bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Mechanisms of the Wintertime Surface Air Temperature Variability in South Korea and the near-7-Day Oscillations
Authors: Kim Kwang-Yul , Roh Joon-Woo
Published: December 2009

The first three principal modes of wintertime surface temperature variability in Seoul, South Korea (37.33°N, 126.59°E), are extracted from the 1979–2008 observed records via cyclostationary EOF (CSEOF) analysis. The first mode represents the seasonal cycle, the principle physical mechanism of which is associated with the continent–ocean sea level pressure contrast. The second mode mainly describes the overall wintertime warming or cooling. The third mode depicts subseasonal fluctuations of surface temperature. Sea level pressure anomalies to the west of South Korea (eastern China) and those with an opposite sign to the east of South Korea (Japan) are a major physical factor both for the second mode and the third mode. These sea level pressure anomalies with opposite signs alter the amount of warm air to the south of South Korea, which changes the surface temperature in South Korea. The PC time series of the seasonal cycle is significantly correlated with the East Asian winter monsoon index and exhibits a conspicuous downward trend. The PC time series of the second mode exhibits a positive trend. These trends imply that the wintertime surface temperature in South Korea has increased and the seasonal cycle has weakened gradually over the past 30 yr; the sign of greenhouse warming is clear in both PC time series.

The ∼7-day oscillations are a major component of high-frequency variability in much of the analysis domain and are a manifestation of Rossby waves. Rossby waves aloft result in the concerted variation of physical variables in the atmospheric column. Due to the stronger mean zonal wind, the disturbances by Rossby waves propagate eastward at ∼8–12 m s−1; the passing of Rossby waves with alternating signs produces the ∼7-day temperature oscillations in South Korea.
Predictability of Seasonal Precipitation Using Joint Probabilities
Authors: Yilmaz M. Tugrul , DelSole Timothy
Published: December 2009

This paper tests whether seasonal mean precipitation is predictable using a new method that estimates and analyzes joint probabilities. The new estimation method is to partition the globe into boxes, pool all data within the box to estimate a single joint probability of precipitation for two consecutive seasons, and then apply the resulting joint probability to individual pixels in the box. Pooling data in this way allows joint probabilities to be estimated in relatively small sample sizes; however, the new method assumes that the transition probabilities of pixels in a box are homogeneous and stationary. Joint probabilities are estimated from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project dataset in 21 land boxes and 5 ocean boxes during the period 1979–2008. The state of precipitation is specified by dry, wet, or normal terciles of the local climatological distribution. Predictability is quantified by mutual information, which is a fundamental measure of predictability that allows for nonlinear dependencies, and is tested using bootstrap methods. Predictability was verified by constructing probabilistic and quantitative forecasts directly from the transition probabilities and showing that they have superior cross-validated skills than forecasts based on climatology, persistence, or random selection. Spring was found to be the most predictable season, whereas summer was the least predictable season. Analysis of joint probabilities reveals that although the probabilities are close to climatology, the predictability of precipitation arises from a slight tendency of the state to persist from one season to the next, or if a transition occurs, then it is more often from one extreme to normal than from one extreme to the other.
Buoyancy Arrest and Bottom Ekman Transport. Part I: Steady Flow
Authors: Brink K. H. , Lentz S. J.
Published: December 2009

It is well known that along-isobath flow above a sloping bottom gives rise to cross-isobath Ekman transport and therefore sets up horizontal density gradients if the ocean is stratified. These transports in turn eventually bring the along-isobath bottom velocity, hence bottom stress, to rest (“buoyancy arrest”) simply by means of the thermal wind shear. This problem is revisited here. A modified expression for Ekman transport is rationalized, and general expressions for buoyancy arrest time scales are presented. Theory and numerical calculations are used to define a new formula for boundary layer thickness for the case of downslope Ekman transport, where a thick, weakly stratified arrested boundary layer results. For upslope Ekman transport, where advection leads to enhanced stability, expressions are derived for both the weakly sloping (in the sense of slope Burger number s = αN/f, where α is the bottom slope, N is the interior buoyancy frequency, and f is the Coriolis parameter) case where a capped boundary layer evolves and the larger s case where a nearly linearly stratified boundary layer joins smoothly to the interior density profile. Consistent estimates for the buoyancy arrest time scale are found for each case.
Corrections for Temporal Discontinuities in the OPI
Authors: Sapiano M. R. P. , Janowiak J. E. , Arkin P. A. , Lee H. , Smith T. M. , Xie P.
Published: December 2009

The longest record of precipitation estimated from satellites is the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) precipitation index (OPI), which is based on polar-orbiting infrared observations from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument that has flown onboard successive NOAA satellites. A significant barrier to the use of these data in studies of the climate of tropical precipitation (among other things) is the large bias caused by orbital drift that is present in the OLR data. Because the AVHRR instruments are deployed on the polar-orbiting spacecraft, OLR observations are recorded at specific times for each earth location for each day. Discontinuities are caused by the use of multiple satellites with different observing times as well as the orbital drift that occurs throughout the lifetime of each satellite. A regression-based correction is proposed based solely on the equator crossing time (ECT). The correction allows for separate means for each satellite as well as separate coefficients for each satellite ECT. The correction is calculated separately for each grid box but is applied only at locations where the correction is correlated with the OLR estimate. Thus, the correction is applied only where deemed necessary.

