bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term safety, efficacy, dosing, and development of resistance with botulinum toxin type B in cervical dystonia
Authors: Berman Brian , Seeberger Lauren , Kumar Rajeev
Published: September 2004

Short‐term studies of cervical dystonia (CD) have demonstrated botulinum toxin type B (Bot B) to be safe and efficacious at doses of 5,000 to 10,000 units, but few long‐term studies have been published and the safety and efficacy of higher doses has not been established. Additionally, there are few studies describing the development of resistance to Bot B in those with and without prior resistance to botulinum toxin type A (Bot A). We reviewed our experience with 24 patients treated with Bot B for up to 64 months. Patients were treated with Bot B for 26.2 ± 20.4 months (range, 3–64 months) with a mean treatment dose of 14,828 ± 6,824 units (range, 2,500–28,000 units). At last follow‐up, 12 patients demonstrated ongoing benefit, 8 patients had become secondarily resistant, and 4 patients were primary nonresponders possibly due to the severity and nature of their CD. Nine of the 12 continued responders and 7 of the 8 secondary nonresponders to Bot B had prior probable or definite clinical resistance to Bot A. No severe adverse events related to Bot B were seen. Treatment of patients with severe CD who continue to show a beneficial response to Bot B injections commonly requires doses of 15,000 units and rarely greater than 20,000 units. Patients may continue to respond for up to 64 months. Prior Bot A resistance may be a risk factor for the development of resistance to Bot B; nevertheless, Bot B can be a useful long‐term alternative in some Bot A‐resistant CD patients. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Etiological and therapeutical observations in a case of belly dancer's dyskinesia
Authors: Linazasoro Girutz , Van Blercom Nadège , Lasa Asier , Fernández José Manuel , Aranzábal Inés
Published: September 2004

We report on the case of a woman with belly dancer's syndrome. This case presented two peculiarities: (1) the condition was induced by the chronic use of clebopride, and (2) abdominal dyskinesias showed a dramatic response to the application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Synthesis and non‐isothermal crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐terephthalate)s
Authors: Lee Byeongdu , Lee Jin Won , Lee Seung Woo , Yoon Jinhwan , Ree Moonhor
Published: September 2004

A series of poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐terephthalate)s were synthesized by melt polycondensation of ethylene glycol (EG) with dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) in various proportions. The DMT‐rich polymers were obtained with reasonably high molecular weights, whereas the DMP‐rich polymers were synthesized with relatively low molecular weights due to steric effects associated with the highly kinked DMP monomer. The compositions and thermal properties of the polymers were determined. The copolymers containing DMP in amounts of ≤ 21 mol% were crystallizable, whereas the other polymers were not. All the polymers exhibited a single glass transition temperature. Analysis of the measured glass transition temperatures and crystal melting temperatures confirmed that the DMT‐rich copolymers are random copolymers. The non‐isothermal crystallization behaviors of the DMT‐rich copolymers were investigated by calorimetry and modified Avrami analysis. The Avrami exponents n were found to range from 2.7 to 3.8, suggesting that the copolymers crystallize via a heterogeneous nucleation and spherulitic growth mechanism; that is, the incorporation of DMP units as the minor component does not change the growth mechanism of the copolymers. In addition, the activation energies of the crystallizations of the copolymers were determined; the copolymers were found to have higher activation energies than the PET homopolymer. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1682–1691, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Essential work of fracture of rubber‐modified polyamide 6 in impact
Authors: Lievana Emiliano , Bernal Celina , Frontini Patricia
Published: September 2004

In this paper the impact fracture behavior of two commercial, 10% and 25%, rubber‐modified polyamide 6 grades is investigated by the Essential Work of Fracture methodology, which implies the testing of a series of samples of different ligament lengths and the determination of the total fracture energy. The study is based on data obtained from specimens made either from thick injected plates or bars. Tests were carried out under Charpy and Izod configuration. Two modes of fracture were displayed by the blends: ductile fracture or mixed mode depending on rubber content, processing conditions and ligament lengths of the samples. When samples displayed completely stable crack propagation behavior and geometric similarity of load‐displacements diagrams, an essential work of fracture valuewIe, independent of specimen thickness and testing configuration, could be extrapolated. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1707–1715, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Rheological aspects of blends of metallocene‐catalyzed atactic polypropylenes with bitumen
Authors: Rojo Elena , Fernández Merche , Peña Juan José , Peña Begoña , Muñoz M. E. , Santamaría A.
Published: September 2004

Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and oscillatory flow measurements are carried out to investigate the rheological properties of 70/30 blends of a bitumen with metallocene catalyzed atactic polypropylenes. DMTA results indicate that saturated liquid resins of the bitumen act as a plasticizer on polypropylene. The glass transition temperature of polypropylene decreases, and the pure bitumen broad relaxation disappears, which signifies that a polypropylene‐saturated resin mixture constitutes the continuous phase. Such results are not obtained when a conventional atactic polypropylene is used in the blend. Oscillatory flow measurements show a viscosity reduction of the blends with respect to pure polypropylene, beyond what could be expected from a simple additive rule, reflecting the plasticization of polypropylene. One of the blends displays a viscoplastic behavior at low frequency, which is attributed to the presence of small crystals, formed on cooling from the mixing temperature. Some viscoelastic properties related to the use of these materials as roofing membranes are analyzed. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1792–1799, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide
Authors: Sugimoto Hiroshi , Inoue Shohei
Published: September 2004

An erratum has been published for this article in J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem (2005) 43(4) 916.

The alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide to produce polycarbonate has attracted the attention of many chemists because it is one of the most promising methodologies for the utilization of carbon dioxide as a safe, clean, and abundant raw material in synthetic chemistry. Recent development of catalysts for alternating copolymerization is based on the rational design of metal complexes, particularly complexes of transition metals with well‐defined structures. In this article, the history and recent successful examples of the alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide are described. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5561–5573, 2004
On the stabilization of nonlinear discrete‐time systems with output feedback
Authors: Magni L. , De Nicolao G. , Scattolini R.
Published: September 2004

This paper considers output‐feedback control of nonlinear discrete‐time systems using a nonlinear state‐feedback controller combined with a nonlinear observer. Under suitable assumptions, either asymptotic stability or exponential stability of the closed‐loop system are established. These results have a general validity and are essential in many advanced nonlinear control techniques, such as model predictive control of nonlinear discrete‐time systems, where many algorithms for the solution of the state‐feedback control problem have been proposed in recent years. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of ethanol infusion on the effects of 35% CO2challenge. A study in panic disorder patients and healthy volunteers
Authors: Cosci F. , De Gooyer T. , Schruers K. , Faravelli C. , Griez E.
Published: September 2004

Alcohol and panic disorders co-occur at a rate that exceeds chance significantly. Early experimental work suggests that alcoholic subjects, compared to non-alcoholics, are less sensitive to sodium lactate and that alcohol intake reduces the response to a 35% CO2challenge in Panic Disorder patients. The present study documents the direct pharmacological effect of ethanol infusion on CO2induced panic.

Methods

According to a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over design 10 drug free panic disorder patients and 16 healthy volunteers underwent a 35% CO2challenge after intravenous infusion of a moderate dose of ethanol on one test day and of placebo on another test day.

Results

Compared to the placebo condition, the effect of the CO2challenge was significantly smaller after ethanol infusion (P= 0.041).

Discussion

A moderate dose of ethanol decreased the response to a 35% CO2without inducing pre challenge sedation.

Conclusion

The results comfort earlier findings of a direct pharmacological effect of ethanol on panic.
The validity of using self-reports to assess emotion regulation abilities in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Berthoz Sylvie , Hill Elisabeth L.
Published: September 2004

Purpose

The current paper focused on the validity of using self-reports to assess emotion regulation abilities in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). To assess this we sought responses to two alexithymia self-reports and a depression self-report at two time points from adults with and without ASD.

Materials and methods

An initial sample of 27 adults with ASD and 35 normal adults completed the 20-item Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20), the Bermond and Vorst alexithymia questionnaire-form B (BVAQ-B), and the Beck depression inventory (BDI), at test time 1. Of these individuals, 19 ASD and 29 controls participated again after a period ranging from 4 to 12 months.

Results

ASD participants were able to report about their own emotions using self-reports. BVAQ-B showed reasonable convergent validity and test–retest reliability in both groups. Scores on both alexithymia scales were stable across the two participant groups. However, results revealed that although the TAS-20 total score discriminated between the two groups at both time points, the BVAQ-B total score did not. Moreover, the TAS-20 showed stronger test–retest reliability than the BVAQ-B.

Conclusion

ASD participants appeared more depressed and more alexithymic than the controls. The use of the BVAQ-B, as an additional assessment of alexithymia, indicated that ASD patients have a specific type of alexithymia characterised by increased difficulties in the cognitive domain rather than the affective aspects of alexithymia.
Mutation of the small acidic tract A1 drastically reduces nucleoplasmin activity
Authors: Salvany Lara , Chiva Manel , Arnan Carme , Ausió Juan , Subirana Juan A. , Saperas Núria
Published: September 2004

Xenopus laevis nucleoplasmin is a molecular chaperone that mediates sperm decondensation and nucleosome assembly. Nucleoplasmin has three acidic tracts (A1, A2 and A3) and until recent years the long polyglutamic tract A2 was thought to be the binding site for basic proteins. However, the latest publications in this field show that neither A2 nor A3 is indispensable for histone and sperm‐specific protein binding. In this work, we show that the mutation of only four acidic amino acid residues of the small A1 tract drastically reduces nucleoplasmin decondensing activity, pointing out this region as the potential binding site for sperm proteins.
Molecular cloning in yeast by in vivo homologous recombination of the yeast putative α1 subunit of the voltage‐gated calcium channel
Authors: Iida Kazuko , Tada Tomoko , Iida Hidetoshi
Published: September 2004

