bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhaled fluticasone reduces bronchial responsiveness and airway inflammation in cats with mild chronic bronchitis
Authors: Kirschvink Nathalie , Leemans Jérôme , Delvaux François , Snaps Frédéric , Jaspart Séverine , Evrard Brigitte , Delattre Luc , Cambier Carole , Clercx Cécile , Gustin Pascal
Published: October 2005

This study investigated the effect of inhaled fluticasone on lower airway inflammation and bronchial responsiveness (BR) to inhaled carbachol in cats with very mild, chronic bronchitis ( n=5) that were compared with healthy cats serving as controls ( n=6). Chest radiographs, BR tests performed non-invasively by barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed before and after treatment. BR was quantified by calculating the concentration of carbachol inducing bronchoconstriction (C-Penh300%), defined as a 300% increase of baseline Penh, an index of bronchoconstriction obtained by BWBP. BAL fluid was analyzed cytologically and the oxidant marker 8-iso-PGF2α was determined. At test 1, healthy cats and cats with bronchitis were untreated, whereas for test 2 inhalant fluticasone (250 μg once daily) was administrated for 2 consecutive weeks to cats with bronchitis. Control cats remained untreated. Inhaled fluticasone induced a significant increase in C-Penh300% and a significant decrease of BAL fluid total cells, macrophages, neutrophils and 8-iso-PGF2α in cats with bronchitis, whilst untreated control cats did not show significant changes over time. This study shows that a 2-week fluticasone treatment significantly reduced lower airway inflammation in very mild bronchitis. BR could be successfully monitored in cats using BWPB and decreased significantly in response to inhaled fluticasone. 8-Iso-PGF2α in BAL fluid was responsive to treatment and appeared as a sensitive biomarker of lower airway inflammation in cats.
Electrocochleography is More Sensitive than Distortion‐Product Otoacoustic Emission Test for Detecting Noise‐Induced Temporary Threshold Shift
Authors: Kim Jin Sook , Nam Eui‐Cheol , Park Sung Il
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated and compared the usefulness of the electrocochleography and distortion product otoacoustic emission tests for detecting the earliest noise‐induced damage by analyzing the sensitivity and specificity of the 2 tests.

STUDY DESIGN:

A prospective study.

METHODS:

After listening to music at 90.3 ± 4.2 dB in the same night‐club for 2 hours continuously, 23 healthy normal ears experienced a temporary threshold shift exceeding 5 dB. Pure‐tone audiometry, the distortion product otoacoustic emission test, and electrocochleography were performed before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the exposure.

RESULTS:

Before exposure, the measured distortion product/noise floor was 9.8 ± 10.4, 23.5 ± 6.4, 18.7 ± 6.4, and 19.1 ± 5.6 dB sound pressure level (SPL) at frequencies of 1, 2, 3, and 4 kHz, respectively. Immediately after exposure, it decreased significantly at 2, 3, and 4 kHz to 16.6 ± 7.6, 12.5 ± 6.8, and 14.8 ± 7.7 dB SPL, respectively. Marked increases in the amplitude of the summating potential and summating potential/action potential ratio were recorded from 0.15 ± 0.06 to 0.32 ± 0.11 and 0.23 ± 0.06 to 0.44 ± 0.08, respectively. The respective sensitivity and specificity of electrocochleography were 76.7% to 88.5% and 91.0% to 100%. Those of the distortion product otoacoustic emission test were 54.8% to 62.2% and 75.5% to 87.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Electrocochleography appears to provide more sensitive and specific information than the distortion product otoacoustic emission test for detecting a noise‐induced temporary threshold shift.
Expanding Applications for the Microdebrider in Pediatric Endoscopic Airway Surgery
Authors: Rees Catherine J. , Tridico Trina I. , Kirse Daniel J.
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVE:

The microdebrider has been described for treating laryngeal papillomas, but there are no reports of other uses for this instrument in the pediatric airway. The objective of this article is to describe expanding applications for the microdebrider in pediatric airway surgery.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:

Retrospective review, tertiary care academic institution.

RESULTS:

The microdebrider was used in 75 pediatric airway procedures. Twenty‐two of these cases involved novel, previously unreported applications of the microdebrider.

CONCLUSIONS:

The microdebrider can be used safely and effectively for a variety of pediatric airway pathologies, including papillomas, granulations, and stenoses from the larynx to the distal trachea.

SIGNIFICANCE:

Correct usage of the various tip configurations on the microdebrider has made management of many airway lesions commonly encountered by pediatric otolaryngologists safer, more expedient, and simpler than management by other methods. In our practice, this instrument largely has supplanted the use of the CO2laser and some open approaches for pediatric airway lesions.
Analysis of Battlefield Head and Neck Injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Xydakis Michael S. , Fravell Michael D. , Nasser Katherine E. , Casler John D.
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVE:

At the time of this study, the 1st place that an injured or ill American soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan would have been evaluated by an ENT–head and neck surgeon was at a tertiary care medical center as a result of air evacuation out of theater: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), Ramstein, Germany. By examining the ENT‐related diagnoses of all air evacuations from downrange, we were able to match the patients classified as having battle injuries to determine the percentage with head and neck trauma.

