bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in veterans with debilitating tinnitus: A pilot study
Authors: Lee Scott L. , Abraham Megan , Cacace Anthony T. , Silver Steven M.
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

Available evidence suggests tinnitus arises from excessive spontaneous activity in the left superior temporal gyrus, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may suppress this activity. Our hypothesis is that rTMS applied to this region would decrease tinnitus complaints in veterans.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, nonrandomized trial.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Eight patients with tinnitus received 5 consecutive days of rTMS (0.5 Hz, 20 minutes) to the left temporoparietal area. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) measures before sessions 1 and 3 and after session 5 were used to evaluate efficacy.

RESULTS

Patient 1′s THI decreased 40 to 34 to 26, patient 4 reported a subjective improvement, patient 8 withdrew, and the remaining patients reported no improvement. Adverse effects included temporary soreness, restlessness, and photophobia.

CONCLUSION

The parameters for this rTMS study are different from those that reported success with its use. With these current parameters, rTMS did not improve tinnitus in veterans. There were no permanent adverse outcomes.
Cannabis use and cancer of the head and neck: Case‐control study
Authors: Aldington Sarah , Harwood Matire , Cox Brian , Weatherall Mark , Beckert Lutz , Hansell Anna , Pritchard Alison , Robinson Geoffrey , Beasley Richard
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether cannabis smoking increases the risk of head and neck cancer. DESIGN: Case‐control study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Cases of head and neck cancer ≤55 years identified from hospital databases and the Cancer Registry, and controls randomly selected from the electoral roll completed interviewer‐administered questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to estimate the relative risk of head and neck cancer.

RESULTS

There were 75 cases and 319 controls. An increased risk of cancer was found with increasing tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and decreased income but not increasing cannabis use. The highest tertile of cannabis use (>8.3 joint years) was associated with a nonsignificant increased risk of cancer (relative risk = 1.6, 95% confidence interval, 0.5–5.2) after adjustment for confounding variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabis use did not increase the risk of head and neck cancer; however, because of the limited power and duration of use studied, a small or longer‐term effect cannot be excluded.
Post‐Katrina: Study in crisis‐related program adaptability
Authors: Pero Colin D. , Pou Anna M. , Arriaga Moises A. , Nuss Daniel W.
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

To discuss disaster planning, didactic reorganization, and clinical realignments useful in rebuilding academic otolaryngology residency programs after disaster.

We describe our reorganization and analysis of objective measures in resident education before and after Hurricane Katrina. Post‐Katrina, the number of full‐time faculty and part‐time clinical instructors/gratis faculty has decreased (4 vs 9 and 36 vs 43, respectively), but the number of part‐time LSU faculty (private‐academic partnership) has increased (0 vs 3) with overall improved resident supervision. Resident complement decreased by 9.3%. Surgical case loads are essentially unchanged. Reorganization of the didactic schedule has increased attendance and maintained examination scores above national averages. Establishment of two new practice sites provided an adequate number of patients for residency training.

CONCLUSION

Poststorm reorganization has maintained or exceeded pre‐Katrina performance standards. Establishment of communication and data retrieval proved irreplaceable and demand advance preparation.
Adult vallecular cyst: Thirteen‐year experience
Authors: Berger Gilead , Averbuch Eran , Zilka Keren , Berger Rachel , Ophir Dov , Saba Kfar
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

To assess the characteristics of adult vallecular cyst.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS

A retrospective chart review from a university affiliated hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Clinical manifestations and airway management of 38 consecutive adult patients with vallecular cyst admitted between 1992 and 2004 were studied.

RESULTS

Two distinct groups were identified: infected (n = 24) and noninfected (n = 14). Twenty‐two (91.7%) patients of the former group had acute epiglottitis with an abrupt onset culminating in abscess formation in 19 (79.2%) and airway compromise in 9 (37.5%) compared with none in the noninfected group (P = 0.006). In 4 (18.2%) of 22 patients, the origin of the infected vallecular cyst was evident only after symptoms subsided. Three patients had recurrent acute epiglottitis. The noninfected group had a relatively prolonged mild clinical course.

CONCLUSIONS

Two types of vallecular cysts were characterized. Abscess formation was the hallmark of adult infected vallecular cyst.

SIGNIFICANCE

To improve patient care, endoscopic follow‐up is advocated. In patients with recurrent episodes of acute epiglottitis, imaging is recommended.
Sinonasal melanoma: A clinicopathologic review of 61 cases
Authors: Dauer Eileen H. , Lewis Jean E. , Rohlinger Audrey L. , Weaver Amy L. , Olsen Kerry D.
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

To review the Mayo Clinic experience with sinonasal melanoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review (case series).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We identified 61 patients who had melanoma arising from the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or both. All were treated at our institution from 1955 through 2003. Clinical and pathologic data were summarized, and survival curves were generated.

RESULTS

The most common symptoms at presentation were epistaxis and nasal congestion. The most common treatment was excision only (48%). The cancer‐specific survival rate (ie, rate of death due to disease) was 48.9% and 22.1% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Median time between diagnosis and death due to disease was 19 months.

