bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large piece of terracotta foreign body embedded in the submandibular region for two years
Authors: Mukherjee Ankur , Sen Indranil , Dutta Sirshak , Sinha Ramanuj
Published: October 2012

An unusual case of a large piece of terracotta accidentally lodged in the neck and subsequently removed by operation 2 years later is reported. The novelty of this case lies in the facts that 1) a large terracotta foreign body lodged in the neck almost unnoticed for more than 2 years 2) route of entry of the foreign body to neck tissues was not by the more common route of perforation of aero-digestive tract from inside but piercing the neck from outside 3) the 2.5 cm object migrated to another site from apparent site of entry and 4) it was asymptomatic for 2 years despite being close to vital structures other than an inconspicuous cosmetic deformity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12026 Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 18(2): 219-221
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome with multiple cranial nerve palsy
Authors: Al Mahmud KA , Uddin Kamal , Afroz Maleka
Published: October 2012

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome classically presents with VII nerve palsy. Other cranial nerve involvement is rare. We describe a case here who presented with VII, IX and X cranial nerve palsies and review the literature. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12029 Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 18(2): 231-233
Chronic retropharyngeal abscess
Authors: Chowdhury M Alamgir , Yasmeen Naseem , Tshering Phub
Published: October 2012

Introduction: Chronic retropharyngeal abscess can occur in the adults as well as in children. It is usually due to tuberculous infection of the cervical spine as the pus directly spreads through the anterior longitudinal ligament into the retropharyngeal space. Case report: We report a case of chronic retropharyngeal abscess in a 60-year-old woman who presented with throat pain and dysphagia. On examination there was bulging of the posterior pharyngeal wall and also right sided neck swelling. She was treated by external drainage of abscess under local anaesthesia and she recovered well with anti-tubercular drugs DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12032 Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 18(2): 242-244
Nasal papilloma: A comparison between inverted papilloma and oncocytic schneiderian papilloma
Authors: Asmi Najihah Hanim , Husain Salina , Abdullah Asma , Ali Siti Aishah Md
Published: October 2012

The Schneiderian membrane gives rise to 3 morphologically distinct tumours: septal, inverted (IP) and oncocytic schneiderian papillomas (OSP). OSP, although, almost parallel to IP, still have its own distinct features in the incidence, location, clinical presentation and histological examination. Despite the differences, the standard treatment is still surgical removal of the tumour. External approach is preferred but in view of advanced endoscopic technique, it is feasible to remove the tumour endoscopically with carefully selected tumour presentation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12033 Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 18(2): 215-218
Retrospective studies on drug utilization patterns of asthmatics in a Government hospital in Kedah, Malaysia
Authors: Thamby Sam Aseer , Juling Puah , Xin Bernice Ting Wan , Jing Ngo Chooi
Published: October 2012

Retrospective DUE is the reviewing of drug therapy after the patient has received the medication. Asthma is a common chronic disease in Malaysia. A National Health and Morbidity Survey in 1996 indicated that asthma prevalence in Malaysia was 4.2%. Statistics on the causes of death have noted asthma as one of the 10 principal causes of death (7.3%) in Malaysia. The purpose of the study was to compare drug utilization patterns amongst the asthmatics from the past two years (since 2009) in Kedah state. Asthmatics admitted to the hospital in the preceding two years were analyzed by their patient charts. This study focused on both smoker and non smoker asthmatics. It was observed that salbutamol was most commonly prescribed, followed by montelukast and prednisolone. In the combination therapy, the most commonly prescribed was Symbicort, followed by seretide and combivent. Corticosteroids constituted the most prevalent class, followed by beta-2 agonists, leukotriene modifiers and methylxanthines. The study presented the most recent scenario on drug utilization pattern of asthmatics in Kedah state.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i11.12060 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(11): 353-360
Effect of arsenic on paracetamol binding to bovine serum albumin using site specific probes
Authors: Uddin Riaz , Saffoon Nadia , Alam Md. Ashraful
Published: October 2012

Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a global health challenge. A large number of people worldwide are affected by arsenic poisoning. Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic-antipyretic drug. Effect of arsenic on paracetamol binding to protein has been investigated using two site specific probes and equilibrium dialysis method was used for the experiment. In absence of any site specific probes free concentration of paracetamol bound to bovine serum albumin increased from 3.95 ± 1.164% to 25.36 ± 1.164%. In presence of site-I specific probe warfarin sodium the % release of drug was steady at around 14%. But in presence of site-II specific probe an increment of free drug concentration was observed from 14.38 ± 1.164% to 54.72 ± 1.552%. Thus it can be assumed that the free concentration of paracetamol was increased to a greater extent in presence of arsenic and probably arsenic bound to site-II of BSA. Thus arsenic may displace paracetamol by binding with high affinity binding site, site-II in the BSA and probably arsenic has little effect to site-I.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i11.12061 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(11): 361-365
Development and validation of RP-HPLC method for the estimation of omeprazole in bulk and capsule dosage forms
Authors: Nataraj Kalakonda Sri , Duza Mohammad Badrud , Pragallapati Kalyani , Kumar Dussa Kiran
Published: October 2012

