bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Novel
18
F-Labeled Positron-Emission Tomography Perfusion Tracer for the Assessment of Myocardial Infarct Size in Rats
Authors: Sherif Hossam M. , Saraste Antti , Weidl Eliane , Weber Axel W. , Higuchi Takahiro , Reder Sybille , Poethko Thorsten , Henriksen Gjermund , Casebier David , Robinson Simon , Wester Hans-Jürgen , Nekolla Stephan G. , Schwaiger Markus
Published: January 2009

Background—

The goal of this study was to evaluate a new
18
F-labeled positron-emission tomography (PET) perfusion tracer,
18
F BMS747158-02, for the assessment of myocardial infarct (MI) size.

Methods and Results—

Wistar rats were studied 24 hours after ligation of the left coronary artery either permanently (n=15) or transiently (n=16) for 30 minutes. Seven nonoperated rats were studied as controls. The rats were injected with 37 MBq of
18
F BMS747158-02 and imaged with a small animal PET scanner for 20 minutes. Polar maps were generated for measurement of PET defect size, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic volumes were assessed in gated images. As a reference, MI size was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining of left ventricular tissue samples. Permanent or transient ligation of the left coronary artery produced transmural or subendocardial MI of variable sizes, respectively. In normal rats, PET imaging demonstrated intense and homogeneous uptake of
18
F BMS747158-02 throughout the myocardium. After ligation, sharply defined perfusion defects were present. Throughout the imaging period, the defect size correlated closely with the MI size either after permanent (
r
=0.88;
P
<0.01; mean difference, 1.86%) or transient (
r
=0.92;
P
<0.01; mean difference, 2.16%) ligation of the left coronary artery. Moreover, reduction of left ventricular systolic function measured with PET correlated with the MI size (
r
=−0.81;
P
<0.01; n=23).

Conclusions—

Myocardial
18
F BMS747158-02 PET imaging provides excellent image quality and uptake properties, enabling accurate evaluation of MI size and left ventricular function in rats. It is a promising technique for evaluation of MI size in clinical trials.
Retrograde Type A Aortic Dissection After Endovascular Stent Graft Placement for Treatment of Type B Dissection
Authors: Dong Zhi Hui , Fu Wei Guo , Wang Yu Qi , Guo Da Qiao , Xu Xin , Ji Yuan , Chen Bin , Jiang Jun Hao , Yang Jue , Shi Zhen Yu , Zhu Ting , Shi Yun
Published: January 2009

Background—

Retrograde type A aortic dissection has been deemed a rare complication after endovascular stent graft placement for type B dissection. However, this life-threatening event appears to be underrecognized and is worth being investigated further.

Methods and Results—

Eleven of 443 patients developed retrograde type A aortic dissection during or after stent grafting for type B dissection from August 2000 to June 2007. Of these 11 patients, 3 had Marfan syndrome. The Kaplan–Meier estimate of the rate of freedom from this event at 36 months is 97.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 0.99). The new entry was located at the tip of the proximal bare spring of the stent graft in 9 patients, was within the anchoring area of the proximal bare spring in 1, and remained unknown in 1 patient. Eight patients were converted to open surgery, and 2 received medical treatment. One patient suddenly died 2 hours after the primary stent grafting, and 2 died within 1 week after the surgical conversion, so mortality reached 27.3%. During the follow-up from 3 to 50 months, type I endoleak was identified in 1 patient 3 months after the surgical exploration and disappeared at 6 months.

Conclusions—

Retrograde type A aortic dissection after stent grafting for type B dissection appears not to be rare and results from mixed causes. Fragility of the aortic wall and disease progression may predispose to it, whereas stent grafting–related factors make important and provocative contributions. Avoiding aortic arch stent grafting in Marfan patients, preferably selecting the endograft without the proximal bare spring for patients with a kinked aortic arch or with Marfan syndrome (if endografting is used), improving the device design, and standardizing endovascular manipulation might lessen its occurrence.
Dual Angiogenic and Neurotrophic Effects of Bone Marrow–Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells on Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Jeong Jin-Ok , Kim Mee-Ohk , Kim Hyongbum , Lee Min-Young , Kim Sung-Whan , Ii Masaaki , Lee Jung-uek , Lee Jiyoon , Choi Yong Jin , Cho Hyun-Jai , Lee Namho , Silver Marcy , Wecker Andrea , Kim Dong-Wook , Yoon Young-sup
Published: January 2009

Background—

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are known to promote neovascularization in ischemic diseases. Recent evidence suggested that diabetic neuropathy is causally related to impaired angiogenesis and deficient growth factors. Accordingly, we investigated whether diabetic neuropathy could be reversed by local transplantation of EPCs.