STUDY DESIGN:

A prospective review of 11,287 soldiers air‐evacuated from Afghanistan and Iraq, representing the 1st year of combat operations. A new, computerized patient‐tracking system was created by our team to merge several disparate databases to generate and compile our data.

RESULTS:

The ENT–head and neck surgery department evaluated and primarily managed 8.7% of all patients evacuated out of theater by air to Germany. Other medical and surgical services managed 7.3% of all patients evacuated out of theater with overlapping ENT diagnoses. The number of potential ENT patients increased to 16% when one looked at all head and neck pathology instances seen by all medical and surgical departments hospital‐wide. Of all patients air‐evacuated and classified as having battle injuries, 21% presented with at least 1 head and neck trauma code.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the 1st paper focusing on the role of the ENT–head and neck surgeon in treating a combat population and also the patterns of illness and head and neck injuries in a deployed force in our modern military. Improved soldier body armor has resulted in distinctly new patterns of combat injuries. Unprotected areas of the body account for the majority of injuries.

SIGNIFICANCE:

These findings should be used to improve the planning and delivery of combat medical care.
Laser‐Assisted Tympanostomy in Pediatric Patients with Serous Otitis Media
Authors: Prokopakis Emmanuel P. , Lachanas Vassilios A. , Christodoulou Panayotis N. , Velegrakis George A. , Helidonis Emmanuel S.
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate prognostic factors related with cure rate, in pediatric patients with serous otitis media treated with laser‐assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tubes, in a single institution.

PATIENTS AND METHOD:

The procedure was performed on 124 ears in 88 individuals, from 3 to 14 years old. External auditory canal anatomy, type of anesthesia, tympanic membrane and middle ear fluid characteristics, myringotomy size, and laser parameters, in relation to cure rate, were accordingly studied.

RESULTS:

The overall cure rate by ear at the end of the 2‐month follow‐up period was 54.83%, whereas 45.17% still suffered from otitis media. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that the presence of a thick tympanic membrane is significantly correlated with pure outcome in children with serous otitis media, when laser‐assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tubes is performed favoring a worse cure rate (P < 0.023). Other parameters did not statistically correlate with the outcome. A 41% parental dissatisfaction rate was noticed.

CONCLUSION:

This study addresses selection bias for children with serous otitis media, candidates for laser‐assisted tympanostomy. These are related to the duration of serous otitis media, the condition of middle ear mucosa, the thickness of the tympanic membrane, the type of anesthesia, and the cost of laser apparatus. There is likely to be a causal relationship between outcome and tympanic membrane appearance in children undergoing laser‐assisted tympanostomy.
Microbiology of Acute Otitis Media with Tympanostomy Tubes
Authors: Roland Peter S. , Parry David A. , Stroman David W.
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVE:

The objective was to determine the types of organisms which cause acute otitis media with a tympanostomy tube and to ascertain their frequency distribution.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:

Prospective, randomized, multi‐institutional clinical trials. Both private and academic sites were included.

RESULTS:

1309 isolates were recovered from 956 draining ears. Streptococcus pneumonia was recovered from 17%, Staphylococcus aureus from 13%, H flu from 18% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 12%. Fungal organisms were recovered from 5% of total isolates and 4% from single isolates.

CONCLUSIONS:

AOMT is microbiologically different than AOM with an intact TM. There is no evidence that resistance develops as result of topical treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE:

The study demonstrates that AOMT is frequently caused by organisms not susceptible to oral antibiotics approved for children, but which are sensitive to topical ear drops.
Quantification Strategies for Human-Induced and Natural Hydrological Changes in Wetland Vegetation, Southern Florida, USA
Authors: Donders Timme H. , Wagner Friederike , Visscher Henk
Published: October 2005

An accurately dated peat profile from a mixed cypress swamp in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (FSPSP, Florida, USA) has been examined for pollen and spores. The near-annual resolved pollen record shows a gradual shift from a wet to a relatively dry assemblage during the past 100 years. Timing of drainage activities in the region is accurately reflected by the onset and duration of vegetation change in the swamp. The reconstructed vegetation record has been statistically related to pollen assemblages from surface sediment samples. The response range of the FSPSP wetland to environmental perturbations could thus be determined and this allows better understanding of naturally occurring vegetation changes. In addition, the human impact on Florida wetlands becomes increasingly apparent. Superimposed high-frequency variation in the record suggests a positive correlation between winter-precipitation and pollen productivity of the dominant tree taxa. However, further high-resolution analysis is needed to confirm this relation. The response range of the FSPSP wetland to environmental perturbations on both annual- and decadal-scales documented in this study allows recognition and quantification of natural hydrological changes in older deposits from southwest Florida. The strong link between local hydrology and the El Niño Southern Oscillation makes the palynological record from FSPSP highly relevant for studying past El Niño–variability.
Cost‐Effective Evaluation of Asymmetric Sensorineural Hearing Loss with Focused Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Carrier David A. , Arriaga Moises A.
Published: October 2005

