bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metazoan parasite species richness in Neotropical fishes: hotspots and the geography of biodiversity
Authors: LUQUE J. L. , POULIN R.
Published: February 2007

Although research on parasite biodiversity has intensified recently, there are signs that parasites remain an underestimated component of total biodiversity in many regions of the planet. To identify geographical hotspots of parasite diversity, we performed qualitative and quantitative analyses of the parasite-host associations in fishes from Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that includes known hotspots of plant and animal biodiversity. The database included 10 904 metazoan parasite-host associations involving 1660 fish species. The number of host species with at least 1 parasite record was less than 10% of the total known fish species in the majority of countries. Associations involving adult endoparasites in actinopterygian fish hosts dominated the database. Across the whole region, no significant difference in parasite species richness was detected between marine and freshwater fishes. As a rule, host body size and study effort (number of studies per fish species) were good predictors of parasite species richness. Some interesting patterns emerged when we included only the regions with highest fish species biodiversity and study effort (Brasil, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands). Independently of differences in study effort or host body sizes, Mexico stands out as a hotspot of parasite diversity for freshwater fishes, as does Brasil for marine fishes. However, among 57 marine fish species common to all 3 regions, populations from the Caribbean consistently harboured more parasite species. These differences may reflect true biological patterns, or regional discrepancies in study effort and local priorities for fish parasitology research.
Local environmental factors characterizingIxodes ricinusnymph abundance in grazed permanent pastures for cattle
Authors: BOYARD C. , BARNOUIN J. , GASQUI P. , VOURC'H G.
Published: February 2007

AlthoughIxodes ricinusticks are mainly associated with woodland, they are also present in open habitat such as pastures. The distribution of nymphalI. ricinuswas monitored by drag sampling the vegetation in May–June 2003 on 61 grazed permanent pastures for cattle located in central France. After selecting explanatory variables from among a set of 155, tick abundance was modelled on the perimeter of the pasture using a negative binomial model that took into account data overdispersion. An abundant tree layer at the perimeter of the pasture associated with a high humidity before sampling greatly enhanced the average number of capturedI. ricinusnymphs. The presence of apple or cherry trees around the pasture perimeter, the presence of trees or bushes at the pasture edge, woodland around the pasture and a high number ofI. ricinusnymphs in the nearest woodland to the pasture were also favourable to nymph abundance in the pasture. The study highlighted that woodland vegetation associated with humidity and the presence of attractive foraging areas for tick hosts around the pasture played a key role in the abundance ofI. ricinus. Finally, the results raised the question of whether and how transfer of ticks between woodland and grazed pastures occurs.
Image-based visual servoing schemes for nonholonomic mobile manipulators
Authors: De Luca Alessandro , Oriolo Giuseppe , Giordano Paolo Robuffo
Published: February 2007

We consider the task-oriented modeling of the differential kinematics of nonholonomic mobile manipulators (NMMs). A suitable NMM Jacobian is defined that relates the available input commands to the time derivative of the task variables, and can be used to formulate and solve kinematic control problems. When the NMM is redundant with respect to the given task, we provide an extension of two well-known redundancy resolution methods for fixed-base manipulators (Projected Gradient and Task Priority) and introduce a novel technique (Task Sequencing) aimed at improving performance, e.g., avoiding singularities. The proposed methods are applied then to the specific case of image-based visual servoing, where the NMM image Jacobian combines the interaction matrix and the kinematic model of the mobile manipulator. Comparative numerical results are presented for two case studies.
Figure and texture presentation capabilities of a tactile mouse equipped with a display pad of stimulus pins
Authors: Ohka Masahiro , Koga Hiroshi , Mouri Yukihiro , Sugiura Tokuhiro , Miyaoka Tetsu , Mitsuya Yasunaga
Published: February 2007

To obtain specifications for a tactile display that would be effective in virtual reality and tele-existence systems, we have developed two types of matrix-type experimental tactile displays. One is for virtual figures (display A) and the other is for virtual textures (display B). Display A's pad has a 4 × 6 array of stimulus pins, each 0.8 mm in diameter. Three pad configurations, in which distances between any two adjacent pins (pin pitch) are 1.2, 1.9, or 2.5 mm, were developed to examine the influence of distance on a human operator's determination of virtual figures. Display B has an 8 × 8 array of stimulus pins, each 0.3 mm in diameter and with 1-or 1.8-mm pin pitch, because presentation of virtual textures was presumed to require a higher pin density. To establish a design method for these matrix-type tactile displays, we performed a series of psychophysical experiments using displays A and B. By evaluating variations in the correct answer percentage and threshold caused by different pin arrays and different pin strokes, we determined under what conditions the operator could best feel the virtual figures and textures. The results revealed that the two-point threshold should be adopted as the pitch between pins in the design of the tactile display, that a pin stroke should exceed 0.25 mm, and that the adjustment method is the most appropriate to evaluate the capabilities of tactile displays. Finally, when we compared the virtual texture with the real texture, we found that the threshold for the real texture is almost 1/3rd that of the virtual texture. This result implies that it is effective to present variations in patterns caused by rotation and variation in shearing force, itself produced by relative motion between the finger surface and object surface.
Development of a compact double-disk magneto-rheological fluid brake
Authors: Zhou Wei , Chew Chee-Meng , Hong Geok-Soon
Published: February 2007