CONCLUSION

Sinonasal melanoma is a rare but devastating disease. Wide local excision is the treatment of choice, and some patients may benefit from postoperative radiotherapy. Local recurrence and distant metastasis are common. Improved survival depends on better systemic therapies.
Practical guide to understanding the value of case reports
Authors: Neely J. Gail , Karni Ron J. , Nussenbaum Brian , Paniello Randal C. , Fraley Patrick L. , Wang Eric W. , Rich Jason T.
Published: March 2008

Case reports have been vital to the advancement of medicine, providing a mechanism for scholarly education and for sharing new discovery and rare observations. However, journals are increasingly reluctant to publish this type of manuscript. Additionally, case reports and limited case series are infrequently cited, potentially interfering with the impact factor of a journal. The increasing emphasis on evidence‐based medicine may have artificially decreased the value of case reports.

This article describes the value of case reports to medicine, citing 3 examples that have significantly improved the practice of medicine. We also provide criteria for effective reporting, which include the elements of both surprise and closure. In summary, we offer support for the contention that case reports are fundamental to the scholarly practice of medicine and enhance the intent of a quality medical journal.
Treatment of nasal fractures by Paul of Aegina
Authors: Skoulakis Charalampos E. , Manios Andreas G. , Theos Evangelos A. , Papadakis Chariton E. , Stavroulaki Pelagia S.
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

The most exact description of the management of nasal fractures given by any physician of ancient times belongs to Paul of Aegina (AD 625–690). The goal of this article is to describe the therapeutic methods and surgical techniques used by Paul of Aegina in the treatment of nasal injuries.

STUDY DESIGN

We studied the original Greek texts and the translation published in Venice, titled “The seven books of excellent doctor Paul of Aegina.” The sixth book of his medical compendium is devoted to surgery. We identified the treatments and techniques applied to the restoration of injured noses.

CONCLUSION

In this historical article we present the management of nasal fractures by Paul of Aegina. Paul of Aegina's conservative and surgical management for each form of injury was adopted by later physicians and influenced European medicine, a management surprisingly identical with the way nasal fractures are managed nowadays.
Comparison of paper‐patch, fat, and perichondrium myringoplasty in repair of small tympanic membrane perforations
Authors: Dursun Engin , Dogru Salim , Gungor Atila , Cincik Hakan , Poyrazoglu Ethem , Ozdemir Taner
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of paper‐patch, fat, and perichondrium myringoplasty in the treatment of chronic tympanic membrane perforations smaller than 3 mm.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This investigation included 45 patients with chronic tympanic membrane perforations smaller than 3 mm. The patients were equally divided into 3 main groups according to surgical procedures. Each group consisted of 3 subgroups, which had 1‐mm, 2‐mm, and 3‐mm perforations. The patients underwent paper‐patch, fat, or perichondrium myringoplasty via transcanal approach under local anesthesia. Healing of perforation, hearing improvement, and complications were investigated.

RESULTS

Closure rates of the perforations in the paper‐patch, fat, and perichondrium myringoplasty groups were 66.7%, 86.7%, and 86.7%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in tympanic membrane closure rates between techniques with regard to size.

CONCLUSION

Three techniques were found to be feasible for tympanic membrane perforations smaller than 3 mm.
Detection of groundwater contamination with hydrocarbons
Authors: Fomenko V.M. , Shushakov O.A. , Kuskovskii V.S.
Published: March 2008

The task was to detect the groundwater contamination with hydrocarbons (gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel) without drilling special boreholes, by means of NMR geotomography. Near the town of Abakan (Khakasia, RF), experimental measurements were carried out at a gas station where gasoline leakage is possible and the contamination of groundwaters was monitored through observation wells. In the immediate vicinity of the source of pollution, signals with essentially different times of relaxation were rather distinct: Short signals came from hydrogen protons of water, and much longer signals, from hydrogen protons of gasoline.
OUTER AUTOMORPHISM GROUPS OF CERTAIN TREE PRODUCTS OF ABELIAN GROUPS
Authors: CHAI Y. D. , CHOI YOUNGGI , KIM GOANSU , TANG C. Y.
Published: March 2008

We prove that certain tree products of finitely generated Abelian groups have Property E. Using this fact, we show that the outer automorphism groups of those tree products of Abelian groups and Brauner’s groups are residually finite.
Récits de vie comparés de trois intellectuels de gauche : Eric Hobsbawm, Pierre Bourgault, Pier Paolo Pasolini
Authors: Laberge Yves
Published: March 2008

À propos des ouvrages suivants :

Eric Hobsbawm. 2007. Franc-tireur. Autobiographie. Traduit de l'anglais par Dominique Peters et Yves Coleman. Paris : Hachette Littératures, collection Pluriel. [Édition anglaise parue en 2002 sous le titre Interesting times : a twentieth-century life]. 519 pages. ISBN 978-2-01-279368-2

Jean-François Nadeau. 2007. Bourgault. Montréal : Lux Éditeur, collection Histoire politique. 606 pages. ISBN 978-2-89596-051-5

Pier Paolo Pasolini. 2007. Entretiens avec Jean Duflot. Paris : Éditions Gutenberg. 257 pages. ISBN 978-2-35236-008-7
Nested Federalism in Arctic Quebec: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Wilson Gary N.
Published: March 2008