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has only one gene encoding a putative voltage‐gated Ca2+ channel pore‐forming subunit, CCH1, which is not possible to be cloned by conventional molecular cloning techniques using Escherichia coli. Here, we report the successful cloning of CCH1 in yeast by in vivo homologous recombination without using E. coli. Overexpression of the cloned CCH1 or MID1 alone, which encodes a putative stretch‐activated Ca2+ channel component, does not increase Ca2+ uptake activity, but co‐overexpression results in a 2‐ to 3‐fold increase. Overexpression of CCH1 does not substantially complement the lethality and low Ca2+ uptake activity of a mid1 mutant and vice versa. These results indicate that co‐overproduction of Cch1 and Mid1 is sufficient to increase Ca2+ uptake activity.
Overexpression of AtHMA4 enhances root‐to‐shoot translocation of zinc and cadmium and plant metal tolerance
Authors: Verret Frédéric , Gravot Antoine , Auroy Pascaline , Leonhardt Nathalie , David Pascale , Nussaume Laurent , Vavasseur Alain , Richaud Pierre
Published: September 2004

AtHMA4 is an Arabidopsis thaliana P1B‐ATPase which transports Zn and Cd. Here, we demonstrate that AtHMA4 is localized at the plasma membrane and expressed in tissues surrounding the root vascular vessels. The ectopic overexpression of AtHMA4 improved the root growth in the presence of toxic concentrations of Zn, Cd and Co. A null mutant exhibited a lower translocation of Zn and Cd from the roots to shoot. In contrast, the AtHMA4 overexpressing lines displayed an increase in the zinc and cadmium shoot content. Altogether, these results strongly indicate that AtHMA4 plays a role in metal loading in the xylem.
Identification of genes regulated by oleic acid in Jurkat cells by suppressive subtractive hybridization analysis
Authors: Martins de Lima Thais , de Oliveira Rodrigues Leonardo , Henrique Bengtson Mario , Cleide Sogayar Mari , Nogueira Alves Bezerra Camila , Amaral Rebouças Nancy , Curi Rui
Published: September 2004

In this study, the effect of oleic acid (50 μM) on gene expression of Jurkat cells (human T lymphocytes cell line) was examined using the suppressive subtractive hybridization approach. This technique allowed us to identify genes with higher or lower expression after cell treatment with oleic acid as compared to untreated cells. Oleic acid upregulated the expression of the translation elongation factor alpha 1 and ATP synthase 8 and downregulated gp96 (human tumor rejection antigen gp96), heat‐shock protein 60 and subtilisin‐like protein 4. These results suggest that oleic acid, at plasma physiological concentration, can regulate the expression of important genes to maintain the machinery that ensures cell functioning.
An angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist, telmisartan augments glucose uptake and GLUT4 protein expression in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes
Authors: Fujimoto Muneya , Masuzaki Hiroaki , Tanaka Tomohiro , Yasue Shintaro , Tomita Tsutomu , Okazawa Kayoko , Fujikura Junji , Chusho Hideki , Ebihara Ken , Hayashi Tatsuya , Hosoda Kiminori , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: September 2004

Evidence has accumulated that some of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists have insulin‐sensitizing property. We thus examined the effect of telmisartan on insulin action using 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. With standard differentiation inducers, a higher dose of telmisartan effectively facilitated differentiation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Treatment of both differentiating adipocytes and fully differentiated adipocytes with telmisartan caused a dose‐dependent increase in mRNA levels for PPARγ target genes such as aP2 and adiponectin. By contrast, telmisartan attenuated 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 mRNA level in differentiated adipocytes. Of note, we demonstrated for the first time that telmisartan augmented GLUT4 protein expression and 2‐deoxy glucose uptake both in basal and insulin‐stimulated state of adipocytes, which may contribute, at least partly, to its insulin‐sensitizing ability.
Transcriptomic responses to cadmium in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus
Authors: Jacob Christophe , Courbot Mikaël , Martin Francis , Brun Annick , Chalot Michel
Published: September 2004

The molecular mechanisms underlying the response of ectomycorrhizal fungi to heavy metals in general and cadmium in particular remain poorly understood. We screened 2040 arrayed cDNAs of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus to identify cadmium‐responsive genes by using differential hybridization. Forty nine (2.4%) of the 2040 cDNAs were differentially expressed, among which transcripts coding a laccase, an aconitase, and a metallothionein were upregulated by 3.9‐, 3.7‐ and 2.8‐fold, respectively, whereas genes coding hydrophobins and threonine dehydratase were strongly downregulated. Our results suggest that complexation of cadmium by phenolic compounds, or by complexing peptides such as metallothioneins, is probably key determinant of the cellular response to cadmium in P. involutus. In addition, the present study suggests that the synthesis of hydrophobins may be efficiently reduced, thus redirecting Cys to the manufacture of Cys‐enriched compounds.
The C‐terminal 26‐residue peptide of serpin A1 stimulates proliferation of breast and liver cancer cells: role of protein kinase C and CD47
Authors: Congote Luis Fernando , Temmel Nyssa
Published: September 2004

C26, the C‐terminal 26 residue peptide of serpin A1, significantly increased cell proliferation in cultures of hepatoma cells, but not in porcine kidney epithelial cells, human skin fibroblasts or keratinocytes. The mitogenic activity of C26 was preferentially inhibited with a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, an antibody against CD47 and CD47 short interfering RNA. The mutant C26‐K19R,N22M, imitating a thrombospondin‐like cell adhesion motif, increased the mitogenic activity in both Hep G2 cells and MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Phosphorylation of C26 at T24 (a putative PKC phosphorylation site) resulted in a 1.9–2.5 increase in mitogenic activity over C26 in MCF‐7 cells.
The SEP domain of p47 acts as a reversible competitive inhibitor of cathepsin L
Authors: Soukenik Michael , Diehl Anne , Leidert Martina , Sievert Volker , Büssow Konrad , Leitner Dietmar , Labudde Dirk , Ball Linda J. , Lechner Annette , Nägler Dorit K. , Oschkinat Hartmut
Published: September 2004

