bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conceptual model of depositional, rather than erosional, tidal channel development in the rapidly prograding Skagit River Delta (Washington, USA)
Authors: Hood W. Gregory
Published: May 2006

The origin and growth of blind tidal channels is generally considered to be an erosional process. This paper describes a contrasting depositional model for blind tidal channel origin and development in the Skagit River delta, Washington, USA. Chronological sequences of historical maps and photos spanning the last century show that as sediments accumulated at the river mouth, vegetation colonization created marsh islands that splintered the river into distributaries. The marsh islands coalesced when intervening distributary channels gradually narrowed and finally closed at the upstream end to form a blind tidal channel, or at mid‐length to form two blind tidal channels. Channel closure was probably often mediated through gradient reduction associated with marsh progradation and channel lengthening, coupled with large woody debris blockages. Blind tidal channel evolution from distributaries was common in the Skagit marshes from 1889 to the present, and it can account for the origin of very small modern blind tidal channels. The smallest observed distributary‐derived modern blind tidal channels have mean widths of 0·3 m, at the resolution limit of the modern orthophotographs. While channel initiation and persistence are similar processes in erosional systems, they are different processes in this depositional model. Once a channel is obstructed and isolated from distributary flow, only tidal flow remains and channel persistence becomes a function of tidal prism and tidal or wind/wave erosion. In rapidly prograding systems like the Skagit, blind tidal channel networks are probably inherited from the antecedent distributary network. Examination of large‐scale channel network geometry of such systems should therefore consider distributaries and blind tidal channels part of a common channel network and not entirely distinct elements of the system. Finally, managers of tidal habitat restoration projects generally assume an erosional model of tidal channel development. However, under circumstances conducive to progradation, depositional channel development may prevail instead. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Causes and underlying processes of measurement variability in field erosion plots in Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Boix‐Fayos C. , Martínez‐Mena M. , Calvo‐Cases A. , Arnau‐Rosalén E. , Albaladejo J. , Castillo V.
Published: May 2006

An understanding of the sources of variation in the use of erosion plots and of their feasibility to meet the objectives of each specific research project is key to improving future field designs, selecting data for modelling purposes and furthering knowledge of soil erosion processes. Our own field experiences from ongoing research on soil erosion processes since 1989, have allowed us to detect several methodological problems that cause measurement variability. Here several examples are presented concerning: (i) differences in long‐term soil erosion data between open and closed plots; (ii) differences in soil loss derived from replica soil erosion plots; and (iii) differences in soil loss data derived from plots at a range of spatial scales. Closed plots are not the most suitable method for long‐term monitoring of soil erosion rates due to the risk of exhaustion of available material within the plot. The difference in time after which exhaustion occurs depends on the surface soil characteristics, the climatological conditions and the size of the plots. We detected four and seven years as ‘time to exhaustion’. Different results are frequently obtained between pairs of replica plots. Differences up to a factor of nine have been detected in total soil loss between replica plots due to different spatial patterns of surface components. Different constraints appear depending on the spatial scale of measurement of soil loss. We obtained lower runoff percentages at coarser scales; however, larger sediment concentrations are observed at coarser scales (1·32 g l−1, catchment; 0·30 g l−1, 30 m2; 0·17 g l−1, 1 m2 scales). The smaller the plot, the larger the hydrological disconnection within the system, the lower the energy flows due to short distances and the quicker the response to runoff due to an artificial decrease of concentration times for continuous flow. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neural systems connecting interoceptive awareness and feelings
Authors: Pollatos Olga , Gramann Klaus , Schandry Rainer
Published: May 2006

In many theories of emotions the representations of bodily responses play an important role for subjective feelings. We tested the hypothesis that the perception of bodily states is positively related to the experienced intensity of feelings as well as to the activity of first‐order and second‐order brain structures involved in the processing of feelings. Using a heartbeat perception task, subjects were separated into groups with either high or poor interoceptive awareness. During emotional picture presentation we measured high‐density EEG and used spatiotemporal current density reconstruction to identify regions involved in both interoceptive awareness and emotion processing. We observed a positive relation between interoceptive awareness and the experienced intensity of emotions. Furthermore, the P300 amplitudes to pleasant and unpleasant pictures were enhanced for subjects with high interoceptive awareness. The source reconstruction revealed that interoceptive awareness is related to an enhanced activation in both first‐order structures (insula, somatosensory cortices) and second‐order structures (anterior cingulate, prefrontal cortices). We conclude that the perception of bodily states is a crucial determinant for the processing and the subjective experience of feelings. Hum. Brain Mapping, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk factors for hypopharyngeal/upper esophageal stricture formation after concurrent chemoradiation
Authors: Lee Walter T. , Akst Lee M. , Adelstein David J. , Saxton Jerrod P. , Wood Benjamin G. , Strome Marshall , Butler Robert S. , Esclamado Ramon M.
Published: May 2006

Background

Concurrent chemoradiation therapy has been demonstrated to be effective as an organ‐sparing treatment for select advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, this treatment modality is not without side effects. One side effect is the formation of upper esophageal strictures. As concurrent chemoradiation treatment is used more frequently, it is important to identify risk factors associated with stricture formation.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone definitive concurrent chemoradiation treatment between 1989 and 2002 was performed. Exclusion criteria included death within 1 year or persistent/recurrent disease that required surgical salvage at the primary site. The outcome measure was stricture formation as determined by both objective findings (barium swallow or endoscopy) and the need for dilation after treatment.