Methods and Results—

We found that motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, blood flow, and capillary density were reduced in sciatic nerves of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice but recovered to normal levels after hind-limb injection of bone marrow–derived EPCs. Injected EPCs were preferentially and durably engrafted in the sciatic nerves. A portion of engrafted EPCs were uniquely localized in close proximity to vasa nervorum, and a smaller portion of these EPCs were colocalized with endothelial cells. Multiple angiogenic and neurotrophic factors were significantly increased in the EPC-injected nerves. These dual angiogenic and neurotrophic effects of EPCs were confirmed by higher proliferation of Schwann cells and endothelial cells cultured in EPC-conditioned media.

Conclusions—

We demonstrate for the first time that bone marrow-derived EPCs could reverse various manifestations of diabetic neuropathy. These therapeutic effects were mediated by direct augmentation of neovascularization in peripheral nerves through long-term and preferential engraftment of EPCs in nerves and particularly vasa nervorum and their paracrine effects. These findings suggest that EPC transplantation could represent an innovative therapeutic option for treating diabetic neuropathy.
Randomized Comparison of Everolimus-Eluting and Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents
Authors: Stone Gregg W. , Midei Mark , Newman William , Sanz Mark , Hermiller James B. , Williams Jerome , Farhat Naim , Caputo Ronald , Xenopoulos Nicholas , Applegate Robert , Gordon Paul , White Roseann M. , Sudhir Krishnankutty , Cutlip Donald E. , Petersen John L.
Published: January 2009

Background—

In the prospective randomized Clinical Evaluation of the Xience V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System in the Treatment of Patients with de novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions (SPIRIT) III trial, an everolimus-eluting stent (EES) compared with a widely used paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) resulted in a statistically significant reduction in angiographic in-segment late loss at 8 months and noninferior rates of target vessel failure (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization) at 1 year. The safety and efficacy of EES after 1 year have not been reported.

Methods and Results—

A total of 1002 patients with up to 2 de novo native coronary artery lesions (reference vessel diameter, 2.5 to 3.75 mm; lesion length ≤28 mm) were randomized 2:1 to EES versus PES. Antiplatelet therapy consisted of aspirin indefinitely and a thienopyridine for ≥6 months. Between 1 and 2 years, patients treated with EES compared with PES tended to have fewer episodes of protocol-defined stent thrombosis (0.2% versus 1.0%;
P
=0.10) and myocardial infarctions (0.5% versus 1.7%;
P
=0.12), with similar rates of cardiac death (0.3% versus 0.3%;
P
=1.0) and target vessel revascularization (2.9% versus 3.0%;
P
=1.0). As a result, at the completion of the 2-year follow-up, treatment with EES compared with PES resulted in a significant 32% reduction in target vessel failure (10.7% versus 15.4%; hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 0.98;
P
=0.04) and a 45% reduction in major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization; 7.3% versus 12.8%; hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.36 to 0.83;
P
=0.004). Among the 360 patients who discontinued clopidogrel or ticlopidine after 6 months, stent thrombosis subsequently developed in 0.4% of EES patients versus 2.6% of PES patients (
P
=0.10).

Conclusions—

Patients treated with EES rather than PES experienced significantly improved event-free survival at a 2-year follow-up in the SPIRIT III trial, with continued divergence of the hazard curves for target vessel failure and major adverse cardiac events between 1 and 2 years evident. The encouraging trends toward fewer stent thrombosis episodes after 6 months in EES-treated patients who discontinued a thienopyridine and after 1 year in all patients treated with EES rather than PES deserve further study.
Early Stent Thrombosis in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Treated With Drug-Eluting and Bare Metal Stents
Authors: Aoki Jiro , Lansky Alexandra J. , Mehran Roxana , Moses Jeffery , Bertrand Michel E. , McLaurin Brent T. , Cox David A. , Lincoff A. Michael , Ohman E. Magnus , White Harvey D. , Parise Helen , Leon Martin B. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: January 2009

Background—

The clinical and angiographic predictors of early (<30 days) stent thrombosis (ST) have not been reported in high-risk patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and Results—

Qualitative and quantitative coronary angiographic analyses were performed in 3405 patients with moderate- and high-risk acute coronary syndromes in whom stents were implanted in the prospective randomized Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) trial, including 3043 patients (89.4%) in whom drug-eluting stents were implanted. Within 30 days, definite or probable ST occurred in 48 patients (1.4%). ST rates were not significantly different in patients treated with bare metal stents compared with drug-eluting stents (1.4% versus 1.4%;
P
=1.00) or with heparin plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (1.1%) compared with bivalirudin with or without IIb/IIIa inhibitors (1.6% and 1.5%, respectively;
P
=0.26 and
P
=0.37, respectively). Compared with patients without ST, patients with ST more frequently had insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus and baseline renal insufficiency, a greater overall burden of coronary atherosclerosis, and suboptimal final angiographic results. ST also was more common in patients without preprocedural thienopyridine administration and with inconsistent antiplatelet drug use within 30 days. By multivariable analysis, the strongest independent predictors of definite ST were a smaller final stent minimal lumen diameter, a lack of preprocedural thienopyridine administration, the extent of coronary artery disease, and higher baseline hemoglobin level.

