bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Egill Skallagrímsson: The first case of Van Buchem disease?
Authors: Stride P
Published: June 2011

Egill Skallagrímsson, a tenth-century Viking, was a colourful warrior poet and an early anti-hero. The thickness and strength of his skull and his very ugly facial features with a prominent mandible have suggested to some authorities that Egill suffered from Paget’s disease of bone. However, Paget’s bone, while thickened, lacks structural integrity, infrequently involves the mandible and is prone to fractures. The more recent discoveries of sclerosing bone diseases, the elucidation of their pathophysiological abnormalities in intracellular signalling in bones and current research on the sclerostin or LRP5 genes suggest Van Buchem disease as a more probable diagnosis, although the hypothesis remains conjecture in the absence of any of his remains.
Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Smith MP
Published: June 2011

Bronchiectasis is a chronic debilitating condition. Pathologically, a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation exists in the permanently damaged airways with patients suffering a persistent cough, chronic daily sputum production and recurrent chest infections. Once termed an ‘orphan disease’, the prevalence of bronchiectasis has become increasingly recognised over the past few decades. The associated burden of disease in terms of respiratory morbidity, effect on patients’ healthrelated quality of life and the economic cost of long term management is significant and it has become apparent that more research into its causes and management is urgently needed. This article reviews what is currently known about bronchiectasis, its pathophysiology, aetiology and management strategies.
Advances in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer
Authors: Hodkinson PS , Sethi T
Published: June 2011

Lung cancer remains the most common fatal malignancy in the Western world. Survival rates have only improved modestly over the past three decades and new approaches are urgently required. It is clear that a concerted effort to reduce cigarette smoking is required. However, about 10% of patients with lung cancer are never smokers, indicating genetic or other predisposition. Lung cancer screening programmes are being trialled to target high-risk populations. Genetic strategies will provide new methods for screening and predicting response to treatment. Current therapy for lung cancer has reached a plateau and novel agents have shown modest clinical efficacy. Understanding the mechanisms by which chronic inflammatory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease contribute to lung cancer development will help to identify new biological targets and biomarkers of early disease. This review focuses on recent advances in lung cancer prevention and treatment.
Physician involvement enhances coding accuracy to ensure national standards: an initiative to improve awareness among new junior trainees
Authors: Nallasivan S , Gillott T , Kamath S , Blow L , Goddard V
Published: June 2011

Record Keeping Standards is a development led by the Royal College of Physicians of London (RCP) Health Informatics Unit and funded by the National Health Service (NHS) Connecting for Health. A supplementary report produced by the RCP makes a number of recommendations based on a study held at an acute hospital trust. We audited the medical notes and coding to assess the accuracy, documentation by the junior doctors and also to correlate our findings with the RCP audit. Northern Lincolnshire &Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has 114,000 ‘finished consultant episodes’ per year. A total of 100 consecutive medical (50) and rheumatology (50) discharges from Diana Princess of Wales Hospital from August–October 2009 were reviewed. The results showed an improvement in coding accuracy (10% errors), comparable to the RCP audit but with 5% documentation errors. Physician involvement needs enhancing to improve the effectiveness and to ensure clinical safety.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography practice in district general hospitals in North East England: a Northern Regional Endoscopy Group (NREG) study
Authors: Chatterjee S , Rees C , Dwarakanath AD , Barton R , MacDonald C , Greenaway J , Gregory W , Reddy A , Nylander DL
Published: June 2011

Aim: Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) is an important tool for the management of pancreato-biliary disease. The aim of this study was to compare the current practice of ERCP in North East England against the key 2004 National Confidential Enquiry Report into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) recommendations and the standards set by the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG).

Methods: This was a prospective multicentre study involving all hospitals in North East England, coordinated through the Northern Regional Endoscopy Group (NREG).

Results: Fourteen endoscopy units submitted data for 481 ERCPs. Mean dose of midazolam was 3.24 mg (standard deviation 1.35; range 1–8 mg). Coagulation profile results were available on 469 patients (97%). Radiological investigations were documented in 96% of the procedures (463 of 481) prior to ERCP. The most common indication for ERCP was related to choledocholithiasis and its complications. All procedures were performed with a therapeutic intent. A total of 84% of all patients were either American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II. The selective biliary cannulation rate was 87.3%. The total completion rate of all procedures was 80.2% (381 of 475) and completion of therapy was 89.5% (425 of 475). The 30-day mortality rate was 2% (ten patients) and procedure-related complications occurred in 5% of patients. There were no deaths directly as a result of ERCP; all deaths were related to underlying medical conditions.

