bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New data on Ordovician–Silurian conodonts and stratigraphy from the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, Russian Arctic
Authors: MÄNNIK P. , BOGOLEPOVA O. K. , PÕLDVERE A. , GUBANOV A. P.
Published: April 2009

Thirty samples from 22 sections collected by the SWEDARCTIC international expedition to Severnaya Zemlya in 1999 contained Ordovician and Silurian conodont faunas. Several taxa, includingApsidognathuscf.milleri,Aulacognathuscf.kuehni,Nudibelodina sensitiva,Ozarkodina broenlundiandPterospathodus eopennatus, allow precise dating of the strata in this region for the first time. The occurrence ofAphelognathus pyramidalisandRhipidognathusaff.R. symmetricusin samples from the Strojnaya Formation fits well with the earlier dating of these strata as latest Ordovician. However,Aphelognathussp. in sample BG-99/14-a, collected from the upper Ushakov Formation, indicates that at least in the lower reaches of the Ushakov River the top of this formation is considerably younger than considered earlier: the sampled strata are Late, not Early Ordovician in age. In the Ordovician and Silurian the present-day Severnaya Zemlya region was dominated by extensive shallow-water, mainly semi-restricted basin environments with habitat specific faunas. The occurrence ofRiphidognathusaff.R. symmetricusat some levels in the Upper Ordovician suggests extreme shallowing episodes in the basin. On Severnaya Zemlya, ‘normal-marine’ faunas (includingPt. eopennatus) invaded the distal peripheral regions of the wide shallow-water platform at times of maximum sea-level rise only. The occurrence ofOz. broenlundiandN. sensitivaindicates that in the early Silurian the Severnaya Zemlya basin was quite well connected to the basins over modern North Greenland as well as to the Baltic Palaeobasin. The lower Silurian conodont assemblages in the Vodopad to Samojlovich formations are most similar to those described from the eastern Timan–northern Ural region.
Feature map management for mobile robots in dynamic environments
Authors: Lee Se-Jin , Park Byung-Jae , Lim Jong-Hwan , Cho Dong-Woo
Published: April 2009

This paper presents a new approach to the management of the environmental map for mobile robots in dynamic environments. The environmental map is built of primitive features, such as lines, points, and even circles, extracted from ambiguous data captured by the robot's sonar sensor ring. The feature map must be managed because the indoor surroundings where mobile robots operate are continuously changing due to nonstationary objects, such as wastebaskets, tables, and people. The features are processed by trimming, division, or removal, depending on the dynamic circumstances. All processing refers to the occupancy probabilities of grid squares generated for the map features. The occupancy probabilities of the squares are updated using the Bayesian updating model with the sonar sensor data. Experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Design, implementation, and performance evaluation of a 4-DOF parallel robot
Authors: Choi Hee-Byoung , Konno Atsushi , Uchiyama Masaru
Published: April 2009

This paper deals with the design, implementation, and performance evaluation of a new type of 4-DOF parallel mechanism providing three translations and one rotation for high-speed handling and machining. This parallel mechanism is named H4. A necessary condition and system configuration of the H4 are also described. Hardware and kinematics of the H4 is addressed and the manipulability ellipsoid which is one of the widely used methods to examine the design of parallel mechanisms is addressed. The performance evaluation is carried out to demonstrate the H4 robot. The simulation and experimental results show that three different controllers, the PD, PD + velocity feed-forward, and dynamic compensation controller, dramatically improve the trajectory tracking accuracy.
‘Transformative Accommodation’ and Religious Law
Authors: Jackson Bernard
Published: April 2009

This paper examines the concept of ‘transformative accommodation’, which the Archbishop of Canterbury invoked in his February 2008 lecture on ‘Civil and religious law in England’, stressing the need for both the state and religious communities to contemplate internal change. Although he made no substantive proposals on jurisdictional issues, this proved the focus of subsequent public comment. I suggest that jurisdictional issues cannot be avoided, despite the diplomatic interest in doing so, as may be seen from a reading of the January 2008 European Islamic ‘Charter of Values’. Missing from the debate thus far is consideration of the (necessarily theological) criteria for accommodation within religious communities. I seek to provide a preliminary discussion of such criteria from the viewpoint of Jewish law. First, an outline of some published research on religious marriage in Judaism and Christianity is provided as a case study. I then sketch the jurisdictional situation in the modern State of Israel, before considering the possibilities for transformative accommodation in English law, in the light of the preceding analysis. A brief conclusion indicates some questions that the analysis might pose for Christianity.1
More Turbulence? Clerical Misconduct under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003
Authors: Bursell Rupert
Published: April 2009

Details of complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 are beginning to come into the public domain. In particular, they raise questions as to the appropriate penalties to be imposed on a respondent, although even more worrying may be the anecdotal misunderstanding among some of the clergy about the moral behaviour expected of them. In addition, procedural questions remain that are not addressed in the written determinations. Such questions include the proper interest in making, and the motive behind, a complaint; the admissibility of hearsay evidence to support a complaint; and episcopal intervention and the bishop's role in reaching his decision.
Religious Symbols in Spain: A Legal Perspective
Authors: Arribas Santiago Cañamares
Published: April 2009