A method for the determination of omeprazole in bulk and capsule dosage form by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography has been developed. This is a simple, rapid, precise and an accurate method. The method was developed on a Novapak C18, (250 x 4.6 mm, 5µ) column using phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and acetonitrile in the ratio of 60:40, v/v as a mobile phase which was pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and detection was done at 302 nm. The retention time of the drug was found to be 7.71 min. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity, specificity, robustness. The linearity was observed in the range of 20-60 ppm. The results of recovery studies indicated that the method was accurate. Hence the developed method was found to be suitable for the estimation of omeprazole in bulk and capsule dosage forms.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i11.12062 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(11): 366-369
Formulation and evaluation of colon specific microbial degradable matrix tablet using sterculia gum as carrier
Authors: Gouda M Mallikarjuna , Shabaraya A Ramakrishna , Kumar S M Shanta
Published: October 2012

Current study is to develop the colon targeted matrix tablet using the natural polysaccharide sterculia gum as carrier and model drug ciprofloxacin HCl. The matrix tablets were prepared by wet granulation technology using the various proportions of sterculia gum with carbopol 934 P, sterculia gum and ethyl cellulose polymer blends. Granules of all formulations were evaluated for rheological, post compressional properties and in vitro dissolution study in different pH buffers of pH 1.2 , pH 7.4 , pH 6.8 (saline phosphate buffer) without and with 4% rat cecal content in order to mimic GIT condition . Formulation SGC2 to SGC4 and SGE7 to SGE9 has released 13.6% to 38.9% in the initial 5h and released more amount of drug in stomach and small intestine than colon. Formulation SGC5 containing 45% of sterculia gum and 25% carbopol 934 p and Formulation SGE10 containing 45% of sterculia gum and 25% ethyl cellulose has released minimum 10.91 % to 13.04 % in the initial 5h and sustained the drug release up to 24 h and at the end of study released 75% to 79.99%. Formulations with 4% rat cecal content at the end of 24 h study drug released is 90.44% to 95.33% indicating higher amount of drug release is due to enzymatic break down of sterculia gum in the matrix tablet. Hence the above results conclude that the formulation SGC5 and SGE10 are potential in targeting the drug to colon to treat irritable bowel disease.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i11.12064 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(11): 376-383
Difficulties in Treating Hypertension Bangladesh Perspective
Authors: Rahman Md. Mujibur
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll ?Volume 2 Number 2 December 2010 ? Page 1 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v2i2.12005
Recent Advancements on The Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis: A Review
Authors: Ara Rowsan , Alam Md. Zahid , Ahsan Hafez Mohammad Nazmul , Shazzad Md. Nahiduzzaman
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll ?Volume 2 Number 2 December 2010 ? Page 18-23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v2i2.12048
Climate Change and Infectious Diseases: Global & Bangladesh perspective
Authors: Alam ABMM
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011; 3 (1): 1-2 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i1.12051
Evaluation of efficacy between Amlexanox 5% oral paste & Triamcinolone Acetonide	3 oral paste in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers: A Comparative Study
Authors: Molla Nasir Uddin , Bhujan Israt , Hossain Shahadat , Wahab Abdul , Nayeem Abu
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011; 3 (1): 3-7 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i1.12052
USG Changes in Different Kidney Diseases of Children
Authors: Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Khatoon Soofia , Banu Nazneen Akhter , Ferdous Bilkis , Ahmed Ashrafuddin , Mridha Md. Al-Amin
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011; 3 (1): 8-12DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i1.12053
Clinical Profile of Biliary Ascariasis Patients and Their Outcome Following Conservative Treatment in Medicine Units of a Tertiary Level Hospital
Authors: Khondaker Mohammad Faiz Ahmad , Sayeed Md. Abu , Nayeem Abu , Sardar Mohammad Hafiz
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011; 3 (1): 13-17DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i1.12054
Comparative Study of Neonatal Mortality Rate in Pelvic Colostomy for Arm under General Anesthesia and Local Anesthesia
Authors: Hasina Kaniz , Ali Md. Ansar , Yusuf Md. Abdullah , Khan Jaglul Gaffer , Talukder Abdur Rabban , Rahman Md. Khalilur , Sharif Ahmad Raihan , Ahsan Ali Imam
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011; 3 (1): 18-20 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i1.12055
Lead Exposure in Children: Prevention, Detection and Management
Authors: Islam Md. Reazul , Islam Md. Rafiqul , Matin Abdul , Khatoon Soofia , Khan Rita , Karim AKM Rezaul , Mowla Md. Golam
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011; 3 (1): 21-23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i1.12056
A Secondary Abdominal Pregnancy  Threat to Maternal Life
Authors: Ashraf Fatema , Choudhury Farzana Rabee , Yesmin Nilufar , Islam Zinnat Ara , Yusuf Md. Abdullah
Published: October 2012

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011; 3 (1): 24-26 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i1.12057
The Sum of a Finite Group of Weights of a Hopf Algebra
Authors: Khare Apoorva
Published: October 2012