Conclusions—

Occurring in nearly 1 in 70 patients, early ST is relatively common in acute coronary syndromes, occurs with similar frequency after anticoagulation with either heparin plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors or bivalirudin with or without IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and is predicted by diffuse atherosclerosis, suboptimal angiographic results, and inadequate pharmacotherapy.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction Remodels Adipose Tissue and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Obesity-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Nicolai Angelique , Li Ming , Kim Dong Hyun , Peterson Stephen J. , Vanella Luca , Positano Vincenzo , Gastaldelli Amalia , Rezzani Rita , Rodella Luigi F. , Drummond George , Kusmic Claudia , L'Abbate Antonio , Kappas Attallah , Abraham Nader G.
Published: January 2009

Obesity-associated inflammation causes insulin resistance. Obese adipose tissue displays hypertrophied adipocytes and increased expression of the cannabinoid-1 receptor. Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) increases heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity, increasing adiponectin and reducing inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesize that CoPP administration to Zucker diabetic fat (ZDF) rats would improve insulin sensitivity and remodel adipose tissue. Twelve-week-old Zucker lean and ZDF rats were divided into 4 groups: Zucker lean, Zucker lean–CoPP, ZDF, and ZDF–CoPP. Control groups received vehicle and treatment groups received CoPP (2 mg/kg body weight) once weekly for 6 weeks. Serum insulin levels and glucose response to insulin injection were measured. At 18 weeks of age, rats were euthanized, and aorta, kidney, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues were harvested. HO-1 expression was measured by Western blot analysis and HO-1 activity by serum carbon monoxide content. Adipocyte size and cannabinoid-1 expression were measured. Adipose tissue volumes were determined using MRI. CoPP significantly increased HO-1 activity, phosphorylated AKT and phosphorylated AMP kinase, and serum adiponectin in ZDF rats. HO-1 induction improved hyperinsulinemia and insulin sensitivity in ZDF rats. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue volumes were significantly decreased in ZDF rats. Adipocyte size and cannabinoid-1 expression were both significantly reduced in ZDF–CoPP rats in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues. This study demonstrates that HO-1 induction improves insulin sensitivity, downregulates the peripheral endocannabinoid system, reduces adipose tissue volume, and causes adipose tissue remodeling in a model of obesity-induced insulin resistance. These findings suggest HO-1 as a potential therapeutic target for obesity and its associated health risks.
Energy Metabolism in Human Renin-Gene Transgenic Rats
Authors: Gratze Petra , Boschmann Michael , Dechend Ralf , Qadri Fatimunnisa , Malchow Jeanette , Graeske Sabine , Engeli Stefan , Janke Jürgen , Springer Jochen , Contrepas Aurelie , Plehm Ralph , Klaus Susanne , Nguyen Genevieve , Luft Friedrich C. , Muller Dominik N.
Published: January 2009

Renin initiates angiotensin II formation and has no other known functions. We observed that transgenic rats (TGR) overexpressing the human renin gene (hREN) developed moderate obesity with increased body fat mass and glucose intolerance compared with nontransgenic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The metabolic changes were not reversed by an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, a direct renin inhibitor, or by (pro)renin receptor blocker treatment. The obese phenotype in TGR(hREN) originated from higher food intake, which was partly compensated by increases in resting energy expenditure, total thermogenesis (postprandial and exercise activity), and lipid oxidation during the first 8 weeks of life. Once established, the difference in body weight between TGR(hREN) and SD rats remained constant over time. When restricted to the caloric intake of SD, TGR(hREN) developed an even lower body weight than nontransgenic controls. We did not observe significant changes in the cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript, pro-opiomelanocortin, both anorexigenic, or neuropeptide Y, orexigenic, mRNA levels in TGR(hREN) versus SD controls. However, the mRNA level of the agouti-related peptide, orexigenic, was significantly reduced in TGR(hREN) versus SD controls at the end of the study, which indicates a compensatory mechanism. We suggest that the human renin transgene initiates a process leading to increased and early appetite, obesity, and metabolic changes not related to angiotensin II. The mechanisms are independent of any currently known renin-related effects.
Sex Differences in Sympathetic Neural-Hemodynamic Balance
Authors: Hart Emma C. , Charkoudian Nisha , Wallin B. Gunnar , Curry Timothy B. , Eisenach John H. , Joyner Michael J.
Published: January 2009

