bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of oxidative stress during fracture healing in the rats
Authors: Yeler Hasan , Tahtabas Filiz , Candan Ferda
Published: January 2005

One of the most damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is lipid peroxidation, the end‐product of which is malondialdehyde (MDA). This study was aimed to evaluate erythrocyte MDA levels during fracture healing in rats. Thirty male rats were used and the rats were divided into two groups to serve as controls and tests. Six rats were used as a control group that was not subject to fracture. The remaining 24 rats were divided into four groups and erythrocyte MDA levels were examined on days 5, 10, 20 and 30 post fracture. The right fibulas of rats were broken by manual angulation in the experimental group. The erythrocyte malondialdehyde level was measured in the experimental and control groups. The difference between malondialdehyde levels of control and experimental groups was statistically significant ( p < 0.05). Oxidative stress clearly increases during fracture healing in rats. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Propargylic Substitution Reactions of Propargylic Alcohols with Oxygen‐, Nitrogen‐, and Phosphorus‐Centered Nucleophiles
Authors: Nishibayashi Yoshiaki , Milton Marilyn Daisy , Inada Youichi , Yoshikawa Masato , Wakiji Issei , Hidai Masanobu , Uemura Sakae
Published: January 2005

The scope and limitations of the ruthenium‐catalyzed propargylic substitution reaction of propargylic alcohols with heteroatom‐centered nucleophiles are presented. Oxygen‐, nitrogen‐, and phosphorus‐centered nucleophiles such as alcohols, amines, amides, and phosphine oxide are available for this catalytic reaction. Only the thiolate‐bridged diruthenium complexes can work as catalysts for this reaction. Results of some stoichiometric and catalytic reactions indicate that the catalytic propargylic substitution reaction proceeds via an allenylidene complex formed in situ, whereby the attack of nucleophiles to the allenylidene Cγ atom is a key step. Investigation of the relative rate constants for the reaction of propargylic alcohols with several para‐substituted anilines reveals that the attack of anilines on the allenylidene Cγ atom is not involved in the rate‐determining step and rather the acidity of conjugated anilines of an alkynyl complex, which is formed after the attack of aniline on the Cγ atom, is considered to be the most important factor to determine the rate of this catalytic reaction. The key point to promote this catalytic reaction by using the thiolate‐bridged diruthenium complexes is considered to be the ease of the ligand exchange step between a vinylidene ligand on the diruthenium complexes and another propargylic alcohol in the catalytic cycle. The reason why only the thiolate‐bridged diruthenium complexes promote the ligand exchange step more easily with respect to other monoruthenium complexes in this catalytic reaction should be that one Ru moiety, which is not involved in the allenylidene formation, works as an electron pool or a mobile ligand to another Ru site. The catalytic procedure presented here provides a versatile, direct, and one‐step method for propargylic substitution of propargylic alcohols in contrast to the so far well‐known stoichiometric and stepwise Nicholas reaction.
Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs): Bridging the Void between Microporous and Polymeric Materials
Authors: McKeown Neil B. , Budd Peter M. , Msayib Kadhum J. , Ghanem Bader S. , Kingston Helen J. , Tattershall Carin E. , Makhseed Saad , Reynolds Kevin J. , Fritsch Detlev
Published: January 2005

Novel types of microporous material are required for chemoselective adsorptions, separations and heterogeneous catalysis. This concept article describes recent research directed towards the synthesis of polymeric materials that possess microporosity that is intrinsic to their molecular structures. These polymers (PIMs) can exhibit analogous behaviour to that of conventional microporous materials, but, in addition, may be processed into convenient forms for use as membranes. The excellent performance of these membranes for gas separation and pervaporation illustrates the unique character of PIMs and suggests immediate technological applications.
Electron‐Donating Alkoxy‐Group‐Driven Synthesis of Heteroleptic Tris(phthalocyaninato) Lanthanide(III) Triple‐Deckers with Symmetrical Molecular Structure
Authors: Zhu Peihua , Pan Na , Li Renjie , Dou Jianmin , Zhang Ying , Cheng Diana Y. Y. , Wang Daqi , Ng Dennis K. P. , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: January 2005

Reaction of heteroleptic bis(phthalocyaninato) lanthanide compounds [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}] [H2Pc=unsubstituted phthalocyanine; H2Pc(OC8H17)8=2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24‐octakis(octyloxy)phthalocyanine] with monomeric complexes [(Pc)M(acac)] (Hacac=acetylacetone), both of which generated in situ, led to the isolation of heteroleptic phthalocyaninato‐[2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24‐octakis(octyloxy)phthalocyaninato] lanthainde(III) triple‐decker complexes [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}] (M=Gd–Lu) (1–8) as the sole product. Heterodinuclear analogues [(Pc)Lu{Pc(OC8H17)8}M(Pc)] (M=Gd–Yb) (9–15) were obtained in a similar manner from the reaction of [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}] (M=Gd–Yb) and [(Pc)Lu(acac)]. The molecular structures of the herterodinuclear compound [(Pc)Lu{Pc(OC8H17)8}Er(Pc)] (13) and its homodinuclear counterparts [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}M(Pc)] (M=Er, Lu) (5, 8) have been determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis; these structures exhibit a symmetrical molecular structure with one inner planar Pc(OC8H17)8 ligand and two outer domed Pc ligands. In addition to various spectroscopic analyses, the electrochemistry of these compounds has also been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods, revealing the gradually enhanced π–π interactions among the phthalocyanine rings in the triple‐deckers along with the lanthanide contraction.
New Types of Blue, Red or Near IR Luminescent Phosphonate‐Decorated Lanthanide Oxalates
Authors: Song Jun‐Ling , Mao Jiang‐Gao
Published: January 2005