Motivated by the orthogonality relations for irreducible characters of a finite group, we evaluate the sum of a finite group of linear characters of a Hopf algebra, at all grouplike and skew-primitive elements. We then discuss results for products of skew-primitive elements. Examples include groups, (quantum groups over) Lie algebras, the small quantum groups of Lusztig, and their variations (by Andruskiewitsch and Schneider).
Patients with autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Meller J. , Siggelkow H. , Homayounfar K. , Özerden M. , Braune I. , Kluge G. , Meller B. , Sahlmann C. O.
Published: October 2012

The prevalence of cervical lymphadenopathy in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) patients is actually unknown. The aim of the study was the detailed retrospective evaluation of 6 index-patients with lymphadenopathy in Robbins level VI and a prospective study with high resolution ultrasound of lymphadenopathy in AIT patients compared with controls in all compartments of the neck, accessible to sonographic evaluation. Patients, methods: The retrospective study comprises six patients with AIT, evaluated for enlarged Robbins level VI-LN. We report the findings of fine-needle aspiration Cytology, clonal analysis, histology, and serological testing. The prospective study evaluated the prevalence of lymphadenopathy in 49 consecutive patients with AIT (group 1) and 49 consecutive patients with normal thyroids or nontoxic goiter (group2). Results: In the retrospective study, cytology of paratracheal LN revealed reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in 5/6 of the cases and a centroblastic lymphoma in one patient. The presence of monoclonal lymphatic cells was excluded in 5/6 patients and proven in 1/6 patients. Actual viral-infections were ruled out. In the prospective study AIT-patients showed significantly more enlarged LN in Robbins level II-IV and VI compared to controls. We found no correlation between lymphadenopathy, age, thyroid volume and nodularity, or autoantibody levels. During follow-up in 34 group 1-patients, lymph adenopathy remained stable in 28 patients, and decreased in 6 patients. Conclusion: Lymph adenopathy in Robbins level II-IV and VI is common in AIT-patients and most probably related to the autoimmune process.
Efavirenz, Tenofovir and Emtricitabine Combined with First-Line Tuberculosis Treatment in Tuberculosis–Hiv-Coinfected Tanzanian Patients: A Pharmacokinetic and Safety Study
Authors: Semvua Hadija H , Mtabho Charles M , Fillekes Quirine , Van Den Boogaard Jossy , Kisonga Riziki M , Mleoh Liberate , Ndaro Arnold , Kisanga Elton R , Van Der Ven Andre , Aarnoutse Rob E , Kibiki Gibson S , Boeree Martin J , Burger David M
Published: October 2012

Background

To evaluate the effect of rifampicin-based tuberculosis (TB) treatment on the pharmacokinetics of efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine in a fixed-dose combination tablet, and vice versa, in Tanzanian TB–HIV-coinfected patients.

Methods

This was a Phase II open-label multiple dose pharmacokinetic and safety study. This study was conducted in TB–HIV-coinfected Tanzanian patients who started TB treatment (rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/ethambutol) at week 1 to week 8 and continued with rifampicin and isoniazid for another 16 weeks. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) of efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine in a fixed-dose combination tablet was started at week 4 after initiation of TB treatment. A 24-h pharmacokinetic sampling curve was recorded at week 8 (with TB treatment) and week 28 (ART alone). For TB drugs, blood samples at 2 and 5 h post-dose were taken at week 3 (TB treatment alone) and week 8 (with ART).

Results

A total of 25 patients (56% male) completed the study; 21 had evaluable pharmacokinetic profiles. The area under the concentration–time curve 0–24 h post-dose of efavirenz, tenofovir and emtricitabine were slightly higher when these drugs were coadministered with TB drugs; geometric mean ratios (90% CI) were 1.08 (0.90, 1.30), 1.13 (0.93, 1.38) and 1.05 (0.85, 1.29), respectively. For TB drugs, equivalence was suggested for peak plasma concentrations when administered with and without efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine. Adverse events were mostly mild and no serious adverse events or drug discontinuations were reported.

Conclusions

Coadministration of efavirenz, tenofovir and emtricitabine with a standard first-line TB treatment regimen did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of these drugs and was tolerated well by Tanzanian TB patients who are coinfected with HIV.
Le concept de conscience active chez Marcien Towa
Authors: Bâ Cheikh Moctar
Published: October 2012

Résumé Il est question de voir, à travers l’étude de certaines positions philosophiques de Marcien Towa en quoi l’activité philosophique est une expérience de liberté, une conscience active, en mouvement. En effet, chez Marcien Towa, la liberté est le résultat d’un processus de redécouverte de soi qui anime le sujet conscient de son être-là dans le monde. Le dévoilement de l’essence du moi est une nécessité voire un impératif dont l’effectivité est le résultat d’une remise en question de l’essence du moi qui renaît de sa déchirure comme un moi objectif, comme une conscience de liberté. C’est en cela qu’il y a réconciliation du moi avec lui-même, l’avènement d’un sujet nouveau capable de se prendre en charge comme entité libre et autonome qui s’assume et qui prend en charge sa destinée.
Solidarité et insécurité humaine : penser la solidarité depuis l'Afrique
Authors: Boni Tanella
Published: October 2012

