bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the bisphosphonate ibandronate on hyperalgesia, substance P, and cytokine levels in a rat model of persistent inflammatory pain
Authors: Bianchi Mauro , Franchi Silvia , Ferrario Paolo , Sotgiu Maria Luisa , Sacerdote Paola
Published: August 2007

The anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties of different bisphosphonates have been demonstrated in both animal and human studies. Ibandronate is a third‐generation bisphosphonate effective in managing different types of bone pain. In this study we investigated its effects in a standard pre‐clinical model of inflammatory pain. We evaluated the effects of a single injection of different doses (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0mg/kg i.p.) of ibandronate on inflammatory oedema and cutaneous hyperalgesia produced by the intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the rat hind‐paw. In addition, we measured the effects of this drug (1.0mg/kg i.p.) on hind‐paw levels of different pro‐inflammatory mediators (PGE‐2, SP, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β). We also measured the levels of SP protein and of its mRNA in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Ibandronate proved able to reduce the inflammatory oedema, the hyperalgesia to mechanical stimulation, and the levels of SP in the inflamed tissue as measured 3 and 7 days following CFA‐injection. This drug significantly reduced the levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β only on day 7. On the other hand, the levels of PGE‐2 in the inflamed hind‐paw were unaffected by the administration of this bisphosphonate. Finally, ibandronate blocked the overexpression of SP mRNA in DRG induced by CFA‐injection in the hind‐paw.

These data help to complete the pharmacodynamic profile of ibandronate, while also suggesting an involvement of several inflammatory mediators, with special reference to substance P, in the analgesic action of this bisphosphonate.
Bilateral subcutaneous fibrosarcomas in a cat following feline parvo-, herpes- and calicivirus vaccination
Authors: De Man Marc MG , Ducatelle Richard V
Published: August 2007

A crossbred cat developed a subcutaneous fibrosarcoma on the left side of the thorax at the site of previous administration of a feline parvo-, herpes- and calicivirus vaccine. A few months later the cat developed a second mass on the right side of the thorax after a booster vaccine had been administered at this site. This unique case of bilateral fibrosarcomas in a cat shortly after vaccination with parvo-, herpes- and caliciviruses suggests an individual disposition for the development of vaccine-associated sarcomas and a possible triggering of this type of pathological response which could have precipitated the development of the second tumour. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of vaccine-induced fibrosarcomas occurring bilaterally after injection of a feline parvo-, herpes- and calicivirus containing vaccine at different sides of the thorax.
Is the goal of mastication reached in young dentates, aged dentates and aged denture wearers?
Authors: Mishellany-Dutour Anne , Renaud Johanne , Peyron Marie-Agnès , Rimek Frank , Woda Alain
Published: August 2007

The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of age and dentition status on masticatory function. A three-arm case–control study was performed. Group 1 (n 14) was composed of young fully dentate subjects (age 35·6 ± 10·6 years), group 2 (n 14) of aged fully dentate subjects (age 68·8 ± 7·0 years) and group 3 (n 14) of aged full denture wearers (age 68·1 ± 7·2 years). Mastication adaptation was assessed in the course of chewing groundnuts and carrots to swallowing threshold. Particle size distribution of the chewed food, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles during chewing, and resting and stimulated whole saliva rates were measured. Aged dentate subjects used significantly more chewing strokes to reach swallowing threshold than younger dentate subjects (P < 0·05), with increased particle size reduction, longer chewing sequence duration (P < 0·05) and greater total EMG activity (P < 0·05) for both groundnuts and carrots. In addition, aged denture wearers made significantly more chewing strokes than aged dentate subjects (P < 0·001) to reach swallowing threshold for groundnuts. Particle size reduction at time of swallowing was significantly poorer for denture wearers than for their aged dentate counterparts, despite an increase in chewing strokes, sequence duration and EMG activity per sequence. Masticatory function was thus adapted to ageing, but was impaired in denture wearers, who failed to adapt fully to their deficient masticatory apparatus.
Genetic variation and correlation among yield and quality traits in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.)
Authors: JAFARI A. , NASERI H.
Published: August 2007

The objective of the present research was to study the genetic variability for total dry matter (DM) yield, tiller number, heading date and three quality traits, namely content of digestible dry matter (DDM), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and crude protein (CP), in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). Twenty-five parents were randomly chosen from a genetically broad-based population, and their respective half-sib (HS) families were generated. Clonally-propagated parents and their HS family seeds were grown as individual plants using a randomized complete block design with two replications in Alborz Research Center, Karaj, Iran, during 2002–04. The results of combined analyses over 2 years showed significant variances between clonal parents for all traits except CP. In the HS generation, between-family variances were only significant for tiller number, heading date and WSC. Clone×year (S2GY) and family×year (S2FY) interactions were significant for all traits except for WSC in HS families. The estimates of broad-sense heritability (h2b) were moderate to high for all traits (h2b=0·37–0·69), except CP. Narrow-sense heritability (h2n) estimates from analyses of progenies and from regression of HS progenies on parents (h2op) were moderate, relatively the same values as h2b for heading date, tiller number and WSC, which suggested that additive genetic variance was the main component controlling these traits. For DM yield and DDM, h2n and h2op estimates were low, whereas h2b estimates were moderate, which suggested that both additive and non-additive gene effects played an important role in the genetic regulation of these traits. Genetic correlations among CP with both WSC and DDM were generally negative, whereas WSC was positively correlated with DDM and tiller number. The genetic correlation among DM yield with DDM was weak and inconsistent and, in general, negative. DM yield had negative and positive correlation with heading date and tiller number, respectively. It was concluded that there was significant variation and moderate heritability for most traits in the cocksfoot populations evaluated to improve yield and quality traits. Selection for high WSC is a means to improve quality in general. The data also indicate that response to combined selection for both DDM and DM yield should be possible. Selection for DDM alone could result in reduction in yield.
Naseptin® and peanut oil: a survey of practitioners' awareness in the UK
Authors: Abed T , Farhat S , Watters G
Published: August 2007