Conclusions: The practice of ERCP in North East England adheres to the key recommendations of the NCEPOD and the standards set by JAG. The rates of complications compare favourably with those reported internationally.
Chemical sensor resolution requirements for near-surface measurements of turbulent fluxes
Authors: Rowe M. D. , Fairall C. W. , Perlinger J. A.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Businger and Delany (1990) presented an approach to estimate the sensor resolution required to limit the contribution of the uncertainty in the chemical concentration measurement to uncertainty in the flux measurement to 10 % for eddy covariance, gradient, and relaxed eddy accumulation flux measurement methods. We describe an improvement to their approach to estimate required sensor resolution for the covariance method, and include disjunct eddy covariance. In addition, we provide data to support selection of a form for the dimensionless scalar standard deviation similarity function based on observations of the variance of water vapor fluctuations from recent field experiments. We also redefine the atmospheric parameter of Businger and Delany in a more convenient, dimensionless form. We introduce a "chemical parameter" based on transfer velocity parameterizations. Finally, we provide examples in which the approach is applied to measurement of carbon dioxide, dimethylsulfide, and hexachlorobenzene fluxes over water. The information provided here will be useful to plan field measurements of atmosphere-surface exchange fluxes of trace gases.
Homogenous nucleation of sulfuric acid and water at close to atmospherically relevant conditions
Authors: Brus D. , Neitola K. , Hyvärinen A.-P. , Petäjä T. , Vanhanen J. , Sipilä M. , Paasonen P. , Kulmala M. , Lihavainen H.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In this study the homogeneous nucleation rates in the system of sulfuric acid and water were measured by using a flow tube technique. The goal was to directly compare particle formation rates obtained from atmospheric measurements with nucleation rates of freshly nucleated particles measured with particle size magnifier (PSM) which has detection efficiency of unity for particles having mobility diameter of 1.5 nm. The gas phase sulfuric acid concentration in this study was measured with the chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS), commonly used in field measurements. The wall losses of sulfuric acid were estimated from measured concentration profiles along the flow tube. The initial concentrations of sulfuric acid estimated from loss measurements ranged from 108 to 3 × 109 molecules cm−3. The nucleation rates obtained in this study cover about three orders of magnitude from 10−1 to 102 cm−3 s−1 for commercial ultrafine condensation particle counter (UCPC) TSI model 3025A and from 101 to 104 cm−3 s−1 for PSM. The nucleation rates and the slopes (dlnJ/dln [H2SO4]) show satisfactory agreement when compared to empirical kinetic and activation models and the latest atmospheric nucleation data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental work providing temperature dependent nucleation rate measurements using a high efficiency particle counter with a cut-off-size of 1.5 nm together with direct measurements of gas phase sulfuric acid concentration.
Inclusion of biomass burning in WRF-Chem: impact of wildfires on weather forecasts
Authors: Grell G. , Freitas S. R. , Stuefer M. , Fast J.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. A plume rise algorithm for wildfires was included in WRF-Chem, and applied to look at the impact of intense wildfires during the 2004 Alaska wildfire season on weather simulations using model resolutions of 10 km and 2 km. Biomass burning emissions were estimated using a biomass burning emissions model. In addition, a 1-D, time-dependent cloud model was used online in WRF-Chem to estimate injection heights as well as the vertical distribution of the emission rates. It was shown that with the inclusion of the intense wildfires of the 2004 fire season in the model simulations, the interaction of the aerosols with the atmospheric radiation led to significant modifications of vertical profiles of temperature and moisture in cloud-free areas. On the other hand, when clouds were present, the high concentrations of fine aerosol (PM2.5) and the resulting large numbers of Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) had a strong impact on clouds and cloud microphysics, with decreased precipitation coverage and precipitation amounts during the first 12 h of the integration. During the afternoon, storms were of convective nature and appeared significantly stronger, probably as a result of both the interaction of aerosols with radiation (through an increase in CAPE) as well as the interaction with cloud microphysics.
Future emissions from shipping and petroleum activities in the Arctic
Authors: Peters G. P. , Nilssen T. B. , Lindholt L. , Eide M. S. , Glomsrød S. , Eide L. I. , Fuglestvedt J. S.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The Arctic sea-ice is retreating faster than predicted by climate models and could become ice free during summer this century. The reduced sea-ice extent may effectively "unlock" the Arctic Ocean to increased human activities such as transit shipping and expanded oil and gas production. Travel time between Europe and the north Pacific Region can be reduced by up to 50 % with low sea-ice levels and the use of this route could increase substantially as the sea-ice retreats. Oil and gas activities already occur in the Arctic region and given the large undiscovered petroleum resources increased activity could be expected with reduced sea-ice. We use a bottom-up shipping model and a detailed global energy market model to construct emission inventories of Arctic shipping and petroleum activities in 2030 and 2050 given estimated sea-ice extents. The emission inventories are on a 1×1 degree grid and cover both short-lived components (SO2, NOx, CO, NMVOC, BC, OC) and the long-lived greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O). We find rapid growth in transit shipping due to increased profitability with the shorter transit times compensating for increased costs in traversing areas of sea-ice. Oil and gas production remains relatively stable leading to reduced emissions from emission factor improvements. The location of oil and gas production moves into locations requiring more ship transport relative to pipeline transport, leading to rapid emissions growth from oil and gas transport via ship. Our emission inventories for the Arctic region will be used as input into chemical transport, radiative transfer, and climate models to quantify the role of Arctic activities in climate change compared to similar emissions occurring outside of the Arctic region.
Atmospheric ammonia measurements in Houston, TX using an external-cavity quantum cascade laser-based sensor
Authors: Gong L. , Lewicki R. , Griffin R. J. , Flynn J. H. , Lefer B. L. , Tittel F. K.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In order to improve the current understanding of the dynamics of ammonia (NH3) in a major industrial and urban area, intensive measurements of atmospheric NH3 were conducted in Houston during two sampling periods (12 February 2010–1 March 2010 and 5 August 2010–25 September 2010). The measurements were performed with a 10.4-μm external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL)-based sensor employing conventional photo-acoustic spectroscopy. The mixing ratio of NH3 ranged from 0.1 to 8.7 ppb with a mean of 2.4 ± 1.2 ppb in winter and ranged from 0.2 to 27.1 ppb with a mean of 3.1 ± 2.9 ppb in summer. The larger levels in summer probably are due to higher ambient temperature. A notable morning increase and a mid-day decrease were observed in the diurnal profile of NH3 mixing ratios. Motor vehicles were found to be major contributors to the elevated levels during morning rush hours in winter. However, changes in vehicular catalytic converter performance and other local or regional emission sources from different wind directions governed the behavior of NH3 during morning rush hours in summer. There was a large amount of variability, particularly in summer, with several episodes of elevated NH3 mixing ratios that could be linked to industrial facilities. A considerable discrepancy in NH3 mixing ratios existed between weekdays and weekends. This study suggests that NH3 mixing ratios in Houston occasionally exceeded previous modeling predictions when sporadic and substantial enhancements occurred, potentially causing profound effects on particulate matter formation and local air quality.