Résumé La pratique de la solidarité familiale est un fait dans les sociétés africaines même si les personnes sont confrontées à toutes sortes de risques dès leur plus jeune âge, bien avant qu’elles n’exercent une activité leur permettant de se prendre en charge. Ainsi, le manque de protections civiles de même que la « sécurité sociale » qui couvre les individus en cas de maladie et d’autres risques transforment les sociétés africaines contemporaines en scènes où règnent violences et insécurité sociale. Dans ces conditions, c’est la liberté de l’individu qui est en question mais aussi la protection des citoyens, la prise en compte des risques liés à la vie, au travail, à l’éducation, à la santé, à l’environnement. C’est tout le rôle social que doit jouer un Etat de droit qui est en question. Mais le lien de solidarité est d’abord d’ordre éthique. Il lie un humain à un autre, par-delà les lois et les institutions sociales.
Observation on the uses of Mobile Phones to Support Informal Learning
Authors: Othman Mohd Azlishah
Published: October 2012

This paper explores how a group of undergraduate students in one of the university in South of Malaysian use their mobile phones to perform informal learning activities related to the content of their courses outside the classroom. The paper also addresses the usefulness of informal learning activities to support studentsâ?? learning. The study adopts an exploratory case study design and uses two methods of data collection including questionnaires and interviews. Main findings suggest that students performed informal learning activities mostly from office, home, interacting mainly with classmates. It also shows that students were in control of their informal learning activities without tutor or SMEsâ?? input. However, it was found that students used only a limited number of applications but these were considered useful to their learning. The paper contributes to a discussion of the implications of training and instructional support to help students to take more advantage of mobile phone applications to support informal learning. The conclusion is discussed about the further research in this domain.
The cost of implementing a nationwide program to decrease the epilepsy treatment gap in a high gap country
Authors: Birbeck Gretchen L. , Chomba Elwyn , Mbewe Edward , Atadzhanov Masharip , Haworth Alan , Kansembe Henry
Published: October 2012

Healthcare systems in many low income countries have evolved to provide services for acute, infections and are poorly structured for the provision of chronic, non-communicable diseases which are increasingly common. Epilepsy is a common chronic neurologic condition and antiepileptic drugs are affordable, but the epilepsy treatment gap remains >90% in most African countries. The World Health Organization has recently released evidence-based guidelines for epilepsy care provision at the primary care level. Based upon these guidelines, we estimated all direct costs associated with epilepsy care provision as well as the cost of healthcare worker training and social marketing. We developed a model for epilepsy care delivery primarily by primary healthcare workers. We then used a variety of sources to develop cost estimates for the actual implementation and maintenance of this program being as comprehensive as possible to include all costs incurred within the health sector. Key sensitivity analyses were completed to better understand how changes in costs for individual aspects of care impact the overall cost of care delivery. Even after including the costs of healthcare worker retraining, social marketing and capital expenditures, epilepsy care can be provided at less than $25.00 per person with epilepsy per year. This is substantially less than for drugs alone for other common chronic conditions. Implementation of epilepsy care guidelines for patients receiving care at the primary care level is a cost effective approach to decreasing the epilepsy treatment gap in high gap, low income countries.
Survival mechanisms of phytoplankton in conditions of stratification‐induced deprivation of orthophosphate: Northern Adriatic case study
Authors: Ivancčić Ingrid , Godrijan Jelena , Pfannkuchen Martin , Marić Daniela , Gasčparović Blazčenka , Djakovac Tamara , Najdeka Mirjana
Published: October 2012

Phytoplankton abundance in the northern Adriatic during the summer 2008 indicated that the system was highly productive, in spite of low orthophosphate (PO4) concentrations. Mechanisms by which phytoplankton adapted to PO4 deprivation during the summer stratification were studied. In upper, more productive waters, phytoplankton induced high alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) to obtain phosphorus (P) from the dissolved organic pool, and the P turnover time mediated by phytoplankton APA was very short (2 min to 1.5 h). High‐affinity enzymatic activity combined with high hydrolysis rates enabled metabolic flexibility to the phytoplankton in this heterogeneous and fluctuating environment. Another possible mechanism of adaptation to the PO4 deficit during the summer was a shift toward smaller cells. The smaller nanophytoplankton, supported by higher surface : volume ratios, were presumably able to produce more alkaline phosphatase, an exoenzyme bound to the cell surface. Progressive decrease of large cells and increase of smaller cells in the phytoplankton community during summer supported this hypothesis. In upper waters with low PO4 concentrations, phytoplankton reduced their P demand by a preferential synthesis of non‐phospholipids. In bottom waters, phytoplankton abundance was markedly lower than in upper waters and growth was probably light limited. In these deeper waters with higher PO4 concentrations, phytoplankton cells did not use APA to obtain P and were able to synthesize more phospholipids. In deeper waters, growth of bigger cells was favored.
Using cavity ringdown spectroscopy for continuous monitoring of δ13C(CO2) and ƒCO2 in the surface ocean
Authors: Becker M. , Andersen N. , Fiedler B. , Fietzek P. , Körtzinger A. , Steinhoff T. , Friedrichs G.
Published: October 2012