This paper describes the development of a novel compact magneto-rheological (MR) fluid brake with high transmitted torque and a simple structure. The MR fluid brake has two shearing disks with an electromagnetic coil located between them. Such a structure enables the brake to have a small radial dimension and a large torque transmission capacity. In the design process, a Bingham viscoplastic model is used to predict the transmitted torque. Electromagnetic finite element analysis (FEA) is performed to assist the magnetic circuit design and structural parameters' optimization. The novel brake design is prototyped and studied. Experimental results show that a compact MR fluid brake with high transmitted torque is successfully achieved.
Shto eta? – learning Russian, teaching English
Authors: Blaisdell Bob
Published: February 2007

A further tale of language and education in New York City.
Bumping into creative idiomaticity
Authors: Prodromou Luke
Published: February 2007

Jesperson (1904:16–17) described phraseology as an ‘indispensable’ dimension of language competence, but in 1965 Chomsky banished idiomaticity to the fringes of linguistics, giving pride of place to syntax. It seems, however, that time has vindicated Jespersen's prioritizing of formulaic language. In recent years, the area of phraseology has evolved from its peripheral Chomskyan status to a fundamental role in language discussion, description, and acquisition that can be said to focus on ‘creative idiomaticity’.
Hopefully
Authors: Chaemsaithong Krisda
Published: February 2007

WITH ONLY a few exceptions, such as then and why, English adverbs are categorized as content words that express referential meanings in both the physical and abstract worlds. Like nouns and verbs, they belong to the ‘open’ class of lexemes, in which new words can be created through processes that include compounding, derivation, and borrowing. From compounding come adverbs such as hopefully (formed from the noun hope and the adjective full, plus the suffix -ly), and upstage (from the preposition up and the noun stage). By derivation, adverbs are formed from adjectives by adding -ly (as in economical-ly, sufficient-ly, and final-ly). As for borrowing from other languages, we have for example taken a range of expressions from Latin and used them as adverbs (as with ipso facto, ad nauseam, and ad infinitum).
Nigerian English
Authors: Adamo Grace Ebunlola
Published: February 2007

The present form of the English language in Nigeria is the outcome of its contact with the indigenous languages of the region: a confirmation of the truism that languages in contact influence each other. When English was initially introduced through trade, then entrenched through colonialism, it was ‘derobed’ of its British flavour. Paradoxically, such a state of affairs brings to mind a statement by Enoch Powell, a professor of Classics and former Conservative member of the British Parliament, who noted, rather eccentrically: ‘Others may speak and read English – more or less – but it is our language, not theirs. It was made in England by the English and it remains our distinctive property, however widely it is learnt or used’ (as quoted in Kujore 1995:367).
Number puzzles
Authors: Rastall Paul
Published: February 2007

Number in English is a puzzling phenomenon – not least for foreign learners, and often also for those who have to teach them. Avowedly ‘Standard’ forms of English are in something of an in-between stage. The so-called ‘singular/plural’ distinction is only partly a question of distinguishing one as opposed to more than one, while number agreement in the verb is inconsistent and not always predictable from the apparent number of the subject – as in The team was[?]/were[?] unhappy about losing the game. While some Germanic languages, and some varieies of English, have altogether discarded verbal agreement in number, standard varieties of English redundantly retain traces of it: He was, and they were, happy to hear the news. As Jespersen has put it (1979:216), ‘No distinction is made in verbs between the two numbers except in the present tense and there it is found in the third person only…. [I]n the preterit we have the solitary example was, plural were….’
Linguistic failures
Authors: Qiang Niu , Wolff Martin
Published: February 2007

Heart-felt opposition to the status and spread of English in the world at large and most particularly in China today. It can hardly be denied that England has given the world maritime law, contract law, and an international language. However, whether by accident or design, the effect of these ‘gifts’ over time has, we would argue, been the destruction of many ethnic customs, social structures, and other aspects of culture. There appears to be little or no dissent among linguists regarding the proposition that language and culture are inseparable: what affects one affects the other.

This paper discusses how the global spread of English has affected – deleteriously – many languages and cultures, and currently engages too much time and too many resources in China today. Maritime and contract law may have been less problematic.
The support of pseudomeasures on
Authors: GRAHAM COLIN C.
Published: February 2007

PM(E) denotes the set of pseudomeasures on $\mathbb{R}$ with support in the closed set E ⊆ $\mathbb{R}$. Then y ∈ $\mathbb{R}$ is not in E if and only if there is a neighbourhood W of y with $\lim_{N\to\infty} \int_{-N}^{N}(1-{|t|}/{N})e^{2\pi itw}\cal{F} S(t)\,dt=0$ uniformly for w ∈ W and S ∈ PM(E) with ‖S‖PM ≤ 1. This improves previous results by adding “uniformly” and its scope. The proof uses the fact that squashing the central spike of the Fejer kernel leads to A-norm convergence.
Quasicomponents in topos theory: the hyperpure, complete spread factorization
Authors: BUNGE MARTA , FUNK JONATHON
Published: February 2007

We establish the existence and uniqueness of a factorization for geometric morphisms that generalizes the pure, complete spread factorization for geometric morphisms with a locally connected domain. A complete spread with locally connected domain over a topos is a geometric counterpart of a Lawvere distribution on the topos, and the factorization itself is of the comprehensive type. The new factorization removes the topologically restrictive local connectedness requirement by working with quasicomponents in topos theory. In the special case when the codomain topos of the geometric morphism coincides with the base topos, the factorization gives the locale of quasicomponents of the domain topos, or its ‘0-dimensional’ reflection.
On generation of the root lattice by roots
Authors: GOODWIN SIMON M.
Published: February 2007