The OPI is used to estimate precipitation from the OLR estimates based on the new corrected version of the OLR, the uncorrected OLR, and two earlier published corrected versions. One of the earlier corrections is derived by removing variations from AVHRR based on EOFs that are identified as containing spurious variations related to the ECT bias, whereas the other is based on OLR estimates from the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) that have been corrected using diurnal models for each grid box. The new corrected version is shown to be free of nearly all of the ECT bias and has the lowest root mean square difference when compared to gauges and passive microwave estimates of precipitation. The EOF-based correction fails to remove all of the variations related to the ECT bias, whereas the correction based on HIRS removes much of the bias but appears to introduce erroneous trends caused by the water vapor signal to which these data are sensitive. The new correction for AVHRR OLR works well in the tropics where the OPI has the most skill, but users should be careful when interpreting trends outside this region.
Development of an Effective Double-Moment Cloud Microphysics Scheme with Prognostic Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) for Weather and Climate Models
Authors: Lim Kyo-Sun Sunny , Hong Song-You
Published: December 2009

A new double-moment bulk cloud microphysics scheme, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Double-Moment 6-class (WDM6) Microphysics scheme, which is based on the WRF Single-Moment 6-class (WSM6) Microphysics scheme, has been developed. In addition to the prediction for the mixing ratios of six water species (water vapor, cloud droplets, cloud ice, snow, rain, and graupel) in the WSM6 scheme, the number concentrations for cloud and rainwater are also predicted in the WDM6 scheme, together with a prognostic variable of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentration. The new scheme was evaluated on an idealized 2D thunderstorm test bed. Compared to the simulations from the WSM6 scheme, there are greater differences in the droplet concentration between the convective core and stratiform region in WDM6. The reduction of light precipitation and the increase of moderate precipitation accompanying a marked radar bright band near the freezing level from the WDM6 simulation tend to alleviate existing systematic biases in the case of the WSM6 scheme. The strength of this new microphysics scheme is its ability to allow flexibility in variable raindrop size distribution by predicting the number concentrations of clouds and rain, coupled with the explicit CCN distribution, at a reasonable computational cost.
On the Use of an Adaptive, Hybrid-Isentropic Vertical Coordinate in Global Atmospheric Modeling
Authors: Bleck Rainer , Benjamin Stan , Lee Jin , MacDonald Alexander E.
Published: December 2009

This article is one in a series describing the functionality of the Flow-Following, Finite-Volume Icosahedral Model (FIM) developed at NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory. Emphasis in this article is on the design of the vertical coordinate—the “flow following” aspect of FIM. The coordinate is terrain-following near the ground and isentropic in the free atmosphere. The spatial transition between the two coordinates is adaptive and is based on the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) paradigm. The impact of vertical resolution trade-offs between the present hybrid approach and traditional terrain-following coordinates is demonstrated in a three-part case study.
The Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Model: Optimization and Evaluation of Simulated Radiative Fluxes and Precipitation
Authors: Medvigy David , Walko Robert L. , Otte Martin J. , Avissar Roni
Published: December 2009

This work continues the presentation and evaluation of the Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Model (OLAM), focusing on the model’s ability to represent radiation and precipitation. OLAM is a new, state-of-the-art earth system model, capable of user-specified grid resolution and local mesh refinement. An objective optimization of the microphysics parameterization is carried out. Data products from the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) and the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) are used to construct a maximum likelihood function, and thousands of simulations using different values for key parameters are carried out. Shortwave fluxes are found to be highly sensitive to both the density of cloud droplets and the assumed shape of the cloud droplet diameter distribution function. Because there is considerable uncertainty in which values for these parameters to use in climate models, they are targeted as the tunable parameters of the objective optimization procedure, which identified high-likelihood volumes of parameter space as well as parameter uncertainties and covariances. Once optimized, the model closely matches observed large-scale radiative fluxes and precipitation. The impact of model resolution is also tested. At finer characteristic length scales (CLS), smaller-scale features such as the ITCZ are better resolved. It is also found that the Amazon was much better simulated at 100- than 200-km CLS. Furthermore, a simulation using OLAM’s variable resolution functionality to cover South America with 100-km CLS and the rest of the world with 200-km CLS generates a precipitation pattern in the Amazon similar to the global 100-km CLS run.
Polarimetric and Electrical Characteristics of a Lightning Ring in a Supercell Storm
Authors: Payne Clark D. , Schuur Terry J. , MacGorman Donald R. , Biggerstaff Michael I. , Kuhlman Kristin M. , Rust W. David
Published: December 2009

