bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloud Detection with MODIS. Part I: Improvements in the MODIS Cloud Mask for Collection 5
Authors: Frey Richard A. , Ackerman Steven A. , Liu Yinghui , Strabala Kathleen I. , Zhang Hong , Key Jeffrey R. , Wang Xuangi
Published: January 2008

Significant improvements have been made to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud mask (MOD35 and MYD35) for Collection 5 reprocessing and forward stream data production. Most of the modifications are realized for nighttime scenes where polar and oceanic regions will see marked improvement. For polar night scenes, two new spectral tests using the 7.2-μm water vapor absorption band have been added as well as updates to the 3.9–12- and 11–12-μm cloud tests. More non-MODIS ancillary input data have been added. Land and sea surface temperature maps provide crucial information for mid- and low-level cloud detection and lessen dependence on ocean brightness temperature variability tests. Sun-glint areas are also improved by use of sea surface temperatures to aid in resolving observations with conflicting cloud versus clear-sky signals, where visible and near-infrared (NIR) reflectances are high, but infrared brightness temperatures are relatively warm. Day and night Arctic cloud frequency results are compared to those created by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Polar Pathfinder-Extended (APP-X) algorithm. Day versus night sea surface temperatures derived from MODIS radiances and using only the MODIS cloud mask for cloud screening are contrasted. Frequencies of cloud from sun-glint regions are shown as a function of sun-glint angle to gain a sense of cloud mask quality in those regions. Continuing validation activities are described in Part II of this paper.
Vertical 2-μm Heterodyne Differential Absorption Lidar Measurements of Mean CO2 Mixing Ratio in the Troposphere
Authors: Gibert Fabien , Flamant Pierre H. , Cuesta Juan , Bruneau Didier
Published: January 2008

Vertical mean CO2 mixing ratio measurements are reported in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and in the lower free troposphere (FT), using a 2-μm heterodyne differential absorption lidar (HDIAL). The mean CO2 mixing ratio in the ABL is determined using 1) aerosol backscatter signal and a mean derivative of the increasing optical depth as a function of altitude and 2) optical depth measurements from cloud target returns. For a 1-km vertical long path in the ABL, 2% measurement precision with a time resolution of 30 min is demonstrated for the retrieved mean CO2 absorption. Spectroscopic calculations are reported in details using new spectroscopic data in the 2-μm domain and the outputs of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5). Then, using both aerosols in the ABL and midaltitude dense clouds in the free troposphere, preliminary HDIAL measurements of mean CO2 mixing ratio in the free troposphere are also presented. The 2-μm HDIAL vertical measurements are compared to ground-based and airborne in situ CO2 mixing ratio measurements and discussed with the atmospheric synoptic conditions.
Upper-Ocean Thermal Structure and the Western North Pacific Category 5 Typhoons. Part I: Ocean Features and the Category 5 Typhoons’ Intensification
Authors: Lin I-I. , Wu Chun-Chieh , Pun Iam-Fei , Ko Dong-Shan
Published: January 2008

Category 5 cyclones are the most intense and devastating cyclones on earth. With increasing observations of category 5 cyclones, such as Hurricane Katrina (2005), Rita (2005), Mitch (1998), and Supertyphoon Maemi (2003) found to intensify on warm ocean features (i.e., regions of positive sea surface height anomalies detected by satellite altimeters), there is great interest in investigating the role ocean features play in the intensification of category 5 cyclones. Based on 13 yr of satellite altimetry data, in situ and climatological upper-ocean thermal structure data, best-track typhoon data of the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center, together with an ocean mixed layer model, 30 western North Pacific category 5 typhoons that occurred during the typhoon season from 1993 to 2005 are systematically examined in this study.

Two different types of situations are found. The first type is the situation found in the western North Pacific south eddy zone (SEZ; 21°–26°N, 127°–170°E) and the Kuroshio (21°–30°N, 127°–170°E) region. In these regions, the background climatological warm layer is relatively shallow (typically the depth of the 26°C isotherm is around 60 m and the upper-ocean heat content is ∼50 kJ cm−2). Therefore passing over positive features is critical to meet the ocean’s part of necessary conditions in intensification because the features can effectively deepen the warm layer (depth of the 26°C isotherm reaching 100 m and upper-ocean heat content is ∼110 kJ cm−2) to restrain the typhoon’s self-induced ocean cooling. In the past 13 yr, 8 out of the 30 category 5 typhoons (i.e., 27%) belong to this situation.