Among young normotensive men, a reciprocal balance between cardiac output and sympathetic nerve activity is important in the regulation of arterial pressure. In young women, the balance among cardiac output, peripheral resistance, and sympathetic nerve activity is unknown. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship of cardiac output and total peripheral resistance to muscle sympathetic nerve activity in young women. Multiunit peroneal recordings of muscle sympathetic nerve activity were obtained in 17 women (mean±SEM: age 24±3 years) and 21 men (mean±SEM: age 25±5 years). Mean resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity was lower in women compared with men (19±3 versus 25±1 bursts minute
−1
;
P
<0.05), as was mean arterial pressure (89±1 versus 94±2 mm Hg;
P
<0.05). Mean arterial pressure was not related to muscle sympathetic nerve activity in men (
P
=0.80) or women (
P
=0.62). There was a positive relationship between total peripheral resistance and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (
r
=0.62;
P
<0.05) and an inverse relationship between cardiac output and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (
r
=−0.69;
P
<0.05) in men. Unexpectedly, muscle sympathetic nerve activity had no relationship to either total peripheral resistance (
r
=−0.27;
P
>0.05) or cardiac output (
r
=0.23;
P
>0.05) in women. Our results demonstrate that men and women rely on different integrated physiological mechanisms to maintain a normal arterial pressure despite widely varying sympathetic nerve activity among individuals. These findings may have important implications for understanding how hypertension and other disorders of blood pressure regulation occur in men and women.
A Task-Based Load Distribution Scheme for Multi-Server-Based Distributed Virtual Environment Systems
Authors: Lim Mingyu , Lee Dongman
Published: January 2009

Multi-server-based distributed virtual environment (MSDVE) systems have become prevalent, supporting a large number of internet users. In MSDVEs, the load balancing among servers is an important issue to achieve system scalability. However, existing approaches must pay high migration overhead for the state transition of users or regions, thus the excessive holding time during load distribution makes it difficult for the system to keep the interactive performance acceptable. This paper aims to provide an efficient load distribution mechanism in which a group of servers takes charge of regions and shares region information among servers. The proposed mechanism dynamically classifies task types based on features of requested messages, and distributes each task fairly to neighboring servers. We have implemented the proposed mechanism extending our network framework for DVE, ATLAS, and our experiments show that the task distribution reduces both communication and processing overhead during load distribution without significant classification overhead.
HISTORY: The Use of the Kalman Filter for Human Motion Tracking in Virtual Reality
Authors: Welch Gregory F
Published: January 2009

In 1960 Rudolph E. Kalman published his now famous article describing a recursive solution to the discrete-data linear filtering problem (Kalman, “A new approach to linear filtering and prediction problems,” Transactions of the ASME—Journal of Basic Engineering, 82 (D), 35–45, 1960). Since that time, due in large part to advances in digital computing, the Kalman filter has been the subject of extensive research and applications, particularly in the area of autonomous or assisted navigation. The purpose of this paper is to acknowledge the approaching 50th anniversary of the Kalman filter with a look back at the use of the filter for human motion tracking in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

In recent years there has been an explosion in the use of the Kalman filter in VR/AR. In fact, at technical conferences related to VR these days, it would be unusual to see a paper on tracking that did not use some form of a Kalman filter, or draw comparisons to those that do. As such, rather than attempt a comprehensive survey of all uses of the Kalman filter to date, what follows focuses primarily on the early discovery and subsequent period of evolution of the Kalman filter in VR, along with a few examples of modern commercial systems that use the Kalman filter.

This paper begins with a very brief introduction to the Kalman filter, a brief look at the origins of VR, a little about tracking in VR—in particular the work and conditions that gave rise to the use of the filter, and then the evolution of the use of the filter in VR.
Observations of Atmospheric Structure and Dynamics in the Owens Valley of California with a Ground-Based, Eye-Safe, Scanning Aerosol Lidar*
Authors: De Wekker Stephan F. J. , Mayor Shane D.
Published: January 2009

First results are presented from the deployment of the NCAR Raman-Shifted Eye-Safe Aerosol Lidar (REAL) in the Owens Valley of California during the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) in March and April 2006. REAL operated in range–height indicator (RHI) and plan position indicator (PPI) scanning modes to observe the vertical and horizontal structures of the aerosol and cloud distribution in a broad valley in the lee of a tall mountain range. The scans produce two-dimensional cross sections that when animated produce time-lapse visualizations of the microscale and mesoscale atmospheric structures and dynamics. The 2-month dataset includes a wide variety of interesting atmospheric phenomena. When the synoptic-scale flow is strong and westerly, the lidar data reveal mountain-induced waves, hydraulic jumps, and rotorlike circulations that lift aerosols to altitudes of more than 2 km above the valley. Shear instabilities occasionally leading to breaking waves were observed in cloud and aerosol layers under high wind conditions. In quiescent conditions, the data show multiple aerosol layers, upslope flows, and drainage flows interacting with valley flows. The results demonstrate that a rapidly scanning, eye-safe, ground-based aerosol lidar can be used to observe important features of clear-air atmospheric flows and can contribute to an improved understanding of mountain-induced meteorological phenomena. The research community is encouraged to use the dataset in support of their observational analysis and modeling efforts.
Passive Microwave Brightness Temperatures as Proxies for Hailstorms
Authors: Cecil Daniel J.
Published: January 2009

