bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current treatment options of femoral pseudoaneurysms
Authors: Imsand  , Hayoz
Published: May 2007

Femoral pseudoaneurysm (PA) is a common complication that occurs in up to 6% of diagnostic or therapeutic catheterisation. Spontaneous closure is the rule for small PA. Large and complex PA need treatment to prevent complications such as diffuse hemodynamically effective bleeding or embolisation. A manual compression repair with or without ultrasound (US) guidance remains the first line treatment. A surgical approach is indicated in selected cases and requires anaesthesia, wound healing, longer hospital stay and extensive costs. New therapies have emerged recently that are non invasive and appropriate to most patients, even in critically ill patients. We here review the non-surgical treatment options that include compression therapy, endoprosthesis placement, coil embolisation, percutaneous collagen and thrombin injection.
Körpergewicht und körperliche Aktivität: Wie viel ist zu wenig? Wie viel ist genug?
Authors: Gehringer  , Suter  , Vetter  , Häsler
Published: May 2007

Körpergewicht und BMI («Body-Mass-Index») wurden bei männlichen Radfahrern (Breitensportlern) untersucht.Mit zunehmendem Alter stieg der BMI von 22.2 ± 2.3 kg/m² (20 bis 29 Jahre) auf 23.8 ± 1.7 kg/m² (55 bis 77 Jahre) (Mittelwerte ± SD). Dies entspricht einem Anstieg von 0.5 kg/m² pro Altersdekade, deutlich weniger als in der Schweizer Gesamtbevölkerung (0.8 bis 1.0 kg/m²). Die Prävalenz des Übergewichtes (BMI 25.1–29.9 kg/m²) stieg von 7.4% (20–29 Jahre) bis auf 25.5% (55–77 Jahre); diejenige der Adipositas (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) betrug 0.2% (n = 1). Das Ausmass der sportlichen Aktivität korrelierte negativ mit dem BMI-Verlauf. Um eine Zunahme des BMI zu vermeiden, musste ein hohes Mass an intensiver körperlicher Aktivität (fünf Stunden wöchentlich) praktiziert werden. Für die Gesamtbevölkerung liegt dieses Mass unrealistisch hoch, sodass gleichzeitig körperliche Aktivität und Kontrolle der Energiezufuhr empfohlen werden müssen.
Akute Kopfschmerzen bei zerebralen Kavernomen
Authors: Schwarz  , Nohl  , Dang  , Hohl  , Mattle  , v. Bredow  , Schiemann
Published: May 2007

Wir berichten den Fall einer 52-jährigen Patientin mit akuten Kopfschmerzen, bei der multiple zerebrale Kavernome vorbeschrieben waren. In einer kranialen Computertomographie konnte eine zerebrale Blutung ausgeschlossen werden. Kavernome sind seltene vaskuläre Malformationen des venösen Blutgefässsystems (Synonym kavernöse Angiome) mit sehr langsamen Blutfluss. Sie manifestieren sich klinisch zwischen dem 30. und 50. Lebensjahr mit meist unspezifischen neurologischen Symptomen wie Kopfschmerzen, Übelkeit, Erbrechen und Schwindel, aber auch epiletische Anfälle und Blutungen können vorkommen. Meistens ist die Therapie rein symptomatisch. Epileptische Anfälle stellen jedoch eine Indikation für eine antikonvulsive Medikation dar. Ein operatives Vorgehen ist bei oberflächlich gelegenen Kavernomen mit frischer Einblutung oder bei Kavernomen mit therapieresistenter Epilepsie zu diskutieren. Sollte wegen anderer Erkrankungen (z.B. koronare Herzerkrankung, Vorhofflimmern, Thrombose, Lungenembolie) eine Therapie mit Thrombozytenaggregationshemmern oder Antikoagulantien benötigt werden, stellen zerebrale Kavernome keine absolute Kontraindikation dar. Das Risiko, beispielsweise im Rahmen eines Vorhofflimmerns einen ischämischen Hirninfarkt zu erleiden, ist mit 5–20% höher einzustufen als das Risiko, unter einer Antikoagulantien-Therapie in ein zerebrales Kavernom einzubluten.
Urtikaria nach subkutaner Applikation von Insulatard
Authors: Hruz  , Stöckli  , Bircher
Published: May 2007

Ein 60-jähriger Patient mit einem insulinabhängigen Diabetes Typ II beschreibt nach einer subkutanen Injektion von Insulatard am Abdomen massive Nausea und Erbrechen, nach wenigen Minuten vom Auftreten eines generalisierten Juckreizes mit einem urtikariellen Aufflammphänomen an früheren Injektionsstellen gefolgt. In der allergologischen Abklärung liegt eine Sensibilisierung vom Soforttyp auf verschiedene Insuline, insbesondere tierischer, aber auch humaner Herkunft, vor. Bei einem negativen Pricktest und einem schwach positiven Intradermaltest wird Levemir zum aktuellen Zeitpunkt ausgezeichnet toleriert und kann als Ersatz für Insulatard verwendet werden.
Investigating possible links between the North Atlantic Oscillation and rainfall variability in northwestern France over the past 35 years
Authors: Massei N. , Durand A. , Deloffre J. , Dupont J. P. , Valdes D. , Laignel B.
Published: May 2007

