bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using Sun Glint to Check the Relative Calibration of Reflected Spectral Radiances
Authors: Luderer Gunnar , Coakley James A. , Tahnk William R. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Observations of sunlight reflected from regions of sun glint are used to check the relative calibration of spectral radiances obtained with imaging radiometers. Reflectances at different wavelengths for sun-glint regions are linearly related. Provided that the atmosphere is reasonably transparent at the wavelengths, the aerosol burden is reasonably light, 0.64-μm optical depth less than 0.2; the particles constituting the aerosol are reasonably large, as is the case for marine aerosols; and the solar zenith angle is less than about 35°, the linear relationships between reflectances at different wavelengths are rather insensitive to the factors that govern the reflectances themselves. The relationships are remarkably insensitive to atmospheric composition, surface wind speed and direction, illumination, and viewing geometry. The slopes and offsets of the linear relationships are used to assess the relative accuracies of the calibrations of the different channels. Such assessments would appear to be attractive for checks on the in-flight performance of aircraft-borne imaging radiometers. Here, observations of reflectances at 0.64, 0.84, 1.6, and 2.1 μm for regions of sun glint obtained with the Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments are shown to be consistent with each other. Observations of the 0.64- and 1.6-μm reflectances for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS) instrument are shown to be inconsistent with the MODIS observations, the VIRS 1.6-μm gain appearing to be too low by 9%. The 0.64-, 0.84-, and 1.6-μm reflectances obtained with the NOAA-16 and NOAA-17 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometers (AVHRRs) for December 2002 are shown to be inconsistent with each other and inconsistent with the MODIS observations. Based on observations of the extensive ice sheets of Antarctica, the NOAA-16 0.64-μm gain is found to be too low by 5% and that for the 0.84-μm reflectance is too low by 12%; the NOAA-17 0.64-μm gain is found to be accurate (within 2%), but the 0.84-μm gain is too low by 15%. With the gains adjusted, the 0.64- and 0.84-μm reflectances obtained for regions of sun glint with the AVHRRs are consistent with each other and consistent with the Terra and Aqua MODIS observations. These results suggest that the gain for the NOAA-16 AVHRR 1.6-μm reflectance is accurate (within 1%) and that for the NOAA-17 AVHRR is too low by 5%. All of the observations were made with the AVHRR in the low-reflectance (high gain) mode. The accuracy of these assessments is expected to be about 5%.
Clustering a Global Field of Atmospheric Profiles by Mixture Decomposition of Copulas
Authors: Vrac Mathieu , Chédin Alain , Diday Edwin 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis work focuses on the clustering of a large dataset of atmospheric vertical profiles of temperature and humidity in order to model a priori information for the problem of retrieving atmospheric variables from satellite observations. Here, each profile is described by cumulative distribution functions (cdfs) of temperature and specific humidity. The method presented here is based on an extension of the mixture density problem to this kind of data. This method allows dependencies between and among temperature and moisture to be taken into account, through copula functions, which are particular distribution functions, linking a (joint) multivariate distribution with its (marginal) univariate distributions. After a presentation of vertical profiles of temperature and humidity and the method used to transform them into cdfs, the clustering method is detailed and then applied to provide a partition into seven clusters based, first, on the temperature profiles only; second, on the humidity profiles only; and, third, on both the temperature and humidity profiles. The clusters are statistically described and explained in terms of airmass types, with reference to meteorological maps. To test the robustness and the relevance of the method for a larger number of clusters, a partition into 18 classes is established, where it is shown that even the smallest clusters are significant. Finally, comparisons with more classical efficient clustering or model-based methods are presented, and the advantages of the approach are discussed.
An Update on SURFRAD—The GCOS Surface Radiation Budget Network for the Continental United States
Authors: Augustine John A. , Hodges Gary B. , Cornwall Christopher R. , Michalsky Joseph J. , Medina Carlos I. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe Surface Radiation budget (SURFRAD) network was developed for the United States in the middle 1990s in response to a growing need for more sophisticated in situ surface radiation measurements to support satellite system validation; numerical model verification; and modern climate, weather, and hydrology research applications. Operational data collection began in 1995 with four stations; two stations were added in 1998. Since its formal introduction to the research community in 2000, several additions and improvements have been made to the network’s products and infrastructure. To better represent the climate types of the United States, a seventh SURFRAD station was installed near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in June 2003. In 2001, the instrument used for the diffuse solar measurement was replaced with a type of pyranometer that does not have a bias associated with infrared radiative cooling of its receiving surface. Subsequently, biased diffuse solar data from 1996 to 2001 were corrected using a generally accepted method. Other improvements include the implementation of a clear-sky diagnostic algorithm and associated products, better continuity in the ultraviolet-B (UVB) data record, a reduced potential for error in the downwelling infrared measurements, and development of an aerosol optical depth algorithm. Of these, only the aerosol optical depth product has yet to be finalized. All SURFRAD stations are members of the international Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). Data are submitted regularly in monthly segments to the BSRN archive in Zurich, Switzerland. Through this affiliation, the SURFRAD network became an official part of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) in April 2004.
A role for airway remodeling during respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Becnel David , You Dahui , Erskin Joshua , Dimina Dawn M , Cormier Stephania A 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackgroundSevere respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV) during infancy has been shown to be a major risk factor for the development of subsequent wheeze. However, the reasons for this link remain unclear. The objective of this research was to determine the consequences of early exposure to RSV and allergen in the development of subsequent airway hyperreactivity (AHR) using a developmental time point in the mouse that parallels that of the human neonate.MethodsWeanling mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (Ova) and/or infected with RSV. Eight days after the last allergen challenge, various pathophysiological endpoints were examined.ResultsAHR in response to methacholine was enhanced only in weanling mice exposed to Ova and subsequently infected with RSV. The increase in AHR appeared to be unrelated to pulmonary RSV titer. Total bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity in these mice increased approximately two-fold relative to Ova alone and was attributable to increases in eosinophil and lymphocyte numbers. Enhanced pulmonary pathologies including persistent mucus production and subepithelial fibrosis were observed. Interestingly, these data correlated with transient increases in TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-5, and IL-2.ConclusionThe observed changes in pulmonary structure may provide an explanation for epidemiological data suggesting that early exposure to allergens and RSV have long-term physiological consequences. Furthermore, the data presented here highlight the importance of preventative strategies against RSV infection of atopic individuals during neonatal development.
Asymmetry in the burial of hydrophobic residues along the histone chains of Eukarya, Archaea and a transcription factor
Authors: Silverman B David 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background
The histone fold is a common structural motif of proteins involved in the chromatin packaging of DNA and in transcription regulation. This single chain fold is stabilized by either homo- or hetero-dimer formation in archaea and eukarya. X-ray structures at atomic resolution have shown the eukaryotic nucleosome core particle to consist of a central tetramer of two bound H3-H4 dimers flanked by two H2A-H2B dimers. The c-terminal region of the H3 histone fold involved in coupling the two eukaryotic dimers of the tetramer, through a four-fold helical bundle, had previously been shown to be a region of reduced burial of hydrophobic residues within the dimers, and thereby provide a rationale for the observed reduced stability of the H3-H4 dimer compared with that of the H2A-H2B dimer. Furthermore, comparison between eukaryal and archaeal histones had suggested that this asymmetry in the distribution of hydrophobic residues along the H3 histone chains could be due to selective evolution that enhanced the coupling between the eukaryotic dimers of the tetramer.

