bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ground Clutter as a Monitor of Radar Stability at Kwajalein, RMI
Authors: Silberstein David S. , Wolff David B. , Marks David A. , Atlas David , Pippitt Jason L. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
There are many applications in which the absolute and day-to-day calibrations of radar sensitivity are necessary. This is particularly so in the case of quantitative radar measurements of precipitation. While fine calibrations may be made periodically by a variety of techniques such as the use of antenna ranges, standard targets, and solar radiation, knowledge of variations that occur between such checks is required to maintain the accuracy of the data. This paper presents a method for this purpose using the radar on Kwajalein Atoll to provide a baseline calibration for the control of measurements of rainfall made by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The method uses echoes from a multiplicity of ground targets. The daily average clutter echoes at the lowest elevation scan have been found to be remarkably stable from hour to hour, day to day, and month to month within better than ±1 dB. They vary significantly only after either deliberate system modifications, equipment failure, or other unknown causes. A cumulative distribution function (CDF) of combined precipitation and clutter reflectivity (Ze in dBZ) is obtained on a daily basis, regardless of whether or not rain occurs over the clutter areas. The technique performs successfully if the average daily area mean precipitation echoes (over the area of the clutter echoes) do not exceed 45 dBZ, a condition that is satisfied in most locales. In comparison, reflectivities associated with the most intense clutter echoes can approach 70 dBZ. Thus, the level at which the CDF reaches 95% is affected only by the clutter and reflects variations only in the radar sensitivity. Daily calculations of the CDFs have recently been made beginning with August 1999 data and are used to correct 7.5 yr of measurements, thus enhancing the integrity of the global record of precipitation observed by TRMM. The method is robust and may be applicable to other ground-based radars.
A Variational Correction Method as an Alternative to Forced Rejection of Sidelobe-Contaminated Bistatic Doppler Measurements
Authors: Chong Michel , Lamrani Nabil , Hagen Martin 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The problem of sidelobe contamination of bistatic apparent Doppler velocity measurements involved in a bistatic Doppler radar network is examined. So far in the context of 3D wind field analysis, by combining a traditional Doppler radar with one or more bistatic receivers, identification and hence removal of regions of high degrees of contamination were necessarily crucial steps to obtaining reliable wind fields. This study proposes an alternative solution to the forced rejection of bistatic Doppler data suspected to be contaminated by sidelobe echoes, on the basis of restoring the nonmeasured “actual” (i.e., noncontaminated) bistatic Doppler velocity from both monostatic radar and bistatic receiver measurements. The correction method is based on a modeled expression of the observed bistatic apparent Doppler velocity defined as the reflectivity-weighted average of actual Doppler velocity of particles within individual volume samples, including the antenna gain pattern of both transmitting and receiving radars. The searched actual Doppler velocity is a solution of an underdetermined inverse problem that can be handled as a constrained linear inversion problem, through a variational least squares analysis method.
The performances of the proposed method are analyzed, using simulated radar observations involving one remote receiver. An example of application to experimental data collected by the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR) bistatic Doppler radar network within a moderate precipitation system observed on 8 May 2000 in Germany is also presented. Pseudo-Doppler observations of a tropical squall-line system are used to quantify the effective improvement of the correction method on the bistatic Doppler velocity and hence the retrieved 3D wind field. Statistics of the differences are presented between observed and idealized (sidelobe free) velocity structures on the one hand, and corrected and idealized velocity structures on the other hand. Clearly shown is the very low level of the corrected minus idealized differences (mean and standard deviation) against the significantly high level of the observed minus idealized differences. As previously observed, maximum correction occurs in regions of potentially high gradients of reflectivity. It is also found that regions of low observed minus idealized differences remain unchanged after correction, which means that the sidelobe-correction method only acts on needed regions and does not introduce any artificial modification.
Impact of Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Data on the Numerical Simulation of a Historical Mumbai Rain Event
Authors: Singh Randhir , Pal P. K. , Kishtawal C. M. , Joshi P. C. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
In this paper, the three-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme (3DVAR) in the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (Penn State–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5) is used to study the impact of assimilating Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) retrieved temperature and moisture profiles on board Aqua, a satellite that is part of NASA’s Earth Observing System. A record-breaking heavy rain event that occurred over Mumbai, India, on 26 July 2005 with 24-h rainfall exceeding 94 cm was used for the simulation.
By analyzing the data from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis, possible causes of this heavy rainfall event were investigated. The temporal evolution of meteorological fields clearly indicates the formation of midtropospheric mesoscale vortices over Mumbai that exactly coincides with the duration of the intense rainfall. Analysis also indicated the midlevel dryness with higher temperature and moisture in the lower levels. This midlevel dryness with high temperature and moisture in the lower levels increases the conditional instability, which was conducive for the development of very severe local thunderstorms. The midtropospheric mesoscale vortices existed over Mumbai together with lower-level instability and the active monsoon conditions over the west coast resulted in intense rainfall, on the order of 94 cm in 24 h.
Numerical experiments were conducted, with two nested domains (45- and 15-km grid spacing). The assimilation of the AIRS-retrieved temperature and moisture profiles produced significant impacts on the location and intensity of the simulated rainfall. It is seen from the numerical experiments that the assimilation of AIRS data could produce the structure of mesoscale vortices, and lower-level thermodynamics and convergence much more realistically compared with the control simulation. The spatial distribution of the rainfall from the simulation using AIRS data was more realistic than that without AIRS data. To make the quantitative comparison of the predicted rainfall with the observed one, the equitable threat score and bias were calculated for different threshold values of rainfall. Inclusion of AIRS data significantly improved the precipitation as indicated by the equitable threat scores and biases for almost all of the threshold rainfall categories.
Medication recommendations to physicians by pharmacists for seniors: expected clinical impact in relation to implementation and expected time frame to effect
Authors: Dolovich Lisa , Howard Michelle , Sellors Connie , Kaczorowski Janusz , Rodriguez M Christine , Goeree Ron , Haq Mahbubul , Patel Payal , Sellors John 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Aims and objectives
To describe recommendations made by pharmacists in a trial that had found no improvements in selected clinical outcomes (the Seniors Medication Assessment Research Trial, SMART) in terms of expected impact on clinical outcomes and whether they had been implemented by the end of the 5-month period of follow-up.