In this paper, the temporal dynamics of precipitation in northwestern France in relation to the dominant climatic pattern in Europe were investigated. The general trends and the nonstationary behavior of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) were described using fractal analysis and Fourier spectral and continuous wavelet analysis of a NAO index time series over the 1865–2004 period. The 44‐year and 8‐year multidecadal components showed a clear increasing power during the second half of the last century. The possible link between rainfall variability and the NAO was then investigated. The links between the NAO and rainfall were not as obvious, as NAO‐like components were not easily retrieved in the precipitation records: Relationships between the NAO and rainfall were very likely at certain timescales but were not systematically very obvious. For instance, the characteristic quasi‐biennal oscillation (QBO) of the NAO was barely detected in precipitation, but a ≈6‐year fluctuation beginning in the 90s was found to be statistically significant at a 95% confidence limit After investigating a possible link with the Southern Oscillation Index, the occurrence of this fluctuation in the beginning of the 90s could be related to the observed shift of the QBO toward slightly higher frequencies in the NAO time series. On the other hand, a modulation of the QBO by a ≈6‐year interannual fluctuation would suggest the existence of a ≈6‐year climate pattern that could affect precipitation and, to a lesser extent, the NAO. Cross‐wavelet analysis between the NAO and precipitation revealed a loss in correlation across the 1970–2005 period, which seemed to be the fact of a QBO‐like fluctuation. This loss of correlation was related to the above‐mentioned shift of the QBO and 6‐year rainfall interannual band since the 90s.
Evaluation of Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS‐N) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) spaceborne CO2 estimates using model simulations and aircraft data
Authors: Peylin Philippe , Bréon Francois Marie , Serrar Soumia , Tiwari Yogesh , Chédin Alain , Gloor Manuel , Machida T. , Brenninkmeijer C. , Zahn Andreas , Ciais Philippe
Published: May 2007

CO2 mixing ratio derived from spaceborne measurements of the Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS‐N) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) instrument onboard NOAA‐10 available for the time period 1987–1991 are evaluated against modeling results and aircraft measurements. The model simulations are based on two transport models and two sets of surface fluxes which have been optimized in order to fit near‐surface atmospheric CO2 measurements through a transport model (using an inverse procedure). In the tropics the zonal mean annual cycle and growth rate of the satellite product are consistent with those of the models. However, north‐to‐south gradients and spatial distributions for a given month show large differences. There are large regional patterns that can reach 7 ppm in the satellite retrievals (over regions of a few thousand kilometers wide) but are absent in the model predictions. The root‐mean‐square (RMS) differences between the models and the satellite product are around 1.7 ppm. One time series of the model CO2 trend is used to extrapolate to the airborne measurement periods (1991–2003) both the satellite and the model monthly products to the airborne measurement period. The RMS difference between the airborne measurements and the extrapolated model predictions is around 1 ppm, while it is 2 ppm for the satellite estimate. These comparisons suggest that the large spatial variability of TOVS retrievals reflects substantial regional biases and noise which need to be reduced before remotely sensed CO2 from TOVS will help constrain our knowledge of the carbon cycle.
On the Bayesian estimation of cloud fraction from lidar transects
Authors: Settle Jeffery J. , van de Poll H. Martine
Published: May 2007

The problem of estimating cloud cover at different heights from spaceborne lidar transects has recently been tackled with a new statistical model. Exponential distributions are assumed for the cloud length and for the intercloud gaps and a Jeffreys prior distribution is assumed for the parameters of these distributions. These allow us to generate a posterior probability distribution for the actual cloud cover, given the observations (a set of cloud and intercloud lengths). The resulting model enables us to establish confidence intervals, also known as credible intervals, for estimates taken from this distribution. The estimates of cloud cover and credible intervals have so far been undertaken by numerical integration. In this paper we present approximations to the mean, variance, and quantile points of the posterior distribution. These were initially developed to handle the case where the number of clouds in a transect becomes very large, the distribution becomes very peaked, and the numerical integration is prone to error. However, by developing the asymptotic forms a little we find that the results apply with acceptable accuracy to problems with small numbers of whole clouds.
Cloud climatology at the Southern Great Plains and the layer structure, drizzle, and atmospheric modes of continental stratus
Authors: Kollias Pavlos , Tselioudis George , Albrecht Bruce A.
Published: May 2007

Long‐term (6.5 years) cloud observations from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurements (ARM) program Southern Great Plains (SGP) climate research facility in Oklahoma are used to develop detailed cloud climatology. Clouds are classified with respect to their altitude (low, middle, and high), vertical development, and the presence of multilayer clouds. Single‐layered cirrus, middle or low clouds were observed a total of 23% of the time the MilliMeter Cloud Radar (MMCR) was operating, and multilayer clouds were observed 20.5% of the time. Boundary layer clouds exhibit the strongest seasonal variability because of continental stratus associated with midlatitude frontal systems. Cirrus clouds are the most frequently observed cloud type and exhibit strong seasonal variability in cloud base height (higher cloud base during the summer months) and relatively constant cloud fraction. The majority of middle‐level clouds are shallow with vertical extent less than 1 km. No strong seasonal cycle in the fractional coverage of multilayer clouds is observed. Continental stratus clouds exhibit strong seasonal variability with maximum occurrence during the cold seasons. Nondrizzling stratus clouds exhibit a bimodal seasonal variability with maximum occurrences in the fall and spring, while drizzling stratus occur most frequently in the winter. Thermodynamic and dynamic variables from soundings and the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Model (ECMWF) analyses at the SGP site illustrate an interesting coupling between strong large‐scale forcing and the formation of single‐layered (no other cloud layer is present) continental stratus clouds. Single‐layered stratus clouds (drizzling and nondrizzling) exhibit a strong correlation with positive ω at 500 mbar and strong northerly flow.
Bromoform and dibromomethane above the Mauritanian upwelling: Atmospheric distributions and oceanic emissions
Authors: Quack Birgit , Atlas Elliot , Petrick Gert , Wallace Douglas W. R.
Published: May 2007

