bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo Cross-Reactivity Studies of Legume Allergy in a Mediterranean Population
Authors: Martínez San Ireneo Mercedes , Ibáñez María Dolores , Fernández-Caldas Enrique , Carnés Jerónimo
Published: July 2008

Background: Legume allergy, mainly to lentils and chickpeas, is the fifth most common cause of food allergy in Spanish children. Serological cross-reactivity among legumes is frequent, but its clinical relevance is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the cross-reactivity among lentils, chickpeas, peas, white beans and peanuts and its clinical relevance in pediatric patients. Methods: Fifty-four children with clinical allergy to legumes were included. Cross-reactivity was evaluated by ELISA inhibition experiments and oral food challenges to legumes. SDS-PAGE immunoblots were conducted with raw and boiled legume extracts. Results: ELISA inhibition experiments demonstrated more than 80% inhibition with lentil, chickpea and pea extracts. Immunoblots performed with raw legume extracts (lentil, chickpea and pea) and individual sera revealed that more than 50% of the sera identified an allergen with approximately 50 kDa in all three legume extracts. In all three boiled extracts an intense band at approximately 50 kDa was visualized using a serum pool. The oral legume challenges demonstrated that 37 children (69%) were allergic to 2 or more legumes (median 3 legumes). The most frequent associations were allergy to lentils and chickpeas (57%), allergy to lentils and peas (54%) and allergy to lentils, chickpeas and peas (43%). Conclusions: In vitro inhibition experiments demonstrated a high degree of cross-reactivity among lentils, chickpeas and peas. Food challenges confirmed that clinical allergy to all three legumes is frequent in our cohort of Spanish children.
Patch Test Results with Metals and Meteorological Conditions
Authors: Hegewald Janice , Uter Wolfgang , Kränke Birger , Schnuch Axel , Gefeller Olaf , Pfahlberg Annette
Published: July 2008

Background: Nickel, cobalt and chromium are some of the most common causes of type IV sensitizations and subsequent allergic contact dermatitis. Accurate diagnosis of contact sensitization to these metal salts is made possible through standardized patch testing; however, patch tests with metal allergens may be influenced by meteorological conditions at the time of testing. We aimed to investigate how patch test reactions to these metals relate to outdoor temperature and humidity at the time of testing. Methods: Clinical patch test results from 61,435 patients tested at Austrian and German dermatology departments participating in a contact sensitization surveillance network (www.ivdk.org) from 1993 through 2001 were evaluated with weather data measured near the testing location and at the time of testing. Test reactions and ambient temperature and humidity were examined with multinomial logistic regression models. Results: The odds of irritant and doubtful reactions to all 3 ionized metals increased during cold/arid conditions, and the odds of weak allergic (positive) reactions to nickel and cobalt also increased during cold/dry weather. Strong allergic reactions were essentially independent of weather conditions. Conclusions: The increase in irritant and doubtful reactions coinciding with decreasing temperature and humidity may be the result of an overall increase in skin irritation brought about by these ambient conditions. The observed increases in erythematous and infiltrated (‘weak allergic’) reactions may be due to doubtful reactions increasing in intensity and being (falsely) classified as positive during colder and drier conditions.
Biocompatibility and Permeability of Dialyzer Membranes Do Not Affect Anemia, Erythropoietin Dosage or Mortality in Japanese Patients on Chronic Non-Reuse Hemodialysis: A Prospective Cohort Study from the J-DOPPS II Study
Authors: Yokoyama Hitoshi , Kawaguchi Takehiko , Wada Takashi , Takahashi Yoshinori , Higashi Takahiro , Yamazaki Shin , Fukuhara Shunichi , Akiba Takashi , Akizawa Tadao , Asano Yasushi , Kurokawa Kiyoshi , Saito Akira
Published: July 2008

Background: Considerable controversy existsover the impact of the biocompatibility and flux characteristics ofdialyzer membranes on anemia in chronic hemodialysis patients. Methods: A subset of 1,207 subjects from the Japanese arm of DOPPS phase II was analyzed. Results: Patient characteristics included mean age 59 years, male sex 60%, BMI 20.6, time on dialysis therapy 7.8 years, and diabetes rate 27%. Dialysis parameters were Kt/V 1.33, and normalized protein catabolic rate 1.05 g/kg/day. Initial hemoglobin level was 10.1 g/dl. 79% were treated by intravenous erythropoietin with mean weekly doses of 4,500 IU. Hemoglobin levels and erythropoietin doses during 2-year study period were not affected by dialysis membrane biocompatibility (unmodified cellulose or biocompatible) or flux (standard or high performance). The 2-year survival rate was 90.9% and was influenced by older age, presence of cardiovascular diseases and amyloidosis, lower levels of BMI and serum albumin, but not by other variables, including dialysis membranes. Use of biocompatible membranes was associated with a lower all-cause mortality (8.3 vs. 13.0% for bioincompatible, p = 0.037), but this difference was not significant in multivariate analyses (hazard ratio 0.70, p = 0.17 by Cox multivariate analysis). Conclusion: The biocompatibility and permeability of dialyzer membranes had no effect on anemia, erythropoietin dosage or all-cause mortality in Japanese chronic hemodialysis patients treated by non-reuse dialysis.
Transmural Peak Systolic Strain and Strain Rate Predict Transmural Myocardial Blood Flow in a Pig Myocardial Infarction Model
Authors: Lu Huixia , Yao Guihua , Lin Huili , Xu Xinsheng , Li Changjiang , Li Xiaolu , Sun Huiwen , Qi Lihang , Zhang Chengmei , Zhang Fenglei , Tang Mengxiong , Zhang Mei , Zhang Yun
Published: July 2008

