bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study on life cycle analysis of 20 different PV modules installed at the Hokuto mega‐solar plant
Authors: Ito Masakazu , Kudo Mitsuru , Nagura Masashi , Kurokawa Kosuke
Published: January 2011

The purpose of this study was to identify a suitable type of mega‐solar system from an environmental viewpoint. The authors evaluated six types of 20 different PV modules by life cycle analysis (LCA) with actual equipment data and output. The types were single crystal silicon (sc‐Si), amorphous silicon (a‐Si)/sc‐Si, multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si), a‐Si, microcrystalline silicon (µc‐Si)/a‐Si and CIS. The boundaries of LCA were from the mining stage to that of waste management. Mining, manufacturing and waste management information was taken from an LCA database, while data on transport, construction and amounts of equipment were obtained from actual systems. Since the irradiation figures and electricity output were also actual data, we could avoid the difficulties of making assumptions for values such as the actual output power of thin films. In addition, installation at a single plant provided suitable conditions for comparing PV systems.

The results showed an energy requirement ranging from 19 to 48 GJ/kW and an energy payback time of between 1.4 and 3.8 years. CO2 emissions were from 1.3 to 2.7 t‐CO2/kW, and CO2 emission rates ranged from 31 to 67 g‐CO2/kWh. The multicrystalline (mc‐Si) and CIS types showed good results because mc‐Si and CIS PV modules have high efficiency and a lower energy requirement. In particular, the CIS module generated more electricity than expected with catalogue efficiency. The single crystal silicon PV module did not produce good results because, considering their energy requirement, installed sc‐Si PV modules do not have high efficiency. However, the operation data used covered only 1 year; data from a longer period should be collected to obtain long‐term irradiation figures and clarify degradation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Re‐investigation of preferential orientation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2thin films grown by the three‐stage process
Authors: Couzinié‐Devy F. , Barreau N. , Kessler J.
Published: January 2011

The present contribution deals with the rather longstanding issue of the preferential orientation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2polycrystalline thin films. We investigate both the influence of the growth process parameters and that of the presence of Na on the competition between [112] and [220] orientations. The influence of the presence of Na is studied through the comparison of CIGSe layers co‐evaporated on our laboratory standard Mo‐coated soda lime glass (SLG/Mo) and on substrates with a sodium diffusion barrier (SLG/barrier/Mo); the process dependence of the orientation is evaluated through the comparison of films grown by the standard bithermal three‐stage (400–630°C) and the derived isothermal three‐stage process (620°C). For all the process/substrate combinations, the properties of the films (preferential orientation, grain size and morphology) have been determined at key steps of the growth. From these experimental results, it can be concluded that, as already suggested in the literature, the final layer orientation is strongly related to the texturation of the (In,Ga)2Se3precursor; however, the amount of Na available when the film becomes Cu‐rich (recrystallization at the end of the 2nd‐stage) can also strongly impact the film orientation. Such a phenomenon is herein interpreted by mean of the grain boundary migration model of recrystallization. In agreement with this new interpretation of the experimental data, processes have been designed in order to grow [220] textured CIGSe layers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
iProstate, a mathematical predictive model‐based, 3D‐rendering tool to visualize the location and extent of prostate cancer
Authors: Rodriguez Juan , Sabater Jose‐Maria , Ruiz Jose‐Luis , Soto Ana , Garcia Nicolas
Published: January 2011

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common non‐cutaneous cancer in men. Radical prostatectomy (RP) is a mainstay of treatment for organ‐confined prostate cancer. Preoperatively, the process of planning RP is based on local stage and precisely defines the location and size of disease within the prostate. Nowadays, there is no technology that can accurately map prostate cancer within the gland. Hence, urologists rely mainly on information provided by histopathological examination of biopsy cores, but this information does not accurately locate or stage prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to provide the surgeon with a 3D visualization tool capable of showing the location and extent of tumour within the prostate.

Methods

To perform this task, an application named iProstate, which makes use of four different mathematical predictive models that use biopsy cores information, was developed. These predictive models were trained with 277 clinical reports from patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy. Two sets of data from the patient reports were used to train the predictive models, the first containing the lengths of the biopsy cores and the tumour percentages of the biopsy cores information, and the second containing the lengths of the biopsy cores, tumour percentages of the biopsy cores, Gleason score, PSA and gland volume information.

Results

Multilayer Perceptron was the predictive model that scored the better results, giving a better approximation in the prediction of location and extent of tumour in the prostatic gland. Gleason score, PSA and gland volume proved to be important variables for the training of the predictive model.