Natural sources of bromoform (CHBr3) and dibromomethane (CH2Br2), including oceanic emissions, contribute to stratospheric and tropospheric O3 depletion. Convective transport over tropical oceans could deliver large amounts of these short‐lived organic bromine species to the upper atmosphere. High mixing ratios of atmospheric CHBr3 in air masses from the northwest African coast have been hypothesized to originate from the biologically active Mauritanian upwelling. During a cruise into the upwelling source region in spring 2005 the atmospheric mixing ratios of the brominated compounds CHBr3 and CH2Br2 were found to be elevated above the marine background and comparable to measurements in other coastal regions. The shelf waters were identified as a source of both compounds for the atmosphere. The calculated sea‐to‐air emissions support the hypothesis of a strong upwelling source for reactive organic bromine. However, calculated emissions were not sufficient to explain the elevated concentrations observed in the coastal atmosphere. Other strong sources that could contribute to the large atmospheric mixing ratios previously observed over the Atlantic Ocean must exist within or near West Africa.
Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment Ozonesonde Network Study (IONS) 2004: 2. Tropospheric ozone budgets and variability over northeastern North America
Authors: Thompson Anne M. , Stone Jesse B. , Witte Jacquelyn C. , Miller Sonya K. , Oltmans Samuel J. , Kucsera Tom L. , Ross Kelly L. , Pickering Kenneth E. , Merrill John T. , Forbes Gerry , Tarasick David W. , Joseph Everette , Schmidlin F. J. , McMillan W. Wallace , Warner Juying , Hintsa Eric J. , Johnson James E.
Published: May 2007

Daily ozone soundings taken from the R/V Ronald H. Brown from 7 July through 11 August 2004 as part of the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment (INTEX) Ozonesonde Network Study (IONS) are used to investigate the vertical structure of ozone over the Gulf of Maine and to characterize variability in sources of tropospheric ozone: stratosphere, regional convection and lightning, advection, and local boundary layer pollution. These soundings were part of a network of twelve IONS (http://croc.gsfc.nasa.gov/intex/ions.html) stations that launched ozonesonde‐radiosonde packages over the United States and maritime Canada during the INTEX/International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation (ICARTT)/New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS) project from 1 July to 15 August 2004. Four of the IONS stations were in mid‐Atlantic and northeast United States; four were in southeastern Canada. Although the INTEX/ICARTT goal was to examine pollution influences under stable high‐pressure systems, northeastern North America (NENA) during IONS was dominated by weak frontal systems that mixed aged pollution and stratospheric ozone with ozone from more recent pollution and lightning. These sources are quantified to give tropospheric ozone budgets for individual soundings that are consistent with tracers and meteorological analyses. On average, for NENA stations in July‐August 2004, tropospheric ozone was composed of the following: 10–15% each local boundary layer and regional sources (the latter including that due to lightning‐derived NO) and 20–25% stratospheric ozone, with the balance (∼50%) a mixture of recently advected ozone and aged air of indeterminate origin.
A set of diagnostics for evaluating chemistry‐climate models in the extratropical tropopause region
Authors: Pan L. L. , Wei J. C. , Kinnison D. E. , Garcia R. R. , Wuebbles D. J. , Brasseur G. P.
Published: May 2007

Three related diagnostics are used to evaluate the representation of chemical transport processes in the extratropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) by chemistry‐transport and chemistry‐climate models. The diagnostics are based on in situ observations of ozone, carbon monoxide, water vapor profiles (obtained on board the NASA ER‐2 research aircraft, near 65°N and during 1997), and their interrelationships in the UTLS. The first diagnostic compares the observed and modeled UTLS trace gas profiles in a relative altitude coordinate. The second one compares the observed and modeled UTLS tracer relationships. The third one compares the observed and modeled thickness of the tropopause transition layer. Together, they characterize the model's ability to reproduce the observed chemical distribution in the UTLS region and chemical transition across the extratropical tropopause. These are key indicators of whether the contributions of dynamics and chemistry to this region are correctly represented in the models. These diagnostics are used to evaluate the performance of an NCAR chemistry‐transport model (CTM), MOZART‐3, and a chemistry‐climate model (CCM), WACCM3. Results from four model runs with different meteorological fields and grid resolution are examined. Overall, the NCAR models show qualitative agreement with the observations in the location of the chemical transition across the extratropical tropopause. Quantitatively, there are significant differences between the modeled and the observed chemical distributions. Both the meteorological field and grid resolutions are contributing factors to the differences.
Role of the initial ocean state for the 2006 El Niño
Authors: Hackert Eric , Ballabrera‐Poy Joaquim , Busalacchi Antonio J. , Zhang Rong‐Hua , Murtugudde Raghu
Published: May 2007

