bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonality and Interannual Variability of the Westerly Jet in the Tibetan Plateau Region*
Authors: Schiemann Reinhard , Lüthi Daniel , Schär Christoph 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn this study, 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data are used for the description of the seasonal cycle and the interannual variability of the westerly jet in the Tibetan Plateau region. To complement results based on the analysis of monthly mean horizontal wind speeds, an occurrence-based jet climatology is constructed by identifying the locations of the jet axes at 6-hourly intervals throughout 1958–2001. Thus, a dataset describing the highly transient and localized features of jet variability is obtained.During winter and summer the westerly jet is located, respectively, to the south and north of the Tibetan Plateau. During the spring and autumn seasons there are jet transitions from south to north and vice versa. The median dates for these transitions are 28 April and 12 October. The spring transition is associated with large interannual variations, while the fall transition occurs more reliably within a 3-week period. The strength of the jet exhibits a peculiar seasonal cycle. During northward migration in April/May, the jet intensity weakens and its latitudinal position varies largely. In some springs, there are several transitions and split configurations occur before the jet settles in its northern summer position. In June, a well-defined and unusually strong jet reappears at the northern flanks of the Tibetan Plateau. In autumn, the jet gradually but reliably recedes to the south and is typically more intense than in spring.The jet transitions between the two preferred locations follow the seasonal latitudinal migration of the jet in the Northern Hemisphere. An analysis of interannual variations shows the statistical relationship between the strength of the summer jet, the tropospheric meridional temperature gradient, and the all-India rainfall series. Both this analysis and results from previous studies point to the particular dynamical relevance of the onsetting Indian summer monsoon precipitation and the associated diabatic heating for the formation of the strong summer jet.Finally, an example is provided that illustrates the climatological significance of the jet in terms of the covariation between the jet location and the spatial precipitation distribution in central Asia.
How Important Is Air–Sea Coupling in ENSO and MJO Evolution?
Authors: Newman Matthew , Sardeshmukh Prashant D. , Penland Cécile 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The effect of air–sea coupling on tropical climate variability is investigated in a coupled linear inverse model (LIM) derived from the simultaneous and 6-day lag covariances of observed 7-day running mean departures from the annual cycle. The model predicts the covariances at all other lags. The predicted and observed lag covariances, as well as the associated power spectra, are generally found to agree within sampling uncertainty. This validates the LIM’s basic premise that beyond daily time scales, the evolution of tropical atmospheric and oceanic anomalies is effectively linear and stochastically driven. It also justifies a linear diagnosis of air–sea coupling in the system.
The results show that air–sea coupling has a very small effect on subseasonal atmospheric variability. It has much larger effects on longer-term variability, in both the atmosphere and the ocean, including greatly increasing the amplitude of ENSO and lengthening its dominant period from 2 to 4 years. Consistent with these results, the eigenvectors of the system’s dynamical evolution operator also separate into two distinct, but nonorthogonal, subspaces: one governing the nearly uncoupled subseasonal dynamics and the other governing the strongly coupled longer-term dynamics. These subspaces arise naturally from the LIM analysis; no bandpass frequency filtering need be applied. One implication of this remarkably clean separation of the uncoupled and coupled dynamics is that GCM errors in anomalous tropical air–sea coupling may cause substantial errors on interannual and longer time scales but probably not on the subseasonal scales associated with the MJO.
A Study of the Error Covariance Matrix of Radar Rainfall Estimates in Stratiform Rain. Part II: Scale Dependence
Authors: Berenguer Marc , Zawadzki Isztar 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The contribution of various physical sources of uncertainty affecting radar rainfall estimates at the ground has been recently quantified at a resolution typically used in schemes assimilating rainfall at the ground onto mesoscale models. Here, the contribution of the two most important sources of uncertainty at nonattenuating wavelengths (the range-dependent error and the uncertainty due to the Z–R transformation) and their interaction are studied as a function of the resolution of radar observations.
The analysis is carried out using a large dataset of collocated reflectivity profiles from the McGill S-band radar and disdrometric measurements obtained in stratiform rainfall at resolutions of 1 × 1, 5 × 5, and 15 × 15 km2. Results show that the errors affecting radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) have a strong dependence with range, and that their structure is scale dependent. At the analyzed resolutions, QPE errors are significantly correlated in time and over several grid points.
Language Abilities of Children with Differing Socioeconomic Backgrounds
Authors: Howard Marshall J. , Hoops H. Ray , McKinnon Archie J. 
Published: December 2008

This study investigated the effect of socioeconomic status upon selected oral communication skills of 198 children. Four subtests of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities and a portion of the Pre-School Inventory were administered to all subjects on an individual basis. The results showed that children from higher socio-economic backgrounds were more competent in certain areas investigated than were lower status children. The results obtained also indicated the test instruments employed tended to be sensitive to socio-economic status and distorted measurement of actual linguistic skill.
Instructional Materials Available for Learning Disabled Children
Authors: Litton Freddie W. 
Published: December 2008