In Spain, immigration has been one of the main reasons for a significant number of conflicts regarding the use of religious symbols. In this context, the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Spanish Constitution are expected to play a very important role as a criterion to solve these tensions. However, a more accurate response is provided by case law, where the variety of circumstances that surround each conflictual situation can be taken into account to reach the best solution.1
The Legal Effect of Consecration of Land ‘Not Belonging to the Church of England’
Authors: McGregor Alexander
Published: April 2009

In January 2009, this Journal published an article by Kenyon Homfray, ‘Sir Edward Coke gets it wrong? A brief history of consecration’, which was concerned with the historical origins of a legal concept of consecration. While it is not especially germane to the direction of Mr Homfray's argument, his statement that ‘[i]n England, consecration does not appear to have any recognised legal effect on any land or building not belonging to the Church of England’ was somewhat surprising. It may be that he intended the expression ‘belonging to the Church of England’ as meaning no more than ‘affiliated to’ the Church of England or something similar. If that is all that was meant, then the statement could be accepted as more or less correct: consecration for worship according to the rites of, for example, the Roman Catholic Church would not have any effect in English law. But the words ‘belonging to’ would naturally tend to imply ownership of the land or building in question by the Church of England, in which case some qualification is needed. It may, therefore, be helpful to set out, briefly, the extent to which consecration is recognised, and has effect, in English law.
Indirect Discrimination and Individual Belief: Eweida v British Airways plc
Authors: Vickers Lucy
Published: April 2009

The decision in Eweida v British Airways that there was no discrimination where a Christian member of check-in staff was not allowed to wear her cross visibly at work has received much publicity, despite the fact that BA changed its policy before the case even reached the tribunal. The case raises many questions about the equal treatment of religions and the question of whether religious practices must be mandatory before they are protected, issues which have been discussed elsewhere in this Journal. The focus of this article, however, is the implications of the decision for the application of indirect discrimination to those who hold minority religious views.
Religion and Public Benefit
Authors: Cranmer Frank
Published: April 2009

The Charity Commission's final guidance on The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit met with cautious approval, not least because it is considerably more user-friendly than the rather tortuous exposure draft that preceded it. Several aspects of that draft were arguable: the final version resolves many of the uncertainties.
Subgraphs of Randomk-Edge-Colouredk-Regular Graphs
Authors: LIEBY PAULETTE , McKAY BRENDAN D. , McLEOD JEANETTE C. , WANLESS IAN M.
Published: April 2009

LetG=G(n) be a randomly chosenk-edge-colouredk-regular graph with 2nvertices, wherek=k(n). Such a graph can be obtained from a random set ofkedge-disjoint perfect matchings ofK2n. Leth=h(n) be a graph withm=m(n) edges such thatm2+mk=o(n). Using a switching argument, we find an asymptotic estimate of the expected number of subgraphs ofGisomorphic toh. Isomorphisms may or may not respect the edge colouring, and other generalizations are also presented. Special attention is paid to matchings and cycles.

The results in this paper are essential to a forthcoming paper of McLeod in which an asymptotic estimate for the number ofk-edge-colouredk-regular graphs fork=o(n5/6) is found.
Expressing Combinatorial Problems by Systems of Polynomial Equations and Hilbert's Nullstellensatz
Authors: LOERA J. A. , LEE J. , MARGULIES S. , ONN S.
Published: April 2009

Systems of polynomial equations over the complex or real numbers can be used to model combinatorial problems. In this way, a combinatorial problem is feasible (e.g., a graph is 3-colourable, Hamiltonian, etc.) if and only if a related system of polynomial equations has a solution.

For an infeasible polynomial system, the (complex) Hilbert Nullstellensatz gives a certificate that the associated combinatorial problem is infeasible. Thus, unless P = NP, there must exist an infinite sequence of infeasible instances of each hard combinatorial problem for which the minimum degree of a Hilbert Nullstellensatz certificate of the associated polynomial system grows.

In the first part of the paper, we show that the minimum degree of a Nullstellensatz certificate for the non-existence of a stable set of size greater than the stability number of the graph is the stability number of the graph. Moreover, such a certificate contains at least one term per stable set of G. In contrast, for non-3-colourability, we proved that the minimum degree of a Nullstellensatz certificate is at least four. Our efforts so far have only yielded graphs with Nullstellensatz certificates of precisely that degree.