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has been used to infer distributions of intense thunderstorms. Besides the lightning measurements from TRMM, the radar reflectivities and passive microwave brightness temperatures have been used as proxies for convective vigor. This is based on large graupel or hail lofted by strong updrafts being the cause of high–radar reflectivity values aloft and extremely low brightness temperatures. This paper seeks to empirically confirm that extremely low brightness temperatures are often accompanied by large hail at the surface. The three frequencies examined (85, 37, and 19 GHz) all show an increasing likelihood of hail reports with decreasing brightness temperature. Quantification is limited by the sparsity of hail reports. Hail reports are common when brightness temperatures are below 70 K at 85 GHz, 180 K at 37 GHz, or 230 K at 19 GHz.
Stratospheric Temperature and Radiative Forcing Response to 11-Year Solar Cycle Changes in Irradiance and Ozone
Authors: Gray L. J. , Rumbold S. T. , Shine K. P.
Published: January 2009

The 11-yr solar cycle temperature response to spectrally resolved solar irradiance changes and associated ozone changes is calculated using a fixed dynamical heating (FDH) model. Imposed ozone changes are from satellite observations, in contrast to some earlier studies. A maximum of 1.6 K is found in the equatorial upper stratosphere and a secondary maximum of 0.4 K in the equatorial lower stratosphere, forming a double peak in the vertical. The upper maximum is primarily due to the irradiance changes while the lower maximum is due to the imposed ozone changes. The results compare well with analyses using the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and NCEP/NCAR datasets. The equatorial lower stratospheric structure is reproduced even though, by definition, the FDH calculations exclude dynamically driven temperature changes, suggesting an important role for an indirect dynamical effect through ozone redistribution. The results also suggest that differences between the Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU)/Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) and ERA-40 estimates of the solar cycle signal can be explained by the poor vertical resolution of the SSU/MSU measurements. The adjusted radiative forcing of climate change is also investigated. The forcing due to irradiance changes was 0.14 W m−2, which is only 78% of the value obtained by employing the standard method of simple scaling of the total solar irradiance (TSI) change. The difference arises because much of the change in TSI is at wavelengths where ozone absorbs strongly. The forcing due to the ozone change was only 0.004 W m−2 owing to strong compensation between negative shortwave and positive longwave forcings.
Linear Contributions of Different Time Scales to Teleconnectivity
Authors: Athanasiadis Panos J. , Ambaum Maarten H. P.
Published: January 2009

The contributions of different time scales to extratropical teleconnections are examined. By applying empirical orthogonal functions and correlation analyses to reanalysis data, it is shown that eddies with periods shorter than 10 days have no linear contribution to teleconnectivity. Instead, synoptic variability follows wavelike patterns along the storm tracks, interpreted as propagating baroclinic disturbances. In agreement with preceding studies, it is found that teleconnections such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Pacific–North America (PNA) pattern occur only at low frequencies, typically for periods more than 20 days. Low-frequency potential vorticity variability is shown to follow patterns analogous to known teleconnections but with shapes that differ considerably from them. It is concluded that the role, if any, of synoptic eddies in determining and forcing teleconnections needs to be sought in nonlinear interactions with the slower transients. The present results demonstrate that daily variability of teleconnection indices cannot be interpreted in terms of the teleconnection patterns, only the slow part of the variability.
A Perpetually Running ENSO in the Pliocene?
Authors: Wunsch Carl
Published: January 2009

Difficulties remain with theoretical explanations of the apparent reduced zonal sea surface temperature gradient in the tropical Pacific of the Pliocene. One favored hypothesis is that it was a “permanent El Niño” state, with the warm phase of ENSO remaining fixed over millions of years. Here, an alternative is suggested—that there was a “perpetually running ENSO” with a shorter return time than is observed today, and that the apparently reduced zonal gradient is an alias–rectification of a high-frequency signal governed by the growth patterns of the foraminifera used to provide proxy temperatures. The hypothesis is probably testable in the modern ocean with comparatively modest measurements of foraminifera behavior in time.
A New High-Resolution Satellite-Derived Precipitation Dataset for Climate Studies
Authors: Joseph Renu , Smith Thomas M. , Sapiano Mathew R. P. , Ferraro Ralph R.
Published: January 2009

The importance of analyzing climate at high spatiotemporal resolution has been emphasized in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. Several high-resolution analyses of global precipitation have recently been created to meet this need by combining high-quality passive microwave estimates with frequently sampled geosynchronous infrared estimates. A new daily 0.25° analysis has been developed at the Cooperative Institute for Climate Studies (CICS), called the CICS High-Resolution Optimally Interpolated Microwave Precipitation from Satellites (CHOMPS), which is based only on passive microwave satellite estimates. The analysis was developed using all available sensors and the most up-to-date common retrieval scheme. An important advantage of CHOMPS is, therefore, its consistency. The microwave estimates from the different sensors at hourly time scales are combined using optimum interpolation (OI), using estimates of the noise and spatial correlation scales and standardized analysis weights. This technique reduces the random errors while still capturing the tails of the distribution of precipitation and provides estimates of output error based on the noise-to-signal ratio of the inputs. Hourly values are combined to produce a daily average and error estimate. Evaluation of CHOMPS against surface-based observational data, such as the stage IV radar and the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO)/Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network (TRITON) gauges, indicates that CHOMPS performs well, especially when compared to other high-resolution products. This analysis, therefore, highlights OI as a feasible methodology for the creation of a high-resolution precipitation product. The analysis begins in 1998 and has thus far been continued through 2007, making it a useful dataset to examine intraseasonal variability. When the period of the data becomes long enough, it will prove to be a useful dataset to study longer modes of climate variability.
Spectral Bias Estimation of Historical HIRS Using IASI Observations for Improved Fundamental Climate Data Records
Authors: Cao Changyong , Goldberg Mitch , Wang Likun
Published: January 2009