Results and discussion
The present work describes calculations utilizing the X-ray structures at atomic resolution of a hyperthermophile from Methanopyrus kandleri (HMk) and a eukaryotic transcription factor from Drosophila melanogaster (DRm), that are structurally homologous to the eukaryotic (H3-H4)2 tetramer. The results for several other related structures are also described. Reduced burial of hydrophobic residues, at the homologous H3 c-terminal regions of these structures, is found to parallel the burial at the c-terminal regions of the H3 histones and is, thereby, expected to affect dimer stability and the processes involving histone structural rearrangement. Significantly different sequence homology between the two histones of the HMk doublet with other archaeal sequences is observed, and how this might have occurred during selection to enhance tetramer stability is described.
Early relief of osteoarthritis symptoms with a natural mineral supplement and a herbomineral combination: A randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN38432711]
Authors: Miller Mark JS , Mehta Komal , Kunte Sameer , Raut Vidyanand , Gala Jayesh , Dhumale Ramesh , Shukla Anil , Tupalli Hemant , Parikh Himanshu , Bobrowski Paul , Chaudhary Jayesh 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackgroundThis study was designed to determine if a natural mineral supplement, sierrasil, alone and in combination with a cat's claw extract (Uncaria guianensis), vincaria, has therapeutic potential in mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.MethodsPatients (n = 107) with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups; high dose sierrasil (3 g/day), low dose sierrasil (2 g/day), low dose sierrasil (2 g/day) + cat's claw extract (100 mg/day) or placebo, administered for 8 weeks. Treatment was double blinded. Primary efficacy variables were WOMAC scores (A, B, C and total). Visual analog score (VAS) for pain, consumption of rescue medication (paracetamol), and tolerability were secondary variables. Safety measures included vital signs and laboratory-based assays.ResultsNinety-one of the 107 patients successfully completed the protocol. All four groups showed improvement in WOMAC and VAS scores after 8 weeks (p < 0.001), in all 3 groups receiving sierrasil the magnitude of benefits were greater vs. placebo (WOMAC Total 38–43% vs. 27%) but this was not statistically significant. In reference to baseline values sierrasil treated groups had a considerably faster onset of benefits. Placebo-treated individuals failed to show significant benefits at 4 weeks (11% reduction in total WOMAC). In contrast, after 1 or 2 weeks of therapy all the sierrasil groups displayed significant reductions in WOMAC scores (p < 0.05) and at week 4 displayed a 38–43% improvement. VAS was significantly improved at 4 weeks in all groups (p < 0.001) but was significantly greater in all sierrasil groups compared to placebo (p < 0.05). Rescue medication use was 28-23% lower in the herbomineral combination and high dose sierrasil groups although not statistically different from placebo (P = 0.101 and P = 0.193, respectively). Tolerability was good for all groups, no serious adverse events were noted and safety parameters remained unchanged.ConclusionThe natural mineral supplement, sierrasil alone and in combination with a cat's claw extract, improved joint health and function within 1–2 weeks of treatment but significant benefits over placebo were not sustained, possibly due to rescue medication masking. Sierrasil may offer an alternative therapy in subjects with joint pain and dysfunction.
Combustion-derived nanoparticles: A review of their toxicology following inhalation exposure
Authors: Donaldson Ken , Tran Lang , Jimenez Luis Albert , Duffin Rodger , Newby David E , Mills Nicholas , MacNee William , Stone Vicki 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis review considers the molecular toxicology of combustion-derived nanoparticles (CDNP) following inhalation exposure. CDNP originate from a number of sources and in this review we consider diesel soot, welding fume, carbon black and coal fly ash. A substantial literature demonstrates that these pose a hazard to the lungs through their potential to cause oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer; they also have the potential to redistribute to other organs following pulmonary deposition. These different CDNP show considerable heterogeneity in composition and solubility, meaning that oxidative stress may originate from different components depending on the particle under consideration. Key CDNP-associated properties of large surface area and the presence of metals and organics all have the potential to produce oxidative stress. CDNP may also exert genotoxic effects, depending on their composition. CDNP and their components also have the potential to translocate to the brain and also the blood, and thereby reach other targets such as the cardiovascular system, spleen and liver. CDNP therefore can be seen as a group of particulate toxins unified by a common mechanism of injury and properties of translocation which have the potential to mediate a range of adverse effects in the lungs and other organs and warrant further research.
Analysis of the ripening dynamics of maize hybrids on chernozem soil with lime deposits
Authors: Dobos A. C. 
Published: October 2005