In the second part of this paper, for the purpose of computation, we construct new polynomial encodings for the problems of finding in a graph its longest cycle, the largest planar subgraph, the edge-chromatic number, or the largest k-colourable subgraph. We include some applications to graph theory.
ENDOCRINOLOGY OF PARTURITION AND PREPARATION FOR LABOUR
Authors: TERZIDOU V
Published: April 2009

Parturition is the process leading to expulsion of the fetus from the uterus. It is the result of a co-ordinated interplay between maternal and fetal factors. Despite extensive research the mechanisms that control the length of human pregnancy and signal the onset of labour remain unknown. Preterm labour refers to the onset of labour before 37 completed weeks or 259 days of pregnancy and after the gestation of viability (20–25 weeks, depending on definition). In most developed countries, preterm birth occurs in 5–10% of pregnancies whereas this may rise to 25% in certain developing countries. Despite advancing knowledge of risk factors and the introduction of beneficial medical and public health interventions the incidence of preterm birth rate has risen over the last two decades. Preterm birth is the single biggest cause of perinatal mortality. Adverse outcomes for the neonate include respiratory complications, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis and neurodevelopmental disorders. Among those babies born before 30 weeks who survive, approximately 25% will have a major disability. Another 10% will have some disability and an additional 30% will have cognitive, perceptual and behavioural problems that could interfere with school performance. The consequences of prematurity are not confined to the neonate but have important long-term social, financial, behavioural and educational implications.
In vitro fertilization efficiency in coral Acropora digitifera
Authors: Iguchi Akira , Morita Masaya , Nakajima Yuichi , Nishikawa Akira , Miller David
Published: April 2009

We performed fertilization experiments with Acropora digitifera, which is one of the dominant scleractinian corals in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, to determine optimal conditions for in vitro manipulations. Our result suggests that conspecific fertilization is essentially complete within 30 min under the experimental conditions used in usual fertilization experiments in corals. Previous in vitro experiments (1 × 105–106 sperm/ml, 4–8 h) are likely to have overestimated the efficiency of fertilization of Acropora spp. in the field. Therefore, we suggest that incubation periods shorter than those used to date (i.e. complete exclusion of sperm 1 h after their addition) would be more appropriate for the estimation of fertilization rates in corals.
Subcellular localization of calcium and Ca-ATPase activity during nuclear maturation inBufo arenarumoocytes
Authors: Ramos Inés , Cisint Susana B. , Crespo Claudia A. , Medina Marcela F. , Fernández Silvia N.
Published: April 2009

The localization of calcium and Ca-ATPase activity inBufo arenarumoocytes was investigated by ultracytochemical techniques during progesterone-induced nuclear maturation, underin vitroconditions. No Ca2+deposits were detected in either control oocytes or progesterone-treated ones for 1–2 h. At the time when nuclear migration started, electron dense deposits of Ca2+were visible in vesicles, endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and in the space between the annulate lamellae membranes. Furthermore, Ca-ATPase activity was also detected in these membrane structures. As maturation progressed, the cation deposits were observed in the cytomembrane structures, which underwent an important reorganization and redistribution. Thus, they moved from the subcortex and became located predominantly in the oocyte cortex area when nuclear maturation ended. Ca2+stores were observed in vesicles surrounding or between the cortical granules, which are aligned close to the plasma membrane. The positive Ca-ATPase reaction in these membrane structures could indicate that the calcium deposit is an ATP-dependent process. Our results suggest that during oocyte maturation calcium would be stored in membrane structures where it remains available for release at the time of fertilization. Data obtained under our experimental conditions indicate that calcium from the extracellular medium would be important for the oocyte maturation process.
Foundations of Complex Systems
Authors: Nicolis Gregoire , Nicolis Catherine
Published: April 2009

An approach to Complexity from the perspective of fundamental science is outlined, drawing on the cross-fertilization of concepts and tools from nonlinear dynamics, statistical physics, probability and information theories, data analysis and numerical simulation. Emphasis is placed on the intertwining between different levels of description and on the probabilistic dimension of complex systems, in connection with the issue of prediction.
Complexity in Economic Theory and Real Economic Life
Authors: Lorenz Hans-Walter
Published: April 2009

Complex dynamic behaviour in terms of chaotic motion, catastrophic events or other seemingly irregular and unexpected features of and in theoretical economic models – aimed at describing real-world phenomena – are nowadays known as a common property of many nonlinear approaches to an understanding of the motion of actual time series, such as inflation rates, unemployment figures, and many other – mainly macroeconomic – economic variables. Since most existing models in economic dynamics are constructed in the tradition of classical mechanics, this result does not appear as a real surprise. However, the real ‘complexity challenge’ for economic theory still persists in identifying the complex structure of economic reality, which cannot be satisfactorily represented by simple deterministic laws of motion, although such ‘laws’ might possess the possibility of very complicated dynamic motion.
Towards Complex Matter: Supramolecular Chemistry and Self-organization
Authors: Lehn Jean-Marie
Published: April 2009