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine how aware ENT practitioners are that Naseptin® (Alliance), widely used in ENT practice, contains peanut oil and to what extent this is conveyed to patients.

Methods:

A questionnaire was sent out to all ENT practitioners registered with the British Association of Otolaryngologists.

Result:

Analysis of the data confirmed that Naseptin cream is widely used in ENT practice and showed that although most practitioners are aware that Naseptin cream contains refined peanut oil (arachis oil) (74.3 per cent of consultants and 93.6 per cent of registrars) not all ask their patients whether they are allergic to peanuts (62.6 per cent of consultants and 87.3 per cent of registrars).

Conclusion:

The results suggest that more should be done to raise awareness amongst practitioners that Naseptin cream contains peanut oil and should be avoided in patients with a peanut allergy, as recommended by national guidelines. The use of Naseptin cream when contraindicated may have medicolegal implications.
Common variable immunodeficiency syndrome: a difficult diagnostic problem
Authors: Spyridakou C , Berry S , Phillipps J
Published: August 2007

Objective:

We present a rare case of an adult male with undiagnosed common variable immunodeficiency syndrome who presented to the ENT department with refractory chronic sinusitis and otitis media with effusion.

Method:

Case report and a review of the international literature concerning common variable immunodeficiency syndrome in adults and upper respiratory tract involvement.

Results:

A 37-year-old male presented to the ENT department with refractory chronic sinusitis and otitis media with effusion. The diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency syndrome was delayed, and difficult, primarily due to minimal symptoms with no lower respiratory tract involvement and negative past or family medical history.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis helps to prevent morbidity and even mortality. This article highlights how difficult and important it is to make an early diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency syndrome. Early diagnosis will only be made by increased awareness of this condition.
Rare presentation of laryngeal neuroma in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type two B
Authors: Ghosh S , Joy R , Hickey S
Published: August 2007

Objective:

We present a rare case of laryngeal mucosal neuroma, and its management, in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 B.

Method:

We present a case report and a review of the world literature concerning laryngeal mucosal neuroma and its association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 B.

Case report:

An 11-year-old girl was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 B on the basis of clinical presentation and genetic testing. Several years later, whilst undergoing general anaesthesia for routine dental treatment, the anaesthetic team were concerned by masses on the patient's vocal folds, which they felt could compromise her airway. The ENT team were informed of the situation and an urgent microlaryngoscopy was performed. Biopsies taken at the time were reported as showing benign mucosal neuromas. A few months later, the patient presented with acute stridor, and flexible nasal endoscopy revealed recurrence. This episode settled without surgery.

Conclusion:

Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes are inherited autosomal cancer syndromes. Laryngeal mucosal neuroma can manifest as potentially airway compromising lesions in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 B. Although apparently rare, we feel this case highlights the need for vigilance and prompt recognition of this treatable condition.
Clinico-epidemiological study of complicated and uncomplicated chronic suppurative otitis media
Authors: Vikram B K , Khaja N , Udayashankar S G , Venkatesha B K , Manjunath D
Published: August 2007

Introduction:

This study aimed to compare the clinical and epidemiological profiles of cases of complicated and uncomplicated chronic suppurative otitis media, based on their prognostic factors.

Materials and methods:

This was a prospective, cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care medical college hospital over a period of two and a half years. The study group comprised 187 ears, out of which 62 had complications while 125 did not. The two groups were compared with respect to nine prognostic variables: age distribution, sex, patient's domicile, literacy status, duration of ear discharge at presentation, ear pathology, predisposing disease focus in the nose or throat, ear swab microbiology, and hearing loss.

Results:

Patients in the complicated chronic suppurative otitis media group had a higher male predominance and were younger. Rural and illiterate patients had a higher risk of developing complications. Cholesteatoma and granulation tissue were potential risk factors in the complicated chronic suppurative otitis media group. Ears with complications were more prone to develop sensorineural hearing loss. Age, sex, duration of ear discharge, predisposing disease focus in nose or throat, and ear swab microbiology were all less useful prognostic indicators of complications.

Conclusion:

Early detection and timely treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media in rural and illiterate patients may prevent life-threatening complications and reduce their incidence. Ears that harbour relatively large quantities of both cholesteatoma and granulation tissue together require more urgent surgical intervention and more extensive disease clearance in order to prevent complications.
Geometry for robot path planning
Authors: Noakes Lyle , Popiel Tomasz
Published: August 2007

There have been many interesting recent results in the area of geometrical methods for path planning in robotics. So it seems very timely to attempt a description of mathematical developments surrounding very elementary engineering tasks. Even with such limited scope, there is too much to cover in detail. Inevitably, our knowledge and personal preferences have a lot to do with what is emphasised, included, or left out.