Results

Of the 222 patients in this cohort, there were enough data for 199 patients to assess for stricture formation. Strictures developed in a total of 41 patients (21%). Significant predictive factors were a twice‐daily (BID) radiation fractionation (p = .007), female sex (p = .015), and a hypopharyngeal primary site (p = .01). Age and tumor extent were not significant factors in stricture formation (p = .15 and p = .23, respectively).

Conclusions

Symptomatic strictures occur in 21% of patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation for HNSCC. Female sex, BID radiation fractionation, and a hypopharyngeal primary site are significant predictive factors for stricture formation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006
A systems view of personnel assignment problems
Authors: Holness Karen S. , Drury Colin G. , Batta Rajan
Published: May 2006

Personnel assignment problems have traditionally been solved using operations research (OR) methods. The purpose of the research was to demonstrate the value of taking a systems view of personnel assignment beyond the usual OR models. Human factors methodologies and research methods were used to describe and analyze the components of the personnel assignment process at a printing company. These included macroergonomics, human–computer interaction, the skills–rules–knowledge (SRK) framework, hierarchical task analysis, decision ladders, and abstraction decomposition spaces. This approach facilitated assessments for function allocation and work system design, which are argued to be necessary for successful implementations of any solution for personnel assignment problems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 16: 285–307, 2006.
Knowledge management for occupational safety, health, and ergonomics
Authors: Sherehiy Bohdana , Karwowski Waldemar
Published: May 2006

The critical challenge for occupational safety, health, and ergonomics (OSHE) in contemporary industry is management of the existing individual (personal) knowledge, structural knowledge (i.e., knowledge codified into manuals, reports, databases, and data warehouses), and organizational knowledge (activity of learning within the organization) in the vast domain of practical applications. Therefore, the principles and tools of knowledge management (KM) should be used to facilitate the management of OSHE. The authors discuss the requirements for effective knowledge management, review the existing models of KM and their structures, and introduce a model for KM in OSHE. The proposed model of KM for OSHE is based on a strategy that establishes knowledge as the central resource to achieve the goals of OSHE management. The model includes the systems of organizational knowledge, organizational learning (knowledge creation, distribution, elaboration, and consolidation), development of knowledge workers, KM processes (review, conceptualization, reflection, and acting), and relevant information‐technologies. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 16: 309–319, 2006.
Simulation of microbial mass and its variation in biofilm systems using STELLA
Authors: Nabizadeh Ramin , Mesdaghinia Alireza
Published: May 2006

Biofilm systems have been extensively used for treating different types of wastewater. Difficulty in determination of microbial mass in fixed‐film reactors has been always the greatest problem in evaluating effects of loading rates on the microbial population in such reactors. For this reason, the effect of operating parameters such as organic loadings on the available microbial mass in the system and solids retention time (SRT) have not been discussed in detail. In this study an innovative methodology was developed to simulate the quantity of microbial mass in an aerated submerged fixed‐film reactor (ASFFR) reactor. After determination of kinetic parameters, a dynamic model was developed using STELLA, popular dynamic modeling software, to simulate the microbial mass in the reactor at run time. The pilot plant study was performed with two different surface media and at different loading rates from 2.37 to 19.56 g m−2d−1. Furthermore, the effect of different organic loadings on the accumulation of microbial mass and SRT have been studied and the relevant mathematical relationships were presented. This method makes the evaluation of biofilm system simple and practical without taking samples to quantify microbial mass in reactors. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Solar‐light assisted removal of arsenic from natural waters: effect of iron and citrate concentrations
Authors: Lara Frederick , Cornejo Lorena , Yáñez Jorge , Freer Juanita , Mansilla Héctor D
Published: May 2006

The optimal conditions to remove arsenic(III) from a solution were fitted using a factorial experimental design in a reaction catalysed by visible light (black light, 360 nm) and an iron‐citrate complex. Experiments were performed by simultaneously modifying the two variables affecting the removal of arsenic, i.e. iron and citrate concentrations. The single polynomial function obtained with the factorial design methodology indicates that the iron concentration was the most critical parameter in the removal of arsenic by precipitation. Mathematically, it was determined that the optimum molar ratio for arsenic, citrate and iron was 1:4.5:18.7, respectively, over 90% of arsenic being eliminated after 4 h of irradiation. The comparison between the As(III) and As(V) co‐precipitation rates indicates that almost 80% of As(III) was removed after 1 h of irradiation with black light, while As(V) required 4 h of irradiation to reach the same value. When natural water containing approximately 1 mg L−1 of arsenic, only as As(V), was irradiated with solar light under optimised conditions, approximately 95% of the arsenic was removed after 1 h of irradiation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of gaseous ozone as an anti‐fungal fumigant for stored wheat
Authors: Wu Jiangning , Doan Huu , Cuenca Manuel Alvarez
Published: May 2006

