bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The meaning of smoking as health and social risk in adolescence
Authors: Tilleczek Kate C. , Hine Donald W.
Published: August 2005

This investigation describes what smoking means to adolescents, and attempts to better understand it as a rite of passage. Applying a social ontology to an often‐individualized issue, interviews were conducted with 20 adolescent smokers between the ages of 13 and 19. Results show that adolescents possess detailed information about the risks of smoking. Both age and gender differentiated the meanings of smoking which were found to be both positive and negative. Valence inconsistency increased with age. Results are interpreted within a cultural, developmental framework and suggest reconstructing smoking risks as potentially positive. Implications for research and prevention are discussed.
The association between the Lie scale of the Maudsley personality inventory and striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability of healthy Chinese community subjects
Authors: Huang Chieh Liang , Yang Yen Kuang , Chu Ching Lin , Lee I Hui , Yeh Tzung Lieh , Chen Po See , Chiu Nan Tsing
Published: September 2005

The present study examined the relationship between the Lie scale scores and striatal D2/D3 receptor availability with respect to the cerebellum in 42 healthy community volunteers in Taiwan using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with [123I]iodo-benzoaminde (IBZM). Even after controlling of age and educational level, subjects' Lie scale scores of the Maudsley personality inventory correlate negatively with D2/D3 receptor availability. Individual with higher Lie scale scores may have higher impulsivity due to lower dopaminergic availability.
Assessing health-related quality of life in patients suffering from schizophrenia: a comparison of instruments
Authors: Reine Gilles , Simeoni Marie-Claude , Auquier Pascal , Loundou Anderson , Aghababian Valérie , Lancon Christophe
Published: September 2005

Objective

To compare three different kinds of health-related quality of life (HRQL) questionnaires available for use in patients suffering from schizophrenia: the SF-36 (a generic instrument), the QoLI (an instrument designed to a broad range of mental illnesses), the S-QoL (a questionnaire specific to schizophrenic patients), in terms of external validity and sensitivity to change.

Methods

Two hundred and five patients were included at D0 and one-third retested at D30. Socio-demographic data and clinical history were recorded, clinical evaluation comprised psychotic symptoms (PANSS), depression (Calgary depression scale for schizophrenia), global functioning (GAF), clinical severity (CGI), and extrapyramidal symptoms (ESRS). HRQL was assessed using the SF-36, the QoLI and the S-QoL.

Results

A better agreement is observed between the SF-36 and the S-QoL than between the QoLI and the two other instruments. S-QoL and SF-36 are more strongly correlated with clinical status than QoLI. Compared to the SF-36 and the QoLI, the S-QoL better discriminates patients with comorbidity from others. The S-QoL shows better responsiveness than the QoLI and the SF-36.

Conclusion

For descriptive purpose, either generic tools like SF-36 or specific ones should be used, whereas when aiming at evaluating health treatment and care for schizophrenic patients, specific instruments like the S-QoL should be favoured.
The Taq IA polymorphism linked to the DRD2 gene is related to lower attention and less inhibitory control in alcoholic patients
Authors: Rodríguez-Jiménez R. , Ávila C. , Ponce G. , Ibáñez M.I. , Rubio G. , Jiménez-Arriero M.A. , Ampuero I. , Ramos J.A. , Hoenicka J. , Palomo T.
Published: September 2005

The TaqIA polymorphism linked to the DRD2 gene has been associated with alcoholism. The aim of this work is to study attention and inhibitory control as per the continuous performance test and the stop task in a sample of 50 Spanish male alcoholic patients split into two groups according to the presence of the TaqIA1 allele in their genotype. Our results show that alcoholics carrying the TaqIA1 allele present lower sustained attention and less inhibitory control than those patients without such allele.
Oral glucose tolerance tests in treated patients with schizophrenia.
Authors: De Hert Marc , Van Eyck Dominique , Hanssens Linda , Peuskens Hendrik , Thys Erik , Wampers Martien , Scheen Andre , Peuskens Jozef
Published: September 2005

Objective

A recent consensus conference has proposed guidelines for the monitoring for diabetes in patients with schizophrenia and also identifies the need of long-term prospective studies.

Methods

A large scale prospective study on metabolic risks of antipsychotic medication is currently ongoing. At baseline, patients get a full laboratory screening, ECG and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Baseline data on 100 non-diabetic patients at study inclusion and stable on medication for at least 6 months are presented.

Results

Glucose abnormalities are found in 22% of patients at baseline. A monitoring protocol based only on fasting glucose would not have detected 63.6% of these patients with classifiable glucose abnormalities in our sample. Fasting insulin and measures for insulin resistance have a high predictive value for abnormalities late in the OGTT.

