction task on corticomotor excitability. Methods. A total of 15 young (20-35 years) and 15 older people (over 55 years) and 10 people with chronic stroke, who could make voluntary movements of selected muscles, participated. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs, primary outcome) were measured following transcranial magnetic stimulation applied while participants imagined abducting their index finger under guidance of cueing strategies. Amplitudes of the MEPs from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI), abductor pollicis brevis (APB), and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles were compared with rest, contrasted with MEPs elicited during active task performance, and expressed relative to rest to reflect facilitation. Results. Cued MI enhanced MEPs in all groups, preferentially to the target FDI muscle. In stroke, APB was also facilitated. ADM was least affected by cueing. Analyses of simple effects of condition on FDI MEPs in each group revealed that visual cueing was most effective in young people, whereas auditory cueing was most effective in healthy older people and when directed at the nonparetic side in stroke ( P < .04). On the paretic side, strategies were equally effective. In all cases, MEPs were largest during physical performance. Conclusions. Cued MI augments corticomotor excitability associated with healthy and paretic muscles related to the imagined task. Age should be considered when selecting a cueing strategy for maximum effectiveness.
Long-Term Effects on Cortical Excitability and Motor Recovery Induced by Repeated Muscle Vibration in Chronic Stroke Patients
Authors: Marconi Barbara , Filippi Guido M. , Koch Giacomo , Giacobbe Viola , Pecchioli Cristiano , Versace Viviana , Camerota Filippo , Saraceni Vincenzo M. , Caltagirone Carlo
Published: September 2010

Background. Muscle vibration modifies corticomotor excitability in healthy subjects and reduces muscle tonus in stroke patients. Objective. This study examined whether repeated muscle vibration (rMV) applied over the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and biceps brachii (BB) can induce long-lasting changes, using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in patients with chronic stroke. Methods. Thirty hemiparetic patients who offered at least minimal wrist and elbow isometric voluntary contractions were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which received rMV in addition to physiotherapy (rMV + PT), or a control group that underwent PT alone. The following parameters of the FCR, BB, and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) were measured through TMS before, and 1 hour, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the end of intervention: resting motor threshold (RMT), map area, map volume, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF). Muscle tonus and motor function were assessed on the same day as TMS. Results. Pre–post analysis revealed a reduction in RMT and an increase in motor map areas occurred in the vibrated muscles only in the rMV + PT group, with an increase in map volumes of all muscles. Moreover, SICI increased in the flexors and decreased in the extensor. These neurophysiological changes lasted for at least 2 weeks after the end of rMV + PT and paralleled the reduction in spasticity and increase in motor function. A significant correlation was found between the degree of spasticity and the amount of intracortical inhibition. Conclusion. rMV with PT may be used as a nonpharmacological intervention in the neurorehabilitation of mild to moderate hemiparesis.
Crossover Trial of Subacute Computerized Aphasia Therapy for Anomia With the Addition of Either Levodopa or Placebo
Authors: Leemann Béatrice , Laganaro Marina , Chetelat-Mabillard Daphné , Schnider Armin
Published: September 2010

Background. The effect of levodopa on recovery from aphasia is controversial. Objective. To determine whether levodopa enhances the effect of intensive computer-assisted therapy (CAT) of anomia in the postacute stage of aphasia. Methods. Double-blind multiple case study with intrasubject crossover design comparing the effect of levodopa (100 mg) versus placebo, each given for 2 weeks. Subjects. Twelve patients with onset of aphasia from 2 to 9 weeks after stroke or traumatic brain injury were compared on naming performance on items trained and not trained with CAT. Subjects were randomized to either levodopa or placebo first, separated by a 1-week washout, and then switched to the other drug intervention for the second 2-week CAT intervention. The subjects also received routine aphasia therapies during these periods. Results. All patients improved their naming performance for items trained by CAT in both periods ( P = .001). No significant difference was found between the placebo and levodopa phases. Conclusion. Administration of levodopa for 2 weeks during the postacute stage of aphasia did not augment the positive effects of subacute intensive language treatment with CAT for a spoken naming task.
Investigation of micropipe defect terminating during SiC crystal growth
Authors: Lin S. H. , Chen Z. M. , Liang P. , Jiang D. , Xie H. J. , Yang Y. , Pan P.
Published: September 2010