On 30 May 2004, a supercell storm was sampled by a suite of instrumentation that had been deployed as part of the Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment (TELEX). The instrumentation included the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (OK-LMA), the National Severe Storms Laboratory S-band Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) polarimetric radar at Norman, Oklahoma, and two mobile C-band, Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radars (SMART-R). Combined, datasets collected by these instruments provided a unique opportunity to investigate the possible relationships among the supercell’s kinematic, microphysical, and electrical characteristics. This study focuses on the evolution of a ring of lightning activity that formed near the main updraft at approximately 0012 UTC, matured near 0039 UTC, and collapsed near 0050 UTC. During this time period, an F2-intensity tornado occurred near the lightning-ring region. Lightning density contours computed over 1-km layers are overlaid on polarimetric and dual-Doppler data to assess the low- and midlevel kinematic and microphysical characteristics within the lightning-ring region. Results indicate that the lightning ring begins in the middle and upper levels of the precipitation-cascade region, which is characterized by inferred graupel. The second time period shows that the lightning source densities take on a horizontal u-shaped pattern that is collocated with midlevel differential reflectivity and correlation coefficient rings and with the strong cyclonic vertical vorticity noted in the dual-Doppler data. The final time period shows dissipation of the u-shaped pattern and the polarimetric signatures as well as an increase in the lightning activity at the lower levels associated with the development of the rear-flank downdraft (RFD) and the envelopment of the vertical vorticity maximum by the RFD.
Improvement in the Use of an Operational Constellation of GPS Radio Occultation Receivers in Weather Forecasting
Authors: Cucurull L.
Published: December 2009

As of May 2007, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) implemented a new Global Data Assimilation System. This system incorporated the assimilation of global positioning system (GPS) radio occultation (RO) profiles from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) mission, which was launched in April 2006. Since then, this new type of observation has been shown to provide additional information on the thermodynamic state of the atmosphere, resulting in a significant increase in the model skill.

Recent updates of the analysis and modeling codes have required a revision of the algorithm that assimilates GPS RO data. In addition, some modifications in the processing of the observations have further enhanced the need for a revisiting of the assimilation code. Better characterizations of the quality control procedures, observation error structure, and forward modeling for the GPS RO observations are described. The updated system significantly improves the data usage, in particular in the tropics. Different sets of the atmospheric refractive indices are also evaluated in this study. The model performance is proven to be quite sensitive to the chosen coefficients and a reevaluation of these constants is recommended within the GPS community.

The new assimilation configuration results in an improvement in the anomaly correlation scores for the Southern Hemisphere extratropics (∼4.5 h for the 500-mb geopotential heights at day 7) and a reduction of the high- and low-level tropical wind errors. Overall, the benefits of using COSMIC on top of all the other observations used in the operational system are still very significant. The loss in model skill when COSMIC is removed from the observing system is remarkable at day 4 (∼8 h) and steadily increases beyond 12 h with the extended forecast range.
On the Ability of Global Ensemble Prediction Systems to Predict Tropical Cyclone Track Probabilities
Authors: Majumdar Sharanya J. , Finocchio Peter M.
Published: December 2009

The ability of ensemble prediction systems to predict the probability that a tropical cyclone will fall within a certain area is evaluated. Ensemble forecasts of up to 5 days issued by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the Met Office (UKMET) were evaluated for the 2008 Atlantic and western North Pacific seasons. In the Atlantic, the ECMWF ensemble mean was comparable in skill to a consensus of deterministic models. Dynamic “probability circles” that contained 67% of the ECMWF ensemble captured the best track in ∼67% of all cases for 24–84-h forecasts, and were slightly underdispersive beyond 96 h. In contrast, the Goerss predicted consensus error (GPCE) was overdispersive. The addition of the UKMET ensemble yielded improvements in the short range and degradations for longer-range forecasts. The ECMWF ensemble performed similarly when the size was reduced from 50 to 20. On average, it produced a lower measure of independence between its members than an ensemble comprising different deterministic models. The 67% circles normally captured the best track during straight-line motion, but less so for sharply turning tracks. In contrast to the Atlantic, the ECMWF ensemble (and GPCE) was unable to capture sufficient verifications within the 67% probability circles in the western North Pacific, in part because of a less skillful ensemble mean (and consensus). Though further evaluations are necessary, the results demonstrate the potential for ensemble prediction systems to enhance probabilistic forecasts, and for The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) Interactive Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE) to be embraced by the operational and research communities.
Differential Deterrence
Authors: Loughran Thomas A. , Piquero Alex R. , Fagan Jeffrey , Mulvey Edward P.
Published: December 2009