Hydrothermal reactions of the lanthanide chlorides with MeN(CH2CO2H)(CH2PO3H2), (H3L1) (or Me2NCH2PO3H2, H2L2) and sodium oxalate lead to seven new lanthanide oxalate phosphonate hybrids with three types of 3D network structures, namely, [Ln(C2O4){MeNH(CH2CO2)(CH2PO3H)}]⋅0.5 H2O (Ln=Nd: 1; Eu: 2; Gd: 3), [Ln4(C2O4)5(Me2NHCH2PO3)2(H2O)4]⋅2 H2O (Ln=La: 4, Nd: 5), [Ln3(C2O4)4(Me2NHCH2PO3)(H2O)6]⋅6 H2O (Gd: 6, Er: 7). Their structures have been established by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. Complexes 1–3 are isostructural and feature a 3D network formed by the interconnection of 3D network of {Ln(H2L1)}2+ with 1D chains of {Ln(C2O4)}+. Complexes 4 and 5 are isostructural and feature a complex 3D network built from 3D network of lanthanide oxalate and {Ln4(HL2)2} units. The isostructural 6 and 7 form another type of 3D network composed of porous lanthanide–oxalate network inserted by 1D chains of lanthanide–oxalate phosphonate. Compounds 1, 5 and 7 are luminescent materials in the near IR region. Compounds 3 and 6 exhibit a broad blue fluorescent emission band at 451 and 467 nm, respectively. Compound 2 displays very strong and sharp emission bands at 592, 616 and 699 nm with a long luminescent lifetime of 1.13 ms.
Electrochemical Antitumor Drug Sensitivity Test for Leukemia K562 Cells at a Carbon‐Nanotube‐Modified Electrode
Authors: Chen Jing , Du Dan , Yan Feng , Ju Huang Xian , Lian Hong Zhen
Published: January 2005

The change in electrochemical behavior of tumor cells induced by antitumor drugs was detected by using a multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)‐modified glass carbon electrode (GCE). Based on the changes observed, a simple, in vitro, electrochemical antitumor drug sensitivity test was developed. MWNTs promoted electron transfer between the electroactive centers of cells and the electrode. Leukemia K562 cells exhibited a well‐defined anodic peak of guanine at +0.823 V at 50 mV s−1. HPLC assay with ultraviolet detection was used to elucidate the reactant responsible for the electrochemical response of the tumor cells. The guanine content within the cytoplasm of each K562 cell was detected to be 920 amol. For the drug sensitivity tests, 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and several clinical antitumor drugs, such as vincristine, adriamycin, and mitomycin C, were added to cell culture medium. As a result, the electrochemical responses of the K562 cells decreased significantly. The cytotoxicity curves and results obtained corresponded well with the results of MTT assays. In comparison to conventional methods, this electrochemical test is highly sensitive, accurate, inexpensive, and simple. The method proposed could be developed as a convenient means to study the sensitivity of tumor cells to antitumor drugs.
Nanoparticles and Nanocapsules Created Using the Ouzo Effect: Spontaneous Emulsification as an Alternative to Ultrasonic and High‐Shear Devices
Authors: Ganachaud François , Katz Joseph L.
Published: January 2005

The preparation of polymeric particles and capsules by means of spontaneous droplet formation and subsequent polymer precipitation or synthesis is well‐known. However, spontaneous emulsification is a phenomenon that has often been erroneously interpreted. This Minireview provides new insights into the preparation of metastable liquid dispersions by homogeneous liquid–liquid nucleation, and is based primarily on a recent study by Vitale and Katz (Langmuir, 2003, 19, 4105–4110). This spontaneous emulsification, which they named the Ouzo effect, occurs upon pouring, into water, a mixture of a totally water‐miscible solvent and a hydrophobic oil—and optionally some water—thus generating long‐lived small droplets, which are formed even though no surfactant is present. Herein, we review and reinterpret the most relevant publications on the synthesis of a variety of dispersions (pseudolatexes, silicone emulsions, biodegradable polymeric nanocapsules, etc.), which we believe have actually been synthesized using the Ouzo effect. The Ouzo effect may also become a substitute for high‐shear techniques, which, to date, have only been of limited utility on industrial scales.
Temporal and spatial variations in periglacial soil movements on alpine crest slopes
Authors: Matsuoka Norikazu
Published: January 2005