Let Φ be a root system and let Γ ⊆ Φ. In this short paper we prove that Γ contains a ${\mathbb Z}$-basis of the lattice that it generates.
The smallest subgroup whose invariants are hit by the Steenrod algebra
Authors: HƯNG NGUYỄN H. V. , LUONG TRAN DINH
Published: February 2007

Let V be a k-dimensional ${\mathbb{F}_2}$-vector space and let W be an n-dimensional vector subspace of V. Denote by GL(n, ${\mathbb{F}_2}$) • 1k-n the subgroup of GL(V) consisting of all isomorphisms ϕ:V → V with ϕ(W) = W and ϕ(v) ≡ v (mod W) for every v ∈ V. We show that GL(3, ${\mathbb{F}_2}$) • 1k-3 is, in some sense, the smallest subgroup of GL(V)≅ GL(k, ${\mathbb{F}_2})$, whose invariants are hit by the Steenrod algebra acting on the polynomial algebra, ${\mathbb{F}_2})\cong{\mathbb{F}_2}[x_{1},\ldots,x_{k}]$. The result is some aspect of an algebraic version of the classical conjecture that the only spherical classes inQ0S0are the elements of Hopf invariant one and those of Kervaire invariant one.
Pseudo-amenable and pseudo-contractible Banach algebras
Authors: GHAHRAMANI F. , ZHANG Y.
Published: February 2007

We introduce and study two new notions of amenability for Banach algebras. In particular we compare these notions with some of those studied earlier. We show that several classes of Banach algebras, including certain Banach algebras related to locally compact groups, are responsive to these notions.
Numerical index of Banach spaces and duality
Authors: BOYKO KOSTYANTYN , KADETS VLADIMIR , MARTÍN MIGUEL , WERNER DIRK
Published: February 2007

We present an example of a Banach space whose numerical index is strictly greater than the numerical index of its dual, giving a negative answer to a question which has been latent since the beginning of the seventies. We also show a particular case in which the numerical index of the space and the one of its dual coincide.
The fine Tate–Shafarevich group
Authors: WUTHRICH CHRISTIAN
Published: February 2007

Within the Tate–Shafarevich group of an elliptic curve E defined over a number field K, there is a canonical subgroup defined by imposing stronger conditions at the places above a given prime p. This group appears naturally in the Iwasawa theory for E. We propose a study of what one can say about the relation to the full Tate–Shafarevich group. Some numerical examples are included, as well as a few conjectures.
On Several types of universal invariants of framed links and 3-manifolds derived from Hopf algebras
Authors: TIAN JIANJUN PAUL
Published: February 2007

Without using representations of quasitriangular ribbon Hopf algebras, Hennings, Kauffman and Radford, Ohtsuki and the author gave different methods to construct invariants of links and 3-manifolds respectively. To understand these different methods and the resultant invariants, we made a comprehensive comparison study in this paper. We show the relations among the universal invariants of framed links defined by these different authors. We also figured out the relations among the resultant invariants of 3-manifolds defined by these different authors. Ignoring the difference by scalar constants and the inversion of Hopf algebras, we found that the invariants of 3-manifolds obtained by these authors are the same or equivalent to each other. Therefore, in a sense, there is only one way to construct invariants of 3-manifolds without using representation theory of Hopf algebras.
Complete minimal hypersurfaces in with zero Gauss–Kronecker curvature
Authors: HASANIS TH. , SAVAS–HALILAJ A. , VLACHOS TH.
Published: February 2007

We investigate the structure of 3-dimensional complete minimal hypersurfaces in the unit sphere with Gauss–Kronecker curvature identically zero.
A combinatorial formula for homogeneous moments
Authors: EASTWOOD MICHAEL G. , ROMÃO NUNO M.
Published: February 2007

We establish a combinatorial formula for homogeneous moments and give some examples where it can be put to use. An application to the statistical mechanics of interacting gauged vortices is discussed.
Efficient evaluation of the Brauer–Manin obstruction
Authors: BRIGHT MARTIN
Published: February 2007

The Brauer–Manin obstruction is a concept which has been very effective in finding counter-examples to the Hasse principle, that is, sets of polynomial equations which have solutions in every completion of the rational numbers but have no rational solutions. The standard way of calculating the Brauer–Manin obstruction involves listing all thep-adic solutions to some accuracy, at finitely many primesp; this is a process which may be time-consuming. The result described in this paper shows that, at some primes, we do not need to list allp-adic solutions, but only those lying over a closed subset; and, at other primes, we need only to list solutions modulop.
HNN extensions of inverse semigroups with zero
Authors: DOMBI E. R. , GILBERT N. D.
Published: February 2007

We study a construction of an HNN extension for inverse semigroups with zero. We prove a normal form for the elements of the universal group of an inverse semigroup that is categorical at zero, and use it to establish structural results for the universal group of an HNN extension. Our main application of the HNN construction is to show that graph inverse semigroups –including the polycyclic monoids –admit HNN decompositions in a natural way, and that this leads to concise presentations for them.
Evidence for interstate transmission and increase in prevalence of bovine group B rotavirus strains with a novel VP7 genotype among diarrhoeic calves in Eastern and Northern states of India
Authors: GHOSH S. , VARGHESE V. , SINHA M. , KOBAYASHI N. , NAIK T. N.
Published: February 2007