In this study, gaseous ozone was used as a fungicide to preserve stored wheat. The following operating parameters were investigated for their effects on the fungicidal efficacy of ozone: (1) the applied ozone dose; (2) ozonation time; (3) water activity of the wheat; and (4) temperature of the wheat. The effect of ozonation on germination of the wheat was also studied. Experimental results revealed that gaseous ozone was very effective in the inactivation of fungi associated with the wheat. Within 5 min of ozonation, 96.9% of the fungal spores were inactivated by applying 0.33 mg of ozone (g wheat)−1 min−1. It was also found that increases in both water activity and temperature of the wheat enhanced the fungicidal efficacy of ozone. In addition, results of this study indicated that the inactivation processes could be controlled by simply monitoring the ozone exiting from the reactor and, consequently, the time‐consuming microbial examination processes could be avoided. This finding would make the application of ozone in the preservation of cereal grains easier, simpler, and more cost‐effective. It was also found that although the applied ozone doses above certain thresholds may reduce the germination of wheat, the inactivation of fungi could be achieved using applied ozone doses far below those thresholds. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Design and optimization of lentiviral vectors for transfer of GALC expression in Twitcher brain
Authors: Dolcetta D. , Perani L. , Givogri M. I. , Galbiati F. , Amadio S. , Del Carro U. , Finocchiaro G. , Fanzani A. , Marchesini S. , Naldini L. , Roncarolo M. G. , Bongarzone E.
Published: May 2006

Background

Demyelination in globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is due to a deficiency of galactocerebrosidase (GALC) activity. Up to now, in vivo brain viral gene transfer of GALC showed modest impact on disease development in Twitcher mice, an animal model for GLD. Lentiviral vectors, which are highly efficient to transfer the expression of therapeutic genes in neurons and glial cells, have not been evaluated for direct cerebral therapy in GLD mice.

Methods

Lentiviral vectors containing the untagged cDNA or the hemagglutinin (HA)‐tagged cDNA for the full‐length mouse GALC sequence were generated and validated in vitro. In vivo therapeutic efficacy of these vectors was evaluated by histology, biochemistry and electrophysiology after transduction of ependymal or subependymal layers in young Twitcher pups.

Results

Both GALC lentiviral vectors transduced neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes with efficiencies above 75% and conferred high levels of enzyme activity. GALC accumulated in lysosomes of transduced cells and was also secreted to the extracellular medium. Conditioned GALC medium was able to correct the enzyme deficiency when added to non‐transduced Twitcher glial cultures. Mice that received intraventricular injections of GALC vector showed accumulation of GALC in ependymal cells but no diffusion of the enzyme from the ependymal ventricular tree into the cerebral parenchyma. Significant expression of GALC‐HA was detected in neuroglioblasts when GALC‐HA lentiviral vectors were injected in the subventricular zone of Twitcher mice. Life span and motor conduction in both groups of treated Twitcher mice were not significantly ameliorated.

Conclusions

Lentiviral vectors showed to be efficient for reconstitution of the GALC expression in Twitcher neural cells. GALC was able to accumulate in lysosomes as well as to enter the secretory pathway of lysosomal enzymes, two fundamental aspects for gene therapy of lysosomal storage diseases. Our in vivo results, while showing the capacity of lentiviral vectors to transfer expression of therapeutic GALC in the Twitcher brain, did not limit progression of disease in Twitchers and highlight the need to evaluate other routes of administration. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the circular chromatic number of circular partitionable graphs
Authors: Pêcher Arnaud , Zhu Xuding
Published: May 2006

This article studies the circular chromatic number of a class of circular partitionable graphs. We prove that an infinite family of circular partitionable graphs G has $\chi_ c (G) = \chi(G)$. A consequence of this result is that we obtain an infinite family of graphs G with the rare property that the deletion of each vertex decreases its circular chromatic number by exactly 1. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory
Enhancing the precision of quantitative water content mapping by optimizing sequence parameters
Authors: Neeb H. , Shah N.J.
Published: May 2006

This article describes a methodology for determining the precision of a recently published method for quantitative water content mapping using MRI. A framework for calculating the random error component as a function of sequence parameters is provided and predictions are compared with experimental results obtained in a phantom. The experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement and demonstrate that the precision of quantitative water content mapping can be significantly increased by a proper and objective choice of acquisition parameters. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parallel Newton two‐stage methods based on ILU factorizations for nonlinear systems
Authors: Arnal J. , Migallón H. , Migallón V. , Penadés J.
Published: May 2006