The poor sensitivity of audiometric brain stem response for small vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas) creates a dilemma for the physician evaluating a patient with signs and symptoms of retrocochlear disease. Magnetic resonance imaging is recognized as the gold standard for the evaluation of these problems, but if a complete examination of the internal auditory canals and head is done on every patient, the cost is high. Although less expensive, screening with audiometric brain stem response risks missing up to 33% of small tumors. Therefore we developed a focused magnetic resonance imaging sequence for evaluation of patients with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss and/or nonpulsatile tinnitus. The protocol includes a T1‐weighted sagittal localizer, pregadolinium and post‐gadolinium T1‐weighted 3‐mm contiguous axial slices through the internal auditory canal and the region of the cerebellopontine angle, and T2‐weighted axial images through the entire brain. Total scanning time is about 12 minutes, and the estimated cost is $300 to $500. We retrospectively reviewed the imaging records of 485 screening examinations done during an 18‐month period. Twenty‐four patients had diagnoses definitely or probably producing the hearing loss for an overall positive rate of 5%. By eliminating the need for follow‐up audiometric or electrophysiologic studies, we believe a focused magnetic resonance imaging‐based diagnostic scheme is actually more cost‐effective on a cost‐per‐patient basis.
Management of Congenital Atresia of the External Auditory Canal
Authors: Murphy Terrence R. , Burstein Fernando , Cohen Steven
Published: October 2005

The management of a unilateral congenital atresia of the external auditory canal is nonuniform and debated. Various surgical approaches, timing, coordination with microtia repair, and variable hearing improvements all contribute to the debate regarding management of this entity. This paper outlines our craniofacial team approach to the congenital unilateral atresia and microtia in children. Selection criteria, timing of repair, coordination with microtia repair, surgical results, and pitfalls will be discussed. The results of surgery in 16 patients with unilateral congenital atresia of the external auditory canal and 2 children with bilateral atresia will be presented. Repair of the atresia was undertaken in children 5 years or older who had pneumatized mastoids and middle ears. Replacement of the malleus/incus complex with a partial ossicular reconstruction prosthesis improved closure of the air‐bone gap. Drawbacks included meatal stenosis and deepithelization of the split thickness skin graft lining the external auditory canal. Repair of the unilateral congenital atresia is a demanding and challenging problem but one in which excellent results are achievable.
Nodular Thyroid Disease in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Millman Brad , Pelutteri Phillip K.
Published: October 2005

Thyroid nodules in children are extremely uncommon. Most thyroid nodules, both benign and malignant, present as asymptomatic neck masses. A thyroid nodule in a child is significant because of the risk of malignancy. A review of medical records at our institution demonstrated 71 patients 20 years of age and younger with surgically managed thyroid nodules, of which 45 were benign and 26 were malignant. Our diagnostic workup, including serum thyroid studies, radiologic evaluation, and fine‐needle aspiration, is discussed. Because of the possibility of malignancy, we recommend that all solitary thyroid nodules be excised in children unless fine‐needle aspiration definitively determines a benign histology. The extent and type of surgical management is controversial and is still subject to much debate. Partial thyroidectomy appears adequate for benign disease, but even though there is no statistical difference in survival, we recommend total thyroidectomy for the management of malignant disease.
Trace Elements in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Zinc Status and Immunologic Functions
Authors: Prasad Ananda S. , Kaplan Joseph , Beck Frances W. J , Penny Hayward S. , Shamsa Falah H. , Salwen Walter A. , Marks Steven C. , Mathog Robert H.
Published: October 2005

In this study we have assessed zinc status and zinc‐dependent cell‐mediated immune functions (interleukin‐2 production by mononuclear cells, natural killer cell lytic activity, and interleukin‐1β production by mononuclear cells) in adult patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract at diagnosis and before any therapy was instituted. Inasmuch as significant interactions between zinc, copper, and iron exist, we also assayed the plasma copper level, serum iron level, and total iron‐binding capacity in our patients. We recruited 30 cancer subjects and 21 control subjects. On the basis of cellular zinc criteria, we diagnosed a mild deficiency of zinc in 53% of cancer subjects. The plasma zinc level was not decreased in our subjects. A univariate analysis was applied by use of one‐way analysis of variance comparing study variables among the three study groups (controls and zinc‐deficient and zinc‐sufficient cancer patients) and Tukey's multiple comparison test, and we showed that interleukin‐2 production and natural killer lytic activity were decreased in zinc‐deficient cancer patients. Interleukin‐1β production (ELISA assay) was increased in both zinc‐deficient and zinc‐sufficient groups. Plasma copper level was not different, but the iron utilization was decreased in both groups of cancer subjects. We conclude that zinc deficiency and zinc‐dependent immunologic dysfunctions are present in more than half of the patients with head and neck cancer in the Detroit area.
Assessing the age of Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) by scoring wear of the mandibular molars
Authors: Chapman Norma G. , Brown W. A. B. , Rothery P.
Published: October 2005

The skulls and mandibles of 50 (28 male, 22 female) captive muntjac Muntiacus reevesi of exactly known age and four (two male, two female) of approximately known age were examined for their molar wear patterns. A procedure for scoring was based on earlier published work (Brown & Chapman, 1990, 1991) for fallow Dama dama and red deer Cervus elaphus, respectively. Specimens were also available from 17 male and 13 female wild muntjac whose approximate ages were known. The data show a curvilinear relationship between age and toothwear score, with increasing variability as the score increases. The predicted age and upper and lower limits of 95% prediction intervals are given for captive and wild muntjac deer. The range between upper and lower limits, though greater than was found for fallow and red deer, may still be a useful guide for assessing animals of unknown age.
Diet and food resource use by the pygmy skunk (Spilogale pygmaea) in the tropical dry forest of Chamela, Mexico
Authors: Cantú‐Salazar Lisette , Hidalgo‐Mihart Mircea G. , López‐González Carlos A. , González‐Romero Alberto
Published: October 2005