Conclusions

The application was able to perform predictions of the location and extent of tumour that were very close to the real location and extent of tumour observed in the whole mount radical prostatectomy specimens, therefore its implementation in clinical assessment and follow‐up should be considered. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hydrodynamic investigation of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) redd selection at the riffle scale
Authors: Marchildon M.A. , Annable W.K. , Power M. , Imhof J.G.
Published: January 2011

High‐resolution velocity profile measurements were taken over a series of riffles on a gravel‐bed stream using a Pulse Coherent Acoustic Doppler Profiler (PCADP) to quantify the fluid structure of riffles and nests (redds) where brown trout(Salmo trutta)and rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)spawned. Velocity profiles were obtained on a highly discretized planometric scale ranging between 20 and 40 cm grid spacings, with vertical observations occurring every 1.6 cm. From the velocity profiles, between 15 000 and 38 000 velocity measurements were obtained over each riffle on any given day of measurement. Velocity profiles were converted to streamwise velocity magnitude, flow depth, Reynolds number, Froude number, shear stress, vertical velocity components and turbulent kinetic energy per unit area to evaluate the spatial structure of the riffles and the spatial structure of redds (pits and tailspills) relative to the surrounding riffle structure. Semi‐variograms were employed to evaluate the persistence of the fluid structure based upon the metrics evaluated.

Results showed that discrete velocity observations poorly described the spatial structure of the flow system and poorly correlated with redd locations. Reynolds number analysis identified a relatively consistent fluid property for distances typically 2–3 times the longitudinal length of redds. Turbulent kinetic energy per unit area consistently identified common regions on all riffles studied that corresponded with the location selections for redds where flow was identified as essentially uni‐directional. Froude number was found to be insensitive in predicting the fluid spatial structure in wadeable flow depths and relating it to the fluid structure of redds. Results indicated that a series of metrics at varying spatial scales of turbulence may be necessary to understand the spatial complexity of redd selection. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Coordination Polymers of Metal(II) Succinates with 4‐Aminopyridine: Synthesis, Spectroscopic, Thermal, and Fluorescent Properties
Authors: Demir Selçuk , Kaya Günay
Published: January 2011

Four novel divalent transitional metal succinates (suc) with 4‐aminopyridine (apy), [M(apy)2(H2O)2(μ‐suc)]n [M = Ni (1), Co (2)] and [M(apy)2(H2O)(suc)] [M = Cu (3), Zn (4)] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and TG‐DTA analyses. The single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of 1 revealed that it crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pcab and that it is a 1D coordination polymer. The suc molecule acts as a bis‐monodentate bridging ligand whereas apy coordinates to the NiII ions only through its pyridine nitrogen atoms. The chains are connected by OH–O hydrogen bonds into 2D networks. Compound 4 emits intense fluorescence at 380 nm and intense violet fluorescence at 418 nm, upon excitation at 310 and 350 nm, respectively.
GATA Factors in Gastrointestinal Malignancy
Authors: Ayanbule Funmi , Belaguli Narasimhaswamy S. , Berger David H.
Published: January 2011

GATA factors are unique transcription factors with conserved DNA‐binding domains. They serve diverse roles in embryogenesis, cell differentiation, regulation of tissue‐specific genes, and carcinogenesis. The subfamily GATA‐4, ‐5, and ‐6 are highly expressed in endoderm‐derived organs and regulate multiple gut‐specific genes. Multiple studies have analyzed the role of GATA factors in gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy, such as those of the stomach, pancreas, and colon, and premalignant lesions such as Barrett’s esophagus. The GATA factors appear to have distinct roles in regulating key genes involved in GI malignancy. Understanding the precise role of GATA factors in malignancy may lead to the development of effective molecular targets for cancer therapy.
Mixed bumblebee and blowfly pollination of Cypripedium flavum (Orchidaceae) in Sichuan, China
Authors: Zheng Guiling , Li Peng , Pemberton Robert , Luo Yibo
Published: January 2011

Most Cypripedium species are specialized orchids pollinated by, in a broad sense, bees or flies. Here we present the first evidence that a slipper orchid, Cypripedium flavum, is pollinated by both bees and flies, i.e., bumblebees and blowflies. Artificial pollination experiments demonstrated that the flowers of C. flavum are self‐compatible, but need pollen vectors for successful reproduction. Field observations detected 25 insects visiting the flowers, and 14 of these insects entered into the labellum of the flowers, but only female bumblebees, Bombus hypnorum, B. remotus, and the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria exited of the labellum with pollen smears of C. flavum. The floral functional morphology of C. flavum appears to be more suited to bumblebees than to blowflies. The bumblebees are more efficient pollinators of the orchid, but blowflies are more frequent visitors, so they pollinated more flowers despite being less efficient.
Effects of mixed‐species pollen load on fruits, seeds, and seedlings of two sympatric columnar cactus species
Authors: Petit Sophie
Published: January 2011