The solution structure of the human p47 SEP domain in a construct comprising residues G1‐S2‐p47(171–270) was determined by NMR spectroscopy. A structure‐derived hypothesis about the domains' function was formulated and pursued in binding experiments with cysteine proteases. The SEP domain was found to be a reversible competitive inhibitor of cathepsin L with a K

i
of 1.5 μM. The binding of G1‐S2‐p47(171–270) to cathepsin L was mapped by biochemical assays and the binding interface was investigated by NMR chemical shift perturbation experiments.
A new tibial coordinate system improves the precision of anterior–posterior knee laxity measurements: A cadaveric study using Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis
Authors: Roos P. J. , Neu C. P. , Hull M. L. , Howell S. M.
Published: September 2004

Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) can be used to measure changes in anterior–posterior (A–P) knee laxity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Previous measurements of A–P knee laxity using RSA have employed a tibial coordinate system with the origin placed midway between the tips of the tibial‐eminences. However, the precision in measuring A–P knee laxity might be improved if the origin was placed on the flexion–extension axis of rotation of the knee. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a center‐of‐rotation tibial coordinate system with the origin placed midway between the centers of the posterior femoral condyles, which closely approximates the flexion–extension center‐of‐rotation of the knee, improves the precision in measuring A–P knee laxity compared to the tibial‐eminence‐based coordinate system. A–P knee laxity was measured using each coordinate system six times in three human cadaveric knees implanted with 0.8‐mm diameter tantalum markers. For each laxity measurement, the knee was placed in a custom loading apparatus and biplanar radiographs were obtained while the knee resisted a 44 N posterior shear force and 136 N anterior shear force. A–P knee laxity was determined from the change in position of the tibia, with respect to the femur, resulting from the posterior and anterior shear forces. The precision for each coordinate system was calculated as the pooled standard deviation of A–P knee laxity measurements. The precision of the center‐of‐rotation coordinate system was 0.33 mm, which was about a factor of 2 better than the 0.62mm precision of the tibial‐eminence coordinate system (p = 0.006). The 0.33mm precision with the center‐of‐rotation coordinate system suggests that an observed change of either 0.56mm (i.e. 1.7 standard deviations) or greater in A–P knee laxity over time is a real change and not due to measurement error when the new tibial coordinate system is used and other factors contributing to variability are controlled as was done in this study. Accordingly, clinicians and researchers should consider the use of this alternate tibial coordinate system when making serial measurements of A–P knee laxity using RSA because the improved precision allows for the observation of smaller differences. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Modernising Government and the Law in Scotland
Authors: Fraser Alan
Published: September 2004

Alan Fraser of the Scottish Executive's 21st Century Government Unit explains how they are helping the public sector in Scotland to modernise its service provision to embrace electronic delivery methods, data sharing and development of best practices, all to improve the ordinary citizens' access to information.
Editorial
Authors: Miskin Christine
Published: September 2004

Following on from the Editorial in the Summer issue of the journal, where we looked forward to a discussion on publisher's pricing practices, the Publishers' Panel duly took place at the Edinburgh Conference. The AALL Guide to Fair Practices for Legal Publishers was explained to us by Tory Trotta, incoming President of AALL. Unfortunately, the issue of pricing is not included in the Guide as AALL believe it is an area in which AALL should not intervene, as long as publishers are behaving in a fair and legal manner. The draft BIALL Code was also discussed and there were some interesting contributions from the floor on how relations with publishers could be improved, but the thorny subject of pricing was not given an airing.
The impact of galactosaemia on quality of life—A pilot study
Authors: Lambert C. , Boneh A.
Published: September 2004

Summary: Galactosaemia (galactose‐1‐phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency) is a pan‐ethnic autosomal recessive disorder of galactose metabolism, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 40–50 000. In this pilot study, we aimed to examine the impact of galactosaemia on patients' everyday emotions, schooling, work, friendships, communication, physical activities, self‐esteem and body image. We interviewed all patients with galactosaemia who attended our clinic over 2002–2003, aged 6 years and above (n = 13, age range 6–23 years) and, when possible, their parents (n = 12). The questionnaire used was based on an adaptation of the Minneapolis–Manchester QOL survey and the Australian Child Health Questionnaire. Interpersonal problems, bullying and having a hard time getting along with others, excessive anger on a regular basis, sleeping problems and problems with academic achievement, particularly with mathematics, were common. Significant differences were found between patients' and parents' perceptions, with 7/13 patients nominating the dietary restrictions and 4/7 parents nominating long‐term issues as the most distressing aspect of having galactosaemia. In addition, most patients felt they were treated differently from their siblings by their parents, yet all parents felt they treated their child with galactosaemia as their other children. We conclude that galactosaemia has a significant impact on the psychosocial aspects of patients' lives. Clinicians should be aware that parents and patients can have different perspectives of the impact of galactosaemia on quality of life.
Lipid‐storage myopathy and respiratory insufficiency due to ETFQO mutations in a patient with late‐onset multiple acyl‐CoA dehydrogenation deficiency
Authors: Olsen R. K. J. , Pourfarzam M. , Morris A. A. M. , Dias R. C. , Knudsen I. , Andresen B. S. , Gregersen N. , Olpin S. E.
Published: September 2004

