bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrometeorological Accuracy Enhancement via Postprocessing of Numerical Weather Forecasts in Complex Terrain
Authors: McCollor Doug , Stull Roland
Published: March 2008

Statistical postprocessing techniques such as model output statistics are used by national weather centers to improve the skill of numerical forecasts. However, many of these techniques require an extensive database to develop, maintain, and update the postprocessed forecasts. This paper explores alternative postprocessing techniques for temperature and precipitation based on weighted-average and recursive formulations of forecast–observation paired data that do not require extensive database management, yet provide distinct error reduction over direct model output.

For maximum and minimum daily temperatures, seven different postprocessing methods were tested based on direct model output error for forecast days 1–8. The methods were tested on a 1-yr series of daily temperature values averaged over 19 stations in complex terrain in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. For daily quantitative precipitation forecasts, three different postprocessing methods were tested over a 6-month wet season period.

The different postprocessing methods were compared using several verification metrics, including mean error (for temperature), degree of mass balance (for precipitation), mean absolute error, and threshold error. All of the postprocessing methods improved forecast skill over direct model output. The postprocessing methods for temperature forecasts require a much shorter training period (14 days) than precipitation forecasts (40 days) to accomplish error reduction over direct model output forecasts. The postprocessing methods that weight recent error estimates most heavily perform better in the short term (days 1–4) while methods that weight recent and earlier error estimates more evenly show improving relative performance in the midterm (days 5–8).

For temperature forecasts, Kalman filtering produced slightly better verification scores than the other methods. For precipitation forecasts, a 40-day moving-average weighting function and the best easy systematic estimator method produced the best degree of mass balance results, while a seasonally averaged method produced the lowest mean absolute errors and lowest threshold errors. The methods described in this paper require minimal database management or computer resources to update forecasts, and are especially viable for hydrometeorological applications that require calibrated daily temperature and precipitation forecasts.
Objective Identification of Annular Hurricanes
Authors: Knaff John A. , Cram Thomas A. , Schumacher Andrea B. , Kossin James P. , DeMaria Mark
Published: March 2008

Annular hurricanes are a subset of intense tropical cyclones that have been shown in previous work to be significantly stronger, to maintain their peak intensities longer, and to weaken more slowly than average tropical cyclones. Because of these characteristics, they represent a significant forecasting challenge. This paper updates the list of annular hurricanes to encompass the years 1995–2006 in both the North Atlantic and eastern–central North Pacific tropical cyclone basins. Because annular hurricanes have a unique appearance in infrared satellite imagery, and form in a specific set of environmental conditions, an objective real-time method of identifying these hurricanes is developed. However, since the occurrence of annular hurricanes is rare (∼4% of all hurricanes), a special algorithm to detect annular hurricanes is developed that employs two steps to identify the candidates: 1) prescreening the data and 2) applying a linear discriminant analysis. This algorithm is trained using a dependent dataset (1995–2003) that includes 11 annular hurricanes. The resulting algorithm is then independently tested using datasets from the years 2004–06, which contained an additional three annular hurricanes. Results indicate that the algorithm is able to discriminate annular hurricanes from tropical cyclones with intensities greater than 84 kt (43.2 m s−1). The probability of detection or hit rate produced by this scheme is shown to be ∼96% with a false alarm rate of ∼6%, based on 1363 six-hour time periods with a tropical cyclone with an intensity greater than 84 kt (1995–2006).
A Cloud and Precipitation Feature Database from Nine Years of TRMM Observations
Authors: Liu Chuntao , Zipser Edward J. , Cecil Daniel J. , Nesbitt Stephen W. , Sherwood Steven
Published: March 2008

An event-based method of analyzing the measurements from multiple satellite sensors is presented by using observations of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR), Microwave Imager (TMI), Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS), and Lightning Imaging System (LIS). First, the observations from PR, VIRS, TMI, and LIS are temporally and spatially collocated. Then the cloud and precipitation features are defined by grouping contiguous pixels using various criteria, including surface rain, cold infrared, or microwave brightness temperature. The characteristics of measurements from different sensors inside these features are summarized. Then, climatological descriptions of many properties of the identified features are generated. This analysis method condenses the original information of pixel-level measurements into the properties of events, which can greatly increase the efficiency of searching and sorting the observed historical events. Using the TRMM cloud and precipitation feature database, the regional variations of rainfall contribution by features with different size, intensity, and PR reflectivity vertical structure are shown. Above the freezing level, land storms tend to have larger 20-dBZ area and reach higher altitude than is the case for oceanic storms, especially those land storms over central Africa. Horizontal size and the maximum reflectivity of oceanic storms decrease with altitude. For land storms, these intensity measures increase with altitude between 2 km and the freezing level and decrease more slowly with altitude above the freezing level than for ocean storms.
Performance Characteristics of a Pseudo-Operational Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Torn Ryan D. , Hakim Gregory J.
Published: March 2008