The role of the global surface ocean as a source and sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and the flux strengths between the ocean and the atmosphere can be quantified by measuring the fugacity of CO2 (ƒCO2) as well as the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration and its isotopic composition in surface seawater. In this work, the potential of continuous wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy (cw‐CRDS) for autonomous underway measurements of ƒCO2 and the stable carbon isotope ratio of DIC [δ13C(DIC)] is explored. For the first time, by using a conventional air‐sea equilibrator setup, both quantities were continuously and simultaneously recorded during a field deployment on two research cruises following meridional transects across the Atlantic Ocean (Bremerhaven, Germany—Punta Arenas, Chile). Data are compared against reference measurements by an established underway CO2 monitoring system and isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis of individual water samples. Agreement within ΔƒCO2 = 0.35 µatm for atmospheric and ΔƒCO2 = 2.5 µatm and Δδ13C(DIC) = 0.33‰ for seawater measurements have been achieved. Whereas “calibration‐free” ƒCO2 monitoring is feasible, the measurement of accurate isotope ratios relies on running reference standards on a daily basis. Overall, the installed CRDS/equilibrator system was shown to be capable of reliable online monitoring of ƒCO2, equilibrium δ13C(CO2), δ13C(DIC), and pO2 aboard moving research vessels, thus making possible corresponding measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Seeing the light: The effects of particles, dissolved materials, and temperature on in situ measurements of DOM fluorescence in rivers and streams
Authors: Downing Bryan D. , Pellerin Brian A. , Bergamaschi Brian A. , Saraceno John Franco , Kraus Tamara E.C.
Published: October 2012