The second type is the situation found in the gyre central region (10°–21°N, 121°–170°E) where the background climatological warm layer is deep (typically the depth of the 26°C isotherm is ∼105–120 m and the upper-ocean heat content is ∼80–120 kJ cm−2). In this deep, warm background, passing over positive features is not critical since the background itself is already sufficient to restrain the self-induced cooling negative feedback during intensification.
Dry-Season Precipitation in Tropical West Africa and Its Relation to Forcing from the Extratropics
Authors: Knippertz Peter , Fink Andreas H.
Published: January 2008

Precipitation is a major socioeconomic factor in the Guineo-Soudanian zone of tropical West Africa with its distinct summer rainy season from May to October. Albeit rare, precipitation during the dry season can have substantial impacts on the local hydrology and human activities reaching from the rotting of harvests to improved grazing conditions. This study provides an observationally based synoptic and dynamical analysis of an abundant rainfall event during the dry season of 2003/04 that affected the countries of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The results point to a forcing of the rainfalls from the extratropics in the following ways: 1) Upper-level clouds and moisture to the east of a weak, quasi-stationary extratropical disturbance enhance the greenhouse effect over the Sahel and the adjacent Sahara, and thereby cause a net-column warm anomaly and falling surface pressure. 2) One day before the precipitation event, negative pressure tendencies are further enhanced through warm advection and subsidence associated with the penetration of a more intense upper-trough into Algeria. 3) The resulting northward shift and intensification of the weak wintertime heat low allows low-level moist southerlies from the Gulf of Guinea to penetrate into the Soudanian zone. 4) Finally, daytime heating of the land surface and convective dynamics initiate heavy rainfalls. Operational forecasts of this event were promising, pointing to a strong control by the comparatively well-predicted extratropical upper-level circulation.
Downscaling of ECMWF Ensemble Forecasts for Cases of Severe Weather: Ensemble Statistics and Cluster Analysis
Authors: Branković Čedo , Matjačić Blaženka , Ivatek-Šahdan Stjepan , Buizza Roberto
Published: January 2008

Dynamical downscaling has been applied to global ensemble forecasts to assess its impact for four cases of severe weather (precipitation and wind) over various parts of Croatia. It was performed with the Croatian 12.2-km version of the Aire Limitée Adaptation Dynamique Développement International (ALADIN) limited-area model, nested in the ECMWF TL255 (approximately 80 km) global ensemble prediction system (EPS). The 3-hourly EPS output was used to force the ALADIN model over the central European/northern Mediterranean domain.

Results indicate that the identical clustering algorithm may yield differing results when applied to either global or to downscaled ensembles. It is argued that this is linked to the fact that a downscaled, higher-resolution ensemble resolves more explicitly small-scale features, in particular those strongly influenced by orographic forcing. This result has important implications in limited-area ensemble prediction, since it implies that downscaling may affect the interpretation or relevance of the global ensemble forecasts; that is, it may not always be feasible to make a selection (or a subset) of global lower-resolution ensemble members that might be representative of all possible higher-resolution evolution scenarios.
A Dual-Polarization-Radar-Based Assessment of the 8 May 2003 Oklahoma City Area Tornadic Supercell
Authors: Romine Glen S. , Burgess Donald W. , Wilhelmson Robert B.
Published: January 2008

On 8 May 2003, a tornadic supercell tracked through portions of the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, metropolitan area and produced violent damage along portions of its path. This storm passed through the dense in situ radar network in central Oklahoma and provided close-range operational, prototype polarimetric and terminal Doppler weather radar observations of the storm as it made the transition into the tornadic phase. The time-evolving polarimetric features were scrutinized with regard to storm morphology, particularly as related to the development of a rear-flank downdraft pulse within the storm immediately preceding the long-track tornado event. Two new polarimetric terms are introduced, the Zdr shield and Kdp foot, along with a discussion of the orientation of the Zdr and Kdp columns relative to midlevel rotation signatures. Storm downdraft and gust front characteristics are discussed relative to polarimetric fields and background environment characteristics. Highlighted for this event are a “warm” forward-flank downdraft and a particularly cold rear-flank downdraft. Emphasis is also placed on demonstrating key polarimetric field characteristics relative to traditional features at low and midlevels defined in familiar conceptual models of severe storms.
An Unusual Hailstorm on 24 June 2006 in Boulder, Colorado. Part I: Mesoscale Setting and Radar Features
Authors: Schlatter Paul T. , Schlatter Thomas W. , Knight Charles A.
Published: January 2008

An unusual, isolated hailstorm descended on Boulder, Colorado, on the evening of 24 June 2006. Starting with scattered large, flattened, disk-shaped hailstones and ending with a deluge of slushy hail that was over 4 cm deep on the ground, the storm lasted no more than 20 min and did surprisingly little damage except to vegetation. Part I of this two-part paper examines the meteorological conditions preceding the storm and the signatures it exhibited on Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) displays. There was no obvious upper-tropospheric forcing for this storm, vertical shear of the low-level wind was minimal, the boundary layer air feeding the storm was not very moist (maximum dewpoint 8.5°C), and convective available potential energy calculated from a modified air parcel was at most 1550 J kg−1. Despite these handicaps, the hail-producing storm had low-level reflectivity exceeding 70 dBZ, produced copious low-density hail, exhibited strong rotation, and generated three extensive bounded weak-echo regions (BWERs) in succession. The earliest of these filled with high reflectivities as the second one to the south poked up through precipitation-filled air. This has implications for low-density hail growth, as discussed in Part II.
Real-time probability forecasts of UK macroeconomic events
Authors: Garratt Anthony , Lee Kevin , Vahey Shaun
Published: January 2008