During a surveillance study (2003–2005) in a cattle market in Kolkata city, state of West Bengal, Eastern India, 34 (13·0%) of 260 calves with diarrhoea were positive for group B rotaviruses (GBR) by RNA electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Analysis of the partial VP7 gene sequence of 28 of the 34 GBR strains revealed maximum identities (97·7–99·5% at nucleotide level and 97·8–100% at amino-acid level) with the novel bovine GBR ‘Kolkata strains’ reported in an earlier surveillance study (1·5%,n=192, 2001–2002) from the same cattle market, and shared low identities of 73·7–78·9% and 80·8–89·6%; 62·6–66·2% and 59·8–65·4%; 58·9–62·2% and 48·6–54·9% at nucleotide and amino-acid level with other bovine, human, and murine GBR. The GBR-infected calves were traced to districts in neighbouring states of West Bengal. Therefore, the present study reports a rapid increase in prevalence (13·0% in 2003–2005 against 1·5% in 2001–2002) of novel GBR strains among calves with diarrhoea, and provides evidence for interstate transmission of GBR.
Influenza surveillance in Korea: establishment and first results of an epidemiological and virological surveillance scheme
Authors: LEE J.-S. , SHIN K.-C. , NA B.-K. , LEE J.-Y. , KANG C. , KIM J.-H. , PARK O. , JEONG E.-K. , LEE J.-K. , KWON J.-W. , PARK S.-C. , KIM W.-J.
Published: February 2007

Surveillance is an important component of influenza control. This report describes the establishment and first results of the Korean Influenza Surveillance Scheme (KISS), an integrated clinical and laboratory surveillance network involving 622 public health centres (PHCs) and private clinics. Sentinel physicians reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) weekly and forwarded specimens for virus isolation and characterization. Influenza activity during the opening 2000–2001 season was milder and delayed compared with previous years. The ILI consultation rate corresponded well with the number of influenza virus isolates, both peaking in week 10 of 2001. Influenza A(H3N2) was the dominant isolate. The peak ILI consultation rate was higher in private clinics than in PHCs (5·04 vs 1·79 cases/1000 visits). An evaluation questionnaire generated potential enhancements to the scheme. KISS appears to represent the pattern of influenza activity accurately and will have a valuable role in monitoring and preventing epidemics in Korea.
The burden of parvovirus B19 infection in women of childbearing age in England and Wales
Authors: VYSE A. J. , ANDREWS N. J. , HESKETH L. M. , PEBODY R.
Published: February 2007

A serological survey has been used to investigate the epidemiology of parvovirus B19 infection in England and Wales. A total of 2835 sera representing the complete age range were selected from a convenience collection obtained in 1996 that reflects the general population and screened for parvovirus B19-specific IgG. Antibody prevalence rose nonlinearly with age from 21% in those aged 1–4 years to >75% in adults aged ⩾45 years. Force-of-infection estimates were similar to those previously made in 1991, being highest in those aged <15 years. There was no association between evidence of previous infection and sex or region. Quantitatively strongest antibody responses were found in those aged 15–34 years and IgG levels in females were 28·5% higher than those found in males (P=0·004, 95% CI 8·2–52·6). Applying the upper 95% confidence interval for the force of infection to maternity estimates for England and Wales in 1996, parvovirus infection in pregnancy was estimated to occur on average in up to 1 in every 512 pregnancies each year. This represents 1257 maternal infections, causing up to an estimated 59 fetal deaths and 11 cases of hydrops fetalis annually. An analysis of all available laboratory-confirmed parvovirus infections found a mean of 944 infections per year in women aged 15–44 years highlighting a need for enhanced surveillance of maternal parvovirus B19 infection in England and Wales, including information on both pregnancy and outcome of pregnancy.
Genotypic characterization of rotaviruses and prevalence of serotype-specific serum antibodies in children in Kuwait
Authors: MARMASH R. W. , DALWAI A. K. , SZUCS G. , MOLLA A. M. , PACSA A. S. , AL-NAKIB W. , ALBERT M. J.
Published: February 2007

There are no data on the serotypes of rotaviruses prevalent in Kuwait, which has a large expatriate population and hence a focal point for transmission of pathogens. The serotype information will contribute to the fund of knowledge on the world epidemiology of rotavirus serotypes and will predict the outcome of vaccination in Kuwait. Of the 75 rotavirus-positive samples from 172 children (aged <5 years) with severe diarrhoea, 69 were genotyped. The distribution of genotypes was G1 (63·8%) followed by G9 (10·2%), G2 (7·3%), G4 (7·3%) and G3 (4·4%). Among the P types, P[8] was the most common type found across all G types. By fluorescent focus neutralization test, serum antibodies to genotypes G1 (94%), G4 (68%) and G9 (46%) were found in 120 other children. These results show that G1 is the predominant serotype in Kuwait and that a vaccine that contains G1 will be most effective.
Morbidity profiles of patients consulting during influenza and respiratory syncytial virus active periods
Authors: FLEMING D. M. , ELLIOT A. J. , CROSS K. W.
Published: February 2007