This paper describes up to ten years of continuous monitoring of frost heave, creep and associated parameters on high mountain crest slopes in the Japanese and Swiss Alps, aiming to evaluate spatial and interannual variations in the rates and controls of soil movement. Shallow frost creep reﬂecting diurnal frost heave activity dominates the crest slopes that lack a vegetation mat and have a thin debris mantle with good drainage. Seasonal frost heave activity can induce slightly deeper movement where ﬁne soil exists below the depth reached by diurnal freeze–thaw penetration, although the shallow bedrock impedes movements below 20 cm depth. As a result, downslope velocity proﬁles display strong concavity with surface velocities of 2–50 cm a−1. The frost creep rates vary spatially, depending on the soil texture, slope gradient, frequency of temperature cycling across 0 °C and moisture availability during freeze–thaw periods. Soil movements recur in every freeze–thaw period, although with some interannual variations affected by the length of seasonal snow cover and the occurrence of precipitation during freeze–thaw periods. The Swiss Alps encounter more signiﬁcant interannual variations than the Japanese Alps, reﬂecting the large variability of the annual snow regime. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Texture‐based image segmentation applied to the quantiﬁcation of superficial sand in salmonid river gravels
Authors: Carbonneau Patrice E. , Bergeron Normand E. , Lane Stuart N.
Published: January 2005

The presence of ﬁne sediment in river gravels is widely recognized as being detrimental to salmonid habitat quality. In order to facilitate quantiﬁcation of sand presence at larger scales, this paper presents an application of image processing allowing for rapid and accurate assessments of superﬁcial sand presence in dry exposed ﬂuvial gravels. Images for the process are acquired with a 35 mm SLR ﬁlm camera and then scanned with a desktop scanner. Texture‐based segmentation is then applied to differentiate between sand and clast areas. Results show that the method is accurate and therefore it offers an alternative to bulk sampling in cases where rapid assessments of sand presence are required. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Further perspectives on the evolution of bed material waves in alluvial rivers
Authors: Cao Zhixian , Carling Paul A.
Published: January 2005

In one‐dimensional mathematical models of ﬂuvial ﬂow, sediment transport and morphological evolution, the governing equations based on mass and momentum conservation laws constitute a hyperbolic system. Succinctly, the hyperbolic nature excludes dispersion or diffusion operators, which is well known in the context of differential equations. There is no doubt that the so‐called ‘dispersion’ argument for bed material wave evolution is questionable, as we have explicitly asserted. Surprisingly, in a recent communication, the authors of the ‘dispersion’ argument suggest that dispersion is not precluded in hyperbolic systems. We provide herein further perspectives to help explain that the dispersion argument is neither appropriate nor necessary for interpreting bed material wave evolution. Also the continuity equations involved are addressed to prompt wider understanding of their signiﬁcance. In particular, the continuity equation of the water–sediment mixture proposed by the authors of the ‘dispersion’ argument is proved to be incorrect, and inevitably their reasoning based on it is problematic. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measured differences in snow accumulation and melt among clearcut, juvenile, and mature forests in southern British Columbia
Authors: Winkler R. D. , Spittlehouse D. L. , Golding D. L.
Published: January 2005

Quantification of the relationships between snow and forest cover, including its removal through logging, insects or disease and its regrowth, is a prerequisite to assessing the effects of forestry practices on streamflow from montane and boreal forest watersheds. Over a 3 year period, a juvenile and a juvenile‐thinned lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) stand, a mature mixed Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt) and lodgepole pine stand, and a clearcut were intensively surveyed to quantify differences in snow water equivalent (SWE). Daily snowmelt, weather conditions, and the energy balance were measured during the first year of this study. The 1 April SWE was 32% and 14% less under the mature and juvenile forests respectively than in the clearcut. No significant differences in peak SWE were measured between the juvenile and juvenile‐thinned stands. Continuous snowmelt lysimeter measurements showed that snowmelt began earlier, accumulated more rapidly, and disappeared 2 to 4 days earlier in the juvenile‐thinned stand than in either the unthinned juvenile stand or the clearcut. When the snowpack had disappeared from the clearcut and juvenile stands, 30% of the SWE on 1 April remained in the mature forest. The results not only show that snow accumulation and melt differ significantly between clearcut, juvenile, and mature stands, but also that snowmelt patterns vary among juvenile stands with distinct structural differences. This is due to the difference in the energy balances, dominated by radiant heat fluxes, of the four sites. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy and water exchanges from a temperate pine plantation forest
Authors: Restrepo N. C. , Arain M. A.
Published: January 2005

This paper summarizes the energy and water vapour fluxes for the first 14 months at a newly initiated flux tower site at a 65‐year‐old temperate conifer forest (Pinus strobus L.) in southern Ontario, Canada. These fluxes have been measured continuously since February 2002 using the eddy covariance technique as a part of long‐term tower flux measurement programme over a chronosequence of white pine stands. The site is located 12 km south of Simcoe, near Turkey Point in St Williams Forest Tract, owned and managed by the Ontario Ministry Natural Resources. The site was originally sandy, abandoned land, which was planted with conifer and deciduous forests. The trees are about 22 m in height. The mean trunk diameter of the trees is 33 cm and the stand stem density is 750 ha−1. Leaf area index is about 3·2 to 4·0. The soil is loamy fine sand and very fine sandy loam with low soil‐moisture holding capacity. The closure of the daily mean energy balance (H + LE)/(Rn − G − S) was 0·90. Typical values of midday Bowen ratio (H/LE) in the growing season were approximately 1·4, whereas the midday Bowen ratio values for the winter season were typically 14 to 25. Surface conductance followed variations in solar radiation and vapour pressure deficit. In the growing season, surface conductance values were typically 5–12 mm s−1. Transpiration mainly responded to vapour pressure deficit, rather than surface conductance. However, on warm summer days, when soil moisture was low, vapour pressure deficit exerted strong control on canopy conductance, thereby reducing photosynthetic uptake and water loss. Priestley–Taylor α values were low during most of the growing season, indicating dry soil conditions and conservative water loss. In the growing season, maximum daily evaporation values were 3·4 mm day−1. In winter, maximum observed evaporation was 0·05–0·2 mm day−1, mostly as a result of snow sublimation. Total calculated evapotranspiration for the 14 month measurement period was 465 ± 93 mm, and the total measured precipitation was 996 mm, indicating approximately 47% of water loss in the form of evapotranspiration. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is surface conductance theoretically independent of reference height?
Authors: Komatsu Hikaru , Kumagai Tomo'omi , Hotta Norifumi
Published: January 2005