Conclusions

Already at baseline, metabolic problems are frequently present in patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics. Adding assessment of fasting insulin in a monitoring protocol improves detection of glucose abnormalities late in an OGTT.
Executive function and memory in posttraumatic stress disorder: a study of Bosnian war veterans
Authors: Koso Maida , Hansen Stefan
Published: September 2005

The present study assessed neuropsychological functions related to attention, executive function and everyday memory in a group of men with a diagnosis of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Twenty Bosnian male combat veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD were tested using the Sustained Attention to Response Task, the Hayling Sentence Completion Test, the Trail Making Test, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (verbal scales). Their performance was compared with age- and IQ-matched male war veterans with no PTSD. The study disclosed pervasive cognitive impairments with large effect sizes pertaining to attention, working memory, executive function, and memory. The effects did not appear to be attributable to alcohol abuse, loss of consciousness, or educational level. We speculate that, in the present group of combat veterans, PTSD was associated with dysfunction of a higher-level attentional resource which in turn affected the activity in other systems concerned with memory and thought.
Adiponectin is synthesized and secreted by human and murine cardiomyocytes
Authors: Piñeiro Roberto , Iglesias María J. , Gallego Rosalía , Raghay Kawtar , Eiras Sonia , Rubio José , Diéguez Carlos , Gualillo Oreste , González-Juanatey José R. , Lago Francisca
Published: August 2005

Adiponectin is thought to play a decisive role in the relationships among obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. This study investigated whether cardiomyocytes synthesize and secrete adiponectin, and the effects of this hormone on cardiac cells. RT‐PCR showed that mouse, rat and human cardiomyocytes produced mRNA for adiponectin and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of adiponectin in the cytoplasm of cultured cardiomyocytes, and radioimmunoassay showed that these cells secreted adiponectin into the culture medium. Exogenous adiponectin enhanced glucose and fatty acid uptake and induced AMPK phosphorylation in cultured cardiomyocytes. Our results demonstrate that adiponectin is synthesized and secreted by isolated murine and human cardiomyocytes, and suggest that the local production of this hormone by cardiomyocytes could be involved in the regulation of cardiac metabolism and function.
Lactate utilization in mitochondria prevents Bax cytotoxicity in yeast Kluyveromyces lactis
Authors: Košt’anová-Poliaková Daniela , Šabová L’udmila
Published: September 2005

In a search for the physiological conditions able to suppress the disruption of electron transport through the inner mitochondrial membrane induced by Bax, we found that respiratory substrate – lactate completely abolished Bax toxicity in yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. The effect of lactate was dependent on the presence of cytochrome c, as no effect was observed in the cytochrome c null strain. The investigation of lactate effect on markers of Bax toxicity showed that: (i) oxidation of lactate did not affect the decrease in oxygen consumption, but (ii) lactate was able to diminish the generation of reactive oxygen species and simultaneously to suppress Bax‐induced cell death. We show that suppression of Bax lethality in K. lactis can be, in addition to anti‐apoptotic proteins, achieved also by the utilization of lactate in the mitochondria.
A quinonoid is an intermediate of oxidative deamination reaction catalyzed by Dopa decarboxylase
Authors: Bertoldi Mariarita , Cellini Barbara , Maras Bruno , Voltattorni Carla Borri
Published: September 2005

The reactions of Dopa decarboxylase (DDC) with l‐ and d‐enantiomers of tryptophan methyl ester are described. Although both the enantiomers bind to the active site of the enzyme with similar affinity, their binding modes are different. l‐enantiomer binds in an unproductive mode, while d‐enantiomer acts as an oxidative deamination substrate. For the first time a quinonoid has been detected as intermediate of this reaction. By using rapid‐scanning stopped‐flow kinetic technique rate constants for formation and decay of this species have been determined. All these data, besides validating the functional DDC active site model, represent an important step toward the elucidation of the catalytic pathway of oxidative deamination.
Antiviral silencing in animals
Authors: Li Hong-Wei , Ding Shou-Wei
Published: September 2005

RNA silencing or RNA interference (RNAi) refers to the small RNA‐guided gene silencing mechanism conserved in a wide range of eukaryotic organisms from plants to mammals. As part of this special issue on the biology, mechanisms and applications of RNAi, here we review the recent advances on defining a role of RNAi in the responses of invertebrate and vertebrate animals to virus infection. Approximately 40 miRNAs and 10 RNAi suppressors encoded by diverse mammalian viruses have been identified. Assays used for the identification of viral suppressors and possible biological functions of both viral miRNAs and suppressors are discussed. We propose that herpesviral miRNAs may act as specificity factors to initiate heterochromatin assembly of the latent viral DNA genome in the nucleus.
Mutation of the extracellular domain of tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 causes reduced NF‐κB activation due to decreased surface expression
Authors: Siebert Stefan , Fielding Ceri A. , Williams Bryan D. , Brennan Paul
Published: September 2005

Tumour necrosis factor receptor‐associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) results from point mutations in the extracellular domain of TNF receptor 1 (TNFRSF1A), but the effects of the mutations are controversial. This study shows that reduced NF‐κB signalling is a feature of four TRAPS mutations. Reduced signalling correlates with reduced surface expression, measured by flow cytometry and microscopy. This suggests that correct formation of the extracellular domain of TNFRSF1A is important for localisation and receptor function. Importantly, our data provides a mechanism for the reduced TNFRSF1 signalling observed in a patient cell line.
The influence of a membrane environment on the structure and stability of a prokaryotic potassium channel, KcsA
Authors: Encinar J.A. , Molina M.L. , Poveda J.A. , Barrera F.N. , Renart M.L. , Fernández A.M. , González-Ros J.M.
Published: September 2005