Two sympatric species of columnar cacti on Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, share bat pollinators, overlap in flowering phenology, and are floral homologues. Leptonycteris curasoae curasoae and Glossophaga longirostris elongata (Chiroptera: Glossophaginae) visit flowers of Stenocereus (syn. Ritterocereus) griseus and Subpilocereus (syn. Cereus) repandus on the same nights; these visits may promote interference competition between cactus species. I studied the effect of heterospecific (mixed) pollen loads on fruit and seed set, fruit and seed size and mass, germinated seeds at 5 weeks, and seedling survival at 7 months in relation to hand pollination with intraspecific pollen and natural pollination. Hand pollination seemed to limit pollen loads available for pollination. Under these conditions, natural pollination tended to produce the most fruits and seeds, and the largest fruits (but lightest seeds); mixed pollination was the least effective treatment (fruit set was significantly greater for St. griseus in natural than mixed pollination; fruit volume was greater in natural than mixed pollination for S. repandus, and seed number and fruit mass were larger in intraspecific than in mixed pollination). Aspects of natural pollination, possibly repeated visits, compensated for the negative impact of interspecific pollen loads under pollen limitation, with positive impacts on the carrying capacity of cacti for frugivores. Seed mass from natural pollination was negatively correlated with seed number only for St. griseus. Germination success was not correlated with seed mass, but seedling survival at 7 months was for S. repandus. The two species do not seem to compete through pollen interference when pollinator visits are relatively frequent.
Association of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene variants with multiple phenotype domains of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Campbell Daniel B. , Datta Dibyadeep , Jones Shaine T. , Batey Lee Evon , Sutcliffe James S. , Hammock Elizabeth A. D. , Levitt Pat
Published: January 2011

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by core deficits in social behavior, communication, and behavioral flexibility. Several lines of evidence indicate that oxytocin, signaling through its receptor (OXTR), is important in a wide range of social behaviors. In attempts to determine whether genetic variations in the oxytocin signaling system contribute to ASD susceptibility, seven recent reports indicated association of common genetic polymorphisms in the OXTR gene with ASD. Each involved relatively small sample sizes (57 to 436 families) and, where it was examined, failed to identify association of OXTR polymorphisms with measures of social behavior in individuals with ASD. We report genetic association analysis of 25 markers spanning the OXTR locus in 1,238 pedigrees including 2,333 individuals with ASD. Association of three markers previously implicated in ASD susceptibility, rs2268493 (P = 0.043), rs1042778 (P = 0.037), and rs7632287 (P = 0.016), was observed. Further, these genetic markers were associated with multiple core ASD phenotypes, including social domain dysfunction, measured by standardized instruments used to diagnose and describe ASD. The data suggest association of OXTR genetic polymorphisms with ASD, although the results should be interpreted with caution because none of the significant associations would survive appropriate correction for multiple comparisons. However, the current findings of association in a large independent cohort are consistent with previous results, and the biological plausibility of participation of the oxytocin signaling system in modulating social disruptions characteristic of ASD, suggest that functional polymorphisms of OXTR may contribute to ASD risk in a subset of families.
A SHARP GENERAL OSTROWSKI TYPE INEQUALITY
Authors: LIU ZHENG
Published: January 2011

A new sharp general Ostrowski type inequality in L∞ norm is established. Some special cases are discussed.
Knowledge, money and data: an integrated account of the evolution of eight types of laboratory
Authors: VAN ROOIJ ARJAN
Published: January 2011

This paper aims to build an integrated account of the history of twentieth-century laboratories. The historical literature is fragmented, which has led to the impression that one type of laboratory has dominated, or has become more important than other types. The university laboratory has also unjustly shaped the conceptualization of other types of laboratory. This paper approaches laboratories as sites of organized knowledge production, and as entities engaged in different activities for different audiences at any point in time. Eight types of laboratory are identified, and their developments in the twentieth century are sketched. The two world wars of that century and models of innovation, building links between knowledge production in the laboratory and the impact of this knowledge outside the laboratory, are important catalysts of this history. The paper underlines that different types of laboratory have existed side by side, and continue to exist side by side.
Distinct effects of oleic acid and itstrans-isomer elaidic acid on the expression of myokines and adipokines in cell models
Authors: Granados Nuria , Amengual Jaume , Ribot Joan , Palou Andreu , Luisa Bonet M.
Published: January 2011

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) andcis-monounsaturated fat appear to exert detrimental and beneficial effects, respectively, on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle are a source of signalling proteins (adipokines and myokines), some of which have been related to the control of insulin sensitivity. Here, we investigated the possible differential effects of elaidic acid (EA;trans-9-18 : 1) – the major component in industrially produced TFA – and oleic acid (OA;cis-9-18 : 1) – itscis-isomer naturally present in food – on cellular glucose uptake and the expression of selected myokines and adipokines using cell models. Differentiated C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pretreated with the vehicle (control cells) or fatty acids for 24 h, after which basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and the expression of selected signalling proteins were measured. In C2C12 myotubes, pretreatment with OA, but not with EA, led to increased insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and IL-6 expression levels, while pretreatment with EA, but not with OA, led to reduced IL-15 mRNA levels and increased TNF-α expression levels. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, exposure to OA, but not to EA, resulted in reduced resistin gene expression and increased adiponectin gene expression. The results show evidence of distinct, direct effects of OA and EA on muscle glucose uptake and the expression of target myokines and adipokines, thus suggesting novel mechanisms by whichcis- andtrans-monounsaturated fat may differentially affect systemic functions.
Monoamine reuptake inhibition and mood-enhancing potential of a specified oregano extract
Authors: Mechan Annis O. , Fowler Ann , Seifert Nicole , Rieger Henry , Wöhrle Tina , Etheve Stéphane , Wyss Adrian , Schüler Göde , Colletto Biagio , Kilpert Claus , Aston James , Elliott J. Martin , Goralczyk Regina , Mohajeri M. Hasan
Published: January 2011

