bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of heat extraction through slab caster mould
Authors: Paul A. , Pradhan N. , Ray A. K. , Bhor P. K. , Mazumdar S. , Korath J. M.
Published: November 2003

Mould heat transfer in continuous casting has profound influence on caster operation and product quality. The average heat flux through the mould wall can be calculated from the mould water flow and the rise in temperature of the cooling water. However, the local heat flux in the mould wall gives a better understanding of the heat transfer in mould vis‐à‐vis the operating parameters. In the present investigation, all the 4 sides of a slab mould are instrumented with thermocouples in order to determine the axial temperature profiles under wide range of casting conditions. A heat flow model of the mould wall has been developed to compute the local heat flux and the hot face temperature of the mould from the measured mould temperature data. The local heat flux in the mould is correlated with the operating variables of the caster.
Application of computational fluid dynamics in the development and improvement of steelmaking processes
Authors: Gittler P. , Kickinger R. , Pirker S. , Fuhrmann E. , Lehner J. , Steins J.
Published: November 2003

VOEST‐ALPINE Industrieanlagenbau (VAI) and VOEST‐ALPINE Stahl Linz (VASL), in cooperation with the University of Linz, apply CFD in the field of steelmaking with the motivation to make processes more cost efficient and environmentally compatible, as well as to achieve products of excellent quality. The understanding of existing processes can be substantially improved by numerically simulating fluid flows. This is of special importance for liquid steel flows, which can hardly be observed or investigated by measuring instruments due to the rough ambient circumstances. Simulation of the secondary fume control of electric arc furnaces while taking into account a 3‐dimensional turbulent thermal plume for a 2‐phase flow is performed using k‐ε‐turbulence models flow and an Euler‐Lagrange approach for the particle transport. The results include an optimized air flow design at the inlet of the building and at the outlet through the roof as well as minimized blowing power. The modeling of the steel flow in converters including bottom and side blowing using an Euler‐Lagrange formulation for the calculation of the two‐phase flow and a suited surface model for the iron‐slag‐gas interface. Optimized nozzle configurations and thus shorter process times are achieved.
Future steelmaking plant with minimized energy consumption and waste evolution
Authors: Emi Toshihiko , Seetharaman Seshadri
Published: November 2003

A view is presented on future BF‐BOF type and EF type steelmaking plants. The former and the latter include, respectively, rationalized process steps for a mass production and small lot production of quality steels at reduced costs. Integration of the 2 types of plants is discussed for better synergy effects. Emphasis is placed on minimizing the consumption of primary energy and evolution of wastes such as dust, slag and gases, with a consideration given for maximized utilization of the wastes. Metallurgical key issues for future R & D to achieve improved productivity and wastes evolution are also suggested.
Dynamic process model for denitrogenation and dehydrogenation by vacuum degassing
Authors: Kleimt B. , Köhle S. , Johann K. P. , Jungreithmeier A. , Molinero Joseba
Published: November 2003

Background/aims:

One main purpose of vacuum degassing is the removal of nitrogen and hydrogen from the liquid steel. The progress of dehydrogenation and denitrogenation during degassing cannot be observed on‐line from measured waste gas values. It is therefore usual to elongate the vacuum treatment more than necessary to be sure that the aim values are reached. To overcome the uncertainty in the required degassing duration, a dynamic process model for dehydrogenation and denitrogenation was developed.

Results and conclusions:

The dynamic process model for denitrogenation and dehydrogenation is based on the principles of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. It was applied to the vacuum tank degassing (VD) and the vacuum circulation (RH) process. The model was validated by comparison of simulation results with measured process data. The resulting simulation accuracy is about 8 ppm for nitrogen and 0.2 ppm for hydrogen. A simplified version of the process model is used for on‐line observation of the current nitrogen and hydrogen content.
Influence of composition of slag and carbonaceous materials on the wettability at the slag/carbon interface during pulverised coal injection in a blast furnace
Authors: Mehta A. S. , Sahajwalla V.
Published: November 2003

Study of slag/char interactions is essential to understand the behaviour of unburnt char within a blast furnace during pulverised coal injection. While slag/carbon reaction kinetics have been reported in the literature, limited work is reported on study of the wetting behaviour in these systems. In the present study, wettability of slag/carbon systems has been investigated by measuring the variation in dynamic contact angle at the slag/carbon interface with time, for different slag compositions and carbonaceous materials, at 1500°C. The influence of liquid and solid composition on wetting has been discussed. The concept of a modified slag composition present at the slag/carbon interface during the interaction is introduced due to the presence of ash in the carbonaceous material. The wetting behaviour is found to be a function of the composition of this modified slag. Increased silica content at the interface, that is lower basicity slags and higher silica bearing carbonaceous materials, result in an improved wetting in the slag/carbon systems, when the iron oxide content is low. This is attributed to the increased reduction of silica at the slag/carbon interface, and when the reaction slows down, to a decreased interfacial tension at the slag/carbon interface; these contribute to lowering the interfacial energy. For the high iron oxide bearing slag (31.52% Fe2O3), the wetting behaviour at the interface is dependent on the slag/iron interaction due to the deposition of the reduced iron at the interface.
Literature review of heat treatment simulations with respect to phase transformation, residual stresses and distortion
Authors: Rohde Jutta , Jeppsson Anders
Published: November 2003

