bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Global’ Financial Crisis, Earnings Inequalities and Gender: Towards a More Sustainable Model of Development
Authors: Perrons Diane 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The economic crisis of 2007–8 was sparked primarily by mismanagement of capital markets through speculation and excessive risk taking by very highly paid men (predominantly) in the financial centres of the western world, but the underlying causes are deeply rooted in the neo-liberal model of global development itself.
Neo-liberalism is associated with unsustainable increases in earnings inequalities and a related imbalance between productivity and wages resulting in a fall in the share of output accruing to labour. These inequalities formed a key element in generating the crisis. This paper explores the processes leading to and explanations for rising earnings inequality and enduring gender inequality theoretically, and with reference to selected illustrations. As the processes generating current inequalities are so profound and embedded, it is necessary to move beyond marginal adjustments to the current neo-liberal orthodoxy and specify alterative models of development in order to secure economic and social sustainability as well as socially just societies.
Stratospheric versus Tropospheric Control of the Strength and Structure of the Brewer–Dobson Circulation
Authors: Gerber Edwin P. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The strength and structure of the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) are explored in an idealized general circulation model. It is shown that diabatic forcing of the stratosphere and planetary wave forcing by the troposphere can have comparable effects on tracer transport through the stratosphere, as quantified by the mean age of air and age spectrum. Their impact, however, is mediated through different controls on the mass circulation. Planetary waves are modulated by changing surface topography. Increased wave forcing strengthens the circulation, particularly at lower levels. This is primarily a tropospheric control on the BDC, as the wave forcing is set by stationary waves at the base of the stratosphere. Stratospheric control of the circulation is effected indirectly through the strength of the stratospheric polar vortex. A colder vortex creates a waveguide higher into the stratosphere, raising the breaking level of Rossby waves and deepening the circulation. Ventilation of mass in the stratosphere depends critically on the depth of tropical upwelling, and so mass and tracer transport is comparably sensitive to both tropospheric and stratospheric controls.
The two controls on the circulation can lead to separate influences on the lower and upper stratosphere, with implications for the seasonal cycle of tropical upwelling. They allow for independent changes in the “shallow” and “deep” branches of the BDC, which may be important for comparing modeled trends with observations. It is also shown that changes in the BDC have a significant impact on the tropical cold point (on the order of degrees) and the equator-to-pole gradient in the tropopause (on the order of a kilometer).
On the Observed Trends and Changes in Global Sea Surface Temperature and Air–Sea Heat Fluxes (1984–2006)
Authors: Large W. G. , Yeager S. G. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Global satellite observations show the sea surface temperature (SST) increasing since the 1970s in all ocean basins, while the net air–sea heat flux Q decreases. Over the period 1984–2006 the global changes are 0.28°C in SST and −9.1 W m−2 in Q, giving an effective air–sea coupling coefficient of −32 W m−2 °C−1. The global response in Q expected from SST alone is determined to be −12.9 W m−2, and the global distribution of the associated coupling coefficient is shown. Typically, about one-half (6.8 W m−2) of this SST effect on heat flux is compensated by changes in the overlying near-surface atmosphere. Slab Ocean Models (SOMs) assume that ocean heating processes do not change from year to year so that a constant annual heat flux would maintain a linear trend in annual SST. However, the necessary 6.1 W m−2 increase is not found in the downwelling longwave and shortwave fluxes, which combined show a −3 W m−2 decrease. The SOM assumptions are revisited to determine the most likely source of the inconsistency with observations of (−12.9 + 6.8 − 3) = −9.1 W m−2. The indirect inference is that diminished ocean cooling due to vertical ocean processes played an important role in sustaining the observed positive trend in global SST from 1984 through 2006, despite the decrease in global surface heat flux. A similar situation is found in the individual basins, though magnitudes differ. A conclusion is that natural variability, rather than long-term climate change, dominates the SST and heat flux changes over this 23-yr period. On shorter time scales the relationship between SST and heat flux exhibits a variety of behaviors.
Comparison of the Northwestern Pacific Summer Climate Simulated by AMIP II AGCMs
Authors: Zhang Minghong , Li Shuanglin , Lu Jian , Wu Renguang 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
This study examines the skills in simulating interannual variability of northwestern Pacific (NWP) summer climate in 12 atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) attending the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project phase 2 (AMIP II). The models show a wide range of skills, among those version 1 of the Hadley Centre Global Atmosphere Model (HadGAM1) showed the highest fidelity and thus may be a better choice for studying East Asian–NWP summer climate. To understand the possible causes for the difference among the models, five models {HadGAM1; ECHAM5; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Atmosphere Model, version 2.1 (AM2.1); Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate 3.2, high-resolution version [MIROC3.2(hires)]; and the fourth-generation National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model (CAM3)} that have various skill levels, ranging from the highest to the moderate to the minor, were selected for analyses. The simulated teleconnection of NWP summer climate with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans was first compared. HadGAM1 reproduces suppressed (intensified) rainfall during El Niño (La Niña) events and captures well the remote connection with the tropical Indian Ocean, while the other models either underestimate [ECHAM5, AM2.1, MIROC3.2(hires)] or fail to reproduce (CAM3) these teleconnections. The Walker cell and diabatic heating were further compared to shed light on the underlying physical mechanisms for the difference. Consistent with the best performance in simulating interannual rainfall, HadGAM1 exhibits the highest-level skill in capturing the observed climatology of the Walker cell and diabatic heating. These results highlight the key roles of the model’s background climatology in the Walker cell and diabatic heating, thus providing important clues to improving the model’s ability.
Estimates of Analysis and Forecast Error Variances Derived from the Adjoint of 4D-Var
Authors: Moore Andrew M. , Arango Hernan G. , Broquet Gregoire 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
A method is presented in which the adjoint of a four-dimensional variational data assimilation system (4D-Var) was used to compute the expected analysis and forecast error variances of linear functions of the ocean state vector. The power and utility of the approach are demonstrated using the Regional Ocean Modeling System configured for the California Current system. Linear functions of the ocean state vector were considered in the form of indices that characterize various aspects of the coastal upwelling circulation. It was found that for configurations of 4D-Var typically used in ocean models, reliable estimates of the expected analysis error variances can be obtained both for variables that are observed and unobserved. In addition, the contribution of uncertainties in the model control variables to the forecast error variance was also quantified. One particularly powerful and illuminating aspect of the adjoint 4D-Var approach to the forecast problem is that the contribution of individual observations to the predictability of the circulation can be readily computed. An important finding of the work presented here is that despite the plethora of available satellite observations, the relatively modest fraction of in situ subsurface observations sometimes exerts a significant influence on the predictability of the coastal ocean. Independent checks of the analysis and forecast error variances are also presented, which provide a direct test of the hypotheses that underpin the prior error and observation error estimates used during 4D-Var.
Relationships between Rain Characteristics and Environment. Part I: TRMM Precipitation Features and the Large-Scale Environment over the Tropical Pacific
Authors: Yokoyama Chie , Takayabu Yukari N. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Differences in the characteristics of rain systems in the eastern Pacific (EP) intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the western Pacific (WP) warm pool are quantitatively examined in relation to the large-scale environment. This study mainly uses precipitation feature (PF) data observed by the precipitation radar (PR) on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The PFs are classified into four types according to their areas and maximum heights. Rain from tall unorganized systems and very tall organized systems tends to be dominant in high-SST regions such as the WP. On the other hand, the EP has more rain from congestus and organized systems with moderate heights than the WP. It is shown that shallow rain from congestus and moderately deep rain from organized systems are highly correlated with shallow (1000–925 hPa) convergence fields with coefficients of 0.75 and 0.66, respectively. These relationships between characteristics of rain systems and the large-scale environment are robust through all seasons.
Weight Loss in Exclusively Breastfed Infants Delivered by Cesarean Birth
Authors: Preer Genevieve L. , Newby P. K. , Philipp Barbara L. 
Published: April 2012