A healthy, balanced diet is essential for both physical and mental well-being. Such a diet must include an adequate intake of micronutrients, essential fatty acids, amino acids and antioxidants. The monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, are derived from dietary amino acids and are involved in the modulation of mood, anxiety, cognition, sleep regulation and appetite. The capacity of nutritional interventions to elevate brain monoamine concentrations and, as a consequence, with the potential for mood enhancement, has not been extensively evaluated. The present study investigated an extract from oregano leaves, with a specified range of active constituents, identified via an unbiased, high-throughput screening programme. The oregano extract was demonstrated to inhibit the reuptake and degradation of the monoamine neurotransmitters in a dose-dependent manner, and microdialysis experiments in rats revealed an elevation of extracellular serotonin levels in the brain. Furthermore, following administration of oregano extract, behavioural responses were observed in mice that parallel the beneficial effects exhibited by monoamine-enhancing compounds when used in human subjects. In conclusion, these data show that an extract prepared from leaves of oregano, a major constituent of the Mediterranean diet, is brain-active, with moderate triple reuptake inhibitory activity, and exhibits positive behavioural effects in animal models. We postulate that such an extract may be effective in enhancing mental well-being in humans.
Food and nutrient intakes of French frequent seafood consumers with regard to fish consumption recommendations: results from the CALIPSO study
Authors: Sirot Véronique , Dumas Céline , Leblanc Jean-Charles , Margaritis Irène
Published: January 2011

Besides providing n-3 fatty acids with nutritional and health benefits, seafood consumption may contribute to the reduction of nutrient prevalences of inadequacy. To evaluate the contributions of seafood and other food groups to nutrient intakes of frequent seafood consumers, food consumption was evaluated through an FFQ on 991 French men and women (18–81 years) consuming seafood at least twice a week. Intakes, prevalence of inadequacies, risks of upper limit excess and food contributions to intakes were assessed for thirty-three nutrients. Mean fat contributions to total energy intakes (38·3 and 39·0 % for men and women, respectively) met French recommendations, but mean carbohydrate intakes (40·9 and 39·7 %, respectively) were insufficient. Micronutrient inadequacies were lower than in the French general population, the highest being for vitamin C (41·3 and 40·1 % for men and women, respectively), vitamin E (35·0 and 35·3 % for men and women, respectively) and Mg (37·5 and 25·5 % for men and women, respectively). Upper safety limits (USL) were exceeded mostly for Zn (6·2 %), Ca (3·7 %), retinol (2·0 %) and Cu (0·9 %). Mean contributions of seafood to vitamin D, B12, I and Se intakes ranged 40–65 %. Molluscs and crustaceans significantly contributed to vitamin B12 (13·7 %), Cu (11·4 %), Fe (11·5 %), Zn (8·4 %) and I (6·1 %) intakes, and canned fish contributed to vitamin D intake (13·4 %). Besides fish, contributions of mollusc and crustacean consumption to nutrient intakes should be considered from a public health viewpoint. Consuming seafood at least twice a week induces moderate inadequacies and risks of exceeding USL for some micronutrients, whereas macronutrient intakes remained imbalanced.
Changes in dietary folate intake differentially affect oxidised lipid and mitochondrial DNA damage in various brain regions of rats in the absence/presence of intracerebroventricularly injected amyloid β-peptide challenge
Authors: Chen Ta-Fu , Chiu Ming-Jang , Huang Chou-Tz , Tang Ming-Chi , Wang Sue-Jane , Wang Chia-Chuan , Syu Huang Rwei-Fen
Published: January 2011

Accumulating evidence suggests that changes in dietary folate intake may modulate the risks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through as yet unknown mechanisms. The aims of the present study were to investigate how dietary folate affects the brain folate distribution, levels of oxidised lipid and DNA damage in the absence/presence of β-amyloid(25–35)(Aβ) peptide challenge, a pathogenic hallmark of AD. Male Wistar rats were assigned to diets with folic acid at 0 (folate deprivation; FD), 8 (moderate folate; MF) and 8 mg folic acid/kg diet+0·003 % in drinking-water (folate supplementation; FS) for 4 weeks. A single injection of Aβ peptide (1 mg/ml) or the vehicle solution was intracerebroventricularly (icv) administrated to rats a week before killing. Brain folate, a marker of oxidative injury, and neuronal death were assayed. In the absence of an Aβ injection, FD rats showed reduced folate levels, and increased 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and a mitochondrial (mt)DNA 4834 bp large deletion (mtDNA4834deletion) in the hippocampus compared with the counterpart brains of control rats (P < 0·05). A single icv injection of Aβ peptide potentiated lipid peroxidation in the medulla of FD rats, which was ameliorated by feeding FD rats with the MF and FS diets (P < 0·05). Feeding the FS diet to Aβ-injected rats enriched brain folate levels and reduced mtDNA4834deletion in the hippocampal and medullary regions compared with corresponding tissues of Aβ+FD rats (P < 0·05). Aβ+FS rats had reduced rates of neuronal death in the frontal cortex compared with Aβ+FD rats (P < 0·05). Taken together, our data revealed that folate deprivation differentially depleted brain folate levels, and increased lipid peroxidation and mtDNA4834deletions, particularly, in the hippocampus. Upon Aβ challenge, the FS diet may protect various brain regions against lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial genotoxicity and neural death associated with folate deprivation.
Fitness trade-off in peach-potato aphids (Myzus persicae) between insecticide resistance and vulnerability to parasitoid attack at several spatial scales
Authors: Foster S.P. , Denholm I. , Poppy G.M. , Thompson R. , Powell W.
Published: January 2011