The 2-yr performance of a pseudo-operational (real time) limited-area ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model is described. This system assimilates conventional observations from surface stations, rawinsondes, the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), and cloud motion vectors every 6 h on a domain that includes the eastern North Pacific Ocean and western North America. Ensemble forecasts from this system and deterministic output from operational numerical weather prediction models during this same period are verified against rawinsonde and surface observation data. Relative to operational forecasts, the forecast from the ensemble-mean analysis has slightly larger errors in wind and temperature but smaller errors in moisture, even though satellite radiances are not assimilated by the EnKF. Time-averaged correlations indicate that assimilating ACARS and cloud wind data with flow-dependent error statistics provides corrections to the moisture field in the absence of direct observations of that field. Comparison with a control experiment in which a deterministic forecast is cycled without observation assimilation indicates that the skill in the EnKF’s forecasts results from assimilating observations and not from lateral boundary conditions or the model formulation. Furthermore, the ensemble variance is generally in good agreement with the ensemble-mean error and the spread increases monotonically with forecast hour.
Mechanism of Permeability Modification in Polyethylene Foams
Authors: Fukasawa Yoshihito , Okuda Tohru , Shimada Tomoko , Hattori Makiko , Saito Hiromu
Published: March 2008

The shrinkage of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foam obtained by the extrusion foaming method using isobutene as a blowing agent is suppressed and the dimensional stability is improved by blending with a permeation modifier of stearyl stearamide. To understand the mechanism involved in the modification of the permeability, the gas permeability and the surface structure of LDPE—stearyl stearamide blend films aged for various periods is investigated by using a gas transmission rate tester, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD). After aging, a thin layer consisting of distorted particles appears at the surface of the blend film. The amount of stearyl stearamide at the surface increases as the aging time increases. These results suggest that the stearyl stearamide bleeds out to the surface of the film during aging. Gas permeability is suppressed by increasing the amount of stearyl stearamide that bleed out at the surface due to a decrease in solubility, and the permeability of isobutane becomes less than that of air over time. Such modification of permeability improves the dimensional stability of the LDPE foam in the extrusion and post-extrusion aging processes.
Strategies for Processing Wood Plastic Composites with Chemical Blowing Agents
Authors: Rizvi G.M. , Park C.B. , Guo G.
Published: March 2008

The production of a cellular structure in wood-flour/plastic composites (WPC) is overwhelmingly dominated by the gaseous emissions/ volatiles released by the wood-flour (WF), which prevents the formation of a uniform and fine-celled structure. By adopting effective processing strategies, the adverse effects of these volatile emissions on the foam morphology of WPC can be largely suppressed. This study discusses these strategies, and presents the results obtained from extrusion processing in cases where the chemical blowing agent (CBA) predominantly controls the density reduction. The effects of CBAs on extrusion processing of WPC are discussed. All the CBAs used, produced uniform and reasonably fine-celled structures.
Solid-State Foaming of Epoxy Resin
Authors: Quadrini Fabrizio , Squeo Erica Anna
Published: March 2008

A new foaming process has been developed for epoxy resins. Uncured epoxy tablets are fabricated by pressing commercial powders in a steel mold at room temperature and used as foam precursors. The tablets foam when heated in a muffle at high temperature. No blowing agent was added because the foaming mechanism depends on the uncured resin boiling point. The foaming temperature is set to be high enough to rapidly produce the resin boiling but not excessive to avoid the thermal degradation. During boiling, the epoxy resin polymerizes and the bubbles freeze in the final structure. Epoxy foams are obtained by heating the compacted tablets in cylindrical copper molds, having internal diameter equal to the tablet diameter. Several process parameters have been changed in the experiment to understand their correlation with the foaming efficiency. However, the foaming ratio (expressed in terms of the ratio between the final and the initial tablet height) is found to be mainly dependent on the initial tablet density. In optimal conditions, the foaming ratio can rise up to 6. Thermal tests have been performed to evaluate the epoxy powder behavior during the cure, whereas mechanical compression tests were used to evaluate the final performances of the foams.
Inside the City: On Urbanisation, Public Policy and Planning
Authors: Scott Allen J.
Published: March 2008

A basic frame of reference for reconsideration of the urban question is presented, with an emphasis on the city as a collectivity whose character is derived from a spatially organised system of increasing returns effects and social needs. The logic of the city as a locus of accumulation and social reproduction in the modern economy is then discussed. Here, special attention is paid to the dynamics of intraurban production space and social space, and to the complex interrelations between the two. The concomitant shape and form of urban public policy are subject to investigation. Three major dilemmas and their underlying etiology are subject to scrutiny. These are: the fragility of localised competitive advantage in a globalising world; the widening social divide with its many-sided negative consequences on urban life; and, the growing mismatch between the internal geography of the city and the institutions of urban governance. The paper concludes with a comment on the implications of the new cognitive-cultural economy for understanding urban dynamics and problems.
Mobilising Urban Policies: The Policy Transfer of US Business Improvement Districts to England and Wales
Authors: Cook Ian R.
Published: March 2008