Perceptual deterrence has been an enduring focus of interest in criminology. Although recent research has generated important new insights about how risks, costs, and rewards of offending are perceived and internalized, there remain two specific limitations to advancing theories of deterrence: (a) the lack of panel data to show whether issues of changes in perceptions over age and time are linked to changes in offending and (b) the lack of research on perceptual deterrence of active offenders, arguably the most policy-relevant group for these studies. Using longitudinal data on offending and perceptions of risks and punishment costs for a large sample of serious youthful offenders, the authors identify significant heterogeneity in sanction threat perceptions generally and across different types of offenders. These differences in perception reflect variation among offenders in the amount of prior information on offending on which individuals may be basing their perceptions. There likely exists a potential “ceiling” and “floor” of sanction threat perceptions, indicating that there are deterrence boundaries beyond which some types of offenders may be more amenable to sanction threats whereas others may be undeterred by sanction threats. Directions for future theoretical and empirical research are discussed.
Reply to Tuomela
Authors: Wettersten John
Published: December 2009

Raimo Tuomola has complained that my critical review of his The Philosophy of Sociality is superficial, that I have not presented, even that I have misrepresented his work, and that I have neglected its virtues, which others have praised. I reject his complaint about the content of my review as unwarranted in an open society, as he demands that I take his work on his own terms. I defend my view of the place of his work in the analytic tradition, my analysis of his work as essentialist and not explanatory, my argument that his analytic method is weak, and my appraisal that the framework he offers for current social scientific research is not needed and not very useful.
Relational Messages, Perceptions of Hurt, and Biological Stress Reactions to a Disconfirming Interaction
Authors: Priem Jennifer S. , McLaren Rachel M. , Haunani Solomon Denise
Published: December 2009

This study examines relational messages as predictors of hurt, using both self-report indicators of hurt and biological markers of stress reactivity to a hurtful interaction. Hypotheses predict that perceptions of involvement, composure, and receptivity increase feelings of hurt, whereas perceptions of similarity, affiliation, and informality decrease hurt. Participants ( N = 91) engage in two 5-minute conversations with a romantic partner about core traits and values. The partner is coached to be disconfirming and hurtful during the second conversation about the participant’s core traits or values. Following the interaction, participants report their level of hurt and their perceptions of the conversation and give saliva samples to measure cortisol. The hypotheses are partially supported, such that perceptions of affiliation and informality are negatively associated with hurt feelings. Furthermore, self-reported hurt feelings are positively associated with increases in salivary cortisol. Affiliation and receptivity also have direct effects on the stability of cortisol change.
A Novel Application of the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) Instrument to Improve Glycemic Control and Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Chawla Apoorva , Saha Chandan , Marrero David G.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to use the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) instrument in a novel manner and assess whether providing primary care physicians the results of the questionnaire completed by their patients immediately prior to a clinical encounter would result in improvement in a patient’s glycemic control and/or postencounter satisfaction score.

Methods

A 6-month longitudinal pilot study, involving 4 general internal medicine physicians and 61 patients in 4 separate offices, was designed. The patient sample was 54% male and 46% female with ages from 41 to 91. The sample included newly diagnosed diabetic patients and those with longstanding disease; as such, the patient population had a range of diabetes-related complications from none to end-stage renal disease. At baseline, 3-month, and 6-month clinic visits, patients completed the PAID questionnaire, and results were provided to the physician prior to the clinical encounter. Satisfaction was measured postencounter. A1C was checked at all 3 visits with the first visit serving as baseline.

Results

Patients in all 3 groups had improved hemoglobin A1C, reduced perceived problem areas, and increased satisfaction with the quality of care received. These effects were most pronounced after the first visit and for patients with poorer quality of glycemic control at baseline.