Part I is introductory, elementary in tone, and important for understanding the need for geometrical methods in path planning. Part II describes the results on geometrical constructions that imitate well-known constructions from classical approximation theory. Part III reviews a class of methods where classicalcriteriaare extended to curves in Riemannian manifolds, including several recent mathematical results that have not yet found their way into the literature.
Measures of self-efficacy and norms for low-fat milk consumption are reliable and related to beverage consumption among 5th graders at school lunch
Authors: Thompson Victoria J , Bachman Christine , Watson Kathy , Baranowski Tom , Cullen Karen W
Published: August 2007

Objective

To determine the reliability and validity of scales measuring low-fat milk consumption self-efficacy and norms during school lunch among a cohort of 5th graders.

Design

Two hundred and seventy-five students completed lunch food records and a psychosocial questionnaire measuring self-efficacy and norms for school lunch low-fat milk consumption during the fall and spring semesters of the 1998–1999 academic year. Test–retest reliability was assessed in participants who also completed the questionnaire in the spring semester (n = 262). Principal component analyses identified and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed latent variables. Bivariate correlations measured construct validity.

Setting

Houston-area middle school.

Subjects

Fifth graders (n = 275) from one middle school in southeast Texas.

Results

Two scales measuring psychosocial influences of low-fat milk consumption were identified and proved reliable in this population: milk self-efficacy and milk norms. Milk self-efficacy and norms were positively correlated with milk consumption and negatively correlated with consumption of sweetened beverages.

Conclusions

These questionnaires can be used in similar interventions to measure the impact of self-efficacy and norms for drinking low-fat milk during school lunch.
Arbeitsunfähigkeit, Erwerbsunfähigkeit, Invalidität – die Begriffe und ihre rechtliche Bedeutung in der Schweiz
Authors: Bollag
Published: August 2007

Ein präzises und korrektes Verständnis der versicherungsmedizinisch wichtigen Begriffe wie Arbeitsunfähigkeit, Erwerbsunfähigkeit und Invalidität durch behandelnde und begutachtende Ärztinnen und Ärzte ist im zentralen Interesse von Patienten und Patientinnen. In der Schweiz ist aus ärztlicher Sicht primär die Arbeitsfähigkeit zu beurteilen. Dies retrospektiv bezogen auf die zuletzt ausgeübte Tätigkeit (Beruf oder Aufgabengebiet) und prospektiv bezogen auf alle anderen Verweistätigkeiten, die nach Durchführung allfälliger medizinischer Maßnahmen möglich sind. Erwerbsunfähigkeit und Invalidität im Rechtssinne liegen erst vor wenn objektivierte Gesundheitsbeeinträchtigungen eine gewisse Schwere und Dauer erreicht haben und den Grund einer ökonomischen Einbuße im Arbeitsmarkt darstellen.
Somatoforme Schmerzstörungen – Medizin und Recht im Widerspruch? Eine Beurteilung aus ärztlicher Sicht
Authors: Jeger
Published: August 2007

Die Schweizer Rechtsprechung geht davon aus, dass Menschen mit einer anhaltenden somatoformen Schmerzstörung oder einer Fibromyalgie in der Regel arbeitsfähig sind. Ausnahmen sind anhand bestimmter Kriterien zu belegen. Die Rechtsprechung hat damit sehr stark normativ in medizinische Belange eingegriffen. Die vom Gericht verwendeten Kriterien wurden den medizinischen Publikationen von K. Foerster entnommen, aber eigenwillig abgeändert und gewichtet. Die Prognose-Kriterien von K. Foerster wurden bisher nie wissenschaftlich validiert und sie werden von der Rechtsprechung nicht im Sinne des Erfinders angewendet. Die Rechtsprechung geht zu stark von Diagnosen aus. Diagnosen korrelieren schlecht mit dem Ausmaß einer Behinderung. Die psychiatrische Komorbidität gewinnt in der Rechtsprechung eine Bedeutung, die den medizinischen Publikationen nicht entnommen werden kann. Es existieren nun spezielle Rechtsprechungen zu speziellen Krankheitsbildern, so dass es sich für Patienten wie auch für Versicherungen lohnen kann, um die für sie günstigste Diagnose zu kämpfen. Bezüglich Chronifizierung psychosozial mitbedingter Krankheiten und linear-kausalem Krankheitsverständnis basiert die Rechtsprechung auf veralteten medizinischen Grundlagen. Medizinische und juristische Ebene sind nun stark vermischt. Aus medizinischer Sicht wäre eine weitgehende Entflechtung dieser Ebenen zu fordern.
Depression – Ursache oder Folge von Arbeitsunfähigkeit und Invalidität?
Authors: Hoffmann-Richter
Published: August 2007

