bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A DNA‐sequence based phylogeny for triculine snails (Gastropoda: Pomatiopsidae: Triculinae), intermediate hosts for Schistosoma (Trematoda: Digenea): phylogeography and the origin of Neotricula
Authors: Attwood S. W. , Upatham E. S. , Zhang Y.‐P. , Yang Z.‐Q. , Southgate V. R.
Published: December 2003

Partial (DNA) sequences were examined for one nuclear (28S rRNA gene) and one mitochondrial (16S rRNA) locus for nine species of pomatiopsid snail (Gastropoda: Rissooidea: Pomatiopsidae) from south‐east Asia and south‐west China. Fresh field samples were collected for the following taxa: Delavaya dianchiensis (Triculinae: Triculini) from Dianchi lake, Yunnan Province, China; Neotricula aperta (Triculinae: Pachydrobiini) from north‐east Thailand; Neotricula burchi from northern Thailand; Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni (Pomatiopsinae: Pomatiopsini) from south‐west China; Tricula bambooensis (Triculinae: Triculini) from Dianchi lake; Tricula bollingi from northern Thailand; Tricula hortensis from Sichuan Province, China; Tricula ludongbini from Dianchi lake; and Tricula xiaolongmenensis from Dianchi lake. This work represents the first published DNA‐sequence data for the Dianchi lake taxa and the first 28S sequence data for all nine taxa. All of these taxa with the exception of N. burchi and the Dianchi taxa transmit Schistosoma in nature; N. aperta and O. h. robertsoni transmit Schistosoma to humans. The data were used to estimate phylogenies using the maximum likelihood method, a Bayesian method, and the maximum parsimony method. The paper aims to examine the relationships between N.aperta, N. burchi and T. bollingi and the relationship between the Chinese taxa and the south‐east Asian taxa; these relationships being important in evaluating certain historical biogeographical hypotheses. Good congruence was found between the phylogenies estimated by the three methods for both the 16S and 28S loci. However, poor congruence was found between the phylogenies based on the 16S and 28S data when the maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods were used. The lack of congruence is explained as a consequence of a rapid, recent, endemic radiation of the Yunnanese Tricula spp.; this hypothesis is consistent with current historical biogeographical models for the Triculinae. The paper puts forward dispersal hypotheses, based on palaeogeographical changes, as possible explanations for the phylogenetic relationships estimated here and for the current biogeography of these taxa.
Phenotypic and environmental correlates of tooth eruption in red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Authors: Loe Leif Egil , Meisingset Erling L. , Mysterud Atle , Langvatn Rolf , Stenseth Nils C.
Published: December 2003

In ungulates, a set of deciduous teeth is replaced by a set of permanent teeth during their first 2 years of life. Little is known about factors causing variation in timing of tooth eruption, but overall size, condition or mineral deficiencies may play a role. The pattern of incisor (I) and canine (C) eruption was investigated in 2241 yearlings from five populations of red deer Cervus elaphus in Norway during 1964–2001. Before the sampling period (10 September–15 November), I1 had erupted in most yearlings (97%), while eruption of I3 and C had barely started (erupted in 7% and 5% of individuals, respectively). Exactly 50% of the yearlings had erupted I2. Jawbone length was shown to be a main determining factor for eruption of I2. However, for a given jawbone length, there was large variation among populations in the proportion of yearlings with erupted I2 (from <20% to >75%). Females got their permanent I2 earlier than males. Tooth eruption was found to be later with increasing local deer density, even after correcting for body weight. There was a residual effect of body weight (a measure of condition) after body size (measured as jawbone length) was controlled for in one of five populations, indicating that overall condition may influence timing of tooth eruption in this area. There was no evidence that calcium was limiting for eruption, as no correlation was found between timing of eruption and limestone in bedrock. Since there is large variation in timing of tooth eruption among red deer populations even after controlling for differences in phenotype and environmental factors, genotypic variation may also play an important role for tooth eruption patterns.
Humor in der Therapie. Lachend auf Distanz gehen, Ängste lachend besiegen
Authors: Hofmann Gudrun
Published: December 2003

Zusammenfassung. Don Quijote und Sancho Panza, von Miguel de Cervantes Saavedras 1605/1612 geschaffene Romanhelden, erfreuen sich auch im Jahre 2003 eines großen Bekanntheitsgrades und sind als komisches Paar berühmt geworden. Beide verstricken sich in Abenteuer, die einzig ihrer Fantasie erwachsen. Im folgenden steht das Komische - aus nicht der Norm entsprechendem Verhalten oder aus wahnhaften Imaginationen erwachsend - in der literarischen Vorgabe wie auch in dem sinfonischen Tongedicht “Don Quixote“ von Richard Strauss im Mittelpunkt. Daran schließen sich Überlegungen zu einer tänzerischen Umsetzung im Rahmen eines therapeutischen Settings an. Es wird analysiert, wie sich Menschen mit unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeitszügen (resp. -störungen) darin wiederfinden können und wie die Charaktere von Don Quijote und Sancho Panza im Sinne einer eigenen Interpretation weiterentwickelt werden können. Aspekte der von Helmut Plessner vertretenen anthropologischen Betrachtungsweise des Lachens beleuchten die nur dem Menschen eigene Fähigkeit komisch zu sein und Komisches wahrzunehmen.
Von abhandenen menschlichen Beziehungen und bildnerischen Kontakterfahrungen
Authors: Breindl Karolina
Published: December 2003