Many studies have compared surface conductance Gs at different observation sites when examining physiological differences between sites and/or between vegetation categories. However, a theoretical analysis confirming the robustness of such comparisons has not yet been published. It is unclear whether Gs is independent of the reference height where evaporative fluxes and meteorological factors are observed, as Gs is a conceptual parameter rather than a purely physiological parameter.

This short note shows that Gs is independent of reference height when above‐canopy fluxes of evapotranspiration and available energy are independent of reference height, and when energy balance closure is complete. Thus, this note gives a theoretical basis for comparing Gs values at different observation sites. Furthermore, we make recommendations for examining the Gs dependency on reference height in field conditions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short‐term municipal water demand forecasting
Authors: Bougadis John , Adamowski Kaz , Diduch Roman
Published: January 2005

Water demand forecasts are needed for the design, operation and management of urban water supply systems. In this study, the relative performance of regression, time series analysis and artificial neural network (ANN) models are investigated for short‐term peak water demand forecasting. The significance of climatic variables (rainfall and maximum air temperature, in addition to past water demand) on water demand management is also investigated.

Numerical analysis was performed on data from the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The existing water supply infrastructure will not be able to meet the demand for projected population growth; thus, a study is needed to determine the effect of peak water demand management on the sizing and staging of facilities for developing an expansion strategy. Three different ANNs and regression models and seven time‐series models have been developed and compared. The ANN models consistently outperformed the regression and time‐series models developed in this study. It has been found that water demand on a weekly basis is more significantly correlated with the rainfall amount than the occurrence of rainfall. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A methodology for preserving channel flow networks and connectivity patterns in large‐scale distributed hydrological models
Authors: Shaw Dean A. , Martz Lawrence W. , Pietroniro Alain
Published: January 2005

Physiographic data are often used to parameterize hydrological models and, in the past, physiographic parameters have often been derived manually. However, this can be a lengthy and unreliable process, particularly for application to a gridded hydrological or atmospheric model applied to large or continental‐scale basins. An important attribute of gridded models is drainage direction. Current methods that determine drainage directions for large or continental‐scale basins, by general circulation models (GCMs), route flow using lowest neighbour algorithms. These methods, however, do not reflect the hydrology of the basin subunit.

This paper proposes a method of parameterizing hydrological models with physiographic data using the ArcInfo macro language to create an interface between the Topographic Parameterization (TOPAZ) software and the WATFLOOD hydrological model. The interface uses output raster data created by TOPAZ (i.e. drainage identification) to supply physiographic parameters required by WATFLOOD.

The interface (WATPAZ) is an expert system based on a manual method of deriving parameters for the WATFLOOD distributed model. The WATPAZ interface uses grouped response units to subdivide the watershed. This allows large drainage basins to be subdivided at a scale that allows computational efficiency while preserving the hydrological variability of the watershed.

To test whether the WATPAZ method improves the current GCM methodology for determining drainage directions, WATPAZ is applied on a local basin (Wolf Creek) a regional‐scale basin, (Athabasca) and a continental‐scale basin (Mackenzie).

An examination of flow directions derived from this new method with current GCM methods is carried out. The results indicate that a substantial improvement is made to flow routing within the basin using the channel network to determine drainage directions for each segment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety and efficacy of adeno‐associated viral vector‐mediated insulin gene transfer via portal vein to the livers of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Park Young Mi , Woo Seonock , Lee Geun Taek , Ko Ji‐Yun , Lee Yongho , Zhao Zheng‐Shan , Kim Hye Joo , Ahn Chul Woo , Cha Bong Soo , Kim Kyung‐Sup , Park Cheol Won , Lee Hyun Chul
Published: January 2005

Background

Previous studies demonstrating the efficacy of insulin gene therapy have mostly involved use of adenoviral vectors or naked DNA to deliver the insulin gene. However, this procedure may not guarantee long‐term insulin production. To improve the performance, we prepared recombinant adeno‐associated viral vectors (rAAV) harboring the gene encoding a furin‐modified human insulin under the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter [rAAV‐hPPI(F12)].

Methods

Streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic Sprague‐Dawley rats were used as a diabetic animal model. The levels of blood glucose, insulin, and HbA1c were measured to test the effect. An intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed to test the capability of blood glucose disposal. Immunohistochemical staining and Northern blot analyses were performed to survey the expression pattern of the therapeutic insulin gene.