Gelegentlich mag es schwierig sein, eine klare Aussage über den Zusammenhang zwischen Arbeitsunfähigkeit und Depression zu machen. Dennoch lohnt sich die Klärung: Sie dient nicht nur sekundären Maßnahmen wie Zeugnissen, sondern auch den primären therapeutischen Interventionen. Der Artikel gibt einen kurzen Überblick über das notwendige Wissen und beschreibt das praktische Vorgehen. Er benennt aber auch die Probleme, die sich angesichts dieser Frage stellen. So müssen Zeugnisse neben ihrer administrativen Funktion auch als primäre Maßnahme, nämlich als therapeutische Intervention in ihren Wirkungen und Nebenwirkungen betrachtet werden, und Depressionen können sich neben einem diagnostischen Konzept als besondere Verfasstheit in unserer Gesellschaft erweisen.
Epilepsie – Arbeitsunfähigkeit und Fahruntauglichkeit
Authors: Stöckli
Published: August 2007

Die Beurteilung der Arbeitsunfähigkeit bei Epilepsie ist auf Grund der Vielfältigkeit des Krankheitsbildes sehr anspruchsvoll und erfordert entsprechende Sachkenntnis. Sie muss sehr individuell anhand der patientenspezifischen Daten erfolgen (Anfalltyp, Auslösermechanismen, Anfallshäufigkeit, zugrunde liegende Primärerkrankung oder sonstige Sekundärfolgen, eventuelle neuropsychologische Defizite). Oft sind es ursächliche Krankheiten oder Folgeerkrankungen, welche die Arbeitsfähigkeit einschränken und nicht primär die Tatsache, dass der Betroffene an epileptischen Anfällen leidet. Seltene oder gelegentliche Anfälle interferieren üblicherweise nicht oder kaum mit der Arbeitsfähigkeit. Gelegentlich führen auch medikamentöse Nebenwirkungen zu einer Leistungsverminderung. Zur korrekten Beurteilung der beruflichen Leistungsfähigkeit ist zudem eine präzise Kenntnis des Arbeitplatzes unumgänglich, eine pauschale Beschreibung genügt keineswegs. Nur so lässt sich eine allfällige epilepsiebedingte Fremd- oder Eigengefährdung am Arbeitsplatz richtig einschätzen. Auch eine epilepsiebedingte Fahruntauglichkeit kann die Arbeitsfähigkeit relevant beeinträchtigen. Wird die Berufstauglichkeit durch die Fahruntauglichkeit relevant und voraussichtlich für längere Dauer beeinträchtigt, ist möglichst frühzeitig mit Hilfe der zuständigen Stellen (Arbeitgeber, IV) nach alternativen Verweistätigkeiten zu suchen oder gar eine Umschulung in Erwägung zu ziehen. Vor einer entsprechenden Maßnahme ist immer der Frage nachzugehen, ob in Zusammenhang mit der Epilepsie eventuell neuropsychologische Defizite vorliegen, die sich in Bezug auf die vorgesehene Verweistätigkeit oder Umschulung als Rehabilitationshindernis erweisen könnten. Die in der Schweiz im Jahr 2006 revidierten Richtlinien bezüglich Fahrtauglichkeit und Epilepsie sind am Schluss des Artikels tabellarisch zusammengefasst.
Neues Therapiekonzept für den Sinus pilonidalis
Authors: Kapp  , Zadnikar  , Hahnloser  , Soll  , Hetzer
Published: August 2007

Unter einem symptomatischen Sinus pilonidalis versteht man eine akute oder chronisch verlaufende Entzündung des subkutanen Fettgewebes, ausgehend von der Mittellinie der Kreuzbeinregion. Für die Behandlung des symptomatischen Sinus pilonidalis gibt es bis heute keine klare Therapieempfehlung. Anhand von Resultaten aus publizierten Studien und unseren eigenen Erfahrungswerten haben wir ein neues Therapiekonzept entwickelt. Bei einem abszedierenden Sinus pilonidalis empfehlen wir eine zweizeitige Behandlung. Primär erfolgt die Abszessabdeckelung in Lokalanästhesie und sekundär die sparsame Fistelexzision. Dadurch kann eine geringe Morbidität und hohe Heilungsrate erreicht werden. Beim ausgedehnt fistulierenden Sinus pilonidalis oder beim Rezidiv haben wir ästhetisch ansprechende Resultate durch die radikale Exzision mit Lappendeckung erreicht.
Myositis mit Lungenfibrose und Eosinophilie
Authors: Tamborrini  , Exer  , Conen
Published: August 2007

Die 74-jährige Patientin litt nebst weiteren Symptomen an Atemnot, subfebrilen Temperaturen, Myalgien und Arthralgien und wies ein flüchtiges Exanthem auf. Weitere Befunde waren eine Eosinophilie, Synovitiden, eine Myositis und eine Lungenfibrose. Die weiterführenden Abklärungen führten nach Ausschluss eines Malignoms oder einer Infektion zur Diagnose eines Anti-Jo-1-Syndroms vergesellschaftet mit sekundärem Sjögren-Syndrom. Nach Einleiten einer immunsuppressiven Therapie mit Steroiden, später zusätzlich mit Methotrexat kam es zu einem raschen Rückgang der Beschwerden und der Befunde. Es wird oben genannter Symptomenkomplex wie das Anti-Jo-1-Syndrom und Differentialdiagnosen diskutiert.
Bayesian multivariate linear regression with application to change point models in hydrometeorological variables
Authors: Seidou O. , Asselin J. J. , Ouarda T. B. M. J.
Published: August 2007