Zusammenfassung. Kommunikationsanbahnung und Kontaktabbruch repräsentieren neben der Beeinträchtigung der sozialen Interaktionsmöglichkeiten die Kernprobleme autistischer Menschen. “Autistisch“ wird fälschlich oft mit “abgewandt, an Menschen nicht interessiert“ gleichgesetzt. Das stimmt aber nicht. Autistische Menschen sind an Kontakt genau wie wir in individuell unterschiedlich ausgeprägtem Maße interessiert, aber sie sind aufgrund ihrer Behinderung gehandicapt, dieses Bedürfnis im sozialen Miteinander zu leben. Die autistische Ich-Bezogenheit ist unfreiwillig und stellt ein Phänomen gewollter, doch misslingender Dialoge dar, das zu sozialer Isolation und radikaler Verunsicherung sowohl im vertrauten Milieu der Familie als auch im sozialen Leben führt. Markantestes Bildmerkmal in allen Gestaltungen ist, dass fast nirgendwo eine menschliche Figur auftaucht, auch dann nicht, wenn das Thema explizit darauf ausgerichtet ist. Die Abwesenheit alles Lebendigen veranlasste mich, Arbeitsweisen zu entwickeln, menschliche Figuren in die Bildwelt einfließen zu lassen ohne dass es aufdringlich, übergestülpt oder angstbesetzt wirkt. Über einige Kunstgriffe lasse ich das Bild zu einem Ort werden, wo Kontakt erprobt wird ohne einer realen menschlichen Begegnung ausgesetzt zu sein. Der Umweg über das Bild entlastet von der übergroßen Angst und dem gewaltigen Druck einem Gegenüber zu begegnen. Man behauptet, bei Autisten sei die Fähigkeit zu Spiel, Imagination und Phantasie nur eingeschränkt vorhanden. Ich werde zeigen, dass das kunsttherapeutische Verfahren in der Lage ist, die Spielmotivation und Imaginationsfähigkeit konkret zu fördern, und weit mehr noch, dass es hilft, den autistischen Kernbeeinträchtigungen gezielt entgegenzuwirken.
Theoretical analysis of tsunami generation by pyroclastic flows
Authors: Watts P. , Waythomas C. F.
Published: December 2003

Pyroclastic flows are a common product of explosive volcanism and have the potential to initiate tsunamis whenever thick, dense flows encounter bodies of water. We evaluate the process of tsunami generation by pyroclastic flow by decomposing the pyroclastic flow into two components, the dense underflow portion, which we term the pyroclastic debris flow, and the plume, which includes the surge and coignimbrite ash cloud parts of the flow. We consider five possible wave generation mechanisms. These mechanisms consist of steam explosion, pyroclastic debris flow, plume pressure, plume shear, and pressure impulse wave generation. Our theoretical analysis of tsunami generation by these mechanisms provides an estimate of tsunami features such as a characteristic wave amplitude and wavelength. We find that in most situations, tsunami generation is dominated by the pyroclastic debris flow component of a pyroclastic flow. This work presents information sufficient to construct tsunami sources for an arbitrary pyroclastic flow interacting with most bodies of water.
New insight in the tectonics of the southern Rhine Graben‐Jura region using local earthquake seismology
Authors: Lopes Cardozo G. G. O. , Granet M.
Published: December 2003

A new seismic data set was acquired using a dense temporary network of mobile seismic stations. It is combined with existing seismological data for the southern Rhine Graben. The data yielded some new focal mechanisms and allowed for a detailed local earthquake tomography. These methods give new insight in the structure of the crust and stress conditions in the area. By combining the tomography with the earthquake hypocenter locations and focal mechanisms, some of the structures in the P wave velocity model are interpreted as active faults. The eastern boundary fault zone of the graben is found to be activated in a left‐lateral strike‐slip sense. The southern continuation of these faults is formed by Variscan structures in the basement. A change in orientation of the graben axis between the main graben and its southern end have played a role during the development of the system. This difference in orientation caused the development of the Dannemarie and Allschwil subbasins during a late stage of the opening of the Rhine Graben. This study shows evidence for active faulting in the basement underneath the detachment of the Jura Mountains. These faults, which are interpreted as reactivated Permo‐Carboniferous troughs, coincide with the frontal thrusts of the Jura Mountains. It might be that these structures in the basement have influence on the detachment tectonics in the region.
Spatially resolved water content profiles from inverted time domain reflectometry signals
Authors: Oswald B. , Benedickter H. R. , Bächtold W. , Flühler H.
Published: December 2003