Abstract.The creation of an autonomous region of Nunavikwithinthe province of Quebec would constitute a new phase in the development of Canadian federalism. Although there is no existing domestic model for such a political arrangement, the system of nested federalism in the Russian Federation offers a useful comparative tool for examining the internal and external features of the emerging system of government in Nunavik, as well as the challenges of operationalizing and embedding such a system within the Canadian federal structure. This article outlines the basic principles of nested federalism and considers them in light of recent developments in the region of Nunavik, including the initialing of an “Agreement in Principle concerning the amalgamation of certain public institutions and the creation of the Nunavik Regional Government” between the regional, provincial and federal governments in August 2007. The article concludes that although the Agreement in Principle does not entrench the types of intergovernmental mechanisms and jurisdictional powers that were recommended by the 2001 Report of the Nunavik Commission and that are necessary to the proper functioning of a nested federal arrangement, the political amalgamation outlined in this document represents a significant step forward in terms of creating an institutional framework for an autonomous, nested region in Nunavik.

Résumé.La création d'une région autonome du Nunavik à l'intérieur de la province du Québec constituerait une nouvelle phase dans le développement du fédéralisme canadien. Bien qu'il n'y ait aucun modèle domestique existant d'un tel arrangement politique le système de fédéralisme “encastré” dans la Fédération Russe offre un outil comparatif utile pour examiner les caractéristiques internes et externes du système de gouvernement émergeant au Nunavik. L'exemple russe démontre aussi les défis fonctionnels liés à l'établissement d'un tel système à l'intérieur de la structure fédérale existante au Canada. Cet article développe les principes de base d'un “fédéralisme encastré” et les considère en vue des développements récents dans la région du Nunavik, incluant les négociations pour un “Entente de principe sur la fusion de certaines institutions publiques et la création du gouvernement régional du Nunavik” entre les différents gouvernements régional, provincial et fédéral en août 2007. L'article conclut que bien que l'Accord de Principe n'inclut pas les types de mécanismes intergouvernementaux et les pouvoirs juridictionnels qui étaient recommandés dans le Rapport de 2001 de la Commission de Nunavik et qui sont nécessaires au bon fonctionnement d'un arrangement fédéral “encastré,” le fusionnement politique développé dans ce document représente un pas en avant significatif dans la construction institutionnelle d'un Nunavik autonome à l'intérieur du Québec.
Limits to Liberalization: Local Culture in a Global Marketplace
Authors: Bickerton James
Published: March 2008

Limits to Liberalization: Local Culture in a Global Marketplace, Patricia Goff, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2007, pp. viii, 197.

This book is written from a concern that liberalization of the cultural sector will lead to cultural loss, the dilution of unique national idioms and the diminishment of diversity. This creates the need for governments to find ways and means of reducing or offsetting the cultural costs of globalization. The dynamics under consideration here are “the appearance on the trading agenda of culture industry regulation and the ensuing tendency to mischaracterize a defensive effort to offset the perceived contemporary costs of liberalization as veiled economic protectionism” (84). Accordingly, the book's focus is on government efforts to implement culture-sustaining policies in the face of condemnation by trading partners who view such measures as discriminatory trade practices. In this connection, two case studies are examined: measures taken by Canada within the context of the NAFTA agreement and by the European Union, in particular by France, in the context of the GATT.
Not this Time: Canadians, Public Policy and the Marijuana Question, 1961–1975
Authors: Erickson Patricia G.
Published: March 2008

Not this Time: Canadians, Public Policy and the Marijuana Question, 1961–1975, Marcel Martel, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2006, pp. x, 277.

It is said of the 1960s, “If you can remember them, you weren't really there.” For those who need a refresher course, this book is an alternative to time travel. For the younger, post-1970s generation who literally were not there, this book tells them all they ever need to know about the history of Canada's marijuana laws and why they have been so resistant to change. Considering that nearly three quarters of this current crop of young adults has tried marijuana, according to the Canadian Addiction Survey of 2004, perhaps they should be asking why the drug of choice for so many is still illegal. Martel's detailed snapshot of this crucial 15-year period sets out the actors, forces and political pressures that are still very much a part of the ongoing and unresolved debate on drug policy reform in Canada.
On the axiomatisability of priority
Authors: ACETO LUCA , CHEN TAOLUE , FOKKINK WAN , INGOLFSDOTTIR ANNA
Published: March 2008

This paper studies the equational theory of bisimulation equivalence over the process algebra BCCSP extended with the priority operator of Baeten, Bergstra and Klop. We prove that, in the presence of an infinite set of actions, bisimulation equivalence has no finite, sound, ground-complete equational axiomatisation over that language. This negative result applies even if the syntax is extended with an arbitrary collection of auxiliary operators, and motivates the study of axiomatisations using equations with action predicates as conditions. In the presence of an infinite set of actions, it is shown that, in general, bisimulation equivalence has no finite, sound, ground-complete axiomatisation consisting of equations with action predicates as conditions over the language studied in this paper. Finally, sufficient conditions on the priority structure over actions are identified that lead to a finite, ground-complete axiomatisation of bisimulation equivalence using equations with action predicates as conditions.
A positive set theory with equality revisited
Authors: LENZI GIACOMO
Published: March 2008

This paper is the journal version of Lenzi (2006). We consider the positive set theory with equality described these and propose a candidate model.
Results with continuous cardiopulmonary bypass for the bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis
Authors: MacIver Robroy H. , Stewart Robert D. , Backer Carl L. , Mavroudis Constantine
Published: March 2008

Objective

Some centres have proposed creating the bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis without cardiopulmonary bypass, while others continue to use deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the results of using continuous cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia, perhaps the most commonly used of the three techniques for this procedure.