Conclusions

The PAID instrument facilitates a therapeutic dialogue between patient and physician, has the most effect at the initial encounter, and makes the most impact on at-risk patients presenting with poor glycemic control.
“Without the Luxury of Historical Amnesia”: The Model Postwar Immigrant Remembering the Vietnam War Through Anticommunist Protests
Authors: Nguyen Kim
Published: December 2009

This article examines how postwar Vietnamese American immigrants are positioned as authoritative sources in public practices of remembering the Vietnam War, in this case, through street protests. It proposes that protest rhetoric can function as an effective form of disciplining ethnic identity and the social recognition of that identity. More specifically, Vietnamese American anticommunist protest rhetoric attempts to control and police the ways in which Vietnamese American identity can be forged in relation to the Vietnam War.This distanced Vietnamese American identity from ongoing conversations about race and nationality, and this constituted American citizenship of postwar immigrants as conservative. In short, this article will propose that the postwar Vietnamese American immigrant citizen-subject figures as the model minority of American imperialism.
Comparative Effectiveness Research Through the Looking Glass
Authors: Levy Adrian , Harrigan Brian , Johnston Karissa , Briggs Andrew
Published: December 2009

The goal of comparative effectiveness research (CER) articulated by the United States government is to provide information on relative strengths and weakness of medical interventions. Such information is intended to help clinicians and patients make better decisions which, in turn, would improve the performance of the health care system. However, it is unclear how information on relative benefits would enable improvement. Making sense of the CER debate requires addressing 2 issues: the ethical framework must be made explicit, and greater critical thinking must be applied for developing goals. Frank discussion about the problems CER will address, viewed through an ethical lens, will lead to operational objectives and desired outcomes. Ultimately, the extent to which a proposed publicly-funded CER institute meets expectations will depend on governance, structures and processes. Without a clear vision, CER as currently construed may touch on many problems plaguing US health care but runs the risk of solving none.
Acculturation, Enculturation, Perceived Racism, Minority Status Stressors, and Psychological Symptomatology Among Latino/as
Authors: Alamilla Saul G. , Kim Bryan S. K. , Lam N. Alexandra
Published: December 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible relations between perceived racism and minority status stressors as experienced by Latino/ as and their mental health functioning, as operationalized in terms of somatization, anxiety, and hostility. In addition, the potentially protective moderating role of enculturation and potentially harmful moderating role of acculturation on these relationships were investigated. As hypothesized, the results indicated that perceived racism and minority status stressors were positively correlated with somatization, anxiety, and hostility. Although enculturation did moderate the relationship between perceived racism and minority status stressors and anxiety and hostility, it was in an unexpected direction. Results did not indicate that acculturation played a moderator role.
Adult Parenteral Nutrition Utilization at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Kohli‐Seth Roopa , Sinha Rakesh , Wilson Sara , Bassily‐Marcus Adel , Benjamin Ernest
Published: December 2009

Background:

Guidelines from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition promote appropriate use of parenteral nutrition (PN). In addition, involvement of multidisciplinary nutrition support teams (NSTs) has led to a reduction of inappropriate PN administration. This study evaluated the effect of introducing hospital‐wide PN guidelines and a PN review committee on PN prescription behavior of NSTs in the authors’ hospital.

Methods:

A PN guidelines form with established indications was developed and made available to the NSTs. A PN review committee was formed to assess the appropriateness of PN prescriptions and educate the NSTs if an inappropriate PN prescription was noted. The initial‐phase PN prescriptions were compared with those in a later (established) phase.

Results:

Of a total of 614 PN prescriptions, 8.1% did not meet the established indications. The initial phase recorded 312 PN prescriptions, and the established phase had 302 prescriptions. The number of inappropriate PN prescriptions decreased significantly from 11.9% in the initial phase to 4.3% in the established phase (P = .001).

Conclusion:

The incidence of inappropriate PN prescription was low when NSTs were closely involved in patient care. Availability of written guidelines and continuous oversight of NSTs promoted appropriate PN usage.
Evaluation of Glycemic Control Using NPH Insulin Sliding Scale Versus Insulin Aspart Sliding Scale in Continuously Tube‐Fed Patients
Authors: Cook Amber , Burkitt Dora , McDonald Lynn , Sublett Laurie
Published: December 2009

Background:

Hyperglycemia is often a problem in patients who receive continuous enteral nutrition. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of sliding‐scale neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin was more effective than sliding‐scale insulin aspart in controlling blood glucose in continuously tube‐fed patients.

Methods:

A retrospective, records‐based review comparing sliding‐scale NPH insulin given every 4 or 6 hours with sliding‐scale insulin aspart was performed in patients admitted to 2 community hospitals between April 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007.

Results:

Mean blood glucose was found to be lower in patients receiving NPH every 4 hours and NPH every 6 hours than in patients receiving insulin aspart (P < .001). No statistically significant differences in mean blood glucose values (P = .41) were observed between patients receiving the NPH regimen given every 4 or 6 hours. More patients in the NPH groups had blood glucose values in the target and acceptable ranges than those in the insulin aspart group (P < .001), but no statistical significance was observed between the groups receiving NPH every 4 hours and NPH every 6 hours (P = .41).