Field‐deployable sensors designed to continuously measure the fluorescence of colored dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in situ are of growing interest. However, the ability to make FDOM measurements that are comparable across sites and over time requires a clear understanding of how instrument characteristics and environmental conditions affect the measurements. In particular, the effects of water temperature and light attenuation by both colored dissolved material and suspended particles may be significant in settings such as rivers and streams. Using natural standard reference materials, we characterized the performance of four commerciallyavailable FDOM sensors under controlled laboratory conditions over ranges of temperature, dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations, and turbidity that spanned typical environmental ranges. We also examined field data from several major rivers to assess how often attenuation artifacts or temperature effects might be important. We found that raw (uncorrected) FDOM values were strongly affected by the light attenuation that results from dissolved substances and suspended particles as well as by water temperature. Observed effects of light attenuation and temperature agreed well with theory. Our results show that correction of measured FDOM values to account for these effects is necessary and feasible over much of the range of temperature, DOM concentration, and turbidity commonly encountered in surface waters. In most cases, collecting high‐quality FDOM measurements that are comparable through time and between sites will require concurrent measurements of temperature and turbidity, and periodic discrete sample collection for laboratory measurement of DOM.
Particle backscatter and relative humidity measured across cirrus clouds and comparison with microphysical cirrus modelling
Authors: Brabec M. , Wienhold F. G. , Luo B. P. , Vömel H. , Immler F. , Steiner P. , Hausammann E. , Weers U. , Peter T.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Advanced measurement and modelling techniques are employed to estimate the partitioning of atmospheric water between the gas phase and the condensed phase in and around cirrus clouds, and thus to identify in-cloud and out-of-cloud supersaturations with respect to ice. In November 2008 the newly developed balloon-borne backscatter sonde COBALD (Compact Optical Backscatter and AerosoL Detector) was flown 14 times together with a CFH (Cryogenic Frost point Hygrometer) from Lindenberg, Germany (52° N, 14° E). The case discussed here in detail shows two cirrus layers with in-cloud relative humidities with respect to ice between 50% and 130%. Global operational analysis data of ECMWF (roughly 1° × 1° horizontal and 1 km vertical resolution, 6-hourly stored fields) fail to represent ice water contents and relative humidities. Conversely, regional COSMO-7 forecasts (6.6 km × 6.6 km, 5-min stored fields) capture the measured humidities and cloud positions remarkably well. The main difference between ECMWF and COSMO data is the resolution of small-scale vertical features responsible for cirrus formation. Nevertheless, ice water contents in COSMO-7 are still off by factors 2–10, likely reflecting limitations in COSMO's ice phase bulk scheme. Significant improvements can be achieved by comprehensive size-resolved microphysical and optical modelling along backward trajectories based on COSMO-7 wind and temperature fields, which allow accurate computation of humidities, homogeneous ice nucleation, resulting ice particle size distributions and backscatter ratios at the COBALD wavelengths. However, only by superimposing small-scale temperature fluctuations, which remain unresolved by the numerical weather prediction models, can we obtain a satisfying agreement with the observations and reconcile the measured in-cloud non-equilibrium humidities with conventional ice cloud microphysics. Conversely, the model-data comparison provides no evidence that additional changes to ice-cloud microphysics – such as heterogeneous nucleation or changing the water vapour accommodation coefficient on ice – are required.
An advanced scheme for wet scavenging and liquid-phase chemistry in a regional online-coupled chemistry transport model
Authors: Knote C. , Brunner D.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Clouds are reaction chambers for atmospheric trace gases and aerosols, and the associated precipitation is a major sink for atmospheric constituents. The regional chemistry-climate model COSMO-ART has been lacking a description of wet scavenging of gases and aqueous-phase chemistry. In this work we present a coupling of COSMO-ART with a wet scavenging and aqueous-phase chemistry scheme. The coupling is made consistent with the cloud microphysics scheme of the underlying meteorological model COSMO. While the choice of the aqueous-chemistry mechanism is flexible, the effects of a simple sulfur oxidation scheme are shown in the application of the coupled system in this work. We give details explaining the coupling and extensions made, then present results from idealized flow-over-hill experiments in a 2-D model setup and finally results from a full 3-D simulation. Comparison against measurement data shows that the scheme efficiently reduces SO2 trace gas concentrations by 0.3 ppbv (−30%) on average, while leaving O3 and NOx unchanged. PM10 aerosol mass, which has been overestimated previously, is now in much better agreement with measured values due to a stronger scavenging of coarse particles. While total PM2.5 changes only little, chemical composition is improved notably. Overestimations of nitrate aerosols are reduced by typically 0.5–1 μg m−3 (up to −2 μg m−3 in the Po Valley) while sulfate mass is increased by 1–1.5 μg m−3 on average (up to 2.5 μg m−3 in Eastern Europe). The effect of cloud processing of aerosols on its size distribution, i. e. a shift towards larger diameters, is observed. Compared against wet deposition measurements the system underestimates the total wet deposited mass for the simulated case study. We find that while evaporation of cloud droplets dominates in higher altitudes, evaporation of precipitation can contribute up to 50% of total evaporated mass near the surface.
Urediospores of Puccinia spp. and other rusts are warm-temperature ice nucleators and harbor ice nucleation active bacteria
Authors: Morris C. E. , Sands D. C. , Glaux C. , Samsatly J. , Asaad S. , Moukahel A. R. , Gonçalves F. L. T. , Bigg E. K.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. In light of various features of the biology of the rust fungi and of the epidemiology of the plant diseases they cause that illustrate the important role of rainfall in their life history, we have characterized the ice nucleation activity (INA) of the aerially disseminated spores (urediospores) of this group of fungi. Urediospores of this obligate plant parasite were collected from natural infections from 7 species of weeds in France, from coffee in Brazil and from field and greenhouse-grown wheat in France, the USA, Turkey and Syria. Immersion freezing was used to determine freezing onset temperatures and the abundance of ice nuclei in suspensions of washed spores. Microbiological analyses of spores and subsequent tests of the ice nucleation activity of the bacteria associated with spores were deployed to quantify the contribution of bacteria to the ice nucleation activity of the spores. All samples of spores were ice nucleation active having freezing onset temperatures as warm as −4 °C. Spores in most of the samples carried cells of ice nucleation-active strains of the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae (at rates of less than 1 bacterial cell per 100 urediospores), but bacterial INA accounted for only a small fraction of the INA observed in spore suspensions. Changes in the INA of spore suspensions after treatment with lysozyme suggest that the INA of urediospores involves a polysaccharide. Based on data from the literature, we have estimated the concentrations of urediospores in air at cloud height and in rainfall. These quantities are very similar to those reported for other biological ice nucleators in these same substrates. We suggest that air sampling techniques have ignored the spatial and temporal variability of atmospheric concentrations that occur under conditions propitious for precipitation that could increase their local abundance intermittently. Nevertheless, we propose that the relative low abundance of warm-temperature biological ice nucleators in the atmosphere corresponds to optimal conditions for the processes of evolution to positively select for INA.
The dispersion characteristics of air pollution from world's megacities