The paper this month strikes an heartening note for all those who work to remediate learning disability children. The author, Freddie Litton, documents the greatly increased number and variety of materials available in very recent years. Readers will also find the list of publishers addresses useful for direct ordering. Remember though that the wise teacher purchases materials only for the specific objective for which they are designed. Use block designs and form boards only for training spatial relationship skills — not to teach reading. Too often we are led to believe that equipment or programs created for one purpose will have powerful educational spinoffs in other areas.
Programs, Materials and Techniques
Authors: Bannatyne Alex 
Published: December 2008

Secrets is a very unusual program. It supplies children with a kind of do-it-yourself kit of cassettes and diary (or log book) for personal development. It comes in two versions, individual or class. My own daughter Kate, aged nine years going on ten, thinks it's great. Primer for Perception is an excellent idea book by Beatrice Goldizer which can provide learning disability teachers with many detailed lesson plans. The exercises combine sound educational sense with good motivation. Structured Dramatics is a book I am keeping close at hand in our own school. We have always been enthusiastic about plays, film-making and dramatics but this account from the Kaliski school has inspired in us new attempts for the coming school year. Following in natural sequence is Shirley Linn's Teaching Phonics with Finger Puppets. With one puppet representing each phoneme, the children rapidly learn to identify and discriminate them in a relatively painless way. Much useful teaching advice is also contained in this little book. Victoria Sperry has neatly summarized a wealth of teaching material in her book, A Language Approach to Learning Disabilities. Moreover, I am most impressed with her organization of the material within such a logical psycholinguistic format. A natural complement to the above books is the Phonic Word Builder, a list of 3000 categorized words. This booklet will be most useful for creating lessons in a true developmental sequence. I have also commented on several books of teaching ideas from the Love Publishing Company. Note that all the above books are very modestly priced. Psychologists and some teachers will be interested in the Test of Concept Utilization and its manual, The Development of Concepts. I have reviewed the research which the authors carried out with learning disability children. The results are intriguing and may spur other researchers to extend the work in this field.
A Look at Some Important Factors in Assessing Readiness for School
Authors: Gredler Gilbert R. 
Published: December 2008

Previous articles in the Journal cited by the author have argued that some children either have insufficient intelligence or lack readiness for first-grade work, despite an appropriate chronological age. Retainment or delayed entry have been suggested as remedies. Gredler presents arguments and supporting data which seriously question these otherwise reasonable assertions. Those concerned at this time of year with decisions of retainment or delayed entry should find this article thought-provoking. — G.M.S. There has been an increased interest in the learning disabled child and the need for sophisticated diagnosis and remediation. However, many still believe that manipulation of the entrance age to school and grade retention will solve the problems of children retarded in reading. The efficacy of these approaches is analyzed. There is a need to examine the excessively high failure rate found in the primary grades and reconceptualize the factors involved in such failure.
A Comparison of the Effects of Reinforcement and Response Cost on the Selective Attention of Learning Disabled Children
Authors: Hallahan Daniel P. , Tarver Sara G. , Kauffman James M. , Graybeal N. Lynn 
Published: December 2008

This experiment, like others in a series by the present authors, examines attentional processes in learning disabled youngsters. This particular study is controversial in that it proposes that learning disabled children may be capable of better verbal learning than they demonstrate — they simply fail to produce, though they allegedly possess the capability. Comments regarding this “production deficiency hypothesis” are invited. — G.M.S. To investigate the effects of reinforcement and response cost on the selective attention and verbal rehearsal performance of learning disabled children, a modified version of Hagen's Central-Incidental task was administered to 48 children enrolled in a private residential school for children with learning disabilities. A reinforcement condition facilitated both selective attention and verbal rehearsal (as measured by primacy effect), but a response cost condition did not. The results were discussed in relation to a “production deficiency” in learning disabled children.
Books in Brief
Authors: Newberger Darryl Alan 
Published: December 2008

Social Development of Learning Disabled Persons by Doreen Kronick. 250 pages, $15.95. Jossey-Bass, 433 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, 1981. The Role of Vision in the Multidisciplinary Approach to Children with Learning Disabilities: Proceedings from Learning Disabilities Institute II, by Morton Davis and John C. Whitener. 307 pages, $24.50. Charles C. Thomas, 301--37 East Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL 62717, 1982. Learning Disabilities in Perspective, by Howard S. Adelman and Linda Taylor, 376 pages, $22.95. Scott, Foresman and Company, 1900 East Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025. 1983.
Conservation and Mathematics Achievement in the Learning Disabled Child
Authors: Derr Alice M. 
Published: December 2008