We compared the burden of illness due to a spectrum of respiratory diagnostic categories among persons presenting in a sentinel general practice network in England and Wales during periods of influenza and of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity. During all periods of viral activity, incidence rates of influenza-like illness, bronchitis and common cold were elevated compared to those in baseline periods. Excess rates per 100 000 of acute bronchitis were greater in children aged <1 year (median difference 2702, 95% CI 929–4867) and in children aged 1–4 years (994, 95% CI 338–1747) during RSV active periods rather than influenza; estimates for the two viruses were similar in other age groups. Excess rates of influenza-like illness in all age groups were clearly associated with influenza virus activity. For common cold the estimates of median excess rates were significantly higher in RSV active periods for the age groups <1 year (3728, 95% CI 632–5867) and 5–14 years (339, 95% CI 59–768); estimates were similar in other age groups for the two viruses. The clinical burden of disease associated with RSV is as great if not greater than influenza in patients of all ages presenting to general practitioners.
Secular trends in the epidemiology of shingles in Alberta
Authors: RUSSELL M. L. , SCHOPFLOCHER D. P. , SVENSON L. , VIRANI S. N.
Published: February 2007

Varicella vaccine was licensed in Canada in 1998, and a publicly funded vaccination programme introduced in the province of Alberta in 2001. In theory the vaccination programme might increase the burden of disease from shingles, making it important to develop baseline data against which future comparisons can be made. The study's aim was to describe the epidemiology of non-fatal cases of shingles for which publicly funded health services were utilized for the period 1986–2002. Shingles cases were identified from the records of Alberta's universal, publicly funded health-care insurance system for 1986–2002. The earliest dated health service utilizations for ICD-9-CM codes of 053 or ICD-10-CA codes of B02 were classified as incident. Diagnostic codes at least 180 days after the first were classified as recurrent episodes. Denominators for rates were estimated using mid-year population estimates from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Registry. Annual age- and sex-specific rates were estimated. We explored the pattern of rates for sex, age and year effects and their interactions. Shingles rates increased between 1986 and 2002. There was a sex effect and evidence of an age–sex interaction. Females had higher rates than males at every age; however, the difference between females and males was greatest for the 50–54 years age group and declined for older age groups. The increased rate of shingles in Alberta began before varicella vaccine was licensed or publicly funded in Alberta, and thus cannot be attributed to vaccination.
THE CELESTIAL KINEMATICS OF IBN AL-HAYTHAM
Authors: RASHED ROSHDI
Published: February 2007

After having reformulated optics, Ibn al-Haytham conceived of an analogous project for astronomy. This has just been revealed by an important book by the mathematician which has never been studied until now. Ibn al-Haytham's reform consists in excluding all cosmology, and in developing a systematic study of a celestial kinematics that has been completely geometrized. In turn, the realization of such a reform demanded innovative research in infinitesimal geometry. In this article, an attempt is made to present this new geometry, as well as the mathematical means invented to elaborate it.
Mitral valvar prolapse is significantly associated with low body mass index in addition to mitral and tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Movahed Mohammad-Reza , Hepner Absalom D.
Published: February 2007

Introduction: An association between mitral valvar prolapse and low body mass index has been proposed. The goal of this study was to evaluate this suggested association using two independent and large databases. For comparison, we evaluated the association, if any, between bicuspid aortic valve and low body mass index. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed, using uni- and multivariate analysis, 1742 echocardiograms that were performed as a part of a cardiac screening of teenage athletes and 24,265 echocardiograms performed between 1984 and 1998 for various clinical indications. Results: The first database included a total of 12,926 (53%) female and 11,339 (47%) male patients. The second database included a total of 1172 male (67%) and 570 female (33%) high school athletes. Mitral valvar prolapse was independently associated with low body mass index in addition to mitral regurgitation in both data bases. An index less than 30 occurred in 78 of 13,874 (0.6%) as opposed to 7 of 3236 (0.2%) in the echo data base, p equal to 0.03, odds ratio: 2.4 confidence intervals: 1.1–5.2, and an index less than 20 occurred in 7 of 354 (2%) as opposed to 6 of 944 (0.6%) in the athletic data base, p equal to 0.03, odds ratio: 3.2 confidence intervals: 1.05–9.5. The finding of a bicuspid aortic valve did not have any association with low body mass index. Conclusion: In our two independent databases, mitral valvar prolapse was independently associated with low body mass index in addition to mitral and tricuspid regurgitaton. The cause of this association remains unknown.
Atrioventricular septal defect with common atrioventricular junction, common arterial trunk, and severe coarctation of the aorta in a patient with Down's syndrome
Authors: Singh Harinder R. , Pettersen Michael D.
Published: February 2007

Atrioventricular septal defect with common atrioventricular junction is rarely associated with either a common arterial trunk or coarctation of the aorta. We report, as far as we are aware, the first case of Down's syndrome with atrioventricular septal defect with common atrioventricular junction, common arterial trunk, and severe coarctation of the aorta.
The extraction of intracrystalline biomarkers and other organic compounds from sulphate minerals using a microfluidic format – a feasibility study for remote fossil-life detection using a microfluidic H-cell
Authors: Bowden Stephen A. , Wilson Rab , Taylor Colin , Cooper Jonathan M. , Parnell John
Published: February 2007

