bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecogeomorphology in the Australian drylands and the role of biota in mediating the effects of climate change on landscape processes and evolution
Authors: Dunkerley David 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Australian dryland landscape has developed under the influence of aridity, low relief, tectonic stability and biota adapted to nutrient and water scarcity. The biota in general, but notably the plants, mediates the impact of water scarcity and of climate change on ecohydrological and geomorphological processes. It reduce the partitioning of rain into overland flow, and so limit soil erosion, notably through the development of patch structures that partition the landscape into local runoff sources and runon sinks. In large rain events, when flow does reach ephemeral streams, channel-associated plants again modify flow conditions, reducing flow speeds and flow competence. Given the diverse influences of biota on landscape processes, it is argued that it likewise moderated the effects of Quaternary and Holocene climate change. Field evidence from Australian and other drylands suggests that the effect of changing land surface properties on runoff and erosion may exceed the effect of moderate climate change. Knowledge of the role of dryland biota and its role in land surface change is therefore a prerequisite to understanding the responses of landscapes to climate change, to understanding the complex spatio-temporal variability in landscape development, and to developing the ability to correctly interpret the alluvial record of changing geomorphological processes in terms of changes in climate and other external drivers.
History of Australian aridity: chronology in the evolution of arid landscapes
Authors: Fujioka Toshiyuki , Chappell John 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Australian climate and vegetation, known from marine and lacustrine sediments and fossils, varied dramatically throughout the Cenozoic Era, with several warm reversals superimposed on overall drying and cooling. A suite of landforms, including stony deserts, dunefields and playa lakes, formed in response to the advancing aridity but their age generally remained uncertain until fairly recently, owing to a lack of suitable dating methods. Within the last 5 years, the chronology of Late Quaternary fluctuations of lakes, dunes and dust-mantles has been established by luminescence dating methods, and mid-Pleistocene onset of playa conditions in a few closed basins has been estimated using palaeomagnetic reversal chronology. Only recently has it been shown, by cosmogenic isotope dating, that major tracts of arid landforms including the Simpson Desert dunefield, and stony deserts of the Lake Eyre Basin, were formed in early Pleistocene and late Pliocene times, respectively. These landscapes represent a stepwise response to progressive climatic drying and, speculatively, were accompanied by biological adaptations. Recent molecular DNA studies indicate that Australia's arid-adapted species evolved from mesic-adapted ancestors during the Pliocene or earlier, but whether speciation rapidly accompanied the development of stony deserts and other arid geomorphological provinces awaits further studies of arid landscape chronology.
Translesional Pressure Gradients to Predict Blood Pressure Response After Renal Artery Stenting in Patients With Renovascular Hypertension
Authors: Mangiacapra Fabio , Trana Catalina , Sarno Giovanna , Davidavicius Giedrius , Protasiewicz Marcin , Muller Olivier , Ntalianis Argyrios , Misonis Nerijus , Van Vlem Bruno , Heyndrickx Guy R. , De Bruyne Bernard 
Published: November 2010

Background—
In previous studies on the effect of renal stenting on arterial hypertension, patients were selected mainly on the basis of angiographic parameters of the renal artery stenosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether translesional pressure gradients could identify the patients with renal artery stenosis who might benefit from stenting.

Methods and Results—

A total of 53 consecutive hypertensive patients with unilateral RAS scheduled for renal artery intervention were recruited. Transstenotic pressure gradients were measured at baseline and during maximal hyperemia, before renal artery stenting. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements were performed in all patients before and 3 months after the intervention. Average reductions in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure at follow-up were −20±30 mm Hg and −2±12 mm Hg, respectively. At multivariate analysis, dopamine-induced mean gradient was the only independent predictor of the variations of both systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient=−4.03, standard error=1.11;
P
<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (regression coefficient=−3.11, standard error=1.20;
P
=0.009). Patients who showed a decline in systolic blood pressure from the baseline value >20 mm Hg were considered as “responders.” The optimal cutoff for identification of “responders” was a dopamine-induced mean gradient ≥20 mm Hg (area under the curve, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.64 to 0.90;
P
=0.001).