A literature review of numerical simulations of heat treatment was performed. The model used in the numerical simulation can be divided into three major parts that are mutually coupled: temperature calculation, phase transformation and mechanical response. The parts and couplings are introduced; examples, theoretical results and verifications of different models are presented to show the accuracy of the calculations compared with experiments. It was found that today, the simulations are performed in two steps, the calculation of temperature history 2‐way coupled with phase transformation, and the mechanical response as a subsequent calculation of distortion and residual stresses taking the temperature history as well as the actual phase volume fractions into account. Research subjects are the diffusion‐controlled phase transformation in non‐isothermal cooling and the stress dependency of phase transformations. Other research topics concern the type of hardening as laser surface hardening.
Differential Sensitivity to 8‐Hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propylamino)tetralin‐Induced Corticosterone Secretion and Hypothermia between Sprague‐Dawley Rats from Different Breeding Colonies
Authors: Kelder Diana , Ross Svante B.
Published: November 2003

Abstract: The sensitivity of Sprague‐Dawley rats from 4 different breeding colonies (ALAB, M&B, B&K, Charles River) and one breeding colony of Wistar rat (M&B) to the 5‐hydroxytryptamine1A (5‐HT1A) receptor stimulatory effect of 8‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8‐OH‐DPAT) resulting in corticosterone secretion and hypothermia was compared. The dose‐response curves of the increase in plasma corticosterone showed that ALAB and M&B rats were 3.5 times more sensitive to 8‐OH‐DPAT than B&K and Charles River rats, the Wistar rats being in between. The attenuation of the corticosterone response 24 hr after a single injection of 1 mg/kg 8‐OH‐DPAT was greater for the ALAB and M&B rats than for B&K, Charles River and Wistar rats. The comparison of the 8‐OH‐DPAT‐induced hypothermia in the various rat colonies showed a similar pattern: the sensitivity of ALAB rats was about twice that of M&B, B&K and Wistar rats, Charles River rats being 9 times less sensitive. The attenuation of the response 24 hr after 1 mg/kg 8‐OH‐DPAT measured as the shift in dose‐response showed similar shift factors (4.1 to 6.7) for all rat colonies except for the B&K rats (3.0). The hypothermic response at 0.1 mg/kg 8‐OH‐DPAT was significantly lower for the Charles River and B&K rats than for the ALAB rats. Similarly was the maximal attenuation of the hypothermic effect in these rats less than half of that of the ALAB rats. The possible cause of the observed differences in the response to 8‐OH‐DPAT between these rat colonies is discussed in terms of receptor reserves and the involvement of other transmitter systems in the responses.
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid Elevates Osteoblastic Intracellular Ca2+
Authors: Wang Jue‐Long , Chang Hsin‐Ju , Tseng Li‐Ling , Liu Chun‐Peng , Lee Kam‐Chung , Chou Kang‐Ju , Cheng Jin‐Shiung , Lo Yuk‐Keung , Su Warren , Law Yee‐Ping , Chen Wei‐Chung , Chan Rai‐Chi , Jan Chung‐Ren
Published: November 2003

Abstract: Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is widely used as a pharmacological tool to inhibit lipoxygenases; however, recent evidence suggests that it increases renal intracellular [Ca2+]i via novel mechanisms. Here the effect of NDGA on Ca2+ signaling in MG63 osteoblastic cells was explored using fura‐2 as a Ca2+ indicator. NDGA (2–50 μM) increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration‐dependent manner. The signal comprised an initial rise and an elevated phase over a time period of 4 min. Removing extracellular Ca2+ reduced 2–50 μM NDGA‐induced signals by 62±2%. After incubation with 50 μM NDGA in Ca2+‐free medium for several minutes, addition of 3 mM CaCl2 induced an increase in [Ca2+]i. NDGA (50 μM)‐induced [Ca2+]i increases were not changed by pretreatment with 10 μM of verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, nimodipine and nicardipine. In Ca2+‐free medium, pretreatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin (1 μM) inhibited 50 μM NDGA‐induced [Ca2+]i increases by 69±3%. Inhibition of phospholipase C with 2 μM U73122 had little effect on 50 μM NDGA‐induced Ca2+ release. Several other lipoxygenase inhibitors had no effect on basal [Ca2+]i. At a concentration that did not increase basal [Ca2+]i, NDGA (1 μM) did not alter 10 μM ATP‐ or 1 μM thapsigargin‐induced [Ca2+]i increases. Alteration of protein kinase C activity with 1 nM phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate or 2 μM GF 109203X did not affect 50 μM NDGA‐induced [Ca2+]i increases. Together, the results show that NDGA increased [Ca2+]i in osteoblasts in a lipoxygenase‐independent manner, by releasing stored Ca2+ in a fashion independent of phospholipase C activity, and by causing Ca2+ influx.
The Effect of Acute Oxidative Stress on the Ultrastructure of the Perfused Rat Liver
Authors: Cogger Victoria C. , Mross Petra E. , Hosie Margot J. , Ansselin Annick D. , McLean Allan J. , Le Couteur David G.
Published: November 2003