Conclusions:

In this study, sliding‐scale NPH insulin was demonstrated to be a safe and effective management strategy for blood glucose control in continuously tube‐fed patients; NPH insulin resulted in better blood glucose control compared with insulin aspart.
Sleep‐Disordered Breathing and Obesity
Authors: Leinum Corey J. , Dopp John M. , Morgan Barbara J.
Published: December 2009

Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) is a medical condition that has increasingly recognized adverse health effects. Obesity is the primary risk factor for the development of SDB and contributes to cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities in this population. However, accumulating evidence suggests that SDB may be related to the development of these abnormalities independent of obesity. Periodic apneas and hypopneas during sleep result in intermittent hypoxemia, arousals, and sleep disturbances. These pathophysiologic characteristics of SDB are likely mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities including hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, altered adipokines, inflammatory cytokines, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. Treatment of SDB with continuous positive airway pressure reverses some but not all of these abnormalities; however, studies to date have demonstrated inconsistent findings. Weight loss strategies, including diet, exercise, medications, and bariatric surgery, have been evaluated as a treatment strategy for SDB. In preliminary studies, dietary intervention and exercise reduced severity of SDB. One study demonstrated improvements in SDB severity using the weight‐reducing medication sibutramine. In morbidly obese subjects, bariatric surgery effectively induces weight loss and improvement in SDB severity and symptoms, but long‐term benefits remain uncertain. Large randomized trials are required to determine the utility of these strategies as long‐term approaches to improving SDB and reducing associated complications.
Specialized Enteral Formulas in Acute and Chronic Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Malone Ainsley M.
Published: December 2009

The relationship between pulmonary disease and nutrition is significant. Nutrition support therapy is common in this patient population as a supportive and/or therapeutic measure. Historical reports of adverse respiratory function associated with high parenteral carbohydrate intakes have been the rationale for using high‐fat enteral formulas in patients with chronic pulmonary dysfunction. Theoretically, providing a low‐carbohydrate formula will reduce carbon dioxide production, result in a reduced respiratory quotient, and lead to associated improvement in pulmonary outcomes. In the patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome, an imbalance of mediators exists, with proinflammatory mediators being dominant, ultimately affecting the disease course. An enteral formula with modified lipids designed to modulate eicosanoid production, and therefore influence the inflammatory cascade, is available. This article reviews the rationale for use of modified enteral formulas in both chronic and acute pulmonary disease, reviews the available studies evaluating the efficacy of these formulas, and provides overall recommendations for the use of specialized enteral formulas in individuals with pulmonary disease.
Invasive Fungal Infections in the ICU
Authors: Shoham Shmuel , Marwaha Shilpa
Published: December 2009

Invasive fungal infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Foremost among these is invasive candidiasis. In recent years, invasive aspergillosis (IA) and zygomycosis have emerged as major problems in susceptible, critically ill patients. Risk factors for invasive fungal infections, including disrupted anatomic barriers, suppressed antifungal host responses, and exposure to potentially opportunistic fungi are common in critically ill patients. The expanded antifungal armamentarium and advent of rapid diagnostic techniques are altering the approach to invasive fungal infections in the intensive care unit (ICU). Herein, we review recent developments in the field of antifungal host defenses, the changing epidemiology of fungal infections in the ICU, the pharmacology of antifungal agents of importance to critically ill patients, and the evolving approaches to therapy in this setting.
Rosiglitazone May Assist With Glycemic Control in the ICU
Authors: Lissauer Matthew , Feild Carinda , Fasanmi Foyin , Johnson Steven B.
Published: December 2009

Introduction: Hyperglycemia is a frequent sequela of critical illness. Rosiglitazone is an oral hypoglycemic agent of the thiazolinedione class. Thiazolinediones are known to activate peroxisome proliferator—activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) that decreases inflammation in humans and decreases shock induced by zymosan in mice. Hypothesis: Rosiglitazone can assist with hyperglycemic control in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A hospital billing query identified patients prescribed rosiglitazone while in a major university ICU. Patients who received rosiglitazone as an outpatient prior to hospitalization were excluded. Glycemic control was determined by average daily blood glucose, 24-hour insulin dose, and number of patients requiring an insulin drip. Glycemic control was evaluated on days 0, 3, and 7. Student t test was used to compare means. Fisher exact testing was used to compare insulin regimen before and after starting rosiglitazone. Results: 34 patients were identified. The average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 17.2 ± 4.4. Sixty-five percent were male, 62% were preexisting diabetics. The mean daily blood glucose was 159 ± 30 mg/dL on day 0, 146 ± 37 mg/dL on day 3, and 140 ± 33 mg/dL on day 7 (P < .03 vs day 0). The mean 24-hour insulin dose was 80.6 ± 87.9 U on day 0, 72.2 ± 73.4 U on day 3, and 46.3 ± 57.2 U on day 7 (P < .003 vs day 0). There was 1 major hypoglycemic event. Conclusion: Rosiglitazone may assist glycemic control in the ICU. Despite recent concerns of cardiac safety, further research should be done to evaluate its potential as a short-term therapeutic agent in the ICU, given its anti-inflammatory and antishock profile.
Avoiding 401(k) ERISA Disasters
Authors: Esposito Jewell Lim
Published: December 2009