Conclusions—
A dopamine-induced mean pressure gradient of ≥20 mm Hg is highly predictive of arterial hypertension improvement after renal stenting, and therefore this measurement is useful for appropriate selection of patients with arterial hypertension.
Variation in Recovery
Authors: Lichtman Judith H. , Lorenze Nancy P. , D'Onofrio Gail , Spertus John A. , Lindau Stacy T. , Morgan Thomas M. , Herrin Jeph , Bueno Héctor , Mattera Jennifer A. , Ridker Paul M. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: November 2010

Background—
Among individuals with ischemic heart disease, young women with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) represent an extreme phenotype associated with an excess mortality risk. Although women younger than 55 years of age account for less than 5% of hospitalized AMI events, almost 16 000 deaths are reported annually in this group, making heart disease a leading killer of young women. Despite a higher risk of mortality compared with similarly aged men, young women have been the subject of few studies.

Methods and Results—
Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients (VIRGO) is a large, observational study of the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of young women and men with AMI. VIRGO will enroll 2000 women, 18 to 55 years of age, with AMI and a comparison cohort of 1000 men with AMI from more than 100 participating hospitals. The aims of the study are to determine sex differences in the distribution and prognostic importance of biological, demographic, clinical, and psychosocial risk factors; to determine whether there are sex differences in the quality of care received by young AMI patients; and to determine how these factors contribute to sex differences in outcomes (including mortality, hospitalization, and health status). Blood serum and DNA for consenting participants will be stored for future studies.

Conclusions—
VIRGO will seek to identify novel and prognostic factors that contribute to outcomes in this young AMI population. Results from the study will be used to develop clinically useful risk-stratification models for young AMI patients, explain sex differences in outcomes, and identify targets for intervention.
Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Papillary Muscle Infarction Detected by Late Gadolinium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Tanimoto Takashi , Imanishi Toshio , Kitabata Hironori , Nakamura Nobuo , Kimura Keizo , Yamano Takashi , Ishibashi Kohei , Komukai Kenichi , Ino Yasushi , Takarada Shigeho , Kubo Takashi , Hirata Kumiko , Mizukoshi Masato , Tanaka Atsushi , Akasaka Takashi 
Published: November 2010

Background—
The frequency of papillary muscle infarction (PapMI) without rupture has not been fully investigated in vivo. Furthermore, the relationship between papillary muscle dysfunction and mitral regurgitation (MR) has been controversial in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the frequency and clinical characteristics of PapMI without rupture using late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

One hundred eighteen ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with primary percutaneous coronary intervention underwent cardiac MRI twice 9±4 days and 8±1 months (n=104) after myocardial infarction. MR was categorized by echocardiography. Of these patients, 40% were found to have late gadolinium enhancement of papillary muscle, in which the posterior papillary muscle was involved more frequently than the anterior papillary muscle (77% versus 26%;
P
<0.001). PapMI was encountered more frequently in patients with left circumflex and right coronary artery lesions compared with left anterior descending artery lesion (78%, 48%, and 13%;
P
<0.001). By multiple logistic regression analysis, only coaptation height was identified as an independent predictor of the presence of MR. The second cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed that the infarct size had a positive correlation with left ventricular end-diastolic volume (
r
=0.41,
P
<0.001) and that PapMI was not associated with left ventricular remodeling (
P
=0.31). Deterioration of MR was not observed in patients with PapMI.