Chemistry has developed from molecular chemistry, mastering the combination and recombination of atoms into increasingly complex molecules, to supramolecular chemistry, harnessing intermolecular forces for the generation of informed supramolecular systems and processes through the implementation of molecular information carried by electromagnetic interactions. Supramolecular chemistry is actively exploring systems undergoing self-organization, i.e. systems capable of spontaneously generating well-defined functional supramolecular architectures by self-assembly from their components, on the basis of the molecular information stored in the covalent framework of the components and read out at the supramolecular level through specific molecular recognition interactional algorithms, thus behaving as programmed chemical systems. Supramolecular entities as well as molecules containing reversible bonds are able to undergo a continuous change in constitution by reorganization and exchange of building blocks. This capability defines a Constitutional Dynamic Chemistry (CDC) on both the molecular and supramolecular levels. CDC introduces a paradigm shift with respect to constitutionally static chemistry. It takes advantage of dynamic constitutional diversity to allow variation and selection and thus adaptation. The merging of the features of supramolecular systems – information and programmability; dynamics and reversibility; constitution and structural diversity – points towards the emergence of adaptive chemistry. A further development will concern the inclusion of the arrow of time, i.e. of non-equilibrium, irreversible processes and the exploration of the frontiers of chemical evolution towards the establishment of evolutive chemistry, where the features acquired by adaptation are conserved and transmitted. In combination with the corresponding fields of physics and biology, chemistry thus plays a major role in the progressive elaboration of a science of informed, organized, evolutive matter, a science of complex matter.
Popper’s Mosquito Swarm: Architecture, Cybernetics and the Operationalization of Complexity
Authors: Vrachliotis Georg
Published: April 2009

For the architecture theorist Charles Jencks, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Peter Eisenman’s Aronoff Center in Cincinnati, and Daniel Libeskind’s Jewish Museum in Berlin are architectural replies to the question of the cultural outgrowths of ‘complexity science’. In the light of new technologies being used in architecture, it seems necessary to explore Jencks’s position from new perspectives and to ask: in the context of architectural production, is it possible to discuss complexity not only as an artistic-aesthetic category, but also as a fundamental technical-constructive idea? Contemporary information technologies confront architectural-theoretical discourses with developments that call for an expanded theoretical instrumentarium. It remains unclear which architectural language might be used best to approach the concept of complexity associated with information technologies.
Transcription factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Sanchez Amber Paratore , Sharma Kumar
Published: April 2009

Approximately a third of patients with diabetes develop diabetic kidney disease, and diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in most developed countries. Hyperglycaemia is known to activate genes that ultimately lead to extracellular matrix accumulation, the hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. Several transcription factors have been implicated in glucose-mediated expression of genes involved in diabetic nephropathy. This review focuses on the transcription factors upstream stimulatory factors 1 and 2 (USF1 and 2), activator protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), and stimulating protein 1 (Sp1). In response to high glucose, several of these transcription factors regulate the gene encoding the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β, as well as genes for a range of other proteins implicated in inflammation and extracellular matrix turnover, including thrombospondin 1, the chemokine CCL2, osteopontin, fibronectin, decorin, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and aldose reductase. Identifying the molecular mechanisms by which diabetic nephropathy occurs has important clinical implications as therapies can then be tailored to target those at risk. Strategies to specifically target transcription factor activation and function may be employed to halt the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
A literature review exploring the efficacy of case formulations in clinical practice. What are the themes and pertinent issues?
Authors: Aston Robert
Published: April 2009

There is a paucity of research exploring the validity, reliability and impact on clinical outcome of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) case formulations. This review considers a variety of literature that relates to formulations and their use, it also draws on other types of psychotherapy where there appears to be a more established and robust research base. The literature review explores the research that has taken place within CBP and considers the themes that emerge from this research. Several themes were identified and these relate to decision-making and experience, specific guidelines to aid quality of formulations and a significant lack of understanding of clients' views on the formulation process and its outcome. It is unclear whether formulations do influence the successfulness of therapy. Recommendations are made as to what further research is needed and the form this should take.
Collusion in clinical supervision: literature review and case study in self-reflection
Authors: Milne Derek L. , Leck Caroline , Choudhri Nasim Z.
Published: April 2009

Interpersonal dynamics are a recurring impediment to effective clinical supervision and can lead to phenomena like collusion between the supervisor and supervisee. Collusion involves both supervisor and supervisee engaging in safety behaviours that serve to conveniently avoid and escape from difficult topics and challenging methods. Whilst minimizing the short-term threat to supervisor and supervisee, collusion will tend to undermine the effectiveness of supervision and limit significantly its long-term value to patients. In order to consider how best to address collusion, we review the cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and related literature on collusion, focusing on how it has been formulated and managed. We then provide a case study featuring a supervisor who was colluding with the supervisee's avoidance behaviours (i.e. filling supervision sessions with superficial reflections on his casework) by not challenging these reflections or moving to another learning mode (e.g. experimenting). We develop a CBT formulation of this pattern of supervision as part of the self-reflection process, led by a consultant. Self-reflection appeared to be a useful tool for improving the supervisor's understanding of this dysfunctional process, and strengthened the supervisor's confidence in utilizing relevant skills in the future.
When is enough enough? Structuring the organization of treatment to maximize patient choice and control
Authors: Carey Timothy A. , Spratt Margaret B.
Published: April 2009