We present a method for extracting spatially resolved water content profiles θ(x) from a two‐wire time domain reflectometry (TDR) probe. The profile θ(x) is represented in terms of the dielectric εr(x) and ohmic σ(x) properties in the longitudinal direction of the TDR probe. We solve the inverse problem iteratively by combining a one‐dimensional time domain solution of the transmission line equations and a genetic optimization method. The method is capable of finding the global optimum in a complicated error landscape without initial assumptions, except physically reasonable limits. The method utilizes both the position and the magnitude of the TDR signal. We analyze water content profiles from laboratory measurements and demonstrate that the achievable spatial resolution can be made as low as 2 cm and even smaller. The present implementation of the numerical code demonstrates the practical feasibility of spatially resolved water content profiles.
Effect of Sun's magnetic field polarity on interplanetary magnetic field Bz
Authors: Lyatsky W. , Tan Arjun , Lyatskaya Sonya
Published: December 2003

The results of a statistical study of interplanetary magnetic field IMF Bz are presented for two minima of solar activity for the periods of 1985–1987 and 1995–1997, related to negative and positive polarity of the Sun's magnetic field, respectively, for low sunspot numbers and relatively quiet solar wind conditions. The negative and positive polarities correspond to conditions when the Sun's magnetic field in the northern hemisphere is directed toward and outward the Sun, respectively. We found that IMF Bz is dependent on the magnitude of IMF horizontal (Bx) component, IMF orientation, and Sun's magnetic field polarity. The correlation between IMF Bz and ∣Bx∣ is positive for positive polarity and negative for negative polarity. Another interesting result is the fact that positive and negative IMF Bz tend to occur predominantly during IMF orientations significantly different from the Parker spiral at the angle ϕ* ≈ ±60° where ϕ* is the acute angle measured counterclockwise from Parker spiral direction to IMF vector in the horizontal plane. The effect of Sun's magnetic field polarity is especially evident for large IMF ∣Bx∣ > 4 nT. In this case, IMF Bz are predominantly negative for negative polarity and positive for positive polarity, and the difference between average IMF Bz for positive and negative Sun's magnetic field polarities is ∼2 nT. Correlation coefficient characterizing the dependence of IMF Bz on Sun's magnetic field polarity is about 0.5 and increases with increasing IMF ∣Bx∣. The observed features of IMF Bz may be caused by decreasing solar wind speed near the HCS. As a result, portions of disturbed magnetic field lines slow down while approaching the HCS. This leads to the rotation of IMF vector in the vertical and horizontal planes. The observed dependences of IMF Bz on IMF ∣Bx∣, IMF orientation, and Sun's magnetic field polarity are qualitatively consistent with this hypothesis.
Oceanic uptake rate of anthropogenic CO2 in a subpolar marginal sea: The Sea of Okhotsk
Authors: Wakita Masahide , Watanabe Yutaka W. , Watanabe Shuichi , Noriki Shinichiro , Wakatsuchi Masaaki
Published: December 2003

We proposed a new simple approach for estimating the oceanic rate of increase of anthropogenic CO2 (Uanth) in a subpolar marginal sea that produces ventilated water with the sea ice formation. This approach was based only on the differences in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) between the ventilated water and the source water. Applying our approach to the Sea of Okhotsk for 1993, 1999 and 2000, we estimated the averaged Uanth transported into the intermediate water (UI), and in the surface water from spring to fall (USs∼f) and in the surface water in winter (USw) to be 1.1 ± 0.9 μmol kg−1 yr−1, 0.70 ± 0.01 μmol kg−1 yr−1 and 1.1 ± 0.9 μmol kg−1 yr−1, respectively, during the past 8 years. The accumulation rate of anthropogenic carbon was estimated as 0.78 × 1012 g C yr−1 over the entire Sea of Okhotsk.
IMF By effects in the magnetospheric convection on closed magnetic field lines
Authors: Kozlovsky Alexander , Turunen Tauno , Koustov Alexander , Parks George
Published: December 2003

Using data from the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) and the ultraviolet imager on the Polar satellite, we have earlier shown that the IMF By‐related electric field can penetrate into the closed magnetosphere and produce convection changes in the region of the postnoon auroral oval [Kozlovsky et al., JGR, N12, 2002]. In such a case, contra‐directed azimuthal (East–West) plasma flows should be expected in the conjugated hemispheres. In this paper we present a theoretical model, which can well explain these observations. Due to the solar wind‐magnetosphere dynamo, IMF By generates a voltage between the two polar caps, so that field‐aligned currents flow between the two hemispheres within some layer just equatorward of the open polar cap boundary. In this region a field‐aligned potential difference (i.e., a magnetic field line discontinuity) can occur when the field‐aligned current exceeds a threshold value. The IMF By‐related contra‐directed ionospheric plasma flows can co‐exist in the northern and southern hemispheres within the region of the inter‐hemispheric field‐aligned currents. The latitudinal width of this region depends on the IMF By and the ionospheric conductance, and can be of the order of 1–2 degrees.
Dynamic planar double layers: Filamentary substructures, electron holes and ion heating
Authors: Singh Nagendra , Khazanov Igor
Published: December 2003

Using 2.5‐D particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulations, the formation of a double layer (DL) and its stability are studied. The ion beam accelerated by the DL generates fluctuations above the ion cyclotron frequency, triggering its fragmentation into substructures (DLSSs) like U‐ and V‐shaped electrostatic shocks. The DL and DLSSs are seen to continually emit electron holes of varied shapes and sizes into the high‐potential plasma above them, while below ions are transversely heated.
Spontaneous generation and impact of inertia‐gravity waves in a stratified, two‐layer shear flow
Authors: Williams P. D. , Read P. L. , Haine T. W. N.
Published: December 2003

