bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ozone loss in the 2002–2003 Arctic vortex deduced from the assimilation of Odin/SMR O3 and N2O measurements: N2O as a dynamical tracer
Authors: El Amraoui L. , Peuch V.‐H. , Ricaud P. , Massart S. , Semane N. , Teyssèdre H. , Cariolle D. , Karcher F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn this paper we investigate the evolution of the northern polar vortex during the winter 2002–2003 in the lower stratosphere by using assimilated fields of ozone (O3) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Both O3 and N2O used in this study are obtained from the Sub‐Millimetre Radiometer (SMR) aboard the Odin satellite and are assimilated into the global three‐dimensional chemistry transport model of Météo‐France, MOCAGE. O3 is assimilated into the ‘full’ model including both advection and chemistry whereas N2O is only assimilated with advection since it is characterized by good chemical stability in the lower stratosphere. We show the ability of the assimilated N2O field to localize the edge of the polar vortex. The results are compared to the use of the maximum gradient of modified potential vorticity as a vortex edge criterion. The O3 assimilated field serves to evaluate the ozone evolution and to deduce the ozone depletion inside the vortex. The chemical ozone loss is estimated using the vortex‐average technique. The N2O assimilated field is also used to substract out the effect of subsidence in order to extract the actual chemical ozone loss. Results show that the chemical ozone loss is 1.1 ± 0.3 ppmv on the 25 ppbv N2O level between mid‐November and mid‐January, and 0.9 ± 0.2 ppmv on the 50 ppbv N2O level between mid‐November and the end of January. A linear fit over the same periods gives a chemical ozone loss rate of ∼18 ppbv day−1 and ∼9.3 ppbv day−1 on the 25 ppbv and 50 ppbv N2O levels, respectively. The vortex‐averaged ozone loss profile from the O3 assimilated field shows a maximum of 0.98 ppmv at 475 K. Comparisons to other results reported by different authors using different techniques and different observations give satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Influence of local and remote sea surface temperatures on precipitation as inferred from changes in boundary‐layer moisture convergence and moist thermodynamics over global oceans
Authors: Sud Y. C. , Walker G. K. , Zhou Y. P. , Lau W. K.‐M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA comprehensive method of estimating the influences of local versus remote sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on precipitation is developed. The method was applied to two ten‐year simulations made with a general circulation model (GCM) and forced with prescribed SSTs. The simulation period spanned from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1991. The first simulation (called Cs) was forced with naturally varying SSTs taken from the analysis of observations and the second simulation (called Cc) was forced with monthly mean climatology of SSTs used in Cs. Monthly data of evaporation, precipitation, mean vertical velocity and atmospheric moisture convergence were binned by 1 °C SST intervals and plotted as bin means and within‐bin standard deviations. The plots showed that (i) binning captured the averaged trend of SST influences on the monthly fields, but with large standard deviations; (ii) all bin‐averaged SST dependences were remarkably similar in the two simulations as well as in the single El Niño Southern Oscillation year of 1987; (iii) evaporation increased monotonically with SST up to about 27 °C after which it plateaued; and (iv) precipitation correlated much more with the vertical velocity than with the local SST.Monthly precipitation fields were doubly binned with respect to SSTs and boundary‐layer moisture convergence (BLqC); data binned in this way were used to compute the partial derivatives of precipitation with respect to SST and BLqC. Together with the total rate of change of BLqC with local SSTs, the rate of change of precipitation with local SST was computed. The remaining precipitation differences were lumped together as all other remote effects. Simulation Cc was used to infer the natural variability of the precipitation required for the statistical significance of the local SST and/or remotely caused changes in precipitation. This analysis categorized all precipitation anomalies into four types: (i) where the local SST influences were significant, (ii) where the remote SSTs influences were significant, (iii) where both influences were significant, and (iv) where the natural variability was larger than both influences. Most of the precipitation responses to SSTs were as expected, while their seasonal behaviour revealed that local SSTs contribute to a number of features of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) including the double ITCZ in March–April–May. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymptotic gravity wave drag expressions for non‐hydrostatic rotating flow over a ridge