An overview is provided of the issues raised in the recent literature on the use of real-time data in the context of nowcasting and forecasting UK macroeconomic events. The ideas are illustrated through two specific applications using UK real-time data available over 1961-2006 and providing probability forecasts that could have been produced in real time over the past twenty years. In the first, we consider the reliability of first-release data on the components of UK aggregate demand by looking at forecasts of the probability of substantial data revisions. In the second, we consider the estimation of the output gap, illustrating the uncertainty surrounding its measurement through density forecasts and focusing on its interpretation in terms of inflationary pressure through an event probability forecast.
Customer Satisfaction with Alpine Ski Areas: The Moderating Effects of Personal, Situational, and Product Factors
Authors: Matzler Kurt , Füller Johann , Renzl Birgit , Herting Stephan , Späth Sebastian
Published: January 2008

In highly competitive markets, customer satisfaction is a key driver of performance, making its measurement and management crucial. Most studies on customer satisfaction take an aggregate standpoint and do not consider segment-specific differences in attribute importance. In this article, the authors report on customer satisfaction with alpine ski resorts. They hypothesize that personal, situational, and product factors moderate the relationship between attribute performance and overall satisfaction. The results show that these factors indeed influence the attribute—performance—satisfaction relationship. Theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Accountability When Hierarchical Authority Is Absent
Authors: Acar Muhittin , Chao Guo  , Kaifeng Yang
Published: January 2008

What function does accountability serve in public–private partnerships where one partner has no authority over others and no control over results? This article aims to shed light on this question by studying participants of partnerships formed between K-12 public schools and private and/ or nonprofit organizations. Findings support the notion that accountability plays a greater role in public management than indicated by the idea of answerability. Five potential functions of accountability are identified: mapping and manifesting expectations, mobilizing and motivating (ex-ante), monitoring and measuring progress and performance, modifying, and mobilizing and motivating (ex-post).
City Manager and City Administrator Role Similarities and Differences
Authors: Ammons David N.
Published: January 2008

The hiring of chief administrative officers, also known as city administrators, in municipalities with the mayor–council form of government has contributed to the professionalization of these city governments. Although some observers suggest that the role of city administrator is the functional equivalent of city manager, survey responses from 276 persons who have held both jobs note similarities and important differences.
Control of Laxity in Knees with Combined Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterolateral Corner Deficiency
Authors: Apsingi Sunil , Nguyen Trung , Bull Anthony M. J. , Unwin Andrew , Deehan David J. , Amis Andrew A.
Published: January 2008

Background

Although many posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are in combination with posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries, there has been little research on combined injury reconstruction; the literature includes differing recommendations.

Hypothesis

Combined PCL plus PLC reconstruction corrects the abnormal posterior translation, varus, and external rotation laxities caused by combined PCL plus PLC deficiency. Furthermore, double-bundle PCL plus PLC reconstruction restores laxity closer to normal than single-bundle PCL plus PLC reconstruction.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Cadaveric knee kinematics were measured electromagnetically in 9 knees with posterior drawer, external rotation, and varus rotation loads applied at sequential stages: intact, PCL-deficient, PCL plus PLC-deficient, double-bundle PCL plus modified Larson PLC reconstruction, and single-bundle PCL plus modified Larson PLC reconstruction. Each graft was tensioned using a laxity-matching protocol.

Results

There was no significant difference between single-bundle and double-bundle PCL reconstruction, in combination with the modified Larson reconstruction, at any angle of flexion. Both combined reconstructions restored posterior drawer, external rotation, and varus laxity so that they did not differ significantly from normal.

Conclusion

In combined PCL plus PLC deficiency, combined PCL plus PLC reconstruction restored all major laxity limits to normal across the range of knee flexion examined. Double-bundle PCL reconstruction was not better than single-bundle reconstruction in this context.

Clinical Relevance

The added complexity of double-bundle reconstruction does not seem to be justified by these results. In combined PCL plus PLC-deficient knees, combined single-bundle PCL plus modified Larson PLC reconstruction was sufficient to restore posterior drawer, external rotation, and varus laxity to normal.
Real Women Have Curves
Authors: Schooler Deborah
Published: January 2008

Contextualizing Latina girls' body image development requires an appreciation of mainstream body ideals, Latino/a cultural values, and the process by which Latina girls traverse the borders between them. The current study examines how media use and acculturation act across adolescence to shape the development of body image among Latina girls. Eighty-one Latina girls (ages 11 to 17) reported on their body satisfaction, acculturation, and use of mainstream, Black-oriented, and Spanish-language television. Fifty-two of these girls participated in a longitudinal follow-up 2 years later. Frequent viewing of mainstream television was associated with decreases in body image across adolescence. Frequent viewing of Black-oriented television was associated with greater body satisfaction, specifically among more acculturated girls. Illustrative quotes from a subset of participants are included.
Tough Teens
Authors: Bassett Raewyn , Beagan Brenda L. , Ristovski-Slijepcevic Svetlana , Chapman Gwen E.
Published: January 2008