The lack of a membrane environment in membrane protein crystals is considered one of the major limiting factors to fully imply X‐ray structural data to explain functional properties of ion channels [Gulbis, J.M. and Doyle, D. (2004) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 14, 440–446]. Here, we provide infrared spectroscopic evidence that the structure and stability of the potassium channel KcsA and its chymotryptic derivative 1–125 KcsA reconstituted into native‐like membranes differ from those exhibited by these proteins in detergent solution, the latter taken as an approximation of the mixed detergent‐protein crystal conditions.
Preventing transcriptional gene silencing by active DNA demethylation
Authors: Kapoor Avnish , Agius Fernanda , Zhu Jian-Kang
Published: September 2005

DNA methylation is important for stable transcriptional gene silencing. DNA methyltransferases for de novo as well as maintenance methylation have been well characterized. However, enzymes responsible for active DNA demethylation have been elusive and several reported mechanisms of active demethylation have been controversial. There has been a critical need for genetic analysis in order to firmly establish an in vivo role for putative DNA demethylases. Mutations in the bifunctional DNA glycosylase/lyase ROS1 in Arabidopsis cause DNA hypermethylation and transcriptional silencing of specific genes. Recombinant ROS1 protein has DNA glycosylase/lyase activity on methylated but not unmethylated DNA substrates. Therefore, there is now strong genetic evidence supporting a base excision repair mechanism for active DNA demethylation. DNA demethylases may be critical factors for genome wide hypomethylation seen in cancers and possibly important for epigenetic reprogramming during somatic cell cloning and stem cell function.
Bilateral Macrodactyly of the Hands and Feet with Post-Axial Involvement – A Case Report
Authors: BHAT A. K. , BHASKARANAND K. , KANNA R.
Published: September 2005

Macrodactyly is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by large digits. The usual involvement of macrodactyly is on the pre-axial side of the limb. There has been only one case report to date with involvement of both hands and feet in a child with post-axial upper limb involvement. We report an adult male who has macrodactyly of both hands and feet with post-axial involvement of both hands and pre and post-axial involvement of both feet.
An Unusual Farm Injury: Divergent Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocations
Authors: AGARWAL A. , AGARWAL R.
Published: September 2005

This paper reports a farm accident by an animal causing an extremely rare divergent dislocation of the four carpometacarpal joints.
Proximal Row Carpectomy in Advanced Kienbock’s Disease
Authors: DE SMET L. , ROBIJNS PH , DEGREEF I.
Published: September 2005

This retrospective study assessed the outcomes of 21 patients (16 male and 5 female, mean age 39 years) with advanced Kienbock’s disease treated by resection of the proximal carpal row. They were clinically reviewed. The mean follow-up was 67 months, with all but two patients having had a follow-up of 2 years. No or mild pain was being experienced by 13 patients, moderate pain by 3 and severe pain by 5. Grip strength increased from 19 kg preoperatively to 26 kg postoperatively (or 65% of the normal contralateral side). There was a slight increase of mobility. The DASH score was 22 points (range 0–78) and the Patient Rated Wrist Score (PRWS) was 30 points (range 0–84). Two patients developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which was ongoing at the time of review and one developed a superficial wound infection. Proximal carpal row resection arthroplasty gave satisfactory results in patients with advanced Kienbock’s disease.
Kudo Total Elbow Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Clinical and Radiological Results
Authors: RAUHANIEMI J. , TIUSANEN H. , KYRÖ A.
Published: September 2005

We have analysed the results of 28 total elbow replacements in 27 patients. The replacements were made using the Kudo unconstrained, unlinked, total elbow prosthesis. The elbows were all affected by rheumatoid arthritis. The follow-up time was from 3 to 7 years, with a mean follow-up of 58 months. Our results with this prosthesis in rheumatoid arthritis appear promising and only few complications were noticed. In one case, a radiological loosening of the ulnar component was observed at the 5-year visit but without any clinical symptoms and no operations were needed. In two other cases, an open reduction was performed within the first 3 months to correct a subluxation. A triceps tendon was re-inserted for a fourth patient 55 months postoperatively. In general, the range of motion became statistically significantly better with the prosthesis and there was also a high rate of relief of pain in patients in whom the elbow was severely affected by rheumatoid arthritis.
Financial deregulation and efficiency: An empirical analysis of Indian banks during the post reform period
Authors: Das Abhiman , Ghosh Saibal
Published: August 2005

The paper investigates the performance of Indian commercial banking sector during the post reform period 1992–2002. Several efficiency estimates of individual banks are evaluated using nonparametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Three different approaches viz., intermediation approach, value‐added approach and operating approach have been employed to differentiate how efficiency scores vary with changes in inputs and outputs. The analysis links the variation in calculated efficiencies to a set of variables, i.e., bank size, ownership, capital adequacy ratio, non‐performing loans and management quality. The findings suggest that medium‐sized public sector banks performed reasonably well and are more likely to operate at higher levels of technical efficiency. A close relationship is observed between efficiency and soundness as determined by bank's capital adequacy ratio. The empirical results also show that technically more efficient banks are those that have, on an average, less non‐performing loans. A multivariate analysis based on the Tobit model reinforces these findings.
West‐east variation in crustal thickness in northern Lhasa block, central Tibet, from deep seismic sounding data
Authors: Zhang Zhongjie , Klemperer Simon L.
Published: September 2005