The psychological treatment offered to clients is important. However, an equally important consideration may be the way the treatment is delivered. Reducing waiting lists and improving access to services are priorities for many health services. So is increasing patient control over their own health-care outcomes. While waiting times and access to services have typically been addressed by increasing the numbers of clinicians available, our work suggests that a strategy of providing patients with the ability to determine the frequency and duration of their treatment may be an option that is simpler, more effective, and financially more attractive. After describing policy and ethical guidelines as well as empirical and theoretical information, we provide data from our work in one GP practice about the improvements in waiting times and access to services that occurred when we adopted an approach that allowed patients rather than clinicians to decide how the organization of treatment would occur. There seem to be many benefits to this approach; however, it may also raise dilemmas for clinicians when patients' preferences differ from their own. Ultimately, these conundrums can only be reconciled by the individual clinicians based on their attitudes to mental health problems and service provision.
Dekontamination und Antidote bei akuten Vergiftungen
Authors: Kupferschmidt Hugo , Züst Ariane , Rauber-Lüthy Christine
Published: April 2009

Bei akuten Vergiftungen ist die Erhaltung oder Wiederherstellung der Vitalfunktionen die erste und wichtigste Maßnahme. Jede weitere spezifische Therapie und die Prognose im akuten Notfall ist danach abhängig von der Noxenidentifikation und der Ermittlung der substanzspezifischen Toxizität. Obwohl die Evidenz lückenhaft ist, gilt heute noch immer das Konzept, dass eine Reduktion der Giftabsorption und die Verkürzung des Vergiftungsverlaufes durch eine beschleunigte Elimination der Noxen günstig sind. Diese Maßnahmen sind jedoch in den Kontext der Prognose und des zeitlichen Verlaufes der Intoxikation zu setzen. Methoden zur Reduktion der Giftabsorption sind (in absteigender Bedeutung) die einmalige orale Verabreichung von Aktivkohle, die Ganzdarmspülung und die Magenspülung; das induzierte Erbrechen mittels Ipecac wird nicht mehr praktiziert. Methoden zur beschleunigten Elimination sind die wiederholte Verabreichung von Aktivkohle, die Alkalinisierung des Urins und extrakorporelle Eliminationsverfahren (Hämodialyse, Hämoperfusion). Eine beschleunigte Elimination macht nur Sinn bei Noxen mit langer Verweildauer im Körper. Die Gabe von Antidoten ist immer spezifisch auf bestimmte Noxen ausgerichtet und kommt nur bei einer begrenzten Anzahl Giften in Frage. Die Beschaffung spezifischer Antidote wird erleichtert durch eine übersichtlich und einheitlich organisierte Versorgung dieser oft schwer erhältlichen und nicht zugelassenen Präparate.
Gifttierunfälle in Mitteleuropa
Authors: Bodio Mauro , Junghanss Thomas
Published: April 2009

Mitteleuropa ist ein Gebiet, das heute weitgehend von schweren Gifttierunfällen verschont ist. Die Kreuzottern befinden sich auf dem Rückzug. Die größte Rolle spielen jetzt Badeunfälle mit Quallen und Stacheln giftiger Fische. Bei Terrarienunfälle fügen exotische Schlagen schwere lebensgefährliche Vergiftungen zu. Ein System wird erläutert, das sich in der Praxis bewährt hat, Gifttierunfälle zu klassifizieren und die Vergiftungsdynamik abzuschätzen. Die wichtigsten Vertreter der passiv giftigen Tiere, Nesseltiere, aktiv giftigen Fische, Skorpione, Spinnen, Hymenopteren und Giftschlangen Mitteleuropas und die spezifischen Therapeutika, die Antivenine, werden dargestellt. Das Schweizerische Antivenindepot “Antivenin-CH“ des Schweizerischen Toxikologischen Informationszentrums Zürich und das MRITox München mit der Antiveninliste Munich AntiVenom INdex (MAVIN) werden vorgestellt .
Vergiftungen beim Kind, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Haushaltprodukte
Authors: Rauber-Lüthy Christine , Staubli Georg
Published: April 2009

Kindervergiftungen sind häufig, verlaufen aber nur selten schwer oder gar tödlich. Die Herausforderung für Ärzte/Ärztinnen ist es, bei der Vielzahl der Kinderintoxikationen die wenigen lebensbedrohlichen rasch zu erfassen und den Kindern unverzüglich die entsprechende Therapie zukommen zu lassen. Unter den Haushaltprodukten sind Detergentien, Alkohole (Ethanol, Isopropylalkohol), Kohlenwasserstoffe, sowie leicht ätzende Substanzen weit verbreitet. Seltene, aber gefährliche Inhaltstoffe können “toxische Alkohole“ (Ethylenglykol, Methanol), sowie starke Säuren und Laugen sein. Auch bei Vergiftungsunfällen mit Knopfbatterien und Magneten gilt es, die vielen unproblematischen Fälle von den seltenen mit Gefährdungspotenzial abzugrenzen.
Expositionen mit Ätzstoffen
Authors: Eyer Florian , Zilker Thomas
Published: April 2009