Multivariate linear regression is one of the most popular modeling tools in hydrology and climate sciences for explaining the link between key variables. Piecewise linear regression is not always appropriate since the relationship may experiment sudden changes due to climatic, environmental, or anthropogenic perturbations. To address this issue, a practical and general approach to the Bayesian analysis of the multivariate regression model is presented. The approach allows simultaneous single change point detection in a multivariate sample and can account for missing data in the response variables and/or in the explicative variables. It also improves on recently published change point detection methodologies by allowing a more flexible and thus more realistic prior specification for the existence of a change and the date of change as well as for the regression parameters. The estimation of all unknown parameters is achieved by Monte Carlo Markov chain simulations. It is shown that the developed approach is able to reproduce the results of Rasmussen (2001) as well as those of Perreault et al. (2000a, 2000b). Furthermore, two of the examples provided in the paper show that the proposed methodology can readily be applied to some problems that cannot be addressed by any of the above‐mentioned approaches because of limiting model structure and/or restrictive prior assumptions. The first of these examples deals with single change point detection in the multivariate linear relationship between mean basin‐scale precipitation at different periods of the year and the summer–autumn flood peaks of the Broadback River located in northern Quebec, Canada. The second one addresses the problem of missing data estimation with uncertainty assessment in multisite streamflow records with a possible simultaneous shift in mean streamflow values that occurred at an unknown date.
Magnetospheric convection during intermediate driving: Sawtooth events and steady convection intervals as seen in Lyon‐Fedder‐Mobarry global MHD simulations
Authors: Goodrich C. C. , Pulkkinen T. I. , Lyon J. G. , Merkin V. G.
Published: August 2007

We have used global MHD simulations to investigate the magnetospheric response to steady solar wind for two events. The event of 18 April 2002 is characterized by periodic particle injections and magnetic field dipolarizations, or sawtooth activity, at geosynchronous orbit, while 3–4 February 1998 is a period of steady magnetospheric convection (SMC). In our simulations we find for both events that a general system of convection develops, characterized in the magnetotail by large‐scale sunward flows driven by reconnection in region of 30–45 RE downstream. These flows in general divert around the inner magnetosphere to the dawn and dusk flanks and then converge toward the dayside magnetopause. In the sawtooth event we find reconnection is intermittent and patchy, resulting in flow bursts which on average produce the general convection pattern indicated, but a fraction of them penetrate into the inner magnetosphere and are associated with observed plasma injections and field dipolarizations. In the SMC event the convection system is formed by quasi‐steady reconnection in the midtail, which drives steady earthward flows. These flows divert to the flanks, leaving the inner magnetosphere undisturbed. We find the difference in the magnitude of IMF BZ is unlikely to account for difference in activity in the two events, as a simulation of the SMC event with increased ∣BZ∣ produced qualitatively the same steady convection. Solar wind density variations are shown to control the average mass transport but have no correlation with the flow channels responsible for the inner magnetospheric activity in the simulations.
GOES Aerosol/Smoke Product (GASP) over North America: Comparisons to AERONET and MODIS observations
Authors: Prados Ana I. , Kondragunta Shobha , Ciren Pubu , Knapp Kenneth R.
Published: August 2007

The GOES Aerosol/Smoke Product (GASP) is a retrieval of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) using visible imagery. The product currently runs operationally at NOAA/NESDIS in near‐real time at 30 min intervals. This high temporal resolution is not possible with polar orbiting instruments which produce one daily image. This work evaluates the GASP AOD from the GOES‐12 Imager over North America at various temporal and spatial scales based on comparisons with AOD from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We find a mean GASP/AERONET correlation of 0.79, rms difference of 0.13 and slope of 0.8, based on a statistical analysis at 10 northeastern U.S. and Canadian sites. The GASP AOD has a slight negative bias when the AOD is greater than 0.35 and a positive bias elsewhere. The absolute bias is less than 30% when the AOD is greater than 0.1. When the AOD is less than 0.15 we find poor correlation and biases greater than 30%. The GASP/AERONET statistics also indicate that GASP can be used to examine the seasonal and diurnal variability in the AOD over the eastern United States between 1215 and 2115 UTC. GASP/AERONET AOD correlations were generally less than 0.5 elsewhere in the continental United States. Comparisons between the MODIS and GASP AOD over the eastern United States in the summer of 2004 showed agreement within 20% and correlations greater than 0.7 under elevated AOD conditions. Simultaneous comparisons between GASP, MODIS, and AERONET AODs showed good agreement over the northeastern United States and Canada, with higher correlation and lower rms differences in the MODIS/AERONET comparisons than in the GASP/AERONET comparisons.
A satellite‐ and model‐based assessment of the 2003 Russian fires: Impact on the Arctic region
Authors: Generoso Sylvia , Bey Isabelle , Attié Jean‐Luc , Bréon François‐Marie
Published: August 2007