Authors: Cassiani M. , Stohl A. , Eckhardt S.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Megacities are extreme examples of the continuously growing urbanization of human population that pose (new) challenges to the environment and human health at a local scale. However, because of their size megacities also have larger-scale effects and more research is needed to quantify their regional and global scale impacts. We performed a study of the characteristics of plumes dispersing from a group of thirty-six of world's megacities using the Lagrangian particle model FLEXPART and focusing on black carbon (BC) emissions during the years 2003–2005. BC was selected since it is representative of combustion-related emissions and it has a significant role as a short-lived climate forcer. Based on the BC emissions two tracers were modeled; a purely passive tracer and one subject to wet and dry deposition. These tracers allowed us to investigate the role of deposition processes in determining the impact of megacities' pollutant plumes. The particles composing the plumes have been sampled in space and time. The time sampling allowed us to investigate the evolution of the plume from its release up to 48 days after emission and to generalize our results for any substance decaying with a time scale sufficiently shorter than the time window of 48 days. The physical characteristics of the time averaged plume have been investigated and this showed that although local conditions are important, overall the latitude of the city is the main factor influencing both the local and the regional-to-global dispersion of the megacities' plumes. We also repeated the calculations of some of the regional-pollution-potential metrics previously proposed by Lawrence et al. (2007), thus extending their results to a depositing scalar and retaining the evolution in time for all the plumes. Noteworthy our results agreed well with the previous results despite being obtained using a totally different modeling framework. For the environmental impact on a global scale we focused on the export of mass from the megacities to the sensitive polar regions. We found that the sole city of Saint Petersburg contributes more to the lower troposphere pollution and deposition in the Arctic than the whole ensemble of Asian megacities. In general this study showed that the pollution of urban origin in the lower troposphere of the Arctic is mainly generated by northern European sources. We also found that the deposition of BC in the Antarctic due to megacities is comparable to the emissions generated by local shipping activities. Finally multiplying population and ground level concentration maps, we found that the exposure of human population to megacities pollution occurs mainly inside the city boundaries and this is especially true if deposition is accounted for. However, some exceptions exist (Beijing, Tianjin, Karachi) where the impact on population outside city boundary is larger than that inside city boundary.
Constraining a global ecosystem model with multi-site eddy-covariance data
Authors: Kuppel S. , Peylin P. , Chevallier F. , Bacour C. , Maignan F. , Richardson A. D.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Assimilation of in situ and satellite data in mechanistic terrestrial ecosystem models helps to constrain critical model parameters and reduce uncertainties in the simulated energy, water and carbon fluxes. So far the assimilation of eddy covariance measurements from flux-tower sites has been conducted mostly for individual sites ("single-site" optimization). Here we develop a variational data assimilation system to optimize 21 parameters of the ORCHIDEE biogeochemical model, using net CO2 flux (NEE) and latent heat flux (LE) measurements from 12 temperate deciduous broadleaf forest sites. We assess the potential of the model to simulate, with a single set of inverted parameters, the carbon and water fluxes at these 12 sites. We compare the fluxes obtained from this "multi-site" (MS) optimization to those of the prior model, and of the "single-site" (SS) optimizations. The model-data fit analysis shows that the MS approach decreases the daily root-mean-square difference (RMS) to observed data by 22%, which is close to the SS optimizations (25% on average). We also show that the MS approach distinctively improves the simulation of the ecosystem respiration (Reco), and to a lesser extent the gross primary productivity (GPP), although we only assimilated net CO2 flux. A process-oriented parameter analysis indicates that the MS inversion system finds a unique combination of parameters which is not the simple average of the different SS sets of parameters. Finally, in an attempt to validate the optimized model against independent data, we observe that global-scale simulations with MS optimized parameters show an enhanced phase agreement between modeled leaf area index (LAI) and satellite-based observations of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).
Potential impact of DOM accumulation on fCO2 and carbonate ion computations in ocean acidification experiments
Authors: Koeve W. , Oschlies A.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The internal consistency of measurements and computations of components of the CO2-system, namely total alkalinity (AT, total dissolved carbon dioxide (CT), CO2 fugacity (fCO2) and pH, has been confirmed repeatedly in open ocean studies when the CO2 system had been over determined. Differences between measured and computed properties, such as ΔfCO2 (= fCO2 (measured) – fCO2 (computed from AT and CT)) / fCO2 (measured) × 100), are usually below 5%. Recently, Hoppe et al. (2012) provided evidence of significantly larger ΔfCO2 in some experimental setups. These observations are currently not well understood. Here we discuss a case from a series of phytoplankton culture experiments with ΔfCO2 of up to about 25%. ΔfCO2 varied systematically during the course of these experiments and showed a clear correlation with the accumulation of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Culture and mesocosm experiments are often carried out under high initial nutrient concentrations, yielding high biomass concentrations that in turn often lead to a substantial build-up of DOM. In such experiments, DOM can reach concentrations much higher than typically observed in the open ocean. To the extent that DOM includes organic acids and bases, it will contribute to the alkalinity of the seawater contained in the experimental device. Our analysis suggests that whenever substantial amounts of DOM are produced during the experiment, standard computer programmes used to compute CO2 fugacity can underestimate true fCO2 significantly when the computation is based on AT and CT. Unless the effect of DOM-alkalinity can be accounted for, this might lead to significant errors in the interpretation of the system under consideration with respect to the experimentally applied CO2 perturbation. Errors in the inferred fCO2 can misguide the development of parameterisations used in simulations with global carbon cycle models in future CO2-scenarios. Over determination of the CO2-system in experimental ocean acidification studies is proposed to safeguard against possibly large errors in estimated fCO2.
Nitrogen cycling in the Central Arabian Sea: a model study
Authors: Beckmann A. , Hense I.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. We present a biogeochemical model that couples the marine nitrogen and oxygen cycles and includes euphotic, aphotic, aerobic and anaerobic processes. The model is used to investigate the mechanisms affecting nitrite and nitrogen losses in the suboxic layer of the Central Arabian Sea. In an idealized two-dimensional physical environment the model is able to reproduce the observed meridional-vertical structure of suboxic zone, secondary nitrite maximum, nitrate and oxygen. Characteristic features of vertical profiles are well represented and the modelled nitrogen transformation rates are in good agreement with observed values. The model results show that the oxygen minimum zone is not vertically homogeneous, as all suboxic processes are confined to the top 100 m of this zone. Minute differences in oxygen concentration determine the thickness of the nitrite layer. The modelled average N-loss rate in the suboxic region of the Arabian Sea is about 50 mmol N m−2yr−1 (about 30 times smaller than most previous estimates). The system response time scale is about 50 yr, much larger than usually assumed.
Mechanisms for European summer temperature response to solar forcing over the last millennium
Authors: Swingedouw D. , Terray L. , Servonnat J. , Guiot J.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. A simulation of the last millennium is compared to a recent spatio-temporal reconstruction of summer temperature over Europe. The focus is on the response to solar forcing over the pre-industrial era. Although the correlation between solar forcing and the reconstruction remains small, the spatial regression over solar forcing shows statistically significant regions. The meridional pattern of this regression is found to be similar in the model and in the reconstruction. This pattern exhibits a large warming over Northern and Mediterranean Europe and a lesser amplitude response over Central and Eastern Europe. The mechanisms explaining this pattern in the simulation are mainly related to evapotranspiration fluxes. It is shown that the evapotranspiration is larger in summer over Central and Eastern Europe when solar forcing increases, while it decreases over the Mediterranean area. The explanation for the evapotranspiration increase over Central and Eastern Europe is found in the increase of winter precipitation there, leading to a soil moisture increase in spring. As a consequence, the evapotranspiration is larger in summer, which leads to an increase in cloud cover over this region, reducing the surface shortwave flux there and leading to less warming. Over the Mediterranean area, the surface shortwave flux increases with solar forcing, the soil becomes dryer and the evapotranspiration is reduced in summer leading to a larger increase in temperature. This effect appears to be overestimated in the model as compared to the reconstruction. Finally, the warming of Northern Europe is related to the albedo feedback due to sea-ice cover retreat with increasing solar forcing.
New analysis software for Viking Lander meteorological data
Authors: Kemppinen O. , Tillman J. E. , Schmidt W. , Harri A.-M.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. We have developed a set of tools that enable us to process Viking Lander meteorological data beyond what has been previously publicly available. Besides providing data for new periods of time, the existing data periods have been augmented by enhancing the data resolution significantly. This was accomplished by first transferring the original Prime computer version of the data analysis software to a standard Linux platform, and then by modifying the software to be able to process the data despite irregularities in the original raw data and reverse engineering various parameter files. In addition to this, the processing pipeline has been streamlined, making processing the data faster and easier. As a case example of new data, freshly processed Viking Lander 1 and 2 temperature records are described and briefly analyzed in ways that have not been previously possible due to the lack of data.
Social Services Administration in Gwagwalada Area Council: Militating Factors
Authors: Nkechi Irechukwu Eugenia , Paul Chima
Published: October 2012