Setting
SMART was conducted in a non-academic community practice setting.

Method
Recommendations made by the pharmacists during SMART, a cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted in family physician offices, were evaluated in this descriptive study. All recommendations to physicians were evaluated independently by two assessors using criteria established a priori and without knowledge of patient outcomes. Each recommendation was evaluated on likely strength and time to impact the patient's health and whether the recommendation was based on published evidence. Relationships between these criteria were analysed.

Key findings
Overall, the pharmacists made 1099 recommendations for 431 patients randomly assigned to the intervention group or a mean of 2.6 recommendations (standard deviation, 2.1) per patient. A moderate or marked impact on patient health within the 5-month follow-up period would have been expected for 15.5% of all recommendations. At study end, physicians fully implemented 45.8% of the recommendations. Among the recommendations that had been fully implemented, 64.5% of those expected to have a marked impact and 27.5% of those expected to have a moderate impact were anticipated to have the effect on patients' health beyond the 5-month period of follow-up reported in the study results.

Conclusion
It is likely that one of the contributing factors to not finding statistically significant differences in the SMART study was that only a small proportion of recommendations (15.5%) made by the SMART pharmacists would have an expected clinical effect within the study's follow-up period.
A cross-media analysis of educational information content of advertisements for over-the-counter medicines in a Nigerian urban setting
Authors: Yusuff Kazem B , Yusuf Akeem 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Objective
To analyse the educational information content of adverts for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines on radio, television and billboards in a Nigerian urban setting.