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the transmural variation of the longitudinal myocardial peak systolic strain (Sp) and strain rate (SRp) can predict the transmural distribution of myocardial blood flow (MBF) in a pig model of acute myocardial infarction. Methods: The longitudinal Sp and SRp were measured by echocardiography in both subendocardium (Sp-endo, SRp-endo) and subepicardium (Sp-epi, SRp-epi) in the normal, ischemic and infarct segments, respectively. The MBF in corresponding sites was measured by colored microspheres technique. The subendocardial to subepicardial ratio of Sp (Sp-EER), SRp (SRp-EER) and MBF (MBF-EER) were calculated. Results: In the normal segments, Sp-endo and SRp-endo were significantly higher than Sp-epi and SRp-ep, respectively. In the ischemic segments, Sp-endo and SRp-endo decreased to a greater extent than Sp-epi and SRp-epi, respectively. In the infarct segments, Sp-endo, SRp-endo Sp-epi and SRp-epi were all remarkably reduced. High correlations were found between Sp and SRp measurements and MBF in both subendocardium and subepicardium (r = –0.75 to –0.84, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Strain and strain rate imaging provides a reliable approach to the noninvasive estimation of the transmural blood distribution across the normal, ischemic and infarct segments.
Do We Need Gastric Acid?
Authors: Pohl D. , Fox M. , Fried M. , Göke B. , Prinz C. , Mönnikes H. , Rogler G. , Dauer M. , Keller J. , Lippl F. , Schiefke I. , Seidler U. , Allescher H.D.
Published: July 2008

Evidence from comparative anatomy and physiology studies indicates that gastric acid secretion developed during the evolution of vertebrates approximately 350 million years ago. The cellular mechanisms that produce gastric acid have been conserved over the millennia and therefore proton pump inhibitors have pharmacological effects in almost all relevant species. These observations suggest that gastric acid provides an important selective advantage; however, in modern-day humans the need for gastric acid can be questioned in light of the widespread use of safe and effective pharmacologic acid suppression. The Kandahar Working Group addressed questions concerning the need, production and effects of gastric acid, specifically: (1) motility in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract; (2) neuroendocrine factors; (3) digestive and mucosal processes; (4) microbiology, and (5) central processes and psychological involvement. We addressed each topic with the individual models available to answer our questions including animal versus human studies, pharmacologic, surgical as well as pathophysiologic states of acid suppression.
Seizure-Induced Alterations in Cerebrovascular Function in the Neonate
Authors: Zimmermann Aliz , Domoki Ferenc , Bari Ferenc
Published: July 2008

Epileptiform seizures are most common during the neonatal period, affecting at least 0.3% of term neonates and more than 10% of preterm neonates. The adverse impact of neonatal seizures on the long-term neurological outcome has been well documented, but their cerebrovascular consequences are rarely emphasized. The cerebral blood flow is controlled by the interaction of the vascular and parenchymal cells forming the neurovascular unit via multiple mediator systems that have unique features in the newborn. Seizures drastically affect the neurovascular unit, resulting in (1) dramatic increases in brain metabolism and cerebral blood flow during the ictal period, (2) disruption of the blood-brain barrier, (3) an acute loss of cerebral pressure autoregulation, and (4) a delayed impairment of cerebrovascular reactivity to various stimuli. Furthermore, seizures frequently accompany and potentially aggravate a pre-existing cerebrovascular insult. This review summarizes the current knowledge on how seizures affecting various cells in the neurovascular unit result in the observed alterations in cerebrovascular function in the neonate.
Epitaxial Semiconductor Quantum Wires
Authors: Wu J. , Chen Y. H. , Wang Z. G.
Published: July 2008

The investigation on the direct epitaxial quantum wires (QWR) using MBE or MOCVD has been persuited for more than two decades, more lengthy in history as compared with its quantum dot counterpart. Up to now, QWRs with various structural configurations have been produced with different
growth methods. This is a reviewing article consisting mainly of two parts. The first part discusses QWRs of various configurations, together with laser devices based on them, in terms of the two growth mechanisms, self-ordering and self-assembling. The second part gives a brief review of
the electrical and optical properties of QWRs.
Synthesis and Characterization of Al2O3/SiO2 Coaxial Nanowire Heterostructures with Periodical Twinning Structures
Authors: Su Yong , Meng Xia , Chen Yiqing , Zhou Qingtao , Li Sen , Liang Xuemei , Feng Yi
Published: July 2008