This paper examines the ways in which policies are transferred between places: how they are disembedded from, and re-embedded into, new political, economic and social contexts. To do this, the paper will draw upon a case study of the transfer of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) from the US to England and Wales. Within this, the paper demonstrates how they were a response to fiscal problems facing city-centre management in England and Wales; how US BIDs were socially constructed as `successful' and `transferable'; and how the BID `model' was reshaped prior to and following its rolling-out in England and Wales. The paper concludes by stressing six wider conceptual points about the nature of urban policy transfer.
Does Land Property Structure Affect Local Development Patterns? Evidence from a Greek Tourist Area
Authors: Triantafyllopoulos Nikolaos
Published: March 2008

This paper attempts to clarify the institutional context and local framework of landed property relations in the local development patterns of a rural space converted into an urban tourist resort on the island of Rhodes, Greece, through the diachronic analysis of cadastral data on land property ownership and non-market land property transfers and acquisitions. Direct and indirect state policies, land property structures inherited from the past, formal and informal institutions enabled agents to establish enterprises of varying types and size. Socially dispersed landownership is a structural resource that, through agency, influences local development patterns and land property is repeatedly implicated in the local production and reproduction system.
Reversal of Fortunes? Lower-income Urban Neighbourhoods in the US in the 1990s
Authors: Gould Ellen Ingrid , O'Regan Katherine
Published: March 2008

This paper offers new empirical evidence about the prospects of lower-income, US urban neighbourhoods during the 1990s. Using the Neighborhood Change Database, which offers a balanced panel of census tracts with consistent boundaries from 1970 to 2000 for all metropolitan areas in the US, evidence is found of a significant shift in the fortunes of lower-income, urban neighbourhoods during the 1990s. There was a notable increase in the 1990s in the proportion of lower-income and poor neighbourhoods experiencing a gain in economic status. Secondly, in terms of geographical patterns, it is found that this upgrading occurred throughout the country, not just in selected regions or cities. Finally, it is found that the determinants of changes in lower-income, urban neighbourhoods shifted during the 1990s. In contrast to earlier decades, both the share of Blacks and the poverty rate were positively related to subsequent economic gain in these neighbourhoods during the 1990s.
A New Insight into Urban Poverty: The Culture of Capability Poverty amongst Korean Immigrant Women in Los Angeles
Authors: Shin HaeRan
Published: March 2008

This study analyses 'the culture of capability poverty' of 42 Korean immigrant women who live in Los Angeles to uncover the systemic road to gendered urban poverty. Through in-depth interviews, this research observes the interaction between sub-culture and capability in the subject's career domain, reinterpreting Lewis' culture of poverty thesis within Sen's capability approach. The subjects have developed their culture of capability poverty within that domain—such as low aspiration and heavy reliance on their Christianity—as a response to career-decision constraints including a strong woman's image, their childhood education and job market inequality. This paper concludes that, while their sub-culture is a positive life-strategy mechanism for dealing with their gender situation, it ultimately becomes lack of capability, poverty itself.
Selective Migration and Neighbourhood Deprivation: Evidence from 2001 Census Migration Data for England and Scotland
Authors: Bailey Nick , Livingston Mark
Published: March 2008

Selective migration flows are thought to be a key means by which the intended benefits of area-based initiatives `leak out' of target areas, undermining their effectiveness. To date, direct evidence on the scale or impact of these flows has been weak since they are difficult to assess using survey methods. Using 2001 census data for England and Scotland, this paper looks at the scale and composition of flows for deprived neighbourhoods with a particular focus on educational attainment. It analyses the impacts of these flows on the characteristics of deprived areas, exploring differences between regions and comparing neighbourhoods involved in two major regeneration programmes with other deprived areas. The paper shows that selective migration flows do serve to reinforce spatial segregation but that the scale of this effect appears very modest and that impacts vary between regions. Flows for the regeneration areas are less adverse than for similarly deprived neighbourhoods.
Neighbourhood Types, Travel and Body Mass: A Study of New Urbanist and Suburban Neighbourhoods in the US
Authors: Brown Austin L. , Khattak Asad J. , Rodriguez Daniel A.
Published: March 2008

Using an ecological framework, this paper examines the body mass index (BMI), physical activity and travel behaviour of household heads in a US new urbanist neighbourhood relative to household heads of comparable conventional suburban US neighbourhoods. Using a quasi-experimental design, a new urbanist neighbourhood and five conventional suburban neighbourhoods were matched on age of development, assessed property values and regional accessibility. Self-reported height, weight, physical activity and travel behaviours were obtained from the household heads in each neighbourhood type. No direct association was detected between neighbourhood type and BMI. However, household heads of single-family dwellings in the new urbanist neighbourhood have lower BMI partly due to the number of utilitarian trips made by walking or bicycling. This relationship is independent of physical activity time. Although small in magnitude, this association may have appreciable morbidity effects at the population level.
“Keepin' My Mind Right”
Authors: Kerley Kent R. , Copes Heith
Published: March 2008