Water-soluble sulphate minerals such as epsomite and gypsum have been reported on a number of planetary bodies of astrobiological interest and their presence is often used as an indicator for potential habitability as it can indicate the presence of liquid water. The sulphate minerals can incorporate biomarkers and biomolecules as intracrystalline inclusions. These intracrystalline inclusions are protected from their exterior chemical environments and their analysis can yield a biomarker record, even in environments where extreme oxidizing conditions may have degraded any record present in non-intracrystalline organic matter. In this study, organic compounds were incorporated within epsomite as intracrystalline inclusions by co-precipitating a mineral from solutions of a mineral and organic compound. A feasibly study utilizing a microfluidic H-cell to process finely ground samples of the inclusion-bearing epsomite indicates that a similar device may be used to extract biomarkers for analysis.
Theoretical study of prebiotic precursors-2: about glycine, its N-carboxyanhydride and their protonated ions
Authors: Lattelais M. , Ellinger Y. , Zanda B.
Published: February 2007

This study was motivated by the fact that some amino acids are currently identified in carbonaceous chondrites but none are yet observed in the interstellar medium. The question of the relative stability of these prebiotic compounds with respect to the other possible species of the same chemical formula is addressed by means of quantum chemical simulations based on density functional theory (DFT). A preliminary investigation of molecules with the formula C2H5O2N shows that glycine (H2NCH2COOH) is not the most stable compound that can be formed: it is ~10 kcal mol−1 higher in energy than CH3NHCOOH, which becomes the most likely candidate for a search in space. The same argument of relative stability used to explained why formamide H2N-HC=O was identified in the interstellar medium (rather than any of its isomers) provides here a rationalization of the permanent debate about the detection of glycine. A second investigation of protonated derivatives of the same series that may result from ion molecule chemistry shows that under its nitrogen protonated form (H3N+CH2COOH) glycine does become the most stable compound. This suggests that, if glycine presently detected in chondrites has an interstellar origin, it must have been synthetized as its protonated form by ion–molecule processes. A similar study was carried out on the corresponding glycine N-carboxyanhydride. The calculated rotational constants (GHz) of glycine A=10.3603; B=3.8590; C=2.9037 (Exp: 10.3418; 3.8762; 2.9123, respectively) served as the benchmark to derive the correcting factors necessary to estimate the rotational constants of the possible candidates within a few tenths of a percent. The dipole moments were determined and the values in the range 4–6 Debye obtained for the protonated species should be large enough to initiate laboratory experiments and/or observations. Theoretical infrared spectra are also provided to assist in the identification of these exotic species.
«...weil in so einer großen Klinik, ... kann ich alleine als Blinde nichts ausrichten.» – Das Erleben blinder oder hochgradig sehbeeinträchtigter Menschen im Krankenhaus – eine empirische, explorative Untersuchung
Authors: Golde Christian
Published: February 2007

Das Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist die Exploration des Erlebens blinder oder hochgradig sehbeeinträchtigter Menschen im Rahmen eines Krankenhausaufenthaltes. Hierzu gibt es aus pflegerischer Perspektive derzeit keine Forschungsberichte im deutschen Sprachraum, weswegen ein qualitativer Forschungsansatz verwendet wurde. Acht InterviewpartnerInnen wurden durch ein Gelegenheits-Sampling in die Untersuchung einbezogen. Die inhaltsanalytische Auswertung der Daten erfolgte im Wesentlichen entlang der thematischen Inhaltsanalyse nach Burnard. Drei Problembereiche konnten konzeptualisiert werden: Mentale Raumkonzepte zur Orientierung, primär akustisch hergestellte kommunikative Resonanzfelder und Handlungstechniken. Anhand von Aussagen der InterviewteilnehmerInnen wird die Bedeutung dieser Problembereiche für die professionelle pflegerische Praxis diskutiert.
Fachenglisch für Pflegende: Aus der Praxis für die Praxis
Authors: von Klitzing Waltraut , Stoll Hansruedi , Trachsel Edith , Aldorf Kurt , Bernhard Annelis , Eze Germaine , Spirig Rebecca
Published: February 2007

Eine Voraussetzung für evidenzbasierte Pflege ist die Fähigkeit, Forschungsartikel auch in englischer Sprache zu verstehen. Um Pflegenden den sprachlichen Zugang zu erleichtern, wurde am Universitätsspital Basel ein fachspezifischer und praxisnaher Englischkurs in einem interdisziplinären Team entwickelt und durchgeführt. 15 Pflegefachpersonen aus dem Bereich Medizin, mit einer Spezialisierung in Onkologie, nahmen am Pilot-Kurs teil, der vom Pflegespezialisten für Onkologie geleitet wurde. Forschungsarbeiten zum Thema Management chronischer Krankheiten und Pflege von Krebspatienten mit chronischen Schmerzen wurden bearbeitet. Der Kurs bestand aus zehn Lektionen von je 1,5 Stunden Dauer. Der Kurs wurde wissenschaftlich evaluiert unter den Fragestellungen: 1. Verbessert sich bei den Kursteilnehmerinnen das onkologische Fachwissen durch den Kurs? 2. Verbessern sich ihre Sprachkenntnisse in Englisch? 3. Wie schätzen die Kursteilnehmerinnen das Kursniveau ein? 4. Können die Kursteilnehmerinnen das im Kurs Gelernte an Kollegen im Rahmen von Fortbildungsveranstaltungen vermitteln? Die Auswertung zeigte, dass die Kursteilnehmerinnen ihr Fachwissen signifikant erweitern konnten. Ihre Kompetenz in Englisch veränderte sich durch den Kurs jedoch nicht. Sie erlebten das Kursniveau als anspruchsvoll und waren in der Lage, aufgrund der bearbeiteten englischen Quellen eine Fortbildung für ihre Kolleginnen durchzuführen, die sowohl vom Kursleiter als auch von den Zuhörern gute Bewertungen erhielt.
GPS height time series: Short‐period origins of spurious long‐period signals
Authors: Penna Nigel T. , King Matt A. , Stewart Mike P.
Published: February 2007