The diet and pattern of food resource use by the pygmy skunk Spilogale pygmaea, an endemic and threatened species of western Mexico, was evaluated in the tropical dry forest of Chamela, Jalisco. Analysis of scats (n= 104) and stomach contents (n= 5) obtained during 1997, 1998 and 2000 showed that pygmy skunks fed mainly on invertebrates. Insect larvae constituted the most represented food item in samples. During 2000, food resource use was quantified by comparing occurrence of available prey with occurrence of items found in scats. Even though pygmy skunks seem to be opportunistic foragers, some invertebrates were positively selected, such as insect larvae and Myriapoda, thus suggesting that pygmy skunks may target prey of high nutritional value. The diet varied considerably between consecutive dry and rainy seasons of the studied years, with little overlap in food items. Pygmy skunks may adjust food resource use in response to temporal variations in prey abundance, by incorporating other food items in their diet during the dry season, when food is scarce. Dietary switching between seasons indicates that pygmy skunks may exhibit strategies similar to those of other tropical carnivores to deal with a highly seasonal environment.
Ecological correlates of home‐range size in spring–summer for female roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in a deciduous woodland
Authors: Saïd Sonia , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Duncan Patrick , Guillon Nadine , Guillon Noël , Servanty Sabrina , Pellerin Maryline , Lefeuvre Karen , Martin Cécile , van Laere Guy
Published: October 2005

Data on 22 radio‐collared adult female roe deer Capreolus capreolus in the Chizé forest were used to test whether their home‐range size was influenced by resource availability and reproductive status. As roe deer females are income breeders and invest heavily in each reproductive attempt, they should be limited by energetic constraints. Thus it was expected that: (1) heavier females should have larger home ranges; (2) that home‐range size should decrease with increasing vegetation biomass; (3) home‐range size should increase with increasing reproductive effort (i.e. females with two fawns at heel should have larger home ranges than those with one fawn, which should have larger home range than females without fawns). To test these predictions, variation in spring–summer home‐range size was studied in 2001 and 2002, using 95% kernel home‐range estimation. Results showed that females do not adjust their home‐range size in response to body mass or age. Home‐range size increased with increasing reproductive success, but the magnitude of the change varied over the period of maternal care. Finally, although their home‐range size decreased with increasing plant biomass (slope =−0.11, se=0.065), female roe deer at Chizé did not fully compensate for declines in food availability by increasing home‐range size.
Alternating sexual segregation during the mating season by male African buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
Authors: Turner Wendy C. , Jolles Anna E. , Owen‐Smith Norman
Published: October 2005

Patterns of association in many ungulate species vary throughout the year, with males periodically segregating from females. Sexual segregation can occur if males and females use different habitats (habitat segregation), occupy exclusive ranges (spatial segregation) or occur in separate social groups (social segregation). Previous studies on social segregation in ungulates have focused mostly on non‐reproductive periods and species in temperate systems with short mating seasons. This study examined social segregation in African buffalo Syncerus caffer at Hluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park, South Africa, during their 6‐month mating season. During this period, mature male buffalo alternated between joining mixed‐sex herds which comprise females and young, and small all‐male groups. Activity patterns of male buffalo in both group types were examined to determine if differences in time allocation or activity asynchrony could explain the observed segregation. Mature males foraged for less time than both adult females and younger males when they were with mixed herds. Mature male buffalo differed in how their active time was apportioned to foraging and reproductive activities between the two group types. Females maintained group cohesion despite only low synchrony in activity, therefore segregation of male buffalo could not be explained by the activity budget hypothesis. For males in mixed‐sex herds, reproductive activities were apparently at the expense of foraging time. The high time and energy costs of reproductive activities were probably responsible for the periodic separation of male buffalo from mixed herds during the extended mating period.
Comparative seasonal acclimatization of food and energy consumption in adjacent populations of common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus)
Authors: Scantlebury Michael , Shanas Uri , Afik Daniel , Haim Abraham
Published: October 2005

Animals inhabiting environments with low productivity and food availability commonly have reduced energy demands and increased digestive efficiencies. The dry matter intake (DMI), apparent digestible dry matter (ADDM), digestible efficiency (DE) and digestible energy intake (DEI) of two populations of common spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus were compared during both winter and summer under conditions of simulated water stress. Mice were captured from the north‐ and south‐facing slopes (NFS and SFS) of the same canyon that represent mesic and xeric habitats, respectively. Measured variables were also compared between F1 mice that had been born to either NFS or SFS mice, and raised in the laboratory. SFS mice were able to assimilate energy more efficiently than NFS mice during the summer. By comparison, NFS mice were able to assimilate more energy during the winter. During winter, NFS mice assimilated more energy at low levels of water stress, whereas SFS mice assimilated more energy at higher levels. Differences were also apparent in F1 mice. It is therefore suggested that local climatic conditions can impose physiological adaptations that are retained in succeeding generations, creating unique meta‐populations.
Autismus und Stoffwechselerkrankungen - was ist gesichert?
Authors: Hahn Andreas , Neubauer Bernd A.
Published: October 2005

