bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Refill adherence for patients with asthma and COPD: comparison of a pharmacy record database with manually collected repeat prescriptions
Authors: Krigsman Kristin , Nilsson J. Lars G. , Ring Lena
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To compare refill adherence data based on two different methods of data capturing, that is, manually collected repeat prescriptions and a pharmacy record database.

Methods

The study comprised a comparison of adherence data from manually collected repeat prescriptions of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) drugs with fixed dosages dispensed in 2002 and the corresponding data from a pharmacy record database. Data were collected in the county of Jämtland in Sweden. Refill adherence was calculated for the different collection methods.

Results

Data from 285 manually collected repeat prescriptions for asthma/COPD drugs for 2002 showed that 35% of the prescribings had been satisfactory refilled, while 42% showed an undersupply and 23% an oversupply. The pharmacy record database had 490 prescribings for asthma/COPD drugs registered in 2002, 28% of these had a satisfactory refill adherence, while 43% showed an undersupply, and 29% an oversupply. Based on the database it could be shown that 11% of the individuals had used more than one repeat prescription of the same medicine during 2002. Based on the pharmacy record database for 1999–2002, it was shown that 29% of the prescribings had been satisfactory refilled whereas undersupply increased (53%) and oversupply decreased (18%) as compared to the 1‐year data.

Conclusions

Refill adherence determined from manually collected repeat prescriptions and from a pharmacy record database did not differ for a 1‐year period. Four‐year data might give a better overview of patients' refill adherence than 1‐year data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and properties of poly(amic acid)s and polyimides based on 2,2′,6,6′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride
Authors: Sakayori Katsuya , Shibasaki Yuji , Ueda Mitsuru
Published: September 2006

Poly(amic acid)s (PAAs) having the high solution stability and transmittance at 365 nm for photosensitive polyimides have been developed. PAAs with a twisted conformation in the main chains were prepared from 2,2′,6,6′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (2,2′,6,6′‐BPDA) and aromatic diamines. Imidization of PAAs was achieved by chemical treatment using trifluoroacetic anhydride. Among them, the PAA derived from 2,2′,6,6′‐BPDA and 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenedioxy)dianiline was converted to the polyimide by thermal treatment. The heating at 300 °C under nitrogen did not complete thermal imidization of PAAs having glass‐transition temperatures (Tg)s higher than 300 °C to the corresponding PIs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6385–6393, 2006
Current‐carrying capacity of semiconducting carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chen Yung‐Fu , Fuhrer Michael S.
Published: September 2006

A simple Boltzmann‐equation model for charge transport in semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes (s‐SWNTs) is developed with two adjustable parameters, the acoustic and optical phonon scattering lengths. The model predicts velocity saturation rather than current saturation in s‐SWNTs at high bias, in agreement with a recent experiment. At moderate densities, the model predicts currents in s‐SWNTs exceeding 25 µA, the limiting current in long metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Measurements of thermal conductivity of individual carbon nanotubes
Authors: Fujii Motoo , Zhang Xing , Takahashi Koji
Published: September 2006

This paper describes a novel method to measure the thermal conductivity of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by using a suspended sample‐attached T‐type nanosensor. The CNTs used were made by an arc‐discharge evaporation method. We could successfully measure the thermal conductivity of individual carbon nanotubes in the range of temperature from 77 K to 320 K, and the results show that the thermal conductivity increases with the temperature and approaches an asymptote near 320 K. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Exciton dynamics probed in carbon nanotube suspensions with narrow diameter distribution
Authors: Hertel Tobias , Zhu Zipeng , Crochet Jared , McPheeters Claiborne , Ulbricht Hendrik , Resasco Daniel
Published: September 2006

We report on a pump–probe study of CoMoCAT nanotube suspensions with narrow chirality distribution. Visible pump pulses and a white light continuum are used for resonant excitation of the strongest dipole allowed E 22 subband exciton in the semiconducting (6, 5) tube and for broadband probe of the resulting spectral transients between 1300 nm and 480 nm, respectively. Transient spectra show signatures of both photobleaching (PB) and photoabsorption (PA) with practically identical decay‐ but slightly different rise‐times. The experiments reveal that apparent variations of decay rates at different wavelengths do not reflect dynamics of different relaxation processes but are a consequence of the superposition of PB and blue‐shifted PA response. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A photoemission study of the metallic ground state of potassium‐doped C60 peapods
Authors: Rauf H. , Shiozawa H. , Pichler T. , Knupfer M. , Büchner B. , Kataura H.
Published: September 2006

We report on the doping dependence of the electronic structure of the valence band of mats of C60‐filled single wall carbon nanotubes (C60 peapods) studied by high resolution photoemission spectroscopy. In the pristine state, the bundles consist of approximately one third metallic tubes which are Tomonaga–Luttinger liquids (TLL) and thus show a power law scaling of the density of states near the Fermi level. The power law scaling factor of the pristine peapods is hardly increased compared to that of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). Upon doping we find a complex doping behavior and charge distribution between the electronic states of the SWCNT and the encaged C60 chains. Close to the Fermi level this has consequences on the doping induced crossover from a TLL to a conventional Fermi liquid which is found at a higher charge transfer as compared to intercalated SWCNT bundles. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Polarization‐dependent optical reflectivity in magnetically oriented carbon nanotube networks
Authors: Kamarás K. , Rinzler A. G. , Tanner D. B. , Walters D. A.
Published: September 2006