Al2O3/SiO2 coaxial nanowire heterostructures were synthesized on a silicon substrate by a simple thermal evaporation method. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized nanostructure were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and transmission
electron microscopy. The growth of Al2O3/SiO2 coaxial nanowire heterostructures follows a vapor-solid (VS) process. Studies indicate that typical nanostructure consists of single twinning-crystalline Al2O3 nanowires (core) with diameter
of about 50 nm and amorphous SiO2 shell. Photoluminescence properties were also investigated at room temperature. The photoluminescence spectrum reveals the product has a blue emission band and two UV emission bands.
A Method to Determine the Strain and Nucleation Sites of Stacked Nano-Objects
Authors: Molina Sergio I. , Varela María , Ben Teresa , Sales David L. , Pizarro Joaquín , Galindo Pedro L. , Fuster David , González Yolanda , González Luisa , Pennycook Stephen J.
Published: July 2008

We determine the compositional distribution with atomic column resolution in a horizontal nanowire from the analysis of aberration-corrected high resolution Z-contrast images. The strain field in a layer capping the analysed nanowire is determined by anisotropic elastic theory from
the resulting compositional map. The reported method allows preferential nucleation sites for epitaxial nanowires to be predicted with high spatial resolution, as required for accurate tuning of desired optical properties. The application of this method has been exemplified in this work for
stacked InAs(P) horizontal nanowires grown on InP separated by 3 nm thick InP layers, but we propose it as a general method to be applied to other stacked nano-objects.
Size Dependent Structural, Vibrational, and Luminescence Properties of Nanocrystalline LiIn(WO4)2:Cr3+
Authors: Hermanowicz K. , Maczka M. , Tomaszewski P. E. , Krajczyk L. , Hanuza J. , Baran J.
Published: July 2008

X-ray, electron transmission spectroscopy, vibrational and luminescence studies of LiIn(WO4)2:Cr3+ nanoparticles prepared by Pechini method are reported. On annealing the sample several structural changes were observed resulting in a creation of three
new, previously unknown polymorphs. It was shown that this tungstate undergoes two size-induced phase transitions from the structure similar to LiFe(WO4)2 into the structure similar to LiYb(WO4)2 and then into the structure of LiGa(WO4)2
type. These transitions occur for the critical particle size of about 100 and 30 nm, and they could be attributed mainly to some changes in the distribution of the sites occupied by Li+ and In3+ ions. Luminescence studies revealed decrease of the covalent character of
chromium environment and electron–phonon coupling strength with decreasing size of the nanoparticles.
Evolution of Photoluminescence Mechanisms of Si+-Implanted SiO2 Films with Thermal Annealing
Authors: Ding L. , Chen T. P. , Liu Y. , Ng C. Y. , Yang M. , Wong J. I. , Zhu F. R. , Tan M. C. , Fung S. , Chen X. D. , Huang Y.
Published: July 2008

The information of band structure of silicon nanocrystal (nc-Si) embedded in SiO2 thin films synthesized by Si ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing at various temperatures has been obtained from spectroscopy ellipsometric (SE) analysis. The indirect band structure
and the energy gap of the nc-Si are not affected by the annealing. In contrast, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra show a continuous evolution with the annealing. Six PL bands located at 415, 460, 520, 630, 760, and 845 nm, respectively, have been observed depending on the annealing temperature.
The annealing at 1100 °C yields the strongest PL band at 760 nm (∼1.63 eV) with the intensity much higher than that of all the other PL bands. Based on the knowledge of the band structure, the 760 nm-PL band could be attributed to the indirect band-to-band transition of the nc-Si assisted
by the Si—O vibration of the nc-Si/SiO2 interface with the stretching frequency of ∼1083 cm−1 (&sim0.13 eV). On the other hand, the first four PL bands mentioned above could originate from different extended defects in the oxide matrix, while the 845-nm
PL band could be related to the interface luminescent centers.
Self-Catalytic and Selective Growth of ZnO Nanoneedles by Micro-Contact Printing and CVD
Authors: Lee Sun S. , Kim Hyun-Jin , Sung Kiwhan , Lee Young K. , Chung Taek-Mo , Kim Chang G. , An Ki-Seok
Published: July 2008

A self-catalytic method to selectively grow ZnO nanoneedles is demonstrated by simply combining a conventional micro-contact printing (μ-CP) and two-step metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) techniques. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of octadecyltrichlorosilane
(OTS) were patterned on Si substrates by μ-CP. The patterned structures of the ZnO nanoneedles were realized on the SAMs-patterned Si substrates by two-step MOCVD at high temperature of 600 °C via the initial preparation of a thin ZnO seed layer with retaining the patterned morphology
at low temperature of 170 °C. This combined method of μ-CP and self-catalytic two-step MOCVD should be applicable to fabricate the patterned alignments of metal oxide nanostructures.
Effect of Poly(D, L-lactic acid) Nanoparticles as Triptolide Carrier on Abating Rats Renal Toxicity by NMR-Based Metabolic Analysis
Authors: Liu Mingxing , Dong Jing , Yang Yajiang , Yang Xiangliang , Xu Huibi
Published: July 2008