Zusammenfassung: Die Ursachen für Autismus sind heterogen und ganz überwiegend genetischer Natur. Eine exakte benennbare Ätiologie wird in weniger als 10% der Fälle gefunden. Die Enttäuschung über den geringen Erfolg bei der Ursachenfindung und zahlreiche Berichte über die Assoziation von Autismus mit Stoffwechselerkrankungen sowie über «Wunderheilungen» bei unterschiedlichsten medikamentösen oder diätetischen Therapien haben bei vielen Ärzten und Eltern zu einer zunehmenden Unsicherheit über die sinnvolle Diagnostik und Behandlung geführt. Diese Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über seltene angeborene Stoffwechselerkrankungen («inborn errors of metabolism»), die nachweislich (z.B. Phenylketonurie, Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrom) oder wahrscheinlich (z.B. Succinat-Semialdehyd-Dehydrogenase-Mangel) mit Autismus-spezifischen Symptomen vergesellschaftet sind. In aller Regel weisen betroffene Patienten zusätzliche neurologische Symptome auf. Es werden die zur Diagnostik dieser angeborenen Stoffwechselerkrankungen notwendigen Untersuchungen und mögliche therapeutische Maßnahmen dargestellt. Neben diesen gut definierten Stoffwechselerkrankungen mit der Möglichkeit einer rationalen Therapie wird auch auf Hypothesen über die Entstehung von Autismus durch «Stoffwechselveränderungen» eingegangen, die entweder nicht bewiesen oder nachweislich falsch sind.
Enkopresis - Prognosefaktoren und Langzeitverlauf
Authors: Mehler-Wex Claudia , Scheuerpflug Peter , Peschke Nicole , Roth Michael , Reitzle Karl , Warnke Andreas
Published: October 2005

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Diagnostische und klinische Faktoren sowie Behandlungsstrategien als prognostische Indikatoren für den Langzeitverlauf der Enkopresis im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Methodik: 85 Kinder und Jugendliche (Alter 9,6 ± 3,2 Jahre) mit Enkopresis (ICD 10 F98.1) wurden am Ende der stationären Behandlung und 35 von ihnen erneut nach einem Katamnesezeitraum von 5,5 ± 1,8 Jahren untersucht. Patienten mit geistiger Behinderung wurden ausgeschlossen. Die Therapie kombinierte stuhlregulierende und verhaltenstherapeutische Maßnahmen sowie eine Behandlung eventueller komorbider Achse-I-Störungen. Ergebnisse: Im stationären Verlauf kam es in 22% der Gesamtstichprobe zu völliger Symptomremission, in 8% bestand unveränderte Symptompersistenz. Bei den 35 Katamnesepatienten berichteten 40% Symptomfreiheit. Als signifikant entscheidend für den Erfolg stellten sich in der Nachuntersuchung Obstipationsfreiheit und die konsequente Therapie von psychiatrischen Begleiterkrankungen, v. a. des hyperkinetischen Syndroms, dar. Patienten mit einer Anpassungsstörung zeigten eine signifikant bessere Prognose als alle anderen Patienten. Diejenigen, die bereits zum Entlassungszeitpunkt symptomfrei waren, erwiesen auch in der Katamnese signifikant häufiger eine stabile Totalremission. Schlussfolgerungen: Die konsequente Behandlung einer Obstipation und die spezifische Therapie von psychiatrischen Begleiterkrankungen sind wichtige prognostische Faktoren der Enkopresis. Die stationäre Therapie führt signifikant häufiger zu langfristigem Erfolg, wenn erst bei Erlangung von Symptomfreiheit entlassen wird.
Volcanic inflation of Mount Hokkaido‐Komagatake, Japan, determined from a dense GPS array
Authors: Iwashita Satoshi , Takahashi Hiroaki , Okazaki Noritoshi , Miyamura Jun'ichi , Kasahara Minoru , Ichiyanagi Masayoshi , Takahashi Ryo , Nakagawa Mitsuhiro
Published: October 2005

We installed and have been operating a dense GPS array with low power consumption single frequency GPS receivers around Mount Hokkaido‐Komagatake volcano, southwestern Hokkaido, Japan, since 2000. Data were collected continuously and analyzed together with the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan's nationwide continuous GPS network data. The analysis of daily baseline length changes for two years indicate a steady inflation of the volcanic body with 10−7/yr extensional strain. A pressure source was estimated at 2.4 km depth beneath the summit area with a volumetric increase rate of 4.86 × 105 m3/yr. The depth of the pressure source is in good agreement with the one expected from petrological study. Integrated magma volume has reached up to 2.6 × 107 m3 if the inflation rate is possibly extrapolated back to the last magmatic eruption. Our results strongly suggest a steady magma accumulation at the reservoir beneath this volcano and an increasing potential to the next eruption near future.
Application of linear regularization methods to Arecibo vector velocities
Authors: Sulzer Michael P. , Aponte Néstor , González Sixto A.
Published: October 2005