A prerequisite for climate change detection from satellites is that the measurements from a series of historical satellites must be consistent and ideally made traceable to the International System of Units (SI). Unfortunately, this requirement is not met for the 14 High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounders (HIRS) on the historical NOAA satellites, because the instrument was developed for weather forecasts and lacks accuracy and consistency across satellites. It is well known that for HIRS, differences in the spectral response functions (SRF) between instruments and their prelaunch measurement uncertainties often lead to observations of the atmosphere at different altitudes. As a result of the atmospheric lapse rate, they both can introduce significant intersatellite biases. The SRF-dependent biases are further mixed with other effects such as the diurnal cycle because of observation time differences and orbital drifts, on board calibration, and algorithm issues. In this study, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) observations are used to calculate the radiances for the 14 Television Infrared Observation Satellite series N (TIROS-N; to MetOp-A) HIRS instruments in different climate regimes and seasons to separate the SRF-induced intersatellite biases from other factors. It is found that the calculated radiance ratio (a bias indicator) using IASI observations for the HIRS satellite pairs forms bell-shaped curves that vary with the HIRS model and channel as well as climate regimes. This suggests that a bias found in the polar regions at the Simultaneous Nadir Overpass (SNO) cannot be blindly used for bias correction globally; instead, the IASI/HIRS spectral bias bell curves should be used as a complement to more fully address the biases. These bell curves also serve as lookup charts for separating the bias due to true SRF differences from that caused by SRF prelaunch measurement errors to resolve the inconsistency, which sheds new light on reprocessing and reanalysis in generating fundamental climate data records from HIRS.
Regulating Water: A Naturological Analysis of Competing Interests Among Company, Town, and State
Authors: Kurland Nancy B. , Zell Deone
Published: January 2009

This article analyzes, through Frederick’s (1995) naturological lens, the General Rate Case (GRC) process to regulate a private water utility in California. Golden State Water Company is the utility. The GRC concerned is Ojai, California. The authors conclude that (a) Frederick’s conceptual framework proves useful to understand antecedents of effective common-pool resource management, and (b) the GRC process encourages economizing values more than it does ecologizing ones. In essence, short-term needs overshadow long-term needs, and the economizing interests of a single member of the GRC network overshadow the ecologizing interests of diverse stakeholders. By focusing only on whether the private utility’s requests are economically justified, and not on the needs of the larger ecosystem, the GRC is unable to ensure long-term protection of either (a) the ratepayer or (b) the natural environment and community.
Contradictions in Dam Building in Yunnan, China
Authors: Chen Lihui
Published: January 2009

When choosing the site of a dam, meeting the needs of the resettled local communities should be a key criterion in making any decision to build a dam. On the basis of a pilot study in Yunnan, China, this article finds that neither displacement into the area surrounding the dam nor movement to other towns, can meet the needs of the communities displaced by dams. This is because: (a) ideal areas for dam building often do not coincide with the factors necessary to restore the economy of the resettlement communities; and (b) cultural diversity exacerbates the impacts of displacement by a dam. It is concluded that overcoming the limitations of the contradictions between dam construction and resettlement is difficult. More work is needed on the resettlements in Yunnan. The cultural dimensions should be taken into consideration before further decisions on dam building and resettlement are made.
The ‘Spectacle’ of the Beijing Olympics and the Dynamics of State–Society Relationship in PRC
Authors: Pramod C.R.
Published: January 2009

The preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics can be analysed to reveal the changing nature of the state, society and market forces and their mutual interaction in the People's Republic of China (PRC). It is also useful in understanding the consensual aspect of the Chinese state. Examining how the Beijing Olympics is being organised as a spectacle is important in understanding how Chinese state power has developed and maintained its consensus vis-É-vis the society in the post-Mao period. This process of institutionalisation of state, society and market interactions in the field of sport could provide insights regarding parallel developments in other sectors as well in China today.
Learning From Others
Authors: Gilardi Fabrizio , Füglister Katharina , Luyet Stéphane
Published: January 2009