Verätzungen am Auge geschehen in aller Regel akzidentell und können zu schwersten Schädigungen bis zum Visusverlust führen. Jede Verätzung durch Säuren oder Laugen erfordert ein intensives, kontinuierliches Spülen für mindestens 15–30 Minuten, in Ausnahmefällen bis zu 2 Stunden. Als Spüllösung der ersten Wahl bietet sich aufgrund der raschen Verfügbarkeit Trinkwasser an. Körperwarme Ringer-Laktat-Lösung kann – sobald verfügbar – weiter zur Spülung verwendet werden. Ein Ophthalmologe sollte bei allen relevanten Expositionen am Auge kontaktiert werden. Spezifische Behandlungsmöglichkeiten der Dekontamination ergeben sich aus dem zugrundeliegenden Agens. Verätzungen der Haut kommen in aller Regel ebenfalls akzidentell vor und erfordern eine sofortige Dekontamination mit intensiver Spülung. Während die meisten Säuren- und Laugenverätzungen symptomatisch behandelt werden, erfordert die Verätzung mit Flusssäure häufig spezifischere topische, subkutane, intraläsionale, intravenöse oder intraarterielle Injektionen von Calciumgluconat zur Bindung der Fluoridionen. Diese Therapie wird in der Regel bis zur Schmerzfreiheit durchgeführt. Verätzungen des Gastrointestinaltraktes kommen durch versehentliches Verschlucken oder in suizidaler Absicht vor. Laugenverätzungen sind häufig gravierender als Säureverätzungen. Eine Laryngoskopie sollte Verätzungen im Bereich des Hypopharynx und Larynx aufdecken und gegebenenfalls eine Atemwegssicherung nach sich ziehen. Eine frühzeitige Ösophagogastroduodenoskopie kann eine erste Einschätzung des Ausmaßes sowie eine Prognoseabschätzung ermöglichen und sollte in den ersten 24 Stunden durchgeführt werden. Das Risiko, dadurch eine Perforation zu provozieren, scheint gering. Der Einsatz von Kortikosteroiden und/oder Antibiotika kann die Rate an Strikturen nicht reduzieren. Stenosen, Strikturen und maligne Entartungen sind gefürchtete Langzeitkomplikationen, letztere können mit einer Latenz bis zu 60 Jahren auftreten. Eine Bougierung oder Stenttherapie sollte nicht vor 6 Wochen nach Erstereignis durchgeführt werden. Bei massiven Verätzungen Grad 3b muss gegebenenfalls auch prophylaktisch eine chirurgische Therapie erfolgen, um eine Perforation zu verhindern. Perforationen mit Entwicklung einer Mediastinitis, Peritonitis, Sepsis und Multiorganversagen sind mit einer extrem hohen Letalität behaftet und müssen daher vermieden werden.
Akute Vergiftungen mit Kohlenmonoxid und Zyaniden
Authors: Baud Frédéric J.
Published: April 2009

Die einzige toxikologische Gemeinsamkeit von Kohlenmonoxid (CO) und dem Zyanid-Ion (CN‾) ist ihre Affinität zum Eisen in verschiedenen Hämoproteinen. Darüber hinaus ist CO ein stabiles, nicht weiter metabolisiertes Molekül, während CN‾ hochreaktiv ist und extensiv metabolisiert wird. CN‾ beeinträchtigt im Gegensatz zu CO den erythrozytären Sauerstofftransport nicht. Beide Gifte wirken in den Mitochondrien, wo CN‾, nicht aber CO, vollständig und dauerhaft die Zellatmung blockiert und so eine schwere Laktatazidose hervorruft. Während die CO-Vergiftung vor allem zu kognitiven oder gar zu Bewusstseinsstörungen ohne wesentliche Beeinträchtigung der Vitalfunktionen führt, ist die Zyanidvergiftung bereits früh mit einer Störung des Bewusstseins und der Vitalfunktionen verbunden. Für eine schwere Vergiftung ist beim CO eine mehrstündige Exposition notwendig, beim CN‾ reichen Sekunden bis Minuten aus. Beide Gase können dauernde Hirnschädigungen hervorrufen, die Bildgebung zeigt jedoch Unterschiede in Art und Ort der Läsion. Bei der CO-Vergiftung ist Sauerstoff die einzige Therapie, während bei der Zyanidvergiftung zusätzlich Antidote verabreicht werden müssen. Leider wird von Notfallärzten, klinischen Toxikologen und Neuroradiologen die Rauchgasvergiftungen immer noch häufig als alleinige CO-Vergiftung missinterpretiert. Der Einfluss anderer starker Giftgase wird damit unterschätzt und nicht angemessen behandelt, was zu erhöhter Morbidität und Mortalität führen kann.
Potential biogeochemical effects from vigorous internal tides generated in Luzon Strait: A case study at the southernmost coast of Taiwan
Authors: Jan Sen , Chen Chen‐Tung Arthur
Published: April 2009