Method
A cross-sectional coding of educational information content of adverts for OTC medicines broadcast on radio and television and shown on billboards in a Nigerian urban setting within a 3-month study period. Two coders independently assessed 1492 adverts comprising 49 brands for information on targeted medical conditions and OTC medicines advertised as treatment.

Results
Inter-rater reliability among the two coders, determined with Cohen’s Kappa, was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.90). Analgesics, multi-vitamins/hematinics and anti-malarial drugs were the most frequently advertised OTC drug classes on all media. Symptoms and underlying cause/risk factors of targeted medical conditions were contained in a minority of adverts. The majority (81.5–100%) of the adverts projected the name of the medical condition for which the OTC medicines were advertised, whereas the symptoms and underlying cause/risk factors of these medical conditions were contained in only a minority of adverts. Name and identification features were the most frequently projected educational information (100%) pertaining to OTC medicines in advertised treatments. Information on the time to onset of action was contained in 40–80% of adverts, but this information was provided with the use of qualitative words such as fast and rapid. Information on dose, frequency, duration, side effects and precautions were provided in a minority of adverts in all media. Adverts for OTC medicines on television had the highest combined educational information scores of 5.0, followed by billboards (4.1) and radio (3.0). The combined educational information scores of adverts for OTC medicines on the three media fell short of the maximum obtainable score of 11. Adverts for anti-malarial drugs (100%) and OTC analgesics projected inaccurate information with regards to the efficacy of the advertised medicines.

Conclusion
The majority of adverts for OTC medicines on radio, television and billboards in a Nigerian urban setting contained insufficient educational information to guide informed drug purchase and rational use of medicines during self-medication. Promotional efforts appeared focused on high consumer awareness of the targeted medical conditions and the name/identification of the OTC medicines advertised as treatments. This may further worsen the well-documented irrational use of medicines in Nigeria.
A study of unprevented dispensing incidents in Welsh NHS hospitals
Authors: James K Lynette , Barlow Dave , Burfield Robin , Hiom Sarah , Roberts Dave , Whittlesea Cate 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Objective
To monitor unprevented dispensing incidents in NHS hospitals by identifying incident types, drugs involved and factors that may have contributed to the occurrence of incidents.

Setting
All 20 Welsh NHS hospitals (15 district general; 2 teaching; 2 psychiatric and 1 other specialist hospital).

Method
Unprevented dispensing incidents that occurred between January 2003 and December 2004 were reported and analysed using a validated method. Incident rate was calculated for those hospitals that provided both incident and issue data. Incident rate was compared with previous research using a two-sample t-test. Reported incident types and contributory factors were compared with previous research using chi-square analysis.

Key findings
A total of 1005 unprevented dispensing incidents were reported by 20 hospitals. The overall incident rate, based on data from 17 hospitals, was 16 incidents per 100000 items dispensed (range 0.2–46 incidents per 100000 items dispensed). The overall dispensing incident rate was less than previously reported (18 incidents per 100000 items dispensed).This finding was not statistically significant (t = 0.421, P = 0.676). The most common incidents reported were dispensing the wrong strength of drug (n = 241, 24%), wrong drug (n = 168, 17%), wrong form (n = 134, 13%) and printing the wrong warnings/directions on the label (n = 112, 11%). A statistically significant finding was that fewer incidents involving dispensing the wrong drug were reported by Welsh hospitals (17%) compared to previous research in the UK (23%; P = 0.01). Drugs most commonly involved in incidents were insulin (n = 34; 6 incidents per 10000 issues of insulin), nifedipine (n = 16; 10 incidents per 10000 issues of nifedipine) and carbamazepine (n = 10; 5 incidents per 10000 issues of carbamazepine).