Source apportionment of the summer time carbonaceous aerosol at Nordic rural background sites
Authors: Yttri K. E. , Simpson D. , Nøjgaard J. K. , Kristensen K. , Genberg J. , Stenström K. , Swietlicki E. , Hillamo R. , Aurela M. , Bauer H. , Offenberg J. H. , Jaoui M. , Dye C. , Eckhardt S. , Burkhart J. F. , Stohl A. , Glasius M.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In the present study, natural and anthropogenic sources of particulate organic carbon (OCp) and elemental carbon (EC) have been quantified based on weekly filter samples of PM10 collected at four Nordic rural background sites (Birkenes (Norway), Hyytiälä (Finland) Vavihill (Sweden), Lille Valby (Denmark)) during late summer (5 August–2 September 2009). Levels of source specific tracers, i.e. cellulose, levoglucosan, mannitol and the 14C/12C ratio of total carbon (TC), have been used as input for source apportionment of the carbonaceous aerosol, whereas Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) was used to statistically treat the multitude of possible combinations resulting from this approach. The carbonaceous aerosol (here: TCp; i.e. particulate TC) was totally dominated by natural sources (69–86 %), with biogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA) being the single most important source (48–57 %). Interestingly, primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP) were the second most important source (20–32 %). The anthropogenic contribution was mainly attributed to fossil fuel sources (OCff and ECff (10–24 %), whereas no more than 3–7 % was explained by combustion of biomass (OCbb and ECbb in this late summer campaign i.e. emissions from residential wood burning and/or wild/agricultural fires. Fossil fuel sources totally dominated the ambient EC loading, accounting for 4–12 % of TCp, whereas <1.5 % was attributed to combustion of biomass. The carbonaceous aerosol source apportionment showed only minor variation between the four selected sites. However, Hyytiälä and Birkenes showed greater resemblance to each other, as did Lille Valby and Vavihill, the two latter being somewhat more influenced by anthropogenic sources. Ambient levels of organosulphates and nitrooxy-organosulphates in the Nordic rural background environment are reported for the first time in the present study. The most abundant organosulphate compounds were an organosulphate of isoprene and nitrooxy-organosulphates of α- and β-pinene and limonene.
Particle size distribution factor as an indicator for the impact of the Eyjafjallajökull ash plume at ground level in Augsburg, Germany
Authors: Pitz M. , Gu J. , Soentgen J. , Peters A. , Cyrys J.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. During the time period of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption in 2010 increased mass concentration of PM10 (particulate matter, diameter <10 μm) were observed at ground level in Augsburg, Germany. In particular on 19 and 20 April 2010 the daily PM10 limit value of 50 μg m−3 was exceeded. Because ambient particles are in general a complex mixture originating from different sources, a source apportionment method (positive matrix factorization; PMF) was applied to particle size distribution data in the size range from 3 nm to 10 μm to identify and estimate the volcanic ash contribution to the overall PM10 load in the ambient air in Augsburg. A PMF factor with relevant particle mass concentration in the size range between 1 and 4 μm (maximum at 2 μm) was associated with long range transported dust. This factor increased from background concentration to high levels simultaneously with the arrival of the volcanic ash plume in the planetary boundary layer. Hence, we assume that this factor could be used as an indicator for the impact of the Eyjafjallajökull ash plume on ground level in Augsburg. From 17 to 22 April 2010 long range transported dust factor contributed on average 30.2 % (11.6 μg m−3) to PM10. On 19 April 2010 at 20:00 UTC+1 the maximum percentage of the long range transported dust factor accounted for around 65 % (35 μg m−3) to PM10 and three hours later the maximum absolute value with around 48 μg m−3 (61 %) was observed. Additional PMF analyses for a Saharan dust event occurred in May and June 2008 suggest, that the long range transported dust factor could also be used as an indicator for Saharan dust events.
Use of satellite erythemal UV products in analysing the global UV changes
Authors: Ialongo I. , Arola A. , Kujanpää J. , Tamminen J.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The amount of surface UV radiation increased during the last 30 years because of the effect of the ozone decrease (from 1979 to 1998) combined with the cloud-aerosol reflectivity changes. Long term changes in solar UV radiation affect the global biogeochemistry, climate and their interactions. During the last decades, satellite UV estimates became available for monitoring the UV level at surface from TOMS (Total Ozone Monitoring System), OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) and GOME-2 (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2) instruments. The combined TOMS-OMI dataset of erythemal UV products was applied for the first time to estimate the long-term UV changes at the global scale. The analysis of the uncertainty related to the different input information, is presented. OMI and GOME-2 products were compared in order to analyse the differences in the global UV distribution and their effect on the linear trend estimation. The results showed that the differences in the inputs (mainly surface albedo and aerosol information) used in the retrieval affect significantly the UV change calculation, pointing out the importance of using a consistent dataset when calculating the long term UV changes. The areas where these differences played a major role were located using global maps of monthly UV changes. Despite the uncertainties, significant positive UV changes (ranging from 0 to 6 %/decade) were observed, with higher values on the Southern Hemisphere at mid-latitudes during spring-summer, where the largest ozone decrease was observed.
Photosynthetic responses of Emiliania huxleyi to UV radiation and elevated temperature: roles of calcified coccoliths
Authors: Xu K. , Gao K. , Villafañe V. E. , Helbling E. W.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Changes in calcification of coccolithophores may affect their photosynthetic responses to both, ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) and temperature. We operated semi-continuous cultures of Emiliania huxleyi (strain CS-369) at reduced (0.1 mM, LCa) and ambient (10 mM, HCa) Ca2+ concentrations and, after 148 generations, we exposed cells to six radiation treatments (>280, >295, >305, >320, >350 and >395 nm by using Schott filters) and two temperatures (20 and 25 °C) to examine photosynthesis and calcification responses. Overall, our study demonstrated that: (1) decreased calcification resulted in a down regulation of photoprotective mechanisms (i.e., as estimated via non-photochemical quenching, NPQ), pigments contents and photosynthetic carbon fixation; (2) calcification (C) and photosynthesis (P) (as well as their ratio) have different responses related to UVR with cells grown under the high Ca2+ concentration being more resistant to UVR than those grown under the low Ca2+ level; (3) elevated temperature increased photosynthesis and calcification of E. huxleyi grown at high Ca2+ concentrations whereas decreased both processes in low Ca2+ grown cells. Therefore, a decrease in calcification rates in E. huxleyi is expected to decrease photosynthesis rates, resulting in a negative feedback that further reduces calcification.