Background: Rates of exclusive breastfeeding during the postpartum hospital stay are a key measure of quality maternity care. Often, however, concern for excessive in-hospital weight loss leads to formula supplementation of breastfed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines 7% weight loss as acceptable for breastfed newborns regardless of mode of delivery. Typical weight loss in exclusively breastfed infants delivered by cesarean birth has not been studied nor have possible correlates of greater weight loss in this population. Objectives: To determine average weight loss in a cohort of exclusively breastfed infants delivered by cesarean birth and to identify correlates of greater than expected weight loss. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of exclusively breastfed infants delivered via cesarean birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital between 2005 and 2007. Average weight loss was calculated, and multivariate regression analysis was performed. Results: Average weight loss during the hospital stay in our cohort of 200 infants was 7.2% ± 2.1% of birth weight, slightly greater than the American Academy of Pediatrics guideline of 7%.Absence of labor prior to delivery was significantly associated with a greater percentage of weight loss ( P = .0004), as were lower gestational age ( P = .0004) and higher birth weight ( P < .0001). Maternal age, gravity, parity, infant sex, Apgar scores, and prior cesarean birth were not significantly associated. Conclusions: We conclude that for exclusively breastfed infants delivered by cesarean birth in a Baby-Friendly hospital, absence of labor prior to cesarean birth may be a previously unreported risk factor for greater than expected weight loss.
Blood Flow Characteristics of the Human Lactating Breast
Authors: Geddes Donna T. , Aljazaf Khalidah M. , Kent Jacqueline C. , Prime Danielle K. , Spatz Diane L. , Garbin Catherine P. , Lai Ching Tat , Hartmann Peter E. 
Published: April 2012