GPS height time series used in geophysical studies are often formed from discrete, continuous, nonoverlapping 24 hour processing sessions. With such a strategy, unmodeled periodic ground displacements with approximately semidiurnal and diurnal periods have often been assumed to average close to zero. By analyzing several years of continuous GPS data from globally distributed sites at which controlled errors were not modeled, this paper shows such an assumption to be erroneous. It is shown that each unmodeled (sub‐) daily periodic displacement can propagate to several spurious long‐wavelength features in a GPS height time series, ranging in period from about 2 weeks to 1 year. Admittances (ratio of amplitude of spurious long‐wavelength output signal in the GPS height time series to amplitude of unmodeled periodic ground displacement) depend on the coordinate component and the tidal constituent considered. For example, it is shown that an unmodeled S2 north component periodic ground displacement can propagate to a semiannual height signal with admittance of greater than 100%, whereas the height admittance is around 5–10%. Since model errors in ocean tide loading, atmospheric pressure loading, and solid earth tide displacement amplitudes can be several millimeters, long‐wavelength spurious signals of up to these amplitudes may be expected to appear in GPS height time series. This paper provides an indication of how such errors will propagate, where such errors are greatest and hence how spurious fortnightly, semiannual, and, in some cases, annual effects may be present at some sites.
Lava flow identification and aging by means of lidar intensity: Mount Etna case
Authors: Mazzarini Francesco , Pareschi Maria Teresa , Favalli Massimiliano , Isola Ilaria , Tarquini Simone , Boschi Enzo
Published: February 2007

An application of light detection and ranging (lidar) intensity for the identification and mapping of different lava flows from the Mount Etna (Italy) active volcano is described. In September 2004 an airborne lidar survey was flown over summit sectors of Mount Etna. The information derived from lidar intensity values was used to compare the lava flows with respect to their age of emplacement. Analyzed lava flows vary in age between those dating prior to A.D. 1610 and those active during the survey (2004–2005 eruptions). The target‐emitter distance, as well as surface roughness and texture at the lidar footprint scale, is the main parameter controlling the intensity response of lava flows. Variations in the roughness and texture of surfaces at a meter scale result from two main processes, initial lava cooling and subsequent surface weathering; both lead to variations in the original surface roughness of the flow. In summary: (1) initially, from the time of emplacement, the lidar intensity of lava flow surfaces decreases and (2) about 6 years after emplacement the lidar intensity of lava surfaces starts to increase with the age of flows. Lidar capability in terms of geometric (accuracy of ∼1 m in plan position and less than 1 m in elevation) and spectral (lidar intensity depends on surface reflection at λ = 1.064 μm) information can thus be effectively used to map lava flows and to define a relative chronology of lava emplacement.
Compaction in the Nankai and Barbados accretionary prisms: New insights from logging‐while‐drilling data
Authors: Hunze Sabine , Wonik Thomas
Published: February 2007

Sediment deformation, changes in physical properties, and fluid migration can be studied under well‐defined conditions in accretionary prisms. Our investigations focused on the accretionary prisms of Barbados (Caribbean) and Nankai (Japan) to interpret the effects of compaction on different lithologies during accretion. The interpretation is based on very good quality logging‐while‐drilling data. Statistical data analysis is used to determine sediment composition and its specific physical properties. Finally, the sediments are decompacted to determine the initial compaction before accretion and thus to quantify both the lateral and the vertical compaction components. This investigation shows that different lithologies undergo similar compaction and porosity reduction. The porosity differences of selected sediment layers between adjacent sites are significantly lower in Nankai than in Barbados, which implies higher fluid expulsion in Nankai. Decompaction of these sediment layers proves that the lateral compaction component is higher than the vertical compaction component.
Temperatures in ambient mantle and plumes: Constraints from basalts, picrites, and komatiites
Authors: Herzberg C. , Asimow P. D. , Arndt N. , Niu Y. , Lesher C. M. , Fitton J. G. , Cheadle M. J. , Saunders A. D.
Published: February 2007