This study attempted to determine the factors militating against effective social services administration and its unfolding empirical manifestations on the well-being of the rural dwellers in Gwagwalada Area Council in Abuja, Nigeria as well as its attendant effects on rural development. Based on the data generated from 200 respondents (rural residents and staff of the area council) using questionnaire, interview and personal observation, it was discovered that lack of involvement of the rural dwellers in decisions regarding the design and implementation of the social service programmes by the Council is one of the key factors. The paper recommends accordingly among others, that effective social services administration should reflect the wishes and aspirations of beneficiaries.
Pollutants of Wastewater Characteristics in Textile Industries
Authors: S.M. Imtiazuddin  , Majid Mumtaz  , Khalil A. Mallick
Published: October 2012

Textile Industry is one of the most important and largest industrial sectors in Pakistan. It has a high importance in terms of its environment impact, since it consumes large quantity of textile industrial processed water and produces highly polluted discharge water. The textile industry uses high volume of water throughout its operation, from the washing of fibers to bleaching, mercerizing, dyeing, printing and washing of finished products. A process data collection was performed and integrated with a characterization of the process effluents in terms of treatability and reusability. In order to evaluate properly the wastewater loading, on analysis course was set. The samples were collected during four months period of time i.e. November, December, January and February 2009-2010 from the seven samples were collected from different textile mills and analyzed for various parameters such as Total Dissolved Solids(TDS), Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD), Biochemical Oxygen demand(BOD), pH, Electrical Conductivity(EC), and heavy metals like Cadmium(Cd), Chromium(Cr), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Manganese(Mn), Nickel(Ni), Potassium(K), Phosphorous(P), Sodium(Na), Sulphur(S), Zinc(Zn) were found in within the limits. Concentrations of all these metal ions in the effluent were above the recommended NEQS. It was therefore concluded that textile effluents were highly polluted.
Analysis of Microarray Data
Authors: Kohl Matthias
Published: October 2012

We give a brief overview over necessary steps in the analysis of microarray data. We cover quality control, preprocessing, statistical as well as enrichment analysis.