Parallel iterative algorithms based on the Newton method and on two of its variants, the Shamanskii method and the Chord method, for solving nonlinear systems are proposed. These algorithms are based on two‐stage multisplitting methods where incomplete LU factorizations are considered as a mean of constructing the inner splittings. Convergence properties of these parallel methods are studied for H‐matrices. Computational results of these methods on two parallel computing systems are discussed. The reported experiments show the effectiveness of these methods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurosurgical aspects of trepanations from Neolithic times
Authors: Weber J. , Wahl J.
Published: May 2006

Trepanation of the cranial vault is the oldest known surgical procedure and has often been reported in the literature. We present two skulls with trepanations from Neolithic excavations in southwestern Germany. One skull exhibits a healed fracture in association with the trepanation. Both skulls show clear signs of healing without evidence of osteolytic inflammatory reaction. We discuss conditions relating to survival from trepanation in Neolithic times and some potential complications such as intraoperative bleeding and wound infection, in the context of modern neurosurgical knowledge. We conclude that neolithic skull surgery was probably mainly extradural. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rituximab for lymphoproliferative disease prior to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency
Authors: Trahair Toby N. , Wainstein Brynn , Manton Nicholas , Bourne Anthony J. , Ziegler John B. , Rice Michael , Russell Susan J.
Published: May 2006

Lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) is a complication of congenital and acquired immunodeficiency states. There are a number of treatment options for LPD arising after haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation including reduction of immunosuppression, targeted therapies, such as the anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, and EBV specific cytotoxic lymphocytes. Treatment of LPD in children with congenital immunodeficiency syndromes remains unsatisfactory and is associated with a high mortality rate. We recently managed an infant found to have polymorphic LPD concurrent with X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) had to be deferred because of progressive LPD. Treatment with rituximab resulted in regression of the LPD following which the patient received a 5/6 HLA matched umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplant. The patient remains well 20 months following transplantation. Rituximab treatment may have a useful role in the control of LPD associated with congenital immunodeficiency prior to HSCT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:366–369. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic and prognostic impact of urinary catecholamines in neuroblastoma patients
Authors: Strenger Volker , Kerbl Reinhold , Dornbusch Hans Jürgen , Ladenstein Ruth , Ambros Peter F. , Ambros Inge M. , Urban Christian
Published: May 2006

Background

Urinary catecholamine metabolites are well‐known to be elevated in patients with neuroblastoma. Some investigators have described different patterns in favorable and unfavorable cases. However, extended studies have not been published.

Procedure

We investigated urinary catecholamine patterns and their correlation to stage, biological features, and outcome in 114 consecutively clinically diagnosed neuroblastoma patients.

Results

Sensitivity of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and dopamine (DA) was 80.7, 71.9, and 61.3%, respectively. In 91.2% of patients at least one parameter was above normal. High VMA levels were associated with favorable biological features, high DA levels were predominantly found in biologically unfavorable disease. Whereas patients with normal HVA levels had a significant better outcome, the other parameters showed no significant association with prognosis. For disseminated neuroblastoma of infancy, DA/VMA ratio proved to be helpful for the discrimination of stage 4 versus stage 4s.

Conclusion

Urinary catecholamines appear to be useful to give a first but important hint about the biological behavior and thus the prognosis of the underlying disease. Particularly DA/VMA ratio may serve as a tool for “biological grading”—especially in disseminated disease of infancy. In addition, it may be speculated that HVA negativity and low DA/VMA ratio may be helpful for the decision of a “wait and see” strategy in selected neuroblastoma patients with localized disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:504–509. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
β‐thalassemia intermedia due to compound heterozygosity for two β‐globin gene promoter mutations, including a novel TATA box deletion
Authors: Basran Raveen K. , Reiss Ulrike M. , Luo Hong‐yuan , Ware Russell E. , Chui David H.K.
Published: May 2006

An 8‐year‐old African‐American boy had a clinical history consistent with mild β‐thalassemia intermedia with moderate anemia, microcytosis, reticulocytosis, and splenomegaly. He was asymptomatic and did not require transfusion. At age 4 years, hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis showed Hb A = 37.8%, Hb A2 = 5.0%, and Hb F = 56.1%. At age 8 years, he was diagnosed to be a compound heterozygote for two β‐globin gene promoter mutations, the relatively common nucleotide (nt) −88 C → T mutation from the cap site, and a novel two‐nucleotide (AA) deletion between nt −29 and −26 within the TATA box of the β‐globin gene. His mother and 14‐year‐old brother were simple heterozygotes for this novel (AA) deletion. Both heterozygotes had normal Hb level, borderline microcytosis, and elevated Hb A2. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:363–366. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Social desirability and consensual validity of personality traits
Authors: Konstabel Kenn , Aavik Toivo , Allik Jüri
Published: May 2006