Methods

Between 1990 and 2005, 114 patients, having a mean age of 1.58 years, with a median age of 8 months, and ranging from 3 months to 16 years, underwent creation of either a unilateral cavopulmonary anastomosis, in 94 cases, or bilateral anastomoses in 20 cases. All had continuous cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia at 32 degrees Celsius, with 24 also having aortic cross-clamping with cardioplegia for simultaneous intracardiac procedures. Interrupted absorbable sutures were used to create the anastomosis in 105 patients.

Results

Perioperative mortality was 5%, with 6 of the patients dying. The mean period of cardiopulmonary bypass for an isolated anastomosis was 91 minutes, with a range from 44 to 160 minutes. In 10 patients (8.8%), it was necessary to place a graft to augment the anastomosis. The average postoperative length of stay was 7.9 days for those undergoing an isolated unilateral anastomosis, and 16.4 days for patients undergoing combined cardiac operations. We have now created the Fontan circulation in 79 of the patients, at an average interval from the bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis of 2.1 plus or minus 1.14 years. In 76 patients, we performed postoperative angiograms, and none revealed any stenoses.

Conclusions

The bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis can be performed successfully with continuous cardiopulmonary bypass and moderate hypothermia with a beating heart, avoiding circulatory arrest. The use of interrupted and absorbable sutures was not associated with any late anastomotic stenosis.
The ‘political’ and the ‘legal’: comments on Professor Tushnet’s paper
Authors: Sands Philippe
Published: March 2008

This comment responds to a central issue posed by Professor Tushnet as to the way in which democracies control the exercise of emergency powers. Sands believes that ‘law’ and ‘politics’ are not mutually exclusive, and that the relationship between them suggests that a general theory on the interplay of political and legal factors in controlling the exercise of emergency powers remains elusive.
Modeling the generation of the Juan de Fuca Eddy
Authors: Foreman M. G. G. , Callendar W. , MacFadyen A. , Hickey B. M. , Thomson R. E. , Di Lorenzo E.
Published: March 2008

Numerical simulations with the Regional Ocean Modeling System are used to study the generation of the cyclonic Juan de Fuca Eddy located off the entrance of Juan de Fuca Strait in summer. An initial simulation forced with average summer upwelling favorable winds, tides, and buoyancy boundary conditions that maintain an estuarine flow in Juan de Fuca Strait produces an eddy and currents that are in reasonable agreement with observations. Sensitivity studies are then carried out to explore the importance of these three forcing mechanisms. The relative proximity of dense water in the bottom estuarine flow entering the strait is shown to lead to enhanced upwelling off Cape Flattery when either wind or tidal forcing is applied. This upwelled water then mixes with the estuarine outflow and is advected offshore. The tidal upwelling arises through three mechanisms: M2 vertical excursions of nearly 20 m at 50 m depth west of the cape on the flood tide; strong tidally rectified vertical velocities west of the cape; and the spilling of denser bottom water over the western wall of Juan de Fuca Canyon on the ebb tide. The cyclonic eddy is a consequence of geostrophic adjustment to the doming isopycnals that arise from the upwelling. These model simulations refute an earlier hypothesis that the eddy is generated when California Undercurrent water is drawn up Tully Canyon and onto the Vancouver Island shelf, suggesting instead that these canyon dynamics play only a secondary role in maintaining the eddy once it is formed.
Tropical climate influences on drought variability over Java, Indonesia
Authors: D'Arrigo Rosanne , Smerdon Jason E.
Published: March 2008

We investigate relationships between Indonesian drought, the state of the equatorial Indian Ocean, and ENSO using three instrumental indices spanning 1884–1997 A.D.: 1. EQWIN, a zonal wind index for the equatorial Indian Ocean; 2. the Dipole Mode Index (DMI), an indicator of the Indian Ocean SST gradient; and 3. tropical Pacific Niño‐3.4 SSTs. A regression model of the Java Sep–Dec Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) using a combination of these indices provides significant predictive skill (ar2 = 0.50). Both the DMI and EQWIN correlate strongly with Java droughts (r = 0.71 and 0.66, respectively), but weakly with wet events (r = 0.21 and 0.18, respectively), while the Niño SST index correlates moderately with both dry and wet events (r = 0.31 and 0.36, respectively). Our findings indicate that Java droughts are intensified during El Niños that coincide with negative EQWIN conditions, which are also linked to a strengthened Indian monsoon
Magnetostructural behavior in (110) europium films
Authors: Dumesnil K. , Dufour C. , Toney M. F.
Published: March 2008

High resolution and grazing incidence x-ray scattering experiments have been performed to investigate the magnetostructural coupling in a 750nm thick (110) europium film. Coexisting, distorted structural domains have been observed over approximately 15K below the magnetic ordering temperature. In agreement with a previous magnetic study, the relative proportions for these domains vary strongly with temperature, which is not the case in bulk europium. Moreover, the temperature dependence of lattice parameters in the different domains is hysteretic. This may be related to a clamping effect of the Eu lattice to the substrate, and may play a key role in the hysteretic magnetic behavior, previously observed for the helices with different propagation vectors. In using the grazing incidence configuration, we have observed that the structural characteristics are nonhomogeneous with the film depth, the dominant structural domain being different in the top and bottom parts of the film.
Texture development and magnetoresistance properties of CoFeB∕MgO∕CoFeB-based magnetic tunnel junction depending on capping layer crystallinity
Authors: Chung Ha-Chang , Lee Seong-Rae
Published: March 2008