We have observed marked anisotropy in the optical reflectivity of magnetically oriented nanotube networks: for light polarized along the orientation direction, the reflectivity is much higher than for the perpendicular polarization. However, the spectrum in the perpendicular direction is also structured, similar to the parallel polarization but with a shift in frequency. We emphasize the importance of surface scattering corrections when investigating carbon nanotubes by reflectance spectroscopy. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of aggregation and electron–phonon interactions on RBM spectral reconstruction of single walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Luo Zhengtang , Doorn Stephen K. , Li Rongfu , Papadimitrakopoulos Fotios
Published: September 2006

We present a methodology to reconstruct the radial breathing mode (RBM) region of the resonance Raman spectra of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in isolated and aggregated states. This methodology takes into account the experimentally determined electron–phonon matrix elements (M ph) along with an energetic deviation term (ΔE). In the case of isolated SWNTs, ΔE was found to be zero, while the RBM spectral reconstruction was insensitive to variations of the electron–phonon matrix elements. On the other hand, incorpration of a non‐zero ΔE value and M ph values corrected for diameter and chiral angle dependence through trigonal warping effects was necessary in order to obtain optimum RBM spectral reconstruction for aggregated SWNT samples. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterizing the chirality distribution of single‐walled carbon nanotube materials with tunable Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Son H. B. , Reina A. , Dresselhaus M. S. , Kong J.
Published: September 2006

We have developed a methodology to use resonant Raman spectroscopy with a tunable excitation source to characterize the chirality distribution of a synthesized single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) material. Isolated SWNTs are either dispersed or directly grown on substrates with markers. The samples are then placed on an automatic scanning stage of a confocal Raman microscope. Resonant Raman signals from SWNTs are collected while the laser spot scans across the substrate and a two‐dimensional mapping is obtained at each laser excitation energy. From the resonant Raman signal the chiralities of the SWNTs can be assigned and a chirality distribution of the material can therefore be obtained by examining hundreds to thousands SWNTs on the substrate. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Transparent and flexible carbon nanotube/polypyrrole and carbon nanotube/polyaniline pH sensors
Authors: Ferrer‐Anglada N. , Kaempgen M. , Roth S.
Published: September 2006

Thin film Carbon Nanotube (CNT) networks are used as a conductive, transparent and flexible electrode for electrochemically depositing a conducting polymer on it, polypyrrole or polyaniline in the present work. We analyse the properties of the device as an electrochemical sensor, measuring his pH dependence by recording the open circuit potential in various buffer solutions, ranging from pH 1 to 13. The results show a good sensitivity, linearity and stability in both cases. In the case of CNT/polyaniline, it can be used simply as an optical sensor, as the colour of polyaniline changes with pH. The CNT/polypyrrole and CNT/polyaniline devices could have applications as solid state gas sensor or biosensor deposited on any shape of surface that can be transparent and flexible. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Flavonoids as antagonists at A1adenosine receptors
Authors: Alexander Stephen P. H.
Published: September 2006

This study aimed to investigate the potential for ﬂavonoid action at A1adenosine receptorsin vitro. In a radioligand binding assay for A1adenosine receptor occupancy in particulate preparations from guinea‐pig cerebral cortex, flavonoids competed in concentration‐dependent manners with Hill slopes typically not different from unity. Of the ﬂavonoids tested, quercetin showed highest affinity (pKivalue of 5.33). At a concentration of 28 mm, quercetin evoked a rightward shift in theN6‐cyclopentyladenosine‐induced inhibition of electrically evoked contractions of the guinea‐pig isolated ileum, allowing the calculation of a pKivalue of 4.71. These data suggest, therefore, that ﬂavonoids represent an additional dietary source of A1adenosine receptor antagonists (beyond the methylxanthines, caffeine and theophylline). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Basis‐set optimization for first‐principles simulation of liquid water
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Schelling Patrick K.
Published: September 2006

We describe simulation results for the structure and dynamics of liquid water using the SIESTA electronic structure approach. We find that the structure of water depends strongly on the particular basis set used. Applying a systematic approach to varying the basis set, we find that the basis set that results in good agreement with experimental binding energies for isolated water dimers also provides a reasonable description of the radial distribution functions of liquid water. We show that the structure of liquid water varies in a systematic fashion with the choice of basis set. Comparable to many other first‐principles studies of liquid water using gradient‐corrected density functionals, the liquid is somewhat overstructured. The possibility of further improvements through a better choice of the basis set is discussed. While improvements are likely, application to large‐scale systems will require use of a computational algorithm whose computational cost scales linearly with system size. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Biological interactions between herpesviruses and cyclooxygenase enzymes
Authors: Reynolds Ashley E. , Enquist L. W.
Published: September 2006

Decades ago, medical researchers noted that non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example aspirin and indomethacin, modulate primary herpesvirus infections and diminish reactivation of latent herpesvirus infections. NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, molecules necessary for generation of prostaglandins. Numerous studies indicate that herpesvirus infections elicit elevated levels of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) with a resultant increase in prostaglandin E2 levels (PGE2). Thus, the biochemical pathway underlying the anti‐herpetic mechanism of NSAIDs is linked to the inhibition of COX. The precise roles of COX‐2 and PGE2 in the viral life cycle are unknown. However, among the alphaherpesvirus, betaherpesvirus and gammaherpesvirus subfamilies, evolutionarily conserved mechanisms ensure modulated expression of COX molecules, underscoring their importance in viral replication and virus–host interactions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eisenbahnbrücken bei der Deutschen Bahn AG – Neue technische und strategische Ansätze
Authors: Koch Eckhart
Published: September 2006