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of poly(D, L-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles as triptolide carrier on abating renal toxicity for Sprague Dawley rats after oral administration. Triptolide has severe toxicities on digestive, urogenital and blood circulatory system.
High-resolution 600-MHz 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-based metabolic analysis was performed on urine samples obtained from five groups of Sprague Dawley rats administrated with free triptolide and triptolide-loaded PLA nanoparticles at day 5, 10 and 15. The
relative concentrations of biomarkers for renal lesion caused by triptolide were determined by 1H-NMR. The disorder of metabolism was characterized by the exceptional changes of the relative concentrations of succinate, 2-oxoglutarate and citrate. Similarly, the renal lesion was
characterized by an increase of the relative concentrations of trimethylamine N-oxide and dimethylglycine, and a decrease of that of urea and allantoin. These results revealed that triptolide-loaded PLA nanoparticles might abate the renal toxicity of triptolide in comparison with identical
doses of the free drug. The higher the dose (0.6 mg/kg), the more pronounced was this trend during long-term application. These results were further confirmed by histopathological changes. These results indicated that PLA nanoparticles provided a promising new formulation to abate the renal
toxicity caused by triptolide.
Effect of Annealing on Morphology and Photoluminescence of β-Ga2O3 Nanostructures
Authors: Zhang Shiying , Zhuang Huizhao , Xue Chengshan , Li Baoli
Published: July 2008

A novel method was applied to prepare one-dimensional β-Ga2O3 nanostructure films. In this method, β-Ga2O3 nanostructures have been successfully synthesized on Si(111) substrates through annealing sputtered Ga2O3/Mo
films for differernt time under flowing ammonia. The as-synthesized β-Ga2O3 nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The results show that the formed nanostructures
are single-crystalline Ga2O3 with monoclinic structure. The annealing time of the samples has an evident influence on the morphology and optical property of the nanostructured β-Ga2O3 synthesized. The representative photoluminescence
spectrum at room temperature exhibits a strong and broad emission band centered at 411.5 nm and a relatively weak emission peak located at 437.6 nm. The growth mechanism of the β-Ga2O3 nanostructured materials is also discussed briefly.
Environmentally Benign In Situ Synthesis of Gold Nanotapes Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Authors: Bhattacharjee Rama Ranjan , Rashid Md. Harunar , Mandal Tarun K.
Published: July 2008

An environmentally friendly one-step wet-chemical approach has been described for controlling the shape of gold nanocrystals at ambient temperature. In this approach, sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC)has been used as a reducing-cum-stabilizing agent for the in situ
generation of gold nanotapes from an aqueous chloroaurate ion. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of tape-shaped gold nanostructures. These gold nanotapes exhibited interesting optical properties. The nature of crystallinity of the nanotapes has been studied by X-ray
diffractometry. Control experiments with other cellulose derivatives resulted in the formation of only spherical gold nanoparticles.
Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) Nanotechnology: Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Hullavarad N. V. , Hullavarad S. S. , Karulkar P. C.
Published: July 2008

Over the past few years there has been sustained interest in the synthesis, characterization and application of cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanostructures such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanobelts, nanospheres. The history of CdS, more recent advances in the chemistry and synthesis of
CdS nanostructures, and their application as nanoscale devices in diverse technology areas from electronics to targeted drug delivery is described. Although the focus is on CdS, the review provides an excellent overview of the materials, methods, processes and promising solutions that are
emerging.
Stacking Faults in SiC Nanowires
Authors: Wallis K. L. , Wieligor M. , Zerda T. W. , Stelmakh S. , Gierlotka S. , Palosz B.
Published: July 2008

SiC nanowires were obtained by a reaction between vapor silicon and multiwall carbon nanotubes, CNT, in vacuum at 1200 °C. Raman and IR spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, HRTEM, were used to characterize properties of SiC nanowires.
Morphology and chemical composition of the nanowires was similar for all samples, but concentration of structural defects varied and depended on the origin of CNT. Stacking faults were characterized by HRTEM and Raman spectroscopy, and both techniques provided complementary results. Raman
microscopy allowed studying structural defects inside individual nanowires. A thin layer of amorphous silicon carbide was detected on the surface of nanowires.
Morphology and Particle Size of Di(ethylene glycol) Mediated Metallic Copper Nanoparticles
Authors: Anžlovar Alojz , Orel Zorica Crnjak , Žigon Majda
Published: July 2008

Cu nanoparticles were prepared in di(ethylene glycol) by a reduction reaction of Cu (II) acetate precursor to metallic Cu. The size and morphology of the synthesized particles were studied in dependence of the concentration of the starting compound and the temperature conditions of
reaction were varied to determine the correlation with the size and morphology of the synthesized particles. The morphology and size of the resulting copper (I) oxide as an intermediate product and metallic Cu particles as a final product are strongly dependent on the concentration of the
starting compound, thus indicating differences in the mechanism of the reduction reaction and, consequently, the mechanism of particle formation. At low concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mol/L), an organo-metallic copper complex intermediate forms crystalline 10–100 nm thick and up to 10
μm long nanowires organized in dendritic spheres with a diameter of 5–50 μm, which further transform into Cu2O. Cu-di(ethylene glycolate) complex has an as yet undescribed crystalline structure. At a high precursor concentration (1 mol/L), the intermediate
forms partly amorphous and partly crystalline Cu2O. The reduction of Cu2O to metallic Cu takes place between 190–200 °C. The smallest average particle size (100 nm) and the narrowest particle size distribution was obtained at a Cu (II) acetate concentration
of 0.1 mol/L.
Crystal Phase, Shape and Luminescence Properties of LaPO4:Eu3+ Nanocrystals
Authors: Ghosh Pushpal , Patra Amitava
Published: July 2008