Insecticide-resistant clones of the peach-potato aphid,Myzus persicae(Sulzer), have previously been shown to have a reduced response to aphid alarm pheromone compared to susceptible ones. The resulting vulnerability of susceptible and resistant aphids to attack by the primary endoparasitoid,Diaeretiella rapae(McIntosh), was investigated across three spatial scales. These scales ranged from aphids confined on individual leaves exposed to single female parasitoids, to aphids on groups of whole plants exposed to several parasitoids. In all experiments, significantly fewer aphids from insecticide-susceptible clones became parasitised compared to insecticide-resistant aphids. Investigations of aphid movement showed at the largest spatial scale that more susceptible aphids than resistant aphids moved from their inoculation leaves to other leaves on the same plant after exposure to parasitoids. The findings imply that parasitoids, and possibly other natural enemies, can influence the evolution and dynamics of insecticide resistance through pleiotropic effects of resistance genes on important behavioural traits.
Potential impacts of climate change on marine wild capture fisheries: an update
Authors: PERRY R. I.
Published: January 2011

This paper provides a brief update on the potential impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and marine wild capture fisheries based on the scientific literature published since 2007. Current models predict shifts in fish distributions of 45–60 km per decade, with 0·80 of species moving poleward. With a high CO2 emissions scenario, little overall change in the global maximum potential fisheries catch is projected (±1%), although with high spatial variability: decreases of 40% are projected for the tropics, with increases of 30–70% for higher latitudes. Tropical nations appear to be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on fisheries production. Coupled atmosphere–ocean–fish production–human society models are beginning to be developed for specific market systems. Results suggest that how society responds can have as large or larger an effect as the strength of the climate impact. Good observations of the impacts of climate change exist for high latitude, coral reef and North Atlantic systems. Management strategies are being developed to address climate change and fisheries, including risk and vulnerability assessment frameworks, pro-active planning with stakeholders regarding potential impacts and responses and examining existing regulations to identify gaps created by altered species distributions (e.g. unregulated fishing in newly ice-free areas). Overall, fisheries governance systems are needed which are flexible and can quickly adapt to changing ecological and human societal conditions. Significant knowledge gaps include a comprehensive and co-ordinated global network of observations to help distinguish climate change from variability, and increased detail in the structure and processes of models. Necessary next steps include reducing the uncertainties of climate impacts models at present, understanding the synergistic effects of multiple stressors and the inclusion of humans into coupled models and socio-economic analyses, in particular at regional and local scales. In the intermediate term, developing nations in tropical regions are likely to be most negatively impacted, whereas developed nations at higher latitudes are most likely to benefit. In the longer term, overall marine food security will depend on the impacts of climate change on marine primary production, for which the present projections are highly uncertain. Adoption of an integrated social–ecological approach that improves the adaptive capacities of ecological and human social systems will help to sustain food security from marine wild capture fisheries.
Predicting carcass energy content and composition in broilers using the group method of data handling-type neural networks
Authors: FARIDI A. , MOTTAGHITALAB M. , DARMANI-KUHI H. , FRANCE J. , AHMADI H.
Published: January 2011

The success of poultry meat production has been strongly related to improvements in growth and carcass yield, mainly by increasing breast proportion and reducing carcass fat. Conventional laboratory techniques for determining carcass composition are expensive, cumbersome and time consuming. These disadvantages have prompted a search for alternative methods. In this respect, the potential benefits from modelling growth are considerable. Neural networks (NNs) are a relatively new option for modelling growth in animal production systems. One self-organizing sub-model of artificial NN is the group method of data handling-type NN (GMDH-type NN). The present study aimed at applying the GMDH-type NNs to data from two studies with broilers in order to predict carcass energy (CEn, MJ/g) content and relative growth (g/g of body weight) of carcass components (carcass protein, breast muscle, leg and thigh muscles, carcass fat, abdominal fat, skin fat and visceral fat). The effective input variables involved in the prediction of CEn and carcass fat content using data from the first study were dietary metabolizable energy (ME, kJ/kg), crude protein (CP, g/kg of diet), fat (g/kg of diet) and crude fibre (CF, g/kg of diet). For data from the second study, the effective input variables involved in the prediction of carcass components were dietary ME (MJ/kg), CP (g/kg of diet), methionine (g/kg of diet), lysine (g/kg of diet) and body weight (kg). Quantitative examination of the goodness of fit, using R2 and error measurement indices, for the predictive models proposed by the GMDH-type NN revealed close agreement between observed and predicted values of CEn and carcass components.
Organic and inorganic fertilization effects on DTPA-extractable Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn, and their concentration in the edible portion of crops
Authors: MAQUEDA C. , HERENCIA J. F. , RUIZ J. C. , HIDALGO M. F.
Published: January 2011