Estimates of the three‐dimensional ion velocity field can be difficult to make with monostatic radars because there are three unknown components for each independent line of sight velocity measurement. To cope with this problem, one or more assumptions about the vector field must be made to arrive at a solution. At Arecibo, one can measure the ion vector velocities by continuously rotating the antenna beam back and forth 360 degrees in azimuth at 15 degrees off zenith to sample the horizontal components. Until recently, the line of sight velocities obtained from this experiment were typically converted into vector velocities by assuming that the vector field remains constant during one rotation and that horizontal gradients are negligible. In this paper we show how to apply the linear regularization inversion method to the problem of computing ion vector velocities. This technique improves the accuracy of the vector velocities obtained from the measured F region line of sight velocities and also provides a convenient way to do the computations for dual‐beam experiments. The technique could improve the vector velocities at other monostatic incoherent scatter radar facilities.
Shared Virtue: The Convergence of Valued Human Strengths across Culture and History
Authors: Dahlsgaard Katherine , Peterson Christopher , Seligman Martin E. P.
Published: October 2005

Positive psychology needs an agreed-upon way of classifying positive traits as a backbone for research, diagnosis, and intervention. As a 1st step toward classification, the authors examined philosophical and religious traditions in China (Confucianism and Taoism), South Asia (Buddhism and Hinduism), and the West (Athenian philosophy, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) for the answers each provided to questions of moral behavior and the good life. The authors found that 6 core virtues recurred in these writings: courage, justice, humanity, temperance, wisdom, and transcendence. This convergence suggests a nonarbitrary foundation for the classification of human strengths and virtues.
Positive Adjustment to Threatening Events: An Organismic Valuing Theory of Growth through Adversity
Authors: Joseph Stephen , Linley P. Alex
Published: October 2005

A positive psychological theory of growth through adversity is proposed. The organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity posits an intrinsic motivation toward growth, showing how this leads to the states of intrusion and avoidance that are characteristic of cognitive-emotional processing after trauma. The theory posits 3 possible outcomes of this cognitive-emotional processing, namely, assimilation, negative accommodation, and positive accommodation. The theory shows how the organismic valuing process will automatically lead to the actualization of positive changes in psychological well-being, through the positive accommodation of the new trauma-related information, provided that the social environment is able to support this positive accommodation process.
Topology-dependent protein folding rates analyzed by a stereochemical model
Authors: Silva Inês R. , Dos Reis Lucila M. , Caliri A.
Published: October 2005

It is an experimental fact that gross topological parameters of the native structure of small proteins presenting two-state kinetics, as relative contact order χ, correlate with the logarithm of their respective folding rate constant κf. However, reported results show specific cases for which the (χ,logκf) dependence does not follow the overall trend of the entire collection of experimental data. Therefore, an interesting point to be clarified is to what extent the native topology alone can explain these exceptional data. In this work, the structural determinants of the folding kinetics are investigated by means of a 27-mer lattice model, in that each native is represented by a compact self-avoiding (CSA) configuration. The hydrophobic effect and steric constraints are taken as basic ingredients of the folding mechanism, and each CSA configuration is characterized according to its composition of specific patterns (resembling basic structural elements such as loops, sheets, and helices). Our results suggest that (i) folding rate constants are largely influenced by topological details of the native structure, as configurational pattern types and their combinations, and (ii) global parameters, as the relative contact order, may not be effective to detect them. Distinct pattern types and their combinations are determinants of what we call here the “content of secondary-type” structure (σ) of the native: high σ implies a large κf. The largest part of all CSA configurations presents a mix of distinct structural patterns, which determine the χ×logκf linear dependence: Those structures not presenting a proper χ-dependent balance of patterns have their folding kinetics affected with respect to the pretense linear correlation between χ and logκf. The basic physical mechanism relating σ and κf involves the concept of cooperativity: If the native is composed of patterns producing a spatial order rich in effective short-range contacts, a properly designed sequence undertakes a fast folding process. On the other hand, the presence of some structural patterns, such as long loops, may reduce substantially the folding performance. This fact is illustrated through natives having a very similar topology but presenting a distinct folding rate κf, and by analyzing structures having the same χ but different σ.
The antifield Koszul–Tate complex of reducible Noether identities
Authors: Bashkirov D. , Giachetta G. , Mangiarotti L. , Sardanashvily G.
Published: October 2005

A generic degenerate Lagrangian system of even and odd fields is examined in algebraic terms of the Grassmann-graded variational bicomplex. Its Euler–Lagrange operator obeys Noether identities which need not be independent, but satisfy first-stage Noether identities, and so on. We show that, if a certain necessary and sufficient condition holds, one can associate to a degenerate Lagrangian system the exact Koszul–Tate complex with the boundary operator whose nilpotency condition restarts all its Noether and higher-stage Noether identities. This complex provides a sufficient analysis of the degeneracy of a Lagrangian system for the purpose of its BV quantization.
Statistical theory for protein ensembles with designed energy landscapes
Authors: Biswas Parbati , Zou Jinming , Saven Jeffery G.
Published: October 2005