Conclusions—
PapMI is more frequent than previously thought yet appears to have significant clinical latency. The size of the myocardial infarction, but not the presence of PapMI, seems to affect left ventricular remodeling, and PapMI is not obligatorily associated with MR.
Primary Results From the SmartDelay Determined AV Optimization: A Comparison to Other AV Delay Methods Used in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (SMART-AV) Trial
Authors: Ellenbogen Kenneth A. , Gold Michael R. , Meyer Timothy E. , Fernndez Lozano Ignacio , Mittal Suneet , Waggoner Alan D. , Lemke Bernd , Singh Jagmeet P. , Spinale Francis G. , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Whitehill Jeffrey , Weiner Stanislav , Bedi Maninder , Rapkin Joshua , Stein Kenneth M. 
Published: November 2010

Background
One variable that may influence cardiac resynchronization therapy response is the programmed atrioventricular (AV) delay. The SmartDelay Determined AV Optimization: A Comparison to Other AV Delay Methods Used in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (SMART-AV) Trial prospectively randomized patients to a fixed empirical AV delay (120 milliseconds), echocardiographically optimized AV delay, or AV delay optimized with SmartDelay, an electrogram-based algorithm.

Methods and Results

A total of 1014 patients (68% men; mean age, 66±11 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 25±7%) who met enrollment criteria received a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator, and 980 patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio. All patients were programmed (DDD-60 or DDDR-60) and evaluated after implantation and 3 and 6 months later. The primary end point was left ventricular end-systolic volume. Secondary end points included New York Heart Association class, quality-of-life score, 6-minute walk distance, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction. The medians (quartiles 1 and 3) for change in left ventricular end-systolic volume at 6 months for the SmartDelay, echocardiography, and fixed arms were −21 mL (−45 and 6 mL), −19 mL (−45 and 6 mL), and −15 mL (−41 and 6 mL), respectively. No difference in improvement in left ventricular end-systolic volume at 6 months was observed between the SmartDelay and echocardiography arms (
P
=0.52) or the SmartDelay and fixed arms (
P
=0.66). Secondary end points, including structural (left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular ejection fraction) and functional (6-minute walk, quality of life, and New York Heart Association classification) measures, were not significantly different between arms.

Conclusions
Neither SmartDelay nor echocardiography was superior to a fixed AV delay of 120 milliseconds. The routine use of AV optimization techniques assessed in this trial is not warranted. However, these data do not exclude possible utility in selected patients who do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
Unique identifier: NCT00677014.
The Helsinki Testbed: A Mesoscale Measurement, Research, and Service Platform
Authors: Koskinen Jarkko T. , Poutiainen Jani , Schultz David M. , Joffre Sylvain , Koistinen Jarmo , Saltikoff Elena , Gregow Erik , Turtiainen Heikki , Dabberdt Walter F. , Damski Juhani , Eresmaa Noora , Göke Sabine , Hyvärinen Otto , Järvi Leena , Karppinen Ari , Kotro Janne , Kuitunen Timo , Kukkonen Jaakko , Kulmala Markku , Moisseev Dmitri , Nurmi Pertti , Pohjola Heikki , Pylkkö Pirkko , Vesala Timo , Viisanen Yrjö 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The Finnish Meteorological Institute and Vaisala have established a mesoscale weather observational network in southern Finland. The Helsinki Testbed is an open research and quasi-operational program designed to provide new information on observing systems and strategies, mesoscale weather phenomena, urban and regional modeling, and end-user applications in a high-latitude (~60°N) coastal environment. The Helsinki Testbed and related programs feature several components: observing system design and implementation, small-scale data assimilation, nowcasting and short-range numerical weather prediction, public service, and commercial development of applications. Specifically, the observing instrumentation focuses on meteorological observations of meso-gamma-scale phenomena that are often too small to be detected adequately by traditional observing networks. In particular, more than 40 telecommunication masts (40 that are 120 m high and one that is 300 m high) are instrumented at multiple heights. Other instrumentation includes one operational radio sounding (and occasional supplemental ones), ceilometers, aerosol-particle and trace-gas instrumentation on an urban flux-measurement tower, a wind profiler, and four Doppler weather radars, three of which have dual-polarimetric capability. The Helsinki Testbed supports the development and testing of new observational instruments, systems, and methods during coordinated field experiments, such as the NASA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). Currently, the Helsinki Testbed Web site typically receives more than 450,000 weekly visits, and more than 600 users have registered to use historical data records. This article discusses the three different phases of development and associated activities of the Helsinki Testbed from network development and observational campaigns, development of the local analysis and prediction system, and testing of applications for commercial services. Finally, the Helsinki Testbed is evaluated based on previously published criteria, indicating both successes and shortcomings of this approach.
The History (and Future) of Tornado Warning Dissemination in the United States
Authors: Coleman Timothy A. , Knupp Kevin R. , Spann James , Elliott J. B. , Peters Brian E. 
Published: November 2010