We investigated the effects of the crystallinity of the capping layer materials on the crystallization of amorphous top CoFeB (t-CoFeB) and the magnetoresistance properties and temperature sensitivities of the magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). When a (002)-textured hcp Ru capping layer was used, the amorphous t-CoFeB was crystallized to bcc-CoFe (110) during annealing. Using the CoFe (110)/Ru (002) texture relation is the best way to reduce the lattice mismatch down to 5.6%. However, when a polycrystalline TiAl (two phase: amorphous and fine polycrystalline) or amorphous ZrAl capping layer was used, the amorphous t-CoFeB was crystallized to bcc-CoFe (002) during annealing due to the MgO (001) template effect. The tunneling magneto resistance ratios of the annealed MTJs capped with Ru, TiAl, and ZrAl were 46.7%, 71.8%, and 72.7%, respectively, which depended on the texture and the epitaxiality of t-CoFeB∕MgO (001). Consequently, the texture evolution of the amorphous t-CoFeB during annealing can be controlled by adjusting the crystallinity of the adjacent capping layer which, in turn, affects the magnetoresistance properties and temperature sensitivities of the MTJs.
The nonlinear large-eddy simulation method applied to Sc≈1 and Sc⪢1 passive-scalar mixing
Authors: Burton Gregory C.
Published: March 2008

The nonlinear large-eddy simulation (nLES) method is extended here to simulations of Sc≈1 and Sc⪢1 turbulent mixing of passive-scalar fields. These are the first LES studies to reproduce the instantaneous structure of the scalar-energy field ϕ¯2(x,t) at viscous-convective scales in the high Schmidt-number regime. The simulations employ a refinement of the nLES method with multifractal modeling first proposed by G. C. Burton and W. J. A. Dahm [Phys. Fluids 17, 075111 (2005)]. In this approach, the nonlinear inertial stresses uiuj¯ in the filtered Navier–Stokes equation and the nonlinear scalar fluxes ujϕ¯ in the filtered advection-diffusion equation are calculated directly, using multifractal models for the subgrid velocity and scalar fields, ujsgs and ϕsgs. Resolved energy levels are controlled by a new adaptive backscatter limiter that adjusts locally to changing flow conditions consistent with the mechanism governing energy transfer in actual hydrodynamic turbulence. No artificial viscosity or diffusivity closures are applied and no explicit de-aliasing is performed. The nLES approach is shown to simulate accurately Sc≈1 mixing for flows between Reλ≈35 and 4100, the highest Reλ tested. Characteristics of the resulting scalar field are examined, including the turbulence-to-scalar time-scale ratio and total scalar variance ⟨ϕ′2⟩, indicating good agreement with prior studies. Simulations between Sc=8 and 8192 produce the first scalar-energy spectra from an LES that exhibit k−1 scaling in the viscous-convective range, consistent with the analytical prediction of G. K. Batchelor [J. Fluid Mech. 5, 113 (1959)]. The simulations indicate decreasing scalar anisotropy and increasing intermittency with increasing Schmidt number, also consistent with prior studies.
Two-photon-induced excited-state absorption: Theory and experiment
Authors: Gu Bing , Ji Wei , Patil P. S. , Dharmaprakash S. M. , Wang Hui-Tian
Published: March 2008

We develop an open-aperture (OA) Z scan and nonlinear transmission theory of two-photon-induced excited-state absorption, under the excitation of spatial Gaussian laser pulses with temporal Gaussian and hyperbolic secant profiles. The found analytic expressions allow us to straightforwardly fit the OA Z-scan trace and the nonlinear transmission curve, for convenient extraction of the nonlinear absorption coefficients. As a test, the two-photon-induced excited-state absorption in a chalcone derivative of 3,4-dimethoxy-4′-fluorochalcone is explored by performing femtosecond Z-scan measurement and is analyzed by our theory.
Directional effect of a magnetic field on oscillatory low-Prandtl-number convection
Authors: Henry D. , Juel A. , Ben Hadid H. , Kaddeche S.
Published: March 2008