In this paper, we address the issues of the representation of boreal fires in a global chemistry and transport model (GEOS‐Chem) as well as their contribution to the Arctic aerosol optical thickness and black carbon (BC) deposition, with a focus on the 2003 Russian fires. We use satellite observations from the MOPITT, POLDER and MODIS sensors to evaluate the model performances in simulating the fire pollution export over the North Pacific. Our results show that aerosol and carbon monoxide (CO) outflow is best reproduced in our model when fire emissions are (1) increased to 72 Tg for CO, 0.5 Tg C for BC, and 5.3 Tg C for organic carbon over the entire fire season; (2) prescribed on a daily basis; and (3) injected up to 4.5 km in July and August. The use of daily, rather than monthly, biomass burning emission inventories improves significantly the representation of the aerosol outflow, but has little impact on CO. The injection of fire emissions above the boundary layer influences both the CO and aerosol columns but only during the late fire season. The model improvements with respect to the standard configuration induce an increase of a factor up to 2 on the aerosol optical thickness and the mass of BC deposited in the Northern Hemisphere. According to our improved simulation, the 2003 Russian fires contributed to 16–33% of the aerosol optical thickness and to 40–56% of the mass of BC deposited, north of 75°N in spring and summer. They contribute to the aerosol optical thickness by more than 30% during the days of Arctic haze events in spring and summer.
Hydrological modeling of outflow channels and chaos regions on Mars
Authors: Andrews‐Hanna Jeffrey C. , Phillips Roger J.
Published: August 2007

The Martian outflow channels were carved by the eruption of catastrophic floods from groundwater aquifers. This study models the time evolution of a typical outflow channel flood originating within a chaos region. The flood initiates when superlithostatic pore pressures within a confined aquifer lead to the propagation of hydrofractures through the confining cryosphere to the surface. The peak discharges are modulated by diffusion of the flood pulse within the chaos region, resulting in a rapid rise in discharge immediately after flood initiation. Later flow is limited by diffusion through the aquifer and is sensitive to the variation of the hydraulic properties with changing pore pressure. After the termination of the flood by freezing within the chaos region much of the aquifer remains pressurized. Diffusion of the excess pressure from the undrained portions of the aquifer back toward the chaos region triggers a second flood, ultimately resulting in a periodic series of floods. For Iani Chaos at the source of Ares Valles, modeled peak discharges on the order of 106to 107m3s−1were obtained, with total volumes of individual floods ranging from 600 to 5000 km3and a minimum period between successive floods of ∼44 years. The cumulative flood volume depends upon the number of floods, which is a function of the volume of pressurized aquifer or the duration of recharge from distant sources. These results suggest that individual channels were likely carved by large numbers of floods and were unlikely to have experienced bankfull flow in their final state.
An observational case study of mesoscale atmospheric circulations induced by soil moisture
Authors: Taylor Christopher M. , Parker Douglas J. , Harris Phil P.
Published: August 2007

Numerical and theoretical studies have shown that mesoscale gradients in land surface properties can induce circulations in the atmosphere. This study provides the first well‐resolved observations of such flows induced by soil moisture from recent rainfall, and is based on aircraft data in the Sahel. Satellite imagery was used to identify fine scale soil moisture features within a wet zone spanning 160 km. Above the wet soil, the planetary boundary layer was up to 3 K cooler, 3 gkg−1 moister and extended to only half the depth of nearby drier areas. Mesoscale perturbations to the background flow were found, consistent with low level divergence over wet soil and convergence in drier areas. The soil moisture and atmospheric wind patterns were statistically coherent on wavelengths down to 20 km. These results suggest that mesoscale convergence lines forced by soil moisture may play a significant role in the meteorology of the Sahel.
Effective separation of forces in a mode coupling theory of self-diffusion
Authors: Dong H. , Evans G. T.
Published: August 2007

A mode coupling theory (MCT) expression for the self-diffusion coefficient follows simply when the soft fluctuating intermolecular forces are projected along a collective densitylike variable. The projected forces separate into two parts: from the gradient of the direct correlation function (dcf), and from the short range forces. The time correlation function of the dcf-derived forces is related to the excess entropy, as shown by Ali [J. Chem. Phys. 124, 144504 (2006)], and this relationship is evaluated for two variations of MCT. As for hard spheres, the derivation of an analogous MCT is beset by a number of singularities that kinetic theory could not remove. A justifiable MCT for hard sphere fluids may not exist.
Underwater pressure amplification of laser-induced plasma shock waves for particle removal applications
Authors: Dunbar Thomas J. , Cetinkaya Cetin
Published: August 2007

Underwater amplification of laser-induced plasma (LIP)-generated transient pressure waves using shock tubes is introduced and demonstrated. Previously, it has been shown that LIP for noncontact particle removal is possible on the sub-100-nm level. This is now enhanced through shock tube utilization in a medium such as water by substantially increasing shock wave pressure for the same pulse energy. A shock tube constrains the volume and changes the propagation direction of the expanding plasma core by focusing a pulsed-laser beam inside a tube with a blind end, thus increasing the wave front pressure generated. Current amplification approach can reduce radiation exposure of the substrate from the shock wave because of the increased distance from the LIP core to the substrate provided by the increased pressure per unit pulse energy. For the same pulsed laser, with the aid of a shock tube, substantial levels of pressure amplitude amplification (8.95) and maximum pressure (6.48MPa) are observed and reported.
New multidimensional partially integrable generalization of S-integrable N-wave equation
Authors: Zenchuk A. I.
Published: August 2007