Vigorous internal tides excited in the Luzon Strait are the putative cause of regular temperature drops of 2–10°C within only 12–24 h at the southernmost coast of Taiwan. Significant amounts of nutrient pumping, i.e., 2.4–22.9 mmol N m−2 h−1 nitrate (NO3−) and 0.4–1.75 mmol P m−2 h−1 phosphate (PO43−), occur during the upward phase in an internal tide. The upwelling, which is potentially induced by internal tides, not only helps cap the summertime mean temperature at ∼27.6°C but also supplies nutrients to the euphotic layer, which may be beneficial to the growth of coral reefs. A baroclinic tide model with 1°/12 (∼9.2 km) resolution, which is sufficient to resolve topography around southern Taiwan, was used to evaluate the internal tide generation in the Luzon Strait and the physical and biogeochemical influences of these tides in this coastal region. The timing and amplitude, as well as fortnightly and seasonal variations of the modeled temperatures, agreed with the observations, suggesting that observed temperature decreases and nutrient enrichment are primarily caused by internal tide‐induced upwelling. This investigation further indicated that the internal tides propagating to the coast are remotely generated on the eastern flank of Heng‐Chun Ridge, rather than locally, near the southernmost coast of Taiwan. The model also evaluated that the seasonal variation of the pycnocline in the receiving waters, which is stronger and shallower during summer than winter, results in relatively larger temperature decreases in the summer.
Plasmasphere and upper ionosphere contributions and corrections during the assimilation of GPS slant TEC
Authors: Thompson Donald C. , Scherliess Ludger , Sojka Jan J. , Schunk Robert W.
Published: April 2009

Total electron content (TEC) measurements from ground stations to Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites provide a rich source of information about the Earth's ionosphere. These data comprise a significant part of the typical data set used by various data ingestion and assimilation models of the ionosphere. For example, the Utah State University (USU) Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM) data assimilation model uses slant TEC, along with various other types of data, to obtain a global reconstruction of the ionosphere. There are presently two different USU GAIM models: the Gauss‐Markov Kalman Filter (GAIM‐GM), which is operational at the NASA Community Coordinated Modeling Center and the Air Force Weather Agency; and the Full‐Physics Kalman Filter (GAIM‐FP), which is presently run for scientific studies. TEC is the integrated electron density along the path from the ground to the GPS satellites, which orbit at approximately 20,200 km. The GAIM‐FP modeled space ranges up to 30,000 km in altitude, so the entire TEC raypath is contained within the model space. Many ionosphere models do not model this entire region. For example, the GAIM‐GM extends up to an altitude of 1400 km. It is necessary to account for the portion of TEC that is not modeled by some means. There are basically two simple techniques that are in common use: (1) correct the measured TEC by using a model of the upper ionosphere and plasmasphere to subtract their contributions, or (2) ignore the effect and assign the full measured TEC to the ionosphere within the assimilation model space. We present the effect of assimilating TEC measurements into the GAIM‐GM using both the techniques mentioned above. It is found that derived quantities such as NmF2 are significantly degraded by ignoring the upper ionospheric contribution to TEC. This degradation is seen at all local times. The effect is most pronounced at night, when the F region densities are small and the upper ionospheric contribution to TEC is relatively large.
Numerical simulation of dune–flat bed transition and stage‐discharge relationship with hysteresis effect
Authors: Shimizu Yasuyuki , Giri Sanjay , Yamaguchi Satomi , Nelson Jonathan
Published: April 2009

This work presents recent advances on morphodynamic modeling of bed forms under unsteady discharge. This paper includes further development of a morphodynamic model proposed earlier by Giri and Shimizu (2006a). This model reproduces the temporal development of river dunes and accurately replicates the physical properties associated with bed form evolution. Model results appear to provide accurate predictions of bed form geometry and form drag over bed forms for arbitrary steady flows. However, accurate predictions of temporal changes of form drag are key to the prediction of stage‐discharge relation during flood events. Herein, the model capability is extended to replicate the dune–flat bed transition, and in turn, the variation of form drag produced by the temporal growth or decay of bed forms under unsteady flow conditions. Some numerical experiments are performed to analyze hysteresis of the stage‐discharge relationship caused by the transition between dune and flat bed regimes during rising and falling stages of varying flows. The numerical model successfully simulates dune–flat bed transition and the associated hysteresis of the stage‐discharge relationship; this is in good agreement with physical observations but has been treated in the past only using empirical methods. A hypothetical relationship for a sediment parameter (the mean step length) is proposed to a first level of approximation that enables reproduction of the dune–flat bed transition. The proposed numerical model demonstrates its ability to address an important practical problem associated with bed form evolution and flow resistance in varying flows.
Variability of rainfall rate and raindrop size distributions in heavy rain
Authors: Smith James A. , Hui Eric , Steiner Matthias , Baeck Mary Lynn , Krajewski Witold F. , Ntelekos Alexandros A.
Published: April 2009