In this study, we present results which are designed to isolate the role of the ocean initial condition prior to the 2006 El Niño. Analysis of the differences between model experiments with the same forcing but different initial conditions shows several key dynamical elements of the 2006 El Niño that were evident in the initial state of the ocean. Between November 2005 and March 2006, the eastern Pacific was cold due to an upwelling Kelvin wave. By May 2006, the combined impact of downwelling Kelvin and upwelling Rossby waves had carried warm SST eastward over the entire equatorial Pacific. From May until September, westward advection of cold waters by a downwelling Rossby wave temporarily reduced temperatures in the tropical Pacific. The El Niño was fully manifest when the second downwelling Kelvin wave traversed the Pacific in October to December 2006. A statistical atmospheric model forced by the sea surface temperature anomalies from these experiments isolates the atmospheric response to oceanic initial condition and can help guide coupled model forecasts. East of the dateline, easterlies limit the early growth of this event prior to May 2006 through destructive interference of any downwelling signal. During May 2006, warm SST is associated with westerly wind anomalies which stretch across the entire basin. However, cold advection from an upwelling Rossby wave limits the duration of these westerlies. After July, westerlies prevail over the central Pacific as the 2006 El Niño develops into a fully coupled event. Although high quality global ocean observations allow ever improving estimates of the initial ocean state for coupled ocean‐atmosphere prediction models, the amplitude of 2006 El Niño was under‐predicted prior to September 2006 as measured by composite forecast indices. Our methodology of isolating the role of the initial state of the ocean reproduces all the major features of the 2006 event and has merit for use in conjunction with coupled‐model forecasts to improve long‐range predictions of El Niño.
The synthetic cannabinoid HU210 induces spatial memory deficits and suppresses hippocampal firing rate in rats
Authors: Robinson L , Goonawardena A V , Pertwee R G , Hampson R E , Riedel G
Published: May 2007

Background and purpose:

Previous work implied that the hippocampal cannabinoid system was particularly important in some forms of learning, but direct evidence for this hypothesis is scarce. We therefore assessed the effects of the synthetic cannabinoid HU210 on memory and hippocampal activity.

Experimental approach:

HU210 (100 μg kg‐1) was administered intraperitoneally to rats under three experimental conditions. One group of animals were pre‐trained in spatial working memory using a delayed‐matching‐to‐position task and effects of HU210 were assessed in a within‐subject design. In another, rats were injected before acquisition learning of a spatial reference memory task with constant platform location. Finally, a separate group of animals was implanted with electrode bundles in CA1 and CA3 and single unit responses were isolated, before and after HU210 treatment.

Key results:

HU210 treatment had no effect on working or short‐term memory. Relative to its control Tween 80, deficits in acquisition of a reference memory version of the water maze were obtained, along with drug‐related effects on anxiety, motor activity and spatial learning. Deficits were not reversed by the CB1 receptor antagonists SR141716A (3 mg kg‐1) or AM281 (1.5 mg kg‐1). Single unit recordings from principal neurons in hippocampal CA3 and CA1 confirmed HU210‐induced attenuation of the overall firing activity lowering both the number of complex spikes fired and the occurrence of bursts.

Conclusions and implications:

These data provide the first direct evidence that the underlying mechanism for the spatial memory deficits induced by HU210 in rats is the accompanying abnormality in hippocampal cell firing.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 688–700; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707273
The magnetic properties of strained and relaxed Fe3−xMgxO4 ferrite films on MgO(001) and SrTiO3(001) by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Lee D. S. , Wang J. S. , Modak Dilip K. , Liu Y. S. , Chang C. L. , Chern G.
Published: May 2007

The present study grows a series of Fe3−xMgxO4 (0≦x≦1.5) films and systematically measure both structure and magnetization of these films. These films are grown on MgO and SrTiO3 (STO), which have small (∼−0.3%) and large (∼7.5%) lattice mismatch in order to have either strained or relaxed films, by plasma-oxygen-assisted molecular beam epitaxy, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is carried out to analyze the crystalline structure. Saturation magnetization (Ms) of pure Fe3O4 (x=0) on both substrates is ∼500emu∕cm3, which is consistent with the bulk value. However, Ms has a fast decrease with increasing x for the films grown on MgO(001), from 340to∼100emu∕cm3 in the region of 0.3<x<1.35, and stays at ∼100emu∕cm3 for x>1.35. On the other hand, Ms remains unchanged with x increasing from 0.3 to 1 for the film grown on STO. With x>1, Ms drops abruptly to ∼100emu∕cm3, which is comparable to Ms of the film grown on MgO. The discrepancy in Ms of Fe3−xMgxO4 film grown on MgO and STO may imply that the cation distribution of these films may be fundamentally different. Possible cation distribution and the substrate strain effect will be discussed.
Ultrafast optically induced spin dynamics in patterned single crystal Fe dot arrays
Authors: Lepadatu S. , Wu J. , Bunce C. , Zou X. , Niu D. , Xu Y. B. , Chantrell R. , Ju G. P.
Published: May 2007

Optically induced ultrafast spin dynamics in nanoscale single crystal Fe dot arrays have been investigated using time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) pump-probe measurements. An ultrafast demagnetization process has been found to occur in the first 400fs after the excitation with the femtosecond laser pulses for both the patterned dot arrays and the continuous film. While in the continuous Fe film the magnetization recovers monotonically with no precession, an optically induced spin precession has been observed in the patterned dot array with the precession frequency and the damping dependent on bias field strength. This result demonstrates that the modified magnetic anisotropies, as shown by the static focused MOKE measurements, in the patterned nanostructures can give rise to the optically induced spin precession.
Three-dimensional disturbances in channel flows
Authors: Malik Satish V. , Hooper Alison P.
Published: May 2007