Results

STZ‐induced diabetic Sprague‐Dawley rats infused via the portal vein with rAAV‐hPPI(F12) produced human insulin and after a 6‐h fast were normoglycemic for over 90 days post‐treatment, whereas diabetic rats treated with recombinant adenoviral vector harboring the hPPI(F12) gene [rAV‐hPPI(F12)] were normoglycemic only for days 3 to 13 post‐treatment. Insulin mRNA was detected mainly in the liver of the rAAV‐hPPI(F12)‐treated diabetic rats. The glucose tolerance capability of the rAAV‐hPPI(F12)‐treated diabetic rats was comparable to that of non‐diabetic rats, even without injection of recombinant insulin. Furthermore, blood HbA1c concentrations in rAAV‐hPPI(F12)‐treated diabetic rats were reduced to almost the normal level. Importantly, studies of rAV or rAAV vector‐dependent side effects on the targeted liver strongly suggested that only rAAV treatment caused no side effects.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that our rAAV‐mediated in vivo insulin gene therapy provides safer maintenance of the insulin gene expression required for long‐term and thus more effective blood glycemic control. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eastern Adriatic typical wind field patterns and large‐scale atmospheric conditions
Authors: Pandžić Krešo , Likso Tanja
Published: January 2005

The famous Bora and Scirocco winds blow along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, prevailing during the colder part of the year. Sea and land breezes, as well as Etesians, are also rather frequent, but they prevail during the warmer seasons. There are also some other less well known wind types in this region. This paper deals with the application of an objective procedure for the classification of all wind field patterns, regardless of the wind names. For this purpose, a complex principal component analysis technique has been applied. Time series of instantaneous (at 07 h, 14 h and 21 h local time) wind data have also been used, including the National Centres for Environmental Prediction–National Centre for Atmospheric Research reanalyses of the constant‐pressure levels of 1000 hPa and 850 hPa, as well as the thickness of 850–1000 hPa. All refer to the period 1981–98. The results indicate 11 typical wind field patterns over the Adriatic area. Some of them have the characteristics of Bora and Scirocco, whereas the other are Etesians, sea (land) breezes or a combination of these. There is also a near‐calm type. A rather high correlation between these mesoscale wind patterns and large‐scale (regional) atmospheric conditions has been established. Two controlling pressure centres, i.e. the Icelandic cyclone and the Azores anticyclone, appear as important large‐scale factors which, at least indirectly, influence the creation of the eastern Adriatic wind patterns. For types representing Scirocco and Bora conditions, regional open or closed synoptic‐scale circulation systems, however, have a dominant influence. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
On interannual characteristics of Climate Prediction Center merged analysis precipitation over the Korean peninsula during the summer monsoon season
Authors: Ha Kyung‐Ja , Park Sung‐Kyu , Kim Ki‐Young
Published: January 2005

To improve understanding of the characteristics of large‐scale environments associated with summer monsoon precipitation in Korea, we have constructed an index to measure the Changma using area‐averaged and period‐averaged Climate Prediction Center merged analysis precipitation over Korea during the years 1979–2001. Strong and weak Changma years are defined as years in which the precipitation anomaly is over ±0.5σ. The domain and period for this analysis are selected over the Korean peninsula (31.25–41.25 °N, 123.75–131.25 °E) from late June to late July. In strong Changma years, strong upper level divergence occurs near the Korean peninsula, located at the entrance of the mid‐latitude jet core, leading to low pressure in the lower layer. Between strong and weak Changma years, 850 hPa southwesterly flows are significant throughout the East China Sea and southern Japan.

Clear differences exist between strong and weak Changma years. Weak Changma is well correlated with a weak Pacific high, as seen in the changes in sea‐level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height, and wind speed in the lower level jet. Strong Changma is well correlated with strong migratory highs in northern parts of the Korean peninsula. It is shown that the long‐term changes in summer monsoon rainfall, such as those between the two climate regimes of 1979–92 and 1993–2001, are characterized by a shift of maximum rainfall periods from late July to mid August. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Homogeneous temperature and precipitation series of Switzerland from 1864 to 2000
Authors: Begert Michael , Schlegel Thomas , Kirchhofer Walter
Published: January 2005

A set of 12 homogenized monthly mean temperature and precipitation series of Switzerland for the period 1864–2000 are introduced. The standardized homogenization procedure, which has been developed and implemented at MeteoSwiss during recent years, is briefly reviewed and the inhomogeneity types, causes, magnitudes, and timings are discussed. Finally, a trend analysis is performed on each temperature and precipitation series and on a mean temperature series of Switzerland. The results are compared with findings of other studies that have examined long‐term temperature and precipitation trends in Switzerland and neighbouring countries. The inhomogeneities of the Swiss temperature series are up to ±1.6 °C and the precipitation adjustment factors vary between 0.5 and 1.6. Each of the 12 temperature series analysed contains several inhomogeneities that cause systematic biases in the adjustment curves. The slope of a mean temperature curve derived from the original data is underestimated by 0.4 °C/100 years. All precipitation series except one contain inhomogeneities, but no systematic bias is observed. The trend analysis reveals an increase in the yearly temperature series ranging from 0.9 °C/100 years to 1.1 °C/100 years at stations north of the alpine main crest and ∼0.6 °C/100 years at southern stations. Precipitation trends are observed at most sites north of the alpine main crest in winter and in some of the yearly series. The annual slopes vary between 7 and 10% and the winter slopes between 16 and 37%. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Investigation of genes coding for inflammatory components in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Håkansson Anna , Westberg Lars , Nilsson Staffan , Buervenich Silvia , Carmine Andrea , Holmberg Björn , Sydow Olof , Olson Lars , Johnels Bo , Eriksson Elias , Nissbrandt Hans
Published: January 2005