Abstract: Ageing and liver disease are associated with ultrastructural changes in the hepatic sinusoid. Because of the possibility that reactive oxygen species could mediate these processes, we examined the effect of acute oxidative stress on the ultrastructure of the intact liver. Rat livers were perfused ex vivo, in situ with hydrogen peroxide via the portal vein. The livers were then fixed and the ultrastructure of the liver tissue examined with transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of hydrogen peroxide were largely confined to the perisinusoidal areas. The sinusoidal endothelial cells became swollen and more porous, with large gaps replacing sieve plates. The space of Disse showed an increase in volume and the density of hepatocyte projections decreased. Kupffer cell activation was noted. Little or no ultrastructural change was observed within the hepatocytes. Oxidative stress delivered via the portal vein dramatically alters the ultrastructure of the perisinusoidal regions of the liver. This process may contribute to the pathogenesis of disease and age‐related changes in the liver.
Effects of Ketoconazole on Oestrus Cycle and Convulsant Action of Pentylenetetrazol in Mice
Authors: Pesce María Ester , Acevedo Ximena , Bustamante Diego , Miranda Hugo F. , Pinardi Gianni
Published: November 2003

Abstract: The frequency of oestrus cycles in female mice was significantly reduced by the implantation of a pellet of subcutaneous ketoconazole (50 mg every 6 days). The effect was more pronounced after 22 days than after 13 days and it was probably related with the progressive reduction in steroid synthesis induced by the inhibition of key steroidogenic P450 cytochromes by the drug. In addition, the influence of ketoconazole on the incidence of seizures after the administration of intraperitoneal pentylenetetrazol was evaluated in female mice. Pentylenetetrazol produced a higher percentage of seizures during dioestrus than during oestrus. Pretreatment with ketoconazole significantly increased the percentage of animals with induced seizures in oestrus but not in dioestrus as compared to controls, probably through reduced progesterone levels. The reduced seizure threshold confirm the modulatory role exerted by progesterone on central nervous system excitability, and may be relevant in epileptic patients undergoing antifungal therapy.
Aluminium Phosphide Exposure: Implications on Rat Brain Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Defence System
Authors: Dua Raina , Gill Kiran Dip
Published: November 2003

Abstract: We investigated the effect of aluminium phosphide exposure (10 mg/kg body weight) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system in different regions of rat brain. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation in cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem was observed in aluminium phosphide‐exposed rats, which was accompanied by a marked decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase and catalase. A decline in the activity of glutathione reductase was also observed, however, no change was seen in the activity of glutathione peroxidase following aluminium phosphide administration. Decreased levels of non‐protein thiols and total sulfhydryl groups were also observed after aluminium phosphide treatment. It seems evident that aluminium phosphide exposure significantly enhanced neuronal lipoperoxidative damage with concomitant alterations in the antioxidant defence status thus having serious bearing on the functional and structural status of the central nervous system.
Diphenyl Diselenide and Ascorbic Acid Changes Deposition of Selenium and Ascorbic Acid in Liver and Brain of Mice
Authors: Jacques‐Silva Maria Caroline , Nogueira Cristina W. , Broch Luis Carlos , Flores Érico M. M. , Rocha João Batista T.
Published: November 2003

Abstract: Sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) is the selenium form used in the composition of dietary supplements, and diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 is an important intermediate in organic synthesis, which increases the risk of human exposure to this chemical in the workplace. These compounds have been reported to inhibit the cerebral and hepatic aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA‐D) in vitro, and now we show that ascorbic acid can reverse some alterations caused by in vivo selenium exposure, but not ALA‐D inhibition. The effect of Na2SeO3 or (PhSe)2 and ascorbic acid on selenium distribution, total non‐protein thiol, ascorbic acid content (liver and brain) and haemoglobin was also examined. Mice were exposed to 250 μmol/kg (PhSe)2, or 18.75 μmol/kg Na2SeO3 subcutaneously, and to ascorbic acid, twice a day, 1 mmol/kg intraperitonially, for 10 days. Hepatic ALA‐D of mice treated with (PhSe)2 was inhibited about 58% and similar results were observed in the animals that received ascorbic acid supplementation (P<0.01, for (PhSe)2‐treated and (PhSe)2+ascorbic acid‐treated mice). The haemoglobin content decreased after treatment with (PhSe)2 (P<0.01). However, the haemoglobin content of the (PhSe)2+ascorbic acid group was significantly higher than in the (PhSe)2‐treated mice (P<0.05), and similar to control (P>0.10). Ascorbic acid treatment decreased significantly the hepatic and cerebral deposition of Se in (PhSe)2‐exposed mice (P<0.01). Hepatic non‐protein thiol content was not changed by treatment with (PhSe)2, ascorbic acid or (PhSe)2+ascorbic acid. Hepatic content of ascorbic acid was twice that in mice that received (PhSe)2, independent of ascorbic acid treatment (P<0.001). The results of this study suggest that vitamin C may have a protective role in organodiselenide intoxication.
Autoprotection in Acetaminophen Intoxication in Rats: The Role of Liver Regeneration
Authors: Dalhoff Kim , Laursen Henning , Bangert Kristian , Poulsen Henrik E. , Anderson Mary E. , Grunnet Niels , Tygstrup Niels
Published: November 2003