It is not uncommon for inmates to experience religious conversions in prison. These conversions allow inmates to portray themselves in a prosocial light and help them to establish a sense of control in their current lives, regardless of their past. Despite the value of these conversions, maintaining a new outlook of one's self is remarkably difficult. Using semistructured interviews with 63 inmates who had undergone a religious conversion, the authors examine the process that they engaged in to keep these new senses of self. The narratives suggest that they relied on various social support mechanisms to keep themselves focused and inspired. Specifically, they stressed the importance of connecting with positive others in formal and informal settings, sharing their stories with those in need, and reflecting on their daily choices. It is through these strategies that inmates keep the inspiration and focus to “keep their minds right.”
The Influence of Personality Differences Between Subordinates and Supervisors on Perceptions of LMX
Authors: Bernerth Jeremy B. , Armenakis Achilles A. , Feild Hubert S. , Giles William F. , Walker H. Jack
Published: March 2008

Although the concept of leader—member exchange (LMX) has received a considerable amount of attention since its conception in the early 1970s, very little research has focused on antecedents to the formation of this exchange. To fill this gap, the authors collected data from 195 matched pairs of employees and supervisors from a variety of organizations and investigated the role of personality differences on employees' perceptions of LMX quality. As predicted, differences in emotional stability, intellectual openness, agreeable-ness, and conscientiousness negatively related to perceptions of LMX. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
School-Based Service Use by Youth With ADHD in Public-Sector Settings
Authors: Leslie Laurel K. , Lambros Katina M. , Aarons Gregory A. , Haine Rachel A. , Hough Richard L.
Published: March 2008

This study investigates rates and predictors of school-based services (SBSs) for 390 youth meeting criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and served in the San Diego public sectors. Only 60% of youth had received an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis; these youth were younger, male, Caucasian (versus Latino), and active to public mental health and special education (Emotional Disturbance category) at enumeration of study participants. Higher rates of SBSs (64%) were revealed than in community samples. Only 26% accessed multimodal treatment including SBSs, medication, and mental health. In multivariate modeling, SBSs displayed a curvilinear relationship with age, which may explain previously conflicting results regarding that relationship. Youth with private insurance or receiving mental health or medication were more likely to receive SBSs. Gender, race/ethnicity, and caregiver education, health, and mental health were not related to SBSs use. These findings may reflect sample characteristics. Further exploration of factors influencing SBSs use in different populations is warranted.
Rethinking Hegemonic Masculinity in a Globalizing World
Authors: Beasley Christine
Published: March 2008

Our understanding of power relations in domestic and global settings is crucially informed by analyses of the gendered character of contemporary societies and global politics. Hegemonic masculinity is a crucial concept in such analyses. However, this concept has also been the subject of debate. The concept is currently used to stand in for a singular monolithic masculinity, a global hegemonic form on a world scale and is understood to refer to transnational business masculinity to an elite group of socially dominant men. This conceptualization is reconsidered and an alternative approach presented. Rethinking the term hegemonic masculinity is necessary to produce a more nuanced understanding of privileged legitimating conceptions of manhood, and of relations between different masculinities in the global/national nexus. Such a rethinking provides a means to rethink how gendered global politics, how (gendered) globalization may be conceived.
New Genealogy: It's Not Just for Kinship Anymore
Authors: Quinlan Robert J. , Hagen Edward H.
Published: March 2008

Genealogy has been a pillar of anthropological research since the earliest ethnographic fieldwork. A turn toward demographically and quantitatively oriented kinship studies in the 1960s highlighted the need for more systematic genealogical methods. New computer-assisted, iterative field methods were developed in response. These methods can dramatically improve data quality and quantity and are remarkably flexible. Here, the authors outline an iterative genealogical approach that has been used to study kinship, migration, education, alcoholism, food sharing, intragroup aggression, father absence, community fissioning, and land ownership. The authors demonstrate the reliability of these data and show how they can be analyzed. The unobtrusive genealogical methods outlined here could be used to study terminologies and cognitive models of kinship; however, the authors focus on applications to demography, epidemiology, and economics.
Alzheimer's and Non-Alzheimer's Dementia: A Critical Review of Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Strategies
Authors: Saddichha Sahoo , Pandey Vibha
Published: March 2008

