bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Other relevant components of nuts: phytosterols, folate and minerals
Authors: Segura Ramon , Javierre Casimiro , Lizarraga M Antonia , Ros Emilio
Published: April 2007

Nuts contain significant amounts of essential micronutrients that are associated with an improved health status when consumed at doses beyond those necessary to prevent deficiency states. Nuts do not contain cholesterol, but they are rich in chemically related phytosterols, a class of compounds that interfere with intestinal cholesterol absorption and thus help lower blood cholesterol. Nuts also contain folate, a B-vitamin necessary for normal cellular function that plays an important role in detoxifying homocysteine, a sulphur-containing amino acid with atherothrombotic properties that accumulates in plasma when folate status is subnormal. Compared to other common foodstuffs, nuts have an optimal nutritional density with respect to healthy minerals, such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Like that of most vegetables, the sodium content of nuts is very low. A high intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium, together with a low sodium intake, is associated with protection against bone demineralisation, arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, and overall cardiovascular risk. Phytosterols might justify part of the cholesterol-lowering effect of nut intake beyond that attributable to fatty acid exchange, while the mineral richness of nuts probably contributes to the prevention of diabetes and coronary heart disease observed in epidemiological studies in association with frequent nut consumption.
Nuts and coronary heart disease: an epidemiological perspective
Authors: Kelly John H. , Sabaté Joan
Published: April 2007

The epidemiological evidence for the cardio-protective effect of nut consumption is presented and reviewed. Four large prospective epidemiological studies of primary prevention of coronary heart disease are reviewed and discussed (Adventist Health Study, Iowa Women's Health Study, Nurses' Health Study and the Physicians' Health Study). Other studies of nuts and coronary heart disease risk are addressed. The combined evidence for a cardio-protective effect from nut consumption is summarized and presented graphically. The risk of coronary heart disease is 37 % lower for those consuming nuts more than four times per week compared to those who never or seldom consume nuts, with an average reduction of 8·3 % for each weekly serving of nuts. The evidence for a causal relationship between nut consumption and reduced risk of coronary heart disease is outlined using Hill's criteria for causality and is found to support a causal cardio-protective relationship.
Nuts, body weight and insulin resistance
Authors: Rajaram Sujatha , Sabaté Joan
Published: April 2007

Traditionally, nuts have been considered a staple food, but because of their high energy and fat content are not considered good for body weight control or insulin sensitivity. Frequent consumption of nuts reduces the risk of coronary artery disease and type-2 diabetes and nut-enriched diets favourably alter blood lipids in normal and hypercholesterolemic individuals under controlled and free-living dietary conditions. However, whether or not frequent consumption of nuts can cause weight gain and impair insulin sensitivity is not fully understood. Review of the available data to date suggests that adding nuts to habitual diets of free-living individuals does not cause weight gain. In fact, nuts have a tendency to lower body weight and fat mass. In the context of calorie-restricted diets, adding nuts produces a more lasting and greater magnitude of weight loss among obese subjects while improving insulin sensitivity. Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of long-term (≥ year) consumption of nuts on body weight and their role in altering insulin sensitivity both in normal and type-2 diabetics. In the meantime, there is sufficient evidence to promote the inclusion of nuts as part of healthy diets.
Food allergy: nuts and tree nuts
Authors: Crespo Jesus F. , James John M. , Fernandez-Rodriguez Consuelo , Rodriguez Julia
Published: April 2007

Nuts are a well-defined cause of food allergy, which affect approximately 1 % of the general population in the UK and the USA. There do appear to be differences in the frequency of nut allergy between different countries because of different dietary habits and cooking procedures. For example, in the USA and France, peanuts are one of the most frequent causes of food allergy, but in other countries, it seems to be less common. Genetic factors, in particular, appear to play a role in the development of peanut allergy. While the majority of nut allergens are seed storage proteins, other nut allergens are profilins and pathogenesis-related protein homologues, considered as panallergens because of their widespread distribution in plants. The presence of specific IgE antibodies to several nuts is a common clinical finding, but the clinical relevance of this cross-reactivity is usually limited. Allergic reactions to nuts appear to be particularly severe, sometimes even life-threatening, and fatal reactions following their ingestion have been documented. Food allergy is diagnosed by identifying an underlying immunological mechanism (i.e. allergic testing), and establishing a causal relationship between food ingestion and symptoms (i.e. oral challenges). In natural history investigations carried out in peanut-allergic children, approximately 20 % of the cases outgrew their allergy or developed oral tolerance. The treatment of nut allergies should include patient and family education about avoiding all presentations of the food and the potential for a severe reaction caused by accidental ingestion. Patients and families should be instructed how to recognise early symptoms of an allergic reaction and how to treat severe anaphylaxis promptly.
The effects of concentrated barley β-glucan on blood lipids in a population of hypercholesterolaemic men and women
Authors: Keenan Joseph M. , Goulson Melanie , Shamliyan Tatyana , Knutson Nathan , Kolberg Lore , Curry Leslie
Published: April 2007