In this paper we conduct a linear stability analysis of three-dimensional two-fluid flows and use an energy method to comment on its stability. The governing equations are solved using a Chebyshev-tau D2 method that reduces the order of the coupled governing Orr-Sommerfeld and Squire equation and hence achieves more accurate results. A new norm, called the M-norm, is defined to overcome the problem of nonconvergence of the disturbance energy. The maximum amplification of O(103) is achieved for streamwise independent disturbances due to the “lift-up effect,” as is the case of three-dimensional single-fluid flow. In contrast to two-dimensional flows, where the adjoint of the leading mode influences the growth, the three-dimensional single-fluid flow growth is influenced by the adjoint of the second mode. Although most growth in three-dimensional two-fluid flow is due to the contribution of the adjoint of the second mode, at large time the interfacial mode contributes to most growth.
Molecular dynamics simulation with stochastically constrained pressure
Authors: Baranyai András
Published: May 2007

The authors propose a new algorithm for molecular dynamics simulation. The method includes a Monte Carlo scheme for incrementing the dilation rate in the equations of motion. The new algorithm needs no extra computation and the dynamics of the system preserves its continuity. Application of this approach is very advantageous for models where the derivation and the computation of the pressure is time consuming. The authors present results of model calculations.
Resonant detection of modulated terahertz radiation in micromachined high-electron-mobility transistor
Authors: Ryzhii V. , Ryzhii M. , Hu Y. , Hagiwara I. , Shur M. S.
Published: May 2007

The authors develop a device model for a resonant detector of modulated terahertz radiation based on a micromachined high-electron-mobility transistor with the microcantilever serving as the gate. The device model accounts for mechanical motion of the microcantilever and plasma effects of the two-dimensional electron channel. It is demonstrated that at a combined resonance when the carrier terahertz frequency and the modulation frequency coincide with the plasma resonant frequency and the mechanical resonant frequency, respectively, the amplitude of the output gate and drain ac currents and, hence, the detector resonsivity exhibit sharp and high maximum.
High capacitance-temperature sensitivity and “giant” dielectric constant in SrTiO3
Authors: Ang Chen , Yu Zhi
Published: May 2007

A dielectric relaxation with a “giant” dielectric constant (ε∼104) at low frequencies and a remaining high ε(∼5×103) background at high frequencies (>1MHz) are observed in Bi doped SrTiO3 ceramics annealed in a reduced atmosphere. The material possesses a very high capacitance-temperature sensitivity at ∼2K, which is much higher than the values reported in the current literature. The giant dielectric constant at low frequencies is attributed to the “Maxwell-Wagner” interfacial polarization based on the study of the complex-impedance spectrum. The remaining high dielectric constant at high frequencies is tentatively attributed to the “electron-relaxation mode” coupling polarization.
Single radial-mode lasing in a submicron-thickness spherical shell microlaser
Authors: Lee Sang-Bum , Oh Myoung-Kyu , Lee Jai-Hyung , An Kyungwon
Published: May 2007

The authors have investigated whispering-gallery mode (WGM) lasing characteristics in a submicron-thickness spherical shell microlaser. The dielectric shell region was doped with dye molecules at a low concentration so as to provide a gain for lasing as well as to confine WGM’s tightly. Lasing in the lowest-mode-order WGM with a quality factor as high as 107 was observed.
Nonlinear photonic crystal waveguide structures based on barium titanate thin films and their optical properties
Authors: Liu Zhifu , Lin Pao-Tai , Wessels Bruce W. , Yi Fei , Ho Seng-Tiong
Published: May 2007

Nonlinear photonic crystal waveguide structures were fabricated from barium titanate thin films using nanolithography. A cascaded Bragg reflector using a strip waveguide was designed and analyzed. Both simulation and experimental results show that there is sufficient refractive index contrast to form a stop band by only etching through the Si3N4 strip layer. The band gap of the Bragg reflector can be engineered through control of the Bragg spacing, thickness, and etching depth of the strip layer. The transmission spectrum of the Bragg reflector waveguide was measured over the spectral range of 1500–1580nm. A 27nm wide stop band was obtained for a millimeter long sample. The nonlinear photonic crystal waveguides are potentially suitable as tunable filters, optical switches, and ultrawide bandwidth modulators.
Two dimensional dynamic focusing of laser light by ferroelectric domain based electro-optic lenses
Authors: Krishnamurthi Mahesh , Ramirez Mariola O. , Denev Sava , Gopalan Venkatraman , Lehecka Thomas M. , Thomas Jeffrey G. , Jia Q. X.
Published: May 2007

The authors demonstrate the proof of concept of two dimensional focusing of laser light. This has been achieved by using a combination of two cylindrical electro-optic ferroelectric domain lens stacks in an orthogonal geometry. The devices were fabricated on z-cut lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) wafers and tested with helium-neon laser at 633nm. Continuously tunable optical power ranging from −129m−1to129m−1 is obtained in both directions by varying the applied voltage.
The New Geography of Eastern European Trade
Authors: Maurel Mathilde , Cheikbossian Guillaume
Published: May 2007

This paper is meant to answer the question whether the CMEA countries trade flows have been able to catch up with their trade potential. The gravity equations estimated over a panel of 14 years show that there is a room for an increase in trade, which could compensate for the huge regional trade losses. But, if one takes into account the higher than average transportation costs in East Europe, this potential increase may only he reached through the reduction of these transportation costs and through further liberalisation of regional trade flows. How costly has been the disintegration process? The computation of gross trade destruction (GTD) versus trade creation (TC) minus external trade diversion (ETD) in the framework of the Viner model reflects the decreasing costs of the CMEA break‐up: a dramatic trade reorientation has taken place, and it is welfare improving.