Conclusion
The overall unprevented dispensing incident rate was less than previously reported. Dispensing the wrong strength of the correct drug is a problem. Staff should be aware of the risk of dispensing incidents involving insulin, nifedipine and carbamazepine. Strategies for minimising dispensing incidents include using shelf labels to highlight different strengths or formulations of the same drug, and educating staff about easily confused drugs.
Highly Active Copolymerization of Ethylene and Dicyclopentadiene with [(η1-t-BuN)SiMe2(η1-C29H36)]TiMe2(THF) Complex
Authors: Nishii Kei , Hayano Shigetaka , Tsunogae Yasuo , Cai Zhengguo , Nakayama Yuushou , Shiono Takeshi 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
A new ansa-fluorenylamidodimethyltitanium complex 1 was synthesized and applied for ethylene–dicyclopentadiene copolymerization using modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst at 50 °C. 1–MMAO exhibited the remarkable catalytic activity for the copolymerization and gave a copolymer with high glass-transition temperature of 191 °C.
The Effects of Hybridization and Hyperconjugation in the Intramolecular Blue-shifted H-Bonds N–H···O
Authors: Li An Yong 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Theoretical study of an example of intramolecular blue-shifted H-bond N–H···O shows that the blue shift of the N–H bond is caused by an increase in s-character of the N-hybrid AO of the N–H bond upon formation of the H-bond. The effect of hyperconjugation was also analyzed.
Irregularly Shaped Gold Nanoparticles as Secondary Labels for Enhanced Electrochemical Sandwich-type Enzyme Immunoassay for the Determination of Biomarkers
Authors: Sun Ai Li , Qi Qing An , Dong Zhuang Long 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
This letter describes a dual-amplified electrochemical sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay for the cancer antigen 125 (CA125) by using irregularly shaped gold nanoparticle-labeled horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-bound anti-CA125 as secondary antibodies. Compared with conventional sandwich-type immunoassays, the proposed immunoassay exhibits a low detection limit and wide linear range.
Prevalent Vertebral Fractures in Black Women and White Women
Authors: Cauley Jane A , Palermo Lisa , Vogt Molly , Ensrud Kristine E , Ewing Susan , Hochberg Marc , Nevitt Michael C , Black Dennis M 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fracture. Hip and clinical fractures are less common in black women, but there is little information on vertebral fractures. We studied 7860 white and 472 black women ≥65 yr of age enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Prevalent vertebral fractures were identified from lateral spine radiographs using vertebral morphometry and defined if any vertebral height ratio was &gt;3 SD below race-specific means for each vertebral level. Information on risk factors was obtained by questionnaire or examination. Lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck BMD and BMC were measured by DXA. The prevalence of vertebral fractures was 10.6% in black and 19.1% in white women. In age-adjusted logistic regression models, a 1 SD decrease in femoral neck BMD was associated with 47% increased odds of fracture in black women (OR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.12–1.94) and 80% increased odds in white women (OR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.68–1.94; interaction p = 0.14). The overall lower odds of fracture among black women compared with white women was independent of femoral neck BMD and other risk factors (OR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.37–0.72). However, the prevalence of vertebral fractures increased with increasing number of risk factors in both groups. The prevalence of vertebral fractures is lower in black compared with white women but increases with age, low BMD, and number of risk factors.
Quantitative Trait Loci for BMD in an SM/J by NZB/BlNJ Intercross Population and Identification of Trps1 as a Probable Candidate Gene