Abstract: Autoprotection by acetaminophen, i.e. increased resistance to toxic effects caused by pretreatment, is a well‐known phenomenon. The purpose of the present work was to identify mechanisms for increased acetaminophen tolerance induced by pretreatment of rats. One group of female Wistar rats (pretreated rats) received acetaminophen orally in increasing doses (1 to 4.3 g/kg) twice a week for 3 weeks, one group (naïve rats) received the vehicle. At time zero pretreated rats received a toxic dose of 7.5 g/kg (100% lethal in naïve rats), and naïve rats received a toxic dose of 4.3 g/kg. Blood and liver tissue were collected before and 12, 24, 36, and 48 hr after the toxic dose and were analysed for hepatic glutathione and cysteine contents, hepatic glutathione‐S‐transferase and blood alanine aminotransferase activity, as well as acetaminophen concentration in plasma. Steady‐state mRNA levels of proteins involved in acetaminophen detoxification, cell division and acute phase response were measured, liver tissue was examined for proliferating cell nuclear antigen and degree of hepatocyte necrosis. Six naïve rats not receiving acetaminophen served as controls. The mortality was the same in pre‐treated and naïve rats (33 percent). Thus, pretreatment increased the tolerance twice. Before the toxic dose pretreated rats compared to control rats had higher activity of glutathione‐S‐transferase (liver) and alanine aminotransferase (serum), higher hepatic mRNA level of glutathione‐S‐transferase and γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy and light chain subunits, and lower hepatic concentration of glutathione, cysteine and mRNA of CYP1A2 than control rats. After the toxic dose, the mRNA levels of glutathione‐S‐transferase, γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy and light chain subunits, and CYP1A2 in naïve rats rose, approaching those of pretreated rats. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling was high in pretreated rats, while only slightly increased in a few of the naïve rats. Necrotic hepatocytes were found at all time intervals in pretreated rats, and in naïve rats they appeared after 12 hr, peaking after 36 hr. Pretreatment increased the tolerance to acetaminophen toxicity twice, as estimated by mortality. The data indicate that pretreatment may reduce the relative production of toxic metabolites, but it primarily enhances the protection against these metabolites by regenerating hepatocytes.
Systemic vitamin C and vitamin E do not prevent photoprovocation test reactions in polymorphous light eruption
Authors: Eberlein‐König B. , Fesq H. , Abeck D. , Przybilla B. , Placzek M. , Ring J.
Published: November 2003

The possible influence of oxidative stress is discussed in the pathogenesis of polymorphous light eruption (PLE). A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of prophylactic treatment with systemic administration of vitamin C (3 g/d) and E (1500 IU/d) for 8 days was undertaken in 9 patients with PLE (verum, n=4; placebo, n=5). Evaluation of the maximal effects after photoprovocation before and after intake of the antioxidants revealed a reduction of most skin reactions (overall skin reaction, papules/vesicles) in both groups with marked differences in the placebo group. The antioxidants in the doses given and over the time period used did not influence the development of PLE, but might interfere with immunosuppressive effects of repeated photoprovocation tests.
Timecourse study of UVB‐induced cytokine induction in whole mouse skin
Authors: Scordi I. A. , Vincek V.
Published: November 2003

Ever since the skin was recognized as a site of immunologic activity, a number of laboratories have studied the production of cytokines by skin cells and the effects of chemicals, allergens, contact irritants and UVB radiation on their production. Most research to date has been carried out using either purified populations of primary cells, or established cell lines. Cytokines, however, do not function in isolation but they appear in human tissues within the context of other cytokines that can, in turn, strongly influence the final biological outcome. Therefore, in vivo studies using whole skin are more physiologically relevant since all cell types are present and interactions among them are allowed to proceed. We report here the results of a detailed timecourse study using whole mouse skin, consisting of both dermis and epidermis, irradiated with either a low or high dose of UVB and analyzed using a Multi‐probe RNase protection assay system. The results show that in whole skin the kinetics of cytokine induction are different than what was previously observed in tissue culture. In addition to already known skin‐associated cytokines, we report here the presence and UVB induction of cytokines not previously reported.
Municipal Government Revenue Forecasting: Issues of Method and Data
Authors: Cirincione Carmen , Gurrieri Gustavo A. , van de Sande Bart
Published: November 2003

In this article the authors investigate the impact of the choice of time series method, the length of the data stream used to estimate the model, and the frequency of the data on forecasting accuracy for own source, non‐tax general fund revenue for six Connecticut municipalities. The authors find that exponential smoothing models are generally the most accurate. They also conclude that local government officials should rely on bimonthly rather than monthly or quarterly data and retain, in a readily usable format, more than three years of data.
Tax Increment Debt Finance: An Analysis of the Mainstreaming of a Fringe Sector
Authors: Johnson Craig L.
Published: November 2003

Despite the persistent efforts of federal tax policymakers to place binding constraints on the economic development bond market in the United States, it has grown since the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and is a well established segment of the municipal securities market. This article provides an analysis of the development bond market by describing tax increment debt finance (TIF) in the United States and conducting an empirical analysis of California TIF debt. Our analysis indicates that tax increment debt finance (TIF) is no longer an obscure infrequently used financing tool, but for local governments in many states is a commonly used means of raising capital for multiple purposes. Our empirical analysis highlights the unique project‐specific features of tax increment finance that bond issuers must understand and manage to enhance the credit quality and minimize the financing costs of tax increment debt.
Performance Budgeting and Performance Funding in the States: A States Assessment
Authors: Jordan Meagan M. , Hackbart Merl M.
Published: November 2003