What causes 401(k) plans to fail? What frustrates plan fiduciaries in understanding their retirement plans? ERISA (Employment Retirement Income Security Act) disasters can handicap American companies. The failure to detect and correct ERISA violations takes its toll in increased human resources and management man hours; additional service provider fees; strained employee relations and microscopic scrutiny from the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor. Companies can prevent ERISA disasters with proper administration and oversight.
The Circuits Are Split: Does MetLife v. Glenn’s “Structural Conflict” Holding Apply When Employee Benefits Are Funded from a Trust?
Authors: Pridgen Nancy B.
Published: December 2009

Subsequent to the Supreme Court’s 2008 decision in Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Glenn, federal courts around the country have attempted to reconcile Glenn’s primary holding—that a structural conflict of interest exists (and must factor into the review) when an employer “both funds the [employee benefit] plan and evaluates the claims”—with prior circuit court precedent holding that no conflict of interest exists when employee benefits are funded through a trust. This article discusses how the law has developed on this issue, both pre- and post- Glenn, and analyzes how the issue may affect plan sponsors.
Coverage Bias in Variances, Associations, and Total Error From Exclusion of the Cell Phone-Only Population in the United States
Authors: Peytchev Andy , Carley-Baxter Lisa R. , Black Michele C.
Published: December 2009

Although landline telephone household surveys often draw inference about the general population, a proportion with only cell phones is excluded. In the United States, like in much of the world, this proportion is substantial and increasing, providing potential for coverage bias. Studies have looked at bias in means, but undercoverage can affect other essential statistics. The precision of point estimates can be biased, leading to erroneous conclusions. Research examining multivariate relationships will be further affected by bias in associations. A national landline telephone survey was conducted, followed by a survey of adults with only cell phones. In addition to estimates of means and proportions, differences were found for variances and associations. Bias in some point estimates was reduced through poststratification but became larger and in opposite direction for others. Different uses of survey data can be affected by omitting the cell-only population, and reliance on postsurvey adjustments can be misleading.
Reaching the Mobile Respondent
Authors: Burger Christoph , Riemer Valentin , Grafeneder Jürgen , Woisetschläger Bianca , Vidovic Dragana , Hergovich Andreas
Published: December 2009

The aim of this study is to identify the key determinants of high-level mobile phone use in a high-coverage target group by replicating an Australian study conducted by Walsh and White. Factors predicting high-level mobile phone use and relations between self- and prototypical identity are investigated by using an extended version of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A total of 215 Austrian university students participated by completing two questionnaires, 1 week apart. The first questionnaire assessed attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention as well as self- and prototypical identity variables. The second questionnaire assessed mobile phone use in the previous week. It was found that all three TPB variables significantly predicted intention. The addition of identity variables improved the model with self-identity becoming the second strongest overall predictor. In terms of predicting high-level mobile phone behavior, intention and subjective norm, but not PBC, were significant predictors.
Management of Multi Alliances for Innovation
Authors: Jain Shilpi , Srivastava Pallavi
Published: December 2009

Sona Koyo Steering Systems Limited (SKSSL) is one of the major automobile component manufacturing organizations in India. A decade ago, SKSSL realized that they could not totally depend upon their technology partners for orders but needed to expand independently within the global market. The company had to become a partner of choice for its technical partners as well as for its global corporate customers. It was facing constraints because of contractual obligations under which the organization could not supply auto components to its partners’ customers. Further constraints were imposed by the Research and Development (R&D) investments and establishments. This case is about how Dr Surinder Kapur, founder chairman of SKSSL, was able to strategically increase the company’s global customer base and take the organization on the path of innovation.
Examining the Content and Outcomes of Young Adults’ Satisfying and Unsatisfying Conversations About Sex
Authors: Faulkner Sandra L. , Lannutti Pamela J.
Published: December 2009

In this study, we examined young adults’ conversational descriptions of satisfying and unsatisfying sexual conversations with a romantic partner and the relational and sexual outcomes. We coded participants’ responses for content, when and where conversations occurred, and the results of conversations. Most often, conversations occurred in residences at the beginning of relationships and addressed sexual pleasure, relationship issues, sexual health, past sexual experience, attitudes/values, and sexual decision making. The results of conversations included relational consequences such as distrust, anger, understanding, and being afraid to talk to a partner, as well as sexual outcomes such as better sex, condom use, and better sex talk. The findings suggest that the costs and rewards of young adults’ sexual disclosure have implications for the effectiveness of sexual communication.
“All at Sea”: The Experience of Living With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Jessup Melanie , Parkinson Camillus
Published: December 2009