Summary: We report a patient with lipid‐storage myopathy due to multiple acyl‐CoA dehydrogenation deficiency (MADD). Molecular genetic analysis showed that she was compound heterozygous for mutations in the gene for electron transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETFQO). Despite a good initial response to treatment, she developed respiratory insufficiency at age 14 years and has required long‐term overnight ventilation. Thus, MADD is one of the few conditions that can cause a myopathy with weakness of the respiratory muscles out of proportion to the limb muscles.
Allelic heterogeneity of glycogen storage disease type Ib in French patients: A study of 11 cases
Authors: Trioche P. , Petit F. , Francoual J. , Gajdos V. , Capel L. , Poüs C. , Labrune P.
Published: September 2004

Summary: Eleven patients with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib) were studied. Using a combination of single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, restriction enzyme digestion and direct sequencing, we were able to identify 21/22 mutant alleles comprising 12 different mutations in the glucose‐6‐phosphate translocase gene (G6PT). Among these, one is a novel mutation of G6PT: 855T>;C (L229P).
Diagnostic and treatment challenges of neuronopathic Gaucher disease: Two caseswith an intermediate phenotype
Authors: Hanna R. , McDonald M. T. , Sullivan J. A. , Mackey J. F. , Krishnamurthy V. , Kishnani P. S.
Published: September 2004

Summary: Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disorder with a broad, overlapping clinical spectrum. The presented two case reports highlight the clinical evaluation required in neuronopathic GD to assist with medical management and genetic counselling.
Inorganic composition of fine particles in mixed mineral dust–pollution plumes observed from airborne measurements during ACE‐Asia
Authors: Maxwell‐Meier K. , Weber R. , Song C. , Orsini D. , Ma Y. , Carmichael G. R. , Streets D. G.
Published: September 2004

Chemical characteristics of inorganic water‐soluble aerosol particles measured in large Asian springtime dust events during the Asian Pacific Regional Characterization Experiment (ACE‐Asia) were investigated. Three specific flights (flights 6, 7, and 10) in the Yellow Sea boundary layer with high mineral dust concentrations mixed with pollutants from Asian urban centers are presented. Measurements during a similar campaign, Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACE‐P), in the same region suggested that fine‐particle ammonium sulfate and nitrate salts, and potassium, apparently from biomass burning, are common particle ionic constituents in polluted air. Observations from the ACE campaign show similar characteristics and found that the main component of water‐soluble mineral dust was Mg2+ and Ca2+. Ion charge balances of measured fine and total aerosol suggest that a significant fraction of the Mg2+ and Ca2+ observed were in the form of carbonates. In polluted air mixed with dust that advected directly from large urban regions in roughly half a day to 1 day (flights 6 and 7), much of the fine‐particle nitrate and sulfate (approximately 80%) was apparently associated with ammonium or potassium, the rest likely associated with mineral dust. Only air masses that spent 2–5 days over the Yellow Sea (flight 10) had clear evidence of Cl− depletion. Initial mass accommodation coefficients much less than 0.1 for uptake of SO2 or HNO3 by mineral dust in urban plumes containing fossil fuel and biomass‐burning emissions could explain the observations. The data suggest an accommodation coefficient dependence on relative humidity.
Development of an antenna and multipath calibration system for Global Positioning System sites
Authors: Park K.‐D. , Elósegui P. , Davis J. L. , Jarlemark P. O. J. , Corey B. E. , Niell A. E. , Normandeau J. E. , Meertens C. E. , Andreatta V. A.
Published: September 2004

Site‐dependent errors such as antenna phase‐center variations, multipath, and scattering can have a significant effect on high‐precision applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Determination of these errors has proven to be elusive since no method has been developed to measure these effects accurately in situ. We have designed and constructed a prototype Antenna and Multipath Calibration System (AMCS) to obtain such in situ corrections. The primary components of the AMCS are a steerable parabolic antenna, two GPS receivers, and a computer for control and data‐logging functions. We obtain phase corrections for site‐dependent errors by forming the difference between the carrier‐beat phases from the GPS antenna to be calibrated and from the AMCS antenna, which is relatively free of such errors. Preliminary “sky maps” of the antenna phase and multipath contributions show root‐mean‐square (RMS) phase variations that are a factor of 10 or more greater than the AMCS system noise, which is ∼0.5 mm. To explore the source of this “noise,” we acquired observations over small (few degrees) patches of the sky. From the analysis of these experiments we concluded that the source of the phase variations was antenna and multipath errors that vary by ∼5 mm amplitude over small changes in satellite direction. Thus, for example, differences of 1° in elevation angle can result in several millimeter variations in phase. Similarly, small variations in azimuth angle can also result in significant phase variations. We have also observed day‐to‐day millimeter‐level changes in the calibration. We hypothesize that these phase variations are due to changes in multipath caused by changes in the local electromagnetic environment associated with, e.g., weather.
Assessing the reproducibility of coral‐based climate records
Authors: Stephans Christie L. , Quinn Terrence M. , Taylor Frederick W. , Corrège Thierry
Published: September 2004