Barley, like oats, is a rich source of the soluble fibre β-glucan, which has been shown to significantly lower LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). However, barley foods have been less widely studied. Therefore, we evaluated the LDL-C-lowering effect of a concentrated barley β-glucan (BBG) extract as a vehicle to deliver this potential health benefit of barley. In a 10-week blinded controlled study, subjects were randomized to one of four treatment groups or control. Treatment groups included either high molecular weight (HMW) or low molecular weight (LMW) BBG at both 3 and 5 g doses. Treatment was delivered twice per day with meals in the form of two functional food products: a ready-to-eat cereal and a reduced-calorie fruit juice beverage. Levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and TAG were determined at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. The study group comprised 155 subjects. All treatments were well tolerated and after 6 weeks of treatment the mean LDL-C levels fell by 15 % in the 5 g HMW group, 13 % in the 5 g LMW group and 9 % in both the 3 g/d groups, versus baseline. Similar results were observed for total cholesterol. HDL-C levels were unchanged by treatment. Concentrated BBG significantly improves LDL-C and total cholesterol among moderately dyslipidaemic subjects. Food products containing concentrated BBG should be considered an effective option for improving blood lipids.
REACHING PROVIDERS IS NOT ENOUGH TO INCREASE IUD USE: A FACTORIAL EXPERIMENT OF ‘ACADEMIC DETAILING’ IN KENYA
Authors: WESSON JENNIFER , OLAWO ALICE , BUKUSI VIOLET , SOLOMON MARSDEN , PIERRE-LOUIS BOSNY , STANBACK JOHN , JANOWITZ BARBARA
Published: April 2007

Although the IUD is an extremely effective and low-cost contraceptive method, its use has declined sharply in Kenya in the past 20 years. A study tested the effectiveness of an outreach intervention to family planning providers and community-based distribution (CBD) agents in promoting use of the IUD in western Kenya. Forty-five public health clinics were randomized to receive the intervention for providers only, for CBD agents only, for both providers and CBD agents, or no detailing at all. The intervention is based on pharmaceutical companies’ ‘detailing’ models and included education/motivation visits to providers and CBD programmes, as well as provision of educational and promotional materials. District health supervisors were given updates on contraceptives, including the IUD, and were trained in communication and message development prior to making their detailing visits. Detailing only modestly increased the provision of IUDs, and only when both providers and CBD agents were targeted. The two detailing visits do not appear sufficient to sustain the effect of the intervention or to address poor provider attitudes and lack of technical skills. The cost per 3·5 years of pregnancy protection was US$49·57 for the detailing intervention including the cost of the IUD, compared with US$15·19 for the commodity costs of the current standard of care – provision of the injectable contraceptive depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). The effectiveness of provider-based activities is amplified when concurrent demand creation activities are carried out. However, the cost of the detailing in comparison to the small number of IUDs inserted indicates that this intervention is not cost-effective.
Two-point similarity in temporally evolving plane wakes
Authors: EWING D. , GEORGE W. K. , ROGERS M. M. , MOSER R. D.
Published: April 2007

The governing equations for the two-point correlations of the turbulent fluctuating velocity in the temporally evolving wake were analysed to determine whether they could have equilibrium similarity solutions. It was found that these equations could have such solutions for a finite-Reynolds-number wake, where the two-point velocity correlations could be written as a product of a time-dependent scale and a function dependent only on similarity variables. It is therefore possible to collapse the two-point measures of all the scales of motions in the temporally evolving wake using a single set of similarity variables. As in an earlier single-point analysis, it was found that the governing equations for the equilibrium similarity solutions could not be reduced to a form that was independent of a growth-rate dependent parameter. Thus, there is not a single ‘universal’ solution that describes the state of the large-scale structures, so that the large-scale structures in the far field may depend on how the flow is generated.

The predictions of the similarity analysis were compared to the data from two direct numerical simulations of the temporally evolving wakes examined previously. It was found that the two-point velocity spectra of these temporally evolving wakes collapsed reasonably well over the entire range of scales when they were scaled in the manner deduced from the equilibrium similarity analysis. Thus, actual flows do seem to evolve in a manner consistent with the equilibrium similarity solutions.
Lock-exchange flows in sloping channels
Authors: BIRMAN V. K. , BATTANDIER B. A. , MEIBURG E. , LINDEN P. F.
Published: April 2007

Two-dimensional variable-density Navier–Stokes simulations have been conducted in order to investigate the effects of a slope on the classical lock-exchange flow. Simulations of full lock releases show that the flow goes through an initial quasi-steady phase that is characterized by a constant front velocity. This quasi-steady front velocity has a maximum for slope angles around 40°, and it persists up to a dimensionless time of the order of 10. The flow subsequently undergoes a transition to a second phase with a larger, unsteady, front velocity. These computational findings were confirmed by experimental observations of lock-exchange flows in a tube of circular cross-section.