This paper develops a modification of the dressing method based on the inhomogeneous linear integral equation with integral operator having nonempty kernel. The method allows one to construct the systems of multidimensional partial differential equations having differential polynomial structure in any dimension n. The associated solution space is not full, although it is parametrized by certain number of arbitrary functions of (n−1) variables. We consider four-dimensional generalization of the classical (2+1)-dimensional S-integrable N-wave equation as an example.
Charge injection process in organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Minari Takeo , Miyadera Tetsuhiko , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Aoyagi Yoshinobu , Ito Hiromi
Published: August 2007

The charge injection process in top-contact organic field-effect transistors was energetically observed with displacement of the Fermi level as a result of scanning the gate voltage. Doping of charge-transfer molecules into the metal/organic interface resulted in low interface resistance, which unveiled the bulk transport of the injected charges from the contact metal into the channel. The authors found that the bulk transport clearly obeys the Meyer-Neldel rule, according to which the exponential density of states near the band edge limits the charge injection.
Growth, characterization, and magnetic properties of FePt nanodots on Si (100)
Authors: Trichy G. R. , Chakraborti D. , Narayan J. , Zhou H.
Published: August 2007

We report on the pulsed laser deposition of epitaxial FePt nanodots onto Si (100) substrates using TiN as a template buffer. X-ray diffraction studies show that the FePt nanodots are primarily oriented along the [001] direction and show L10 ordering with order parameter (S) equal to 0.75. The composition of the nanodots was determined by Rutherford backscattering and was found to be Fe41Pt59. Cross sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed the following epitaxial relationship: FePt(001)⟨001⟩∥TiN(100)⟨001⟩∥Si(100)⟨001⟩. Plan view transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the FePt nanodots are well separated and have an average size of 18nm. Selected area electron diffraction patterns along the ⟨110⟩ and ⟨001⟩ zone axes were analyzed to study the L10 order in the FePt nanodots. Room temperature magnetic hysteresis measurements showed that the islands are predominantly magnetized in the perpendicular direction with higher coercivity (Hc⊥=3200Oe) as compared to the parallel direction (Hc‖=1000Oe). These values of coercivity at room temperature are highly desirable for information storage applications.
Effect of hydrogenation on the ferromagnetism in polycrystalline Si1−xMnx:B thin films
Authors: Liu X. C. , Lin Y. B. , Wang J. F. , Lu Z. H. , Lu Z. L. , Xu J. P. , Lv L. Y. , Zhang F. M. , Du Y. W.
Published: August 2007

Polycrystalline Si1−xMnx films codoped with boron have been prepared by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering deposition followed by post-thermal processing for crystallization. The polycrystalline thin films were treated by hydrogen plasma excited with approach of radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. It has been found that the saturation magnetization decreases after hydrogenation while the structural properties of the films do not show any change. At the same time, it is observed that after hydrogenation the hole concentration in the films is lower than that before the treatment, believed to be due to a combination between hydrogen and boron. The obvious correlation between the magnetic properties and the transport properties of the polycrystalline Si1−xMnx films suggests that there be a mechanism of hole-mediated ferromagnetism for Si-based diluted magnetic semiconductors.
Growth and characterization of InAs columnar quantum dots on GaAs substrate
Authors: Li L. H. , Patriarche G. , Rossetti M. , Fiore A.
Published: August 2007

The growth of InAs columnar quantum dots (CQDs) on GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy was investigated. The CQDs were formed by depositing a 1.8 monolayer (ML) InAs seed dot layer and a short period GaAs/InAs superlattice (SL). It was found that the growth of the CQDs is very sensitive to growth interruption (GI) and growth temperature. Both longer GI and higher growth temperature impact the size dispersion of the CQDs, which causes the broadening of photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and the presence of the additional PL peak tails. By properly choosing the GI and the growth temperature, CQDs including GaAs (3 ML)/InAs (0.62 ML) SL with period number up to 35 without plastic relaxation were grown. The corresponding equivalent thickness of the SL is 41 nm which is two times higher than the theoretical critical thickness of the strained InGaAs layer with the same average In composition of 16%. The increase of the critical thickness is partially associated with the formation of the CQDs. Based on a five-stack CQD active region, laser diodes emitting around 1120 nm at room temperature were demonstrated, indicating a high material quality. CQDs with nearly isotropic cross section (20 nm×20 nm dimensions) were formed by depositing a 16-period GaAs (3 ML)/InAs (0.62 ML) SL on an InAs seed dot layer, indicating the feasibility of artificial shape engineering of QDs. Such a structure is expected to be very promising for polarization insensitive device applications, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers.
Optical properties of layered semiconductor GaS doped with As
Authors: Shigetomi S. , Ikari T.
Published: August 2007

The radiative recombination mechanisms of the As-doped GaS have been investigated using photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The PL spectrum (at 77 K) related to the impurity level is dominated by new emission bands at 2.08 and 2.38 eV. The temperature dependence of the full width at half maximum and the shape of the PL spectrum of the 2.08 eV emission band are characterized by the recombination mechanism of the configurational coordinate model. The origin of the 2.08 eV emission band is related to a complex of vacancies and As atoms. As resulted from optical transmittance measurements revealed that the acceptor level related to this emission band is located at about 0.45 eV above the valence band. Our results show that the As-doped samples include a high concentration of defects or defect complexes.
Temperature-dependent photoresponsivity and high-temperature (190K) operation of a quantum dot infrared photodetector
Authors: Lu Xuejun , Vaillancourt Jarrod , Meisner Mark J.
Published: August 2007