A 500‐km‐long west‐east wide‐angle seismic profile from Selin Tso to Yaanduo in the northernmost Lhasa block of Tibet, acquired by the Sino‐French joint seismic program in 1982, has been reinterpreted. We model the P and S wave velocity structure of the whole crust, while recognizing that in many places, uncertainties are large. A surprising but robust conclusion, consistent with previous interpretations of both this data set and other newer data from Tibet, is that Moho depth is about 60–65 km at 90°E but 75–80 km depth at 92.5°E. Our detailed interpretation uses multiple wide‐angle P and S wave reflections from the crystalline basement and the Moho; but no Moho refractions are recognized. Along most of the profile, the crust may be crudely divided into an upper crust (∼5–30 km depth, 5.0 < Vp < 6.4 km/s), a middle crust (∼33–45 km depth, 6.5 < Vp < 6.8 km/s) and a lower crust (depths below ∼48 km, 7.0 < Vp < 7.4 km/s). The west‐to‐east increase in crustal thickness is accomplished by a ∼50% thickening of the middle and lower crust. Larger vertical velocity gradients separate these three layers and bound them above (surficial and sedimentary rocks) and below (Moho transition zone). The most notable low‐velocity zone in the crust lies at the base of the upper crustal layer. S wave velocity structure is less well constrained but parallels the P wave structure except that Vp/Vs ratios may decrease from west to east in the lower crust. Our data suggest considerable variation in structure along‐strike of the Tibetan Plateau and show that interpretations of Tibet as a purely two‐dimensional orogen are overly simplistic. The west‐east increase in crustal thickness may occur across the Karakorum‐Jiali fault system and be an indicator of lateral tectonic escape of the Qiangtang terrane.
Integrating high‐precision aftershock locations and geodetic observations to model coseismic deformation associated with the 1995 Kozani‐Grevena earthquake, Greece
Authors: Resor P. G. , Pollard D. D. , Wright T. J. , Beroza G. C.
Published: September 2005

We integrate high‐precision aftershock locations with geodetic inverse modeling to create a more complete kinematic model for the Kozani‐Grevena earthquake sequence. Using the double‐difference algorithm, we have improved relative hypocentral locations by a factor of ∼7 and thus imaged the details of the fault network associated with the seismic sequence. The interpreted fault network consists of multiple segments including (1) a master normal fault that strikes nearly due west and dips toward the north at 43°, extending from 6 to 15 km depth; (2) an upper segment that connects the top of the seismicity to the observed surface ruptures and dips 70°; (3) hanging wall antithetic faults; (4) a more steeply dipping southwest striking linking structure at the southwest end of the rupture; and (5) a separate south dipping segment at the southwestern end of the aftershock cluster. The imaged fault segment dimensions, orientations, and geometric relationships are consistent with regional fault patterns. Using slip inversion on triangular dislocation patches, we calculate variable slip on the imaged three‐dimensional fault network that best fits the surface displacements observed by satellite interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). In our preferred model we find that the majority of slip occurred at depth on the west and southwest striking segments. By comparing these results to a planar fault model derived solely from the InSAR data using nonlinear inversion methods we demonstrate that the three‐dimensional model improves the fit to the geodetic data while incorporating the observations of surface rupturing and aftershock distributions.
Modeling the heterogeneous hydraulic properties of faults using constraints from reservoir‐induced seismicity
Authors: do Nascimento Aderson F. , Lunn Rebecca J. , Cowie Patience A.
Published: September 2005

This research uses observations of reservoir‐induced seismicity beneath Açu Reservoir, NE Brazil, to investigate the spatial distribution of permeability within the damage zone surrounding faults. The Açu dam is a 34 m high earth‐filled dam constructed in 1983 on an area of Precambrian shield. Our previous work has shown that fluctuations in seismic activity are related to varying reservoir level via the diffusion of pore pressure within high‐permeability faults embedded in a lower‐permeability matrix. High‐resolution monitoring of the seismic activity within individual faults, using a network of three‐component digital seismographs, has revealed a complex spatial pattern of earthquake clustering and migration that suggests heterogeneous fault zone hydraulic properties are present. We first review the laboratory and field evidence for variations in hydraulic properties associated with (1) structural architecture of faults and (2) confining pressure. We then model flow through a heterogeneous two‐dimensional (2‐D) fault embedded in, and explicitly coupled to, a 3‐D medium and include a power law decay in diffusivity with depth associated with crack closure. Diffusivity of the fault is represented by a spatially correlated random field. We vary both the correlation length and variance of the diffusivity field and calculate the time lag between the maximum reservoir level and the maximum piezometric head in the depth range of observed seismic activity. By assuming that individual earthquake ruptures occur when the local piezometric head is at a maximum, we are able to infer the correlation length and variance that best explain the spatiotemporal pattern of the activity within each seismic cluster. The spatial and temporal evolution of seismicity within clusters is only found to be consistent with a causal mechanism of pore pressure diffusion when significant spatial structure is present in the heterogeneous fault hydraulic properties.
Fault slip rates, effects of elastic heterogeneity on geodetic data, and the strength of the lower crust in the Salton Trough region, southern California
Authors: Fay Noah P. , Humphreys Eugene D.
Published: September 2005