Objective. Dementia is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder afflicting about 5% of the world's population, and it is expected to grow dramatically in the future keeping in view our ageing society. Currently available medications appear to be able to produce moderate symptomatic benefits but do not to stop disease progression. In this article, the management of the disorder, including the currently available drugs as well as psychosocial strategies, is discussed. Methods. A computerized search on Pubmed from 1980 to 2006 was carried out and all articles evaluated and graded on NICE guidelines. Results and conclusions. Currently evaluated and accepted medications only bring about a reduction in the deteriorating course. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial management is the need of the hour.
Effectively Educating Latino/a Students
Authors: Brown Alan V.
Published: March 2008

This article provides, first, a brief review of literature concerning the education of Hispanic American (Latino/a) students at the secondary and postsecondary levels and, second, the results of questionnaire research conducted with Latino/a and Anglo-American (White) students at a large university in the Southwest regarding classroom participation patterns. Latino/a students' responses reflected traditional Hispanic values (i.e., community and cooperation) when compared to White students' responses. However, intriguing similarities and counterintuitive responses from each group resulted as well.
A Model for Health Professional Education in South Texas
Authors: Ramirez Amelie , Vela Leonel , Cigarroa Francisco G.
Published: March 2008

In 1997, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio established the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) for the Lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas. Through medical education programs, research facilities, and partnerships with health-care providers, the RAHC aims to improve the health status and access to health services for citizens of south Texas. This article explores the RAHC's potential as a medical education model for other U.S.–México border regions.
Demythologizing the Mexican American Father
Authors: Saracho Olivia N. , Spodek Bernard
Published: March 2008

This review presents recent studies on Mexican American fathers in the United Sates to provide researchers with an understanding of contemporary fatherhood of Mexican American individuals. It describes the myths that create methodological and conceptual problems in conducting research studies to characterize Mexican American fathers. It also suggests guidelines for future research and practical applications on Mexican American fathers' involvement in their children's education. In doing this, it contributes to the emerging research to better understand the complexity of Mexican American fathering.
Latino Access to College: Actualizing the Promise and Potential of K-16 Partnerships
Authors: Oliva Maricela
Published: March 2008

The article discusses a policy trend for stronger coordination between K-12 and postsecondary education levels. Using Texas as an illustrative case, remedying Latino underrepresentation in college is described as a rationale for enacting cross-walks between K-12 and higher education. The author concludes that the work and training of postsecondary educators must evolve to incorporate a K-16 mind-set training. Doing so would better position educators to work closely with schools and families to improve college access and success.
Hispanic Presidents and Chancellors of Institutions of Higher Education in the United States in 2001 and 2006
Authors: de los Santos Alfredo G. , Vega Irene I.
Published: March 2008

This manuscript examines the number of Hispanic individuals who serve as presidents or chancellor and the type of institutions they serve. In 2001, only 13 states had institutions in which the president or chancellor was Latina/o. By 2006, that number had increased to 22. Both in 2001 and 2006, 61% of all Latina/o CEOs served in associate's degree institutions. Of the l80 Hispanic-serving institutions in the continental United States that were members of HACU in 2007, only 56, or 31%, had Latina/o CEOs.
Prognostic Factors and Treatment Outcome in Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Hedayati Nasim , Riha Gordon M. , Kougias Panagiotis , Huynh Tam T. , Cheng Charlie , Bechara Carlos , Bismuth Jean , Dardik Alan , Lin Peter H.
Published: March 2008

Background Mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) can result in intestinal ischemia and is associated with high morbidity and mortality due in part to its frequent delay in diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment outcome of MVT.

Methods Hospital records and clinical data of all patients treated for MVT were reviewed during a recent 14-year period. Clinical outcome and factors affecting survival were analyzed.

Results A total of 68 patients were included in the study. Abdominal exploration was performed in 23 patients (34%), and second-look operation was necessary in 18 patients (26%). Three patients (4%) underwent unsuccessful operative mesenteric vein thrombectomy, whereas percutaneous transhepatic mesenteric thrombectomy was performed successfully in 3 patients (4%). The 30-day mortality rate was 20%. Forty-six of the 54 survivors were treated with long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. Actuarial survival at 2, 4, 6, and 10 years was 68%, 57%, 43%, and 22%, respectively. Risk factor analysis showed malignancy ( P < .002), age >60 years ( P < .005), cirrhosis ( P < .02), symptom duration ( P < .005), and bowel resection ( P < .03) were associated with mortality. Logistic regression analysis showed age >60 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.64; P = .03), malignancy (OR, 3.88; P = .02), and prolonged symptom duration (OR, 5.62; P = .01) were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusions MVT is associated with significant mortality. Prompt diagnostic evaluation with computed tomography may reduce potential treatment delay. Underlying malignancy, advanced age, and prolonged symptom duration are predictive of poor outcome.
No Gender Influences on Clinical Outcomes or Durability of Repair Following Carotid Angioplasty With Stenting and Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Park Brian , Aiello Francesco , Dahn Michael S. , Menzoian James O. , Mavanur Arun
Published: March 2008

Introduction To determine if gender influences clinical outcomes and durability of repair after carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) or carotid endartercetomy (CEA), an analysis of patient records was performed.