The increase in health care expenditures is a major problem of all welfare states. To counter this trend, since the early 1980s, most OECD countries have changed the way hospitals are financed. Although these reforms are certainly linked to country-specific factors, the authors' main argument is that they are in part due to a diffusion process: Policy change in one country is influenced by previous changes in other countries. More specifically, the authors argue that policy makers learn from the experience of others. Using an original data set and event—history methods to test arguments, their results show that policy change is more likely when the existing policy is ineffective and when the experience of other countries suggests that the reform leads to the desired results. In addition, the authors find that the effects of learning grow over time and that early adopters tend to be countries with few veto players.
The Origins of Social Capital
Authors: Radnitz Scott , Wheatley Jonathan , Zürcher Christoph
Published: January 2009

This article investigates the determinants of social capital by analyzing an original survey of post-Soviet Central Asia. It tests hypotheses derived from two related questions: whether networks, norms, and trust are empirically related and the extent to which four factors—culture, regime type, perceptions of government responsiveness, and development interventions—predict levels of social capital. The results show that trust and norms diverge from networking. Interaction is higher under less repressive regimes and is further increased by development interventions; trust and norms are higher under conditions of greater repression. Culture does not affect any indicators of social capital, but perceptions of responsiveness correlate with higher levels of trust. As such, disaggregating social capital is a promising new direction for research. Scholars should investigate why the components of social capital sometimes correlate but at other times diverge, and they should consider the possibility of distinct causal mechanisms in their development.
Clement (Titus Flavius Clemens) of Alexandria
Authors: Kovacs Judith L.
Published: January 2009

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150—c. 215) was one of the leading Christian thinkers and writers of his time. He lived and taught in the North African city of Alexandria — perhaps intellectually the most lively and stimulating city in the Roman Empire. A number of Clement's works survive and they reveal a wide-ranging mind that is able to synthesize perspectives from the Bible, Greek philosophers, the writings of the tragedians, and post-biblical Christian authors. Clement's thought has influenced Christian thinkers down through the centuries, such as John Wesley, and for modern theologians his methods represent the beginning of a long tradition of Christian philosophical reflection.
Beyond Oversights, Lies, and Pies in the Sky: Exaggeration as Goal Projection
Authors: Willard Greg , Gramzow Richard H.
Published: January 2009

The adaptiveness of overly positive self-evaluation is heavily debated. The present research emphasizes that costs and benefits of positive biases are contingent upon their underlying motives. Five studies explored psychological and performance correlates of the tendency to exaggerate academic performance. Students who exaggerated in a private reporting context showed greater achievement motivation and positive affect (Study 1), challenge and approach orientations (Study 2), and observer-rated composure during a stressful mock job interview (Study 3). Moreover, exaggeration predicted subsequent academic improvements. This form of exaggeration apparently reflects an adaptive tendency to project positive goals onto self-reports. In contrast, exaggeration in a more public context was associated with social desirability motives and not with positive affect, approach/challenge motives, or improvement (Study 4). Making actual performance salient (by highlighting that records would be checked) reduced exaggeration; students who exaggerated in this context did not improve over time, instead showing performance decrements (Study 5).
Priming Media Stereotypes Reduces Support for Social Welfare Policies: The Mediating Role of Empathy
Authors: Johnson James D. , Olivo Nelgy , Gibson Nathan , Reed William , Ashburn-Nardo Leslie
Published: January 2009

Two experiments involving White participants tested the influence of media-based priming of Black stereotypes on support for government policy that assisted Black versus White persons-in-need. Experiment 1 showed that priming the “Black criminal” stereotype through exposure to photographs of Blacks looting after Hurricane Katrina reduced policy support for Black evacuees-in-need but did not influence support responses toward White evacuees-in-need. Experiment 2 showed that priming the “promiscuous Black female” stereotype through exposure to sexual rap music reduced policy support for a Black pregnant woman-in-need but did not influence support responses toward a White pregnant woman-in-need. Further tests of mediated moderation demonstrated that in both experiments, the interactive influence of priming Black stereotypes and race of persons-in-need on policy support was mediated by empathic responding.
Preclinical Support for Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Autoimmunity with Atacicept
Authors: Ponce Rafael
Published: January 2009

Atacicept, a fully human recombinant fusion protein that blocks the activity of BLyS (B-Lymphocyte Stimulator) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand), is undergoing clinical evaluation in B-cell-mediated diseases, including autoimmune disorders. Nonclinical studies in mice and cynomolgus monkeys demonstrate dose-dependent, reversible decreases in circulating Ig concentrations and reductions in mature B cells in the peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues. However, the combination of atacicept with purine synthesis inhibitors (e.g., mycophenolate mofetil [MMF]) and anti-B-cell monoclonal therapy (e.g., rituximab) has not been evaluated. Atacicept does not augment hematological toxicities associated with MMF, including anemia or thrombocytopenia. Combination of atacicept with MMF or rituximab reduced B cells in the periphery (MMF) or tissues (MMF and rituximab) further than did monotherapy, as was the case with atacicept—MMF combination therapy and serum Ig concentrations. Overall, atacicept appears to augment the pharmacologic activity toward B cells of current immunosuppressive therapies without increasing the hematological toxicities associated with MMF. Enhanced reduction in B cells and Ig concentrations associated with atacicept combination therapy may increase therapeutic activity or allow dose reduction in autoimmune patients. Findings from nonclinical safety studies support clinical evaluation of atacicept combination therapies.
Glucose Control in Korean Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Choi Sarah , Rankin Sally
Published: January 2009

