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Cloud properties were retrieved by applying the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) project Edition-2 algorithms to 3.5 years of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Visible and Infrared Scanner data and 5.5 and 8 years of MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data from Aqua and Terra, respectively. The cloud products are consistent quantitatively from all three imagers; the greatest discrepancies occur over ice-covered surfaces. The retrieved cloud cover (∼59%) is divided equally between liquid and ice clouds. Global mean cloud effective heights, optical depth, effective particle sizes, and water paths are 2.5 km, 9.9, 12.9 μm, and 80 g · m −2 , respectively, for liquid clouds and 8.3 km, 12.7, 52.2 μm, and 230 g · m −2 for ice clouds. Cloud droplet effective radius is greater over ocean than land and has a pronounced seasonal cycle over southern oceans. Comparisons with independent measurements from surface sites, the Ice Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite, and the Aqua Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System are used to evaluate the results. The mean CERES and MODIS Atmosphere Science Team cloud properties have many similarities but exhibit large discrepancies in certain parameters due to differences in the algorithms and the number of unretrieved cloud pixels. Problem areas in the CERES algorithms are identified and discussed.Index Terms-Climate, cloud, cloud remote sensing, Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS).

Complications in fracture repair that lead to a delay in union remain clinically problematic. We believe that unwanted pre-mature catabolism of the healing callus, for example, in stress shielded situations, diminishes the rate at which strength is restored in bone repair and possibly leads to delayed union. We hypothesized that a single systemic dose of a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (N-BP) would increase bone mineral content (BMC), volume, and mechanical strength of union in fracture repair. We also set out to investigate local delivery to assess whether systemic exposure could be eliminated, due to concerns of bisphosphonate dosing of nontarget organs. After an open osteotomy fixed with a K wire, 40 12-week old Wistar male rats were divided into four groups of 10: saline control, bolus systemic subcutaneous injection of pamidronate (3 mg/kg), local low dose of pamidronate (0.1 mg), and a local high dose of pamidronate (1.0 mg). Rats were sacrificed 6 weeks post-operatively. Operated and non-operated femora underwent radiographic evaluation, quantitative computer tomography, and biomechanical testing in torsion. The growth plates and metaphyses of the tibia of the non-operated side were assessed for evidence of systemic exposure in the local groups. Significant increases in callus BMC and volume of the bolus systemic dose group were found compared to the saline control (p < 0.05). Further, the strength of the systemic dose callus was increased by 60% from 0.35 Nm (f0.11) for the saline control callus to 0.56 Nm (f0.25) for the systemic group (p = 0.05). Local treatment did not result in increased strength. The contralateral tibia1 growth plates of the local groups showed evidence of systemic exposure by the presence of retained primary spongiosa. This study confirms that a single perioperative systemic dose of pamidronate leads to significant increases in the BMC, volume, and strength of healing fractures in rats, making single dose N-BP therapy an appealing candidate for further examination in fracture repair.

In this single-surgeon series, modular fixed-bearing posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasties had good clinical and radiographic results with excellent survivorship for up to fifteen years. These results are comparable with those in long-term studies of posterior stabilized implants and of prostheses with mobile-bearing and nonmodular tibial inserts.

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Gabapentin (Neurontin) is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue indicated in adults for adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization. Two studies were conducted to determine the single-dose pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in healthy subjects age 1 month to 12 years and to guide dose selection in safety and efficacy trials in pediatric patients. Forty-eight subjects were given single oral doses of gabapentin (10 mg/kg) while fasting. Enrollment was homogeneously distributed throughout the age range. Plasma samples were drawn predose and then serially for 24 hours postdose. Single doses of gabapentin were well tolerated by healthy pediatric subjects. Plots of pharmacokinetic parameters versus age suggested significant differences between younger (1 month to < 5 years) and older (> or =5 to 12 years) subjects. Mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) was 25.6 microg x h/mL in younger subjects and 36.0 microg x h/mL in older subjects (p < 0.001). Corresponding mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 3.74 and 4.52 microg/ml (p < 0.05). Oral clearance (normalized for body weight) was 7.40 and 4.41 mL/min/kg in younger subjects and older subjects, respectively (p < 0.001). It was concluded that children between 1 month and < 5 years of age require approximately 30% higher daily doses of gabapentin than those > or =5 to 12 years of age.