Inertia‐gravity waves exist ubiquitously throughout the stratified parts of the atmosphere and ocean. They are generated by local velocity shears, interactions with topography, and as geostrophic (or spontaneous) adjustment radiation. Relatively little is known about the details of their interaction with the large‐scale flow, however. We report on a joint model/laboratory study of a flow in which inertia‐gravity waves are generated as spontaneous adjustment radiation by an evolving large‐scale mode. We show that their subsequent impact upon the large‐scale dynamics is generally small. However, near a potential transition from one large‐scale mode to another, in a flow which is simultaneously baroclinically‐unstable to more than one mode, the inertia‐gravity waves may strongly influence the selection of the mode which actually occurs.
Future changes in stratosphere‐troposphere exchange and their impacts on future tropospheric ozone simulations
Authors: Sudo Kengo , Takahashi Masaaki , Akimoto Hajime
Published: December 2003

We assess future climate change impacts on stratosphere‐troposphere exchange (STE) and their influences on tropospheric O3, using a chemistry coupled climate model. Tropospheric O3 distribution and budget were predicted decadally for 1990 to 2100 with emission changes (for O3 precursors) and climate change specified by the IPCC SRES‐A2 scenario. Our simulations show increases in stratospheric O3 transport to the troposphere as a result of enhancement in the tropospheric and stratospheric circulation with climate change in the model. With emission changes only, net stratospheric O3 input to the troposphere was simulated to decrease by ∼20% during 1990–2100, but to increase by ∼80% with including climate change also. Simulated increases in net cross‐tropopause O3 transport are most significant particularly after 2050.
Low degree gravitational changes from earth rotation and geophysical models
Authors: Chen J. L. , Wilson C. R.
Published: December 2003

Spherical harmonic degree 2 gravitational variations ΔC21, ΔS21, and ΔC20 are estimated from accurately measured Earth rotational changes and compared with predictions from atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrological models. Earth rotation‐derived changes agree very well with model predictions over a broad frequency band, and particularly well at intraseasonal and seasonal time scales. The agreement is significantly better compared to previous studies, due mainly to improved oceanic and hydrological models. An independent determination of degree 2 changes serves as an important constraint for satellite‐based estimates such as those of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission.
High‐latitude plasma outflow as measured by the DMSP spacecraft
Authors: Coley W. R. , Heelis R. A. , Hairston M. R.
Published: December 2003

We have examined the vertical ion flux in the topside high‐latitude ionosphere from measurements of the vertical ion drift and ion number density made by the DMSP F13 satellite. We found that the average vertical flux over the entire high‐latitude region near 800 km altitude is quite small. This suggests that most of the vertical ion flux is associated with a large‐scale “breathing” of the upper ionosphere. In the polar cap the vertical ion flux is uniformly downward at all locations. However, in the auroral zone the ion flux is highly structured, and a net upward flux is produced only by spatially and temporally confined events containing upward fluxes in excess of 1010 cm−2 s−1 that have no downward counterparts.
A statistical comparison of interplanetary shock and CME propagation models
Authors: Cho K.‐S. , Moon Y.‐J. , Dryer M. , Fry C. D. , Park Y.‐D. , Kim K.‐S.
Published: December 2003

We have compared the prediction capability of two types of Sun‐Earth connection models: (1) ensemble of physics‐based shock propagation models (STOA, STOA‐2, ISPM, and HAFv.2) and (2) empirical CME propagation (CME‐ICME and CME‐IP shock) models. For this purpose, we have selected 38 near‐simultaneous pairs of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and metric type II radio bursts. By applying the adopted models to these events, we have estimated the time difference between predicted and observed arrivals of interplanetary (IP) shocks and ICMEs at the Earth or L1. The mean absolute error of the shock arrival time (SAT) within an adopted window of ±24 hours is 9.8 hours for the ensemble of shock propagation models, 9.2 hours for the CME‐IP shock model, and 11.6 hours for the CME‐ICME model. It is also found that the success rate for all models is about 80% for the same window. The results imply that the adopted models are comparable in their prediction of the arrival times of IP shocks and interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs). The usefulness of these models is also discussed in terms of real‐time forecasts, underlying physics, and identification of IP shocks and ICMEs at the Earth.
Determination of various types of labile atmospheric iron over remote oceans
Authors: Chen Y. , Siefert R. L.
Published: December 2003