Thermal adaptation of net ecosystem exchange
Authors: Yuan W. , Luo Y. , Liang S. , Yu G. , Niu S. , Stoy P. , Chen J. , Desai A. R. , Lindroth A. , Gough C. M. , Ceulemans R. , Arain A. , Bernhofer C. , Cook B. , Cook D. R. , Dragoni D. , Gielen B. , Janssens I. A. , Longdoz B. , Liu H. , Lund M. , Matteucci G. , Moors E. , Scott R. L. , Seufert G. , Varner R.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Thermal adaptation of gross primary production and ecosystem respiration has been well documented over broad thermal gradients. However, no study has examined their interaction as a function of temperature, i.e. the thermal responses of net ecosystem exchange of carbon (NEE). In this study, we constructed temperature response curves of NEE against temperature using 380 site-years of eddy covariance data at 72 forest, grassland and shrubland ecosystems located at latitudes ranging from ~29° N to 64° N. The response curves were used to define two critical temperatures: transition temperature (Tb) at which ecosystem transfer from carbon source to sink and optimal temperature (To) at which carbon uptake is maximized. Tb was strongly correlated with annual mean air temperature. To was strongly correlated with mean temperature during the net carbon uptake period across the study ecosystems. Our results imply that the net ecosystem exchange of carbon adapts to the temperature across the geographical range due to intrinsic connections between vegetation primary production and ecosystem respiration.
Hydrological response to climate change in the Lesse and the Vesdre catchments: contribution of a physically based model (Wallonia, Belgium)
Authors: Bauwens A. , Sohier C. , Degré A.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The Meuse is an important rain-fed river in North-Western Europe. Nine million people live in its catchment, split over five countries. Projected changes in precipitation and temperature characteristics due to climate change would have a significant impact on the Meuse River and its tributaries. In this study, we focused on the impacts of climate change on the hydrology of two sub-catchments of the Meuse in Belgium, the Lesse and the Vesdre, placing the emphasis on the water-soil-plant continuum in order to highlight the effects of climate change on plant growth, and water uptake on the hydrology of two sub-catchments. These effects were studied using two climate scenarios and a physically based distributed model, which reflects the water-soil-plant continuum. Our results show that the vegetation will evapotranspirate between 10 and 17 % less at the end of the century because of water scarcity in summer, even if the root development is better under climate change conditions. In the low scenario, the mean minimal 7 days discharge value could decrease between 19 and 24 % for a two year return period, and between 20 and 35 % for a fifty year return period. It will lead to rare but severe drought in rivers, with potentially huge consequences on water quality.
Validation of two precipitation data sets for the Rhine River
Authors: Photiadou C. S. , Weerts A. H. , van den Hurk B. J. J. M.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. This paper evaluates a number of recently constructed or extended precipitation data sets used for hydrological applications and climate change studies in the Rhine basin. Firstly, the existing precipitation data set issued by the Commission for the Hydrology of the Rhine basin (CHR), originally covering the period 1961–1995, was extended until 2008 using a number of additional precipitation data sets. The length extension permits the assessment of extreme discharge and precipitation values with lower uncertainty than the original version. Secondly, the E-OBS Version 4 (ECA&D gridded data set) was evaluated for its performance in the Rhine basin for extreme events. The two extended precipitation data sets and a meteorological reanalysis data set were used to force a hydrological model, evaluating the influence of different precipitation forcings on the annual mean and extreme discharges compared to observational discharges for the period from 1990 until 2008. The extended version of CHR showed good agreement in terms of mean annual cycle, extreme discharge (both high and low flows), and spatial distribution of correlations with observed discharge. E-OBS performed well with respect to extreme discharge, but its performance of the mean annual cycle was rather poor in winter and remarkably well in the summer.
Heterogeneous temperature sensitivity of effective radium concentration from various rock and soil samples
Authors: Girault F. , Perrier F.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Temporal variations of radon concentration, or spatial variations around geothermal systems, are partly driven by the effect of temperature on the radon source term, the effective radium concentration (ECRa). ECRa from 12 crushed rock and 12 soil samples from Nepal was measured in the laboratory using the radon accumulation method and Lucas scintillation flasks at three temperatures: 7, 22 and 37 °C. For each sample and at each temperature, 5 or 6 measurements were carried out, representing a total of 360 measurements, with an ECRa average varying from 1.1 to 75 Bq kg−1. While the effect is small, ECRa was observed to increase with temperature in a significant and sufficiently reproducible manner. The increase was approximately linear with a slope (temperature sensitivity, TS) expressed in % °C−1. We observed a large heterogeneity of TS with average values (range min-max) of 0.79 ± 0.05 (0.16–2.0) % °C−1 and 0.61 ± 0.05 (0.10–2.0) % °C−1, for rock and soil samples, respectively. While this range overlaps with the results of previous studies, our values of TS tend to be smaller. The observed heterogeneity implies that the TS, rather poorly understood, needs to be assessed by dedicated experiments in every case where it is of consequence for the interpretation.
Glaciochemical investigations of the ice deposit of Vukušić Ice Cave, Velebit Mountain, Croatia
Authors: Kern Z. , Széles E. , Horvatinčić N. , Fórizs I. , Bočić N. , Nagy B.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The 3H activity and the concentration of 23 metals and metalloids have been analysed in cave ice samples from the perennial cave ice deposit of Vukušić Ice Cave, Velebit Mt., Croatia. The results of tritium measurements exclude a secular age for the upper 2.4 m of ice deposition, and provide clear arguments that the sampled ice sequence consists of frozen post-1950 precipitation. Measured concentrations of most of the analysed elements have largely surmounted reported concentrations of similar elements from local precipitation or Alpine snow/firn/ice records, whereas three metals (Cr, Cu, Pb) show concentrations comparable to them. Principal component analysis was used to select three groups of elements. The Ca-Mg-governed group (PC1) encompasses the bedrock-related components; their fluctuation might thus reflect the past intensity of dissolution in the epikarst. PC2, with the most characteristic elements being Na, Cr and Pb, probably preserved an atmospheric depositional signal. PC3 is governed by Al and Fe. This probably carries the distal, non-karstic crustal signal and hence might be related to atmospheric circulation (i.e., wind direction and speed).
Bias Associated with Mining Electronic Health Records
Authors: Hripcsak George , Knirsch Charles , Zhou Li , Wilcox Adam , Melton Genevieve
Published: June 2011