The effect of socially desirable responding (SDR) on the consensual validity of personality traits was studied. SDR was operationalized as the sum of items weighted by their respective social desirability values (Social Desirability Index, SDI), which could be computed for both self‐ and peer‐reports. In addition, the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR) was used as a measure of SDR. It was shown that both self‐peer and peer‐peer agreement rose significantly for most studied traits when SDI was controlled in both self‐ and peer‐reports. BIDR was a significant suppressor variable in only one of the analyses involving Neuroticism. The SDI detected faking on personality scales somewhat better than the BIDR scales. It is argued that the SDI is a measure of evaluativeness of a person description, and that people agree more on descriptive than on evaluative aspects of a target's personality traits. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic engineering of a Ca2+ dependent chemical switch into the linear biomotor kinesin
Authors: Konishi Kaoru , Uyeda Taro Q.P. , Kubo Tai
Published: May 2006

Kinesin is a linear motor protein driven by energy released by ATP hydrolysis. In the present work, we genetically installed an M13 peptide sequence into Loop 12 of kinesin, which is one of the major microtubule binding regions of the protein. Because the M13 sequence has high affinity for Ca2+‐calmodulin, the association of the engineered kinesin with microtubules showed a steep Ca2+‐dependency in ATPase activity at Ca2+ concentrations of pCa 6.5–8. The calmodulin‐binding domain of plant kinesin‐like calmodulin‐binding protein is also known to confer Ca2+‐calmodulin regulation to kinesins. Unlike this plant kinesin, however, our novel engineered kinesin achieves this regulation while maintaining the interaction between kinesin and microtubules. The engineered kinesin is switched on/off reversibly by an external signal (i.e., Ca2+‐calmodulin) and, thus, can be used as a model system for a bio/nano‐actuator.
Endogenous semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) inhibitor increases 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)‐induced dopamine efflux by immobilization stress in rat striatum
Authors: Obata Toshio
Published: May 2006

The present study examined whether or not immobilization stress (IMMO)‐inducible semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) inhibitor by separated gel filtration from 105,000 g supernate in rat brain cytosol contribute to the dopamine (DA) efflux by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) in the rat striatum. The isoelectric point (pI) value of this inhibitor was determined by isoelectric focusing (IEF)‐gel electrophoresis to about 3.8. The application of IMMO‐induced SSAO inhibitor (3 μg) by IEF‐gel electrophoresis increased DA efflux by MPP+ in rat striatum. These results suggest that IMMO‐inducible endogenous SSAO inhibitor enhances DA efflux by MPP+.
Intratympanic Steroid Treatment in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Control Study
Authors: Xenellis John , Papadimitriou Nikolaos , Nikolopoulos Thomas , Maragoudakis Paulos , Segas John , Tzagaroulakis Antonios , Ferekidis Eleutherios
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although systemic steroids in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) appears to be the most effective and the most widely accepted treatment today, a significant number of patients do not respond to steroid treatment or they cannot receive steroids for medical reasons. Intratympanic (IT) administration of steroids appears to be an alternative or additional method of management without the side effects of intravenous steroids. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and safeness of IT administration of steroids in patients who had not responded to IV treatment and to compare treatment efficacy with controls.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Our study consisted of 37 patients with SSHL who, at the end of 10 days of therapy with intravenous steroids as a 1st line treatment, had pure‐tone 4‐frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) average (PTA) of worse than 30 dB or worse than 10 dB from the contralateral ear (defined as failed intravenous treatment). They were randomized into 2 groups, treatment and control. The 19 patients of the treatment group received approximately 0.5 mL sterile aqueous suspension of methylprednisolone acetate in a concentration of 80 mg/2 mL by direct injection. The procedure was carried out 4 times within a 15‐day period. An audiogram was performed before each injection and approximately 1.5 months after the last session.

RESULTS

All patients tolerated the procedure well. No perforation or infection was noticed in any of the patients at their last visit. With regard to the 19 patients who received intratympanic treatment, in 9 patients, the PTA threshold improved more than 10 db, in 10 patients there was no change greater than 10 db, and no patients deteriorated more than 10 db. In the control group, none of the patients showed any change greater than 10 db. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002). The treatment group showed an improvement in mean PTA of 14.9 dB, whereas the control group showed a deterioration of 0.8 dB, and this difference also was statistically significant (P = 0.0005). IT treatment (P = 0.0001), better post‐IV PTA (P = 0.0008), and absence of vertigo (P = 0.02) were good predictors of the outcome. In contrast, sex, age, affected ear, days to admission, and pattern of the initial audiogram showed no significant influence on the outcome.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE

IT steroid administration after failed intravenous steroids is a safe and effective treatment in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Carbon Dioxide Laser Microsurgery for Early Glottic Carcinoma
Authors: Peppino Ledda Gian , Puxeddu Roberto
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES

To define the oncologic efficacy of transoral endoscopic CO2 laser surgery in early glottic carcinoma.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 103 patients with glottic carcinoma (14 Tis, 68 pT1a, 14 pT1b, and 7 pT2) treated from October 1993 to June 2001. Surgical treatment included endoscopic CO2 laser cordectomies according to the classification of the European Laryngological Society.