Atmospheric deposition of iron (Fe) is a major source of the micronutrient to the remote ocean. Most studies have focused on the total atmospheric Fe fluxes to the oceans while fewer studies have focused on the chemistry and chemical speciation of atmospheric Fe. This speciation of Fe in the atmosphere is critical to understanding the fraction of Fe that will be labile in surface waters after deposition and consequently has implications for the bioavailability of this atmospherically derived Fe. In this study, 24‐hour aerosol samples were collected using a high‐volume dichotomous virtual impactor (HVDVI) that collected coarse (Dp > 2.5 μm) and fine (Dp< 2.5 μm) aerosol fractions on two 90‐mm Teflon membrane filters, over the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic Ocean. A sequential aqueous extraction procedure using a pH 4.5 buffer solution and a chemical reductant (hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HA)) was used to measure various labile Fe fractions. The extraction procedure was performed immediately after aerosol sample collection and used time series measurements of Fe(II) using long path length absorbance spectroscopy (LPAS) for analysis of Fe(II). The method measured both the quantities of labile Fe and also the dissolution and reduction kinetics of the labile Fe. Comparisons of HA‐reducible Fe and photoreducible Fe concentrations were conducted on board and showed that both reduction processes had similar reduction kinetics and final Fe(II) concentrations during the initial 90 min. The average pseudo‐first‐order rate constants for the increase in Fe(II) were 0.020 and 0.0076 min−1 for the photoreducible Fe extraction and HA‐reduction extraction, respectively. This HA‐reducible Fe amount could potentially be used to determine the maximum amount of labile atmospheric Fe that is deposited into the ocean.
An assessment of microwave absorption models and retrievals of cloud liquid water using clear‐sky data
Authors: Marchand Roger , Ackerman Thomas , Westwater Ed R. , Clough Shepard A. , Cady‐Pereira Karen , Liljegren James C.
Published: December 2003

Passive microwave radiometers have a long history in the remote sensing of atmospheric liquid and water vapor. Retrievals of these quantities are sensitive to variations in pressure and temperature of the liquid and water vapor. Rather than use a statistical or climatological approach to account for the natural variability in atmospheric pressure and temperature, additional information on the atmospheric profile at the time of the radiometer measurements can be directly incorporated into the retrieval process. Such an approach has been referred to in the literature as a “physical‐iterative” solution. This paper presents an assessment of the accuracy of the column liquid water path that can be expected using such an iterative technique as a result of uncertainties in the microwave emissions from oxygen and water vapor. It is shown that the retrieval accuracy is influenced by the accuracy of the instrument measurements and the quality of the atmospheric profiles of temperature and pressure, as one would expect. However, also critical is the uncertainty in the absorption coefficients used in the underlying microwave radiative transfer model. The uncertainty in the absorption coefficients is particularly problematic in that it may well bias the liquid water retrieval. The differences between three absorption models examined in this paper are equivalent to a bias of 15 to 30 g/m2, depending on the total column water vapor. An examination of typical liquid water paths from the Southern Great Plains region of the United States shows that errors of this magnitude have significant implications for shortwave radiation and retrievals of cloud effective particle size.
Athena MIMOS II Mössbauer spectrometer investigation
Authors: Klingelhöfer G. , Morris R. V. , Bernhardt B. , Rodionov D. , de Souza P. A. , Squyres S. W. , Foh J. , Kankeleit E. , Bonnes U. , Gellert R. , Schröder C. , Linkin S. , Evlanov E. , Zubkov B. , Prilutski O.
Published: December 2003

Mössbauer spectroscopy is a powerful tool for quantitative mineralogical analysis of Fe‐bearing materials. The miniature Mössbauer spectrometer MIMOS II is a component of the Athena science payload launched to Mars in 2003 on both Mars Exploration Rover missions. The instrument has two major components: (1) a rover‐based electronics board that contains power supplies, a dedicated central processing unit, memory, and associated support electronics and (2) a sensor head that is mounted at the end of the instrument deployment device (IDD) for placement of the instrument in physical contact with soil and rock. The velocity transducer operates at a nominal frequency of ∼25 Hz and is equipped with two 57Co/Rh Mössbauer sources. The reference source (∼5 mCi landed intensity), reference target (α‐Fe2O3 plus α‐Fe0), and PIN‐diode detector are configured in transmission geometry and are internal to the instrument and used for its calibration. The analysis Mössbauer source (∼150 mCi landed intensity) irradiates Martian surface materials with a beam diameter of ∼1.4 cm. The backscatter radiation is measured by four PIN‐diode detectors. Physical contact with surface materials is sensed with a switch‐activated contact plate. The contact plate and reference target are instrumented with temperature sensors. Assuming ∼18% Fe for Martian surface materials, experiment time is 6–12 hours during the night for quality spectra (i.e., good counting statistics); 1–2 hours is sufficient to identify and quantify the most abundant Fe‐bearing phases. Data stored internal to the instrument for selectable return to Earth include Mössbauer and pulse‐height analysis spectra (512 and 256 channels, respectively) for each of the five detectors in up to 13 temperature intervals (65 Mössbauer spectra), engineering data for the velocity transducer, and temperature measurements. The total data volume is ∼150 kB. The mass and power consumption are ∼500 g (∼400 g for the sensor head) and ∼2 W, respectively. The scientific measurement objectives of the Mössbauer investigation are to obtain for rock, soil, and dust (1) the mineralogical identification of iron‐bearing phases (e.g., oxides, silicates, sulfides, sulfates, and carbonates), (2) the quantitative measurement of the distribution of iron among these iron‐bearing phases (e.g., the relative proportions of iron in olivine, pyroxenes, ilmenite, and magnetite in a basalt), (3) the quantitative measurement of the distribution of iron among its oxidation states (e.g., Fe2+, Fe3+, and Fe6+), and (4) the characterization of the size distribution of magnetic particles. Special geologic targets of the Mössbauer investigation are dust collected by the Athena magnets and interior rock and soil surfaces exposed by the Athena Rock Abrasion Tool and by trenching with rover wheels.
Mercury's sodium exosphere: Magnetospheric ion recycling
Authors: Leblanc F. , Delcourt D. , Johnson R. E.
Published: December 2003