A stochastic model of rainfall rate is used to examine the temporal variability of rainfall during heavy convective rain periods. The model represents the microstructure of rainfall rate at time scales that are important for land surface processes associated with infiltration and runoff production. The representation of rainfall rate is based on a marked point process model of raindrop size distributions, which yields a gamma raindrop spectrum with parameters that are time‐varying stochastic processes. Raindrop size distribution observations from a Joss‐Waldvogel disdrometer in Princeton, New Jersey, during the period May–October 2006 are used along with the stochastic model to examine rainfall rate variability. Analyses focus on a sample of 60‐min time periods in which heavy convective rainfall occurred. Central elements of the analyses entail examination of the relationships between rainfall rate and the time‐varying model parameters that characterize the raindrop size distribution. We also examine the dependence structure among these processes. “Scaling law” formulations of raindrop size distributions are used to examine variability of raindrop size distributions. Analyses of the Princeton heavy rainfall periods also point to seasonal and diurnal heterogeneities as important elements of the distribution of extreme rainfall rates. Convective intensity, as reflected in cloud‐to‐ground lightning observations, plays an important role in the distribution of extreme rainfall rates and the evolution of raindrop size distributions associated with heavy rainfall.
Curating Genetic Association Literature for Common Diseases
Authors: Silver Elana , Halperin Eran , Kober Kord , Padhukasahasram Badri , Patil Nila , Sommargren Michelle , Stephan Dietrich , Thomas Daryl , Trumbower Heather , Cargill Michele
Published: April 2009

Papers describing genetic associations with common diseases are currently being published at a rapid rate. These new papers add to an already large body of literature which includes candidate gene studies, genome wide association studies, review papers, and meta-analyses. Related papers describe the basic epidemiology of these common diseases, as well as interactions between genes and environment, other genes, and drugs (pharmacogenomics), all of which may affect disease predisposition and management. As the field of personalized genomics continues to grow and mature, this body of literature is being synthesized in various ways. One aspect of utmost importance is to track gene-disease associations over time to see if they are replicated in different populations by different authors. This has historically^1^ been a limitation of genetic association studies and if not addressed, can be a major barrier to the adoption of personalized genomics. Another key need is to systematically collect data on the magnitude of the gene-disease effect (typically an odds ratio), variant identifier, allele frequency, risk and non-risk alleles, and other key information from the papers. This is often made more complicated the way that the data is presented by authors (in particular, it is often difficult to tell which is the risk allele), as well as by DNA strand issues. We have built a literature curation database that addresses these two key needs, using Ruby on Rails with MySQL. Lack of consistent standards for the reporting of gene-disease associations, either by journal editors or other consortia or agencies, make automated computer curation infeasible at this time. Thus, Navigenics does all curation manually, employing a team of epidemiologists and human geneticists. To minimize human error, we have incorporated quality control measures, including two independent literature reviews, into the data collection system. Methods for the collection, interpretation, storage, and retrieval of genetic association data from large numbers of papers will be discussed.
Genome Network Project: An Integrated Genomic Platform
Authors: Clemente Jose , Nakagawa So , Ikeo Kazuho , Gojobori Takashi
Published: April 2009

With the objective of elucidating the structure of gene interactions in the human genome, the Genome Network Project has generated a vast quantity of experimental data, mainly focusing on transcriptional control and transcription-factor related protein-protein interactions (PPI). This data has been collected and organized into the Genome Network Platform ("http://genomenetwork.nig.ac.jp/":http://genomenetwork.nig.ac.jp/) at the National Institute of Genetics. Expression data was obtained through CAGE (Cap Analysis Gene Expression), qRT-PCR, tiling array, microarray and short RNA analysis, while PPI information was gathered through yeast two hybrid (Y2H), mammalian two hybrid (M2H) and in vitro virus (IVV) methods. The Genome Network Platform Viewer provides an integrated user interface to the complete database, including services of gene search, whole genome browsing, PPI network viewer, and expression profile analysis. Our platform represents an extremely useful resource for researchers in the field of genomics, and provides access to high quality data through the combination of intuitive browsing and visualization capabilities.
HGNC: The Why and How of Standardised Gene Nomenclature
Authors: Seal Ruth , Gordon Susan , Lush Michael , Wright Mathew , Bruford Elspeth
Published: April 2009

The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) aims to approve a unique gene symbol and gene name for every human gene. Standardisation of gene symbols is necessary to allow researchers and curators to refer to the same gene without ambiguity. Consistent use of gene symbols in publications and across different websites makes it easy for researchers to find all relevant information for a particular gene and facilitates data mining and retrieval. For each gene that we name we curate relevant information including symbol aliases, chromosomal location, locus type, sequence accessions and links to relevant databases. Therefore, our website is a central resource for human genetics. We endeavour to approve gene symbols that are acceptable to researchers to encourage widespread use of our symbols. In order to achieve this, we contact researchers that work on particular genes for advice before approving symbols and allow researchers to submit gene symbols to us directly for our consideration. We attend conferences to discuss difficult nomenclature matters and to gain community agreement. We interact with annotators of genes and proteins to provide symbols and names that accurately reflect the nature of each gene and its products. We also work with the gene nomenclature committees for other organisms, and aim to approve equivalent gene symbols for orthologous genes in human and other vertebrate species, especially mouse and rat. We will demonstrate the steps that are required to name a gene, and will show how and where the nomenclature of a particular gene is used. We will also explain the nature of our collaborations with particular journals and other databases in striving to achieve the use of a common gene nomenclature by all.