We demonstrated the change of shape and crystal phase of LaPO4:Eu3+ nanomaterials by tuning the temperature of heating. The mechanism related to morphology control of LaPO4:Eu nanorods/nanoparticles are proposed and discussed. We describe the "oriented
attachment" growth mechanism for nanorod-to-nanoparticles transformation with increasing the temperature of heating. It is found that the photoluminescence properties of LaPO4:Eu3+ nanostructures are sensitive to the crystal phase and shape. The drastic increase in luminescence
intensity (12 times) and decay time increases from 2.66 to 3.34 ms with changing the shape (nanorod to nanoparticle) and crystal phase (hexagonal to monoclinic phase) for the samples prepared by emulsion based method. Our analysis suggests that the manipulation of the photoluminescence property
can be done by changing the crystal phase of nanomaterials.
Morphological Observation of Y and T Junctions in Nanostructured Boron Nitride Thin Films
Authors: Kumar Sushil , Parashar A. , Rauthan C. M. S. , Singhal S. K. , Dixit P. N. , Singh B. P. , Bhattacharyya R.
Published: July 2008

Formations of Y and T nano junctions have been observed in boron nitride films deposited on silicon substrates by plasma chemical reaction of diborane (B2H6 diluted in hydrogen) and ammonia (NH3) gases using dual frequency (microwave/radio) plasma enhanced
chemical vapor deposition technique without any intentional heating of the substrates. It has been observed that these nano junctions form at a critical feed gas ratio of ammonia and diborane. We have investigated the effect of gas feed ratio R (=NH3/B2H6)
in the plasma reaction chamber, keeping all other deposition parameters constant, on the morphology of boron nitride films. The deposited films are characterized by SEM, AFM, TEM and Laser Raman. For gas feed ratio, R < 100, octahedron and cubic morphologies have been observed in
BN films and on increasing R to > 100, size of the crystallites reduces to nanometer level. In some of our BN samples deposited at a critical value of gas ratio (R = 400), uniform Y and T junctions having bamboo like morphologies, in nanometer level, have been observed, which
we wish to emphasis here as an interesting and newer observation in boron nitride films deposited by the dual frequency PECVD technique. This change in morphology exhibited by varying gas feed ratio is mainly due to excess nitrogen ions in the plasma.
Magnetic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Namdeo Mini , Saxena Sutanjay , Tankhiwale Rasika , Bajpai M. , Mohan Y. M. , Bajpai S. K.
Published: July 2008

In recent past magnetic nanoparticles have been explored for a number of biomedical applications due to their superparamagnetic moment with high magnetic saturation value. For these biomedical applications, magnetic nanoparticles require being monodispersed so that the individual nanoparticle
has almost identical physico-chemical properties for biodistribution, bioelimination and contrast imaging potential. Further, the surface functionalization/modification of magnetic nanoparticles ultimately facilitate the protein or DNA separation, detection and magnetic resonance imaging contrast,
drug delivery and hyperthermia applications. The essential goal of this review is to evaluate the recent advances of magnetic nanoparticles for tumor, brain targeting and hyperthermia applications.
Impact of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on Aquatic Species
Authors: Asharani P. V. , Serina N. G. B. , Nurmawati M. H. , Wu Y. L. , Gong Z. , Valiyaveettil S.
Published: July 2008

To understand the environmental impacts of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the toxicity study was carried out with water-soluble multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system. Zebrafish embryos were treated with different concentrations of MWCNTs.
Teratogenic effects were evaluated through changes in embryonic development after 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf), 48 hpf and 72 hpf. No observable effect concentration (NOEC) was at 40 μg/mL. Lowest effect concentration (LOEC) of MWCNTs which caused significant phenotypic defects
in zebrafish embryo was 60 μg/mL. At concentration above 60 μg/mL, slimy mucus like coating was observed around the embryo. At high concentrations, MWCNTs was found to be involved in the apoptosis, delayed hatching and formation of abnormal spinal chords. Thus, the toxicity
of multi-walled carbon nanotubes is concentration dependent.
Snow Cover Characteristics over the Main Russian River Basins as Represented by Reanalyses and Measured Data
Authors: Khan V. , Holko L. , Rubinstein K. , Breiling M.
Published: July 2008