Background: Despite the increased metabolic activity of the lactating breast, no studies have been carried out to determine mammary blood flow (MBF) parameters or the relationship between MBF and milk production in women. The aim of this study was to measure the MBF in the internal mammary artery (IMA) and lateral thoracic artery (LTA) of lactating women and determine if these were related to milk production. Methods: Blood flow in the IMA and LTA was measured with color Doppler ultrasound in 55 lactating women. Twenty-four-hour milk production was determined with the test-weigh method. Results: IMA contributed the greater proportion of blood flow to the lactating breast (70%). MBF was highly variable between women but consistent between the left (126 L/24 h; interquartile range, 76-169) and right (110 L/24 h) breasts. No relationship between MBF and milk production was demonstrated. For 3 women, MBF was markedly reduced in 1 breast that was synthesizing almost no milk compared to the other that was producing a normal volume of milk. Discussion: Although no relationship between MBF and milk production was found, the substantial reduction in blood flow in the breasts of lactating women producing almost no milk suggests a threshold below which milk production is compromised. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasound did not demonstrate a relationship between MBF and milk production in lactating women. Further investigation is required to fully understand the role of blood flow in milk synthesis.
The Economic Burden of Infant Formula on Families with Young Children in the Philippines
Authors: Sobel Howard L. , Iellamo Alessandro D. , Raya Rene R. , Padilla Alexander A. , Sta. Ana Filomeno S. , Nyunt-U Soe 
Published: April 2012

Background: Infant formula usage places children at risk for illness and death. Studies in the United States demonstrated high economic burden, health care costs, and absenteeism of caregivers associated with formula usage. Despite high formula usage in developing countries, no economic studies were found. This study examines the financial burden of purchasing infant formula and increased health care expenditure in the Philippines, a developing country with a per capita income of $3930. The average exchange rate of the peso to the US dollar for 2003 was $1 to P52, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the 2003 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, a national cross-sectional multistage cluster survey of 42 094 households. Results: Almost half of Philippine families with a young child and one-third of families living on less than $2 per day purchase formula. Nationally, $260 million was spent on infant formula in 2003. Formula-buying families with young children had spent an aggregate of $143.9 million on medical care compared to $56.6 million by non-formula-buying families. After adjusting for income and nonmilk family expenditures, the average formula-purchasing Philippine family spent an additional $0.30 (95% CI: 0.24 – 0.36; r2 = 0.08) on medical expenditure for every $1 spent on formula. Conclusions: The economic burden from infant formula purchase and out-of-pocket medical expenditure exceeded $400 million in 2003. This cost was aside from other costs, such as absenteeism and the risk of childhood death and illness. These expenses caused an unnecessary burden on Filipino families and could instead have been invested in education and other social services.
Breastfeeding Protection, Promotion, and Support in the United States
Authors: Pérez-Escamilla Rafael , Chapman Donna J. 
Published: April 2012

Background: Strong evidence-based advocacy efforts have now translated into high level political support and concrete goals for improving breastfeeding outcomes among women in the United States. In spite of this, major challenge remain for promoting, supporting and especially for protecting breastfeeding in the country. Objectives: The goals of this commentary are to argue in favor of: A) Changes in the default social and environmental systems, that would allow women to implement their right to breastfeed their infants, B) A multi-level and comprehensive monitoring system to measure process and outcomes indicators in the country. Methods: Evidence-based commentary. Results: Breastfeeding rates in the United States can improve based on a well coordinated social marketing framework. This approach calls for innovative promotion through mass media, appropriate facility based and community based support (e.g., Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, WIC-coordinated community based peer counseling), and adequate protection for working women (e.g., longer paid maternity leave, breastfeeding or breast milk extraction breaks during the working day) and women at large by adhering and enforcing the WHO ethics Code for the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. Sound infant feeding practices monitoring systems, which include WIC administrative food package data, are needed. Conclusions: Given the current high level of political support to improve breastfeeding in the United States, a window of opportunity has been opened. Establishing breastfeeding as the social norm in the USA will take time, but the global experience indicates that it can be done.
Association between Acculturation and Breastfeeding among Hispanic Women
Authors: Ahluwalia Indu B. , D’Angelo Denise , Morrow Brian , McDonald Jill A. 
Published: April 2012