Verbundbrücken sind gute technische und ökonomische Lösungen im Eisenbahnbrückenbau. Daher wurde ein Forschungsvorhaben zu dieser Thematik durchgeführt. Die Untersuchungen zeigten, daß Verbundbrücken mit vorgefertigten Bauteilen gute Lösungen sind. In einem weiteren Projekt werden derzeit Untersuchungen zum Ermüdungsverhalten von Stahlhohlprofilbrücken durchgeführt. Ferner sind derzeit Untersuchungen im Gange, um über Schweißnahtnachbehandlungsverfahren eine Lebensdauerverlängerung von Brückenbauwerken zu erreichen.
Kleben im Stahlbau
Authors: Feldmann Markus , Völling Boris , Geßler Achim , Wellershoff Frank , Geiß Paul‐Ludwig , Wagner Astrid
Published: September 2006

Da die Verbindungstechnik häufig für die Wahl der Bauweise ausschlaggebend ist, ist die Frage, wie man Bauteile aus Stahl bzw. aus Stahl und Glas herstellt und zusammenfügt, von grundlegender Bedeutung. So stellt Kleben im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Verbindungsmitteln im Bereich von Bauteilentwicklungen mit neuen Querschnitts‐ und Tragwerkskonzepten eine interessante Alternative dar. Voraussetzung dafür sind an die Bedingungen des Stahlbaus angepaßte, leistungsfähige und dauerhafte Klebsysteme. In diesem Aufsatz werden innovative Bauelemente aus dem Stahlbau und dem Stahl‐Glasbau vorgestellt, bei deren Konzeption die Klebtechnik eine zentrale Rolle spielt. Nach einer kurzen Vorstellung der klebtechnischen Grundlagen werden Beispiele für zur Zeit laufende Entwicklungen und bereits erfolgreiche Lösungen im Stahlbau mit Hilfe der Klebtechnik gegeben.
Dickere Bleche bei Eisenbahnbrücken
Authors: Klingner Alfred , Schleicher Wolfram
Published: September 2006

Nach Einführung der DIN ‐Fachberichte ist die Verwendung von Stahlblechen bis 100 mm Dicke im deutschen Eisenbahnbrückenbau bauaufsichtlich geregelt. Die Umsetzung dieser Möglichkeiten vergrößert das Anwendungsspektrum von Stahlbrücken. So ist der Einsatz von dicken, unausgesteiften Fahrbahnblechen möglich. Dieses ist insbesondere sinnvoll, wenn durch geometrische Randbedingungen nur minimale Bauhöhen für die Fahrbahn zur Verfügung stehen und diese durch Querrippenfahrbahnen technisch nicht mehr realisierbar sind.
Effect of β‐xylanase supplementation of boiled castor seed meal‐based diets on the performance, nutrient absorbability and some blood constituents of pullet chicks
Authors: Babalola TOO , Apata DF , Atteh JO
Published: September 2006

β‐xylanase addition improved apparent nitrogen and fibre absorption as well as feed transit time. Up to 150 g kg−1 boiled castor seed meal could be incorporated into pullet chick diets without any adverse effect on growth performance or blood constituents. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Supplementary feeding to improve Desert sheep productivity under dryland farming
Authors: El‐Hag FM , Ahmed M‐K A , Salih AM , Mohamed Khair MA , Fadlalla B , Ibnoaf AA , Ahmed MMM
Published: September 2006

Supplementary feeding of Desert ewes at mating time or for 45 days pre‐lambing, or both combined, increased lambing and twinning, gave heavier lambs and gave farmers a greater monetary return. The best return was with the two supplements combined. Supplementing the diet of weaned lambs for four months gave increased growth, advanced puberty, and gave higher conception and lambing rates. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Endothelin‐1 inhibits adipogenesis: Role of phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2
Authors: Bhattacharya Indranil , Ullrich Axel
Published: September 2006

In adipogenesis, growth factors play a crucial role. Using serum depleted condition, we studied the causal role of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), separately or together, in adipocyte differentiation of 3T3‐L1 cells. ET‐1 stimulation caused an anti‐adipogenic response and this effect was potentiated upon treatment with EGF. Co‐treatment with EGF and ET‐1 blocked the expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ, the adipogenic markers. The inhibition of adipogenesis was preceded by a biphasic (early and late) attenuation of Akt phosphorylation. We suggest that treatment with ET‐1 and EGF together induce a more potent anti‐adipogenic response, involving increased Erk1/2 phosphorylation and biphasic attenuation of Akt phosphorylation.
Cys155 of 27 kDa maize γ‐zein is a key amino acid to improve its in vitro digestibility
Authors: Lee Sung-Ho , Hamaker Bruce R.
Published: September 2006

Twenty‐seven kilodalton γ‐zein is a subclass of the maize zein storage proteins and, due to its localization at the protein body periphery, is critical to digestibility characteristics of all zeins. This protein had low in vitro digestibility, presumably due to its high Cys content (7.35 mol%) that is similar to the hard‐to‐digest analogous sorghum protein, γ‐kafirin. Therefore, each of the conserved disulfide‐bonded Cys’ was mutated to create C144A, C148A, C155A, and C156A maize γ‐zein mutants. The C155A showed a remarkable increase in digestibility to proteases – pepsin, chymotrypsin, and trypsin. A high conservation of this Cys among cereal γ‐prolamins indicates the utility of this finding.
Klotho RNAi induces premature senescence of human cells via a p53/p21 dependent pathway
Authors: de Oliveira Rita Machado
Published: September 2006