The reason for the observed transition from a quasi-steady front velocity to a larger, unsteady, value is found in the continuous acceleration of the stratified fluid layers connecting the two fronts by the streamwise component of the gravity vector. This acceleration leads to a situation where the fluid layers behind the current front move faster than the front itself. Initially the resulting addition of fluid to the current front from behind affects only the size of the front, while its velocity remains unchanged. Eventually, the current front is unable to absorb more fluid from behind and its velocity has to increase, thereby triggering the transition to the second, unsteady, phase. The transition time is determined as a function of the slope and the density ratio of the two fluids. For increasing density contrast, the transition is seen to occur earlier for the denser current.

Conceptually simple models based on the analysis by Thorpe (1968) are compared with simulation results for the flow in the region connecting the fronts. For the early stages of the flow a two-layer stratification model is found to be appropriate, while the later stages require a three-layer stratification model, owing to the intense mixing in the central part of the channel cross-section. These models are employed to estimate the time after which the accelerating stratified fluid layers will affect the velocities of the current fronts. They provide upper and lower estimates for the transition time which are in good agreement with the simulation results.
Modal and non-modal linear stability of the plane Bingham–Poiseuille flow
Authors: NOUAR C. , KABOUYA N. , DUSEK J. , MAMOU M.
Published: April 2007

The receptivity problem of plane Bingham–Poiseuille flow with respect to weak perturbations is addressed. The relevance of this study is highlighted by the linear stability analysis results (spectra and pseudospectra). The first part of the present paper thus deals with the classical normal-mode approach in which the resulting eigenvalue problem is solved using the Chebychev collocation method. Within the range of parameters considered, the Poiseuille flow of Bingham fluid is found to be linearly stable. The second part investigates the most amplified perturbations using the non-modal approach. At a very low Bingham number (B ≪ 1), the optimal disturbance consists of almost streamwise vortices, whereas at moderate or large B the optimal disturbance becomes oblique. The evolution of the obliqueness as function of B is determined. The linear analysis presented also indicates, as a first stage of a theoretical investigation, the principal challenges of a more complete nonlinear study.
Elliptic instability in a strained Batchelor vortex
Authors: LACAZE LAURENT , RYAN KRIS , LE DIZÈS STÉPHANE
Published: April 2007

The elliptic instability of a Batchelor vortex subject to a stationary strain field is considered by theoretical and numerical means in the regime of large Reynolds number and small axial flow. In the theory, the elliptic instability is described as a resonant coupling of two quasi-neutral normal modes (Kelvin modes) of the Batchelor vortex of azimuthal wavenumbers m and m + 2 with the underlying strain field. The growth rate associated with these resonances is computed for different values of the azimuthal wavenumbers as the axial flow parameter is varied. We demonstrate that the resonant Kelvin modes m = 1 and m = −1 which are the most unstable in the absence of axial flow become damped as the axial flow is increased. This is shown to be due to the appearance of a critical layer which damps one of the resonant Kelvin modes. However, the elliptic instability does not disappear. Other combinations of Kelvin modes m = −2 and m = 0, then m = −3 and m = −1 are shown to become progressively unstable for increasing axial flow. A complete instability diagram is obtained as a function of the axial flow parameter for several values of the strain rate and Reynolds number.

The numerical study considers a system of two counter-rotating Batchelor vortices in which the strain field felt by each vortex is due to the other vortex. The characteristics of the most unstable linear modes developing on the frozen base flow are computed by direct numerical simulations for two axial flow parameters and compared to the theory. In both cases, a very good agreement is obtained for the most unstable modes. Less unstable modes are also identified in the numerics and shown to correspond to peculiar resonances involving Kelvin modes from branches of different labels.
Electro-magneto-phoresis of slender bodies
Authors: YARIV EHUD , MILOH TOUVIA
Published: April 2007

Slender-body asymptotic theory is applied to determine the electro-magneto-phoretic motion of a freely suspended elongated particle which is arbitrarily oriented relative to uniformly applied electric and magnetic fields.
Short-term dynamics of a density interface following an impact
Authors: ANTKOWIAK A. , BREMOND N. , LE DIZÈS S. , VILLERMAUX E.
Published: April 2007

A tube filled with a perfectly wetting liquid falls axially under its own weight. In its gravity-free reference frame, the liquid interface is deformed by surface tension into a hemispherical shape. On impact of the tube on a rigid floor, the interface curvature reverses violently, forming a concentrated jet. If the contact angle at the tube wall is such that the interface is flat, the liquid rebounds as a whole with the tube, with no deformation. We analyse this phenomenon using an impulse pressure description, providing an exact description of the initial liquid velocity field at the impact, supported by high-speed image velocimetry measurements. This initial dynamics is insensitive to liquid surface tension and viscosity.
Diffusion-induced bias in near-wall velocimetry
Authors: SADR REZA , HOHENEGGER CHRISTEL , LI HAIFENG , MUCHA PETER J. , YODA MINAMI
Published: April 2007