RESULTS

According to the Kaplan‐Meier method, the probability of remaining free of local recurrence 5 years after primary surgery alone was 100% for the Tis, 96.05% for the T1, and 100% for the T2. Local control at 5 years after exclusive CO2 laser salvage surgery was 98.03%. The probability of remaining free of local recurrence 5 years after any type of salvage surgery was 100%. Laryngeal preservation was achieved in 100% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the present series, endoscopic CO2 laser surgery is an effective treatment for early glottic cancer.
A Clinical Analysis of Psychogenic Sudden Deafness
Authors: Ban Jae‐Ho , Jin Sung Min
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE

Sudden deafness, in most cases, has no apparent cause. In some cases viral infection, vascular occlusion, or a cochlear membrane rupture may be responsible for the sudden loss of hearing. In this study, we analyzed etiology, audiologic, psychiatric, and clinical aspects of psychogenic sudden deafness through a retrospective chart review. Patients included were thought to have sudden deafness as a result of psychogenic causes and/or stresses.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We reviewed the records of 277 patients who had been admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, from January 1997 to July 2003, with the initial diagnosis of idiopathic sudden hearing loss.

RESULTS

In the medical history of 9 patients, there was an association between sudden onset of hearing loss and psychogenic events. There were 4 patients who had a preexisting mental health condition. A psychiatrist provided the classification of psychogenic sudden deafness for 7 patients (2.5%) who had organic causes ruled out. These patients showed discrepancy between pure tone audiometry and ABR. There were 2 males and 5 females; 4 patients were in their 10's, 1 in his 20's, and 2 in their 40's. Three patients had bilateral hearing loss and 4 had unilateral loss. The hearing test scores revealed: 4 patients with severe to profound hearing loss at 71 dB or higher, 2 patients with moderately severe hearing loss ranging from 56 to 70 dB, and 1 patient with moderate hearing loss from 41 to 56 dB. Hearing was restored in all patients, partially or completely, by treatment with steroid injections and psychotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 2.5% of sudden onset hearing loss cases in our study were a result of psychogenic causes. We observed distinctive features for audiologic measures, psychiatric findings, and clinical characteristics. The recovery rate and prognosis were better in patients who had accurate audiometry and were under the care of a psychiatrist.
Endoscopic Placement of Spreader Grafts in the Nasal Valve
Authors: Huang Clark , Manarey Casey R.A. , Anand Vijay K.
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE

Surgery to the internal nasal valve is presently approached either externally via an open rhinoplasty incision or transnasally. The endoscopic approach has become the preferred method of access to various other sinonasal conditions. The goal of this study was to evaluate 1) whether the internal nasal value could be accessed and evaluated endoscopically and 2) whether a spreader graft placed under endoscopic visualization could widen the nasal valve area.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Single‐blinded study on 8 cadaveric heads. One side per head was randomly selected to be studied. The contralateral side served as the control. The nasal valve was approached endoscopically via the submucoperichondrial plane of the nasal septum with a 30‐degree endoscope. After fully examining and subsequently separating the internal nasal valve, a spreader graft was placed. A blinded examiner then performed acoustic rhinometry to measure the nasal valve area as well as corroborate the position from an external approach. This data was then statistically analyzed using the paired Student t test.

RESULTS

The nasal valve was easily detected endoscopically and the position of the spreader grafts was externally confirmed in all 8 specimens. The mean change of the nasal valve area on the side with the spreader grafts was 0.28 cm2. On the control side, the mean change was 0.026 cm2. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic approach is a viable option in accessing the nasal valve. Endoscopic placement of a spreader graft has also been shown to statistically widen the nasal valve area.
Helpful and Unhelpful Parts of the Superior Petrosal Triangle
Authors: Wendell Todd N.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

The root of zygoma—head of malleus line may guide to the internal auditory canal, but few anatomic studies address its accuracy.

HYPOTHESES

The precision of measurements is excellent, the “superior petrosal triangle” components (foramen spinosum, root of zygoma, and head of malleus) have a consistent relationship and accurately guide to Bill's bar, and distances correlate with pneumatization.

METHODS

Forty‐one bequeathed adult human cranial base specimens (82 temporal bones) were dissected in a surgical manner.

RESULTS

Measurements had excellent repeatability. The root of zygoma—head of malleus reference line always projected onto or posterior to Bill's bar, but distances measured had wide ranges. No measurement correlated with pneumatization.