Maize is one of the most important crops in Hungarian crop production, making up 70-72% of forage consumption. Due to high energy prices and the rapidly increasing costs of drying, the need for maize hybrids with shorter growing seasons is increasing. Farmers require hybrids with a grain moisture content of 20-25% at harvest, making them suitable for storage with less drying. In order to avoid excessive costs and workloads during harvest, it is wise to cultivate a mixture of hybrids with longer and shorter growing seasons as well as with slower and faster drying down rates. The effect of fertilization on the yield components and moisture content of maize was examined, using the data from a two-year survey on the hybrid MV 484 SC, with five fertilizer treatments in 1998, and a control and three (0, 90 and 150 kg N/ha) nutrient levels in 1999.
Strategies for controlling western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera)
Authors: Széll E. , Zsellér I. , Ripka G. , Kiss J. , Princzinger G. 
Published: October 2005

Western corn rootworm (WCR) first appeared in Europe near Belgrade airport in 1992. The first adult of this species was found near Mórahalom, in the southern part of Hungary, on 30th June 1995. Small-plot trials were started in Szeged (Cereal Research Non-Profit Co.) and large-scale trials in Mezohegyes (Ménesbirtok Ltd.) in 1996 to elaborate strategies to control this insect pest. To make the work more efficient, eight experts working at different institutions formed a team. At the same time, monitoring was begun on when and where the insect appeared and in what numbers. The experiments were adapted to the life cycle of the species. WCR has one generation per year, laying eggs that overwinter. Larvae begin to hatch in late May to mid-June. Adults emerge by mid-July and survive till early October. They lay eggs in abundance from mid-July to late August. Trials were conducted to control WCR both with and without chemicals. For adult control pesticides were sprayed from an aircraft or using a field sprayer. Larval control involved seed treatment with insecticide or the use of soil insecticide at planting or at cultivation.
NEWTON NUMBERS FOR OVERLAPPING CIRCULAR DISCS
Authors: Harborth H. , Koch M. , Szabó L. 
Published: October 2005

Consider a family of closed unit circular discs in the plane. Two discs are called neighbours if they have a point in common. Let N(d) denote the maximum possible number of neighbours of one disc in a family of unit circular discs, where the distance between any two circle centers is at least d. HereN(d) is determined for 1 between any two circle centers is at least d. HereN(d) is determined for 1
Partitioning a graph into vertex-disjoint paths
Authors: Li Jianping , Steiner George 
Published: October 2005