Methods This study included 89 CAS patients (47 men and 42 women) and 93 CEA patients (53 men and 40 women). Patients underwent duplex scans 6, 12, 24 months postprocedure. The outcomes of periprocedural mortality, major adverse events, strokes, and myocardial infarctions were assessed. Incidence of critical restenosis and recurrence of symptoms was also assessed.

Results No significant differences were noted between men and women who had undergone either CAS or CEA ( P > .05) for clinical outcomes and durability of repair. No differences for periprocedural mortality, major adverse events, critical restenosis, recurrent neurologic symptoms, and adverse event free survival were found.

Conclusions These results do not indicate substantial gender influences on clinical outcomes or durability of repair following CAS and CEA.
Peripheral View: Conceptualizing the Information Society as a Postcolonial Subject
Authors: Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan A.J.M.
Published: March 2008

This article looks into the information society from a postcolonial subject position. It uses concepts from a postcolonial perspective and critical political economy of communication to investigate the information society. It perceives the information society as a discourse of social progress, and places it in historical context to show how imperial powers use discourses of progress to establish their control. It argues that when the information society is perceived from the South, it turns out to be a new imperial project designed to create markets for multinational corporations that own and operate information technologies, the engine of the information society. It also proposes an amendment — an anti-market utopia — to the information society to make it meaningful for the people of the South.
Basque Nationalism and the Spiral of Silence
Authors: Spencer Anthony T. , Croucher Stephen M.
Published: March 2008

/ This study represents a test of the spiral of silence theory across national boundaries regarding the Basque separatist group, ETA. Approximately 200 participants were surveyed for this study in France and Spain. The study found a stronger spiral of silence effect the closer participants were to the Basque homeland both geographically and culturally. This test of the spiral of silence is consistent with previous research in finding a need for cross-cultural applications of the theory.
The Implementation of the Quota Requirements of the Directive `Television Without Frontiers'
Authors: Besio Cristina , Hungerbühler Ruth , Morici Luca , Prario Benedetta
Published: March 2008

/ The television programming and production quotas introduced in 1989 by the European Directive `Television without Frontiers' were intended to improve the European audiovisual industry and to protect European culture. Nearly two decades since the implementation of these regulations, one may ask what effects they have had. This article addresses this question by analysing the challenges entailed in the European quotas for broadcasters from different European countries. The analysis is based on the assumption that television broadcasters are organizations with specific structures. On the one hand, they can react to quotas by relying only on their existing structures (e.g. planning practices or the availability of specific organizational divisions); on the other hand, quotas may affect these structures and change some features of media organizations. These dynamics engender unexpected side-effects that cannot be neglected when evaluating the success of quota requirements.
Multiple myeloma
Authors: Kyle Robert A. , Rajkumar S. Vincent
Published: March 2008

Multiple myeloma is a clonal plasma cell malignancy that accounts for slightly more than 10% of all hematologic cancers. In this paper, we present a historically focused review of the disease, from the description of the first case in 1844 to the present. The evolution of drug therapy and stem-cell transplantation for the treatment of myeloma, as well as the development of new agents, is discussed. We also provide an update on current concepts of diagnosis and therapy, with an emphasis on how treatments have emerged from a historical perspective after certain important discoveries and the results of experimental studies.
Conditional clustering of temporal expression profiles
Authors: Wang Ling , Montano Monty , Rarick Matt , Sebastiani Paola
Published: March 2008

Background

Many microarray experiments produce temporal profiles in different biological conditions but common cluster techniques are not able to analyze the data conditional on the biological conditions.

Results

This article presents a novel technique to cluster data from time course microarray experiments performed across several experimental conditions. Our algorithm uses polynomial models to describe the gene expression patterns over time, a full Bayesian approach with proper conjugate priors to make the algorithm invariant to linear transformations, and an iterative procedure to identify genes that have a common temporal expression profile across two or more experimental conditions, and genes that have a unique temporal profile in a specific condition.

Conclusion

We use simulated data to evaluate the effectiveness of this new algorithm in finding the correct number of clusters and in identifying genes with common and unique profiles. We also use the algorithm to characterize the response of human T cells to stimulations of antigen-receptor signaling gene expression temporal profiles measured in six different biological conditions and we identify common and unique genes. These studies suggest that the methodology proposed here is useful in identifying and distinguishing uniquely stimulated genes from commonly stimulated genes in response to variable stimuli. Software for using this clustering method is available from the project home page.
Insertion-deletion polymorphisms (indels) as genetic markers in natural populations
Authors: Väli Ülo , Brandström Mikael , Johansson Malin , Ellegren Hans
Published: March 2008

Background

We introduce the use of short insertion-deletion polymorphisms (indels) for genetic analysis of natural populations.