CONCLUSION

The root of zygoma—head of malleus line extends onto or posterior to Bill's bar. Measurement guides to the head of the malleus are not predictable.
Relationship between the Superior Attachment Type of Uncinate Process and Presence of Agger Nasi Cell: A Computer‐Assisted Anatomic Study
Authors: Ercan Ibrahim , Ömür Çakir Burak , Sayin Ibrahim , Başak Muzaffer , Turgut Suat
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE

The uncinate process (UP) is an important anatomic landmark in frontal recess surgery. Its superior attachment shows great anatomic variability. The agger nasi (AN) cell is another important structure that affects frontal recess anatomy and there is a close neighborhood between them. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between superior attachment type of UP and the presence of AN cell.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective anatomical study.

METHOD

Computed tomography scans were evaluated of 486 sides of 243 patients who had had paranasal sinus. In 125 (26%) sides, the superior attachment of the UP could not be identified. In the remaining 361 (74%) sides, the prevalence of superior attachment of UP types and the presence of AN cell in each side were recorded. The results were evaluated with χ2 test.

RESULTS

The AN cell was found in 290 (80.3%) of 361 sides. The prevalence of AN cell according to superior attachment of UP types were 79.6% for type 1/2, 90.1% for type 3, 71.4% for type 4, 86.5% for type 5, and 83.3% for type 6. The presence of AN cell according to superior attachment types of UP was not statistically significant (χ2 = 3.54, P = 0.315).

CONCLUSIONS

The AN cell was found to be present in 80.3% of the cases. However, the relationship between the presence of the AN cell and the superior attachment types of UP was not statistically significant.
Leukotriene C4 Synthase A‐444C Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Gülçin Eskandari Hatice , Ünal Murat , Görüroĝlu Öztürk Özlem , Vayisoĝlu Yusuf , Muşlu Necati
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of leukotriene C4 synthase A‐444C polymorphism in allergic rhinitis patients.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

A prospective, randomized, case‐controlled study. Blood samples were obtained from 85 patients with allergic rhinitis and 95 healthy individuals. After the extraction of DNA from the blood samples, the leukotriene C4 synthase A‐444C polymorphism was studied by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction method.

RESULTS

The AC and CC genotype frequencies were statistically higher in the study group (P = 0.048 and P = 0.037, respectively). In addition, the AC polymorphism carried an increased risk of developing allergic rhinitis (odds ratio = 2.18, 95% confidence interval, 1.173–4.053, P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

The C allele of the leukotriene C4 synthase gene increases the risk of developing allergic rhinitis.

SIGNIFICANCE

The leukotriene C4 synthase A‐444C gene polymorphism is important in susceptibility to allergic rhinitis and this is the first study of this gene polymorphism in allergic rhinitis.
Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is Associated with an Unfavorable Evolution after Surgery for Chronic Sinusitis and Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Bendouah Zohra , Barbeau Jean , Hamad Walid Abou , Desrosiers Martin
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether biofilm‐forming capacity of bacteria demonstrated in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has an impact on persistence of the disease following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

METHOD

Thirty‐one bacterial strains recovered from 19 patients with CRS at least 1 year post‐ESS. Evolution of disease was assessed by questionnaire and endoscopy as favorable or unfavorable. The bacteria were cultured on a 96‐well culture plaque and a semi‐quantitative method using crystal violet to quantify biofilm production was used.

RESULTS

Twenty‐two of 31 samples produced a biofilm thicker or equal to the positive control. Biofilm production was noted in 6/10 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, 8/10 Staphylococcus aureus, and 8/11 coagulase‐negative staphylococci. Biofilm formation was associated with a poor evolution for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, but not coagulase‐negative staphylococcus.

CONCLUSION

There is a correlation between in vitro biofilm‐producing capacity by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and unfavorable evolution after ESS, suggesting a role for biofilm production in chronic sinusitis.
Multivariate behavioural response of harlequin ducks to aircraft disturbance in Labrador
Authors: GOUDIE R. IAN
Published: May 2006

The effects of low-level aircraft over-flights on behaviour of harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) breeding in central Labrador were quantified during 2000–2002. The Canadian Department of National Defence supports a low-level training programme in the 130 000 km2 Military Training Area of Labrador involving military jets. The Institute for Environmental Monitoring and Research (IEMR) undertakes scientific research into environmental impacts of low-level military jet over-flights. A suite of 17 behavioural categories of paired male and female harlequin ducks was modelled, and a canonical variable representing alert behaviour, inactivity on the water and decreased inactivity out of water in response to over-flights represented 73.1% of the variance in the data cluster and provided marked separation of disturbed and undisturbed groups. Behavioural responses of harlequin ducks to military jets were 23 times stronger than their responses to floatplanes, helicopters and military cargo planes, and the significant interaction of aircraft type and noise indicated that noise may be the primary stressor affecting behaviour. A quadratic response of the canonical variable to noise generated from aircraft during standardized 30-minute observation periods was defined. The multivariate analyses were more robust because they indicated covariance in behavioural categories associated with disturbance that was not originally detected in univariate analyses, suggesting the importance of integrating behaviours other than overt responses. The significant effects of military jet over-flights on harlequin duck behaviour emphasize the need to evaluate potential population consequences of aircraft disturbance.
Contrasting the community structure and select geochemical characteristics of three intertidal regions in relation to shellfish farming
Authors: BENDELL-YOUNG L.I.
Published: May 2006