Large-scale electronic health record research introduces biases compared to traditional manually curated retrospective research. We used data from a community-acquired pneumonia study for which we had a gold standard to illustrate such biases. The challenges include data inaccuracy, incompleteness, and complexity, and they can produce in distorted results. We found that a naïve approach approximated the gold standard, but errors on a minority of cases shifted mortality substantially. Manual review revealed errors in both selecting and characterizing the cohort, and narrowing the cohort improved the result. Nevertheless, a significantly narrowed cohort might contain its own biases that would be difficult to estimate.
Multifocal Epithelioid Hemangioma with Reactive Bone Formation
Authors: Sin Jessica M. , Beck Andrew H. , Pai Reetesh K. , Stevens Kathryn J.
Published: June 2011

A healthy 16-year-old male patient presented with several weeks of right ankle pain on weight-bearing, worsened with sporting activities, and relieved with rest. Radiographs demonstrated multiple well-marginated lytic lesions in the right distal tibia, and talar head and neck, with a further small intracortical lesion in the mid-to-distal anterior tibia. MRI showed multiple rounded low T1 and high T2 signal intensity lesions within the distal tibia and talus, with marked associated bone marrow edema. The radiologic diagnoses included multifocal hemangioendothelioma, multifocal hemangioma, angiosarcoma, atypical infection, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, or osteoblastomatosis. Histology showed sheets of epithelioid cells lining vascular structures in a hobnailed “tombstone-like” arrangement, with additional areas containing trabeculae of osteoid and woven bone, with prominent osteoblastic rimming. The differential diagnosis at this point was either multifocal epithelioid hemangioma of bone or osteoblastomatosis. Immunohistochemistry showed strong expression of the vascular marker CD31, supporting a vascular neoplasm. The final diagnosis was multifocal epithelioid hemangioma with prominent reactive bone formation, an extremely unusual tumor with only one other similar case of multifocal disease reported in the literature. The patient was treated with curettage, cryosurgery, and bioceramic replacement and is currently doing well.
The Narrative Effect of Psalms 84–89
Authors: Wallace Robert E.
Published: June 2011