Authors: Ishimori Naoki , Stylianou Ioannis M , Korstanje Ron , Marion Michael A , Li Renhua , Donahue Leah Rae , Rosen Clifford J , Beamer Wesley G , Paigen Beverly , Churchill Gary A 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Identification of genes that regulate BMD will enhance our understanding of osteoporosis and could provide novel molecular targets for treatment or prevention. We generated a mouse intercross population and carried out a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of 143 female and 124 male F2 progeny from progenitor strains SM/J and NZB/BlNJ using whole body and vertebral areal BMD (aBMD) as measured by DXA. We found that both whole body and vertebral aBMD was affected by two loci on chromosome 9: one with a significant epistatic interaction on distal chromosome 8 and the other with a sex-specific effect. Two additional significant QTLs were identified on chromosome 12, and several suggestive ones were identified on chromosomes 5, 8, 15, and 19. The chromosome 9, 12, and 15 loci have been previously identified in other crosses. SNP-based haplotype analysis of the progenitor strains identified blocks within the QTL region that distinguish the low allele strains from the high allele strains, significantly narrowing the QTL region and reducing the possible candidate genes to 98 for chromosome 9, 31 for chromosome 12, and only 2 for chromosome 15. Trps1 is the most probable candidate gene for the chromosome 15 QTL. The sex-specific effects may help to elucidate the BMD differences between males and females. This study shows the power of statistical modeling to resolve linked QTLs and the use of haplotype analysis in narrowing the list of candidates.
PPARG by Dietary Fat Interaction Influences Bone Mass in Mice and Humans
Authors: Ackert-Bicknell Cheryl L , Demissie Serkalem , Marín de Evsikova Caralina , Hsu Yi-Hsiang , DeMambro Victoria E , Karasik David , Cupples L Adrienne , Ordovas Jose M , Tucker Katherine L , Cho Kelly , Canalis Ernesto , Paigen Beverly , Churchill Gary A , Forejt Jiri , Beamer Wesley G , Ferrari Serge , Bouxsein Mary L , Kiel Douglas P , Rosen Clifford J 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Adult BMD, an important risk factor for fracture, is the result of genetic and environmental interactions. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) for the phenotype of volumetric BMD (vBMD), named Bmd8, was found on mid-distal chromosome (Chr) 6 in mice. This region is homologous to human Chr 3p25. The B6.C3H-6T (6T) congenic mouse was previously created to study this QTL. Using block haplotyping of the 6T congenic region, expression analysis in the mouse, and examination of nonsynonymous SNPs, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (Pparg) was determined to be the most likely candidate gene for the Bmd8 QTL of the 630 genes located in the congenic region. Furthermore, in the C3H/HeJ (C3H) strain, which is the donor strain for the 6T congenic, several polymorphisms were found in the Pparg gene. On challenge with a high-fat diet, we found that the 6T mouse has a lower areal BMD (aBMD) and volume fraction of trabecular bone (BV/TV%) of the distal femur compared with B6 mice. Interactions between SNPs in the PPARG gene and dietary fat for the phenotype of BMD were examined in the Framingham Offspring Cohort. This analysis showed that there was a similar interaction of the PPARG gene and diet (fat intake) on aBMD in both men and women. These findings suggest that dietary fat has a significant influence on BMD that is dependent on the alleles present for the PPARG gene.
Automated Time-Resolved Immunofluorometric Assay for Progastrin-Releasing Peptide
Authors: Nordlund Marianne S , Warren David J , Nustad Kjell , Bjerner Johan , Paus Elisabeth 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Background: Small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 20% of new cases of lung cancer, and advanced disease is prevalent at the time of diagnosis. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) has been the primary tumor marker in small cell lung cancer but it has relatively low sensitivity in early-stage disease. Progastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP) is a promising alternative or complementary marker for NSE. We have previously described a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TR-IFMA) for proGRP that lacked the necessary sensitivity and robustness for use in the routine clinical laboratory. Herein we describe the development of an improved assay using a novel monoclonal antibody pair.
Methods: Mice were immunized with different conjugated proGRP peptides, including residues 31–98, 1–98, and preproGRP(-23–125). Pair combinations of the resulting monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were tested. The improved TR-IFMA was compared with the only other available proGRP assay, the proGRP ELISA (IBL).
Results: A panel of 12 high-affinity mAbs was produced. The best assay combination was between our original E146 mAb as solid-phase antibody and the new mAb M16 as tracer. The new TR-IFMA had a linear dose-response curve, a wide dynamic range (13–13 500 ng/L), and a limit of detection of 2.8 ng/L. Total CV was &lt;5.6% over the whole measuring range. Bland-Altman difference analysis indicated a significant positive bias between the IFMA and the ELISA.
Conclusions: We describe a sensitive and robust mAb-based TR-IFMA for proGRP. The assay is fully automated and displays high quality performance.