A three‐dimensional Monte Carlo model of Mercury's neutral sodium exosphere was used to describe correlation between the observed variations in the exospheric density and the variations in the surface concentration of sodium along Mercury's motion around the Sun [Leblanc and Johnson, 2003]. Four processes of ejection were taken into account: thermal and photon stimulated desorptions, solar wind sputtering, and micrometeoroid vaporization. Here a model of ion circulation in Mercury's magnetosphere developed by Delcourt et al. [2002, 2003] is used to examine the contribution from sodium magnetospheric ion recycling. The model is coupled to the exospheric model to track newly ionized sodium formed in Mercury's exosphere. The coupled Na and Na+ model is used to examine the sputtering by and implantation of the reimpacting ions. The magnetospheric ion sputtering does not contribute significantly to the total amount of Na atoms ejected into Mercury's exosphere because of its rather small flux; however, magnetospheric ion implantation in Mercury's surface is sufficiently concentrated inside narrow latitude bands to enhance the local surface concentration of sodium. This enhancement is seen to contribute to the peaks in Mercury's exospheric sodium emission observed at high latitudes when the implanted sodium is exposed to the solar flux near the dayside terminator.
Resolving conflicts in water sharing: A systemic approach
Authors: Nandalal K. D. W. , Simonovic S. P.
Published: December 2003

With industrial development and economic growth, conflicts over use and allocation of water have been increasing. Though diverse efforts have been made toward resolving conflicts through computer‐based models, its clear understanding is prerequisite for models to be effective. A systems view illuminates how people think and consequences of their thoughts and actions on results and thus helps to achieve sustainable solutions. This paper presents a systemic approach to assist stakeholders in two different jurisdictions in a hypothetical water resource system to resolve a potential water‐sharing conflict. A causal loop diagram developed provides an understanding of the conflict dynamics and feedback nature. A system dynamics simulation model developed fitting the causal diagram offers a significant opportunity to explore conflict's behavior and resolution with respect to final water allocations and time necessary to reach an agreement. The impact of initial aspiration, influence on system and struggle of stakeholders is discussed in detail.
Development of type transfer functions for regional‐scale nonpoint source groundwater vulnerability assessments
Authors: Stewart Iris T. , Loague Keith
Published: December 2003

Groundwater vulnerability assessments of nonpoint source agrochemical contamination at regional scales are either qualitative in nature or require prohibitively costly computational efforts. By contrast, the type transfer function (TTF) modeling approach for vadose zone pesticide leaching presented here estimates solute concentrations at a depth of interest, only uses available soil survey, climatic, and irrigation information, and requires minimal computational cost for application. TTFs are soil texture based travel time probability density functions that describe a characteristic leaching behavior for soil profiles with similar soil hydraulic properties. Seven sets of TTFs, representing different levels of upscaling, were developed for six loam soil textural classes with the aid of simulated breakthrough curves from synthetic data sets. For each TTF set, TTFs were determined from a group or subgroup of breakthrough curves for each soil texture by identifying the effective parameters of the function that described the average leaching behavior of the group. The grouping of the breakthrough curves was based on the TTF index, a measure of the magnitude of the peak concentration, the peak arrival time, and the concentration spread. Comparison to process‐based simulations show that the TTFs perform well with respect to mass balance, concentration magnitude, and the timing of concentration peaks. Sets of TTFs based on individual soil textures perform better for all the evaluation criteria than sets that span all textures. As prediction accuracy and computational cost increase with the number of TTFs in a set, the selection of a TTF set is determined by a given application.
Modeling relationships between use and nonuse values for surface water quality: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Johnston Robert J. , Besedin Elena Y. , Wardwell Ryan F.
Published: December 2003

This paper describes a meta‐analysis conducted to estimate relationships between the nonuse components of WTP for surface water quality improvements and a combination of resource, context, and study design attributes, where these attributes include estimated use values for identical improvements. Results are contrasted across four different statistical approaches: ordinary least squares, weighted least squares, multilevel models, and simultaneous equation models. Findings illustrate robust, systematic relationships between a variety of attributes and estimated nonuse WTP, in addition to a systematic empirical relationship between use and nonuse values. Results are promising with regard to the ability of meta‐analysis to synthesize information regarding nonuse WTP for water quality improvements and to reveal relationships unapparent from individual stated preference models.
Parathyroid surgery is associated with a decreased risk of hip and upper arm fractures in primary hyperparathyroidism: a controlled cohort study
Authors: Vestergaard P. , Mosekilde L.
Published: December 2003

Objectives.  To study if parathyroid surgery reduced fracture risk in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Design.  Controlled cohort study.

Setting.  All subjects diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism (ICD8 codes: 252.00, 252.01, 252.03, 252.04, 252.05, 252.08, 252.09, and ICD10 codes: E21.0, E21.2, E21.3) between 1980 and 1999 in Denmark were retrieved from the National Hospital Discharge System.