Authors: Teixeira M. A. C. , Miranda P. M. A. , Cardoso R. M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAsymptotic expressions are derived for the mountain wave drag in flow with constant wind and static stability over a ridge when both rotation and non‐hydrostatic effects are important. These expressions, which are much more manageable than the corresponding exact drag expressions (when these do exist) are found to provide accurate approximations to the drag, even when non‐hydrostatic and rotation effects are strong, despite having been developed for cases where these effects are weak. The derived expressions are compared with approximations to the drag found previously, and their asymptotic behaviour in various limits is studied. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Design of fault‐tolerant control for MTTF
Authors: Li Hongbin , Zhao Qing 
Published: March 2008

AbstractMean time to failure (MTTF) is an important reliability index of fault‐tolerant control systems, which is chosen as a design objective in this paper. However, it is usually evaluated from stochastic reliability models, and no analytical expression is available to relate MTTF to controller parameters. To overcome this difficulty, a two‐stage design scheme is proposed in this paper: A gradient‐based search is firstly carried out on probabilistic H∞ performance characteristics for MTTF requirement; a sequential randomized algorithm with a weighted violation function is then developed for a controller design to satisfy the required H∞ performance, and its convergence is guaranteed with probability 1. Two iterative algorithms are carried out alternately to implement this scheme, and a controller can be designed for MTTF requirement. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of metallic magnetic calorimeters for x‐ray metrology applications
Authors: Rodrigues M. , Loidl M. , Leblanc E. , Bouchard J. , Fleischmann A. , Enss C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe are developing metallic magnetic calorimeters operating at very low temperatures for applications in the field of ionizing radiation metrology. The main aim of this development is to enhance the accuracy of atomic and nuclear data determination, in particular x‐ray and gamma ray emission probabilities. The energy resolution of metallic magnetic calorimeters is much better than that of the commonly used semiconductor detectors, enabling the separation of lines of very close energies. We have chosen gold, a high Z material, for the detector absorber. This favors photoelectric absorption, and the quantum efficiency can be made close to unity. We first describe the detection principle including the detector read‐out system. Following, we present the conception, first prototypes and experimental results of two x‐ray and gamma ray detectors for the energy ranges 1–20 keV and 20–200 keV. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural analysis of tungsten–zirconium oxide catalyst by W K‐edge and L1‐edge XAFS
Authors: Yamamoto Takashi , Orita Akihiro , Tanaka Tsunehiro 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe local structure of tungsten species in tungsten–zirconium–oxide catalysts (WOxZrO2) was first investigated by W K‐edge x‐ray absorption spectroscopic techniques. A proportion of WO4to the total WOxspecies was quantitatively analyzed with W L1‐edge x‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). Tungsten species in 15 wt% WOxZrO2, which is the most active forn‐butane skeletal isomerization, consists of a mixture of WO3ZrO2solid solution, WO6aggregate and WO4species on the catalyst surface. The tungsten species does not possess long‐range ordering. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pasieka’s Parathyroid Symptoms Scores Correlate with SF‐36 Scores in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Mihai Radu , Sadler Gregory P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundParathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is expected to trigger an improvement in the quality of life. This has been demonstrated previously by using the SF‐36 questionnaire, whose interpretation is difficult in routine clinical practice. As an alternative, the 13‐item questionnaire developed by Pasieka et al. can be used to assess the severity of symptoms on a visual analogue from which a parathyroid assessment of symptoms score (PAS) can be calculated. The purpose of this study was to correlate results of these two assessment tools.MethodsProspective case‐series study recruiting consecutive unselected patients who underwent successful parathyroidectomy for PHPT. SF‐36(v2) and Pasieka’s questionnaires were collected before parathyroidectomy and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.ResultsBetween November 2005 and December 2006, 101 patients were diagnosed with PHPT (30 men; aged 18–89 years). Preoperative PAS ranged 0–1040 and did not correlate with the severity of hypercalcemia (2.91 ± 0.25; range, 2.56–3.4 mmol/l). Scores from the SF‐36 questionnaire were under the 50th percentile for the normal population in three domains (vitality, emotional role, and physical role). Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy was performed in 69 patients and bilateral cervical exploration in 32 patients. All were found to have a single parathyroid adenoma and were normocalcemic at 3–12 months after parathyroidectomy.At follow‐up, there was a significant reduction of PAS from 460 ± 257 preoperatively to 254 ± 234 at 3 months postoperatively (n = 72), to 245 ± 215 at 6 months (n = 50), and 249 ± 212 at 12 months (n = 63) (p < 0.05, Student’s t‐test). There was a significant and persistent improvement in five domains of SF‐36 questionnaire: bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health. Overall analysis of 244 assessments using both questionnaires demonstrated a negative correlation between increasing PAS and decreasing mental component scores and physical component scores of the SF‐36 assessment (r2 = 0.372 and 0.301, respectively).ConclusionsPasieka’s parathyroid assessment of symptom scores (PAS) correlate with SF‐36 questionnaire scores. Because PAS allows easier and faster analysis, we advocate that Pasieka’s questionnaire should be integrated into the assessment of patients with PHPT as a reliable tool to identify symptomatic changes that correlate with improved quality of life.
Candidate Diagnostic Markers and Tumor Suppressor Genes for Adrenocortical Carcinoma by Expression Profile of Genes on Chromosome 11q13
Authors: Fernandez‐Ranvier Gustavo G. , Weng Julie , Yeh Ru‐Fang , Shibru Daniel , Khafnashar Elham , Chung Ki‐Wook , Hwang Jimmy , Duh Quan Yang , Clark Orlo H. , Kebebew Electron 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe most common genetic change observed in adrenocortical carcinoma is loss of heterozygozity on chromosome 11q13. As genes on this chromosome may be important in the pathogenesis of adrenocortical carcinoma, we compared their expression profile between benign and malignant adrenocortical tissue.MethodsWe used the Affymetrix GeneChip (U133 plus 2.0) array in 54 adrenocortical tumors (11 carcinoma and 43 benign). Differential gene expression was defined as a twofold higher or lower gene expression level (p < 0.05). Differentially expressed genes on microarray analysis were validated by real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to determined the diagnostic accuracy of the differently expressed genes for distinguishing benign from malignant tumors.ResultsWe found 25 of the 314 genes on chromosome 11q13 to be differentially expressed between adrenocortical carcinoma and benign adrenocortical tumor. All 25 were downregulated in adrenocortical carcinoma by 2‐fold to 4.8‐fold; 21 were validated to be differentially expressed by RT‐PCR (Pearson’s coefficient > 0.5). Six genes (SERPING1, MRPL48, TM7SF2, DDB1, NDUSF8, PRDX5) validated by RT‐PCR were significantly differentially expressed between benign and malignant adrenocortical tumors (p < 0.05) with an overall accuracy of 89% for SERPING1, 91% for MRPL48, 87% for TM7SF2, 88% for DDB1, 91% for NDUFS8, and 89% for PRDX5. The AUC was 0.89 for the combination of SERPING1, MRPL48, TM7SF2, DDB1, and NDUFS8.ConclusionsWe have identified 25 genes located on chromosome 11q13 that are downregulated in adrenocortical carcinoma and may be candidate tumor suppressor genes. Six of these genes were good diagnostic markers for distinguishing adrenocortical carcinoma from adenoma.
Can a Lightbulb Sestamibi SPECT Accurately Predict Single‐Gland Disease in Sporadic Primary Hyperparathyroidism?