Several findings obtained recently indicate that inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis in Parkinson's disease (PD). Genetic variants of genes coding for components involved in immune reactions in the brain might therefore influence the risk of developing PD or the age of disease onset. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes coding for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ; T874A in intron 1), interferon‐γ receptor 2 (IFN‐γ R2; Gln64Arg), interleukin‐10 (IL‐10; G1082A in the promoter region), platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF‐AH; Val379Ala), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1; Lys469Glu) were genotyped, using pyrosequencing, in 265 patients with PD and 308 controls. None of the investigated SNPs was found to be associated with PD; however, the G1082A polymorphism in the IL‐10 gene promoter was found to be related to the age of disease onset. Linear regression showed a significantly earlier onset with more A‐alleles (P= 0.0095; after Bonferroni correction,P= 0.048), resulting in a 5‐year delayed age of onset of the disease for individuals having two G‐alleles compared with individuals having two A‐alleles. The results indicate that the IL‐10 G1082A SNP could possibly be related to the age of onset of PD. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
[18F]FDOPA PET and clinical features in parkinsonism due to manganism
Authors: Racette Brad A. , Antenor Jo Ann , McGee‐Minnich Lori , Moerlein Stephen M. , Videen Tom O. , Kotagal Vikas , Perlmutter Joel S.
Published: January 2005

Manganese exposure reportedly causes a clinically and pathophysiologically distinct syndrome from idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We describe the clinical features and results of positron emission tomography with 6‐[18F]fluorodopa ([18F]FDOPA PET) of a patient with parkinsonism occurring in the setting of elevated blood manganese. The patient developed parkinsonism associated with elevated serum manganese from hepatic dysfunction. [18F]FDOPA PET demonstrated relatively symmetric and severely reduced [18F]FDOPA levels in the posterior putamen compared to controls. The globus pallidum interna had increased signal on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. We conclude that elevated manganese exposure may be associated with reduced striatal [18F]FDOPA uptake, and MRI may reveal selective abnormality within the internal segment of the pallidum. This case suggests that the clinical and pathophysiological features of manganese‐associated parkinsonism may overlap with that of PD. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
A “solvated rotamer” approach to modeling water‐mediated hydrogen bonds at protein–protein interfaces
Authors: Jiang Lin , Kuhlman Brian , Kortemme Tanja , Baker David
Published: January 2005

Water‐mediated hydrogen bonds play critical roles at protein–protein and protein–nucleic acid interfaces, and the interactions formed by discrete water molecules cannot be captured using continuum solvent models. We describe a simple model for the energetics of water‐mediated hydrogen bonds, and show that, together with knowledge of the positions of buried water molecules observed in X‐ray crystal structures, the model improves the prediction of free‐energy changes upon mutation at protein–protein interfaces, and the recovery of native amino acid sequences in protein interface design calculations. We then describe a “solvated rotamer” approach to efficiently predict the positions of water molecules, at protein–protein interfaces and in monomeric proteins, that is compatible with widely used rotamer‐based side‐chain packing and protein design algorithms. Finally, we examine the extent to which the predicted water molecules can be used to improve prediction of amino acid identities and protein–protein interface stability, and discuss avenues for overcoming current limitations of the approach. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhancement of UV luminescence in sol‐gel prepared ZnO thin films by incorporation of Mg
Authors: Chakrabarti S. , Kar S. , Dev A. , Chaudhuri S.
Published: January 2005

Well‐crystallized MgxZn1–xO films were deposited on quartz substrates by sol‐gel technique with a varia‐ tion of x value from 0 to 0.15. The samples were annealed at different temperatures (500 °C to 700 °C) in air and oxygen atmosphere to study the effect of annealing atmosphere on the luminescence properties of the films. The optical, microstructural and photoluminescence properties of the films were studied. It was found that the band gap of the films increased with increasing Mg concentration (x value). A remarkable change in the photoluminescence spectra of the films for x = 0.05 was observed by varying the annealing atmosphere. Highly intense UV emission at room temperature could be obtained by annealing the Mg0.05Zn0.95O film in static oxygen atmosphere, while the intensity of the visible defect related luminescence could be reduced, resulting in a high intensity ratio (∼100) of the two. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Efficiency considerations and emerging applications of novel wide band gap luminescent materials
Authors: Yen William M.
Published: January 2005