This study investigated the development of the cognitive stage of concrete operations, specifically conservation, in learning disabled children who had significant deficits in mathematics achievement. Twenty-two 9-12 year old learning disabled children with severe mathematics disabilities, and eighteen normal control students with average achievement in mathematics, were given six tests of conservation. Significant group differences appeared which indicated that many learning disabled children have not yet developed the concept of conservation, even in the upper elementary grades. This lag in cognitive development may constrict the ability to understand mathematics instruction as it is often taught today.
Preparation of Microporous Si–O–C Composite Material and Its Lithium Storage Capability
Authors: Fukui Hiroshi , Ohsuka Hisashi , Hino Takakazu , Kanamura Kiyoshi 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
A microporous Si–O–C composite material was prepared by pyrolysis of a blend of polysilane, (Ph2Si)0.85(PhSi)0.15 (1) and polystyrene (1:1 in weight) at 1000 °C. This material electrochemically performed well, offering a capacity of more than 600 mA h g−1 and a good cycle life. Our 7Li NMR analysis confirmed the possibility of several electrochemical active sites for lithium storage in this new composite material.
Quantitative analysis of elevated serum Golgi protein-73 expression in patients with liver diseases
Authors: Gu Yanli , Chen Wenli , Zhao Yu , Chen Liyun , Peng Tao 
Published: December 2008

Background Golgi protein-73 (GP73) is a newly identified candidate serum marker for liver diseases. The utility of this biomarker remains limited, largely due to the lack of quantitative information. The aims of this study were to quantify serum GP73 (sGP73) in healthy individuals and in patients with liver diseases, and to validate sGP73 as a biomarker for early diagnosis of liver disease. Methods Recombinant GP73 was used to generate monoclonal (mAb) and polyclonal antibodies (pAb). Using these antibodies in a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, GP73 was measured in serum from 263 patients with various forms of liver and other diseases. Results The median sGP73 in patients with liver disease was significantly higher ( P < 0.001) than in healthy individuals and in patients with other diseases. When sGP73 was used to detect liver disease, it had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 80% at the optimal cut-off value of 85.5 μg/L. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.9. Conclusion sGP73 concentration in patients with liver disease was three-fold higher than in healthy individuals. However, sGP73 concentrations did not differ significantly between patients from each liver disease group. Furthermore, sGP73 was not significantly elevated in patients with diseases other than liver disease compared with healthy individuals. These results suggest that sGP73 may be used as a serum marker for the diagnosis of liver disease.
Use of a common standard improves the performance of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D
Authors: Carter Graham D , Jones Julia C 
Published: December 2008

Background Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is becoming increasingly popular for measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25-OH-D). Results submitted to the International Quality Assessment Scheme (DEQAS) have shown poor interlaboratory agreement. We investigated whether the use of a common standard would reduce interlaboratory imprecision. Methods A commercial standard and two controls were distributed with the DEQAS samples in January 2008. Participants were asked to calculate the results of samples and controls using their usual standard and the commercial standard. A method questionnaire was also distributed. Results Use of a common standard reduced the mean interlaboratory imprecision (coefficient of variation [CV]) for total 25-OH-D from 16.4% (in-house standards) to 10.4% (common standard). For 25-OH-D3 and 25-OH-D2, the mean CVs were reduced from 16.7% and 21.1% to 8.5% and 12.6%, respectively. Mean values obtained for total 25-OH-D using the common standard were higher by 6.1%. Conclusions Use of a common standard improved agreement among laboratories using LC-MS/MS methods for 25-OH-D. This suggests that problems with assay standardization contribute to interlaboratory imprecision. This may be related to the nature of the matrix used for working standards or errors in the calibration of stock standard solutions of 25-OH-D. Some participants used a gravimetric method, others UV spectrophotometry, to establish the concentration of stock solutions. Among the latter group there was uncertainty over the molar absorption coefficient of 25-OH-D solutions. We conclude that LC-MS/MS is not yet sufficiently robust to become the reference method for 25-OH-D and that gas chromatography-mass spectrometry might be a more suitable candidate.
The influence of professional values on the implementation of Aboriginal health policy
Authors: Lloyd Jane , Wise Marilyn , Weeramanthri Tarun , Nugus Peter 
Published: December 2008