We perform replication tests using monthly variations in Sr/Ca and δ18O in four cores from three Porites lutea coral heads from New Caledonia to assess the reproducibility of coral‐based climate records. Coral Sr/Ca (δ18O) records are well correlated to each other and to the instrumental SST record (1967–1992), especially in terms of differences in the mean values of 25‐year SST records (∼0.2°C, Sr/Ca‐SST; 0.6°C, δ18O‐SST). The average error associated with the coral Sr/Ca‐SST (δ18O‐SST) of any particular month, season or year is ∼0.8°C (1.1°C), 0.6°C (0.8°C) and 0.5°C (0.6°C), respectively. “Stacking” or averaging the individual proxy records reduces the error between observed and predicted SST, although the reduction is small for coral Sr/Ca. Excellent reproducibility among the coral proxies implies that reliable climate records can be generated from a single coral core and that coral Sr/Ca‐SST records are not compromised, beyond the errors stated herein, by non‐temperature‐related biological effects.
Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) observations of increases in Asian aerosol in winter from 1979 to 2000
Authors: Massie Steven T. , Torres Omar , Smith Steven J.
Published: September 2004

Emission inventories indicate that the largest increases in SO2 emissions have occurred in Asia during the last 20 years. By inference, the largest increases in aerosol, produced primarily by the conversion of SO2 to sulfate, should have occurred in Asia during the same time period. Decadal changes in regional aerosol optical depths are calculated by analyzing Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) vertical aerosol optical depths (converted to 550 nm) from 1979 to 2000 on a 1° by 1° global grid. The anthropogenic component of the TOMS aerosol record is maximized by examining the seasonal cycles of desert dust and boreal fire smoke and identifying the months of the year for which the desert dust and boreal fire smoke are least conspicuous. Gobi and Taklimakan desert dust in Asia is prevalent in the TOMS record during spring, and eastern Siberian smoke from boreal forest fires is prevalent during summer. Aerosol trends are calculated on a regional basis during winter (November–February) to maximize the anthropogenic component of the aerosol record. Large increases in aerosol optical depths between 1979 and 2000 are present over the China coastal plain and the Ganges River basin in India. Aerosol increased by 17% per decade during winter over the China coastal plain, while SO2 emissions over the same geographical region increased by 35% per decade.
Evaluation of radiometric measurements from the NASA Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR): Two‐ and three‐dimensional radiative transfer modeling of an inhomogeneous stratocumulus cloud deck
Authors: Marchand Roger , Ackerman Thomas
Published: September 2004

In December 1999, NASA launched the Terra satellite. This platform carries five instruments that measure important properties of the Earth climate system. One of these instruments is the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer, or MISR. This instrument measures light reflected from the Earth at a spatial resolution of 275–1100 m, at four wavelengths (446, 558, 672, and 866 nm), and at nine different viewing angles that vary from +70 to −70 degrees along the direction of flight [Diner et al., 2002]. These multiangle data have the potential to provide information on aerosols, surface, and cloud characteristics that compliments traditional single‐view‐direction satellite measurements. Before this potential can be realized, the accuracy of the satellite radiance measurements must be carefully assessed, and the implications of the radiometric accuracy on remote‐sensing algorithms must be evaluated. In this article, we compare MISR multiangle measurements against two‐dimensional (2‐D) and 3‐D radiative transfer calculations from an inhomogeneous cloud scene. Inputs to the radiative transfer code are based entirely on independently gathered data (ground‐based radar, lidar, microwave radiometer, in situ aircraft data, etc.). The 2‐D radiative transfer calculations compare favorably near nadir and in most of the forward scattering directions, but differ by as much as 10% in the backscattering directions. Using 3‐D radiative transfer modeling, we show that this difference is due to the 3‐D structure of the cloud deck, including variations in the cloud top height on scales less than 275 m, which are not resolved in the 2‐D simulations. Comparison of the 2‐D calculations to the MISR measurements, after accounting for the 3‐D structure, show residual differences that are less than 4% at all angles at the MISR blue and green wavelengths. The comparison also reveals that the MISR measurements at the red and near‐infrared wavelengths are too bright relative to measurements in the blue and green bands. On the basis of the results of this study, along with results from five other comparisons, the MISR calibration is being adjusted to reduce the red and near‐infrared radiances.
Subpixel‐scale variability of rainfall and its application to mitigate the beam‐filling problem
Authors: Varma Atul K. , Liu Guosheng , Noh Yoo‐Jeong
Published: September 2004