Subjects.  A total of 3213 subjects (mean age at diagnosis 60.9 ± 16.3 years) were identified of whom 1934 (60%) had parathyroid surgery whilst 1279 (40%) did not. Total follow‐up time after diagnosis was 19.565 (median 6.1) years.

Main outcome measure.  Fracture occurrence after diagnosis was identified from the National Hospital Discharge System.

Results.  Conservatively treated patients were older than surgically treated at diagnosis (64.2 ± 17.4 years vs. 58.3 ± 15.2 years, P < 0.01). The mean serum calcium was 2.95 mmol L−1 in surgically treated and 2.74 in conservatively treated in a subgroup from one centre, n = 687). At the time of diagnosis, 172 (9%) of the subsequently surgically treated had had any fracture whilst the same was the case for 176 (14%) of the conservatively treated (P < 0.05). Parathyroid surgery reduced the risk of hip (HR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.32–0.62) and upper arm (HR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.27–0.72) fractures after diagnosis whilst the occurrence of other fracture types remained unchanged.

Conclusions.  Parathyroid surgery reduces the occurrence of hip and upper arm fractures with approximately 50% in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. This may advocate surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism with serum calcium levels in the range presented here. Further studies in patients with mild disease are warranted.
Beta‐lactamase inhibitor enhances Helicobacter pylori eradication rate
Authors: Ojetti V. , Migneco A. , Zocco M. A. , Nista E. C. , Gasbarrini G. , Gasbarrini A.
Published: December 2003

Objectives.  One‐week triple therapy, a combination of acid suppression with two antibiotics, is the gold standard for anti‐Helicobacter pylori treatment. There is increasing evidence of H. pylori resistance to classical triple therapy. Recently, it was reported that the amoxicillin–clavulanate combination had a slightly higher activity than amoxicillin alone against H. pylori, and that β‐lactamase inhibitors had ‘in‐vitro’ antibacterial activity against H. pylori.

Setting.  To evaluate the efficacy of 1 week triple therapy omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin plus clavulanate compared with omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin for H. pylori eradication. The study was open randomized.

Subjects.  Sixty dyspeptic patients (36 male, 24 female; mean age 53 ± 9 years) with Helicobacter pylori infection never treated before, were enrolled and randomly assigned to two different 7‐day triple therapies: (i) (n = 30) amoxicillin 875 mg plus clavulanic acid 125 mg b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d., omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. (ACCO); (ii) (n = 30) amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d., omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. (ACO). Bacterial eradication was assessed by 13C‐urea breath test 4–6 weeks after therapy. Information on gastrointestinal symptoms and antibiotic‐related side‐effects were recorded using a questionnaire.

Results.  All patients completed the study. A significantly higher H. pylori eradication rate with ACCO compared with ACO: (26/30) 86.6 vs. (20/30) 66.6%, respectively (P < 0.05) were observed. No major side‐effects were reported, whilst 8% patients complained of mild side‐effects; no significant differences were noted between the two groups.

Conclusions.  Our results suggest that amoxicillin and clavulanate in combination achieve a higher H. pylori eradication rate than amoxicillin alone, without any increase in side‐effects. The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate may represent an alternative therapeutic scheme for the treatment of H. pylori infection.
Severe hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta and its branches in a patient and his daughter
Authors: Dejardin A. , Goffette P. , Moulin P. , Verhelst R. , Cornu G. , De Plaen J. F. , Persu A.
Published: December 2003

We report the history of a patient and his daughter, both affected with hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta and its branches, leading to early and dramatic complications. In the index patient, renal ischaemia as a result of severe hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta and the origin of renal arteries led to progressive renal failure and end‐stage renal disease at the age of 32 years. Other vascular abnormalities included hypoplasia of the celiac trunk (CT) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). After a successful kidney transplantation at the age of 40 years, he eventually deceased following an episode of possibly ischaemic acute pancreatitis at 47 years. The patient's daughter suffered from an haemorrhagic stroke at the age of 7 years, which led to the discovery of severe hypertension caused by bilateral narrowing of renal arteries, as well as hypoplasia of CT, SMA, subclavian and pulmonary arteries. Biopsy of the narrowed renal artery of the daughter showed a particular form of fibrodysplasia characterized by an unusual fibrosis of the inner part of the media, just beneath the internal elastic lamina. To our knowledge, this is the first report of familial hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta. It might be the cardinal manifestation of a familial form of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Interestingly, the histological lesions described in the daughter's renal artery differ from the classical form of medial FMD.
The influence of smoking and smokeless tobacco use on weight amongst men
Authors: Rodu B. , Stegmayr B. , Nasic S. , Cole P. , Asplund K.
Published: December 2003

Objective.  To explore the effect of tobacco use (smoking and smokeless tobacco) and cessation on body weight.

Design.  Cross‐sectional and prospective follow‐up study.

Setting.  Northern Sweden.

Subjects.  A total of 2993 men aged 25–64 years who participated in the northern Sweden MONICA study in 1986, 1990 or 1994, 1650 of whom were followed up in 1999.