Snow water equivalents (SWE) produced by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–U.S. Department of Energy (NCEP–DOE) and 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA-40) reanalyses and snow depths (SD) produced by the 25-yr Japanese “JRA-25” reanalysis over the main Russian river basins for 1979–2000 were examined against measured data. The analysis included comparisons of mean basin values and correlation of anomalies, as well as seasonal and interannual variabilities and trends. ERA-40 generally provided better estimates of mean SWE values for river basins than did the NCEP–DOE reanalysis. Mean SD values from the JRA-25 reanalysis were systematically underestimated. The best correlations among the anomalies were given by ERA-40, followed by JRA-25. All reanalyses reproduced seasonal variability well, although the differences in absolute values varied substantially. The highest differences were typically connected with the snowmelt period (April and May). Interannual variability confirmed the errors of ERA-40 and JRA-25 in 1992–94 and 1979–83, respectively. Otherwise, the reproduction of the interannual variability of SWE and SD was reasonable. Strong biases in SD data from JRA-25 that decrease with time induce artificial positive trends. Significant underestimations of SWE data by ERA-40 for 1991–94 influenced the values of the trends. NCEP–DOE reasonably represented the trend found in measured data. In general, the highest discrepancies between measured and reanalysis data were found for the northern European and eastern Asian rivers (Pechora, Lena, and Amur). The assessment of the quality of SWE and SD reanalysis data can help potential users in the selection of a particular reanalysis as being appropriate to the purpose of their studies.
Summertime Low-Level Jets over the High-Latitude Arctic Ocean
Authors: ReVelle Douglas O. , Nilsson E. Douglas
Published: July 2008

The application of a simple analytic boundary layer model developed by Thorpe and Guymer did not produce good agreement with observational data for oceanic low-level jet observations even though this model has worked well for the predictions of low-level jets over continental surfaces. This failure to properly predict the boundary layer wind maxima was very puzzling because more detailed numerical boundary layer models have properly predicted these low-level oceanic wind maxima. To understand the reasons for its failure to explain the ocean observations, the authors modified the frictional terms in the horizontal linear momentum equations of Thorpe and Guymer, using a standard eddy viscosity closure technique instead of the Rayleigh friction parameterization originally used. This improvement in the modeling of the dissipation terms, which has resulted in the use of an enhanced Rayleigh friction parameterization in the horizontal momentum equations, modified the boundary layer winds such that the continental predictions remained nearly identical to those predicted previously using the Thorpe and Guymer model while the oceanic predictions have now become more representative of the measured wind speed from recent Arctic expeditions.
On the Estimation of Trends in Annual Rainfall Using Paired Gauge Observations
Authors: Paldor Nathan
Published: July 2008

A method was recently proposed for evaluating the impact of a perturbation, such as air pollution or urbanization, on the precipitation at a location by calculating the ratio between the precipitation at the perturbed location and that at a location believed to be unperturbed. However, this method may be inappropriate because of the high degree of variability of precipitation at each of the stations. To explore the validity of this approach, noisy annual rainfall records are generated numerically in an upwind, unperturbed station and in a downwind, perturbed station, and the time series of ratio between the annual rainfalls in the two stations is analyzed. The noisy rainfall records are 50 yr long, and the imposed trend for the downwind, perturbed station is −2 mm yr−1 while at the upwind station the variations in annual rainfall are purely noisy. Many pairs of noisy rainfall records are numerically generated (each pair constitutes an experiment), and in every experiment the slope of the linear best fit to the rainfall ratio yields an estimate of the trend of rainfall at the perturbed station. In the absence of noise, the trend of the rainfall ratio is explicitly related to the trend of rainfall at the perturbed station, but the natural rainfall variation at the stations completely masks this explicit relationship. The results show that in some experiments the trend line of the rainfall ratio has the opposite sign to the imposed trend and that in only about one-half of the experiments does the ratio’s trend line lie within ±75% of the imposed trend. Trend estimates within ±25% of the imposed trend are obtained in less than one-quarter of the experiments. This result casts doubt on the generality and validity of using trends of rainfall ratio between two stations to estimate trends of precipitation in one of these stations.
Toward a Fully Parametric Retrieval of the Nonraining Parameters over the Global Oceans
Authors: Elsaesser Gregory S. , Kummerow Christian D.
Published: July 2008

In light of the upcoming launch of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, a parametric retrieval algorithm of the nonraining parameters over the global oceans is developed with the ability to accommodate all currently existing and planned spaceborne microwave window channel sensors and imagers. The physical retrieval is developed using all available sensor channels in a full optimal estimation inversion. This framework requires that retrieved parameters be physically consistent with all observed satellite radiances regardless of the sensor being used. The retrieval algorithm has been successfully applied to the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) with geophysical parameter retrieval results comparable to independent studies using sensor-optimized algorithms. The optimal estimation diagnostics characterize the retrieval further, providing errors associated with each of the retrieved parameters, indicating whether the retrieved state is physically consistent with observed radiances, and yielding information on how well simulated radiances agree with observed radiances. This allows for the quantitative assessment of potential calibration issues in either the model or sensor. In addition, there is an expected, consistent response of these diagnostics based on the scene being observed, such as in the case of a raining scene, allowing for the emergence of a rainfall detection scheme providing a new capability in rainfall identification for use in passive microwave rainfall and cloud property retrievals.
Source Inversion for Contaminant Plume Dispersion in Urban Environments Using Building-Resolving Simulations
Authors: Chow Fotini Katopodes , Kosović Branko , Chan Stevens
Published: July 2008