In southernmost California the Salton Trough sedimentary basin lies between the subparallel San Jacinto and San Andreas faults that together with the Elsinore fault, accommodate ∼80% of the 50 mm/yr of Pacific–North American relative motion. The slip rates on the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults have been a matter of recent debate, and one source of uncertainty has been the influence of crustal strength heterogeneity due to elastically weak basin sediments on geodetic data. To evaluate these effects, we have modeled regional kinematics with elastic and viscoelastic finite element models that incorporate laterally and vertically varying crustal material properties. We find that in general, the effects of the sedimentary basin on surface deformation are relatively small and that to explain the geodetic velocity data, the slip rate on the San Andreas must be higher than that on the San Jacinto fault, consistent with traditional geologic estimates. We also conclude that a relatively strong lower crust of viscosity >5 × 1019 Pa s exists in this region.
Seasonal variation of ocean bottom pressure derived from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE): Local validation and global patterns
Authors: Kanzow Torsten , Flechtner Frank , Chave Alan , Schmidt Roland , Schwintzer Peter , Send Uwe
Published: September 2005

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) processing centers at the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ) and the University of Texas Center for Space Research (UTCSR) provide time series of monthly gravity field solutions covering the period since mission launch in March 2002. Although the achieved accuracy still remains an order of magnitude below the mission's baseline goal, these time series have successfully been used to study terrestrial phenomena such as water storage variations. Over the oceans, the monthly gravity field solutions can be converted into estimates of the fluctuating ocean bottom pressure (OBP), which is the sum of atmospheric and oceanic mass variations. The GRACE products may be validated against in situ OBP observations which are available from a ground truth site in the tropical northwest Atlantic Ocean. Large differences are observed between the in situ and GRACE‐derived OBP which are investigated by comparing the tidal and nontidal ocean models used at GFZ and UTCSR for dealiasing short‐term (<2 months) mass variations from satellite measurements. Results show that the barotropic nontidal and tide models need improvement at periods shorter than 1 day and longer than 2 weeks. On a global scale the monthly OBP fields from GRACE generally overestimate the variability compared to ocean general circulation models, especially in tropical regions. This may be attributed to continuing deficiencies in GRACE data processing. Nevertheless, there is some initial evidence that GRACE possesses the potential to observe large‐scale averages of bottom pressure fluctuations.
Fine‐scale study of a thick stratospheric ozone lamina at the edge of the southern subtropical barrier: 2. Numerical simulations with coupled dynamics models
Authors: Morel Béatrice , Bencherif Hassan , Keckhut Philippe , Portafaix Thierry , Hauchecorne Alain , Baldy Serge
Published: September 2005

The modeling of an event such as an ozone lamina requires reproducing both the global and the small scales. In this study we report on a specific model capable of resolving such scale issues: the COMMID model, which has been developed by coupling a mechanistic model, MSDOL, with a high‐resolution advection model, MIMOSA. MSDOL, which is forced toward National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalyses below 100 hPa, provides a consistent picture of the stratospheric large‐scale circulation from which MIMOSA simulates the fine‐scale filaments generated by breaking planetary waves in the stratosphere. To evaluate the performances of the model, we present results for a particular event of tropical‐air intrusion at midlatitudes across the southern subtropical barrier observed in July 2000 and described in part 1 (Portafaix et al., 2003). The model is used to examine the contribution of each wave to the structure and the development of that event. The methodology consists in filtering the NCEP tropospheric forcing by zonal wave number and by phase speed. Our results show that mixing is significantly reduced precisely at the locations where the phase speeds of the filtered waves are close to the speed of the mean zonal wind, thus confirming the findings of previous studies. However, what is important here is that they validate the use of an approach based on the coupling of two models. The next step will consist in using the COMMID model in a more general way for further investigations of the impact of the tropospheric circulation on the isentropic transport in the stratosphere for climate sensitivity purposes.
Raman lidar observations of aged Siberian and Canadian forest fire smoke in the free troposphere over Germany in 2003: Microphysical particle characterization
Authors: Müller Detlef , Mattis Ina , Wandinger Ulla , Ansmann Albert , Althausen Dietrich , Stohl Andreas
Published: September 2005