In this qualitative study the researchers explored living with cystic fibrosis (CF)—a chronic, life-threatening, life-limiting disease that demands a relentless regime of daily treatment. The unique challenges and issue for care that CF presents were considered. Utilizing a phenomenological perspective, data drawn from unstructured interviews included narratives and drawings contributed by children, adolescents, young adults, and parents—eight families representing nine young people with CF. In line with van Manen’s approach, four existentials were used to consider a lifeworld in which notions of time, body, space, and relationship are indelibly altered. From original fright, through ongoing dynamics of fear, fight, flight, form, familiarity, and philosophy, people with CF pursue a future that is threatened and continually redefined. As a result of enhanced understanding, care can be delivered from an empathetic bearing toward those for whom it is not so much a bothersome routine, but a life-and-death imperative.
Think-Aloud Technique and Protocol Analysis in Clinical Decision-Making Research
Authors: Lundgrén-Laine Heljä , Salanterä Sanna
Published: December 2009

In this article, we aim to describe the practical aspects of research actions that should be taken into account when two methods—the think-aloud technique for data collection and protocol analysis as an analysis technique—are combined with research of decision making in acute clinical settings. These methods are rarely used together or written about in health care research. In addition, careful consideration of the pros and cons of study sampling, data collection, data management, and analysis techniques or approaches is still lacking when these methods are used in health care research. We discuss the background of the think-aloud technique and protocol analysis and review previous studies that have used these methods. The examples in the article are based on our study, in which we investigated the decision making of critical care experts. We find that the combination of the think-aloud technique and protocol analysis is applicable when investigating complex and overlapping decision-making processes and rapid, ad hoc decisions made by critical care experts.
Psychometric Properties of the Career Clusters Interest Survey
Authors: Primé Dominic R. , Tracey Terence J. G.
Published: December 2009

The current study examined the psychometric support of the Career Clusters Interest Survey (CCIS) that provides subscales scores for the 16 Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) career clusters in a sample of 203 college students. Reliability of the subscales was supported with respect to internal consistency and 2-week stability estimates. A principal components analysis (PCA) of the subscale scores revealed that the CCIS yielded only two factors, a general one and one capturing People/Things. Correlation of these components with interest scores from the Personal Globe Inventory (PGI) revealed that the CCIS scales captured only the People/ Things dimension while not covering the Data/Ideas dimension or prestige. So, the instrument represents a very restricted range of interests. In addition, the agreement of the cluster scores from the CCIS with those provided by the PGI was very low. So, reliability support was provided but questions about the validity of the CCIS with respect to its coverage of the interest domain were yielded. Using the CCIS to guide students could result in a very restricted examination of occupations.
The Measurement of Dispositions to Rash Action in Children
Authors: Zapolski Tamika C. B. , Stairs Agnes M. , Settles Regan Fried , Combs Jessica L. , Smith Gregory T.
Published: December 2009

Among adolescents and adults, there appear to be at least four different personality traits that dispose individuals to rash or ill-advised action: sensation seeking, negative urgency, lack of planning, and lack of perseverance. The four are only moderately correlated and they appear to play different roles in dysfunction. It is important to determine whether the traits are present among preadolescents because of their possible influence on subsequent development. The authors developed assessments of the four traits for preadolescent children and found evidence supporting (a) the internal consistency of each trait measure, (b) the convergent and discriminant validity of the four measures using the multitrait, multimethod technique, and (c) the hypothesis that the different traits correlated with different dysfunctional behaviors as predicted by theory. Pending further validation efforts, it appears to be the case that researchers may be able to distinguish among different dispositions to rash action prior to adolescence.
From Carbon Markets to Carbon Morality: Creative Compounds as Framing Devices in Online Discourses on Climate Change Mitigation
Authors: Koteyko Nelya , Thelwall Mike , Nerlich Brigitte
Published: December 2009

Lexical combinations of at least two roots around “carbon” as the hub, such as “carbon finance” or “carbon footprint,” have recently become ubiquitous in English-speaking science, politics, and mass media. They are part of a new language evolving around the issue of climate change that can reveal how it is framed by various stakeholders. In this article, the authors study the role of these “carbon compounds” as tools of communication in different online discourses on climate change mitigation. By combining a quantitative analysis of their occurrences with a qualitative analysis of the contexts in which the compounds were used, the authors identify three clusters of compounds focused on finance, lifestyle, and attitudes and elucidate the communicative purposes to which they were put between the 1990s and the early 21st century. This approach may open up new ways of analyzing the framings of climate change mitigation initiatives in the public sphere.