Combinatorial protein libraries provide a promising route to investigate the determinants and features of protein folding and to identify novel folding amino acid sequences. A library of sequences based on a pool of different monomer types are screened for folding molecules, consistent with a particular foldability criterion. The number of sequences grows exponentially with the length of the polymer, making both experimental and computational tabulations of sequences infeasible. Herein a statistical theory is extended to specify the properties of sequences having particular values of global energetic quantities that specify their energy landscape. The theory yields the site-specific monomer probabilities. A foldability criterion is derived that characterizes the properties of sequences by quantifying the energetic separation of the target state from low-energy states in the unfolded ensemble and the fluctuations of the energies in the unfolded state ensemble. For a simple lattice model of proteins, excellent agreement is observed between the theory and the results of exact enumeration. The theory may be used to provide a quantitative framework for the design and interpretation of combinatorial experiments.
Thermoelectric properties of Te-doped CoSb3 by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Li X. Y. , Chen L. D. , Fan J. F. , Zhang W. B. , Kawahara T. , Hirai T.
Published: October 2005

Te-doped CoSb3 bulk polycrystalline materials Co4Sb12−xTex have been prepared by melting, annealing, and spark plasma sintering and have been characterized by x-ray diffraction. From the lattice constants of the Te-doped samples, a Te substituting fraction limit for Sb is estimated to be x=0.55. The Hall effect, Seebeck coefficient, electrical-conductivity, and thermal-conductivity measurements were performed between room temperature and 900K. The Te-doped materials Co4Sb12−xTex show an n-type conduction. As the Te fraction increases, the electron concentration and the electrical conductivity of the samples increase, while the Hall mobility, the absolute Seebeck coefficient, and the thermal conductivity decrease. A maximum dimensionless figure of merit of 0.72 is obtained at 850K for Co4Sb11.5Te0.5.
Aspirated capacitor measurements of air conductivity and ion mobility spectra
Authors: Aplin K. L.
Published: October 2005

Measurements of ions in atmospheric air are used to investigate atmospheric electricity and particulate pollution. Commonly studied ion parameters are (1) air conductivity, related to the total ion number concentration, and (2) the ion mobility spectrum, which varies with atmospheric composition. The physical principles of air ion instrumentation are long established. A recent development is the computerized aspirated capacitor, which measures ions from (a) the current of charged particles at a sensing electrode, and (b) the rate of charge exchange with an electrode at a known initial potential, relaxing to a lower potential. As the voltage decays, only ions of higher and higher mobility are collected by the central electrode and contribute to the further decay of the voltage. This enables extension of the classical theory to calculate ion mobility spectra by inverting voltage decay time series. In indoor air, ion mobility spectra determined from both the voltage decay inversion, and an established voltage switching technique, were compared and shown to be of similar shape. Air conductivities calculated by integration were: 5.3±2.5 and 2.7±1.1fSm−1, respectively, with conductivity determined to be 3fSm−1 by direct measurement at a constant voltage. Applications of the relaxation potential inversion method include air ion mobility spectrum retrieval from historical data, and computation of ion mobility spectra in planetary atmospheres.
Rotational Raman spectroscopy of ethylene using a femtosecond time-resolved pump-probe technique
Authors: Rouzée A. , Boudon V. , Lavorel B. , Faucher O. , Raballand W.
Published: October 2005

Femtosecond Raman-induced polarization spectroscopy (RIPS) was conducted at low pressure (250mb at 295K and 400mb at 373K) in ethylene. The temporal signal, resulting from the beating between pure rotational coherences, was measured with a heterodyne detection. The temporal traces were converted to the frequency domain using a Fourier transformation and then analyzed thanks to the D2hTDS software (http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/LPUB/shTDS.html) dedicated to X2Y4 molecules with D2h symmetry. The effective Hamiltonian was expanded up to order 2, allowing the determination of five parameters with an rms of 0.017cm−1. Special care was taken in the precise modeling of intensities, taking into account all instrumental effects. Relative intensities were fitted (with an rms of 7.2%) and two polarizability operators were determined.
Evaluation of photoinduced change in refractive index of a polymer film doped with an azobenzene liquid crystal by means of a prism-coupling method
Authors: Kurihara Hideo , Shishido Atsushi , Ikeda Tomiki
Published: October 2005

The photoinduced change in refractive index of poly(methyl methacrylate) films doped with an azobenzene liquid crystal was measured by the prism-coupling method. Upon irradiation of the film with a high-pressure mercury lamp at 366nm, the coupling angles shifted and then recovered to the initial position by turning off the light. The change in refractive index was found to be 2×10−3, which is attributed to the reversible photoisomerization of the azobenzene moieties.
Current localization and enhanced percolative low-field magnetoresistance in disordered half metals
Authors: Ju Sheng , Cai Tian-Yi , Li Z. Y.
Published: October 2005

By modeling the magnetotransport in disordered half metals onto a random resistor network, we have performed numerical simulations on the low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR) and the current distribution in the network. It is found that there is a close relationship between the magnitude of LFMR and the current morphology. LFMR increases with the increase of current localization. In the limit of strong disorder, a quasi-one-dimensional transport channel forms and LFMR reaches its maximum. Compared with the previous two-component (metal/insulator) percolative scenario for colossal magnetoresistance in phase-separated manganites, such a current percolation transition gives further understanding of the magnetotransport in disordered half metals.
Well-aligned Mn-doped ZnO nanowires synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition method
Authors: Liu J. J. , Yu M. H. , Zhou W. L.
Published: October 2005