Encouraging a teenager to have a conversation in a semistructured research interview is fraught with difficulties. The authors discuss the methodological challenges encountered when interviewing adolescents of European Canadian, African Canadian, and Punjabi Canadian families who took part in the Family Food Decision-Making Study in two regions of Canada. The researchers were interested in how family members made decisions about food choices. In all, 47 adolescents from 36 families agreed to an interview. The authors found recruitment of teens, locating a quiet space for interviews, the silencing effects of the tape recorder, and asking about abstract concepts to be constraints on adolescents' conversational abilities. Although each interviewer encountered many of the same challenges, some of those challenges played out differently in different ethnocultural groups. This article intersperses discussion about the challenges encountered with the four interviewers' reflections on their interviews with teens and with data from the interviews.
Migrating Focal Seizures in Infancy: Analysis of the Electroclinical Patterns in 17 Patients
Authors: Caraballo Roberto Horacio , Fontana Elena , Darra Francesca , Cassar Laura , Negrini Francesca , Fiorini Elena , Arroyo Hugo , Ferraro Stella , Fejerman Natalio , Dalla Bernardina Bernardo
Published: January 2008

We describe the electroclinical features, therapy, and long-term evolution of 17 patients with migrating focal seizures in infancy, and analyzed the charts of these patients seen between February 1985 and July 2005. Three different electroclinical patterns were recognized: (1) 8 cases with alternating simple focal motor seizures at onset. The ictal electroencephalography (EEG) pattern was characterized by recurrence of rhythmic focal spikes or rhythmic sharp activity in the Rolandic region; (2) 5 cases with complex focal seizures and progressive appearance of polymorphic δ-θ activity in 1 temporo-occipital region recurring independently; (3) 4 cases with focal complex seizures with motor manifestations. Ictal EEG showed flattening or fast activity in 1 frontotemporal region followed by unilateral fast poly-spikes in alternating clusters in both hemispheres. The focal seizures were refractory to antiepileptic drugs, and all patients except 3 had severe developmental delay. Migrating focal seizures in infancy is a newly defined and rare, but underrecognized, epileptic encephalopathy.
The Politics of Health as a School-Sponsored Ethic
Authors: Vander Schee Carolyn
Published: January 2008

This article describes the emergence of health policies targeted at the unhealthy school employee by examining how these are manifest in a Nevada school district. The analysis draws on the work of Foucault, specifically his writings on governmentality. The purpose of this critical appraisal is to problematize school-sponsored health policies by suggesting possible ramifications for these kinds of activities. It is salient for educational scholars and practitioners to consider how these policies, advocated in the name of health, work to construct certain ideologies and correspondingly, how these constructions affect the ways in which school work is managed and regulated.
A Comparison of SHR and Vital Statistics Homicide Estimates for U.S. Cities
Authors: Loftin Colin , McDowall David , Fetzer Matthew D.
Published: January 2008

Differences between homicide estimates for large cities from 1987 through 1991 using the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) and the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) are reported. Large differences exist between the NVSS and the SHR estimates expressed both as counts and as rates per 100,000 residents. Three major reasons for the differences are identified. First, many cities fail to report the SHR data in some years during the study. Second, in some places the police jurisdiction used in the SHR does not correspond to the boundaries of the city used in the NVSS. Third, the SHR associates victims with the place where the assault occurs, whereas the NVSS associates victims with the place of residence. For many purposes, the NVSS provides more accurate and appropriate measures of homicide victimization than the SHR. However, because the city-level NVSS data are requested by place of residence, they measure a different concept than the SHR, which classifies victims by place of occurrence.
Using Cross-National Studies to Illuminate the Crime Problem
Authors: Rubin Marilyn Marks , Culp Richard , Mameli Peter , Walker Michael
Published: January 2008

As a result of the 2005 decision by Interpol to no longer collect and disseminate police crime data, the UN biennial crime survey is now the only source of publicly available police data for studying crime trends extending over many years and covering a wide range of crimes and countries. This article assesses the effect of this “and then there was one” phenomenon through an analysis and comparison of member nation responses to the UN and Interpol crime data surveys for the year 2002. The article takes advantage of having two data sets covering police-recorded crime to analyze the quality of the UN survey data and to suggest ways to improve it. Better UN data not only will provide the basis for more robust scholarly comparisons of crime across national borders but can also yield results to illuminate crime problems worldwide.
Missing Data and Imputation in the Uniform Crime Reports and the Effects on National Estimates
Authors: Lynch James P. , Jarvis John P.
Published: January 2008