Micropipe is a vital defect for fabricating SiC based devices. In order to understand the evolution of micropipe during growth process, the authors studied axial cuts sliced from different parts of the sublimation grown SiC single crystals. The cuts have been characterised using optical microscopy, etching in molten mixed KOH and K2CO3, scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that second phase inclusion (silicon droplet) is contributing not only to the formation of micropipe defect but also to its termination during SiC growth process. And X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement result shows that growth interface can be demarcated obviously without intentionally doping any other impurity, which offers a good and simple method for observing crystal growth process.
Development of Ni–TiC and Ni– (Ti, W)C composite powders for high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) coating and characterisation of coatings
Authors: Karbasi M , Saidi A , Zamanzad Ghavidel M R
Published: September 2010

The main objective of this research work was to develop Ni–TiC and Ni–(Ti, W)C composite powders for high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) coating and characterisation of the coatings. For this purpose, two kind of composite powders were produced by the self-propagation high temperature synthesis (SHS) method (Ni–TiC and Ni–(Ti, W)C composites). Subsequently composite powders were used as feedstock for HVOF coating. Also, as reference sample, similar coating was prepared using Ni and TiC powders mixture. Samples were characterised by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy and adhesion tests. According to results, Ni–TiC and Ni–(Ti, W)C composite powders were developed via the SHS method yield appropriate HVOF coatings with dense, homogeneous, rounded, fused carbide distribution as well as suitable adhesive strength and high crack resistance. With an initial powder mixture of Ni and TiC for HVOF coating, TiC oxidation and Ti2O3 formation occurred; the microstructure of the coating was heterogeneous and irregular morphology having sharp facets. This coating had a low density and low adhesive strength and low crack resistance.
Creating French Settlements Overseas: Pronatalism and Colonial Medicine in Madagascar
Authors: Andersen Margaret Cook
Published: September 2010

This article explores the reasons that pronatalists in the Third Republic aligned the resolution of the depopulation crisis with the fate of settler colonialism. Convinced that the French population grew more quickly when far away from the metropole, pronatalists presented colonial emigration and settlement as means by which to strengthen the French race. The demographic importance that pronatalists attached to imperialism also led them to study colonial initiatives in population growth, most notably those of Governor-General Joseph-Simon Gallieni in Madagascar. Gallieni's belief that a large indigenous labor force was essential to preparing the colony for more extensive French settlement led him to introduce a series of reforms intended to increase the colony's Merina population. Though Gallieni's reforms reflected racial and gender assumptions specific to Madagascar, pronatalists in France considered them applicable to their own efforts to address the gendered causes of French racial decline.

Cet article examine la raison pour laquelle les natalistes soutenaient le peuplement colonial pendant la Troisième République. Croyant que la population française avait une natalité plus forte aux colonies qu'en France, les natalistes affirmaient que l'émigration coloniale pouvait répondre aux causes de la dépopulation et rendre plus forte la race française. Convaincus de l'importance démographique de l'empire colonial, les natalistes étudiaient les réformes natalistes introduites à Madagascar par le gouverneur-général Joseph Gallieni. Gallieni a conclu que le peuplement à Madagascar ne pouvait pas se développer sans l'existence d'une grande main-d'œuvre indigène. Pour cette raison, il a introduit plusieurs réformes pour favoriser l'accroissement de la population indigène de la colonie. Bien que ces réformes aient évoqué les suppositions basées sur les idées de race et du genre propres à Madagascar, les natalistes en France croyaient que de telles réformes aideraient leurs propres efforts tendant à rendre plus forte la race française.
Transgressing Boundaries: Gender, Race, Religion, and “Françaises Musulmanes” during the Algerian War of Independence
Authors: Vince Natalya
Published: September 2010

Taking the example of women active in the Algerian National Liberation Front during the War of Independence, this article examines how different typologies of “the Muslim woman” were challenged, subverted, and reconfigured between 1954 and 1962. The article looks at how women who did not conform to colonial gendered ethnoreligious stereotypes came to threaten the continuing existence of French Algeria both on the ground and on the international stage. It then turns to consider the sexual abuse and rape that women often experienced when captured by the French army. Finally, the article examines the relationship between women, Islamic principles, and the independence movement. Based on extensive interviews with female participants in the war, the article focuses throughout on women's appropriation and subversion of assigned roles and assumptions. A central concern is to compare the analytic categories of “gender” and “race” with the frames of reference these women use to articulate their own lives.