Surface rain radar data from areas surrounding Japan and in the tropics are used to study the variability of rainfall over an area similar to a satellite microwave radiometric instantaneous field of view (FOV). The results of such variability are applied to radiative transfer simulations to modify the brightness temperature versus rain rate relationship. First, the surface radar data from different geographical regions are used to develop a relationship between fractional rain cover and average rain rate over microwave radiometric FOV‐sized areas. This resultant relationship is also compared with spaceborne Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) observations. It is found that the rainfall type (convective or stratiform) accounts for the most of variations in this relationship. The sub‐FOV rainfall variability is then investigated using the same surface radar data sets. The conditional probability distribution function of precipitation within the FOV‐sized area is parameterized in terms of average rain of the area. The form of the model function does not depend upon the characteristics of the two radars and their geographical locations and can be parameterized by a combination of two lognormal distributions. By analyzing collocated TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and PR data, it is shown that the averaged relationship between observed brightness temperatures and rain rates at 19.3 and 37 GHz shows a significant disagreement with that simulated by a plane‐parallel radiative transfer model for convective rain events, although it shows a better agreement for stratiform rain events. Presumably, this disagreement is mainly caused by variability of the rain field within satellite instantaneous FOV. With the application of the fractional rain area and the probability distribution function derived from this study to the radiative transfer simulations, we are able to bring results of the radiative transfer simulations much closer to the observations.
Axial Stretch Modifies Contractility of Porcine Coronary Arteries by a Protein Kinase C‐Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Tankó László B. , Simonsen Ulf , Matrougui Khalid , Gregersen Hans , Frøbert Ole , Bagger Jens P. , Mikkelsen Erich O.
Published: September 2004

Abstract: Large coronary arteries undergo marked circumferential and axial deformations due to changes in blood pressure and gross movements of the ventricular wall during systole and diastole. The present study was designed to investigate 1) whether axial stretch of large coronary arteries influences the sensitivity to vasoconstrictors, 2) the mechanisms mediating stretch‐dependent changes in vascular sensitivity. Endothelium‐denuded cylindrical segments from large porcine coronary arteries were studied under isometric conditions using a balloon‐based impedance planimetric technique. In segments subjected to a pressure of 60 mmHg, 20% axial stretch caused a left‐ward shift of the concentration‐response curves for K+ and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT). Enhancement of vascular sensitivity to 5‐HT induced by axial stretch was observed also in maximally K+‐depolarized coronary arteries. Protein kinase C inhibition by calphostin C (1 μM) slightly decreased the spontaneous resting tone at 60 mmHg and inhibited the leftward shift of the concentration‐response curve for 5‐HT elicited by axial stretch. These results suggest that axial stretch of the vessel wall enhances the sensitivity of coronary arteries to vasoconstrictors by a protein kinase C‐dependent mechanism.
Redistribution dynamics of optically generated charges in In(Ga)As∕GaAs self-assembled quantum dots
Authors: Ducommun Y. , Kroutvar M. , Reimer M. , Bichler M. , Schuh D. , Abstreiter G. , Finley J. J.
Published: September 2004

We investigate a quantum-dot-based field-effect device allowing selective optical charging (electrons or holes) of a sub-ensemble of InGaAs∕GaAs self-assembled quantum dots using resonant excitation. The dynamics of the photogenerated charge distribution is studied as a function of excitation energy and lattice temperature. Thermally activated redistribution of charge among the quantum dot ensemble is shown to occur, over a microsecond time scale, only at elevated (T∼100K) temperatures. An activation energy analysis demonstrates that the two-dimensional wetting layer is the main charge redistribution channel and provides information about the single-particle energy structure of the quantum dots.
Resonant and thermal changes of refractive index in a heavily doped erbium fiber pumped at wavelength 980nm
Authors: Barmenkov Yu. O. , Kir’yanov A. V. , Andrés M. V.
Published: September 2004

We report a theoretical and experimental study of the refractive index variation in a heavily doped erbium silica fiber within the spectral range 1500–1580nm under the pumping at the wavelength 980nm. The two main contributions in the refractive index change are addressed—the resonant part determined by the saturation effect in the fiber and the thermal part stemming from the fiber heating due to the excited-state absorption and Stokes losses. We demonstrate that the thermal contribution in the resultant refractive index change is a notable value, which is the feature of erbium fibers with a high concentration of erbium ions.
Tensely strained silicon on SiGe produced by strain transfer
Authors: Buca D. , Holländer B. , Trinkaus H. , Mantl S. , Carius R. , Loo R. , Caymax M. , Schaefer H.
Published: September 2004

An approach for the controlled formation of thin strained silicon layers based on strain transfer in an epitaxial Si∕SiGe∕Si(100) heterostructure during the relaxation of the SiGe layer is established. He+ ion implantation and annealing is employed to initiate the relaxation process. The strain transfer between the two epilayers is explained as an inverse strain relaxation which we modeled in terms of the propagation of the dislocations through the layers. Effcient strain buildup in the Si top layer strongly depends on the Si top layer thickness and on the relaxation degree of the SiGe buffer. 100% strain transfer was observed up to a critical thickness of the strained silicon layer of 8nm for a 150nm relaxed Si0.74Ge0.26 buffer.
Engineering the quantum point contact response to single-electron charging in a few-electron quantum-dot circuit
Authors: Zhang L.-X. , Leburton J. P. , Hanson R. , Kouwenhoven L. P.
Published: September 2004