Dieser Artikel untersucht, ob der Aussenhandel der ehemaligen COMECON‐Länder sein potentielles Niveau bereits erreicht hat. Ein Gravitltsmodel über einen Zeitraum von 14 Jahren zeigt, dass es noch ein Potential für zusätzlichen internationalen Handel giht, das den Zusammenbruch des regionalen Handels kompensieren könnte. Wenn jedoch die höheren Transportkosten in Mittel‐ und Osteuropa in Betracht gezogen werden, dürfte dieses Potential nur durch eine Reduzierung dieser Kosten und eine weitergehende Handelsliberalisierung ausgeschöpft werden können. Der Artikel heschäftigt sich ebenfalls mit den Kosten des Zusammenbruchs des COMECON‐Handels. Die Berechnung der Bruttohandelszerstörung versus neu entstandenem Handel abzuglich der Handelsahlenkung im Modell von Viner zeigt, dass diese Kosten positiv und ahnehmend sind. Die starke Reorientierung des Aussenhandels hat eine erhöhte Wohlfahrt in der Region zur Folge.

RESUME

Cet article tente de répondre è la question de savoir si le commerce des pays ex‐memhres du CAEM a rattrapé son niveau potentiel. L'équation de gravité estimée sur un panel de 14 ans montre qu'il existe un potentiel d'échanges qui pourrait compenser l'effondrement du commerce régional. Mais la prise en compte des coǔts de transport qui sont plus élevés en Europe de l'Est suggère que ce potentiel ne peut ěre exploité qu' è travers la réduction de ces coǔts en Europe de l'Est et è travers une libéralisation plus poussée des échanges. Le processus de désintégration a t'il été coǔteux? Le calcul de la destruction de commerce (DC) versus création (CC) et destruction extérieure de commerce (DEC) dans le modèle de Viner montre que le coǔt est positif mais décroissant. L'importante réorientation des échanges tend è améliorer le bien‐ětre dans la région.
Fatal neuroglycopaenia after accidental use of a glucose 5% solution in a peripheral arterial cannula flush system
Authors: Sinha S. , Jayaram R. , Hargreaves C. G.
Published: May 2007

A patient on an Intensive Care Unit who was recovering from multiple organ failure was being given an intravenous infusion of insulin to maintain normoglycaemia. On her 20th day in the unit, she suddenly became unresponsive. A cerebrovascular accident was suspected as other clinical and laboratory parameters remained normal apart from a blood glucose value of 20.6 mmol.l−1. The insulin infusion rate had been increased to treat hyperglycaemia. Subsequent bedside finger prick blood testing suggested that the blood sugar was low but no numerical reading was provided. Repeat blood glucose analysis using a further sample drawn from the arterial line and measured in the blood gas analyser gave a value of 10.1 mmol.l−1. Confirmatory laboratory blood tests revealed severe hypoglycaemia (0.1 mmol.l−1) and intravenous glucose 50% was given immediately. Examination showed that a glucose 5% solution had been inadvertently used in the arterial cannula flush system rather than saline, contaminating earlier samples drawn from the arterial line and giving falsely high blood glucose values. The prolonged period of severe hypoglycaemia led to neuroglycopaenia and irreversible brain injury. The patient died 9 days later without regaining consciousness. Such a complication has not previously been reported in this context and has particular significance given the increasing use of insulin therapy to maintain normoglycaemia in critically ill patients.
Microbial growth in propofol formulations with disodium edetate and the influence of venous access system dead space*
Authors: Fukada T. , Ozaki M.
Published: May 2007

Propofol formulated in lipid supports microbial growth. We hypothesised that propofol with disodium edetate would suppress microbial growth more than propofol without disodium edetate. We examined bacterial growth in vitro and bacterial survival in the dead space of different venous access systems. Bacteria in propofol with disodium edetate (Diprivan®; AstraZeneca, London, UK) and without disodium edetate (1% Propofol inj. ‘Maruishi®’; Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Osaka, Japan) survived and grew in the dead space of the venous access systems, although propofol with disodium edetate suppressed bacterial growth more than propofol without. Disodium edetate is effective in retarding microbial growth. However, for prevention of healthcare‐associated infections, medical professionals should maintain strict aseptic precautions when handling propofol, use disodium edetate‐containing formulations, and should consider using venous access systems without dead space.
The Airtraq® as a rescue airway device following failed direct laryngoscopy: a case series
Authors: Maharaj C. H. , Costello J. F. , McDonnell J. G. , Harte B. H. , Laffey J. G.
Published: May 2007

We report the successful use of the Airtraq® as a rescue device following failed direct laryngoscopy, in patients deemed at increased risk for difficult tracheal intubation. In a series of seven patients, repeated attempts at direct laryngoscopy with the Macintosh blade, and the use of manoeuvres to aid intubation, such as the gum elastic bougie placement, were unsuccessful. In contrast, with the Airtraq® device, each patient's trachea was successfully intubated on the first attempt. This report underlines the utility of the Airtraq device in these patients.
A case of acute upper and lower airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal haemorrhage secondary to acquired haemophilia A
Authors: Harper M. , Obolensky L. , Roberts P. , Mercer M.
Published: May 2007