Prenant pour cas d'étude l'exemple de femmes algériennes actives dans le Front de libération nationale pendant la guerre d'indépendance algérienne, cet article analyse comment les différentes typologies de « la femme musulmane » ont été remises en question, subverties et reconfigurées entre 1954 et 1962. L'article examine comment les femmes qui ne correspondaient pas aux stéréotypes genrés et ethno-religieux du système colonial sont devenues une menace pour le maintien de l'Algérie française. Ensuite, il considère les cas d'abus sexuel et de viol subis par les femmes capturées par l'armée française. Enfin, cet article examine les liens entre les femmes, les principes musulmans et le mouvement d'indépendance. Basé sur des entretiens réalisés avec des femmes ayant participé à la guerre, l'accent est mis sur les réponses de ces femmes aux rôles que l'on leur a assignés et comment elles se sont appropriés ces rôles et les ont subvertis. On compare également les catégories d'analyse « genre » et « race » avec les cadres de référence que ces femmes emploient pour articuler leur vie.
Economics as Plausible Conjecture
Authors: Turk Michael H.
Published: September 2010

The examination of economics from the standpoint of language and literature, part of the “linguistic turn” in economic methodology, may be extended and inverted by setting the literary elements of economics in historical perspective. In so doing, it will emerge that in the formative period of classical economics, when the line between the literary and the scientific was blurred, there was an affinity between economics and new forms of literature, especially the novel, that helped shape the characteristic method of economics as “plausible conjecture.” Through plausible conjecture, fictions, as thought-experiments or models, are used to capture and depict essential elements of economic reality. This approach is evident in the work of François Quesnay and central to that of Adam Smith, setting the mold for later economic thinkers.
2-[3-(2-Aminoethylsulfanyl)propylsulfanyl]ethanamine Bearing Dansyl Subunits: An Efficient, Simple, and Rapid Fluorometric Sensor for the Detection of Mercury(II) Ions
Authors: Wanichacheva Nantanit , Kamkaew Anyanee , Watpathomsub Supranee , Lee Vannajan Sanghiran , Grudpan Kate
Published: September 2010

A novel fluorometric sensor possessing two dansyl moieties based on 2-[3-(2-aminoethylsulfanyl)propylsulfanyl]ethanamine 1 was prepared by a ready synthetic approach using a conventional two-step synthesis. 1 exhibits highly sensitive and selective on–off Hg2+ fluorescence quenching behavior in aqueous acetonitrile solutions and is shown to discriminate various competing metal ions such as Cu2+, Ag+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Ba2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Na+, and K+ exhibiting a detection limit of 7 nM or 1.4 ppb with a working range of 1.8–15 ppb.
Increased integrity of circulating cell-free DNA in plasma of patients with acute leukemia
Authors: Gao Yu-Jie , He Yu-Juan , Yang Zai-Lin , Shao Hui-Yuan , Zuo Yan , Bai Yao , Chen Hui , Chen Xian-Chun , Qin Feng-Xian , Tan Shi , Wang Jian , Wang Li , Zhang Ling
Published: September 2010

Background: Increased cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) and the integrity of cf-DNA in plasma of patients with cancer has been described. We investigated the clinical utility of cf-DNA in the detection and monitoring of progression of leukemia.

Methods: Plasma samples from 60 patients with acute leukemia were analyzed in comparison to plasma from 30 healthy controls. Plasma DNA was determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR) by amplifying the β-actin gene (ACTB). The DNA integrity index was calculated as the ratio of qPCR results (ACTB384/106). Paired diagnostic/complete remission (CR)/relapse samples from eight of 60 patients were analyzed, and the minimum residual disease (MRD) situations were monitored.