The Brownian fluctuations of the colloidal tracers often used in microscale velocimetry are typically isotropic in the bulk. In the near-wall region, however, these fluctuations are strongly affected by the hydrodynamic interaction with the wall and by the no-flux condition imposed by the wall. These wall effects can, under appropriate conditions, bias measurements based on colloidal tracers, potentially leading to significant overestimation of near-wall velocities. We use a Fokker–Planck description to generate probability density functions of the distances from a single wall sampled by the matched particles that are present in the same window at both the start and end of a time interval. The importance of the resulting bias for experimental parameters is then quantified in terms of the size of the imaged region and measurement interval. We conclude with a brief discussion of the implications for near-wall velocimetry measurements.
Vocal outcomes following subepithelial infiltration technique in microflap surgery: a review of 30 cases
Authors: Nerurkar N , Narkar N , Joshi A , Kalel K , Bradoo R
Published: April 2007

Understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the vocal folds, availability of better diagnostic tools and precise instruments has spurred the development of newer techniques for the management of benign lesions arising in the vocal folds. As the propensity of the superficial lamina propria to regenerate is minimal, it is of paramount importance to maximally preserve it. Microflap surgery of the vocal folds is based on this principle.

There exists a dichotomy in opinion regarding the role of subepithelial infiltration in microflap surgery; the disadvantages cited being possible confusion of the surgical plane following infiltration and hydrodissection of the normal basement membrane from the superficial layer of the lamina propria. A prospective study was therefore carried out in 30 cases of benign glottic lesions and microflap surgery was performed with and without infiltration in similar pathologic lesions. The vocal outcomes i.e. fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer and maximum phonation time were audited. The advantages of this technique with a review of the literature are discussed.
Preliminary report of associated factors in wound infection after major head and neck neoplasm operations — does the duration of prophylactic antibiotic matter?
Authors: Liu S-A , Tung K-C , Shiao J-Y , Chiu Y-T
Published: April 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate whether an extended course of prophylactic antibiotic could reduce the wound infection rate in a subtropical country. Fifty-three consecutive cases scheduled to receive major head and neck operations were randomised into one-day or three-day prophylactic antibiotic groups. Thirteen cases (24.5 per cent) developed wound infections after operations. The duration of prophylactic antibiotic was not related to the surgical wound infection. However, pre-operative haemoglobulin less than 10.5 g/dl (odds ratio: 7.24, 95 per cent confidence interval: 1.28–41.0) and reconstruction with a free flap or pectoris major myocutaneous flap during the operation (odds ratio: 11.04, 95 per cent confidence interval: 1.17–104.7) were associated factors significantly influencing post-operative wound infection. Therefore, one day of prophylactic antibiotic was effective in major head and neck procedures but should not be substituted for proper aseptic and meticulous surgical techniques.
Epstein–Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumour mimicking bilateral vocal process granuloma
Authors: Gan E C , Lau D P C , Chuah K L
Published: April 2007

A case is presented of a 36-year-old Chinese woman with a renal transplant for end-stage renal failure due to Goodpasture's syndrome. She presented with a year's history of throat discomfort and acid regurgitation into her throat. Videolaryngoscopy revealed bilateral vocal process granuloma, presumed to be due to gastroesophageal reflux. A four-week course of high dose omeprazole was prescribed. On follow up a month later, the granulomas had enlarged, and laser excision was undertaken. Histological and immunohistochemical staining was consistent with Epstein–Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumour. This is believed to be the first reported case in the English literature of such a tumour affecting the vocal process. The aim of this paper is to present the pathogenesis, clinical behaviour and treatment of Epstein–Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumour, and to review the literature concerning the differential diagnosis of polypoid vocal process lesions.
Infection by a vertically-transmitted microsporidian parasite is associated with a female-biased sex ratio and survival advantage in the amphipodGammarus roeseli
Authors: HAINE E. R. , MOTREUIL S. , RIGAUD T.
Published: April 2007

Vertically transmitted parasites may have positive, neutral or negative effects on host fitness, and are also predicted to exhibit sex-specific virulence to increase the proportion or fitness of the transmitting sex. We investigated these predictions in a study on the survival and sex ratio of offspring of the amphipodGammarus roeselifrom females infected by the vertically transmitted microsporidiaNosema granulosis. We found, to our knowledge, the first evidence for a positive relationship betweenN. granulosisinfection and host survival. Infection was associated with sex ratio distortion, not by male-killing, but probably by parasite-induced feminization of putativeG. roeselimales. This microsporidia also feminizes another amphipod host,Gammarus duebeni, which is phylogenetically and biogeographically distant fromG. roeseli. Our study suggests that the reproductive system of gammarids is easily exploited by these vertically-transmitted parasites, although the effects of infections on host fitness may depend on specific host-parasite species interactions.
How to be a trinitarian theologian: a critique of Wolfhart Pannenberg's systematic theology
Authors: Taylor Iain
Published: April 2007

This article is a critical assessment of Pannenberg's trinitarian approach in his Systematic Theology. In particular it raises the questions of how far Pannenberg's emphasis on the Trinity affects the practice of theology and of how the theologian should understand his or her task in the light of the being and work of the triune God. It argues that there is an uneasy tension between Pannenberg's commitment to thoroughgoing trinitarianism on the one hand and his commitment to a rational theology that takes account of the modern age. This tension can be seen most clearly in Pannenberg's treatment of christology, faith and theological method. It is at these points, where modern thinking has often been so critical with traditional theology, that Pannenberg's trinitarian commitments are not deployed as consistently or penetratingly as elsewhere.
Islam's adaptation to the West: on the deconstruction and reconstruction of religion
Authors: Vroom Hendrik M.
Published: April 2007