Klotho has recently emerged as a regulator of aging. To investigate the role of Klotho in the regulation of cellular senescence, we generated stable MRC‐5 human primary fibroblast cells knockdown for Klotho expression by RNAi. Downregulation of Klotho dramatically induces premature senescence with a concomitant upregulation of p21. The upregulation of p21 is associated with cell cycle arrest at G1/S boundary. Knockdown of p53 in the Klotho attenuated MRC‐5 cells restores normal growth and replicative potential. These results demonstrate that Klotho normally regulates cellular senescence by repressing the p53/p21 pathway. Our findings implicate Klotho as a regulator of aging in primary human fibroblasts.
Interaction of TPPP/p25 protein with glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and their co‐localization in Lewy bodies
Authors: Oláh Judit , Tőkési Natália , Vincze Orsolya , Horváth István , Lehotzky Attila , Erdei Anna , Szájli Emília , Medzihradszky Katalin F. , Orosz Ferenc , Kovács Gábor G. , Ovádi Judit
Published: September 2006

TPPP/p25, a flexible unstructured protein, binds to tubulin and induces aberrant microtubule assemblies. We identified hereby glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a new interacting partner of TPPP/p25. The immunoprecipitation and affinity chromatographic experiments with bovine brain cell‐free extract revealed that the interaction was salt and NAD+ sensitive while ELISA showed resistant and firm association of the two isolated proteins. In transfected HeLa cells at low expression level of EGFP‐TPPP/p25, while the green fusion protein aligned at the microtubular network, GAPDH distributed uniformly in the cytosol. However, at high expression level, GAPDH co‐localized with TPPP/p25 in the aggresome‐like aggregate. Immunohistochemistry showed enrichment of TPPP/p25 and GAPDH within the α‐synuclein positive Lewy body.
Identification of Hsc70 as an influenza virus matrix protein (M1) binding factor involved in the virus life cycle
Authors: Watanabe Ken , Fuse Takayuki , Asano Issay , Tsukahara Fujiko , Maru Yoshiro , Nagata Kyosuke , Kitazato Kaio , Kobayashi Nobuyuki
Published: September 2006

Influenza virus matrix protein 1 (M1) has been shown to play a crucial role in the virus replication, assembly and budding. We identified heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) as a M1 binding protein by immunoprecipitation and MALDI‐TOF MS. The C terminal domain of M1 interacts with Hsc70. We found that Hsc70 does not correlate with the transport of M1 to the nucleus, however, it does inhibit the nuclear export of M1 and NP, thus resulting in the inhibition of viral production. This is the first demonstration that Hsc70 is directly associated with M1 and therefore is required for viral production.
North Sea cod recovery?
Authors: Horwood Joe , O'Brien Carl , Darby Chris
Published: September 2006

Recovery of depleted marine, demersal, commercial fish stocks has proved elusive worldwide. As yet, just a few shared or highly migratory stocks have been restored. Here we review the current status of the depleted North Sea cod (Gadus morhua), the scientific advice to managers, and the recovery measures in place. Monitoring the progress of North Sea cod recovery is now hampered by considerable uncertainties in stock assessments associated with low stock size, variable survey indices, and inaccurate catch data. In addition, questions arise as to whether recovery targets are achievable in a changing natural environment. We show that current targets are achievable with fishing mortality rates that are compatible with international agreements even if recruitment levels remain at the current low levels. Furthermore, recent collations of data on international fishing effort have allowed estimation of the cuts in fishing mortality achieved by restrictions on North Sea effort. By the beginning of 2005, these restrictions are estimated to have reduced fishing mortality rates by about 37%. This is insufficient to ensure recovery of North Sea cod within the next decade.
Pre‐pregnancy body mass index and pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Doherty D.A. , Magann E.F. , Francis J. , Morrison J.C. , Newnham J.P.
Published: September 2006

Objective: To determine the effect of maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Pregnancy cohort recruited pregnancies between 16 and 18 weeks. BMI evaluated underweight, BMI < 18.5, normal, BMI 18.5–25, overweight BMI 25–30, and obese BMI > 30 women.

Results: Pre‐pregnancy BMI classified 331 women as underweight (11.7%), 1982 normal (69.9%), 326 overweight (11.5%), and 188 as obese (6.6%). Obese women were more likely to develop gestational diabetes (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), preeclampsia (p < 0.001), need labor induction (p < 0.001), cesarean delivery for fetal distress (p < 0.001), postpartum hemorrhage (p = 0.003), need neonatal resuscitation (p = 0.001) and deliver hypoglycemic infants (p = 0.007). Being underweight is correlated with fetal growth restriction (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Pre‐pregnancy obesity is a risk factor for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, labor induction, cesarean for fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal hypoglycemic and need for resuscitation. Being underweight is risk factor for fetal growth restriction.
Surgical Treatment for Vertigo: Patient Survey of Vertigo, Imbalance, and Time Course for Recovery
Authors: De la Cruz Antonio , Teufert Karen Borne , Berliner Karen I.
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVES

To assess surgical treatment of vertigo by patient ratings of postoperative vertigo, imbalance, and timing of symptom improvement.

METHODS

A total of 3637 surgeries for vertigo were performed since 1974. Questionnaires sent to a random sample of patients operated since 1994 were completed by 28 endolymphatic sac shunt (ES), 54 vestibular nerve section (VNS), and 14 labyrinthectomy patients.