Well-aligned diluted magnetic semiconductor Zn1−xMnxO nanowires have been fabricated at 850°C from a self-formed ZnO substrate using a chemical vapor deposition method. The as-synthesized Mn-doped ZnO nanowires were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The well-aligned nanowires are single crystalline and are perpendicularly grown along the c axis. Electron energy x-ray dispersive analysis, x-ray diffraction spectrometry, and TEM analysis clearly showed that Mn was doped both in the ZnO nanowires and substrate. Ferromagnetic ordering of the as-synthesized Zn1−xMnxO nanowire arrays was observed at 5K with Curie temperature of 44K by superconducting quantum interference device measurement.
Quantum confinement of excitons in dendrite-like GaN nanowires
Authors: Ghosh R. , Basak D.
Published: October 2005

Dendrite-like GaN nanowires have been grown by direct reaction of gallium metal with ammonia without any catalyst in a simple grinding-mediated two-step process, the second step being annealing of the as-synthesized GaN powder at 800°C. The samples have been characterized by x-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL). TEM results show that many of the synthesized nanowires are of diameters less than the Bohr exciton radius of GaN. A large blue shift of the excitonic peak in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicates quantum confinement of the carriers. These results are significant for the growth of dendrite-like GaN nanowires with a small aspect ratio.
Describing thin-film imaging with a Gaussian beam as potential flow
Authors: Klatchko Asher , Pirogovsky Peter
Published: October 2005

It is shown that patterning with a Gaussian beam on thin films is congruent to a diffusion process. In particular, the acuity of the image patterned is tied to a steady state (Laplace equation). For a small spot size, pattern acuity improves locally when the Laplacian approaches zero at the said region. However, when the spot size (blur) of the patterning beams is of the order of the critical dimensions of the geometry, the diffusion equation gives rise to a global steady state. As a corollary, a conformal mapping of the type w=z2 is applied, transforming a 45∘ rotated cross into a contact hole. We discuss the relevance of conformal mapping to corner rounding seen on raster beam pattern generators.
Operation and properties of ambipolar organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Paasch G. , Lindner Th. , Rost-Bietsch C. , Karg S. , Riess W. , Scheinert S.
Published: October 2005

Two-dimensional simulations of ambipolar or double-injection field-effect transistors (FETs) based on organic materials as active layer are presented in this article. These organic FETs are of interest because of the direct recombination accompanied by light emission. When modeling such FETs, one problem is that even advanced existing models based on the Pao-Sah description neglect both the actual contact properties and the recombination process. We present numerical simulations taking account these peculiarities. Current-voltage characteristics are used as reference data, recently obtained on an organic heterostructure ambipolar FET with a bottom Au contact and a Mg top contact [Rost et al., J. Appl. Phys. 95 5872 (2004)]. To investigate the basic ambipolar effects without the additional influences of the special structure, a single-layer model structure is considered in this simulation study. Simulated current-voltage characteristics indeed feature all specific characteristics arising from the ambipolar operation. Their origin becomes clear by inspecting the internal field and concentration profiles. The simulations reveal a complex interplay between the properties of the source and gate contacts, interface charges, the ratio of the electron and hole mobilities, doping, and recombination. Thereby, pronounced ambipolar operation depends sensitively on the combination of the barrier of the electron-injecting contact and the ratio of hole to electron mobilities. Possibilities and limitations of direct parameter extraction based on simple analytical expressions are demonstrated.
A Landau fluid model for warm collisionless plasmas
Authors: Goswami Priyanka , Passot T. , Sulem P. L.
Published: October 2005

A Landau fluid model for a collisionless electron-proton magnetized plasma that accurately reproduces the dispersion relation and the Landau damping rate of all the magnetohydrodynamic waves is presented. It is obtained by an accurate closure of the hydrodynamic hierarchy at the level of the fourth-order moments, based on linear kinetic theory. It retains nongyrotropic corrections to the pressure and heat flux tensors up to the second order in the ratio between the considered frequencies and the ion cyclotron frequency.
Stimulated Raman cascade and photon condensation in intense laser plasma interaction
Authors: Li Baiwen , Ishiguro S. , Škorić M. M. , Song Min , Sato T.
Published: October 2005

Stimulated Raman scattering, stimulated Raman cascade, and the transition from Raman cascade into photon condensation, induced by linearly polarized intense laser interacting with an underdense uniform collisionless plasma, are studied by particle simulations. In addition to the stimulated Raman scattering process, the simulation results can reveal a clear physics picture on stimulated Raman cascade and cascade-into-condensation. It is found that, at appropriate laser amplitude and plasma conditions, a large amplitude relativistic electromagnetic soliton forms due to the strong photon condensation. The electromagnetic frequency of the soliton is about half of the unperturbed electron plasma frequency. The transverse electric field, magnetic field, and electrostatic field inside a soliton region have half-, one-, and one-cycle structure in space, respectively. Finally, the influence of the electron temperature and the ion dynamics are discussed briefly.