This article describes the process of the deconstruction and reconstruction of Islam in its transition from an Islamic to a Western culture, and does so from a hermeneutical perspective. In this process of reinterpretation of tradition ‘Western’ Muslims have a number of options: traditionalism, moderate orthodoxy, fundamentalism, radicalism and religious liberalism. On the basis of the process of change in orthodox Reformed churches in the last part of the twentieth century, I describe the process of change among Muslims who have to find a way in Western Europe. This process of reinterpretation in such a different context necessarily triggers off a discussion of the principles of fiqh and the right understanding of the Qur'an and hadith. In this discussion the ‘options’ mentioned arise. This hermeneutical analysis adds theological insights to processes of change and conflict that often are analysed only in terms of social-economic processes, and can help to understand the developments also from a theological perspective.
Controlled GPS Signal Simulation for Indoors
Authors: Hu Tao , Lachapelle Gérard , Klukas Richard
Published: April 2007

For certain applications such as E911/E999/E112, GPS chipset receiver manufacturers will possibly have to test their products to ensure these fulfill mandated performance specifications for a variety of outdoor and indoor conditions. As opposed to testing in the field, laboratory testing is totally repeatable and controllable, and may be less costly. Hardware GPS signal simulators are now able to simulate signals under a variety of attenuation and multipath conditions. In indoor environments, GPS signals suffer not only from severe attenuation and multipath but from complex variations thereof. A method to simulate indoor GPS signals such that the stochastic characteristics of the simulated signals match those of actual GPS signals received in situ by a high sensitivity GPS receiver in various indoor environments is presented. Probability density functions and correlation coefficients are used to demonstrate the similarity between field and simulated data in terms of signal power fading and estimated pseudorange error. The results clearly demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.
Multiscale ENC Data Management on an Archipelagic Sea Area – Example of the East Adriatic Coast
Authors: Leder Tea Duplančić , Leder Nenad , Lapaine Miljenko
Published: April 2007

This paper briefly outlines the production of electronic nautical charts (ENC) as a digital nautical chart, produced by the Croatian National Hydrographic Office (HO) to International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) specifications S-57 Edition 3.1. The production of ENCs is based on the theory of multiscale data management (usage bands). Multiple representations of ENC data are controlled by scale minimum (SCAMIN) attributes. A solution to the problem of multiscale data management as a part of ENC data production for archipelagic sea areas, using the East Adriatic Coast as an example is presented. This solution is based on a long-standing experience in the production of paper charts and recent ENC production for the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, which is believed to be the second largest archipelagic area in the Mediterranean. Finally, a new usage band scale range, compilation scale for all navigational purposes and method of using SCAMIN attributes for archipelagic seas are proposed.
Work-Related Accidents in the Maritime Transport Sector
Authors: Rodríguez Julio Louro , Fraguela Formoso José Ángel
Published: April 2007

This article is partially based on the Doctoral thesis (Reference 1) entitled (in English) Working aboard and job-related accidents: Health and safety conditions on merchant vessel. Divided into four sections, the paper includes: issues relating to legislation, an analysis of accidents, the research that has been done about accidents and risk factors for falling on board. The main causes of accidents are examined. Moreover, conclusions are drawn by analysing work-related accidents in the Spanish maritime transport sector through a study covering the period between 1999 and 2003. The text was updated in 2004, with the latest official data, figures which may be equally applicable to the maritime sector throughout the European Union.
A Universal Approach for Processing any MEMS Inertial Sensor Configuration for Land-Vehicle Navigation
Authors: Niu Xiaoji , Nasser Sameh , Goodall Chris , El-Sheimy Naser
Published: April 2007

Recent navigation systems integrating GPS with Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measuring Units (IMUs) have shown promising results for several applications based on low-cost devices such as vehicular and personal navigation. However, as a trend in the navigation market, some applications require further reductions in size and cost. To meet such requirements, a MEMS full IMU configuration (three gyros and three accelerometers) may be simplified. In this context, different partial IMU configurations such as one gyro plus three accelerometers or one gyro plus two accelerometers could be investigated. The main challenge in this case is to develop a specific navigation algorithm for each configuration since this is a time-consuming and costly task. In this paper, a universal approach for processing any MEMS sensor configuration for land vehicular navigation is introduced. The proposed method is based on the assumption that the omitted sensors provide relatively less navigation information and hence, their output can be replaced by pseudo constant signals plus noise. Using standard IMU/GPS navigation algorithms, signals from existing sensors and pseudo signals for the omitted sensors are processed as a full IMU. The proposed approach is tested using land-vehicle MEMS/GPS data and implemented with different sensor configurations. Compared to the full IMU case, the results indicate the differences are within the expected levels and that the accuracy obtained meets the requirements of several land-vehicle applications.
Uptake of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in at-risk populations in England and Wales 1999–2005
Authors: PEBODY R. G. , HIPPISLEY-COX J. , HARCOURT S. , PRINGLE M. , PAINTER M. , SMITH G.
Published: April 2007