The application of organic composts to soil may affect the availability of micronutrients and their concentration in plants. The present field research study compared soil micronutrient extractability after 5 years of organic fertilization v. conventional inorganic fertilization. Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were extracted from soil using diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and the data obtained were compared with the concentration of these micronutrients in the edible portion of the crop. The study was carried out on a loam soil classified as a Xerofluvent. The soil was fertilized with composted plant residues or with conventional inorganic fertilizer and all treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. In all cases a crop rotational system was applied. The use of organic fertilization resulted in a higher extractability for all the elements studied; however, the micronutrient content in the edible part of the crops was variable depending on the plant species and element. Crop yields depended on the type of crop rather than the type of soil fertilization. The present study showed that the use of plant compost and the elimination of synthetic fertilizers result in an increase of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn extractability compared to soil treated with inorganic fertilization, which should provide long-term fertility benefits.
Renewing Assets with Uncertain Revenues and Operating Costs
Authors: Adkins Roger , Paxson Dean
Published: January 2011

We study optimal replacement and abandonment decisions for real assets, when both revenues and costs are uncertain and deteriorate with age. We develop an implicit representation of the renewal boundary as the solution to a set of simultaneous equations. This quasi-analytical method has the merit of computational ease and transparency. We show that the correlation between revenues and operating costs has a significant influence on the renewal boundary, and that the increase in revenue immediately following a renewal has a greater relative influence on the boundary than either operating cost or renewal cost. The quasi-analytical method is sufficiently flexible to deal with other real option models involving 2 variables.
Pattern selection in the thermal convection of non-Newtonian fluids
Authors: ALBAALBAKI BASHAR , KHAYAT ROGER E.
Published: January 2011

The thermogravitational instability in a fluid layer of a non-Newtonian medium heated from below is investigated. Linear and weakly nonlinear analyses are successively presented. The fluid is assumed to obey the Carreau–Bird model. Although the critical threshold is the same as for a Newtonian fluid, it is found that non-Newtonian fluids can convect in the form of rolls, squares or hexagons, depending on the shear-thinning level. Similar to Newtonian fluids, shear-thickening fluids convect only in the form of rolls. The stability of the convective steady branches is carried out to determine under which specific conditions a pattern is preferred. The influence of the rheological and physical parameters is examined and discussed in detail.
Unsteady aerodynamics of two interacting yacht sails in two-dimensional potential flow
Authors: GERHARDT F. C. , FLAY R. G. J. , RICHARDS P.
Published: January 2011

In this paper, unsteady thin aerofoil theory is extended to the case of two interacting aerofoils that oscillate harmonically perpendicular to the direction of the incident flow. The two aerofoils represent the headsail and mainsail of a yacht that sails upwind in waves. The developed theory is validated against theoretical data from the literature and results from wind tunnel tests with rigid, high-aspect ratio sail models oscillating at reduced frequencies fromk= 0 tok= 0.68. Good agreement is found between the predicted and measured chordwise pressure distributions. An application of the theory to the case of an International America's Cup Class yacht reveals that the time-varying components of the aerodynamic forces are small and that the thrust gain is minimal, i.e. only very little energy can be extracted from the unsteady flow about the sails. No attempt is made to investigate the influence of the flexibility of the sails, three-dimensional effects or phenomena related to dynamic stall.
Cervical tracheal resection with cricotracheal anastomosis: experience in adults with grade III–IV tracheal stenosis
Authors: El-Fattah A M A , Kamal E , Amer H E , Fouda M , Elwahab A E M A , Tawfik A
Published: January 2011

Introduction:

Laryngotracheal stenosis is currently one of the most common complications associated with nasal and orotracheal intubation and tracheotomy. Once established, tracheal stenosis can be a complex and difficult problem to manage.

Patients and methods:

We retrospectively analysed 2004–2010 data for 12 male patients with postintubation cervical tracheal stenosis (grade III–IV) treated in the otolaryngology department, Mansoura University Hospitals. All patients had a tracheostomy at presentation, and all underwent tracheal resection with primary cricotracheal anastomosis and suprahyoid release.