Little is known about the impacts of intensive shellfish farming on intertidal ecosystems. To assess such impacts, several indices of ecosystem structure and select geochemical characteristics were contrasted among three intertidal regions, which represented a gradient of shellfish farming activities, namely (1) no active aquaculture, (2) actively farmed for three years and (3) actively farmed for five years. All three intertidal regions were located in Baynes Sound (British Columbia, Canada) and were geographically similar. Among the three beaches, species richness, community composition, bivalve abundance, biomass, distribution, and composition and surficial sediment per cent organic matter (carbon) and silt were compared. The intertidal regions that had been used for farming for three and five years had lower species richness, different bivalve composition, abundance and distributions, and a foreshore community dominated by bivalves, as compared to the intertidal region where no active farming occurred. Beaches that were actively farmed also had greater accumulations of organic matter and silt. Simplification of the intertidal benthic community, coupled with accumulations of organic matter and increased siltation, may have altered the ecology of the foreshore region used for intense shellfish harvesting. To access the foreshore for shellfish farming in a sustainable manner, studies are needed to determine the scale to which intensive use of the foreshore for shellfish purposes alone is feasible without undue harm to the environment.
Turbulent mixing and transport of collisionless plasmas across a stratified velocity shear layer
Authors: Matsumoto Yosuke , Hoshino Masahiro
Published: May 2006

Two‐dimensional simulations of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz (K‐H) instability in a nonuniform density medium and with the transverse magnetic field show the strong development of turbulence through nonlinear instabilities. Ideal MHD simulation results have indicated that the difference in density between two media plays a crucial role on the fast turbulent mixing and transport. The onset of the turbulence is triggered not only by the secondary K‐H instability but also by the Rayleigh‐Taylor (R‐T) instability at the density interface inside the normal K‐H vortex. The secondary R‐T instability alters macroscopic structure by transporting dense fluids to tenuous region, while the secondary K‐H instability is just a seed for the turbulence. Full particle simulations are also conducted and reproduces the similar result of the ideal MHDs, except that the strong electrostatic field caused by the secondary R‐T instability scatters ions and deforms the electron density interface. As a result, the mixing area increases anomalously fast and extends spatially as compared to the result in the uniform density case.
Imaging of intrabasalt and subbasalt structure with full wavefield seismic tomography
Authors: Chironi C. , Morgan J. V. , Warner M. R.
Published: May 2006

The imaging of subsurface structure using conventional seismic reflection methods is problematic across areas where high‐velocity basaltic rocks are intercalated with sedimentary layers of low velocity. In this study we use an approach that combines wavefield inversion of both normal‐incidence and wide‐aperture seismic data to constrain velocity structure within and beneath the basalt. Our field data are a two‐ship long‐offset profile acquired in the Faeroe Basin. A conventional traveltime inversion of the wide‐angle data is performed to obtain a starting model for the wavefield inversion. Synthetic tests are used to explore resolution and to determine a strategy for inversion of the field data. Our final velocity model shows a high‐velocity basaltic layer underlain by an intermediate‐velocity layer that is presumably sedimentary. The basalts appear highly heterogeneous in velocity, and the degree of heterogeneity increases significantly with depth within the layer. A prestack depth migration, using the final velocity model, reveals a number of new features. Despite the velocity heterogeneity within the basalts, strong reflections are seen within and immediately beneath the basaltic section, and these reflectors are more clearly imaged on the final depth‐migrated section than hitherto. The transition from sediments to basalt does not appear to be sharp, uniquely defined, or locally subhorizontal. The data suggest that velocity heterogeneity, and the complexity of the transition from basalt to sediment, may explain the difficulties of imaging beneath basalts west of Britain. Wavefield tomography can resolve this complexity and hence improve both imaging and confidence of interpretation within and beneath basalts.
Positive feedback between global warming and atmospheric CO2concentration inferred from past climate change
Authors: Scheffer Marten , Brovkin Victor , Cox Peter M.
Published: May 2006

There is good evidence that higher global temperatures will promote a rise of greenhouse gas levels, implying a positive feedback which will increase the effect of anthropogenic emissions on global temperatures. However, the magnitude of this effect predicted by the available models remains highly uncertain, due to the accumulation of uncertainties in the processes thought to be involved. Here we present an alternative way of estimating the magnitude of the feedback effect based on reconstructed past changes. Linking this information with the mid‐range Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimation of the greenhouse gas effect on temperature we suggest that the feedback of global temperature on atmospheric CO2will promote warming by an extra 15–78% on a century‐scale. This estimate may be conservative as we did not account for synergistic effects of likely temperature moderated increase in other greenhouse gases. Our semi‐empirical approach independently supports process based simulations suggesting that feedback may cause a considerable boost in warming.