For a variety of reasons, performance budgeting has gained new life in the 1990s. Initially introduced in the 1950s by the Hoover Commission and others, performance budgeting efforts, in the 1990s, go beyond the workload productivity and efficiency focus of earlier phases and place greater emphasis on outcomes and accountability. This study reports on a survey of state executive‐branch budget officers designed to determine the current status of state performance budgeting efforts including performance budgeting processes used by the states, their perceived impacts on budget decision making, and their probable future use. In addition, the study assessed the emerging role of performance funding as a further extension of performance budgeting processes. The linking of performance to the allocation or distribution of appropriated funds may be emerging as the next iteration of performance budgeting in the states. In addition to reporting on the survey, relationships between performance budgeting and various aspects of state budgeting practices are analyzed through crosstabulations, and regression analysis is employed to examine the states' organization, fiscal, and political capacity to implement performance budgeting and funding.
Activity‐Based Costing in Government: Possibilities and Pitfalls
Authors: Brown Richard E. , Myring Mark J. , Gard Cadillac G.
Published: November 2003

Activity‐based costing (ABC) is at the center of the larger management perspective known as activity‐based management, or ABM. Despite its popularity in the literature, relatively little is still known about the details of ABC, especially in government circles. There are many unanswered questions relating to the details of how to go about implementing ABC, its possible uses, and its costs and benefits. Indeed, it is still unclear to many whether it is even appropriate to use ABC in government, given the reality that many governmental programs do not sell their services This article attempts to address these concerns by presenting the conceptual underpinnings and details of ABC, contrasting the system with more traditional cost accounting systems, discussing the fit of ABC in government, and considering in some detail how one small city might benefit from implementing ABC.
The Value‐Added Tax in Ghana
Authors: Assibey‐Mensah George O.
Published: November 2003

Ghana's Parliament enacted a value‐added tax (VAT) in December 1994, with collection to begin on March 1, 1995. The short preparation period proved fatal for the tax. However, the nation's fiscal problems continue and the government is resolved to reintroduce the tax in 1998. This article reviews the structure of the failed tax, showing how it would have been a more effective general consumption tax than the system it would have replaced, examines the reasons for its untimely demise, and considers prospects for a successful reintroduction of the tax. Ghana's experience with the VAT can hold important lessons for countries contemplating the introduction of such a tax.
Evacuation of pelleted feed and the suitability of titanium(IV) oxide as a feed marker for gut kinetics in Nile tilapia
Authors: Richter H. , Lückstädt C. , Focken U. , Becker K.
Published: November 2003

The present study assessed the suitability of titanium(IV) oxide, TiO2, as a digesta passage marker in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and studied the shape of the evacuation curve in this species. In three separate trials, fish were given one dose of either 0·5, 0·25 or 0·1% of their body mass (% BME) of feed marked with 1% TiO2 or 0·5% BME of the same feed without marker. The fish were serially slaughtered at intervals after feeding and the stomach contents analysed for dry mass and marker content. The data for individual trials were analysed with the linear, square root, surface area and exponential evacuation models and parameter comparisons showed that, although the marker interfered slightly with the evacuation process, true meal size could be predicted more accurately from the marker data. The results of an analysis of the combined data sets suggested that stomach evacuation in this species is dependent more on food particle surface area (surface area model) than on stomach content mass (exponential model) as is generally assumed. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that TiO2 at an inclusion level of 1% is an acceptable marker for quantifying evacuation with a view to predicting food consumption but should be used with caution in digestibility studies.
Reproductive ecology of the nine‐spined stickleback from south‐central Alaska
Authors: Heins D. C. , Johnson J. M. , Baker J. A.
Published: November 2003

The life cycle of the nine‐spined sticklebackPungitius pungitiusfrom Airolo Lake, Alaska, was studied using samples taken during 1993–1994 and 1997–1998.Pungitius pungitiuswas actively reproducing in late May and ceased reproductive activities by late June. Spawning adults were 2+ years old. Contrary to an earlier report, the data indicate that an individual female oviposits all of her ovulated eggs (i.e.an entire clutch) into a male's nest during one spawning episode. There was a trade‐off between clutch size and egg size without concomitant variation in clutch mass between two years. The results are compared to those from other studies.
Sleeping mound construction using coral fragments by the rockmover wrasse
Authors: Takayanagi S. , Sakai Y. , Hashimoto H. , Gushima K.
Published: November 2003

The rockmover wrasse Novaculichthys taeniourus was observed using coral fragments for mound construction on the reefs of Kuchierabu‐jima Island, Japan. The wrasse heaped between four and 71 pieces of coral fragments on each sand mound, and dived into the mound just before sunset. Coral fragments may facilitate the retention of sleeping sites under competition with other sand‐diving wrasses.
Running before the storm: blacktip sharks respond to falling barometric pressure associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Authors: Heupel M. R. , Simpfendorfer C. A. , Hueter R. E.
Published: November 2003

A small population of juvenile (<1 year old) blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus responded to the approach of a tropical storm by moving to deeper water. Examination of meterological variables suggested that the movement of the blacktip sharks was triggered by a drop in barometric pressure associated with the approach of the storm. This response was consistent for all the fish being studied, and all blacktip sharks returned to the shallow nursery area after the storm's passage, suggesting that this was an innate behaviour.
Changes in growth performance and proximate composition in Japanese flounder during metamorphosis
Authors: Hossain M. A. R. , Tagawa M. , Masuda R. , Tanaka M.
Published: November 2003