Despite the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes in Korean immigrants, little is known about glucose control in these individuals. This descriptive study examined factors influencing glucose control in Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes. Participants were 143 Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes who completed questionnaires, a finger stick blood test for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and anthropometric measures. The mean HbA1c level was 7.6 % ( SD = 1.5; range = 5.6 to 12.5). Less than half of the participants (41.3%) met the American Diabetes Association's goal of less than 7%. After adjusting for demographic and health variables, family diet support, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), the duration of diabetes, the number of diabetic medications, and age significantly influenced glucose control. Findings support the positive role of family involvement in diabetes management. Patients with long-standing diabetes, higher WHR, and more diabetic medications deserve special attention because they tend to have higher HbA1c levels.
East Meets West
Authors: Jiang Shanhe , Lambert Eric , Jenkins Morris
Published: January 2009

Both formal and informal crime control are used to deter people from engaging in criminal behavior that is harmful to the well-being of society. Formal criminal justice control uses the law and official government agencies to promote compliance, whereas informal criminal justice control uses morals and social institutions to encourage people to be law abiding. This study examined survey data to determine the importance of each form of social control among Chinese and U.S. college students. Chinese students were more likely to view formal and informal crime control as important mechanisms. Furthermore, Chinese students ranked the blending of formal and informal crime control as being more important.
Exercise and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Community-Dwelling Adults
Authors: Kelley George A. , Kelley Kristi S. , Hootman Jennifer M. , Jones Dina L.
Published: January 2009

The authors used the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of physical activity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older community-dwelling adults. A random-effects model was used for all primary analyses. Of the 257 studies screened, 11 randomized controlled trials representing 13 groups and 617 men and women (324 physical activity, 293 control), all older than 50, were included. Overall, a significant (small to moderate) standardized effect size improvement was found for physical function as a result of physical activity (Hedges's g = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.19, 0.64, p < .001). This was equivalent to a common language effect size of 62% and an odds ratio of 2.14 (95% CI = 1.42, 3.24). No significant differences were found for the other nine HRQOL outcomes. Although additional research is needed, results suggest that physical activity improves self-reported physical function, a component of HRQOL, in older community-dwelling adults.
Probation Management of Sex Offenders
Authors: Marino Kim M.
Published: January 2009

This research examined how probation officers and clinicians assigned to co-facilitate sex offender treatment groups assess treatment progress. Data for this study were collected from the progress assessments of 144 sex offenders assigned to treatment as a condition of their probation. Using a survey instrument, the probation officer—clinician teams assigned to co-facilitate the treatment groups scored offenders on items associated with compliance to probation conditions, self-labeling, and psychological insight. Consonant with the hypotheses, clinicians had a greater tendency to indicate progress that was driven by their perceptions of offenders of psychological insight. When probation officers perceived progress, it was driven by their perception of self-labeling by offenders. Ironically, offenders who were perceived as engaging in self-labeling were in fact more prone to violations. Findings are discussed in terms of the implications for effective management and supervision of convicted sex offenders.
Cross-Jurisdictional Disposition Variability Under Sentencing Guidelines
Authors: Kautt Paula M. , Mueller-Johnson Katrin
Published: January 2009

The sentencing guidelines of different jurisdictions often have distinct objectives and approaches to sentencing. Drawing on the arguments of past research as well as focal concerns and populist punitiveness, the current research assesses whether or not differences in design and implementation of the sentencing guidelines of two systems (Pennsylvania and Oregon) influence the incarceration and sentence length decisions meted out to comparable sex offenders within these jurisdictions. The authors hypothesize that, despite having similar grid-based configurations, variations in the history and structure of these guidelines significantly influence predictors of sentencing outcomes across these jurisdictions. Using indecent assault and sexual abuse cases, this research explores how well the aforementioned orientations perform in explaining the incarceration and sentence length decisions within and across these two jurisdictions.
Using Formal and Informal Curricula to Improve Interactions Between Home and International Students
Authors: Leask Betty
Published: January 2009

This article argues that improved interactions between home and international students are dependant on the way we use both the formal and the informal curricula to encourage and reward intercultural engagement. It draws on the results of several research studies to present some strategies for facilitating meaningful interaction between students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds in and out of the classroom. Principles and guidelines for structuring formal and informal curricular activities and services are proposed. This article concludes that the development of intercultural competencies in students is a key outcome of an internationalised curriculum, which requires a campus environment and culture that obviously motivates and rewards interaction between international and home students in and out of the classroom. This means that a range of people across institutions need to engage with the internationalisation agenda over time to improve interactions between home and international students.