As the reader encounters Book III of the Psalter, the disorientation of exile challenges the psalmists’ attempts to find hope in traditional elements of faith. Within a canonical context of exile, the hymns of celebration found in Pss 84–89 become ironic expressions of a grieving Israel looking to reorient their theology by appealing to Temple, land, and Davidic covenant. Those traditional elements, however, are no longer capable of providing hope. This prepares the reader for return to Moses and Mosaic covenant in Book IV. Davidic kingship and Zion gives way to Yahweh as king, enthroned forever.
The Call Narratives of Gideon and Moses: Literary Convention or More?
Authors: Shalom-Guy Hava
Published: June 2011

Comparison of the Gideon (Judg 6:11–24) and Moses (Exod 3:1–15) call narratives raises the question of whether they are different manifestations of the same literary convention—a biblical “type-scene” of appointment and investiture—or display literary dependence. I suggest that their affinity goes beyond the shared features of the call-narrative convention and argue that the author of the Gideon narrative deliberately created direct literary links between the protagonist’s investiture and that of Moses—the archetypical biblical leader—as a means of elevating Gideon’s stature.
Semantics and the Semantics of ברא: A Rejoinder to the Arguments Advanced by B. Becking and M. Korpel
Authors: Van Wolde Ellen , Rezetko Robert
Published: June 2011

should be construed as to spatially separate remains a viable explanation for the semantics of this verb.
First clinic experience: patient selection and outcomes for ostial dilation for chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Cutler Jeffrey , Truitt Theodore , Atkins James , Winegar Bradford , Lanier Brent , Schaeffer B. Todd , Raviv Joseph , Henderson Diana , Duncavage James , Stankiewicz James , Tami Thomas
Published: June 2011

Background:

To report outcomes for subjects undergoing balloon dilation in either the operating room (OR) or the clinic and define criteria to identify suitable candidates for local anesthesia procedures.

Methods:

Subjects with medically refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) underwent de novo surgery via transantral balloon dilation of the maxillary sinus ostium and ethmoid infundibulum. Concomitant nasal or endoscopic sinus surgeries were contraindicated. Technical success, surgical parameters, and long‐term outcomes were evaluated through 12‐month follow‐up.

Results:

Seventy‐one subjects underwent balloon dilation and 94% completed follow‐up through 12 months. A total of 132 maxillary ostia were targeted for treatment and 129 were successfully dilated (98%). Almost one‐half (33) of the procedures were performed in the OR under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Average balloon procedure times for unilateral and bilateral treatment were 28.3 ± 21.1 and 40.2 ± 17.7 minutes, respectively. Thirty‐three ostial dilations in 19 subjects were attempted in the clinic. Each ostium was successfully accessed and ballooned under local anesthesia. Patient tolerance was very good with an average self‐reported pain level of 2.7 (2 = hurts a little bit) out of 10. Each subject was discharged within 2 hours of the procedure and there was no postoperative bleeding. Symptomatic improvement of the clinic subgroup at 3, 6, and 12 months postprocedure was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.0012) and clinically meaningful and similar in magnitude to improvement seen across all subjects regardless of site of service.

Conclusion:

Transantral balloon dilation can be performed safely in the clinic and operative settings with symptom improvement sustained through 1 year. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
The role of imprinted genes in fetal growth abnormalities
Authors: Piedrahita Jorge A.
Published: June 2011

Epigenetics, and in particular imprinted genes, have a critical role in the development and function of the placenta, which in turn has a central role in the regulation of fetal growth and development. A unique characteristic of imprinted genes is their expression from only one allele, maternal or paternal and dependent on parent of origin. This unique expression pattern may have arisen as a mechanism to control the flow of nutrients from the mother to the fetus, with maternally expressed imprinted genes reducing the flow of resources and paternally expressed genes increasing resources to the fetus. As a result, any epigenetic deregulation affecting this balance can result in fetal growth abnormalities. Imprinting‐associated disorders in humans, such as Beckwith‐Wiedemann and Angelman syndrome, support the role of imprinted genes in fetal growth. Similarly, assisted reproductive technologies in animals have been shown to affect the epigenome of the early embryo and the expression of imprinted genes. Their role in disorders such as intrauterine growth restriction appears to be more complex, in that imprinted gene expression can be seen as both causative and protective of fetal growth restriction. This protective or compensatory effect needs to be explored more fully. © Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Collateral blood flow can predict myocardial blush grade in primary coronary intervention
Authors: Ilia Reuben , Wolak Arik , Amit Guy , Weinstein Jean Marc
Published: June 2011

