bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Residence time distributions of the Northern Annular Mode
Authors: Ruzmaikin Alexander 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe Northern Annular Mode (NAM) is a large‐scale climatic anomaly pattern characterizing the atmospheric circulation in the polar and the mid‐latitude regions. To help in understanding the basic physics underlying the NAM we determine and examine the probability distributions of residence times in the positive and negative phases of the NAM. These distributions are found to have only slightly different mean residence times but differ strongly in their tails. The difference in the tails of the distributions expresses a dominance of one phase of the NAM over the other during rarely occurring events such as the dominant positive NAM in the mid 1960s to the late 1990s.We investigate a possible influence of solar variability on the residence time distributions and find that at high solar activity the NAM spends slightly more time in its negative phase in the stratosphere and slightly less time (compared to the positive phase) in the troposphere. Much stronger influence on the NAM may occur during rare but prolonged changes in solar activity. This extends the conjecture that external forcing only affects the mean residence times (‘occupation frequencies’) of the dynamical states. An example is the dominance of the negative NAM during the 70‐year long Maunder Minimum.The distributions are consistent with generation by a non‐linear process of random transitions between two equilibrium states of a system with the addition of a small forced component. A simple two‐well potential model provides an approximate description of this process elucidating its dynamics as well as the effect of external influences on the annular modes. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman and IR spectroscopy study of corrosion products on the surface of the hot‐dip galvanized steel with alkaline mud adhesion
Authors: Zhang Hong , Li Xiaogang , Du Cuiwei , Qi Huibin , Huang Yizhong 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe corrosion products formed on hot‐dip galvanized steel sheets for the automobile application with adhesion of alkaline mud containing different Cl− ion contents are investigated by means of Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Results show that the Cl− ion content in alkaline mud has great influence on the corrosion behavior of the galvanized steel. The Cl− ions are responsible for the formation of the Zn5Cl2(OH)8· H2O layer on the surface of the steel at the early stage of corrosion. The rest of the Cl− ions then penetrate and interrupt corrosion product layer resulting in pitting corrosion. Subsequently, the red corrosion product of α‐FeOOH (shaped as needle‐like structure) is formed, which then transforms into black rust of Fe3O4 (having a shape of slim needle). It is interesting to find out that pitting depth is inversely proportional to the Cl− ion content. However, corrosion rate decreases with the increase of the Cl− ions in mud. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of urinary calculi—a spectroscopic study
Authors: Manciu F. S. , Govani J. R. , Durrer W. G. , Reza L. , Pinales L. A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAlthough herbal medicine is widely employed in inhibition of urinary calculi as an alternative and complementary curative method, the lack of detailed scientific studies that could provide insights into this complex process weakens its validity. The present work targets multitechnique spectroscopic investigations by Raman, infrared absorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence on the effects of the herb Rotula Aquatica Lour (RAL) on the growth of synthetically prepared magnesium‐based calculi. In addition to the standard magnesium phosphate‐based sample, two other samples were prepared with incorporation of 1 and 2wt% RAL herbal extract. Both, Raman and infrared data show a newberyite structure for the crystals without and with inhibitor. The XPS measurements reveal an unexpected presence of Zn in the sample with bfRAL inhibitor, which, as suggested in the literature, may initiate rapid stone formation, and consequently, contribute to the inhibition process. Furthermore, the existence of metallic Zn can explain the reflectance of the incident light observed in the infrared transmission studies of the unground crystals. A significant increase in magnesium with addition of herbal extract is observed in the XPS data. Also, evidence for MgO binding between the inhibitor and the phosphate units of urinary calculus is found in XPS and Raman results. Similarity between our photoluminescence measurements and those of in vivo chlorophyll a corroborates to provide additional evidence of Mg‐related inhibition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FT‐Raman investigation of human dental enamel surfaces
Authors: Mihály Judith , Gombás Veronika , Afishah Alias , Mink János 
Published: February 2009

AbstractFT‐Raman spectra of human enamel surfaces from sound, affected (with 1 cavity) and highly affected (with at least 3 cavities) tooth samples were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). Major differences between the unaffected and affected tooth samples seem to arise from the structural changes along the c‐axis of hydroxyapatite, the chief crystalline component of human dental enamel. Based on Fisher index calculations, the most discriminative value was obtained for the intensity of the only Raman active ν2PO43− (E1) symmetric deformation mode at 428 cm−1. Moreover, these changes can be observed through the whole tooth enamel surface, establishing a predisposition to caries correlated to chemical and structural composition of tooth enamel. No spectral changes regarding the CO32− substitution were detected by both nondestructive FT‐Raman and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy of the powdered teeth samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyphosphazene Microcapsules Fabricated through Covalent Assembly
Authors: Feng Zhiqiang , Fan Guoqiang , Wang Hongxia , Gao Changyou , Shen Jiacong 
Published: February 2009

AbstractHollow polyphosphazene microcapsules have been fabricated by the covalent layer‐by‐layer assembly of polydichlorophosphazene (PDCP) and hexamethylenediamine (HDA) on aminosilanized silica particles, followed by core removal in a HF/NH4F solution. The hollow and intact microcapsules in both wet and dry states have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The chemical structure of the microcapsules has been verified by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The microcapsules could be hydrolytically degraded in a phosphate buffer at biological pH.magnified image