Since the successful tornado forecast at Tinker AFB in 1948 paved the way for the issuance of tornado warnings, the science of tornado detection and forecasting has advanced greatly. However, tornado warnings must be disseminated to the public to be of any use. The Texas tornado warning conferences in 1953 began to develop the framework for a modern tornado warning system and included radar detection of tornadoes, a spotter network, and improved communications between the U.S. Weather Bureau, spotters, and public officials, allowing more timely warnings and dissemination of those warnings to the public.
Commercial radio and television are a main source of warnings for many, and the delivery methods on TV have changed much since 1960. NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) was launched after the 1974 Super Outbreak of tornadoes, with the most important feature being the tone alert that allowed receivers to alert people even when the radio broadcast was turned off. Today, NWR reaches most of the U.S. population, and Specific Area Message Encoding technology has improved its warning precision. Outdoor warning sirens, originally designed for use in enemy attack, were made available for use during tornado warnings around 1970.
“Storm based” warnings, adopted by the National Weather Service in 2007, replaced countybased warnings and greatly reduce the warning area. As communications advances continue, tornado warnings will eventually be delivered to precise locations, using GPS and other location technology, through cellular telephones, outdoor sirens, e-mails, and digital television, in addition to NWR.
Statistical Reliability of Neighboring Range Bin Estimates of Coherent Fractional Contributions to Radar Backscattered Power
Authors: Jameson A. R. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
It was recently demonstrated that magnitudes of the power-normalized cross-correlation functions of complex amplitudes in neighboring range bins are identical to the fractional contributions made by radar coherent backscatter in the direction of propagation to the total backscattered power in rain and snow. Here, a theoretical framework is presented for calculating the noise associated with estimates of these normalized cross correlations. This noise is identical to the statistical uncertainties in . Radar signals consist of two components: the usual incoherent backscatter often modeled by a Gaussian process and a coherent component modeled for the purposes of these calculations by a phasor C of fixed magnitude that rotates at a constant angular velocity ωC. Using the representation of the cross-correlation function as the average over the real part of the phasor dot products, it is found that the noise in this function comes from the dot products of C with the incoherent-scatter phasors in each range bin as well as the dot product between the two incoherent phasors. Furthermore, as long as ωC ≠ 0 and the number of statistically independent realizations (samples) k is sufficiently large, the noise is represented well by a normal distribution with mean 0 and with a variance that goes as 1/(2k). It is then shown that as the magnitude of C increases it acts to suppress the variance of . A formula is derived that gives the standard deviation of as a function of the number of statistically independent samples in the observation and the observed value of . Two examples, one in rain and the other in snow, are also presented.
Characterizing the Variability and Extremes of the Stratospheric Polar Vortices Using 2D Moment Analysis
Authors: Mitchell Daniel M. , Charlton-Perez Andrew J. , Gray Lesley J. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The mean state, variability, and extreme variability of the stratospheric polar vortices, with an emphasis on the Northern Hemisphere (NH) vortex, are examined using two-dimensional moment analysis and extreme value theory (EVT). The use of moments as an analysis tool gives rise to information about the vortex area, centroid latitude, aspect ratio, and kurtosis. The application of EVT to these moment-derived quantities allows the extreme variability of the vortex to be assessed. The data used for this study are 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) potential vorticity fields on interpolated isentropic surfaces that range from 450 to 1450 K.