We discuss in general terms factors which determine the luminescence efficiency of activated wide band gap materials. These processes can be classified into two broad categories: the first, which has been thoroughly studied, entails interactions which lead to non‐radiative dissipation of optical energy at the specific active center. The second set concerns interactions leading to the delocalization and the transport of optical energy away from the originally excited state. Recent spectroscopic results from these studies have allowed the absolute placement of the ground state of luminescent ion series within the band gap of the host crystal and have cast light on the systematics of such placement. These results are relevant to materials which evince the property of persistent phosphorescence. Developments in these materials as well as a number of new applications will be touched upon. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic processes in rare earth activated wide gap materials
Authors: Pédrini Christian
Published: January 2005

This paper is a review of charge exchange processes in rare earth doped insulating materials. After a description of experimental approaches for the location of impurity ions in the host gap, charge transfer and photoionization phenomena are presented. Experimental data are discussed and interpreted using simple models. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multiphonon processes in impurity centres: nonperturbative theory
Authors: Hizhnyakov V. , Boltrushko V. , Kaasik H. , Shelkan A.
Published: January 2005

A nonperturbative theory of the multiphonon relaxation of a strongly excited local vibration is developed. It is found that for a high initial level, the relaxation first accelerates in time, and later starts to slow down. The experimental evidence of such a non‐monotonous relaxation is given by the hot luminescence in solid Xe. A theory of optical transitions in a center with strongly reduced local springs in the final electronic state is also developed. In this case a resonant increase of the local density of states of low‐frequency phonons takes place, and a low frequency pseudo‐local mode emerges. Appearance of such a mode in the final state means that a strong mode mixing takes place at the transition. This results in strong increase of the mean number of created low‐frequency phonons. As a consequence, the zero‐phonon transition practically disappears and the long‐wave part of the phonon sideband is strongly enhanced, resulting in formation of so‐called lambda‐shaped spectrum. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Point defects in lithium fluoride films for micro‐radiography, X‐ray microscopy and photonic applications
Authors: Bonfigli F. , Faenov A. Ya. , Flora F. , Marolo T. , Montereali R. M. , Nichelatti E. , Pikuz T. A. , Reale L. , Baldacchini G.
Published: January 2005

Point defects in lithium fluoride (LiF) have recently attracted renewed attention due the exciting results obtained in the realisation of miniaturised optical devices. Among light‐emitting materials, LiF is of particular interest because it is almost not hygroscopic and can host, even at room temperature, stable color centers (CCs) that emit light in the visible and in the near infrared spectral range under optical excitation. The increasing demand for low‐dimensionality photonic devices imposes the use of advanced irradiation methods for producing luminescent structures with high spatial resolution. An innovative irradiation technique to produce luminescent CCs in LiF crystals and films by using an extreme ultra‐violet and soft X‐ray laser‐plasma source will be presented. This technique is capable to induce colored patterns with submicrometric spatial resolution on large areas in a short exposure time as compared with other irradiation methods. Luminescent regular arrays produced by this irradiation technique will be shown. Recently, the idea of using a LiF film as image detector for X‐ray microscopy and micro‐radiography based on optically‐stimulated luminescence from CCs has been developed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of ridge geometry on lateral mode stability of (In/Al)GaN laser diodes
Authors: Schwarz Ulrich T. , Pindl Markus , Sturm Evi , Furitsch Michael , Leber Andreas , Miller Stephan , Lell Alfred , Härle Volker
Published: January 2005

As a contribution to the current intense research efforts on wide band‐gap semiconductor devices which are directed towards the development of commercial blue laser diodes, in this issue's Editor's Choice the optimization of the waveguide structure, to achieve stable laser mode operation, is investigated.

The cover picture shows the near‐field intensity distribution of the fundamental and first order lateral modes of a blue (Al,In)GaN laser diode together with the double longitudinal mode comb associated with these modes.

The first author, Ulrich T. Schwarz, works on optical spectroscopy, characterization, and simulation of blue laser diodes and LEDs. Apart from semiconductor optoelectronics, the focus of his scientific interest is on modern optics, covering propagation invariant Bessel beams, Ince‐Gaussian beams and optical vortices.
Hyperfine interactions and site occupancy in Sn‐doped In2O3 (ITO)
Authors: Binczycka H. , Uhrmacher M. , Elidrissi‐Moubtassim M. L. , Jumas J.‐C. , Schaaf P.
Published: January 2005

The hyperfine interactions in indium‐tin‐oxide were studied by 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. Polycrystalline samples with tin contents from 0.5 to 10 at% Sn on the cation sublattice were measured and compared to the results of 111In and 111mCd Perturbed Angular Correlation measurements. The Mössbauer data demonstrate that Sn ions are in a 4+ state. The values of the quadrupole splitting, isomer shift and area ratios undergo changes when increasing the Sn content. The tin cations show a strong preference for the B site versus the D site. The occupancy of Sn on each of the two non‐equivalent cation sites also harmonizes with neutron diffraction data. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Temperature dependence of structural parameters in the perovskite Na0.74WO3
Authors: Darlington C. N. W. , Hriljac J. A. , Knight K. S.
Published: January 2005