Objectives Our aim was to investigate whether collateral flow may predict myocardial blush grade (MBG) in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Background No‐reflow is a well known phenomenon associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to underperfused myocardium; therefore early prediction of no‐reflow is of major importance. We have observed that in patients with good collateral filling of the infarct related artery as seen prior to primary angioplasty, the clearance of the contrast medium from the myocardium may be impaired. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the MBG as observed by collateral filling in 81 patients and correlated it with the final MBG. Patients were divided into two groups—those with collateral MBG 0 or 1 (34) and those with myocardial blush 2 or 3 (47). Results Of the 34 patients in the first group 71% remained in the same MBG group after primary percutaneous coronary intervention and the rest improved. Of the 47 individuals with collateral MBG 2 or 3, 87% remained in the same group following primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and the rest deteriorated (P < 0.01 for both groups). Conclusions Collaterals may predict MBG in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A phase 1b trial of the combination of the antiangiogenic agent sunitinib and radiation therapy for patients with primary and metastatic central nervous system malignancies
Authors: Wuthrick Evan J. , Kamrava Mitchell , Curran Walter J. , Werner‐Wasik Maria , Camphausen Kevin A. , Hyslop Terry , Axelrod Rita , Andrews David W. , Glass Jon , Machtay Mitchell , Dicker Adam P.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

In this phase 1 trial, the authors evaluated sunitinib combined with radiation therapy (RT) for the treatment of primary or metastatic central nervous system (CNS) malignancies.

METHODS:

Eligible patients had CNS malignancies that required a (minimum) 2‐week course of RT. Sunitinib (37.5 mg) was administered daily for the duration of RT with optional treatment extension of 1 month. Urine was collected at 3 time points for correlative biomarker studies. The primary endpoint was acute toxicity defined according to Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.

RESULTS:

Fifteen patients were enrolled (12 with CNS metastasis and 3 with primary tumors). RT doses ranged from 14 Gray (Gy) to 70 Gy (1.8‐3.5 Gy per fraction). Acute toxicities included hematologic, nausea, hyperglycemia, fatigue, hypocalcemia, and diarrhea. Six patients (40%) developed grade ≤2 toxicities. Grade 3 toxicities occurred in 7 patients (47%) and included hematologic toxicity, fatigue, deep vein thrombosis, dysphasia, hyperglycemia, and hyponatremia. No grade 3 through 5 hypertensive events or intracerebral hemorrhages occurred. Two grade 5 adverse events attributed to disease progression occurred. The median follow‐up was 34.2 months. Two patients (13%) achieved a partial response, 9 patients (60%) had stable disease, and 2 patients (13%) patients had progressive disease. The 6‐month progression‐free survival rate for patients who had brain metastasis was 58%. Grade 3 hematologic toxicity was correlated with greater changes in vascular endothelial growth factor levels changes between baseline and the completion of RT.

CONCLUSIONS:

Continuous 37.5‐mg sunitinib combined with RT in patients who had CNS malignancies yielded acceptable toxicities and adverse events. The current results indicated that changes in urine vascular endothelial growth factor levels are associated with hematologic toxicity, and this association should be analyzed in a larger cohort. The feasibility, safety, and early response results warrant a phase 2 trial. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
The Protonation of CF3SO3H: Preparation and Characterization of Trifluoromethyldihydroxyoxosulfonium Hexafluoridoantimonate, CF3SO3H2+SbF6–
Authors: Soltner Theresa , Goetz Nadine R. , Kornath Andreas
Published: June 2011

Trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride reacts with superacidic solutions AF/SbF5 (A = H, D) to form their corresponding salts CF3SO3A2+SbF6–, which are protonated forms of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and CF3SO2F as by‐product. The salts have been characterized by vibrational spectroscopy and single‐crystal structural analysis. CF3SO3H2+SbF6– crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar {1}$ with two formula units in the unit cell: a = 709.29(5) pm, b = 763.46(5) pm, c = 882.15(6) pm; α = 71.884(6)°, β = 72.488(6)°, γ = 84.509(6)°; V = 432.97(5) Å3. The cations are linked with two strong hydrogen bonds to SbF6– anions to form chains. The experimental data were also compared to quantum chemical calculations for the CF3SO3H2(HF)2+ cation.
N‐Aryl‐ and N‐Thienylcarbazoles with Dimesitylboryl and 1,3,2‐Benzodiazaborolyl Functions
Authors: Weber Lothar , Halama Johannes , Böhling Lena , Chrostowska Anna , Dargelos Alain , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Neumann Beate
Published: June 2011

The reaction of the N‐lithiated 3,6‐di‐tert‐butylcarbazole with fluorodimesitylborane afforded the N‐carbazolyl‐functionalized dimesitylborane 1 as a colorless solid in 70 % yield. [4‐(3,6‐Di‐tert‐butylcarbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl]dimesitylborane (2) was synthesized in 59 % yield by the lithiation of N‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐3,6‐di‐tert‐butylcarbazole and the subsequent treatment of the organolithium compound with fluorodimesitylborane. Synthesis of yellow crystalline [5‐(carbazol‐9‐yl)‐2‐thienyl]dimesitylborane 3 was effected in 66 % yield by the lithiation of 3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(2‐thienyl)carbazole and the subsequent reaction with fluorodimesitylborane. Coupling of N‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐3,6‐di‐tert‐butylcarbazole and 2‐bromo‐1,3‐diethyl‐1,3,2‐benzodiazaborole with magnesium metal in boiling THF in the presence of lithium chloride led to the formation of the functionalized benzodiazaborole 5 as a colorless solid in 68 % yield. Compounds 1–3 and 5 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C) and mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 were elucidated by X‐ray diffraction analyses. The borylated systems show intense blue luminescence. The spectroscopic results were reproduced by TD‐DFT calculations at the [B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p)] level of theory. Thus, it was discovered that the LUMOs of 1–3 are located on the vacant 2pz orbital of the boron atom with contributions of the π* orbital of the phenyl (in 2) or thiophene (in 3) unit, whereas the HOMOs are mainly represented by the carbazolyl unit.
Consecutive C–F Bond Activation of Hexafluorobenzene and Decafluorobiphenyl
Authors: Schaub Thomas , Fischer Peter , Meins Thomas , Radius Udo
Published: June 2011