The directional effect of a magnetic field on the onset of oscillatory convection is studied numerically in a confined three-dimensional cavity of relative dimensions 4:2:1 (length:width:height) filled with mercury and subject to a horizontal temperature gradient. The magnetic field suppresses the oscillations most effectively when it is applied in the vertical direction, and is the least efficient when applied in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the temperature gradient). In all cases, however, exponential growths of the critical Grashof number, Grc (Gr, ratio of buoyancy to viscous dissipation forces) with the Hartmann number (Ha, ratio of magnetic to viscous dissipation forces) are obtained. Insight into the damping mechanism is gained from the fluctuating kinetic energy budget associated with the time-periodic disturbances at threshold. The kinetic energy produced by the vertical shear of the longitudinal basic flow dominates the oscillatory transition, and when a magnetic field is applied, it increases in order to balance the stabilizing magnetic energy. Moreover, subtle changes in the spatial distribution of this shear energy are at the origin of the exponential growth of Grc. The destabilizing effect of the velocity fluctuations strongly decreases when Ha is increased (due to the decay of the velocity fluctuations in the bulk accompanied by the appearance of steep gradients localized in the Hartmann layers), so that an increase of the shear of the basic flow at Grc is required in order to sustain the instability. This yields an increase in Grc, which is reinforced by the fact that the shear of the basic flow naturally decreases at constant Gr with the increase of Ha, particularly when the magnetic field is applied in the vertical direction. For transverse and longitudinal fields, the decay of the velocity fluctuations is combined with an increase of the shear energy term due to a sustained growth in stabilizing magnetic energy with Ha.
Electrically injected InAs∕GaAs quantum dot spin laser operating at 200K
Authors: Basu D. , Saha D. , Wu C. C. , Holub M. , Mi Z. , Bhattacharya P.
Published: March 2008

A spin-polarized vertical cavity surface emitting laser, with InAs∕GaAs self-organized quantum dots as the active gain media, has been fabricated and characterized. Electron spin injection is achieved via a MnAs∕GaAs Schottky tunnel contact. The laser is operated at 200K and, at this temperature, the degree of circular polarization in the output is 8% and the maximum threshold current reduction is 14%. These effects are not observed in identical control devices with nonmagnetic contacts.
Single-frequency coherent terahertz-wave generation using two Cr:forsterite lasers pumped using one Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Nishizawa Jun-ichi , Sasaki Tetsuo , Tanabe Tadao , Hozumi Norimitsu , Oyama Yutaka , Suto Ken
Published: March 2008

We have developed a compact terahertz-wave generator using two small Cr:forsterite lasers with single Nd:YAG laser pumping based on difference frequency generation in a GaP crystal. A Cr:forsterite laser was constructed with diffraction gratings, by which the pulse duration and delay time of the Cr:forsterite laser depend on the Cr:forsterite laser energy and the cavity length. The Cr:forsterite laser energy was tuned using the optical alignment and pumping energy. Temporal overlap of two Cr:forsterite laser pulses was realized at the GaP crystal. A single-frequency terahertz wave was generated at energy of 4.7pJ around 2.95THz using a 30-cm-long Cr:forsterite laser system.
Nanoscale charging hysteresis measurement by multifrequency electrostatic force spectroscopy
Authors: Bostanci Umut , Abak M. Kurtuluş , Aktaş O. , Dâna A.
Published: March 2008

We report a scanning probe technique that can be used to measure charging of localized states on conducting or partially insulating substrates at room temperature under ambient conditions. Electrostatic interactions in the presence of a charged particle between the tip and the sample is monitored by the second order flexural mode, while the fundamental mode is used for stabilizing the tip-sample separation. Cycling the bias voltage between two limits, it is possible to observe hysteresis of the second order mode amplitude due to charging. Results are presented on silicon nitride films containing silicon nanocrystals.
Evaluation of perennial pasture legumes and herbs to identify species with high herbage production and persistence in mixed farming zones in southern Australia
Authors: Li G. D. , Lodge G. M. , Moore G. A. , Craig A. D. , Dear B. S. , Boschma S. P. , Albertsen T. O. , Miller S. M. , Harden S. , Hayes R. C. , Hughes S. J. , Snowball R. , Smith A. B. , Cullis B. C.
Published: March 2008

Ninety-one perennial legumes and herbs (entries) from 47 species in 21 genera were evaluated at sites in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia over 3 years from 2002 to 2005 to identify plants with superior herbage production, persistence and the potential to reduce ground water recharge. Evaluation was undertaken in three nurseries (general, waterlogged soil and acid soil). Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa (lucerne) cv. Sceptre was the best performing species across all sites. In the general and acid soil nurseries, Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) cv. Grasslands Puna was the only species comparable with Sceptre lucerne in terms of persistence and herbage production. Trifolium fragiferum L. cv. Palestine and Lotus corniculatus L. SA833 were the best performing species on heavy clay soils prone to waterlogging. Three Dorycnium hirsutum (L.) Ser. accessions persisted well on acid soils, but were slow to establish. Short-lived perennial forage legumes, such as Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. cv. Othello, and three Hedysarum coronarium L. entries, including cv. Grasslands Aokou, had high herbage production in the first 2 years and may be suitable for short-term pastures in phased pasture-crop farming systems. T. uniflorum L. and M. sativa subsp. caerulea SA38052 were highly persistent and could play a role as companion species in mixtures or ground cover species for undulating landscapes. Cullen australasicum (Schltdl.) G.W. Grimes SA4966 and Lotononis bainesii Baker cv. Miles had poor establishment, but were persistent. Chicory, T. fragiferum and L. corniculatus were identified as species, other than lucerne, with the most immediate potential for further selection to increase the diversity of perennial legumes and herbs adapted to southern Australian environments.
A mitotic recombination system for mouse chromosome 17
Authors: Sun Lei , Wu Xiaohui , Han Min , Xu Tian , Zhuang Yuan
Published: March 2008

Mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes is a genetic technique for mosaic analysis in model organisms. The general application of this technique in the mouse depends on establishment of effective recombination systems for individual chromosomes and reliable and sensitive methods for detection of recombination events. Here, we established a Cre/LoxP-mediated recombination system in mice for mosaic analysis of full-length chromosome 17. Cre-mediated germ-line recombination between the homologous chromosomes was observed with ≈9% frequency in a progeny test. Mitotic recombination in somatic tissues was evaluated and scored in B and T lymphocytes with the aid of surface markers and fluorescent-activated cell sorting. We show that a lineage-specific Cre can induce mitotic recombination with a highly reproducible frequency of 0.5–1.0% in lymphoid progenitors. The recombination system established here allows for a simple and accurate detection and isolation of recombination events in live cells, making this system particularly attractive for mosaic analysis or mutagenesis studies in the immune system.
Identifying trait clusters by linkage profiles: application in genetical genomics
Authors: Sampson Joshua N. , Self Steven G.
Published: March 2008

Motivation: Genes often regulate multiple traits. Identifying clusters of traits influenced by a common group of genes helps elucidate regulatory networks and can improve linkage mapping.

Methods: We show that the Pearson correlation coefficient, ρ∧L, between two LOD score profiles can, with high specificity and sensitivity, identify pairs of genes that have their transcription regulated by shared quantitative trait loci (QTL). Furthermore, using theoretical and/or empirical methods, we can approximate the distribution of ρ∧L under the null hypothesis of no common QTL. Therefore, it is possible to calculate P-values and false discovery rates for testing whether two traits share common QTL. We then examine the properties of ρ∧L through simulation and use ρ∧L to cluster genes in a genetical genomics experiment examining Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Results: Simulations show that ρ∧L can have more power than the clustering methods currently used in genetical genomics. Combining experimental results with Gene Ontology (GO) annotations show that genes within a purported cluster often share similar function.

Software: R-code included in online Supplementary Material.

Contact:  joshua.sampson@yale.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary materials are available at Bioinformatics online.
Reference descriptions of cellular electrophysiology models
Authors: Nickerson David P. , Corrias Alberto , Buist Martin L.
Published: March 2008

Summary: In recent years there has been much development of the fundamental ideas underlying mathematical model curation in regard to models of biology. While much has been achieved in the realms of systems biology and bioinformatics, little progress has been made in relation to cellular electrophysiology modeling. The primary reason for slow progress in this field is the lack of a consistent and machine-readable reference description for a given model. CellML has been widely used to describe mathematical models of cellular electrophysiology in an unambiguous, machine-readable format. Through the use of well-annotated CellML models we propose a standard by which reference descriptions of cellular electrophysiology models can be similarly defined in an unambiguous, software independent, and machine-readable format. Adoption of this standard will provide a consistent technology by which cellular electrophysiology models can be curated.

Availability:  http://www.bioeng.nus.edu.sg/compbiolab/p2/

Contact:  david.nickerson@nus.edu.sg

Supplementary information: Example reference descriptions are available at http://www.bioeng.nus.edu.sg/compbiolab/p2/
Network-constrained regularization and variable selection for analysis of genomic data
Authors: Li Caiyan , Li Hongzhe
Published: March 2008

Motivation: Graphs or networks are common ways of depicting information. In biology in particular, many different biological processes are represented by graphs, such as regulatory networks or metabolic pathways. This kind of a priori information gathered over many years of biomedical research is a useful supplement to the standard numerical genomic data such as microarray gene-expression data. How to incorporate information encoded by the known biological networks or graphs into analysis of numerical data raises interesting statistical challenges. In this article, we introduce a network-constrained regularization procedure for linear regression analysis in order to incorporate the information from these graphs into an analysis of the numerical data, where the network is represented as a graph and its corresponding Laplacian matrix. We define a network-constrained penalty function that penalizes the L1-norm of the coefficients but encourages smoothness of the coefficients on the network.

Results: Simulation studies indicated that the method is quite effective in identifying genes and subnetworks that are related to disease and has higher sensitivity than the commonly used procedures that do not use the pathway structure information. Application to one glioblastoma microarray gene-expression dataset identified several subnetworks on several of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) transcriptional pathways that are related to survival from glioblastoma, many of which were supported by published literatures.

Conclusions: The proposed network-constrained regularization procedure efficiently utilizes the known pathway structures in identifying the relevant genes and the subnetworks that might be related to phenotype in a general regression framework. As more biological networks are identified and documented in databases, the proposed method should find more applications in identifying the subnetworks that are related to diseases and other biological processes.

Contact:  hongzhe@mail.med.upenn.edu
Non-indigenous tunicate species in the Bay of Fundy, eastern Canada
Authors: LeGresley Murielle M. , Martin Jennifer L. , McCurdy Paul , Thorpe Bruce , Chang Blythe D.
Published: March 2008