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program has been a major source of data on crime since 1929. These data were long considered authoritative, but lately, questions have arisen about their accuracy. Maltz has documented the magnitude of missing data in the series and demonstrated their import for research on policy issues. Maltz's work focuses on agency-level estimates for specific months, but the UCR program was never meant to provide estimates for this unit or time period. So, although Maltz's work is important, it has not addressed the consequences of missing data for the principal purpose of the UCR program—providing annual national estimates of the level and change in crimes known to the police. This article complements Maltz's work by assessing the magnitude and distribution of missing data nationally and their effect on national-level and change estimates. It also examines the effects of the FBI's imputation practices on these estimates.
Wittgenstein at Ground Zero
Authors: Sayer Derek
Published: January 2008

Drawing on the work of Barthes and Wittgenstein, this article presents an argument for taking seriously the widespread sentiment, at the time, that the events of what we have since come to call “9-11” were unspeakable. Central to the article is an analysis of two sharply contrasting responses to the 9-11 events, the Here Is New York photographic exhibition and a symposium by prominent intellectuals in The London Review of Books . The widespread revulsion that greeted such intellectual attempts to make sense of 9-11, the article argues, is not evidence of sentiment clouding reason so much as a refusal to efface a profound otherness by assimilating it to the categories of our comprehension—much like Here Is New York 's use of photographs to resist the translation of 9-11 into text.
High Ligation of the Saphenofemoral Junction in Endovenous Obliteration of Varicose Veins
Authors: Boros Michael J. , O'Brien Sean P. , McLaren James T. , Collins John T.
Published: January 2008

Background Endovenous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the greater saphenous vein has become an accepted treatment modality. This study examines if it is necessary to perform high ligation of the saphenous vein to insure success of the procedure.

Study design A retrospective chart analysis was conducted on 219 patients who underwent RF ablation for venous insufficiency. All procedures were performed by 3 board-certified vascular surgeons. One surgeon always ligated the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), the second never ligated, and the third ligated selectively. Demographic data were collected and analyzed.

Results A total of 77 patients underwent RF ablation with ligation of the SFJ (group I), and 142 patients underwent ablation without ligation (group II). Both groups had similar ablation success rates ( P = .0960), 92% (group I) and 84% (group II).

Conclusion Saphenofemoral junction ligation is not indicated on a routine basis to achieve success with endovascular ablation of the greater saphenous vein.
Complications Associated With the Arterial Puncture Closure Device—Angio-Seal
Authors: Kadner Alexander , Schmidli Jürg , Schwegler Igor , Dick Florian , Schönhoff Florian , Carrel Thierry , Savolainen Hannu
Published: January 2008

Background Arterial puncture closure devices (APCD) are frequently used after cardiac catheterization. Here, the diagnosis and therapy of femoral artery complications after the use of the Angio-Seal APCD is reported.

Patients and methods The Angio-Seal APCD was deployed in 1600 patients undergoing transfemoral catheterization.

Results In 7 of 1600 cases (0.4%) vascular complications occurred following Angio-Seal deployment. Diagnosis was made by duplex sonography. Intraoperative findings consisted of a complete occlusion with dissection of the femoral artery in all patients. In 6 cases, the femoral bifurcation had to be reconstructed after endarterectomy. Follow-up is complete with a mean of 6 months.

Conclusion The Angio-Seal device should not be used for closure of the superficial femoral artery and in patients with severe arteriosclerosis. The application of arteriography as well as the use of ultrasound-guided puncture is advisable. In all cases, surgical intervention was successful and an adequate therapy for management of complications.
A Stepwise Approach to the Surgical Management of Severe Diabetic Foot Infections
Authors: Zgonis Thomas , Stapleton John J. , Roukis Thomas S.
Published: January 2008

Foot infections are common among diabetic patients with ulceration and are a major cause of hospitalization and lower extremity amputation. Aggressive and emergent surgical intervention is essential in the face of life- or limb-threatening infection to achieve limb salvage and survival. Critical limb ischemia, neuropathy, and an impaired host complicate the treatment of a severe diabetic foot infection. A severe diabetic foot infection carries a 25% risk of major amputation. For this reason, surgery should be coordinated with a well-functioning multidisciplinary team that specializes in diabetic limb preservation. Timing of surgery and strategies employed should be understood and agreed on by both the surgical and medical disciplines managing the diabetic patient with a limb-threatening infection. The overall strategy for surgically managing a severe diabetic foot infection is as follows: the first step is infection control through aggressive and extensive surgical debridement, the second step is a comprehensive vascular assessment with possible vascular surgery and/or endovascular intervention, and the final step is soft tissue and skeletal reconstruction after infection is eradicated to obtain wound closure and limb salvage. A consistent stepwise surgical approach combined with sound surgical principles is paramount for successful management of the severe diabetic foot infection. The authors discuss their stepwise surgical approach to reduce the mortality, morbidity, psychological distress, and length of hospitalization associated with life- or limbthreatening diabetic foot infections.
A New Minimally Invasive Technique for Treating Plantar Fasciosis Using Bipolar Radiofrequency: A Prospective Analysis
Authors: Weil Lowell , Glover Jason P. , Weil Lowell Scott
Published: January 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new minimally invasive technique using bipolar radiofrequency in the treatment of plantar fasciosis. A prospective study was performed on 10 patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciosis that failed conservative care. A percutaneous microtenotomy was performed unilaterally with a Topaz microdebrider. Outcome measures included visual analog scale, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot and Midfoot Scale, and patient satisfaction assessment. All patients had statistical improvement in outcome measures at 6 months and 1 year. One patient developed recurrent heel pain at the 1-year mark. There were no postoperative complications. This minimally invasive technique is a viable surgical treatment option in patients with plantar fasciosis that failed conservative care.
News Frames Terrorism: A Comparative Analysis of Frames Employed in Terrorism Coverage in U.S. and U.K. Newspapers
Authors: Papacharissi Zizi , de Fatima Oliveira Maria
Published: January 2008