RESULTS

All groups rated current vertigo characteristics and AAO‐HNS disability as improved (all P ≤ 0.001), though “spinning dizziness” remained in some patients in each group. The ES and VNS groups rated all characteristics of imbalance as improved (all P ≤ 0.001), but it remained present in the majority. Vertigo resolved within 2 months in 75%, but some indicated months or even 1 to 2 years before attacks stopped.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on patient ratings, surgery improved vertigo in all surgical groups and improved imbalance for ES and VNS groups. Imbalance will likely remain after surgery for vertigo. Patients should be informed that symptoms may not immediately resolve.
Randomized Double‐Blind Study Comparing 7‐ and 10‐day Regimens of Faropenem Medoxomil with a 10‐day Cefuroxime Axetil Regimen for Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis
Authors: UpChurch John , Rosemore Michael , Tosiello Robert , Kowalsky Steven , Echols Roger
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of faropenem medoxomil, 300 mg twice daily for seven or ten days, with cefuroxime axetil 250 mg twice daily for ten days in adults with acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective, double‐blinded, phase III trial with entry criteria consistent with FDA/IDSA guidelines for diagnosis of ABS. Primary efficacy parameter was clinical response at 7 to 21 days posttherapy.

RESULTS

One thousand ninety‐nine subjects were randomized and treated; 861 were efficacy valid. Clinical cure rates were 80.3% for seven days of faropenem, 81.8% for ten days of faropenem, and 74.5% for 10 days of cefuroxime axetil. The incidence of adverse events and premature discontinuations were similar for the three treatment regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Seven‐ and ten‐day faropenem medoxomil regimens were similar (noninferior) to a ten‐day cefuroxime axetil regimen based on clinical response in patients with ABS.

SIGNIFICANCE

A seven‐day course of faropenem medoxomil 300 mg twice‐daily regimen is a promising alternative for treatment of ABS.
Evaluating the Validity of the Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) Among Hebrew Speakers
Authors: Amir Ofer , Tavor Yael , Leibovitzh Tali , Ashkenazi Odelia , Michael Orit , Primov‐Fever Adi , Wolf Michael
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity of a translated version of the Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

In a parallel group design, 221 patients with different laryngeal pathologies and 172 people with no laryngeal pathology completed a Hebrew version of the VHI‐10. Validity and reliability were assessed as well as group differences.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses demonstrated high reliability values (Cronbach's Alpha r = 0.949). Responses were not affected by age (P = 0.373) or gender (P = 0.360). The control group received significantly lower scores than all pathological groups (P < 0.05). Within the pathological groups, the “neurogenic” and “mucosa irregularity’ groups were rated higher than all other pathological groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The VHI‐10 questionnaire maintains its validity and reliability across translation to Hebrew. Moreover, although the VHI‐10 is essentially a unidimensional tool, it provides partial information on the 3 subjective dimensions of the full VHI.
Quality of Life Outcomes in Laryngeal and Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients after Chemoradiation
Authors: Mowry Sarah E. , LoTempio Maria M. , Sadeghi Ahmad , Wang Kevin H. , Wang Marilene B.
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare quality of life issues in patients with advanced laryngeal versus oropharyngeal cancer after treatment with chemoradiation.

DESIGN

A cohort study of 31 patients with laryngeal or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiation completed the University of Washington quality of life instrument version 4 (UW‐QOL v4). Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon rank sum and chi‐square tests.

SETTING

Academic tertiary care center.

RESULTS

Both groups reported similar impairment in the domains of swallowing, chewing, and taste. Oropharyngeal cancer patients reported significantly worse quality of life in the domain of saliva (P < 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Swallowing, chewing, and taste were adversely affected by chemoradiation for both groups. Oropharyngeal patients experienced significantly worse problems with saliva than laryngeal patients. These patients reported high levels of satisfaction with health‐related quality of life issues.

SIGNIFICANCE

Specific head and neck subsites have different morbidities when treated with primary chemoradiation for advanced tumors.
A new stratigraphy for the Latady Basin, Antarctic Peninsula: Part 1, Ellsworth Land Volcanic Group
Authors: HUNTER M. A. , RILEY T. R. , CANTRILL D. J. , FLOWERDEW M. J. , MILLAR I. L.
Published: September 2006

The Jurassic Mount Poster Formation of eastern Ellsworth Land, southern Antarctic Peninsula, comprises silicic ignimbrites related to intracontinental rifting of Gondwana. The identification of less voluminous basaltic and sedimentary facies marginal to the silicic deposits has led to a reclassification of the volcanic units into the Ellsworth Land Volcanic Group. This is formally subdivided into two formations: the Mount Poster Formation (silicic ignimbrites), and the Sweeney Formation (basaltic and sedimentary facies). The Mount Poster Formation rhyolites are an intracaldera sequence greater than 1 km in thickness. The basaltic and sedimentary facies of the Sweeney Formation are consistent with deposition in a terrestrial setting into, or close to, water. The geochemistry of the Mount Poster Formation is consistent with derivation of the intracaldera rhyolites from a long-lived, upper crustal magma chamber. The basalts of the Sweeney Formation are intermediate between asthenosphere- and lithosphere-derived magmas, with little or no subduction-modified component. The basalt could represent a rare erupted part of the basaltic underplate that acted as the heat source for local generation of the rhyolites. U–Pb ion microprobe zircon geochronology of samples from the Mount Poster Formation yield an average eruption age of 183.4±1.4 Ma. Analysis of detrital zircons from a Sweeney Formation sandstone suggest a maximum age of deposition of 183±4 Ma and the two formations are considered coeval. In addition, these ages are coincident with eruption of the Karoo-Ferrar Igneous Province in southern Africa and East Antarctica. Our interpretation of the Ellsworth Land Volcanic Group is consistent with the model that the Jurassic volcanism of Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula took place in response to intracontinental extension driven by arrival of a plume in that area.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO REPRODUCE?
Authors: NWANDISON M , BEWLEY S
Published: September 2006