Morphological changes are described in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus larvae and juveniles with emphasis on growth during the period of metamorphosis. Ontogenetic changes in condition factor and lipid, glycogen and protein levels were also analysed to determine the utilization of stored energy. Fish grew from 6·6 to 20·3 mm LT(1·15 to 84·4 mg in mass, M) during the period from 11 to 40 days after hatching (DAH) at 19·3° C. Per cent specific growth rate per day (%G day−1) for wet mass was lowest during the metamorphic phase (21–30 DAH) compared to pre‐(11–20 DAH) and post‐metamorphic (31–40 DAH) phases. When LT and M were expressed as , the b value was highest during the pre‐metamorphic phase and lowest during the metamorphic phase. These findings indicate that the developmental changes that occur during metamorphosis of Japanese flounder are closely related to the growth pattern. Moisture, lipid and glycogen contents were also at the lowest level during metamorphosis compared to pre‐ and post‐metamorphosis, which suggest that Japanese flounder use their energy reserves to accomplish metamorphosis due to an apparent decline in feeding during this period.
Impact of temperature on food intake and growth in juvenile burbot
Authors: Hofmann N. , Fischer P.
Published: November 2003

The effect of temperature on food consumption, food conversion and somatic growth was investigated with juvenile burbotLota lota(age 0 years). Juvenile burbot showed a significant dome shaped relationship between relative daily food consumption (CR) and temperature (T) withCR = − 0·00044T2 + 0·01583T − 0·06010; (n = 90,r2 = 0·61). MaximumCRwas at 17·9° C (95% CL 17·2–18·6° C). The temperature related instantaneous growth rate (G) also followed a dome shaped function withG = − 0·000063T2 + 0·002010T − 0·007462; (n = 95,r2 = 0·57), with maximum growth rate at 16·0° C (95% CL 15·3–16·6° C). A significant linear relationship was found between the water temperature and the conversion coefficient (CC) withCC = − 1·63T + 59·04; (n = 80,r2 = 0·74). The results indicate that juvenile burbot in large lakes benefit from higher water temperatures in the littoral zone, by increased food uptake and growth, especially during the warm summer months. Because profundal water temperatures do not reflect the optimal temperature for food consumption in large burbot, temperature is unlikely to be the main proximate factor for the obligate littoral‐profundal migration of juvenile burbot observed in many lake populations.
Interactions of growing folds and coeval depositional systems
Authors: Burbank Douglas , Meigs Andrew , Brozović Nicholas
Published: November 2003

Responses of both modern and ancient fluvial depositional systems to growing folds can be interpreted in terms of interactions among competing controlling variables which can be incorporated into simple conceptual models. The ratio of the rate of sediment accumulation to the rate of structural uplift determines whether a fold develops a topographic expression above local base level. The balance between (a) stream power and rates of upstream deposition vs. (b) bedrock resistance and rates of crestal uplift and of fold widening determines whether an antecedent stream maintains its course or is defeated by a growing structure. Modern drainage configurations in actively folding landscapes can often be interpreted in terms of these competing variables, and through analysis of digital topography, detailed topographic characteristics of these folds can be quantified. Modern examples of growing folds display both defeated and persistent antecedent rivers, deflected drainages and laterally propagating structures. The topography associated with a defeated antecedent river at Wheeler Ridge, California, is consistent with a model in which defeat results from forced aggradation in the piggyback basin, without the need to vary discharge or uplift rate.

Reconstruction of the long‐term interplay between a depositional system and evolving folds requires a stratigraphic perspective, such as that provided by syntectonic strata which are directly juxtaposed with ancient folds and faults. Analysis of Palaeogene growth strata bounding the Catalan Coastal Ranges of NE Spain demonstrates the synchronous growth and the kinematic history of multiple folds and faults in the proximal foreland basin. Although dominated by transverse rivers which crossed fold crests, palaeovalleys, interfan lows, structural re‐entrants and saddles, and rising anticlines diverted flow and influenced local deposition. In the ancient record, drainage‐network events, such as avulsion or defeat of a transverse stream, usually cannot be unambiguously attributed to a single cause. Examination of ancient syntectonic strata from a geomorphological perspective, however, permits successive reconstructions of synorogenic topography, landscapes and depositional systems.
Importance of inherited rift margin structures in the early North Alpine Foreland Basin, Switzerland
Authors: Lihou Joanne C. , Allen Philip A.
Published: November 2003

The earliest evolution of the North Alpine Foreland Basin in Switzerland was characterized by deposition in small, structurally partitioned sub‐basins during the Late Cretaceous and Early Tertiary, rather than in a single, large foredeep. These sub‐basins, which were probably located between old rift margin fault‐blocks reactivated during Alpine compression, were incorporated into the thrust wedge during thin‐skinned deformation. In eastern Switzerland, the most external sub‐basins with respect to the orogenic wedge (North Helvetic Flysch and Blattengrat units) have at their base an unconformity attributed to flexural forebulge erosion. More internal sub‐basins (Sardona and Prättigau units) contain a conformable succession from the underlying passive margin stage and are dominated by deep‐water sedimentation. In western Switzerland, both external sub‐basins, now found in the Helvetic Diablerets and Wildhorn nappes, and deep‐water internal sub‐basins (Höchst‐Meilleret Flysch, Neisen Flysch, Tarentaise Flysch) preserve a well‐developed basal unconformity. Comparison of the eastern and western Swiss transects shows important intrabasinal lateral variations to be present.