Scholars have been increasingly concerned with portrayals of terrorism in mainstream and alternative media outlets following the September 11 and subsequent terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom and Spain. Communication researchers have examined public response and reaction to terrorist attacks, definitions of terrorism, policy questions, media portrayals of terrorism, and framing across different media and nations. This study undertakes a comparative framing analysis of media coverage of terrorism, as reported by prominent U.S. and U.K. newspapers, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings revealed that the U.S. papers engaged in more episodic coverage and the U.K. papers in more thematic coverage of terrorism and terrorism-related events. The U.S. papers were consumed with presenting news associated with the military approach, whereas the U.K. papers were oriented toward diplomatic evaluations of terrorist events.
PEPOP: Computational design of immunogenic peptides
Authors: Moreau Violaine , Fleury Cécile , Piquer Dominique , Nguyen Christophe , Novali Nicolas , Villard Sylvie , Laune Daniel , Granier Claude , Molina Franck
Published: January 2008

Background

Most methods available to predict protein epitopes are sequence based. There is a need for methods using 3D information for prediction of discontinuous epitopes and derived immunogenic peptides.

Results

PEPOP uses the 3D coordinates of a protein both to predict clusters of surface accessible segments that might correspond to epitopes and to design peptides to be used to raise antibodies that target the cognate antigen at specific sites. To verify the ability of PEPOP to identify epitopes, 13 crystallographically defined epitopes were compared with PEPOP clusters: specificity ranged from 0.75 to 1.00, sensitivity from 0.33 to 1.00, and the positive predictive value from 0.19 to 0.89. Comparison of these results with those obtained with two other prediction algorithms showed comparable specificity and slightly better sensitivity and PPV. To prove the capacity of PEPOP to predict immunogenic peptides that induce protein cross-reactive antibodies, several peptides were designed from the 3D structure of model antigens (IA-2, TPO, and IL8) and chemically synthesized. The reactivity of the resulting anti-peptides antibodies with the cognate antigens was measured. In 80% of the cases (four out of five peptides), the flanking protein sequence process (sequence-based) of PEPOP successfully proposed peptides that elicited antibodies cross-reacting with the parent proteins. Polyclonal antibodies raised against peptides designed from amino acids which are spatially close in the protein, but separated in the sequence, could also be obtained, although they were much less reactive. The capacity of PEPOP to design immunogenic peptides that induce antibodies suitable for a sandwich capture assay was also demonstrated.

Conclusion

PEPOP has the potential to guide experimentalists that want to localize an epitope or design immunogenic peptides for raising antibodies which target proteins at specific sites. More successful predictions of immunogenic peptides were obtained when a peptide was continuous as compared with peptides corresponding to discontinuous epitopes. PEPOP is available for use athttp://diagtools.sysdiag.cnrs.fr/PEPOP/.
Genome-wide transcriptome analysis reveals that a pleiotropic antibiotic regulator, AfsS, modulates nutritional stress response in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)
Authors: Lian Wei , Jayapal Karthik P , Charaniya Salim , Mehra Sarika , Glod Frank , Kyung Yun-Seung , Sherman David H , Hu Wei-Shou
Published: January 2008

Background

A small "sigma-like" protein, AfsS, pleiotropically regulates antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor. Overexpression of afsS in S. coelicolor and certain related species causes antibiotic stimulatory effects in the host organism. Although recent studies have uncovered some of the upstream events activating this gene, the mechanisms through which this signal is relayed downstream leading to the eventual induction of antibiotic pathways remain unclear.

Results

In this study, we employed whole-genome DNA microarrays and quantitative PCRs to examine the transcriptome of an afsS disruption mutant that is completely deficient in the production of actinorhodin, a major S. coelicolor antibiotic. The production of undecylprodigiosin, another prominent antibiotic, was, however, perturbed only marginally in the mutant. Principal component analysis of temporal gene expression profiles identified two major gene classes each exhibiting a distinct coordinate differential expression pattern. Surprisingly, nearly 70% of the >117 differentially expressed genes were conspicuously associated with nutrient starvation response, particularly those of phosphate, nitrogen and sulfate. Furthermore, expression profiles of some transcriptional regulators including at least two sigma factors were perturbed in the mutant. In almost every case, the effect of afsS disruption was not observed until the onset of stationary phase.