Results:

Grade III stenosis was present in five patients (41.7 per cent) and grade IV stenosis in seven patients (58.3 per cent). The length of trachea resected ranged from 2 to 4 cm, representing one to four tracheal rings. In all 12 patients, the procedure allowed successful tracheotomy decannulation. Minor complications comprised surgical emphysema (n = 2) and wound infection (n = 1), and were managed conservatively. Major complications consisted of restenosis (n = 3), managed in two patients by repeated dilatation; one patient was lost to follow up.

Conclusion:

Segmental tracheal resection with cricotracheal anastomosis was successful in 11/12 (92 per cent) patients with severe cervical tracheal stenosis. The strategy for treatment of airway stenosis is now well established and success rates are high, with minimal or no sequelae.
Aspicilia digitatasp. nov., a new vagrant lichen from Kyrgyzstan
Authors: SOHRABI Mohammad , AHTI Teuvo , LITTERSKI Birgit
Published: January 2011

A new lichen species,Aspicilia digitataSohrabi & Litterski, is described and illustrated. It differs from the Eurasian and AmericanA. fruticulosaandA. hispidaby having a more or less spherical thallus, a very intricate structure of finger-like, cylindrical branchlets and black spots on the tips of the branchlets.Aspicilia digitatais a terricolous vagrant species found at high altitudes in the Tian-Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan. It is not known in the fertile condition and presumably reproduces by fragmentation. Molecular comparisons with other related species are provided.
Abrothallus halei(Ascomycota,incertae sedis), a new lichenicolous fungus onLobariaspecies in Europe and North America
Authors: SUIJA Ave , PÉREZ-ORTEGA Sergio , HAWKSWORTH David L.
Published: January 2011

The new lichenicolous fungus,Abrothallus haleisp. nov., is described. The species is characterized by having 4-celled ascospores with a strongly constricted median septum, which split into two 2-celled part-spores, even when still inside the ascus. This is the firstAbrothallusknown from the genusLobaria, and the species is reported from Norway and the USA, occurring onL. quercizansandL. pulmonaria.
Two new Aspicilia species from Fennoscandia and Russia
Authors: NORDIN Anders , OWE-LARSSON Björn , TIBELL Leif
Published: January 2011

Aspicilia fluviatilis and A. granulosa, two arctic and/or (sub)alpine species with elongate ± diverging and ± branching marginal areoles, are described as new and compared with similar species occurring in Fennoscandia. A parsimony analysis based on ITS indicates a close relationship with the mainly coastal A. epiglypta. Aspicilia epiglypta, A. disserpens and A. sublapponica are lectotypified and A. disserpens is reduced to synonymy with A. perradiata. Aspicilia alboradiata and A. circularis are excluded from the Fennoscandian lichen biota. A key to Fennoscandian Aspicilia species with radiating thalli and/or elongate ± diverging and ± branching marginal areoles is also presented.
Benthic biodiversity changes due to the opening of an artificial channel in a tropical coastal lagoon (Mexican Caribbean)
Authors: Hernández-Arana Héctor A. , Ameneyro-Angeles Brenda
Published: January 2011

The construction of an artificial channel to a small embayment in the Chetumal Bay coastal lagoon complex, located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, provided an opportunity to evaluate how large environmental changes influenced the structure of a low diversity benthic system. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that despite the absence of previous baseline information, the artificial channel has induced measurable changes in the biodiversity patterns of a hard substrata benthic community. The experimental design took into account the environmental setting influencing local benthic community structure and the sources of variability as a result of different substrate types and water depth. Four localities with ten replicates each were surveyed, and the presence/absence of macrobenthic biota species recorded during the rainy season. Our analysis using permutational multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant increase in species richness in locations adjacent to the artificial channel. The highest species richness (66 species) was observed in the immediate area adjacent to the artificial channel and where exclusive species density was three to six times (18 exclusive species) than those present in other localities (6, 5 and 3 species) away from the channel. The presence of six species of hard corals indicated that the artificial channel offers a more suitable habitat for marine organisms colonizing the area than the natural channel. This study indicates the relative significance of confinement in structuring coastal lagoon benthic assemblages in tropical systems. Our results are similar to other findings underscoring the rate of colonization of marine organisms as a relevant process to explain benthic assemblage gradients and the importance of spatial–temporal interactions. The changes in species diversity caused by the artificial channel were clearly identified based on a sampling design that incorporated the main sources of environmental variability (distance to channels, substrate type and depth). Our study further demonstrates that changes in benthic community structure in the Chetumal Bay lagoon complex, as a result of human impacts, can be assessed even when community structure data before impact are absent.
Differential coloration patterns in the intertidal crab Neohelice (=Chasmagnathus) granulata
Authors: Casariego Agustina Méndez , Luppi Tomás , Iribarne Oscar
Published: January 2011