The UK has had a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination (PPV) programme for groups at higher risk of invasive disease since 1992. This paper presents data from a sample of primary-care practices (Q-RESEARCH) of PPV uptake in patients according to their risk status. Of 2·9 million registered patients in 2005, 2·1% were vaccinated with PPV in the preceding 12 months and 6·5% in the preceding 5 years. Twenty-nine per cent of the registered population fell into one or more risk groups. The proportion of each risk group vaccinated in the previous 5 years ranged from 69% (cochlear implants), 53·4% (splenic dysfunction), 36·5% (chronic heart disease), 34·7% (diabetes), 22·9% (immunosuppressed), 28·7% (chronic renal disease), 15·9% (sickle cell disease) to 12·6% (chronic respiratory disease). Uptake was lower in areas where the non-white proportion of population was >10%. In conclusion, there remain large gaps in the uptake of PPV in several high-risk populations in the United Kingdom. Effective strategies need to be developed to address these deficiencies.
The seroepidemiology of varicella zoster virus among pregnant Bangladeshi and white British women in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, UK
Authors: TALUKDER Y. S. , KAFATOS G. , PINOT de MOIRA A. , AQUILINA J. , PARKER S. P. , CROWCROFT N. S. , BROWN D. W. G. , BREUER J.
Published: April 2007

We investigated the comparative seroepidemiology of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in pregnant women of two ethnic groups, white British and Bangladeshi, living in an inner city area of London, United Kingdom. Women aged 16–45 years were recruited from antenatal clinics of the Royal London Hospital in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. Complete data were obtained from 275 white British and 765 Bangladeshi women. VZV antibody prevalence was 93·1% (95% CI 89·4–95·8) and 86·0% (95% CI 83·3–88·4) respectively. Women who were born in Bangladesh and lived there at least until the age of 15 years had the lowest odds of being immune (OR 0·37, 95% CI 0·22–0·63). This implies they will have an increased risk of varicella during pregnancy. Women arriving in the United Kingdom in adulthood should be screened routinely during pregnancy and vaccination offered postpartum if they are susceptible.
ICD-10 codes are a valid tool for identification of pneumonia in hospitalized patients aged ⩾65 years
Authors: SKULL S. A. , ANDREWS R. M. , BYRNES G. B. , CAMPBELL D. A. , NOLAN T. M. , BROWN G. V. , KELLY H. A.
Published: April 2007

This study examines the validity of using ICD-10 codes to identify hospitalized pneumonia cases. Using a case-cohort design, subjects were randomly selected from monthly cohorts of patients aged ⩾65 years discharged from April 2000 to March 2002 from two large tertiary Australian hospitals. Cases had ICD-10-AM codes J10–J18 (pneumonia); the cohort sample was randomly selected from all discharges, frequency matched to cases by month. Codes were validated against three comparators: medical record notation of pneumonia, chest radiograph (CXR) report and both. Notation of pneumonia was determined for 5098/5101 eligible patients, and CXR reports reviewed for 3349/3464 (97%) patients with a CXR. Coding performed best against notation of pneumonia: kappa 0·95, sensitivity 97·8% (95% CI 97·1–98·3), specificity 96·9% (95% CI 96·2–97·5), positive predictive value (PPV) 96·2% (95% CI 95·4–97·0) and negative predictive value (NPV) 98·2% (95% CI 97·6–98·6). When medical record notation of pneumonia is used as the standard, ICD-10 codes are a valid method for retrospective ascertainment of hospitalized pneumonia cases and appear superior to use of complexes of symptoms and signs, or radiology reports.
Percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects
Authors: Butera Gianfranco , Chessa Massimo , Carminati Mario
Published: April 2007

Background: Surgical closure of ventricular septal defects has been performed for many years, and is considered as the gold standard for treatment. It remains associated with morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter techniques have been developed in the last 10 years as a possible alternative to conventional surgery. Methods: The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, and with continuous fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. Devices of the Amplatzer family, two in particular, have achieved a large popularity in clinical practice, and are currently the devices most commonly used to close muscular and perimembranous ventricular septal defect percutaneously. Results: Data from literature show that successful closure of muscular defects is obtained in around 96% of patients, with a rate of major complication of around 2%. Pooling data from the literature shows that successful closure of perimembranous defects is also obtained in 96% of patients, again with major acute complications in around 2%. The major problem is the occurrence of complete atrioventricular block, reported in 1.7% of subjects. Acquired defects can occur as residual leaks after surgical closure, or as consequence of myocardial infarction. There are very few data concerning percutaneous closure of postoperative residual defects. As for the surgical approach, in patients with post-myocardial defects the success rate of percutaneous closure is around 88%, with a mortality of 22%. Conclusions: Nowadays, in experienced hands, percutaneous closure is a safe and effective procedure. In selected patients, closure of congenital or acquired muscular and perimembranous ventricular septal defects can be considered a real alternative to the standard surgical approach, with the advantage of a significantly reduced rate of mortality and complications.
Effect of ice particles on the mesospheric potassium layer at Spitsbergen (78°N)
Authors: Raizada Shikha , Rapp Markus , Lübken F.‐J. , Höffner J. , Zecha M. , Plane J. M. C.
Published: April 2007