Adherence to antiparkinson medication in a multicenter European study
Authors: Grosset Donald , Antonini Angelo , Canesi Margherita , Pezzoli Gianni , Lees Andrew , Shaw Karen , Cubo Esther , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Rascol Olivier , Negre‐Pages Laurence , Senard Ana , Schwarz Johannes , Strecker Karl , Reichmann Heinz , Storch Alexander , Löhle Matthias , Stocchi Fabrizio , Grosset Katherine 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTwo small studies reported suboptimal therapy adherence in Parkinson's disease. We conducted a larger multicenter European study to assess medicine‐taking behavior. Parkinson's disease patients taking dopaminergic therapy were enrolled in 8 centers in 5 countries, and disease severity and demographics recorded. Antiparkinson drug adherence was measured for 4 weeks using electronic monitoring bottles which record the date and time of cap opening (Aardex®, Switzerland). One hundred twelve patients, mean age 65 years (standard deviation (SD) 10), with Parkinson's disease for 7.7 (SD 8.2) years completed the study. Total median adherence (doses taken/doses prescribed) was 97.7% (interquartile range [IQ] 90.6–100), days adherence (correct dose days) was 86.2% (IQ 61.1–96.2) and timing adherence (doses taken at correct time intervals) was 24.4% (IQ 5.3–56.5). Fourteen patients (12.5%) took less than 80% of prescribed doses, which was defined as suboptimal adherence. Patients with satisfactory adherence took a median of 8 mg/day (IQ 0–33) less than their prescribed dose of levodopa (P = NS), while suboptimal adherence patients took a median of 481 mg/day (IQ 205–670) less than their prescribed dose (P = 0.0006). The Parkinson motor score was significantly higher in patients with suboptimal adherence at 29 (IQ 20–40), versus those with satisfactory adherence at 19 (IQ 13–26), P = 0.005. Once daily drugs had significantly better adherence when compared with drugs prescribed more frequently (P < 0.0001). Suboptimal therapy adherence is associated with significant deviation from prescribed levodopa doses, despite greater Parkinson's motor severity. Optimizing oral medication intake has a potential role in maximizing the therapy response in Parkinson's disease. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Cognitive decline in early Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kandiah Nagaendran , Narasimhalu Kaavya , Lau Puay‐Ngoh , Seah Soo‐Hoon , Au Wing Lok , Tan Louis C.S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractData on the prevalence and severity of cognitive impairment among patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is limited. Using a prospectively collected clinical database, we studied the longitudinal trend of mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) change and baseline factors predictive for MMSE decline. One hundred six patients with mean age of 61.2 years and mean baseline MMSE of 27.8 ± 2.3 were studied. MMSE increased by 0.4 points/year among patients without cognitive decline (n = 73) and decreased by 2.39 points/year among patients with cognitive decline (n = 33). Univariate analysis demonstrated education, age of diagnosis, depression, and diabetes mellitus to be associated with cognitive decline. Motor scores and hallucination were not associated with cognitive decline. Multivariate analysis demonstrated higher level of education to be protective (HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.82–0.99, P = 0.047) and depression having borderline significance in predicting cognitive decline (HR = 2.00, 95% CI 0.97–4.15, P = 0.061). We found that 31% of newly diagnosed idiopathic PD patients have measurable cognitive decline at an early stage of disease. Higher education is protective while depression may be predictive of cognitive decline. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Levodopa use and sleep in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Molloy Sophie , Minett Thais , O'Brien John T. , McKeith Ian G. , Burn David J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSleep disturbance and excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) are features of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) that may be influenced by dopamine replacement therapy. The effect of levodopa on sleep and EDS in DLB is unknown and unclear in PD. The aim of this study is to determine if levodopa treatment alters sleep symptoms and EDS in DLB. Dopamine naïve patients with DLB (n = 15; mean mini mental state examination (MMSE) score 17.7(4.6)) and PD (n = 9; mean MMSE 25.5(2.2)) were assessed using the Epworth sleep scale, Parkinson's disease sleep scale, and the neuropsychiatric inventory prior to initiating treatment with levodopa. All measures were repeated after 3 and 6 months of levodopa therapy. The median final daily levodopa dose was 300 mg in both groups. Baseline sleep measures were comparable between groups. Levodopa treatment did not affect sleep or lead to increased EDS in DLB patients. The use of levodopa does not appear to adversely affect subjective sleep measures or increase EDS in DLB patients. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Hyperlink extraction improves state of Illinois website identification
Authors: Jackson Larry S. , Zhang Yan , Wu3 Jian 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis material is based upon work supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the National Leadership Grant Capturing Electronic Publications of Public Documents', number LG‐02030120, and by the Library of Congress under the grant Exploring Collaborations to Harness Objects in a Digital Environment for Preservation', award number A6075, and by the Illinois State Library under the grant Illinois State Library Electronic Documents', number E&A 06‐0304. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the awarding agencies, or the University of Illinois.In state government web archiving, new websites of required by statute to be archived are continually discovered. Largely manual techniques used to date to locate new state websites are here supplemented with automated hyperlink extraction. The rate of discovering new state websites quadrupled, at the cost of having to analyze thousands of hyperlinks. Newly discovered websites tended to be smaller, and often concerned adjunct efforts of agencies for which some other website(s) were already known. Beginning the website discovery process using a combination of what is known, or easily discovered manually, followed by the more thorough analysis of hyperlinks seems likely to discover the largest percentage of state government websites most economically.