Objective: This article explores the role of professional values and the culture of the Australian health care system in facilitating and constraining the implementation of an Aboriginal health policy. Methods: Thirty-five semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in a case study on the implementation of the Northern Territory Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy (PCDS). Results: PCDS included three major evidence-based components - primary prevention, early detection and better management. The research revealed that PCDS changed as it was implemented. The values of the medical and nursing professions favoured the implementation of the clinically-based component of PCDS - better management. But there was dissonance between the values of these dominant professional groups and the values and expertise in public health that were necessary to implement fully the primary prevention component of PCDS. While Aboriginal health workers have valuable knowledge and skills in this area, they were not accorded sufficient power and training to influence decision-making on priorities and resources, and were able to exercise only limited influence on the components of the PCDS that were implemented. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role that a myriad of values play in influencing which aspects of a policy are implemented by organizations and their agents. Comprehensive and equitable implementation of policy requires an investigation and awareness of different professional values, and an examination of whose voices will be privileged in the decision-making process. If the advances in developing evidence-based, culturally-appropriate and inclusive policy are to be translated into practice, then care needs to be taken to monitor and influence whose values are being included at what point in the policy implementation process.
Incorporating Network Flow Effects into the Airline Fleet Assignment Process
Authors: Jacobs Timothy L. , Smith Barry C. , Johnson Ellis L. 
Published: December 2008

This paper presents a new methodology for incorporating origin and destination (O&D) network effects into the fleet assignment process. The methodology uses a decomposition strategy to combine a modified version of a leg-based fleet assignment model (Leg-FAM) with the network flow aspects of probabilistic O&D yield management. By decomposing the problem, the nonlinear aspects of the O&D market effects and passenger flow are isolated in O&D yield management and incorporated in FAM using linear approximations to the total network revenue function. To illustrate this methodology and its economic benefits, an example consisting of 10 cities, 48 flight legs, and 534 O&D market classes is presented and compared to the results found using two commonly used Leg-FAM formulations. To benchmark the benefits of using an O&D approach to fleet assignment, we present two case studies comparing the Leg-FAM and O&D FAM approaches using actual airline schedules with more than 4,000 daily operations. For these benchmarks, we present the results of a general fleet assignment process in which all the scheduled flights must be assigned an aircraft type and a schedule reduction run in which nonprofitable flights can be cancelled. The methodology presented in this paper is ideally suited for demand-driven dispatch (D3) scenarios, where near-term fleeting changes are made to better match O&D passenger demand to available aircraft capacity. To illustrate the use of the O&D FAM methodology to facilitate near-term refleeting process, we present results from implementing a D3 process using O&D FAM at AMR's American Eagle Airlines.
Freeze-thaw and matrix effects in direct high-density lipoprotein cholesterol methods
Authors: Cobbaert Christa , van Haperen Corrie , Bastijns Claudia , Demacker Pierre N.M. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract: There is frequent discussion on the susceptibility of direct high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) methods to matrix effects. In Vitro Diagnostics manufacturers recognize this issue and regularly improve their HDL-C reagent formulations in subsequent generations.: The 3rd generation direct HDL-C assay from Roche was investigated for matrix effects in comparison to the former generation, a Beckman direct HDL-C method and a conventional phosphotungstate (PTA)/Mg: In fresh samples, Roche 2nd and 3rd generation HDL-C methods averaged +0.15 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.13–0.16) and +0.08 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.07–0.09) higher compared to frozen samples. In frozen aliquots, ICCs for Roche 2nd and 3rd generation and Beckman direct HDL-C as compared to PTA/MgCl: The 3rd generation direct HDL-C from Roche has become insensitive to most matrix effects, bringing along more accurate results in hypoalbuminemic and hypertriglyceridemic samples. Surprisingly, Roche direct assays produced significantly higher HDL-C levels in fresh samples compared to frozen plasma samples. If confirmed by others, the latter finding has implications for patient management and necessitates further reagent optimization.Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:172–6.
Vitamin D: current status and perspectives
Authors: Cavalier Etienne , Delanaye Pierre , Chapelle Jean-Paul , Souberbielle Jean-Claude 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe role of vitamin D in maintaining bone health has been known for decades. Recently, however, the discovery that many tissues expressed the vitamin D receptor and were able to transform the 25-OH vitamin D into its most active metabolite, 1,25-(OH)Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:120–7.
Circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein: a biomarker of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk?
Authors: Verhoye Eline , Langlois Michel R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLow-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are susceptible to structural modifications by oxidation, particularly the small dense LDL particles. The formation of lipid peroxidation derivates, such as thiobarbituric reactive substances, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, and aldehydes, is associated with changes in apolipoprotein conformation and affects the functional properties of LDLs. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) formation in the subendothelial space of the arterial wall is a key initiating step in atherosclerosis because it contributes to foam cell generation, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammatory processes. In the last decade, immunoassays were developed using monoclonal antibodies against oxidation-dependent epitopes of LDL which made it possible to directly measure oxLDL in the circulation. Increased circulating oxLDL concentrations have been related to cardiovascular disease in some studies, although not always independently after adjustment of classical lipid markers. The Asklepios Study, investigating 2524 healthy middle-aged subjects, showed that circulating oxLDL is affected by many biological and lifestyle factors, as well as (generalized) subclinical atherosclerosis.Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:128–37.