This paper quantitatively evaluates the influence of ice particles on the K layer by using radar and lidar measurements. The methodology involves determination of the volumetric surface area [Aice] of the ice particles in a noctilucent cloud by combining a microphysical ice particle model with a charging model to produce an empirical proxy for polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE) based on the properties of the charged aerosol particles. The altitudinal variation of [Aice] reveals peak values of about 2.2 × 10−8cm−1around 85 km. The first‐order loss rate of atomic K due to uptake on the ice particles maximizes close to 2.2 × 10−4s−1at 85 km. To examine the variability of [Aice] on background parameters, a sensitivity study showed that a ±10% variation in [Aice] can result from either a ±5 K shift in the temperatures relative to a background profile or from a ±30% change in the water vapor concentration. We found that the peak [Aice] remains constant for a change of +4 to –6 K temperature fluctuations over the altitude range of 83–85 km. Finally, a new atmospheric model of potassium predicts profiles of the K layer in early May and July that are in good agreement with the observations, when the seasonally averaged K ablation flux at 79°N is set to 160 atom cm−2s−1. This study reveals that both the vertical wind and ice particles play a significant role in controlling the K layer distribution at high latitudes.
Long‐period oscillations at discrete frequencies: A comparative analysis of ground, magnetospheric, and interplanetary observations
Authors: Villante U. , Francia P. , Vellante M. , Di Giuseppe P. , Nubile A. , Piersanti M.
Published: April 2007

The power spectra of remarkable events of long‐period fluctuations of the geomagnetic field (as identified at a low‐latitude station, L'Aquila, λ ≈ 36°) reveal a tendency for a repeated occurrence of power enhancements in the same frequency bands (f ≈ 0.9–1.0, 1.2–1.4, 2.1–2.3, 2.5–2.7 mHz), often coincident with CMS frequencies. In four cases the data availability and the results of the spectral analysis allowed unambiguous conclusions on the correspondence between ground, magnetospheric, and solar wind fluctuations. For most wave packets, the comparative analysis reveals an unprecedented one‐to‐one correspondence in terms of frequency, onset, and duration; it suggests that geomagnetic fluctuations can be driven directly by fluctuations of the solar wind density at the same frequencies. On the other hand, the repeated occurrence in the same frequency bands and some evidence for amplification processes suggest additional contributions possibly related with cavity/waveguide resonances.
Transport in the subtropical lowermost stratosphere during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers–Florida Area Cirrus Experiment
Authors: Pittman Jasna V. , Weinstock Elliot M. , Oglesby Robert J. , Sayres David S. , Smith Jessica B. , Anderson James G. , Cooper Owen R. , Wofsy Steven C. , Xueref Irene , Gerbig Cristoph , Daube Bruce C. , Richard Erik C. , Ridley Brian A. , Weinheimer Andrew J. , Loewenstein Max , Jost Hans‐Jurg , Lopez Jimena P. , Mahoney Michael J. , Thompson Thomas L. , Hargrove William W. , Hoffman Forrest M.
Published: April 2007

We use in situ measurements of water vapor (H2O), ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), and total reactive nitrogen (NOy) obtained during the CRYSTAL‐FACE campaign in July 2002 to study summertime transport in the subtropical lowermost stratosphere. We use an objective methodology to distinguish the latitudinal origin of the sampled air masses despite the influence of convection, and we calculate backward trajectories to elucidate their recent geographical history. The methodology consists of exploring the statistical behavior of the data by performing multivariate clustering and agglomerative hierarchical clustering calculations and projecting cluster groups onto principal component space to identify air masses of like composition and hence presumed origin. The statistically derived cluster groups are then examined in physical space using tracer‐tracer correlation plots. Interpretation of the principal component analysis suggests that the variability in the data is accounted for primarily by the mean age of air in the stratosphere, followed by the age of the convective influence, and last by the extent of convective influence, potentially related to the latitude of convective injection (Dessler and Sherwood, 2004). We find that high‐latitude stratospheric air is the dominant source region during the beginning of the campaign while tropical air is the dominant source region during the rest of the campaign. Influence of convection from both local and nonlocal events is frequently observed. The identification of air mass origin is confirmed with backward trajectories, and the behavior of the trajectories is associated with the North American monsoon circulation.
Intraseasonal variations of the tropical total ozone and their connection to the Madden‐Julian Oscillation
Authors: Tian B. , Yung Y. L. , Waliser D. E. , Tyranowski T. , Kuai L. , Fetzer E. J. , Irion F. W.
Published: April 2007