We show that the design of a quantum point contact adjacent to a quantum dot can be optimized to produce maximum sensitivity to single-electron charging in the quantum dot. Our analysis is based on the self-consistent solution of coupled three-dimensional Kohn-Sham and Poisson equations for the quantum circuit. We predict a detection sensitivity increase by at least 73% over the conventional design.
Incoherent magnetization rotation observed in subnanosecond time-resolving x-ray photoemission electron microscopy
Authors: Schneider C. M. , Kuksov A. , Krasyuk A. , Oelsner A. , Neeb D. , Nepijko S. A. , Schönhense G. , Mönch I. , Kaltofen R. , Morais J. , de Nadaï C. , Brookes N. B.
Published: September 2004

We present recent results of time-resolved x-ray photoemission electron microscopy on permalloy microstructures. The stroboscopic experiments feature a time-resolution of Δτ⩽130ps. We observe a strong influence of incoherent magnetization rotation processes, leading to a significant transient stray-field formation at the edges of the microstructure.
Does the local built-in potential on grain boundaries of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films benefit photovoltaic performance of the device?
Authors: Jiang C.-S , Noufi R. , Ramanathan K. , AbuShama J. A. , Moutinho H. R. , Al-Jassim M. M.
Published: September 2004

In a previous paper [C.-S. Jiang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 84, 3477 (2004)], we reported the existence of a local built-in potential on grain boundaries (GBs) of photovoltaic Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films. However, whether the built-in potential benefits photovoltaic properties of the device has not been proven. Using a scanning Kelvin probe microscope, we found that, with increasing Ga content in the CIGS film, the built-in potential on the GB drops sharply in a Ga range of 28%–38%. Comparing the changes in the built-in potential, the device efficiency, and the CIGS band gap, we conclude that the built-in potential on the GB plays a significant role in the device conversion efficiency of NREL’s three-stage CIGS device.
Localization and delocalization of charges injected in DNA
Authors: Heim T. , Mélin T. , Deresmes D. , Vuillaume D.
Published: September 2004

The electrical properties of DNA molecules are investigated by charge injection and electric force microscopy experiments. Prior to injection, DNA molecules exhibit a weak positively charged state. We probe the electrical behavior of DNA by measuring the localized or delocalized character of the DNA charge states upon injection of excess charges. We show that injected charges do not delocalize for overstretched DNA prepared by a receding meniscus technique, while the adjunction of spermidine during the deposition leads to relaxed DNA molecules exhibiting a charge delocalization over microns. The interplay between charge localization∕delocalization and deposition techniques may explain that transport behaviors ranging from insulating to conductive have been reported for DNA deposited on surfaces.
Coercivity exceeding 100kOe in epitaxially grown FePt sputtered films
Authors: Shima T. , Takanashi K. , Takahashi Y. K. , Hono K.
Published: September 2004

Microstructure and magnetization processes of highly ordered FePt(001) films with large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy have been studied. The film morphology was controlled from assemblies of single-domain nanoparticles to those of multidomain islands by varying the nominal thickness (tN) of the FePt films sputter-deposited on a heated MgO(001) substrate. The change in the magnetization process from magnetization rotation to domain wall displacement is clearly demonstrated by the initial magnetization curves. Huge coercivities as high as 70 and 105kOe have been achieved in the film with single-domain particles at room temperature and 4.5K, respectively.
Surface stress-driven instabilities of a free film
Authors: Kornev Konstantin G. , Srolovitz David J.
Published: September 2004

We examine the effect of surface stress on the stability of free unconstrained solid films. We first determine the general thermodynamic criteria for film stability. Then, we show that two different morphological instabilities are possible, depending on the sign of the surface stress. The first corresponds to a self-induced Euler buckling mode and the second to an accordionlike wrinkling of the film surfaces.
Electromigration-induced microstructure evolution in tin studied by synchrotron x-ray microdiffraction
Authors: Wu Albert T. , Tu K. N. , Lloyd J. R. , Tamura N. , Valek B. C. , Kao C. R.
Published: September 2004

Under constant current electromigration, white tin exhibited a resistance drop of up to 10%. It has a body-centered-tetragonal structure, and the resistivity along the a and b axes is 35% smaller than along the c axis. Microstructure evolution under electromigration could be responsible for the resistance drop. Synchrotron radiation white beam x-ray microdiffraction was used to study this evolution. Grain-by-grain analysis was obtained from the diffracted Laue patterns about the changes of grain orientation before and after electromigration. We observed that high-resistance grains reorient with respect to the neighboring low-resistance grains, most likely by grain growth of the latter. A different mechanism of grain growth under electromigration from the normal grain growth is proposed and discussed.
Evidence for generalized Kirchhoff’s law from angle-resolved electroluminescence of high efficiency silicon solar cells
Authors: Ferraioli L. , Maddalena P. , Massera E. , Parretta A. , Green M. A. , Wang A. , Zhao J.
Published: September 2004

The angular distribution of infrared radiation, emitted by high efficiency single-crystalline silicon solar cells, was analyzed. Measurements were performed on cells with planar and inverted-pyramids surfaces, both showing integral emissions that approach the cosine function in the 0°–90° interval. Textured cell maintains the cosine distribution at the different wavelengths; planar device shows a distribution, which deviates from the cosine function at increasing wavelength. Correspondence between emission and absorption properties was demonstrated valid as a function of emission∕absorption angle. From the angular distribution of electroluminescence light, the devices absorption properties for incident light with directions different from the surface normal were estimated.