This article examines the question as to what is the right age to reproduce from the biological point of view of its purpose; that of achieving a healthy mother and baby. We start with an assumption that issues surrounding sex, fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion and childbearing are private and emotionally laden. We are not looking at, nor judging, individual reproductive choices; what might be “right” for one person, or couple, in one context will be unsuitable for another. It is traditional obstetric and gynaecological teaching that human reproductive outcomes are worse at the extremes of maternal age. Yet the advice given in a recent BMJ editorial entitled “Which career first? The securest age for childbearing remains 20–35” appeared to be controversial. The ensuing scientific and media interest raised such headlines as “Horns of the dilemma”, “A sinister article”, “Late mums face baby misery” and “Are we having children too late? IVF not the answer, say docs”. Products have recently appeared on the market offering kits to women to indicate the time left on their ‘biological clock’ so they can choose whether to continue pursuing their career or try for a baby. Why is there so much interest in the right time to reproduce? Are women (and men) doing something differently compared to the past? If there has been a demographic shift in the age women reproduce (hitherto unexplained), there are important and specific risks older women may face as compared to younger women.
Fieber – Thema seit Jahrtausenden
Authors: Boschung
Published: September 2006

«Fieber» gilt von der Antike bis ins 19. Jahrhundert als eigenständige Krankheit, wird jedoch zugleich auch als Heilbestrebung des Körpers aufgefasst. Erkannt wird das Fieber an anfänglicher Kälteempfindung, anschließender Hitze und vor allem am schnellen Puls. Ab 1850 wird die instrumentelle Messung der Körperwärme nach und nach zur Routine, und «Fieber» wird gleichbedeutend mit Temperaturerhöhung. An die Stelle der verschiedenen «Fieber»-Arten treten die Infektionskrankheiten, die sich mit Hilfe des Erregernachweises eindeutig unterscheiden lassen. Bis zur Entwicklung der Antibiotika ist jedoch eine ursächliche Behandlung in vielen Fällen nicht möglich.
Bildgebende Untersuchungen in der Abklärung von Fieber – die Bedeutung der klinischen Fragestellung
Authors: Szücs-Farkas  , Vock
Published: September 2006

Von der konventionellen Röntgenaufnahme bis zu den modernen Schnittbildverfahren bietet die Radiologie ein breites Spektrum von diagnostischen Möglichkeiten in der Abklärung von Patienten mit Fieber. Um die besten Resultate und eine korrekte Diagnose zu erzielen, muss der Radiologe das diagnostische Protokoll an jeden Patient individuell anpassen. Die Auswahl der bestgeeigneten Methode und die Art und Weise der Kontrastmittel-Applikation werden durch die klinische Fragestellung und Verdachtsdiagnose stark beeinflusst. Aufgrund der Anamnese und Laborwerte sind bestimmte Untersuchungen kontraindiziert, oder die Patienten müssen entsprechend prämediziert werden. Die Autoren geben eine kurze Zusammenfassung über die diagnostischen Untersuchungsstrategien in der Abklärung der wichtigsten Fieberursachen und betonen die Wichtigkeit der engen Zusammenarbeit zwischen Zuweiser und Radiologen.
Bedrohliches Fieber
Authors: Tschudin  , Sponagel  , Flückiger
Published: September 2006

Fieber ist ein häufiges Symptom, das bei bakteriellen, viralen und parasitären Infektionen auftreten kann. Fieber kann aber auch bei nicht-infektiösen Krankheiten wie z.B. bei der Temporalarterienarteriitis oder beim Lymphom auftreten. Unter bedrohlichen Fieber versteht man febrile Zustände, die meistens eine Hospitalisation und eventuell sogar eine Überwachung auf der Intensivstation bedingen, da sie mit einer hohen Mortalität einhergehen. Generell können insbesondere bakterielle Infektionen harmlos beginnen, sich aber innert Stunden oder Tage in einen lebensgefährlichen Zustand verwandeln. Einige wichtige Situationen, die rasch erkannt werden müssen, wie die schwere Sepsis/septischer Schock, das Fieber in Neutropenie oder beim immunsupprimierten Patienten werden im Folgenden beschrieben.
Akutes Fieber beim Kleinkind
Authors: Kahlert  , Nadal
Published: September 2006