Many crustaceans with spatial segregation may present differential body coloration depending on the habitat they inhabit. Since crustaceans are unable to synthesize carotenoids, individuals must acquire them from their diet, so diet changes can modify individual coloration. The burrowing crab Neohelice (=Chasmagnathus) granulata inhabits the intertidal, from the uppermost parts of salt marshes to the lowest mudflat zones with a spatial segregation of different size-classes. They are primarily deposit feeders in mud flats and herbivorous–detritivorous in the salt marsh. We analysed the effect of intermoult length on the carapace colour of N. granulata, and the changes in carapace colour with crab size and zone. Crab colour varied between unvegetated and vegetated areas. Some of these differences were in part caused by colour changes related to crab size. Larger crabs show less intensive colours, and given that they inhabit the upper part of the intertidal a differential coloration pattern occurred between zones. In field experiments intermoult duration affected crab colour and some body regions analysed showed differences between zones unrelated to size.
À propos de la traduction et de l’interprétation de Jacques 2.1
Authors: Assaël Jacqueline , Cuvillier Elian
Published: January 2011

The authors propose a new translation of James 2.1. This is based on a grammatical construction which does not force to such a degree the sense of certain expressions, and which integrates the verse in a context which insists on the vanity of eternal signs of glory. This interpretation underlines the relevance of Christology for the phrase and for the totality of the passage.
‘Thanks, but no Thanks’: Tact, Persuasion, and the Negotiation of Power in Paul's Letter to Philemon
Authors: Elliott Scott S.
Published: January 2011

Historical reconstructions concerningPhilemonconsistently illustrate an overwhelming tendency to see Paul as operating with the most innocuous and transparent of motives. In contrast, my (mildly playful) reading ofPhilemonposits a Paul engaged in power negotiations with his addressee. Though Philemon acts as Paul's would-be patron, Paul resists the gesture and opts instead to assign Philemon a carefully proscribed role vis-à-vis himself. Paul relies on rhetorical techniques of tact to coerce Philemon to adopt this role ‘voluntarily’. Onesimus emerges, then, as a pawn in a negotiation for power and status in the community.
Die Reihenfolge der johanneischen Schriften
Authors: Schnelle Udo
Published: January 2011

Usually, the three Johannine Letters are dated after the Gospel of John without extended discussion. The following essay will argue that all three Johannine letters were written before the Gospel of John marking the starting point of the Johannine line of tradition. Beside linguistic analyses two major arguments will be given: (1) 1 John is much more than simply an aid how to read the Gospel of John. 1 John establishes its own theological line of reasoning. It is necessary to understand that letter as a piece of theological thought on its own. Any dependence on the Gospel of John cannot be proved. (2) Dating 2 John and 3 John after the Gospel of John and 1 John needs to explain the far-reaching reduction of theology (and especially of Christology) in contrast to the other two Johannine writings. A convincing explanation for such a development has not been established until now. On the contrary, 2 John and 3 John represent the beginning of the development of Johannine theology.
Translating complex science into life-course health promoting strategies
Authors: Buttriss Judith L.
Published: January 2011

These days, we are bombarded with nutrition information from diverse sources and of varying quality. There has been a dramatic increase in communication channels, including more television channels with airtime to fill, and the emergence of the Internet and ‘new media’ such as social networking sites. Part of this culture is to deliver ever changing and novel angles. The background ‘noise’ that this creates can make delivery of evidence-based advice about healthy eating that generally carries less novelty value, a huge challenge. This paper illustrates ways in which complex scientific information can be translated into meaningful health promoting strategies that can be applied across the life course. The examples used are nutrition in the context of healthy ageing, communicating the concept of energy density in the context of satiety, healthy hydration, health effects of probiotics and resources for use by teachers in the classroom. This selection of examples demonstrates the processes adopted at the British Nutrition Foundation to identify the evidence base for a particular topic and then to communicate this information to various target audiences. The British Nutrition Foundation's approach typically starts with preparation of a detailed review of the evidence, often with the involvement of external expertise, followed by peer review. For much of this work conventional science communication routes are used, but use is also made of the Internet and various forms of new media.
The Ethics of Belief and the Morality of Action: Intellectual Responsibility and Rational Disagreement
Authors: Audi Robert
Published: January 2011

The contemporary explosion of information makes intellectual responsibility more needed than ever. The uncritical tend to believe too much that is unsubstantiated; the overcritical tend to believe too little that is true. A central problem for this paper is to formulate standards to guide an intellectually rigorous search for a mean between excessive credulity and indiscriminate skepticism. A related problem is to distinguish intellectual responsibility for what we believe from moral responsibility for what we do. A third problem is how to square intellectual responsibility in retaining our views with the realization that peers we respect disagree with us. Much of the paper is directed to articulating principles for dealing with such disagreements.
Does Virtue Epistemology Provide a Better Account of the Ad Hominem Argument? A Reply to Christopher Johnson
Authors: Jason Gary
Published: January 2011

Christopher Johnson has put forward in this journal the view that ad hominem reasoning may be more generally reasonable than is allowed by writers such as myself, basing his view on virtue epistemology. I review his account, as well as the standard account, of ad hominem reasoning, and show how the standard account would handle the cases he sketches in defense of his own view. I then give four criticisms of his view generally: the problems of virtue conflict, vagueness, conflation of speech acts, and self-defeating counsel. I then discuss four reasons why the standard account is superior: it better fits legal reality, the account of other fallacies, psychological science, and political reality.