Dual‐wavelength Raman lidar observations were regularly carried out at Leipzig (51.3°N, 12.4°E) from May to August 2003. The measurements showed that particle backscatter and extinction coefficients in the free troposphere were higher compared to values in 2000–2002. Backward dispersion modeling indicates that intense forest fires that occurred in Siberia and Canada in spring/summer 2003 were the main cause of these free tropospheric haze layers. Measurements on 3 days were selected for an optical and microphysical particle characterization of these well‐aged particle plumes. Particle lidar ratios measured at 532 nm wavelength were higher than at 355 nm. This property seems to be a characteristic feature of aged biomass‐burning particles observed over central Germany. Mean particle Ångström exponents calculated for the wavelength range from 355 to 532 nm varied from 0 to 1.3. Particle effective radii varied between 0.24 and 0.41 μm. Pollution advected from North America on 25 August 2003, in contrast, was characterized by considerably smaller particles. Mean effective radii were ≤0.2 μm, and Ångström exponents were 1.8–2.1. Lidar ratios in that case were lower at 532 nm compared to those at 355 nm. Such signatures are characteristic for anthropogenic particles. At the moment, however, it cannot be completely ruled out that extremely hot forest fires in western areas of Canada generated comparably small particles. Except for this specific case the forest fire particles were considerably larger than what is usually reported from in situ observations of biomass‐burning smoke. Possible explanations for this difference could be the kind of burning process, which could generate much larger particles in the source region, condensation of organic vapors on existing particles, and coagulation processes during the long transport time of more than a week. Relative humidity measured in these layers was very low. Hygroscopic growth of the particles therefore seemed to have little influence on the size of the particles. The forest fire smoke consisted of moderately absorbing material. Real parts of the complex refractive index of the particles were mostly <1.5, and imaginary parts were <0.01i. Single‐scattering albedo in all cases varied between 0.9 and 0.98 at 532 nm.
A spatially continuous magnetization model for Mars
Authors: Whaler K. A. , Purucker M. E.
Published: September 2005

Using a three‐component magnetic field data set at over 100,000 satellite points previously compiled for spherical harmonic analysis, we have produced a continuously varying magnetization model for Mars. The magnetized layer was assumed to be 40 km thick, an average value based on previous studies of the topography and gravity field. The severe nonuniqueness in magnetization modeling is addressed by seeking the model with minimum root‐mean‐square (RMS) magnetization for a given fit to the data, with the trade‐off between RMS magnetization and fit controlled by a damping parameter. Our preferred model has magnetization amplitudes up to 20 A/m. It is expressed as a linear combination of the Green's functions relating each observation to magnetization at the point of interest within the crust, leading to a linear system of equations of dimension the number of data points. Although this is impractically large for direct solution, most of the matrix elements relating data to model parameters are negligibly small. We therefore apply methods applicable to sparse systems, allowing us to preserve the resolution of the original data set. Thus we produce more detailed models than any previously published, although they share many similarities. We find that tectonism in the Valles Marineris region has a magnetic signature, and we show that volcanism south of the dichotomy boundary has both a magnetic and gravity signature. The method can also be used to downward continue magnetic data, and a comparison with other leveling techniques at Mars' surface is favorable.
Air pressure data from the Vallée de la Sionne avalanches of 2004
Authors: McElwaine J. N. , Turnbull B.
Published: September 2005

Despite their clear danger to humans, snow avalanches are hard to document. They occur in inaccessible and dangerous locations, often at times of bad weather. Observation instruments frequently malfunction in the harsh conditions or are destroyed. Measurements of powder snow avalanches are particularly difficult, as these occur less frequently and are usually very large. To understand the air flow in front of and inside powder snow avalanches, we have designed an air pressure sensor to survive the harsh conditions. It consists of a differential pressure transducer, with a high‐frequency response, built into a specially designed housing unit. We mounted this 10 m from the ground on a measurement mast in the Vallée de la Sionne avalanche test site in Switzerland. Data from five powder snow avalanches over the winter of 2004 were recorded. Three of these were natural releases, and two were artificially triggered with explosives. We present an analysis of the sensor response and an interpretation of the signals in terms of simple flow fields. We show how these data can be used to deduce information about the speed, size, and location of the avalanches using a dipole approximation. Our sensor has two major limitations: The length of the internal tubing produces low‐frequency resonances, and there is only one transducer, so a complete flow model is needed to deduce the three velocity components and pressure. We discuss these limitations and give a design for a new sensor to overcome them.
Covariance operators, Green functions, and canonical stochastic electromagnetic fields
Authors: Michielsen B. L. , Fiachetti C.
Published: September 2005

In this paper, we show that for a large class of lossless reciprocal configurations, a “canonical” stochastic electromagnetic field can be defined such that its spatial covariance is proportional to the real part of the Green tensor function of the configuration. This result generalizes some relations between stochastic plane waves and free space Green functions which are well known in theoretical physics. A special application of the ideas presented here is elaborated for the configuration of a semi‐infinite, short‐circuited waveguide. It is shown that the canonical stochastic electromagnetic field in that case is a pseudoisotropic plane wave corresponding to a very special stochastic linear combination of propagating modes only. This has important consequences for the electromagnetic theory of so‐called mode‐stirred chambers.
Reconnection at the dayside low‐latitude magnetopause and its nonrole in low‐latitude boundary layer formation during northward interplanetary magnetic field
Authors: Phan Tai‐D. , Oieroset Marit , Fujimoto Masaki
Published: September 2005