The western Swiss area was a topographic high for much of the Late Cretaceous and Early Tertiary; this is demonstrated by the increased chronostratigraphic gap at the karstified basal unconformity surface in western Switzerland. The strata onlapping this unconformity young to the west, suggesting that drowning of the emergent area was delayed compared with the east. In addition, reactivation and uplift of the rift margin structures occurred earlier in western Switzerland compared with eastern Switzerland. There is therefore strong evidence for lateral topographic gradients in the early foreland basin caused by differential amounts of tectonic reactivation of rift margin structures. In the early foreland basin‐fill, these lateral variations are as important in determining depositional patterns as strike‐normal changes across the basin.
Successful treatment of HTLV‐1‐associated acute adult T‐cell leukaemia lymphoma by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Borg Anton , Liu Yin John A. , JJohnson Peter R. E. , Tosswill Jennifer , Saunders Melanie , Morris David
Published: November 2003

HTLV‐1‐associated acute adult T‐cell leukaemia‐lymphoma (ATL) is a highly aggressive malignant disorder with a median survival of 6 months or less. We describe an Afro‐Caribbean female with very poor prognosis ATL who underwent chemotherapy with a 4 d infusion schedule of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and etoposide, followed by successful allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from her HTLV‐1‐negative histocompatibile sister. The patient remains in complete remission 23 months after BMT and has 100% donor haemopoiesis with no evidence of HTLV‐1 infection on PCR testing. We suggest that allo‐BMT can prolong disease‐free survival or may even be curative in HTLV patients.
IN VIVO MOBILIZATION OF KARYOTyPICALLY NORMAL PERIPHERAL BLOOD PROGENITOR CELLS IN HIGH‐RISK MDS, SECONDARY OR THERAPY‐RELATED ACUTE MYELOGENOUS LEUKAEMIA
Authors: Carella Angelo M. , Dejana Anna , Lerma Enrica , PodestÀ Marina , Benvenuto Federica , Chimirri Francesca , Parodi Caterina , Sessarego Mario , Prencipe Emma , Frassoni Francesco
Published: November 2003

We have previously reported that mobilization of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome‐negative progenitors is possible in a significant number of Ph1‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) patients. In this pilot study we employed the same approach for patients with RAEB‐t, secondary AML (sAML) and therapy‐related AML (t‐AML). All patients except one had double or complex cytogenetic abnormalities in marrow cells before mobilization therapy. All patients received an idarubicin‐containing regimen (mini‐ICE protocol) followed by rh‐G‐CSF and the first leukapheresis was performed as they were recovering from aplasia. In six out of nine patients the leukapheresis product was entirely karyotypically normal, combined with a significant number of CFU‐GM, CD34+ cells and LTC‐IC. Recovery time from mobilization therapy was short and no patient died as a result of the procedure. To date, three patients have undergone autografting using their karyotypically normal collections, of which two (sAML) are alive with karyotypically normal marrow a few months after autografting.
BCR‐ABL‐positive lymphoblastoid cells display limited proliferative capacity under in vitro culture conditions
Authors: Spencer Andrew , Yan Xiu‐Hua , Chase Andrew , Goldman John M. , Melo Junia V.
Published: November 2003

We studied the kinetics of EBV‐transformed B‐cell lines from patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) using RT‐PCR for BCR‐ABL transcripts and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangements. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, obtained from four patients with CML in chronic phase and from one in accelerated phase, were incubated with supernatant from the B95‐8 EBV producing cell line. In 11/25 (44%) B‐cell cultures established we demonstrated the presence of BCR‐ABL transcripts at intervals ranging from 32 to 125 d post EBV transformation. In all but two cases, evidence of BCR‐ABL transcripts disappeared with time. Cultures were initially polyclonal with respect to IgH rearrangements but became progressively oligoclonal, suggesting the longer‐term survival of fewer clones, all of which were BCR‐ABL negative. We conclude that BCR‐ABL‐positive lymphoid cultures can be established in the short term from the majority of patients with CML but they have limited capacity to survive in the longer term. Therefore, in lymphoid cells the presence of the BCR‐ABL chimaeric gene appears to confer no survival advantage.
Evidence for the involvement of complement proteins in platelet aggregation by Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7863
Authors: Ford I. , Douglas C. W. I. , Heath J. , Rees C. , Preston F. E.
Published: November 2003