We report the first known case of acute upper and lower airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal haemorrhage secondary to acquired haemophilia A. The patient required tracheal intubation and ventilation followed by surgical tracheostomy, prior to transfer to the intensive care unit for management of her coagulopathy with recombinant clotting factor products under the care of the haematologists.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Changes in central dopaminergic systems and morphine reward by prenatal and neonatal exposure to bisphenol‐A in mice: evidence for the importance of exposure period
Authors: Narita Minoru , Miyagawa Kazuya , Mizuo Keisuke , Yoshida Takuya , Suzuki Tsutomu
Published: May 2007

Bisphenol‐A has been extensively evaluated for toxicity in a variety of tests as the most common environmental endocrine disruptors. In a previous study, we reported that exposure to bisphenol‐A affects the development of the central dopaminergic system in the mouse limbic area. The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the developmental toxicity of bisphenol‐A and its exposure period. The exposure to bisphenol‐A during either organogenesis or lactation, but not implantation and parturition, significantly enhanced the morphine‐induced hyperlocomotion and rewarding effects. Furthermore, exposure to bisphenol‐A during either organogenesis or lactation also produced an up‐regulation of dopamine receptor function to activate G‐protein in the mouse limbic forebrain. These results indicate that both organogenesis and lactation are more sensitive to the bisphenol‐A‐induced developmental neuronal toxicology than any other periods. In conclusion, the present data suggest that the organogenesis and lactation are the most important period to cause the alternation of dopaminergic system by bisphenol‐A exposure in the mouse.
CLINICAL STUDY: Elevated urinary aluminium in current and past users of illicit heroin
Authors: Exley Christopher , Ahmed Usman , Polwart Anthony , Bloor Roger N.
Published: May 2007

The use of illicit heroin is associated with aberrant neurology of unknown aetiology and various psychiatric illnesses. Aluminium, which is a proven neurotoxin, is present in significant amounts in illicit heroin and may also be volatilized and inhaled following the vaporization of heroin off aluminium foil (‘Chasing the Dragon’). The purpose of this study was to establish if the use of illicit heroin was associated with an increase in the body burden of aluminium. We have used graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry to measure the aluminium and iron contents of the urine of current and past users of illicit heroin and used these data to estimate body burdens of aluminium. Urinary excretion of aluminium is the most effective non‐invasive indicator of the body burden of aluminium and was found to be significantly (P < 0.001) higher in users of illicit heroin, range 14–3382 nmol/mmol creatinine (mean ± SD; 222 ± 491 nmol/mmol creatinine), than in a normal non‐drug abusing control population, range 23–74 nmol/mmol creatinine (mean ± SD; 43 ± 19 nmol/mmol creatinine). Exposure to aluminium from the use of illicit heroin may be of particular significance because the urinary excretion of iron, another major contaminant of illicit heroin, in users (mean ± SD; 53 ± 63 nmol/mmol creatinine) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the control population (mean ± SD; 38 ± 18 nmol/mmol creatinine). We have shown for the first time that the use of illicit heroin may be a significant contributor to the body burden of aluminium. Further research will be required to determine if adventitious aluminium has a role in heroin use‐related neuropathology and neurology.
REVIEW: New developments in the pharmacotherapy of cocaine abuse
Authors: Preti Antonio
Published: May 2007

Despite huge advances in the neuroscience of substance abuse and dependence in the past 20 years, no approved pharmacological treatment exists for cocaine abuse. The available drugs for the treatment of cocaine abuse are poorly effective, hence the need for new compounds to be screened and tested for efficacy: targeting symptoms might improve the effectiveness of the treatment of cocaine abuse and dependence. On the basis of the known neurochemistry of cocaine, some target compounds have been studied: among others, BP‐897, a D3 partial agonist; vanoxerine, a highly selective inhibitor of dopamine uptake; aripiprazole, a partial mixed‐action agonist approved for the treatment of schizophrenia. Recently modafinil, approved for the treatment of narcolepsy, proved effective in favouring cocaine abstinence in cocaine‐abusing people. Some placebo‐controlled studies also reported the effectiveness of topiramate, a licensed antiepileptic drug, and of tiagabine, a gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) re‐uptake inhibitor also approved as an anticonvulsant; both compounds increased cocaine abstinence with no serious adverse events. Promising results came from two more compounds acting on the GABA circuits, baclofen and valproic acid. Finally disulfiram, prescribed with active psychosocial therapy, was found to favour higher retention rates and longer abstinence periods from both alcohol and cocaine in polydrug‐abusing patients. An alternative approach rests on the use of vaccines, to date in the experimental stage still. Psychosocial treatments are a useful companion in the pharmacotherapy of cocaine abuse, with group therapy and contingency management therapies improving motivation and social functioning, particularly in patients abusing alcohol as well.
GENETIC STUDY: The human protein kinase C gamma gene (PRKCG) as a susceptibility locus for behavioral disinhibition
Authors: Schlaepfer Isabel R. , Clegg Hilary V. , Corley Robin P. , Crowley Thomas J. , Hewitt John K. , Hopfer Christian J. , Krauter Kenneth , Lessem Jeffrey , Rhee Soo Hyun , Stallings Michael C. , Wehner Jeanne M. , Young Susan E. , Ehringer Marissa A.
Published: May 2007