Results: DNA concentrations (median: 8.80 ng/mL, p=0.004) and DNA integrity (median: 0.51, p<0.001) in cancer patients were significantly higher. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve of DNA and DNA integrity were 0.79 and 0.88, respectively. DNA integrity at CR had a distinct reduction and then an increase at relapse. DNA integrity in CR cases was higher than that observed in healthy controls.

Conclusions: Our preliminary data suggest that plasma DNA integrity is increased in acute leukemia and may be a potential biomarker for monitoring MRD. However, more work is needed.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1651–6.
Reaction Forces and Moments in Carved Turns
Authors: Filippi Oberegger Ulrich , Kaps Peter , Kerber Walter , Mössner Martin , Schindelwig Kurt , Nachbauer Werner
Published: September 2010

We computed reaction forces and moments acting on a skier during a carved turn. We performed an inverse and a forward dynamic analysis. For a run of an elite skier, marker positions on skier and skis were obtained as functions of time from a video analysis and smoothed by splines. Linear velocities and accelerations were computed by differentiating the splines, angular velocities, and accelerations via rotation matrices. The forces acting at the right ski were measured with two Kistler force plates. For the inverse dynamics, we used an adapted Hanavan model for a skier consisting of upper body, left and right thighs, shanks, and skis. Applied forces considered were weight and ski-snow friction. Drag was neglected. By prescribing a lateral weight distribution from the outer to the inner ski during the turn, reaction forces and moments at the left and right ankle, knee and hip joints were computed from the Newton–Euler equations of motion for constrained rigid multibody systems. The forward dynamics was performed with a three-segment model of a mono-skier consisting of trunk, thigh, and shank. Rotational joints were assumed in knee and hip. The track and the joint angles were prescribed. The inward lean angle was determined by a balance condition that led to nonholonomic constraints. After formulating the equations of motion in descriptor form, the resulting differential-algebraic system was solved with the numerical code RADAU5. Computed and measured reaction forces and moments agreed well within the accuracy of the measurements. The calculated joint loads are consistent with results from the literature. The forward dynamics model can be used to simulate consecutive ski turns. With parameter studies, the effects of slope, tracks, segment properties, ski-snow friction, and velocity of the skier on joint loads and performance of a run can be investigated. Further, injury mechanisms can be analyzed.
Electrophysiological Modeling for Cardiology: Methods and Potential Applications
Authors: Seemann Gunnar , Keller David U. J. , Krüger Martin W. , Weber Frank M. , Wilhelms Mathias , Dössel Olaf
Published: September 2010

Simulations of the electrophysiological behavior of the heart improve the comprehension of the mechanisms of the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, the mathematical modeling will support diagnosis and therapy of patients suffering from heart diseases. In this paper, the chain of modeling of the electrical function in the heart is described. The components are explained briefly, namely modeling of cardiac geometry, reconstructing the cardiac electrophysiology and excitation propagation. Additionally, the mathematical methods allowing to implement and solve these models are outlined. The three recently more investigated cases atrial fibrillation, ischemia and long-QT syndrome are described and show how cardiac modeling can support cardiologists in answering their open questions.
Craniofacial Surgery Planning Based on Virtual Patient Models
Authors: Weiser Martin , Zachow Stefan , Deuflhard Peter
Published: September 2010

In craniofacial surgery physicians are often faced with the reconstruction of massively destroyed or radically resected tissue structures caused by trauma or tumors. Also corrections of dislocated bone fragments up to the complete modeling of facial regions in cases of complex congenital malformations are common tasks of plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Such procedures have to be planned and executed thoroughly in order to achieve the best functional as well as an optimal aesthetic rehabilitation. On this account a computer assisted modeling, planning and simulation approach allows for preoperative assessment of different therapeutic strategies on basis of individual, three-dimensional patient models. Bone structures can be mobilized and relocated under consideration of anatomical and functional constraints. The resulting facial appearance can be simulated via finite-element methods on basis of a biomechanical tissue model, and visualized using high quality rendering techniques. Such an approach is not only important for preoperative mental preparation, but also for vivid patient information, documentation, quality assurance as well as for surgical education and training.