On 2001‐12‐02 Wind crossed the dayside magnetopause (MP) at ∼15 MLT and traversed the adjacent low‐latitude boundary layer (LLBL) over a period of 2 hours. The IMF was steady (northward and dawnward) during the MP/LLBL encounter. Reconnection flows were observed in the MP that were directed 130° away from the magnetosheath flow direction. In contrast, the LLBL flow was aligned with the magnetosheath flow. The counterstreaming field‐aligned and anti‐field‐aligned electrons have different energies and their fluxes are unbalanced in the open MP whereas they are precisely balanced throughout most of the LLBL indicative of a closed LLBL. These observations indicate that reconnection occurs at the low‐latitude MP during northward IMF (with a significant By), but low‐latitude reconnection is not responsible for the creation of the LLBL. Instead, reconnection appears to be in the process of eroding a pre‐existing LLBL that was created either by diffusive entry or by non‐simultaneous double‐cusp reconnection.
Extraordinary subsurface mesoscale eddy detected in the southeast of Okinawa in February 2002
Authors: Takikawa Tetsutaro , Ichikawa Hiroshi , Ichikawa Kaoru , Kawae Satoshi
Published: September 2005

In February 2002, a subsurface mesoscale eddy with extraordinary features was detected at a depth of about 300 dbar in the southeast of Okinawa (a part of the Ryukyu Islands). The water mass occupying this subsurface eddy is characterized as the North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (NPSTMW) with salinity maximum and thick thermostad; its temperature, salinity and potential density at the core of the eddy are 18.4°C, 34.81 and 25.06 σθ, respectively. Thickness and width of the eddy are about 300 m and 100 km, respectively. Mixing between the eddy and the surrounding water mass is also found. Such eddy with the NPSTMW has never been detected during ten years.
An Earth system model of intermediate complexity: Simulation of the role of ocean mixing parameterizations and climate change in estimated uptake for natural and bomb radiocarbon and anthropogenic CO2
Authors: Cao Long , Jain Atul
Published: September 2005

We examine the sensitivity of simultaneous simulation of climate, natural 14C, bomb 14C, and anthropogenic CO2 uptake to the choice of three different ocean mixing schemes: horizontal/vertical mixing (HV), isopycnal mixing (ISO), and Gent‐McWilliams mixing (GM) using an Earth system model of intermediate complexity, Integrated Science Assessment Model‐2.5D (ISAM‐2.5D). Our modeling results suggest that the HV scheme greatly underestimates the observed values of natural 14C in the deep ocean, while the ISO and GM schemes yield more realistic results by simulating increased amounts of natural 14C values through enhanced vertical diffusion and deep water formation. The GM scheme further improves the ISO‐based natural 14C distribution in the Southern Ocean and the deep Pacific and Indian oceans through a more realistic simulation of the Southern Ocean circulation. The model simulated global uptake of anthropogenic CO2 for the 1980s ranges between 1.8 and 2.3 PgC/yr, largely consistent with data‐based estimates and OGCM results. The ISAM‐2.5D simulated oceanic uptake of 14C and CO2 is highest for the ISO scheme and lowest for the HV scheme, with the largest discrepancies occurring among different mixing schemes found in the Southern Ocean. However, no single mixing scheme is more successful than the others in simulating GEOSECS‐measured uptake of bomb 14C and anthropogenic CO2 for various ocean basins. Climate change is found to reduce CO2 uptake by 7–9% and 6–8% for the 1980s and over the period 1765–1990, mainly as a result of decreased CO2 solubility associated with increased sea surface temperatures. However, the effect of climate change on bomb 14C uptake is negligible.
Membrane repair and immunological danger
Authors: Andrews Norma W.
Published: September 2005

Antigens are able to elicit productive immune responses only when second signals are provided by adjuvant molecules. It is well established that exogenously acquired, pathogen‐associated molecular patterns fulfil this adjuvant role when recognized by specific receptors on antigen‐presenting cells. Recent evidence points to the existence of another class of adjuvant, which is apparently released from injured cells. Such endogenous adjuvants, referred to as ‘danger’ signals, could alert the immune system to situations that cause cell damage, but not necessarily those that involve infections. Endogenous adjuvants provide a good explanation for immune responses generated against tumours and autologous tissues, but it has been difficult to explain how a constant activation of the immune system is avoided, considering the frequency at which cells are injured in vivo. Here, we suggest that the efficiency with which cells reseal wounds in their plasma membrane might be an important factor in the balance between tolerance and autoimmunity. Recent observations in synaptotagmin‐VII‐deficient mice suggest that defective membrane repair could lead to autoimmunity in tissues that are more susceptible to mechanical injury.
Letter from the editor: adenosine‐to‐inosine RNA editing in Alu repeats in the human genome
Authors: Levanon Keren , Eisenberg Eli , Rechavi Gideon , Levanon Erez Y.
Published: September 2005

Adenosine‐to‐inosine (A‐to‐I) RNA editing increases the complexity of the human transcriptome and is essential for maintenance of normal life in mammals. Most A‐to‐I substitutions occur within repetitive elements in the genome, mainly in Alu repeats. The phenomenon of A‐to‐I editing is far less abundant in mice, rats, chickens and flies than in humans, which correlates with the relative under‐representation of Alu repeats in these non‐primate genomes. Here, we review the recent results of bioinformatic and laboratory approaches that have estimated the extent of the editing phenomenon. We discuss the possible biological relevance of the editing pathway, its possible interaction with other cellular pathways that respond to double‐stranded RNA and its possible contribution to the accelerated evolution of primates.
Loci Contributing to Adult Height and Body Mass Index in African American Families Ascertained for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sale M.M. , Freedman B. I. , Hicks P. J. , Williams A. H. , Langefeld C. D. , Gallagher C. J. , Bowden D. W. , Rich S. S.
Published: September 2005