Simulation of mesoscale features associated with intense western disturbances over western Himalayas
Authors: Dimri A. P. , Mohanty U. C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractNorth India is comprised, in parts, of complex Himalayan mountain ranges having different altitudes and orientations all along this region. Due to the highly variable altitude and orientation of orographic barriers the prevailing weather conditions over the region are complex. The winter season over this region is frequented by eastward‐moving low pressure synoptic weather systems called Western Disturbances (WDs). Advance information of these WDs are important for organizations where men and machines are employed to operate in the open, for example, for defence purpose, agriculture, tourism and transport. Future projection of meteorological variables is important during the winter in assessment of cold wave conditions, avalanche release and a critical human comfort index. Therefore, a non‐hydrostatic version of the Penn State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research, US, (PSU/NCAR) mesoscale model is used to simulate the characteristic features of the Western Disturbances (WDs) occurring over the Indian region during a winter season. For this study, four cases of active WDs are selected. The model is integrated with 60 km horizontal resolution to simulate the WD features. The model simulations with 60 km horizontal resolution are compared with the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research, US, (NCEP/NCAR) reanalyses. It is seen that in all the cases the rate of movement of the system is, in general, a little slower in the simulations. Examining the differences between the predicted and analysed zonal component of the wind reveal that the model simulated zonal winds are generally weaker/under‐estimated in the location of the upper trough at 500 hPa or aloft and even in the position of the WDs at lower levels. These results suggest that the model has a systematic easterly bias, though the magnitude is small. In other words the advection simulated in the model is not strong enough to advect the system with the observed speed. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Automatic phase correction of 2D NMR spectra by a whitening method
Authors: Balacco Giuseppe , Cobas Carlos 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA new method for the automatic phase correction of multidimensional NMR spectra is described. It is based on the whitening concept formulated as the ‘maximization of the number of white pixels into a bitmap that corresponds to the spectrum’. This process of maximization can be factorized along the individual axes of the spectrum and this property makes the method robust and fast. It employs a statistic measure based on a large number of spectral data points and, for this reason, is very tolerant to low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and local artifacts. The algorithm can efficiently phase either homonuclear or heteronuclear experiments and, unlike other previous methods, it can also process automatically spectra containing positive or negative peaks so that it is not necessary to deal with individual or special cases Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compatible dual‐echo arteriovenography (CODEA) using an echo‐specific K‐space reordering scheme
Authors: Park Sung‐Hong , Moon Chan‐Hong , Bae Kyongtae Ty 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAn improved dual‐echo sequence magentic resonance (MR) imaging technique was developed to simultaneously acquire a time‐of‐flight MR angiogram (MRA) and a blood oxygenation level‐dependent MR venogram (MRV) in a single MR acquisition at 3 T. MRA and MRV require conflicting scan conditions (e.g., excitation RF profile, flip angle, and spatial presaturation pulse) for their optimal image quality. This conflict was not well counterbalanced or reconciled in previous methods reported for simultaneous acquisition of MRA and MRV. In our dual‐echo sequence method, an echo‐specific K‐space reordering scheme was used to uncouple the scan parameter requirements for MRA and MRV. The MRA and MRV vascular contrast was enhanced by maximally separating the K‐space center regions acquired for the MRA and MRV, and by adjusting and applying scan parameters compatible between the MRA and MRV. As a preliminary result, we were able to acquire a simultaneous dual‐echo MRA and MRV with image quality comparable to that of the conventional single‐echo MRA and MRV that were acquired separately at two different sessions. Furthermore, integrated with tilted optimized nonsaturating excitation and multiple overlapping thin‐slab acquisition techniques, our dual‐echo MRA and MRV provided seamless vascular continuity over a large coverage volume of the brain anatomy. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated risk factors in nursing home residents: A systematic review