Analyses show that the most extreme vortex variability occurs most commonly in late January and early February, consistent with when most planetary wave driving from the troposphere is observed. Composites around sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events reveal that the moment diagnostics evolve in statistically different ways between vortex splitting events and vortex displacement events, in contrast to the traditional diagnostics. Histograms of the vortex diagnostics on the 850-K (~10 hPa) surface over the 1958–2001 period are fitted with parametric distributions and show that SSW events constitute the majority of data in the tails of the distributions. The distribution of each diagnostic is computed on various surfaces throughout the depth of the stratosphere; it shows that in general the vortex becomes more circular with higher filamentation at the upper levels. The Northern and Southern Hemisphere (SH) vortices are also compared through the analysis of their respective vortex diagnostics, confirming that the SH vortex is less variable and lacks extreme events compared to the NH vortex. Finally, extreme value theory is used to statistically model the vortex diagnostics and make inferences about the underlying dynamics of the polar vortices.
Short-Wave Signatures of Stratospheric Mountain Wave Breaking
Authors: Woods Bryan K. , Smith Ronald B. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Recent stratospheric mountain wave measurements over the Sierra Nevada indicate that downgoing secondary waves may be common or even ubiquitous in large wave events. Because of their short wavelengths, they may dominate the vertical velocity field near the tropopause, and they give a remote indicator of wave breaking farther aloft. Using a 2D numerical model, the authors have simulated the secondary wave generation process with qualitative agreement in the wave location, phase speed, wavelength (i.e., 10–20 km), and amplitude. A key to the analysis was the use of Morlet wavelet cross spectra on both the observational and simulated fields.
Several characteristics of the simulated secondary waves were unexpected. First, the secondary waves are generated with good efficiency, approaching 20% of the primary upgoing wave momentum flux. Second, whereas most of the secondary waves are downward, the shorter components reflect upward from the tropopause, giving a kind of lee wave trapping in the lower stratosphere. Long waves are also observed propagating upward and downward away from the wave breaking region. Third, the phase speed of the secondary waves is nearly zero so the Eliassen–Palm relationship between momentum and energy flux is satisfied. While the 2D results are robust to grid size and subgrid parameterization, an extension of the modeling to three dimensions is disappointing. The secondary waves’ amplitudes in the 3D runs are much smaller than observed.
Climate Variability and the Shape of Daily Precipitation: A Case Study of ENSO and the American West
Authors: Feldl Nicole , Roe Gerard H. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Characterizing the relationship between large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns and the shape of the daily precipitation distribution is fundamental to understanding how dynamical changes are manifest in the hydrological cycle, and it is also relevant to issues such as natural hazard mitigation and reservoir management. This relationship is pursued using ENSO variability and the American West as a case study. When considering the full range of wintertime precipitation and consistent with conventional wisdom, mean precipitation intensity is enhanced during El Niño relative to La Niña in the Southwest and vice versa in the Northwest. This change in mean is attributed to a shift in the distribution of daily precipitation toward more intense daily rainfall rates. In addition, fundamental changes in the shape of the precipitation distributions are observed, independent of shifts in the mean. Surprisingly, for intense precipitation, La Niña winters actually demonstrate a significant increase in intensity (but not frequency) across the Southwest. A main lesson from this analysis is that, in response to ENSO variability, changes in extreme events can be significantly different from changes in the mean. In some instances, even the sign of the change is reversed. This result suggests that patterns of large-scale variability have an effect on the precipitation distribution that is nuanced, and they cannot be regarded as simply causing a shift in climatic zones. It also raises interesting questions concerning how best to establish confidence in climate predictions.