Bei unklarem Fokus sind Virusinfektionen die häufigste Ursache von akutem Fieber im Kindesalter. Bakterielle Infektionen sind als Ursache weitaus seltener, doch gerade in der Altersgruppe bis 3 Jahre wegen möglicher lebensbedrohlicher Folgen bei invasivem Verlauf gefürchtet. Seit Einführung der generellen Schutzimpfung gegen Haemophilus influenzae Typ b (Hib) ist Streptococcus pneumoniae häufigster Erreger invasiver bakterieller Infektionen bei Kleinkindern. Fieber beim Neugeborenen (1.–28. Lebenstag) ist selten aber häufiger schwerwiegend. Rund 12% dieser Neugeborenen zeigen eine invasive bakterielle Infektion. Dies erfordert eine umfassende Diagnostik mit Blutkultur, Urinkultur, Lumbalpunktion und Bildgebung sowie den unverzüglichen Beginn einer empirischen intravenösen Antibiotikatherapie und Überwachung unter stationären Bedingungen. Von dieser Ausnahme abgesehen ist eine primäre antibiotische Therapie bei Fieber ohne Fokus nur selten erforderlich. Der routinemäßige Einsatz von Antipyretika ist nicht indiziert. Paracetamol verbessert zwar das Wohlbefinden und damit meist auch das Trinkverhalten von Kleinkindern, verkürzt aber weder die Fieberdauer, noch verhindert es einen Fieberkrampf.
Magnitude and origin of the anthropogenic CO2 increase and 13C Suess effect in the Nordic seas since 1981
Authors: Olsen Are , Omar Abdirahman M. , Bellerby Richard G. J. , Johannessen Truls , Ninnemann Ulysses , Brown Kelly R. , Olsson K. Anders , Olafsson Jon , Nondal Gisle , Kivimäe Caroline , Kringstad Solveig , Neill Craig , Olafsdottir Solveig
Published: September 2006

This study evaluates the anthropogenic changes of CO2 (ΔCant) and δ13C (Δδ13Cant) in the Nordic seas, the northern limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, that took place between 1981 and 2002/2003. The changes have been determined by comparing data obtained during the Transient Tracers in the Ocean, North Atlantic Study (TTO‐NAS) with data obtained during the Nordic seas surveys of R/V Knorr in 2002 and R/V G.O. Sars in 2003 using an extended multilinear regression approach. The estimated Δδ13Cant and ΔCant and their relationship to each other and to water mass distribution suggest that the Polar Water entering the Nordic seas from the north is undersaturated with respect to the present atmospheric anthropogenic CO2 levels and promotes a local uptake of Cant within the Nordic seas. In contrast, the Atlantic Water entering from the south appears equilibrated. It carries with it anthropogenic carbon which will be sequestered at depth as the water overturns. This preequilibration leaves no room for further uptake of Cant in the parts of the Nordic seas dominated by Atlantic Water. The upper ocean pCO2 in these regions appears to have increased at a greater rate than the atmospheric pCO2 over the last 2 decades; this is reconcilable with a large lateral advective supply of Cant.
The contribution of beneath‐snow soil respiration to total ecosystem respiration in a high‐elevation, subalpine forest
Authors: Monson Russell K. , Burns Sean P. , Williams Mark W. , Delany Anthony C. , Weintraub Michael , Lipson David A.
Published: September 2006

The respiratory loss of CO2 from soil microbes beneath winter snow in forests from cold climates can significantly influence the annual carbon budget. We explored the magnitude of winter soil respiration using continuous measurements of beneath‐snow CO2 concentration within the footprint of a flux tower in a subalpine forest in the Rocky Mountains. We used eddy covariance measurements from the tower to obtain estimates of total wintertime ecosystem respiration and compared them to the calculated beneath‐snow CO2 flux. Soil respiration in the winter was estimated to contribute 35–48% of the total wintertime ecosystem respiration, and 7–10% of the total annual ecosystem respiration. The largest increase in soil respiration occurred in the late winter following an earlier‐than‐normal initiation of snowmelt and increase in snow density. Following this melt event, respiration rates increased approximately sixfold, despite an increase in soil temperature of only 0.3°–0.5°C. We interpret the late‐winter surge in soil respiration to be triggered by a strong response of beneath‐snow microbes to the pulse of meltwater coupled with extremely high sensitivity of the microbial biomass to increases in soil temperature.
Role of electronic excited N2 in vibrational excitation of the N2 ground state at high latitudes
Authors: Campbell L. , Cartwright D. C. , Brunger M. J. , Teubner P. J. O.
Published: September 2006

Vibrationally excited N2 is important in determining the ionospheric electron density and has also been proposed to play a role in the production of NO in disturbed atmospheres. We report here predictions of the absolute vibrational distributions in the ground electronic state of N2 produced by electron impact excitation, at noon and midnight under quiet geomagnetic conditions and disturbed conditions corresponding to the aurora IBCII+ and IBCIII+ at 60°N latitude and 0° longitude, at altitudes between 130 and 350 km. These predictions were obtained from a model which includes thermal excitation and direct electron impact excitation of the vibrational levels of the N2 ground state and its excited electronic states; radiative cascade from all excited electronic states to all vibrational levels of the ground electronic state; quenching by O, O2, and N2; molecular and ambipolar diffusion; and the dominant chemical reactions. Results from this study show that for both aurora and daytime electron environments: (1) cascade from the higher electronic states of N2 determines the population of the higher vibrational levels in the N2 ground state and (2) the effective ground state vibrational temperature for levels greater than 4 in N2 is predicted to be in the range 4000–13000 K for altitudes greater than 200 km. Correspondingly, the associated enhancement factor for the O+ reaction with vibrationally excited N2 to produce NO+ is predicted to increase with increasing altitude (up to a maximum at a height which increases with auroral strength) for both aurora and daytime environments and to increase with increasing auroral strength. The contribution of the cascade from the excited electronic states was evaluated and found to be relatively minor compared to the direct excitation process.
Gravity changes from a stress evolution earthquake simulation of California
Authors: Hayes T. J. , Tiampo K. F. , Rundle J. B. , Fernández J.
Published: September 2006