The ability to determine the source of a contaminant plume in urban environments is crucial for emergency-response applications. Locating the source and determining its strength based on downwind concentration measurements, however, are complicated by the presence of buildings that can divert flow in unexpected directions. High-resolution flow simulations are now possible for predicting plume evolution in complex urban geometries, where contaminant dispersion is affected by the flow around individual buildings. Using Bayesian inference via stochastic sampling algorithms with a high-resolution computational fluid dynamics model, an atmospheric release event can be reconstructed to determine the plume source and release rate based on point measurements of concentration. Event-reconstruction algorithms are applied first for flow around a prototype isolated building (a cube) and then using observations and flow conditions from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, during the Joint Urban 2003 field campaign. Stochastic sampling methods (Markov chain Monte Carlo) are used to extract likely source parameters, taking into consideration measurement and forward model errors. In all cases the steady-state flow field generated by a 3D Navier–Stokes finite-element code (FEM3MP) is used to drive thousands of forward-dispersion simulations. To enhance computational performance in the inversion procedure, a reusable database of dispersion simulation results is created. It is possible to successfully invert the dispersion problems to determine the source location and release rate to within narrow confidence intervals even with such complex geometries. The stochastic methodology here is general and can be used for time-varying release rates and reactive flow conditions. The results of inversion indicate the probability of a source being found at a particular location with a particular release rate, thus inherently reflecting uncertainty in observed data or the lack of enough data in the shape and size of the probability distribution. A composite plume showing concentrations at the desired confidence level can also be constructed using the realizations from the reconstructed probability distribution. This can be used by emergency responders as a tool to determine the likelihood of concentration at a particular location being above a threshold value.
Using Thermal Time to Simulate Dormancy Depth and Bud-Burst of Vineyards in Korea for the Twentieth Century
Authors: Kwon Eun-Young , Jung Jea-Eun , Chung Uran , Yun Jin I. , Park Hee-Seung
Published: July 2008

A winter-season warming trend has been observed in eastern Asian countries during the last century. Significant effects on dormancy and the subsequent bud-burst of deciduous fruit trees are expected. However, phenological observations are scant in comparison with long-time climate records in the region. Chill-day accumulation, estimated from daily maximum and minimum temperature, is a reasonable proxy for dormancy depth of temperate-zone fruit trees. A selected chill-day model was parameterized for the Campbell Early grapevine, which is the major cultivar (grown virtually everywhere) in South Korea. To derive model parameters (threshold temperature for chilling and the chilling requirement for breaking dormancy), a controlled-environment experiment using field-sampled twigs of Campbell Early was conducted. The chill-day model to estimate bud-burst dates was adjusted by derived parameters and was applied using 1994–2004 daily temperature data obtained from the automated weather station in the vineyard at the National Horticultural Research Institute. The model gave consistently good performance in predicting bud-burst of Campbell Early (RMSE of 2.5 days). To simulate dormancy depth of Campbell Early at eight locations in South Korea for the last century, the model was applied using data obtained for each location from 1921 to 2004. Calculations showed that the chilling requirement for breaking endodormancy of Campbell Early can be satisfied by mid-January to late February in South Korea, and the date was delayed going either northward or southward from the Daegu–Jeonju line that crosses the middle of South Korea in the east–west direction. Maximum length of the cold tolerant period (the number of days between endodormancy release and the forced dormancy release) showed the same spatial pattern. Dormancy release for 1981–2004 advanced by as much as 15 days relative to that for 1921–50 at all locations except Jeju (located in the southernmost island with a subtropical climate), where an average 15-day delay was predicted. The cold-tolerant period diminished somewhat at six out of eight locations. As a result, bud-burst of Campbell Early in spring was advanced by 6–10 days at most locations, and interannual variation in bud-burst dates increased at all locations. The earlier bud-burst after the 1970s was due to 1) warming in winter that results in earlier dormancy release (Incheon, Mokpo, Gangneung, and Jeonju), 2) warming in early spring that enhances regrowth after breaking dormancy (Busan and Jeju), and 3) a combination of both (Seoul and Daegu).
Healthy Cognition: Processes of Self-Regulatory Success in Restrained Eating
Authors: Papies Esther K. , Stroebe Wolfgang , Aarts Henk
Published: July 2008

Two studies examined self-regulatory success in dieting. Previous research has indicated that restrained eaters (i.e., chronic dieters) might fail in their attempts at weight control because the perception of attractive food cues triggers hedonic thoughts about food and inhibits their dieting goal. However, recent work suggests that in some dieters, temptation cues activate the relevant goal and thus facilitate self-regulation. The present work extends these findings by showing that self-regulatory success moderates the effect of food cues on restrained eaters such that food cues activate the dieting goal in successful restrained eaters and inhibit the dieting goal in unsuccessful restrained eaters. The specific time course of these effects was examined. Moreover, a correlational study revealed that only successful restrained eaters translate their dieting intentions into action. Results are discussed in the context of nonconscious self-regulation and the role of automatic processes in the link between intention and behavior.
Muscle Strength and Range of Motion in Adolescent Pitchers with Throwing-Related Pain
Authors: Trakis James E. , McHugh Malachy P. , Caracciolo Philip A. , Busciacco Lisa , Mullaney Michael , Nicholas Stephen J.
Published: July 2008

Background

A high prevalence of throwing-related shoulder and elbow pain has been documented in adolescent baseball pitchers.