Results

Sequence reads from light shot-gun sequencing efforts of different dog breeds were aligned to the dog genome reference sequence and gaps corresponding to indels were identified. One hundred candidate markers (4-bp indels) were selected and genotyped in unrelated dogs (n = 7) and wolves (n = 18). Eighty-one and 76 out of 94 could be validated as polymorphic loci in the respective sample. Mean indel heterozygosity in a diverse set of wolves was 19%, and 74% of the loci had a minor allele frequency of >10%. Indels found to be polymorphic in wolves were subsequently genotyped in a highly bottlenecked Scandinavian wolf population. Fifty-one loci turned out to be polymorphic, showing their utility even in a population with low genetic diversity. In this population, individual heterozygosity measured at indel and microsatellite loci were highly correlated.

Conclusion

With an increasing amount of sequence information gathered from non-model organisms, we suggest that indels will come to form an important source of genetic markers, easy and cheap to genotype, for studies of natural populations.
Can subtle changes in gene expression be consistently detected with different microarray platforms?
Authors: Pedotti Paola , 't Hoen Peter AC , Vreugdenhil Erno , Schenk Geert J , Vossen Rolf HAM , Ariyurek Yavuz , de Hollander Mattias , Kuiper Rowan , van Ommen Gertjan JB , den Dunnen Johan T , Boer Judith M , de Menezes Renée X
Published: March 2008

Background

The comparability of gene expression data generated with different microarray platforms is still a matter of concern. Here we address the performance and the overlap in the detection of differentially expressed genes for five different microarray platforms in a challenging biological context where differences in gene expression are few and subtle.

Results

Gene expression profiles in the hippocampus of five wild-type and five transgenic δC-doublecortin-like kinase mice were evaluated with five microarray platforms: Applied Biosystems, Affymetrix, Agilent, Illumina, LGTC home-spotted arrays. Using a fixed false discovery rate of 10% we detected surprising differences between the number of differentially expressed genes per platform. Four genes were selected by ABI, 130 by Affymetrix, 3,051 by Agilent, 54 by Illumina, and 13 by LGTC. Two genes were found significantly differentially expressed by all platforms and the four genes identified by the ABI platform were found by at least three other platforms. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed 20 out of 28 of the genes detected by two or more platforms and 8 out of 15 of the genes detected by Agilent only. We observed improved correlations between platforms when ranking the genes based on the significance level than with a fixed statistical cut-off. We demonstrate significant overlap in the affected gene sets identified by the different platforms, although biological processes were represented by only partially overlapping sets of genes. Aberrances in GABA-ergic signalling in the transgenic mice were consistently found by all platforms.

Conclusion

The different microarray platforms give partially complementary views on biological processes affected. Our data indicate that when analyzing samples with only subtle differences in gene expression the use of two different platforms might be more attractive than increasing the number of replicates. Commercial two-color platforms seem to have higher power for finding differentially expressed genes between groups with small differences in expression.
Salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) transcriptomes during post molting maturation and egg production, revealed using EST-sequencing and microarray analysis
Authors: Eichner Christiane , Frost Petter , Dysvik Bjarte , Jonassen Inge , Kristiansen Bjørn , Nilsen Frank
Published: March 2008

Background

Lepeophtheirus salmonis is an ectoparasitic copepod feeding on skin, mucus and blood from salmonid hosts. Initial analysis of EST sequences from pre adult and adult stages of L. salmonis revealed a large proportion of novel transcripts. In order to link unknown transcripts to biological functions we have combined EST sequencing and microarray analysis to characterize female salmon louse transcriptomes during post molting maturation and egg production.

Results

EST sequence analysis shows that 43% of the ESTs have no significant hits in GenBank. Sequenced ESTs assembled into 556 contigs and 1614 singletons and whenever homologous genes were identified no clear correlation with homologous genes from any specific animal group was evident. Sequence comparison of 27 L. salmonis proteins with homologous proteins in humans, zebrafish, insects and crustaceans revealed an almost identical sequence identity with all species.

Microarray analysis of maturing female adult salmon lice revealed two major transcription patterns; up-regulation during the final molting followed by down regulation and female specific up regulation during post molting growth and egg production. For a third minor group of ESTs transcription decreased during molting from pre-adult II to immature adults. Genes regulated during molting typically gave hits with cuticula proteins whilst transcripts up regulated during post molting growth were female specific, including two vitellogenins.