The reaction of [Ni2(iPr2Im)4(COD)] (1) {iPr2Im = 1,3‐bis(isopropyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene} with hexafluorobenzene and decafluorobiphenyl results at room temperature in the formation of the products of a C–F bond activation reaction, i.e. [Ni(iPr2Im)2(F)(C6F5)] (2) and [Ni(iPr2Im)2(F)(C12F9)] (4). The reactions of 2 and 4 with 1 or the reactions of hexafluorobenzene and decafluorobiphenyl with 1 equiv. or excess of dinuclear 1 (stoichiometric ratio nickel/substrate > 2:1) at higher temperatures afford the complexes of a consecutive C–F bond‐activation reaction, [1,4‐{Ni(iPr2Im)2(F)}2(C6F4)] (3) and [4,4′‐{Ni(iPr2Im)2(F)}2(C12F8)] (5). Complexes 3 and 5 cleanly react in THF at room temperature with chlorotrimethylsilane and (isopropyl)(trimethylsilyl)selenane under elimination of fluorotrimethylsilane to yield the corresponding chloro and selenolato complexes [1,4‐{Ni(iPr2Im)2(X)}2(C6F4)] [X = Cl (6), iPrSe (7)] and [4,4′‐{Ni(iPr2Im)2(X)}2(C12F8)] [X = Cl (8), iPrSe (9)].
Synthesis of Pyrimidine‐Containing Nucleoside β‐(R/S)‐Hydroxyphosphonate Analogues
Authors: Meurillon Maïa , Chaloin Laurent , Périgaud Christian , Peyrottes Suzanne
Published: June 2011

A concise route to nucleoside β‐hydroxyphosphonate analogues is described. The use of a nucleoside β‐ketophosphonate as the key intermediate allowed both the (R) and (S) isomers of β‐hydroxyphosphonate analogues in the pyrimidine series to be accessed. Such derivatives may be considered as stable mimics of 5′‐monophosphate nucleosides and, therefore, could be the starting point for the development of potential therapeutic agents.
Concentration and fractionation by isoelectric trapping in a micropreparative‐scale multicompartmental electrolyzer having orthogonal pH gradients. Part 1
Authors: Lim Peniel J. , Vigh Gyula
Published: June 2011

A multicompartmental electrolyzer called ConFrac has been developed and tested for micropreparative‐scale isoelectric trapping separations. ConFrac contains n separate, minimalistic isoelectric trapping core units, each with a separate anode compartment, anodic flow‐through compartment, collection compartment, cathodic flow‐through compartment and a shared cathode compartment. The collection compartments are all isolated from each other and have volumes of 100 μL each. The liquid held in the collection compartments is stagnant. The respective anodic and cathodic flow‐through compartments are hydraulically serially connected to each other by flexible, minimum‐length, narrow internal diameter tubes. The respective feed solutions whose volumes are larger and variable are recirculated through the serially connected flow‐through compartments. Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based buffering membranes are placed between the anode compartments, anodic flow‐through compartments, collection compartments, cathodic flow‐through compartments and cathode compartment. The membranes establish two orthogonal pH gradients in ConFrac. The primary pH gradient is parallel with the direction of the recirculating flows and orthogonal to that of the electric field. The secondary pH gradient is parallel with the direction of the electric field and orthogonal to that of the recirculating flows. Since the recirculating liquids are kept in thermostated reservoirs and the residence times in the flow‐through compartments are shorter than 2 s, ConFrac can tolerate power loads as high as 2 W without overheating the solutions. The operation and performance of ConFrac has been quantitatively characterized: four 25 μM ampholytic components were isolated from 5 mL of feed solution in 20 min and their concentration increased approximately 50‐fold.
Combined compact difference method for solving the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Chen Weijia , Chen JC
Published: June 2011

This paper presents a numerical method for solving the two‐dimensional unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in a vorticity–velocity formulation. The method is applicable for simulating the nonlinear wave interaction in a two‐dimensional boundary layer flow. It is based on combined compact difference schemes of up to 12th order for discretization of the spatial derivatives on equidistant grids and a fourth‐order five‐ to six‐alternating‐stage Runge–Kutta method for temporal integration. The spatial and temporal schemes are optimized together for the first derivative in a downstream direction to achieve a better spectral resolution. In this method, the dispersion and dissipation errors have been minimized to simulate physical waves accurately. At the same time, the schemes can efficiently suppress numerical grid‐mesh oscillations. The results of test calculations on coarse grids are in good agreement with the linear stability theory and comparable with other works. The accuracy and the efficiency of the current code indicate its potential to be extended to three‐dimensional cases in which full boundary layer transition happens. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.