Conclusion

Our data suggests a comprehensive role for S. coelicolor AfsS as a master regulator of both antibiotic synthesis and nutritional stress response, reminiscent of alternative sigma factors found in several bacteria.
Heme rescues a two-component system Leptospira biflexa mutant
Authors: Louvel Hélène , Betton Jean-Michel , Picardeau Mathieu
Published: January 2008

Background

Heme is typically a major iron source for bacteria, but little is known about how bacteria of the Leptospira genus, composed of both saprophytic and pathogenic species, access heme.

Results

In this study, we analysed a two-component system of the saprophyte Leptospira biflexa. In vitro phosphorylation and site-directed mutagenesis assays showed that Hklep is a histidine kinase which, after autophosphorylation of a conserved histidine, transfers the phosphate to an essential aspartate of the response regulator Rrlep. Hklep/Rrlep two-component system mutants were generated in L. biflexa. The mutants could only grow in medium supplemented with hemin or δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In the pathogen L. interrogans, the hklep and rrlep orthologous genes are located between hemE and hemL genes, which encode proteins involved in heme biosynthesis. The L. biflexa hklep mutant could be complemented with a replicative plasmid harbouring the L. interrogans orthologous gene, suggesting that these two-component systems are functionally similar. By real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, we also observed that this two-component system might influence the expression of heme biosynthetic genes.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that the Hklep/Rrlep regulatory system is critical for the in vitro growth of L. biflexa, and suggest that this two-component system is involved in a complex mechanism that regulates the heme biosynthetic pathway.
Complementary or alternative? The use of homeopathic products and antibiotics amongst pre-school children
Authors: Wye Lesley , Hay Alastair D , Northstone Kate , Bishop Jackie , Headley Judith , Thompson Elizabeth
Published: January 2008

Background

Any intervention to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics for infections in children has the potential to reduce the selective pressure on antimicrobial resistance and minimise the medicalisation of self-limiting illness. Little is known about whether homeopathic products might be used by some families as an alternative to antibiotics or the characteristics of such families. We used the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) observational dataset to explore the hypothesis that the use of homeopathic products is associated with reduced antibiotic use in pre-school children and to identify characteristics of the families of pre-school children given homeopathic products.

Methods

Questionnaires data were completed by the parents of 9723 children while aged between 3–4.5 years in Bristol UK. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to explore the relationships between antibiotic and homeopathic product use.

Results

Six percent of children had received one or more homeopathic products and 62% one or more antibiotics between the ages of 3 and 4.5 years. After adjustment for factors associated with antibiotic use, there was no association between homeopathic product and antibiotic use (adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.84, 1.24). Factors independently associated with child homeopathic product use were: higher maternal education, maternal use of homeopathic products, maternal lack of confidence in doctors, mothers reporting that they were less likely to see doctor when the child was ill, children being given vitamins, watching less television and suffering from wheeze and food allergies.

Conclusion

In this observational study, the use of homeopathic products was not associated with decreased antibiotic consumption, suggesting the use of homeopathic product complements rather than competes with the use of antibiotics in pre-school children. The characteristics of mothers giving homeopathic products to their children are similar to those associated with adult self-administration.
Importance of TP53 codon 72 and intron 3 duplication 16bppolymorphisms in prediction of susceptibility on breast cancer
Authors: Costa Sandra , Pinto Daniela , Pereira Deolinda , Rodrigues Helena , Cameselle-Teijeiro Jorge , Medeiros Rui , Schmitt Fernando
Published: January 2008

Background

TP53 is one of major tumour suppressor genes being essential in preservation of genome integrity. Two very common polymorphisms have been demonstrated to contribute to cancer susceptibility and tumour behaviour. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of Arg72Pro and PIN3 Ins16bp polymorphisms in TP53 gene as genetic susceptibility and predictive markers to breast cancer.

Methods

We analysed DNA samples from 264 breast cancer patients and 440 controls, for TP53 Arg72Pro and PIN3 Ins16bp polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP.

Results

We observed that women with A2A2 genotype have increased risk for developing breast cancer, either in women with or without familial history (FH) of the disease (OR = 4.40, 95% CI 1.60–12.0; p = 0.004; OR = 3.88, 95% CI 1.18–12.8; p = 0.026, respectively). In haplotype analysis, statistically significant differences were found between TP53 Arg-A2 haplotype frequencies and familial breast cancer cases and the respective control group (OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.08–4.06; p = 0.028). Furthermore, both TP53 polymorphisms are associated with higher incidence of lymph node metastases.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest TP53 PIN3 Ins16bp polymorphism as a real risk modifier in breast cancer disease, either in sporadic and familial breast cancer. Furthermore, both TP53 polymorphisms are associated with higher incidence of lymph node metastases.
Fast dynamics perturbation analysis for prediction of protein functional sites
Authors: Ming Dengming , Cohn Judith D , Wall Michael E
Published: January 2008

Background

We present a fast version of the dynamics perturbation analysis (DPA) algorithm to predict functional sites in protein structures. The original DPA algorithm finds regions in proteins where interactions cause a large change in the protein conformational distribution, as measured using the relative entropy D

x
. Such regions are associated with functional sites.