Background: Breastfeeding rates are typically higher among Hispanic women; however, they vary by acculturation status in that those more acculturated are less likely to breastfeed than those who are less acculturated. This study examined the association between acculturation and breastfeeding behaviors using population-based data. Methods: Data (N = 8942) from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) were used for analysis. Acculturation status was determined using self-reported Hispanic ethnicity and the language in which the women responded to the PRAMS survey, either English or Spanish. Hispanic women who responded to the survey in Spanish were categorized as less acculturated than those who responded in English. Breastfeeding indicators used were: initiation, duration to ≥ 10 weeks, and exclusive breastfeeding to ≥ 10 weeks. Results: The prevalence rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusive breastfeeding to ≥ 10 weeks were significantly higher among less acculturated than among highly acculturated. More acculturated were less likely to initiate breastfeeding (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.86-0.90), less likely to breastfeed ≥ 10 weeks (PR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72-0.82), and less likely to report exclusive breastfeeding to ≥ 10 weeks (PR =,0.70; 95% CI, 0.58-0.85). The relationship between breastfeeding continuation and acculturation persisted after adjusting for covariates in that more acculturated were less likely to breastfeed to ≥ 10 weeks (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75-0.87), as did the relationship between exclusivity and acculturation; more acculturated were less likely to report exclusive breastfeeding (APR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55-0.87). Conclusions: Breastfeeding promotion efforts must include culturally/linguistically supportive services to assure that women are able to make optimal infant feeding decisions.
Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism: effects on plasma lipids and risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease
Authors: Chaudhary Rajesh , Likidlilid Atip , Peerapatdit Thavatchai , Tresukosol Damras , Srisuma Sorachai , Ratanamaneechat Suphachai , Sriratanasathavorn Charn 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
The most common apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphism has been found to influence plasma lipid concentration and its correlation with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been extensively investigated in the last decade. It is, however, unclear whether apoE gene polymorphism is also associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The knowledge of this study may provide the primary prevention for T2DM and CAD development before its initiation and progression. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the association between apoE gene polymorphism and T2DM with and without CAD and its role in lipid metabolism.

Methods
The case-control study was carried out on a total of 451 samples including 149 normal control subjects, 155 subjects with T2DM, and 147 subjects with T2DM complicated with CAD. The apoE gene polymorphism was tested by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the possible risks of T2DM and CAD.

Results
A significantly increased frequency of E3/E4 genotype was observed only in T2DM with CAD group (p = 0.0004), whereas the ε4 allele was significantly higher in both T2DM (p = 0.047) and T2DM with CAD (p = 0.009) as compared with controls. E3/E4 genotype was also the independent risk in developing CAD after adjusting with established risk factors with adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.52 (95%CI 1.28-4.97, p = 0.008). The independent predictor of individuals carrying ε4 allele still remained significantly associated with both CAD (adjusted OR 2.32, 95%CI 1.17-4.61, p = 0.016) and T2DM (adjusted OR 2.04, 95%CI 1.07-3.86, p = 0.029). After simultaneously examining the joint association of E3/E4 genotype combined with either obesity or smoking the risk increased to approximately 5-fold in T2DM (adjusted OR 4.93, 95%CI 1.74-13.98, p = 0.003) and 10-fold in CAD (adjusted OR 10.48, 95%CI 3.56-30.79, p < 0.0001). The association between apoE genotypes on plasma lipid levels was compared between E3/E3 as a reference and E4-bearing genotypes. E4-bearing genotypes showed lower HDL-C and higher VLDL-C and TG, whereas other values of plasma lipid concentrations showed no significant difference.

Conclusions
These results indicate that ε4 allele has influence on lipid profiles and is associated with the development of both T2DM with and without CAD, and furthermore, it increased the risk among the subjects with obesity and/or smoking, the conditions associated with high oxidative stress.
Existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for a class of p ( x )-Kirchhoff type equations
Authors: Ma Ruyun , Dai Guowei , Gao Chenghua 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
In this article, we study the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for the Neumann boundary value problems involving the p(x)-Kirchhoff of the form

-
M

∫

Ω

1

p

(

x

)

(

∇
u

p

(

x

)

+
λ

u

p

(

x

)

)

d
x

(

div

(

∇
u

p

(

x

)

-
2

∇
u

)

-
λ

u

p

(

x

)

-
2

u

)

=
f

(

x
,
u

)

in

Ω
,

∂
u

∂
v

=
0

on

∂
Ω
.

Using the sub-supersolution method and the variational method, under appropriate assumptions on f and M, we prove that there exists λ* > 0 such that the problem has at least two positive solutions if λ > λ*, at least one positive solution if λ = λ* and no positive solution if λ < λ*. To prove these results we establish a special strong comparison principle for the Neumann problem.

2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 35D05; 35D10; 35J60.