Conclusion

The copepod L.salmonis contains high a level of novel genes. Among analyzed L.salmonis proteins, sequence identities with homologous proteins in crustaceans are no higher than to homologous proteins in humans. Three distinct processes, molting, post molting growth and egg production correlate with transcriptional regulation of three groups of transcripts; two including genes related to growth, one including genes related to egg production. The function of the regulated transcripts is discussed in relation to post molting morphological changes in adult female salmon louse. There is clear evidence that transcription of the major yolk proteins is not induced before some of the post molting growth of abdomen and the genital segment has occurred. A hallmark for the observed growth is transcription of many putative cuticula proteins prior to the size increase.
Comparative secretome analysis suggests low plant cell wall degrading capacity in Frankia symbionts
Authors: Mastronunzio Juliana E , Tisa Louis S , Normand Philippe , Benson David R
Published: March 2008

Background

Frankia sp. strains, the nitrogen-fixing facultative endosymbionts of actinorhizal plants, have long been proposed to secrete hydrolytic enzymes such as cellulases, pectinases, and proteases that may contribute to plant root penetration and formation of symbiotic root nodules. These or other secreted proteins might logically be involved in the as yet unknown molecular interactions between Frankia and their host plants. We compared the genome-based secretomes of three Frankia strains representing diverse host specificities. Signal peptide detection algorithms were used to predict the individual secretomes of each strain, and the set of secreted proteins shared among the strains, termed the core Frankia secretome. Proteins in the core secretome may be involved in the actinorhizal symbiosis.

Results

The Frankia genomes have conserved Sec (general secretory) and Tat (twin arginine translocase) secretion systems. The potential secretome of each Frankia strain comprised 4–5% of the total proteome, a lower percentage than that found in the genomes of other actinobacteria, legume endosymbionts, and plant pathogens. Hydrolytic enzymes made up only a small fraction of the total number of predicted secreted proteins in each strain. Surprisingly, polysaccharide-degrading enzymes were few in number, especially in strain CcI3, with more esterolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic enzymes having signal peptides. A total of 161 orthologous proteins belong to the core Frankia secretome. Of these, 52 also lack homologs in closely related actinobacteria, and are termed "Frankia- specific." The genes encoding these conserved secreted proteins are often clustered near secretion machinery genes.

Conclusion

The predicted secretomes of Frankia sp. are relatively small and include few hydrolases, which could reflect adaptation to a symbiotic lifestyle. There are no well-conserved secreted polysaccharide-degrading enzymes present in all three Frankia genomes, suggesting that plant cell wall polysaccharide degradation may not be crucial to root infection, or that this degradation varies among strains. We hypothesize that the relative lack of secreted polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in Frankia reflects a strategy used by these bacteria to avoid eliciting host defense responses. The esterases, lipases, and proteases found in the core Frankia secretome might facilitate hyphal penetration through the cell wall, release carbon sources, or modify chemical signals. The core secretome also includes extracellular solute-binding proteins and Frankia-specific hypothetical proteins that may enable the actinorhizal symbiosis.
Healing Potential of Picrorhiza kurroa (Scrofulariaceae) rhizomes against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration: a mechanistic exploration.
Authors: Banerjee Debashish , Maity Biswanath , Nag Subrata K , Bandyopadhyay Sandip K , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: March 2008

Background

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of the rhizomes of the Indian medicinal plant,Picrorhiza kurroain healing indomethacin-induced acute stomach ulceration in mice and examine its capacity to modulate oxidative stress and the levels of prostaglandin (PGE2) and EGF during the process.

Methods

Male swiss albino mice, ulcerated with indomethacin (18 mg/kg, p. o., single dose) were treated up to 7 days with different doses of the methanol extract ofP. kurroarhizomes (designated as PK). The healing capacity of the most effective dose of PK (20 mg/kg, p. o. × 3 d) was compared with that of omeprazole (Omez) (3 mg/kg, p. o. × 3 d). The effects of the drug-treatment for one and three days on the biochemical parameters were assessed by comparing the results with that of untreated mice of the 1stand 3rdday of ulceration. The stomach tissues of the mice were used for the biochemical analysis.

Results

The macroscopic indices revealed maximum ulceration on the 3rdday after indomethacin administration, which was effectively healed by PK. Under the optimized treatment regime, PK and Omez reduced the ulcer indices by 45.1% (P< 0.01), and 76.3% respectively (P< 0.001), compared to the untreated ulcerated mice.

Compared to the ulcerated untreated mice, those treated with PK for 3 days showed decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (32.7%,P< 0.05) and protein carbonyl (37.7%,P< 0.001), and increased mucin (42.2%,P< 0.01), mucosal PGE2(21.4%,P< 0.05), and expressions of COX-1 and 2 (26.9% and 18.5%,P< 0.05), EGF (149.0%,P< 0.001) and VEGF (56.9%,P< 0.01). Omez reduced the TBARS (29.4%,P< 0.05), and protein carbonyl (38.9%,P< 0.001), and increased mucin (38.3%,P< 0.01), without altering the other parameters significantly.

Conclusion

PK (20 mg/kg, p. o. × 3 days) could effectively heal indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration in mice by reducing oxidative stress, and promoting mucin secretion, prostaglandin synthesis and augmenting expressions of cyclooxygenase enzymes and growth factors.