Results

The Fast DPA algorithm, which accelerates DPA calculations, is motivated by an empirical observation that D

x
in a normal-modes model is highly correlated with an entropic term that only depends on the eigenvalues of the normal modes. The eigenvalues are accurately estimated using first-order perturbation theory, resulting in a N-fold reduction in the overall computational requirements of the algorithm, where N is the number of residues in the protein. The performance of the original and Fast DPA algorithms was compared using protein structures from a standard small-molecule docking test set. For nominal implementations of each algorithm, top-ranked Fast DPA predictions overlapped the true binding site 94% of the time, compared to 87% of the time for original DPA. In addition, per-protein recall statistics (fraction of binding-site residues that are among predicted residues) were slightly better for Fast DPA. On the other hand, per-protein precision statistics (fraction of predicted residues that are among binding-site residues) were slightly better using original DPA. Overall, the performance of Fast DPA in predicting ligand-binding-site residues was comparable to that of the original DPA algorithm.

Conclusion

Compared to the original DPA algorithm, the decreased run time with comparable performance makes Fast DPA well-suited for implementation on a web server and for high-throughput analysis.
Malaria in central Vietnam: analysis of risk factors by multivariate analysis and classification tree models
Authors: Thang Ngo Duc , Erhart Annette , Speybroeck Niko , Hung Le Xuan , Thuan Le Khanh , Hung Cong Trinh , Ky Pham Van , Coosemans Marc , D'Alessandro Umberto
Published: January 2008

Background

In Central Vietnam, forest malaria remains difficult to control due to the complex interactions between human, vector and environmental factors.

Methods

Prior to a community-based intervention to assess the efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal hammocks, a complete census (18,646 individuals) and a baseline cross-sectional survey for determining malaria prevalence and related risk factors were carried out. Multivariate analysis using survey logistic regression was combined to a classification tree model (CART) to better define the relative importance and inter-relations between the different risk factors.

Results

The study population was mostly from the Ra-glai ethnic group (88%), with both low education and socio-economic status and engaged mainly in forest activities (58%). The multivariate analysis confirmed forest activity, bed net use, ethnicity, age and education as risk factors for malaria infections, but could not handle multiple interactions. The CART analysis showed that the most important risk factor for malaria was the wealth category, the wealthiest group being much less infected (8.9%) than the lower and medium wealth category (16.6%). In the former, forest activity and bed net use were the most determinant risk factors for malaria, while in the lower and medium wealth category, insecticide treated nets were most important, although the latter were less protective among Ra-glai people.

Conclusion

The combination of CART and multivariate analysis constitute a novel analytical approach, providing an accurate and dynamic picture of the main risk factors for malaria infection. Results show that the control of forest malaria remains an extremely complex task that has to address poverty-related risk factors such as education, ethnicity and housing conditions.
Prostasome-like vesicles stimulate acrosome reaction of pig spermatozoa
Authors: Siciliano Laura , Marcianò Vito , Carpino Amalia
Published: January 2008

Background

The presence of small membranous particles characterizes the male genital fluids of different mammalian species. The influence of semen vesicles, denominated prostasomes, on sperm functional properties has been well documented in humans, but their biological activity is scarcely known in other species. The present work investigated prostasome-like vesicles in pig semen for their ability to interact with spermatozoa and to affect acrosome reaction.

Methods

Prostasome-like vesicles have been isolated from pig seminal plasma by high-speed centrifugation and Sephadex G-200 gel chromatography. Morphology of purified vesicles has been checked by scanning electron microscopy while their protein pattern has been investigated by SDS-PAGE. Then prostasome- like vesicles have been incubated with pig spermatozoa and their ability to interact with sperm has been tested by the aminopeptidase assay. In addition, the efficiency of vesicles to influence the acrosome reaction has been investigated by assessing the sperm acrosomal status by the PI/FITC-PNA (propidium iodide/fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peanut agglutinin) stainings.

Results

Purified vesicles revealed a complex protein pattern with the occurrence of bands in the high, medium and low molecular weight range. However, the two major bands were observed at ~90 kDa and ~60 kDa. A vesicle-mediated transfer of aminopeptidase to sperm cells has been also detected. Furthermore, a significant increase of acrosome reaction extent has been revealed in spermatozoa incubated with prostasome-like vesicles in comparison to control sperm.

Conclusion

This is the first report demonstrating that pig prostasome-like vesicles are able, in vitro, to interact with spermatozoa and to stimulate the acrosome reaction. These findings lead to hypothesize a transfer of molecules from vesicles to sperm membrane, thus sensitizing male gametes to undergo the acrosome reaction