LeGresley, M. M., Martin, J. L., McCurdy, P., Thorpe, B., and Chang, B. D. 2008. Non-indigenous tunicate species in the Bay of Fundy, eastern Canada. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 770–774. The frequency of fouling tunicates is increasing in Atlantic Canada and along the New England coast of the US. Canadian shellfish industries in the Gulf of St Lawrence and along the south shore of Nova Scotia have been affected by the heavy infestation of fouling tunicates. Because little research on tunicates has been conducted in the Bay of Fundy, a Canadian monitoring programme was established to look for the non-indigenous tunicates Ciona intestinalis, Botryllus schlosseri, Didemnum sp. A, Botrylloides violaceus, and Styela clava, in southwest New Brunswick. Collectors were deployed at 11 stations in May/June 2006. Some were retrieved in August 2006; others remained until November of the same year. Ciona intestinalis had established at three survey sites, St Andrews Harbour, St Andrews Biological Station, and Fairhaven, Deer Island, but the heaviest infestation was in the Lime Kiln Bay–Charlie Cove area. The greatest settlement of B. schlosseri was at the Dipper Harbour site, with minimal settlements in St Andrews Harbour and Harbour de Loutre. The other species of interest were not detected during the survey.
Identification and Partial Characterization of a New Luteovirus Associated with Rose Spring Dwarf Disease
Authors: Salem Nidá , Golino Deborah A. , Falk Bryce W. , Rowhani Adib
Published: March 2008

A number of viruses in the genera Ilarvirus and Nepovirus have been shown to be associated with specific diseases in rose, but many graft-transmissible rose diseases still have unknown etiologies. One of these diseases originally was detected by grafting from nonsymptomatic roses to Rosa multiflora indicator plants. Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) were recovered and used as templates for cDNA synthesis and generating a cDNA library. Analysis of deduced amino acid sequences clearly positioned this virus as a member of the family Luteoviridae. The name rose spring dwarf associated virus (RSDaV) is tentatively proposed for the novel virus because the symptoms of this virus on R. multiflora are consistent with previous descriptions of rose spring dwarf disease (RSD). Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship of RSDaV with members of the genus Luteovirus. Aphid transmission studies identified the rose-grass aphid (Metapolophium dirhodum) and yellow rose aphid (Rhodobium porosum) as vectors for this new virus. Host range data showed that RSDaV has a host range including both monocots and dicots. A specific reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay was developed and revealed the presence of the RSDaV in several rose cultivars. RSDaV-inoculated rose plants developed RSD symptoms, confirming its role in the etiology of the disease.
Identification and Pathogenicity of Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Diplodia seriata, the Causal Agents of Bot Canker Disease of Grapevines in Mexico
Authors: Úrbez-Torres J. R. , Leavitt G. M. , Guerrero J. C. , Guevara J. , Gubler W. D.
Published: March 2008

Perennial cankers and consequent grapevine dieback are a major problem in vineyards of Sonora and Baja California, the most important grape-production areas of Mexico. In order to identify the canker-causing agents, symptomatic arms, cordons, and trunks were collected from 13 and 6 vineyards in Sonora and Baja California, respectively. Two Botryosphaeriaceae spp., Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Diplodia seriata, were isolated frequently from infected wood and identified based on morphological and cultural characters as well as analyses of nucleotide sequences of three genes, the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), a partial sequence of the β-tubulin gene, and part of the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (EF1-α). Although both L. theobromae and D. seriata were isolated from grapevine cankers in Baja California, only L. theobromae was found in vines in the Sonora region. Pathogenicity of both species was verified by inoculation of rooted cuttings and green shoots of Thompson Seedless and Chardonnay cultivars. Isolates of L. theobromae were more virulent, based on the extent of spread in the secondary wood and green tissue, than those of D. seriata. These findings confirm L. theobromae and D. seriata as the causal agents of dieback and canker formation of grapevines in northern Mexico.
Non‐immediate reactions to β‐lactams: diagnostic value of skin testing and drug provocation test
Authors: Padial A. , Antunez C. , Blanca‐Lopez N. , Fernandez T. D. , Cornejo‐Garcia J. A. , Mayorga C. , Torres M. J. , Blanca M.
Published: March 2008

Background
β‐Lactam (BL) antibiotics can induce non‐immediate skin reactions, frequently manifested as exanthema or urticaria. The time between drug intake and the reaction appearance is generally 24–48 h. Because the mechanisms involved are not completely understood, diagnostic tests for these reactions have still to be fully validated.

Objective
To evaluate the role of skin and drug provocation tests (DPTs) in the diagnosis of patients with non‐immediate reactions to BL.

Methods
We evaluated a group of 22 patients who developed maculopapular exanthema or urticarial exanthema after BL intake. Diagnosis was confirmed by DPT with BL. Intradermal/patch testing was performed with benzylpenicilloyl, minor determinant mixture, amoxicillin (AX), ampicillin (AMP) and the culprit drug in patients and in 22 negative controls. Immunohistochemical studies were done in the affected skin at the acute phase of the reaction and after a delayed positive skin test/DPT. IFN‐γ and IL‐4 were quantified in peripheral mononuclear cells, obtained during the positive response to DPT and after resolution of the symptoms.

Results
From the total number of cases, 12 patients developed urticarial exanthema and 10 maculopapular exanthema after DPT. Only two of the 22 patients (9%) had a positive delayed intradermal skin test: one to AX/AMP and the other to cloxacillin. Biopsies showed a mononuclear CD4, CD8 infiltrate and activated and memory cells. The cytokine expression showed a Th1 pattern in patients, in contrast with the Th0 pattern in controls.

Conclusion
In patients with non‐immediate reactions to BLs (maculopapular exathema or urticarial exanthema), the sensitivity of skin testing is low and DPT may be required to establish the diagnosis. The reproducibility of the reactions and the cytokine pattern expressed during the acute episode support a T cell‐induced non‐immediate response.