This study explores the association between a highly heritable behavioral disinhibition phenotype and the protein kinase C gamma (PRKCG) gene in an ethnically diverse youth sample from Colorado, USA. The rationale for this study was based on the impulsive behavior and increased ethanol consumption observed in the protein kinase C gamma (PKC‐γ)‐deficient mouse model. Two composite behavioral disinhibition phenotypes and their component behavioral scores [conduct disorder, attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance experimentation (SUB) and novelty‐seeking] were examined for association with five independent PRKCG single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Association analysis for the five individual SNPs revealed modest genetic association of Exon 14 (rs2242244) and Upstream (rs307941) markers with the behavioral disinhibition composite variables in the combined, Hispanic and African‐American samples. Additionally, haplotype‐based association analysis for two SNPs located in Intron 3 (rs402691) and Exon 6 (rs3745406) indicated a significant overall association of the PRKCG locus with the ADHD‐hyperactive subscale scores in the combined and Caucasian samples, supporting the relation between impulsive behaviors and the PRKCG gene. A significant haplotype association was also observed with SUB scores but only in the Hispanic ethnic group, highlighting the marker variability for each ethnic group. In conclusion, our results support the role of the PKC‐γ enzyme in behavioral impulsivity previously observed in mice. This study provides the first exploration of the PRKCG gene and its association with behavioral disinhibition and warrants further study in other larger population samples.
Serum IgE levels and allergic spectra in immigrants to Sweden
Authors: Kalyoncu A. F. , Stålenheim G.
Published: May 2007

We evaluated the allergy status of 134 immigrants from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America, who were referred to our clinic during the past 10 years. Fifty Swedish patients were used for comparison. When the atopy state was not taken into account, no significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to total IgE levels. However, IgE levels of non‐atopic immigrants were significantly higher than the IgE levels of non‐atopic Swedes. While there was no significant difference in IgE levels between atopic and non‐atopic immigrants, this difference was significant in Swedish patients. In general, IgE levels of immigrants showed a decline with time and reached approximately the same levels as for the Swedish patients in 10.5 years. In the immigrant group atopic women had a considerably lower IgE level than the atopic men. Among the atopics there were no differences between sexes. In Swedes and immigrants pollen was the most common group of allergens. The spectrum of allergy in the immigrant group changed with time in Sweden, and gradually became more similar to the Swedish spectrum. Skin and/or RAST positivity to birch increased from 16% within 2.5 years to 53% after more than 10.5 years in Sweden. Our data indicate that environmental factors rather than hereditary differences determine the IgE state. Within a few years the immunologic status of immigrants adapts to the new environment.
Clinical and immunological effects of immunotherapy with alum‐absorbed grass allergoid in grass‐pollen‐induced hay fever
Authors: Pastorello E. A. , Pravettoni V. , Incorvaia C. , Mambretti M. , Franck E. , Wahl R. , Zanussi C.
Published: May 2007

A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of immunotherapy was conducted in 19 patients with grass‐pollen hay fever to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a formalinized depot grass allergoid. The patients were assessed before and during IT by clinical (symptom‐medication scores during the grass‐ pollen season, specific nasal and skin reactivity) and immunological (specific IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies) parameters. High doses of grass allergoid, corresponding to a cumulative pre‐seasonal dosage of 46050 PNU, were administered, with only one systemic reaction. The actively treated patients had significantly lower symptom‐medication scores than placebo (p < 0.01) during the month of May and showed a significant decrease in specific skin (p < 0.01) and nasal (p < 0.05) reactivity, and a significant early increase in specific IgE (p < 0.01), IgG (p < 0.0005), IgG1 (p < 0.001) and IgG4 (p < 0.05), with a subsequent decrease of IgE and IgG1. No differences were detected in any of these parameters in the placebo group. A correlation was found between high IgG4/IgG1 ratio and the specific skin reactivity decrease (r = 0.691, p < 0.05), whereas a high IgG4/IgG1, ratio was associated with higher symptom‐medication scores (r = 0.654, p < 0.05). Possible explanations of these apparent discrepancies are proposed.
Specific IgE antibodies to vespids in the course of immunotherapy with Vespula germanica administered to patients sensitized to Polistes dominulus
Authors: Juarez C. , Blanca M. , Miranda A. , Sanchez F. , Carmona M. J. , Avila M. J. , Fernandez S. , Fernandez J. , Terrados S.
Published: May 2007

Sera from a group of 12 patients with anaphylactic reactions to vespids were studied. Field observations and RAST values suggested that the offending insect was Polistes dominulus (PD). Specific IgE antibodies to PD appeared in all cases and to Vespula germanica (VG) in nine. Absorption studies in these basal sera showed that IgE antibodies to VG were due to cross‐reactivity with PD. The RAST value to both venoms was higher after immunotherapy (IT) in six cases. IgE antibodies increased to determinants common to both vespids, and in 41% of the cases to specific epitopes of VG venom allergens not initially detected in the basal sera. In one case antibodies increased only to VG without a corresponding rise to PD. These results indicate that if the correct venom to which the individuals are sensitized is not administered IgE antibodies may appear which were not initially detected in the patients's era. The levels of these antibodies declined during the course of IT.