In this letter, a longwave infrared (LWIR) InAs–InGaAs quantum dot infrared photodetector with a peak detection wavelength of 9.9μm is reported. A large photoresponsivity of 2.5A∕W and a high peak specific photodetectivity D* of 1.1×108cmHz1∕2∕W were obtained at the operating temperature of 190K. The QDIP showed a strong temperature-dependent photoresponsivity over the temperature range from 78to190K. This effect is shown to be attributable to temperature-dependent electron capture probability.
Heteroepitaxy of AlGaN on bulk AlN substrates for deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes
Authors: Ren Z. , Sun Q. , Kwon S.-Y. , Han J. , Davitt K. , Song Y. K. , Nurmikko A. V. , Cho H.-K. , Liu W. , Smart J. A. , Schowalter L. J.
Published: August 2007

The authors report the growth of AlGaN epilayers and deep ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) on bulk AlN substrates. Heteroepitaxial nucleation and strain relaxation are studied through controlled growth interruptions. Due to a low density of preexisting dislocations in bulk AlN, the compressive strain during AlGaN heteroepitaxy cannot be relieved effectively. The built-up of strain energy eventually induces either an elastic surface roughening or plastic deformation via generation and inclination of dislocations, depending on the stressor interlayers and growth parameters used. AlGaN LEDs on bulk AlN exhibit noticeable improvements in performance over those on sapphire, pointing to a promising substrate platform for III-nitride UV optoelectronics.
Thermoelectric property studies on bulk TiOx with x from 1 to 2
Authors: He Qinyu , Hao Qing , Chen Gang , Poudel Bed , Wang Xiaowei , Wang Dezhi , Ren Zhifeng
Published: August 2007

100% dense bulk TiOx samples have been made by first oxidizing TiO and then direct current induced hot press. It was found that the Seebeck coefficients are negative at room temperature and change to positive at higher temperature for 1<x<1.25, positive at room temperature and change to negative at higher temperature for 1.25<x<5∕3, and always negative up to 800°C for 5∕3<x<2. The highest achieved dimensionless figure of merit is about 0.2–0.23 for 1.83<x<1.9, about eight times lower than the reported value.
Nitrogen related shallow thermal donors in silicon
Authors: Fujita N. , Jones R. , Öberg S. , Briddon P. R.
Published: August 2007

In this letter, the authors investigate the electrical properties of nitrogen related shallow thermal donor (STD) candidates and their concentrations under different doping conditions by means of density functional theory. Experimentally, the existence of STDs containing one nitrogen atom and both even and odd numbers of oxygen atoms has been proposed. However, so far first principles studies have not presented a candidate for the latter. Here, they show that the NO defect possesses a shallow donor level. Adding one or two more oxygen atoms results in the donor level to become shallower. The fraction of shallow nitrogen related donors to N dimers increases in material with low concentration of nitrogen.
Electric fields have potential as a cancer treatment
Authors: Miller Johanna
Published: August 2007

Low-intensity alternating fields can hinder or destroy dividing cells and slow the growth of brain tumors in cancer patients.
Science and the Islamic world—The quest for rapprochement
Authors: Hoodbhoy Pervez Amirali
Published: August 2007

Internal causes led to the decline of Islam's scientific greatness long before the era of mercantile imperialism. To contribute once again, Muslims must be introspective and ask what went wrong.
Water and snow chemistry of main ions and trace elements in the karst system of Monte Pelmo massif (Dolomites, Eastern Alps, Italy)
Authors: Dossi Carlo , Ciceri Elena , Giussani Barbara , Pozzi Andrea , Galgaro Antonio , Viero Alessia , Viganò Alfio
Published: August 2007

Water and snow chemistry of a high-altitude karst environment, the Monte Pelmo massif in the Dolomites (Eastern Alps, Italy), was investigated by a multidisciplinary analytical approach using ‘clean’ trace-metal techniques. Main ions of environmental significance (F–, HCOO–, Cl–, NO2–, NO3–, SO42–, Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3–) were analysed by high-performance ion chromatography (IC). Trace elements of natural (Li, B, Mn, Co, Cu, U) as well as anthropic (Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb) origin were investigated by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analytical data on filtered samples indicated that snow chemistry is dominated by the dissolution of air-borne particulate matter, primarily red dust of Saharan origin, which appears to be a preferred vehicle of contaminant transportation. In water samples, dolomite weathering was the predominant chemical step in the presence of sulfate ions, leading to excess magnesium concentrations and to Mg:Ca ratios often exceeding unity. The combined use of ICP-MS for trace element determination and chemometric tools, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA), provided evidence of the absence of local anthropic pollution sources, and the presence of divalent transition metal cations associated with gypsum deposits. Finally, the excess uranium content was found to be associated with karst waters, and it could possibly have been a ‘natural’ tracer to characterise deep circulations.