Hypothesis

Pitchers with a history of throwing-related pain will have weakened dominant-arm posterior shoulder musculature and greater dominant-arm glenohumeral total range of motion (ROM) loss compared with pitchers without throwing-related pain.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Twenty-three adolescent pitchers (age 15.7 ±1.4 years) were tested. Twelve pitchers had throwing-related pain in the prior season and were currently symptom-free, while the remaining 11 pitchers had no such history of pain. Internal and external rotation ROM and muscle strength (lower trapezius, middle trapezius, rhomboids, latissimus dorsi, supraspinatus, internal rotators, external rotators) were measured bilaterally. Dominant versus nondominant differences in ROM and strength were compared between pitchers with and without throwing-related pain.

Results

As a whole, the group of 23 pitchers had a loss of internal rotation ROM (13° ± 10°, P < .001) and gain in external rotation ROM (11° ± 10°, P < .001) on the dominant versus nondominant arm, with no effect on total ROM (2° ± 7° loss, P = .14). There was no difference in bilateral comparison of total ROM between pitchers with and without throwing-related pain. Dominant versus nondominant muscle strength was lower ( P < .05) for the pain group versus nonpain group for the middle trapezius (7% ± 19% vs 22% ± 12%) and supraspinatus (−4% ± 27% vs 14% ± 14%) and higher (P < .05) for the internal rotators (19% ± 14% vs 6%±12%).

Conclusion

Throwing-related pain in this population may be due to the inability of weakened posterior shoulder musculature to tolerate stress imparted on it by adaptively strengthened propulsive muscles.

Clinical Relevance

Selective posterior shoulder strengthening may be indicated in rehabilitative and injury prevention programs for adolescent pitchers.
Biomechanical Comparison of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Techniques
Authors: Ruland Robert T. , Hogan Christopher J. , Randall Craig J. , Richards Andrew , Belkoff Stephen M.
Published: July 2008

Background

Incompetence of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is career-threatening for high-performance throwing athletes. Although multiple reconstructions have been described, a procedure that combines a larger graft with improved fixation may demonstrate more favorable loading characteristics than current techniques.

Hypothesis

Ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions utilizing a semitendinosus graft and interference knot fixation will be biomechanically superior to previously reported techniques.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Thirty cadaveric elbows were stripped of all medial soft tissue superficial to the UCL. The proximal humeri were mounted on a materials testing system with the elbows flexed 90°. The intact UCL was loaded to failure at 4.5 deg/s. The torsional failure moment, torsional stiffness, and mode of failure were recorded. Three groups of 10 specimens were created. Group 1 underwent reconstruction using a palmaris tendon graft secured with interference knot fixation. Group 2 reconstructions utilized a palmaris graft and the docking technique. Group 3 specimens were reconstructed using a semitendinosus graft and interference knot fixation. All specimens were loaded to failure and the same parameters recorded.

Results

The torsional failure moments for group 1 (13.28 Nm) and group 2 (12.81 Nm) reconstructions were significantly ( P < .05) inferior to that of their respective native values (21.3 Nm and 23.5 Nm). Semitendinosus reconstructions (20.5 Nm) were not significantly different ( P = .24) from their native UCLs (23.0 Nm). All reconstructions were torsionally less stiff (P < .001) than the native UCL. There were no statistically significant differences in stiffness between the groups ( P = .4).

Conclusion

Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction utilizing semitendinosus graft and interference knot fixation restores the torsional strength of the intact UCL.

Clinical Relevance

Reconstructions using semitendinosus grafts may allow for accelerated rehabilitation and earlier return to competition.
Heterodox Macroeconomics: Crotty's Integration of Keynes and Marx
Authors: Goldstein Jonathan P.
Published: July 2008

While heterodox macroeconomic theories agree on a set of general principles, there is far less agreement on specific behavioral relations. With the goal of developing a more potent heterodox framework through the integration of Keynesian, Marxian, and institutionalist perspectives, I consider the seminal work of James Crotty. Crotty has developed the building blocks of an integrated heterodox macro theory that revolve around the nexus of the concepts of fundamental uncertainty, financial fragility, impatient finance, irreversible investment, adversarial class relations, the Marxian concept of competition, Marxian crisis theory, and effective demand. This integration considers numerous dichotomies/regime shifts that are useful for understanding the path of capitalist development.
Preparing Students for College Entrance Exams
Authors: Lane Kathleen Lynne , Kalberg Jemma Robertson , Mofield Emily , Wehby Joseph H. , Parks Robin J.
Published: July 2008

This study examined outcomes associated with participation in a program, Preparing for the ACT, designed to enhance student performance ( N = 126) on the ACT college entrance exam. This targeted intervention was implemented as part of a three-tiered model of positive behavior support. Results of descriptive analyses revealed that only academic performance in the previous academic year was significant in predicting postintervention practice scores. Furthermore, students' postintervention scores were significant in predicting actual ACT scores. However, only in the case of the English subject area test were academic and behavioral performance predictive of English ACT scores. Results of a quasiexperimental design used to compare actual ACT performance for students who did and did not participate in the intervention suggested improved performance for students who did participate in the program, as evidenced by positive effect sizes—an increase in the percentage of students who met the district target scores and school mean scores that exceeded state mean scores following intervention participation. Limitations and implications for future research are offered.