NaxWO3 undergoes three phase transitions involving tilting of the oxygen octahedra about 〈100〉 pseudocubic directions. We have measured the temperature dependence of the lattice parameters between 200 and 750 K – a temperature range that spans the three transitions – and determined the evolution of the structure within each phase as temperature changes. The experiments were performed on the high‐resolution powder diffractometer HRPD, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK, using time‐of‐flight neutron diffraction. The critical exponent that describes the temperature dependence of the total tilt angle has been evaluated. An unexpected change in the thermal expansion coefficient in the cubic phase is not understood: an argument based on Landau's theory of phase transitions is used to demonstrate that the change is not the result of co‐existence of two phases. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Spin orbit and tetragonal crystalline field interaction in the valence band of CuInSe2‐related ordered vacancy compound CuIn7Se12
Authors: Philip Rachel Reena , Pradeep B. , Shripathi T.
Published: January 2005

Thin films of the off‐tie‐line ordered vacancy compound CuIn7Se12 were deposited on optically flat glass substrates by multi‐source co‐evaporation method. The preliminary structural, compositional and morphological characterizations were done using X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis and atomic force microscopy. The X‐ray diffraction data were further analysed applying the Nelson–Riley method and CTB plus η = η experiment rule, respectively, for lattice constants (a = 5.746 Å and c = 11.78 Å) and bond length estimations (RCu–Se = 2.465 Å and RIn–Se = 2.554 Å). A detailed analysis of the optical absorption spectra of the compound, which exhibited a three‐fold optical absorption structure in the fundamental gap region, yielded three characteristic direct energy gaps at 1.37, 1.48(7) and 1.72(8) eV indicative of valence band splitting, which were evaluated using Hopfield's quasi‐cubic model. The 0.04 eV increase in spin–orbit splitting parameter of the compound (0.27 eV) compared to that of CuInSe2 (0.23 eV) is found to be suggestive of the smaller contribution of Cu d orbitals to hybridization (determined by the linear hybridization model) in this Cu‐deficient compound. Spectral response spectra exhibit, in addition to a maximum around 1.34 ± 0.03 eV, two other defect transition peaks near 1.07 and 0.85 eV. The binding energies of Cu, In and Se in the compound were determined using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
NMR study of B‐2p Fermi‐level density of states in the transition metal diborides
Authors: Lue C. S. , Lai W. J.
Published: January 2005

We present a systematic study of the AlB2‐type transition metal diborides by measuring the 11B NMR spin‐lattice relaxation rate on TiB2, VB2, ZrB2, NbB2, HfB2, as well as TaB2. For all studied materials, the observed relaxation at B nuclei is mainly due to the p‐electrons. The comparison with theoretical calculations allows the experimental determination of the partial B‐2p Fermi‐level density of states (DOS). In addition, the extracted B‐2p Fermi‐level DOS values in TiB2, ZrB2, and HfB are consistently smaller than in VB2, NbB2, and TaB2. We connect this trend to the rigid‐band scenario raised by band structure calculations. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Wannier functions and chemical bonding in a slab model: MgO (001) and TiO2 (110) surfaces
Authors: Evarestov R. A. , Smirnov V. P. , Usvyat D. E.
Published: January 2005

For the first time Wannier functions are generated for systems with two‐dimensional periodicity (slabs) and used for the surface charge distribution analysis. It is suggested to use bulk Wannier functions to estimate the slab thickness, needed for the convergence of the results. The (001)‐surface of MgO and (110)‐surface of TiO2 crystals are studied. The population analysis of the (001)‐surface slab of MgO, based on Wannier‐type atomic orbitals (WTAOs), demonstrates a purely ionic nature of chemical bonding on the studied crystalline surface. For TiO2 the WTAOs method gives the mixed ionic‐covalent type of chemical bonding on the (110)‐surface with the covalent component at the surface being larger than inside the slab. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Fetal lung volumetry using two‐ and three‐dimensional ultrasound
Authors: Moeglin D. , Talmant C. , Duyme M. , Lopez A. C. ,   C.F.E.F.
Published: January 2005

Objectives

To compare methods of measuring fetal pulmonary volume and to establish nomograms of fetal pulmonary volume according to gestational age for the accurate diagnosis of pulmonary hypoplasia.

Methods

Three methods of measuring fetal pulmonary volume in 39 normal fetuses were compared: two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound measurement assuming that the lung is a geometrical pyramid, three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound using the VOCAL rotational method, and the conventional multiplanar 3D mode. Linear regression was used to construct an equation for 3D volume calculation from 2D measurements (the re‐evaluated pulmonary volume equation (RPVE)). Lung volume measurements were recorded from 622 singleton fetuses in order to construct nomograms.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the lung volume values obtained using the two 3D modes. However, in comparison with the 2D measurements the volumes obtained were larger (mean difference = 11.99, P < 0.1 × 10−6). The relationship between the 2D and 3D volumes was determined using a statistical linear regression method: RPVE (mL) = 4.24 + (1.53 × 2DGPV), where 2DGPV (2D geometric pulmonary volume) = (surface area right lung base (cm2) + surface area left lung base (cm2)) × 1/3 height right lung (cm). Two nomograms were constructed, one for use with 2D and one for 3D technology.

Conclusion

2D pulmonary volume assessment can be used in clinical situations where fetal prognosis depends on lung volume and its growth potential. It is routinely available and easy to perform particularly when repeat measurements are required in evaluation of lung growth. We therefore propose this method as an alternative to magnetic resonance imaging or 3D ultrasound. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.