We investigate the intraseasonal (30–90 day) variations in satellite‐observed tropical total ozone (O3) and their connection to the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO). Tropical total O3 intraseasonal variations are large (∼±10 DU) and comparable to those in annual and interannual time scales. These O3 anomalies are mainly evident in the subtropics over the Pacific and eastern; hemisphere and propagate slowly eastward (∼5 m s−1). The subtropical negative (positive) O3 anomalies are typically collocated with the subtropical upper troposphere anticyclones (cyclones) generated by equatorial MJO convection and flank or lie to the west of the equatorial enhanced (suppressed) MJO convection. The subtropical O3 are anti‐correlated with geopotential height anomalies near the tropopause and thus mainly associated with the O3 variability in the stratosphere rather the troposphere. Over the equatorial regions, total O3 anomalies are small.
Heat‐shock‐induced three‐dimensional‐like proliferation of mouse fibroblasts mediated by hydroxyapatite
Authors: Hiragami Fukumi , Akiyama Junichi , Koike Yoshihisa , Kano Yoshio
Published: April 2007

The aim of the present study was to determine both the minimal and the optimal conditions under which heat treatment is effective for enhancing 3D (three‐dimensional)‐like cell proliferation. C3H10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts were cultured with hydroxyapatite granules for 10 weeks after heat treatment at 40, 41.5, 43, 44 or 45°C for 2, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 180 and 360 min. Then minimal and optimal conditions of temperature and duration of heat treatment for induction of 3D‐like proliferation of cells were determined. The minimal conditions of heat treatment to induce 3D‐like proliferation were 43°C for 2 min and the optimal conditions were 43°C for 10 min. The mean rates of formation of 3D‐like proliferation patterns by cells heat‐treated at 43°C for 2 and 10 min were significantly higher (1.7‐ and 3.7‐fold respectively) than that by untreated cells (P<0.05). We also observed significantly greater effects of heat treatment on 3D‐like proliferation at 40°C for 90 or 180 min and at 41.5°C for 15 min and 44°C for 10 min. We found that apoptosis had occurred in 7.5 and 87.0% of the cells at 1 week after heat treatment at 43°C for 10 min and 30 min respectively. Western‐blot analysis demonstrated that phosphorylation of p38 MAPK (mitogen‐activated protein kinase) was markedly increased by heat treatment at 43°C for 10 min. These findings suggest that activation of p38 MAPK by heat shock is associated with 3D‐like cell proliferation. The results of the present study should be useful for further studies aimed at elucidation of the physiological mechanisms underlying thermotherapy and hyperthermia.
BioClips of symmetric and asymmetric cell division
Authors: Lu Fong‐Mei , Eliceiri Kevin W. , White John G.
Published: April 2007

Animations have long been used as tools to illustrate complex processes in such diverse fields as mechanical engineering, astronomy, bacteriology and physics. Animations in biology hold particular educational promise for depicting complex dynamic processes, such as photosynthesis, motility, viral replication and cellular respiration, which cannot be easily explained using static two‐dimensional images. However, these animations have often been restrictive in scope, having been created for a specific classroom or research audience. In recent years, a new type of animation has emerged called the BioClip (http:www.bioclips.com) that strives to present science in an interactive multimedia format, which is, at once, informative and entertaining, by combining animations, text descriptions and music in one portable cross‐platform document. In the present article, we illustrate the educational value of this new electronic resource by reviewing in depth two BioClips our group has created which describe the processes of symmetric and asymmetric cell division (http:www.wormclassroom.orgcbbioclip).
Characterization and analysis of the training effect of exchange bias in coupled NiFe∕IrMn bilayers
Authors: Xi Haiwen , Franzen Scott , White Robert M.
Published: April 2007

The training effect of the so-called exchange bias in coupled polycrystalline NiFe∕IrMn thin films has been experimentally and theoretically investigated. A different formula is used to describe the exchange bias dependence on the measurement cycle number. It can be understood to be a consequence of the antiferromagnetic domain dynamics based on the Kolmogorov-Avrami [Izv. Akad. Nauk, Ser. Math. 3, 355 (1937); J. Chem. Phys. 8, 212 (1940)] model, which describes the nucleation and growth of antiferromagnetic domains in the film structures.
Resonant magnetoresistance in organic spin valves (invited)
Authors: Rocha A. Reily , Sanvito S.
Published: April 2007

We investigate theoretically the effects of surface states over the magnetoresistance of Ni-based organic spin valves. In particular, we perform ab initio electronic transport calculations for a benzene-thiolate molecule chemically attached to a Ni [001] surface and contacted either by Te to another Ni [001] surface or terminated by a thiol group and probed by a Ni scanning tunnel microscope (STM) tip. In the case of S- and Te-bonded molecules we find a large asymmetry in the spin currents as a function of the bias, although the I-V is rather symmetric. This leads to a smooth although not monotonic dependence of the magnetoresistance over the bias. In contrast, in the case of a STM-type geometry we demonstrate that the spin current and the magnetoresistance can be drastically changed with bias. This is the result of a resonance between a spin-polarized surface state of the substrate and the d-shell band edge of the tip.