We investigated the mechanisms of platelet aggregation by the type strain of Streptococcus sanguis (NCTC 7863). This species is one of the major aetiological agents of infective endocarditis. S. sanguis NCTC 7863 caused aggregation of normal human platelets in vitro following a lag period that varied between donors (7–19 min). Platelet aggregation was dependent on one or more plasma consistuents and all the necessary factors gradually became bound to the bacterial surface during the lag period. The length of the lag period was determined by the plasma of the donor and not by a feature of their platelets. Platelet aggregation by S. sanguis NCTC 7863 could be inhibited by heating plasma at 56°C, by treating plasma with cobra venom factor, or by incubating with soluble Complement Receptor 1, all of which inhibit or deplete complement. Complement activation required Mg2+, but not Ca2+ ions and the the cleavage fragment, Ba, of factor B was produced, indicating that the alternative pathway was operative. Zymosan‐ and S. sanguis‐induced aggregation showed similarities, including the same variability in lag times among donors, and absorption of plasma with zymosan prevented the plasma from supporting platelet aggregation by S. sanguis. C3, C9 and vitronectin were found to bind to S. sanguis NCTC 7863, but the latter two were present at very low levels on a non‐aggregating strain of S. sanguis, SK96. The rate of assembly of the C5b–9 complex on the NCTC 7863 bacterial surface correlated with the lag time. These data suggest a role for the complement pathway in platelet aggregation by the type strain of S. sanguis.
Pharmacokinetics of von Willebrand factor and factor VIIIC in patients with severe von Willebrand disease (type 3 VWD): estimation of the rate of factor VIIIC synthesis
Authors: Menache Doris , Aronson David L. , Darr Fred , Montgomery Robert R. , Gill Joan C. , Kessler Craig M. , Lusher Jeanne M. , Phatak Pradyumna D. , Shapiro Amy D. , Thompson Arthur R. , White Gilbert C.
Published: November 2003

Nine patients (10 infusions) with a confirmed diagnosis of type 3 VWD were infused with von Willebrand factor (human), a preparation of von Willebrand factor (VWF) with a very low factor VIII content. Each patient was infused with one dose of approximately 50 or 100 iu ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RiCoF) per kg body weight. Bleeding times were performed during the 24 h period after infusion. Plasma samples were obtained over the 96 h period after infusion and were analysed for factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIIIC), VWF:RiCoF, von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), and multimers. The FVIIIC data were analysed by non‐linear least‐squares analysis assuming constant FVIIIC ‘synthesis’ and exponential decay. The VWF data were fitted for exponential decay. The average decay rates for FVIIIC, VWF:RiCoF and VWF:Ag were 0.041, 0.061 and 0.056 respectively. The average calculated ‘synthesis’ rate for FVIIIC was 6.4 u/dl/h. The synthesis of FVIIIC was slightly faster and the decay slightly slower following the infusion of 100 iu VWF:RiCoF/kg than of 50 iu VWF:RiCoF/kg. Correction of the bleeding time was strongly dose dependent. At 4 h post infusion the median bleeding time was 9 min following a dose of 50 iu VWF:RiCoF/kg versus 3 min with a dose of 100 iu VWF:RiCoF/kg. There was no decrease in the bleeding time until the level of VWF:Ag or VWF:RiCoF reached >100 u/dl.
Large‐scale DNA typing for human platelet alloantigens by PCR‐PHFA (preferential homoduplex formation assay)
Authors: Fujiwara Koki , Isa Kazumi , Oka Takanori , Maekawajiri Shinji , Yamane Akio , Akaza Tatsuya , Tadokoro Kenji , Juji Takeo , Shibata Yoichi , Tokunaga Katsushi
Published: November 2003

Alloimmunization against human platelet alloantigens (HPA) is known to be involved in disorders such as neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, post‐transfusion purpura, and refractoriness to platelet transfusion therapy. HPA typing is essential in diagnosis and management of patients. Therefore a reliable and speedy method is necessary for HPA typing. We have successfully applied a new DNA typing method, PCR‐preferential homoduplex formation assay (PHFA) method, to typing for the HPA‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐4, ‐5 and ‐6 systems. This method is based  on DNA strand competition during hybridization under a precisely controlled temperature gradient between a double‐labelled amplicon (standard DNA), prepared from biotin‐ and DNP‐labelled primers, and an unlabelled amplicon (sample DNA). The results obtained by PCR‐PHFA typing were in good agreement with the allotypes determined by serological typing and by other DNA typing methods. The PCR‐PHFA method can be easily automated, is suitable for typing both small and large numbers of samples, and thus is applicable to routine HPA typing.
Effects of immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics on GM‐CSF and G‐CSF secretion in vitro by monocytes, T lymphocytes and endothelial cells
Authors: Lenhoff Stig , Olofsson Tor
Published: November 2003

We studied the effects of eight antibiotics, cyclosporin and corticosteroids on the in vitro secretion of GM‐CSF and G‐CSF by monocytes, T lymphocytes and endothelial cells. The aim was to evaluate a possible mechanism for these drugs in the delay of haemopoietic recovery after high‐dose chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. Corticosteroids were prominent inhibitors of GM‐CSF secretion by monocytes and T lymphocytes, but not by endothelial cells. In contrast, G‐CSF secretion by monocytes was unchanged whereas that of endothelial cells was enhanced in the presence of corticosteroids. Cyclosporin efficiently down‐regulated GM‐CSF secretion by T lymphocytes and had also a minor effect on CSF secretion by endothelial cells, whereas monocyte secretion was unaffected. Stimulated T lymphocytes derived from patients under treatment with cyclosporin had impaired capacity to secrete GM‐CSF compared to controls. Among the antibiotics, cephalosporins inhibited GM‐CSF secretion by T lymphocytes, and GM‐ and G‐CSF secretion by endothelial cells. Ciprofloxacin and sulphmethoxazole had minor effects on GM‐CSF secretion by T lymphocytes and endothelial cells. No antibiotic significantly influenced GM‐CSF secretion by monocytes.