Several methods have been developed to assess the thermal state of the mantle below oceanic ridges, islands, and plateaus, on the basis of the petrology and geochemistry of erupted lavas. One leads to the conclusion that mantle potential temperature (i.e., TP) of ambient mantle below oceanic ridges is 1430°C, the same as Hawaii. Another has ridges with a large range in ambient mantle potential temperature (i.e., TP = 1300–1570°C), comparable in some cases to hot spots (Klein and Langmuir, 1987; Langmuir et al., 1992). A third has uniformly low temperatures for ambient mantle below ridges, ∼1300°C, with localized 250°C anomalies associated with mantle plumes. All methods involve assumptions and uncertainties that we critically evaluate. A new evaluation is made of parental magma compositions that would crystallize olivines with the maximum forsterite contents observed in lava flows. These are generally in good agreement with primary magma compositions calculated using the mass balance method of Herzberg and O'Hara (2002), and differences reflect the well‐known effects of fractional crystallization. Results of primary magma compositions we obtain for mid‐ocean ridge basalts and various oceanic islands and plateaus generally favor the third type of model but with ambient mantle potential temperatures in the range 1280–1400°C and thermal anomalies that can be 200–300°C above this background. Our results are consistent with the plume model.
Influence of the water content on X‐ray fluorescence core‐scanning measurements in soft marine sediments
Authors: Tjallingii Rik , Röhl Ursula , Kölling Martin , Bickert Torsten
Published: February 2007

The X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanner provides bulk‐sediment chemistry data measured nondestructively at the split core sediment surface. Although this method is widely accepted, there is little known about the effects of physical properties such as density and water content on XRF core scanner data. Comparison of XRF scanner measurements from the sediment surface and dry powder samples of sediment core GeoB7920 indicates strongly reduced element intensities for the lighter elements Al and Si. We relate the lower element intensities of the measurements taken at the sediment surface to the amount of water in the sample volume analyzed by the XRF core scanner. The heavier elements K, Ca, Ti, and Fe remain relatively unaffected by the variation of any physical property within sediment core GeoB7920. Additionally, we successfully use the elemental intensity of Cl as a proxy for the seawater content in the sample volume analyzed by the XRF core scanner. This enables the establishment of a correction function for the elements Al and Si that corrects for the radiation absorption of the water content in sediment core GeoB7920 off Cape Blanc, NW Africa.
Identifying and removing noise from the Monterey ocean bottom broadband seismic station (MOBB) data
Authors: Dolenc David , Romanowicz Barbara , Uhrhammer Robert , McGill Paul , Neuhauser Doug , Stakes Debra
Published: February 2007

When compared to quiet land stations, the very broadband Monterey ocean bottom seismic station (MOBB) shows increased long‐period background as well as signal‐generated noise. Both sources of noise are unavoidable in shallow ocean bottom installations, and postprocessing is required to remove them from seismic observations. The long‐period background noise observed for periods longer than 20 s is mainly due to infragravity waves and ocean currents. The shorter‐period signal‐generated noise, on the other hand, is due to reverberations of the seismic waves in the shallow sedimentary layers as well as in the water layer. We first present the steps that were taken prior to and during the instrument deployment to minimize instrument generated noise as well as to avoid noise due to water flow around the instrument. We then present results from two postprocessing methods that can be used to remove the long‐period background noise, which both utilize the ocean bottom pressure signal locally recorded on a differential pressure gauge (DPG). One consists of subtracting the locally recorded ocean bottom pressure from the vertical seismic acceleration signal. In this case the frequency‐independent scale factor is linearly estimated from the data. The other one makes use of the transfer function between the vertical seismic and pressure signal to predict the vertical component deformation signal. The predicted signal is then removed from the vertical seismic data in either frequency or time domain. We also present two methods that can be used to remove the signal‐generated noise. One employs the empirical transfer function constructed from MOBB data and nearby land station data that do not show the signal‐generated noise. The other one uses a synthetic transfer function computed by modeling the response of shallow layers at the MOBB location. Using either of the two transfer functions, most of the signal‐generated noise can be removed from the MOBB data by deconvolution.
Measurements of NOX produced by rocket‐triggered lightning
Authors: Rahman M. , Cooray V. , Rakov V. A. , Uman M. A. , Liyanage P. , DeCarlo B. A. , Jerauld J. , Olsen R. C.
Published: February 2007

We present the first direct measurements of NOX generated by specific lightning sources. In July 2005, three negative lightning flashes were triggered using the rocket‐and‐wire technique at the International Center for Lightning Research and Testing (ICLRT) at Camp Blanding, Florida. The NOX produced by these three rocket‐triggered flashes was measured. The NOX production per unit charge was between 2 and 3 · 1020 molecules per meter per coulomb. The data show that the NOX production is primarily from long‐duration, steady currents, as opposed to microsecond‐scale impulsive return stroke currents. This observation implies that cloud discharges, which transfer, via a steady current of the order of 100 A, larger charges than ground discharges, but do not contain return strokes, are as efficient as (or more efficient than) cloud‐to‐ground discharges in producing NOX.
On the Arctic climate paradox and the continuing role of atmospheric circulation in affecting sea ice conditions
Authors: Maslanik James , Drobot Sheldon , Fowler Charles , Emery William , Barry Roger
Published: February 2007

The reduction in ice cover observed in the late 1980s and early 1990s has been attributed to the strongly positive Arctic Oscillation (AO) phase during that time. However, despite a change in the AO to more neutral conditions since then, ice extent and the fraction of old ice have continued to decrease. This mismatch between the AO index and loss of ice can be explained by the frequency of three main sea level pressure (SLP) patterns that yield overall variability in SLP, rather than the presence of a single, coherent physical pattern of SLP reduction associated with the positive mode of the AO. These three patterns were in phase during the peak AO period but their frequency has varied differently since then, with two of the patterns continuing to contribute to reduced ice cover in the western Arctic. Hence, regional atmospheric circulation remains a significant factor in recent reductions in ice cover.