Authors: Offermans May P.W. , Du Moulin Monique F.M.T. , Hamers Jan P.H. , Dassen Theo , Halfens Ruud J.G. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAimsTo determine not only prevalence rates of urinary incontinence (UI) in nursing home residents but also factors influencing these prevalence rates, and to provide an overview of risk factors associated with UI in this group.MethodsA systematic review was performed using multiple databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library from January 1997 to April 2008. In addition, the bibliographies of all relevant articles were searched. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of all studies and extracted data on study design, population characteristics, definition of incontinence, measurement instrument, risk factors and prevalence rates.ResultsTwelve articles containing 16 studies met the eligibility criteria. Prevalence rates of UI in nursing home residents ranged from 43% to 77% (median 58%). When comparing studies, the influencing factors on UI prevalence of age and sex were identified. In total 45 risk factors were described. Within individual study populations, sex, age, cognitive function, dementia, bedfast and locomotion were associated with UI.ConclusionsUI prevalence rates in nursing homes are high and the influencing factors poorly understood. Although important risk factors similar to those in the general population have been identified, risk factors related to the care process should be further investigated. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:288–294, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patients with painful bladder syndrome have altered response to thermal stimuli and catastrophic reaction to painful experiences
Authors: Lowenstein Lior , Kenton Kimberly , Mueller Elizabeth R , Brubaker Linda , Heneghan Mary , Senka Judith , FitzGerald Mary Pat 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAimsTo compare cutaneous sensory thresholds, habituation to somatic stimuli, and tendency towards catastrophic reaction to painful stimuli in patients with Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS) to controls without PBS.MethodThermal and vibratory sensory thresholds were established in 11 PBS patients and 10 controls at C5, T1, T12, and S3 dermatomes. Supra‐threshold thermal stimuli were then applied at T12 and S3 for 60 sec while patients periodically rated the intensity of stimuli using a visual analog scale. A Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) questionnaire was also completed by all participants before testing.ResultsPBS patients were less sensitive to warm stimuli in the T12 dermatome than asymptomatic controls (thresholds 36.6 ± 1.10°C vs. 35.3 ± 1.0°C, P < 0.02) but otherwise had similar thermal and vibratory thresholds. Habituation to supra‐threshold stimuli at T12 and S3 dermatomes was more common in controls than PBS subjects (7 (70%) vs. 2 (18%), P < 0.03 and 9 (90%) vs. 3 (27%), P < 0.008, respectively). The PCS score correlated with the duration of PBS symptoms and with thresholds to warm stimuli at T12 dermatome (ρ = 0.65, P < 0.03 and ρ = 0.5, P < 0.021, respectively).ConclusionOur data suggests that habituation to stimuli may be impaired and that a catastrophic reaction to perceived stimuli may be involved in the sensory experience of PBS patients and facilitate chronic pain. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:400–404, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Voiding dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease: Impact of neurological impairment and clinical parameters
Authors: Sammour Zein M. , Gomes Cristiano M. , Barbosa Egberto R. , Lopes Roberto I. , Sallem Flávio S. , Trigo‐Rocha Flavio E. , Bruschini Homero , Srougi Miguel 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAimsWe assessed the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their association with different clinical parameters.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated 110 patients (84 men), with a mean age of 61.8 ± 9.6 years. Mean duration of the disease was 12.3 ± 7.2 years. Neurological impairment was assessed by the Hoehn–Yahr and the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating scales. LUTS were assessed by the International Continence Society questionnaire. We evaluated the impact of age, PD duration, neurological impairment, gender, and use of anti‐Parkinsonian drugs on the voiding function.ResultsOn multivariate analysis, voiding dysfunction increased with the neurological impairment, but not with patient's age or disease duration. Quality of life (QOL) was affected by the severity of LUTS, and the symptoms with the worst impact were frequency and nocturia. Sixty‐three (57.2%) patients were symptomatic. They did not differ with the asymptomatic as to age and disease duration, but had more severe neurological impairment. No impact on LUTS was associated with the use of levodopa, anticholinergics, and dopamine receptor agonists. Men and women were similarly affected by urinary symptoms.ConclusionsThe severity of the neurological disease is the only predictive factor for the occurrence of voiding dysfunction, which affects men and women alike. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:510–515, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.