The gravity signal contains information regarding changes in density at all depths and can be used as a proxy for the strain accumulation in fault networks. A stress evolution time‐dependent model was used to create simulated slip histories over the San Andreas Fault network in California. Using a linear sum of the gravity signals from each fault segment in the model, via coseismic gravity Green's functions, a time‐dependent gravity model was created. The steady state gravity from the long‐term plate motion generates a signal over 5 years with magnitudes of ±∼2 μGal; the current limit of portable instrument observations. Moderate to large events generate signal magnitudes in the range of ∼10 to ∼80 μGal, well within the range of ground‐based observations. The complex fault network geometry of California significantly affects the spatial extent of the gravity signal from the three events studied.
Centerless circular array method: Inferring phase velocities of Rayleigh waves in broad wavelength ranges using microtremor records
Authors: Cho Ikuo , Tada Taku , Shinozaki Yuzo
Published: September 2006

The centerless circular array (CCA) method, proposed by ourselves in an earlier work, is an algorithm of microtremor exploration which can be used to estimate phase velocities of Rayleigh waves by analyzing vertical component records of microtremors that are obtained with an array of three or five seismic sensors placed around a circumference. We have confirmed, through field tests, the applicability of our CCA method to arrays on the order of several to several hundred meters in radii and have revealed its remarkably high performance in long‐wavelength ranges, the upper resolution limit extending as far as several 10 times the array radius. We have also invented a mathematical model that enables to evaluate signal‐to‐noise ratios in a given microtremor field. Scrutiny of field data has borne out our hypothesis that noise is the principal factor that biases the analysis results of the CCA method in long‐wavelength ranges and that its longest resolvable wavelength is determined by the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Combined use of the CCA method and our new method of signal‐to‐noise ratio analysis provides a powerful methodological tool that allows one to extract maximal information from microtremor records obtained with a simple seismic array.
Effects of increased near‐infrared absorption by water vapor on the climate system
Authors: Collins William D. , Lee‐Taylor Julia M. , Edwards David P. , Francis Gene L.
Published: September 2006

Recent improvements in the spectroscopic data for water vapor have significantly increased the near‐infrared absorption in models of the Earth's atmosphere. The climatic effects of increased near‐infrared absorption have been simulated with the latest Community Atmosphere Model (CAM3). The shortwave parameterization in CAM3 has been updated to minimize differences between CAM3 and line‐by‐line (LBL) calculations based upon the High Resolution Transmission (HITRAN) spectroscopic database issued in 2001. The new model reproduces LBL calculations of the near‐infrared absorption to within 0.9% ± 1.4% and the near‐infrared heating rates to within 0.02 ± 0.02 K d−1. Estimates of the global annual mean shortwave absorption by water vapor have been calculated from the editions of the AFGL and HITRAN databases issued in 1982 and 2001, respectively. The main changes in water vapor spectroscopy during this period are the addition of many missing weak lines and increased estimates of line strength in near infrared wavelengths. The clear‐sky and all‐sky shortwave absorption increase by 4.0 W m−2 and 3.1 W m−2, respectively, in calculations replacing the old with the new spectroscopic parameters. The atmosphere becomes warmer, moister, and more stable with the increased absorption in simulations with sea surface temperatures either prescribed from observations or predicted using a slab‐ocean model. The latent heat flux and precipitation both decrease by approximately 2%. Hence the additional absorption has the effect of weakening the hydrological cycle in the atmospheric model.
Subcentennial‐scale climatic and hydrologic variability in the Gulf of Mexico during the early Holocene
Authors: LoDico Jenna M. , Flower Benjamin P. , Quinn Terrence M.
Published: September 2006

An early Holocene record from the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) reveals climatic and hydrologic changes during the interval from 10.5 to 7 thousand calendar years before present from paired analyses of Mg/Ca and δ18O on foraminiferal calcite. The sea surface temperature record based on foraminiferal Mg/Ca contains six oscillations and an overall ∼1.5°C warming that appears to be similar to the September–March insolation difference. The δ18O of seawater in the GOM (δ18OGOM) record contains six oscillations, including a −0.8‰ excursion that may be associated with the “8.2 ka climate event” or a broader climate anomaly. Faunal census records from three GOM cores exhibit similar changes, suggesting subcentennial‐scale variability in the incursions of Caribbean waters into the GOM. Overall, our results provide evidence that the subtropics were characterized by decadal‐ to centennial‐scale climatic and hydrologic variability during the early Holocene.
Atmospheric response to changes in Arctic sea ice thickness
Authors: Gerdes Rüdiger
Published: September 2006

Experiments with an atmospheric GCM are used to determine the effect of anomalous Arctic sea ice thickness on the atmospheric circulation. Ice thickness data are taken from a hindcast simulation with an ocean‐sea ice model under NCAR/NCEP forcing. Ice conditions from 1964–1966 and 1994–1996 represent extreme cases of largest and smallest ice volume, respectively, during the last 50 years. The atmospheric response to the 1990s thinning of Arctic sea ice comprises a reduction in sea level pressure in the central Arctic and over the Nordic Seas. High pressure anomalies evolve over the subtropical North Atlantic and over the subpolar North Pacific. Similar signals occur at 500 hPa. Realistic sea ice thickness changes can induce atmospheric signals that are of similar magnitude as those due to changes in sea ice cover.