Main outcome measures.  The prevalence of overweight [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27] amongst tobacco users was compared with nonusers at entry into the study. The average annual percentage weight gain amongst men was also determined according to tobacco use both at entry and at follow‐up, and the development of overweight amongst tobacco‐use groups was reported using standardized incidence ratios.

Results.  Smokers who quit tobacco during the follow‐up period gained significantly more weight than smokers who switched to snus (annual gain 0.96% vs. 0.51%, P < 0.05). At entry, ex‐smokers had higher prevalence of overweight than nonusers of tobacco [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10–1.40]. Snus users had slightly higher prevalence of overweight at entry (PR = 1.20, CI = 1.01–1.42). Snus users who quit gained more weight than nonusers (0.70% vs. 0.44%, P < 0.05) or those who continued to use snus (0.42%).

Conclusions.  Cessation of tobacco, either cigarettes or snus, leads to significantly increased weight gain. However, snus use may play a role in lowering the weight gain following smoking cessation.
Platelet and haemorheological markers in ‘high risk’ hypertensives are improved by tighter blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk management: a substudy of the Anglo‐Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT)
Authors: Spencer C. G. C. , Gurney D. , Felmeden D. C. , Blann A. D. , Beevers D.G. , Lip G. Y. H.
Published: December 2003

Objective.  To investigate the impact of intensified cardiovascular risk management on soluble markers of platelet, endothelial and rheological function in a population of middle‐aged hypertensive patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications.

Design.  Prospective follow‐up study.

Subjects and methods. A total of 159 hypertensive patients [138 male, mean age 64 (±8) years] and 80 healthy controls were studied. Plasma levels of soluble P‐selectin (sP‐sel, a marker of platelet function), von Willebrand factor (vWF, an index of endothelial damage/dysfunction) and rheological indices [fibrinogen (Fib), plasma viscosity (PV), haematocrit (HCT), white blood count (WBC) and platelet count] were measured at baseline and again (in the patients) after 6 months’ treatment.

Results.  As expected, 6 months of intensified cardiovascular risk management resulted in a significant fall in mean blood pressure (BP) and total cholesterol. It also resulted in reduced haematocrit, vWF, sP‐sel, WBC and PV levels (all P < 0.001), but not plasma fibrinogen. There were no correlations between the fall in BP and the improvement in any of the research indices.

Conclusions.  Intensified cardiovascular risk management results in significant improvements in indices of endothelial, platelet and rheological function in a population of hypertensives at high risk of cardiovascular events. These improvements appear to be independent of the degree of change in BP. Given the fundamental role of interactions between the endothelium and circulating blood components in the pathogenesis of hypertensive complications this may be of importance in preventing adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
A cardiac sodium channel mutation identified in Brugada syndrome associated with atrial standstill
Authors: Takehara N. , Makita N. , Kawabe J. , Sato N. , Kawamura Y. , Kitabatake A. , Kikuchi K.
Published: December 2003

Abstract.  Takehara N, Makita N, Kawabe J, Sato N, Kawamura Y, Kitabatake A, Kikuchi K (Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa; Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan; and Cardiovascular Research Institute, Newark, NY, USA). A cardiac sodium channel mutation identified in Brugada syndrome associated with atrial standstill (Case Report). J Intern Med 2004; 255: 137–142.

Mutations in the cardiac Na+ channel gene SCN5A are responsible for multiple lethal ventricular arrhythmias including Brugada syndrome and congenital long QT syndrome. Here we report a case of Brugada syndrome with ST elevation in the right precordial and inferior leads accompanied by atrial standstill and spontaneous ventricular fibrillation. Atrial standstill and J wave elevation were provoked by procainamide. Genetic analysis revealed a missense mutation (R367H) in SCN5A. The resultant mutant Na+ channel was nonfunctional when expressed heterologously in Xenopus oocytes. Our study suggests that genetic defects in SCN5A may be associated with atrial standstill in combination with ventricular arrhythmias.
Effect of diet intervention on long‐term mortality in healthy middle‐aged men with combined hyperlipidaemia
Authors: Hjerkinn E. M. , Sandvik L. , Hjermann I. , Arnesen H.
Published: December 2003

Objectives. The aim was to study the effect of a 5‐year diet intervention on 24‐year mortality in middle aged men with combined hyperlipidaemia.

Setting. We studied 104 initially healthy men (in 1972) aged 40–49 years with baseline values of total serum cholesterol >6.45 mmol L−1and fasting triglycerides >2.55 mmol L−1, within the randomized diet and smoking cessation trial of the Oslo study (n = 1232).

Methods. The participants were randomized to a 5‐year diet intervention or a control group. The diet consisted of a traditional lipid‐lowering diet with emphasis on reduction of saturated fat, total caloric intake and body weight. The groups were initially well balanced with regard to traditional risk factors for mortality.

Results. Thirty‐three subjects died during the 24‐year observation period [17 of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 12 of cancer]. In the diet intervention group, mortality was 51% lower (RR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.22–0.91,P = 0.022) as compared with the control group. This difference remained significant in a Cox regression analysis after adjusting for age and smoking status (RR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.96,P = 0.038).

Conclusion. This study indicates that the investigated 5‐year diet intervention significantly reduces late mortality in healthy middle‐aged men with combined hyperlipidaemia.