Authors: Yip Linwah , Pryma Daniel A. , Yim John H. , Virji Mohamed A. , Carty Sally E. , Ogilvie Jennifer B. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundTechnetium‐99m sestamibi scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is widely used to guide minimally invasive exploration in patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (SPH), although its sensitivity in multiglandular disease is limited. We examined the incidence of missed multiglandular disease and associated anatomic findings when sestamibi SPECT was positive for a single intense focus of delayed tracer uptake, termed a lightbulb scan (LBS).MethodsProspectively entered data from 764 patients with SPH treated with initial parathyroid exploration from March 5, 2000, to December 31, 2006, were reviewed. A single radiologist performed blinded interpretation of 585 available sestamibi SPECT images, classifying 167 (28.5%) patients with a LBS. Clinical findings were compared among LBS patients with a single adenoma (true positive) and LBS patients with multiglandular disease (false negative).ResultsOne hundred fifty of 167 (89.8%) LBS patients had a single adenoma and 3 (1.8%) had carcinoma. Multiglandular disease was anatomically present in 14 of 167 (8.4%) LBS patients compared with 60 of 418 (15.6%) non‐LBS patients (p = 0.05). Parathyroid hyperplasia occurred less frequently in LBS patients [5/167 (3%)] compared with non‐LBS patients [36/418 (8.6%)], (p = 0.02), while double adenomas occurred equally often in LBS patients [9/167 (5.4%)] compared with non‐LBS patients [24/418 (5.7%)], (p = 0.87). Double adenomas in LBS patients were more likely ipsilateral (7/9, p = 0.005) and left‐sided (7/7, p = 0.008). LBS patients with multiglandular disease were more likely to have a history of neck irradiation, prior neck exploration, and concomitant thyroid pathology.ConclusionsIn patients with SPH, sestamibi SPECT studies show a single bright focus of uptake in only 29% of patients. LBS findings do not exclude multiglandular disease. To avoid unacceptable rates of failure at initial parathyroid exploration, the expert surgeon should use validated adjuncts such as intraoperative PTH monitoring or four‐gland exploration.
Synthesis and Characterization of some Alkyl Polyglycosides Surfactants
Authors: El‐Sukkary M. M. A. , Syed Nagla A. , Aiad Ismail , El‐Azab W. I. M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAlkyl polyglycosides (APGs) of different hydrocarbon chain lengths were prepared using an indirect method involving the condensation of fatty alcohol with dextrose. The chemical structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed using different spectroscopic techniques, primarily Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. The surface properties of the solutions containing different concentrations of the prepared APGs were determined at different temperatures. The results of the spectroscopic analysis demonstrate that these materials were prepared through the correct techniques, producing pure materials. The results of the critical micelle concentration (CMC) determination demonstrate that the surface properties of these compounds depend mainly on the nature of their hydrophobic component.
Influence of Polymorphic Transformations on Gelation of Tripalmitin Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Suspensions
Authors: Helgason T. , Awad T. S. , Kristbergsson K. , McClements D. J. , Weiss J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSolid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) suspensions, which consist of submicron‐sized crystalline lipid particles dispersed within an aqueous medium, can be used to encapsulate, protect and deliver lipophilic functional components. Nevertheless, SLN suspensions are susceptible to particle aggregation and gelation during their preparation and storage, which potentially limits their industrial utilization. In this study, we examined the aggregation and gelation behavior of SLN suspensions composed of 10 wt% tripalmitin particles (r < 150 nm) stabilized by 1.5% Tween 20. The tripalmitin and aqueous surfactant solution were homogenized above the lipid melting temperature and cooled under controlled conditions to initiate SLN formation. The aggregation and gelation of SLN suspensions during storage was then examined by shear rheometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), light scattering and microscopy. Rheology measurements indicated that gelation times decreased with increasing storage temperature, e.g., samples formed weak gels after 62, 23, and 10 min at 1, 5, and 10 °C, respectively. DSC revealed increasingly rapid α‐ to β‐polymorphic transformations in SLN dispersions stored at 1, 5, and 10 °C, respectively. We propose that the observed aggregation and gelation of SLN suspensions are associated with a change in the shape of the nanoparticles from spherical (α‐form) to non‐spherical (β‐form) when they undergo the polymorphic transition. When they change shape there is no longer sufficient surfactant present to completely cover the lipid phase, which promotes particle aggregation through hydrophobic attraction. Our results have important implications for the design and fabrication of stable SLN suspensions.