Height and body mass index (BMI) have high heritability in most studies. High BMI and reduced height are well‐recognized as important risk factors for a number of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated these phenotypes in African American families originally ascertained for studies of linkage with type 2 diabetes using self‐reported height and weight. We conducted a genome wide scan in 221 families containing 580 individuals and 672 relative pairs of African American descent. Estimates of heritability and support for linkage were assessed by genetic variance component analyses using SOLAR software. The estimated heritabilities for height and BMI were 0.43 and 0.64, respectively. We have identified major loci contributing to variation in height on chromosomes 15 (LOD = 2.61 at 35 cM, p = 0.0004), 3 (LOD = 1.82 at 84 cM, p = 0.0029), 8 (LOD = 1.92 at 135 cM, p = 0.0024) and 17 (LOD = 1.70 at 110 cM, p = 0.0044). A broad region on chromosome 4 supported evidence of linkage to variation in BMI, with the highest LOD = 2.66 at 168 cM (p = 0.0005). Two height loci and two BMI loci appear to confirm the existence of quantitative trait loci previously identified by other studies, providing important replicative data to allow further resolution of linkage regions suitable for positional cloning of these cardiovascular disease risk loci.
The Influence of Past Endogamy and Consanguinity on Genetic Disorders in Northern Sweden
Authors: Bittles A. H. , Egerbladh I.
Published: September 2005

It has been widely believed that consanguineous marriage was infrequent in northern Europe. As part of ongoing studies into the population structure of northern Sweden, the Demographic DataBase of Umeå University has undertaken digitization of the parish record books of the Swedish Lutheran Church, which date back to the late 17th century. To examine the prevalence and patterns of consanguineous marriage, information from the DataBase was abstracted for the Skellefteå region during the period 1720–1899 and extended family pedigrees constructed. Of the 14,639 marriages recorded, 3,043 (20.8%) were between couples related as sixth cousins or closer. Following changes in the Swedish civil law in 1844 that removed the requirement of royal dispensation for first cousin unions, a significant increase in first cousin marriages occurred during the next two generations, even though the total population of the region grew significantly. There was also strong evidence that consanguineous marriages were favoured within particular families. The findings of the study are consistent with the patterns of single gene disorders reported in specific communities in the region, and they suggest that founder effect, drift and consanguinity all were important influences on population genetic structure in previous generations.
Continuous-time random-walk theory of interfering diffusion and chemical reaction with an application to electrochemical impedance spectra of oxidized Zr–1%Nb
Authors: Schiller Robert , Balog János , Nagy Gabor
Published: September 2005

A microscopic theory is developed for the interplay of diffusion and chemical reaction and the results are compared with electrode impedance measurements on an oxide electrode. The theory is based on the ideas of continuous-time random walk and accounts for the interference of diffusion and recombination of the charge carriers in the oxide. The treatment results in a dispersive diffusivity with two time constants, one of them corresponding to the random walk, the other to the reaction. Combining this diffusivity with the Warburg electrode admittance expression, which refers to cases where the rate-limiting step is diffusion in a semi-infinite medium bounded by a plane, an admittance function is obtained. The phase angle is found to be higher than 45° distinguishing it from the Gerischer impedance which was developed for a related problem. The oxides were produced by hydrothermal oxidation of Zr–l%Nb alloy, a metal used as cladding material for nuclear fuel elements. The electrode impedance spectra of Zr/Zr-oxide electrodes in aqueous SO32− solutions were taken at various anodic voltages between 1 Hz and 100 kHz and temperatures between 278 and 333 K. The theoretical admittance functions could be successfully compared with the observed spectra. Both the functional forms and the fitted parameter values support our theory which is also in keeping with Macdonald’s [J. Electrochem. Soc. 139, 3434 (1992)] point-defect model.
Soft lubrication: The elastohydrodynamics of nonconforming and conforming contacts
Authors: Skotheim J. M. , Mahadevan L.
Published: September 2005

We study the lubrication of fluid-immersed soft interfaces and show that elastic deformation couples tangential and normal forces and thus generates lift. We consider materials that deform easily, due to either geometry (e.g., a shell) or constitutive properties (e.g., a gel or a rubber), so that the effects of pressure and temperature on the fluid properties may be neglected. Four different system geometries are considered: a rigid cylinder moving parallel to a soft layer coating a rigid substrate; a soft cylinder moving parallel to a rigid substrate; a cylindrical shell moving parallel to a rigid substrate; and finally a cylindrical conforming journal bearing coated with a thin soft layer. In addition, for the particular case of a soft layer coating a rigid substrate, we consider both elastic and poroelastic material responses. For all these cases, we find the same generic behavior: there is an optimal combination of geometric and material parameters that maximizes the dimensionless normal force as a function of the softness parameter η=hydrodynamicpressure∕elasticstiffness=surfacedeflection∕gapthickness, which characterizes the fluid-induced deformation of the interface. The corresponding cases for a spherical slider are treated using scaling concepts.