Let G=(V,E) be a simple graph of order n. We consider the problem of partitioning G into vertex-disjoint paths. We obtain the following new results: (i) For any positive integer k, if dG(x)+dG(y) = n-k-1 for every pair x, y of nonadjacent vertices in G, then G can be partitioned into k vertex-disjoint paths, unless G belongs to certain classes of extremal graphs which we characterize; (ii) For the case k=2, we strengthen our result by showing that for any two positive integers p1 and p2 satisfying n= p1+ p2,if dG(x)+dG(y) = n-3 for every pair x, y of nonadjacent vertices in G and G does not belong to classes of exceptional graphs we define, then G can be partitioned into two vertex-disjoint paths P1 and P2 of order p1 and p2, respectively. These results are generalizations of some classical results of Dirac and Ore, and also lead to new sufficient conditions for the existence of a Hamilton path in a graph.
The Reaction of Water with Guanosine Radical Cation in DNA
Authors: Onyemauwa Frank O. , Schuster Gary B. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACTStructural analyses of DNA oligonucleotides indicate the presence of strongly bound water molecules in the major and minor grooves. These water molecules may react with guanosine radical cation to form 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanine and other oxidation products, which can result in strand scission or other DNA damage. We probed the reaction of guanosine radical cation with water by incorporating alkyl‐substituted cytidines and thymidines into anthraquinonelinked DNA duplexes and irradiating them with UV light at 350 nm. The incorporation of these hydrophobic substituents disrupts the DNA spine of hydration and we have observed that these modifications do not affect the trapping or longdistance hopping of radical cations in DNA.
The Effect of Nasopharyngoscopic Biofeedback in Patients with Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction
Authors: Brunner Monika , Stellzig-Eisenhauer Angelika , Pröschel Ute , Verres Rolf , Komposch Gerda 
Published: October 2005

Objective To evaluate the immediate, long-term, and carry-over effects of nasopharyngoscopic biofeedback therapy in patients with cleft palate who exhibit velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). Design Pre- versus posttreatment and follow-up comparisons. Setting Cleft palate center of the Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. Subjects Eleven patients with VPD who had received conventional speech therapy without showing significant improvement. Interventions A four-stage feedback procedure. The patients watched and evaluated their velopharyngeal (VP) valving during speech by an endoscopic image displayed on a video monitor. Two feedback sessions took place for every target sound. Main Outcome Measures Mean occurrence of VP closure during speech sound production on different linguistic levels. Patients’ self-perception was assessed by a questionnaire and speech diary. Results Significant improvement and stability of VP closure was noted. Mean occurrence of VP closure was 5% before therapy, 91% after two biofeedback sessions, and 86% in the follow-up after 6 months. Velopharyngeal dysfunction associated with compensatory articulation proved to be equally well trained as VPD on sounds with good articulatory placement. No significant difference was observed in the degree of improvement between phoneme-specific VPD and generalized VPD. The transfer to the level of words and sentences was successful and showed significant stability. The stability of VP closure for vowels was less than the stability for fricatives and stop sounds. Patients gained improved auditory and kinesthetic self-perception of their articulation. Conclusions Nasopharyngoscopic biofeedback therapy proves to be a quick and effective method to change VPD. It shows stable results and carry-over effects.
Dentocraniofacial Morphology of 21 Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Cephalometric Study
Authors: Corbo Miranda , Dujardin Thierry , de Maertelaer Viviane , Malevez Chantal , Glineur Régine 
Published: October 2005

Objective To assess the skeletal and dental craniofacial proportions of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients who were operated upon using the Malek technique, and compare them with a normal group to highlight the effect of surgical correction on craniofacial development during growth. Design Retrospective. Methods The cleft palate was closed using the Malek technique in a single operation at 3 months for 11 patients (complete closure of lip and palate) and in a two-stage operation for 10 patients (soft palate at 3 months, lip and hard palate at 6 months). Comparisons were made with a normal control group. Angular and linear measurements of anterior and posterior dimensions of the upper and lower compartments of the face were measured in the 7th and 12th years. Results and Conclusion No significant differences were observed between the two groups of palate technique repair, although significant differences were observed between craniofacial dimensions of normal versus cleft lip and palate patients. At a skeletal level, the maxilla and mandible were retrusive relative to the cranial base in the cleft lip and palate group. In fact, there was a backward rotation of the palatal plane with repercussions on the maxillo-mandibular complex position. Furthermore, the maxilla was shorter than in normal patients, whereas the mandible was normally shaped. The upper incisors were retroclined and they locked the lower incisors in linguoversion. There was a posterior skeletal deficit of the respiratory compartment, compensated by more marked posterior maxillary alveolar growth. Facial growth in cleft lip and palate patients followed the same pattern, but was delayed compared with normal patients.