Improving Nursing School Diversity Through Use of a Group Admission Interview
Authors: Trice Lucy B. , Foster Patricia H. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTNURSING STUDENT DIVERSITY is a priority of the University of North Florida School of Nursing, but faculty members found that the prelicensure track admission process favored students with high grade point averages (GPAs) and eliminated many potentially good students, including minorities.ADDING AN INTERVIEW to the admission process resulted in acceptance of highly qualified students while giving deserving students, including minority students with good but lower GPAs, the opportunity to enter the program.THE CHANGE IN THE ADMISSION PROCESS in creased minority admissions from a low of 2% to as high as 25%. Neither the overall attrition rate nor the licensure examination pass rate has been adversely affected.
Complying With the 2008 National Patient Safety Goals
Authors: Catalano Kathleen , Fickenscher Kevin 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIN 2003, THE JOINT COMMISSION began publishing National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) and requiring accredited health care organizations to comply with these goals in an effort to reduce the number of medical errors.THE NPSGS ARE UPDATED yearly with new requirements to promote specific improvements in patient safety.THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES A REVIEW of the 2008 NPSGs and suggests ways in which information technology systems can address health care organizations' compliance with some of these goals.
Special Needs of Older Adults Undergoing Surgery
Authors: Clayton Judith L. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTDURING THE PAST CENTURY, life expectancy in the United States has increased as a result of improved sanitation, development of vaccines and treatments for childhood diseases, and vast improvements in health care and disease prevention.OLDER ADULTS ARE AT HIGHER RISK than younger individuals for complications during and after surgery. Carefully planned, effective nursing care during the perioperative period will help reduce surgical morbidity in older adults.AGE‐SPECIFIC NURSING CARE techniques that are provided during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of a surgical experience are discussed in this article, with a particular focus on how to manage pain and prevent infection.
Improving Surgical Services Performance Through Changing Work Culture
Authors: Schubnell Tom , Meuer Laura , Bengtson Ryan 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTCHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL administrators knew that they needed to improve their surgical services infrastructure to accommodate growing patient volume, implement new technology, and address a major shift from inpatient to outpatient surgery.THE HOSPITAL PARTNERED with an outside consultant to better understand the impact of the work environment and culture on performance and to identify opportunities for improvement. During a seven‐month period, new work processes, tools, and staff training helped significantly boost surgical services volume and revenue.TODAY, THE HOSPITAL CONTINUES to sustain the performance gains achieved through the surgical care coordination initiative.
Spousal abuse during pregnancy in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Farid Mufiza , Saleem Sarah , Karim Mehtab S. , Hatcher Juanita 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the magnitude of and factors associated with spousal abuse during pregnancy in women presenting to tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.MethodsFive hundred women who delivered a live singleton baby were interviewed. Physical and/or emotional abuse during pregnancy (PEAP) was the primary outcome measure as determined by the World Health Organization's domestic violence module. Frequencies of different forms of abuse were measured and the relationship between PEAP and the risk factors was determined using multiple logistic regression.ResultsOf the women interviewed, 44% reported abuse during the index pregnancy; and of these, 43% experienced emotional abuse and 12.6% reported physical abuse. Factors independently associated with PEAP were number of living children (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.34; CI, 1.08–1.65), interfamilial conflicts (AOR 3.03; CI, 1.85–4.96), husband's exposure to maternal abuse (AOR, 2.38; CI, 1.41–4.02), and husband's use of tobacco (AOR 1.59; CI, 1.05–2.42). Women who had adequate social support were less likely to be abused by their husbands (AOR 0.65; CI, 0.51–0.82).ConclusionsAlmost half of the pregnant women interviewed were either physically or emotionally abused. Strong social support helps protect against abuse.