bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incomplete Recovery in a Coastal Fish Community Exposed to Effluent from a Modernized Swedish Bleached Kraft Mill
Authors: Sandström Olof
Published: May 2008

Between 1982 and 1987, many abnormalities were reported in a Baltic coastal fish community exposed to bleached kraft mill effluent. Perch (Perca fluviatilis) was selected as a sentinel species. Local recruitment was significantly reduced owing to high larval mortality associated with gonad malfunctions and low embryo quality. Adult abundance was low near the mill outfall and the community was poor in species. After 1984, the toxicity of the effluent was reduced by substituting chlorine dioxide for molecular chlorine which resulted in lower amounts of organochlorine waste, while other effluent variables remained relatively unchanged. In 1992 the use of chlorine was discontinued. A follow-up study on fish showed that many previously documented abnormalities were absent, e.g., symptoms of external disease, lower rate of sexual maturation, and reduced relative gonad size. The number of species had increased, and the fish community resembled a more normal species assemblage. However, perch embryos produced in the effluent area remained smaller than those in a local reference area and larval survival was low. Consequently, although reduced organochlorine waste discharge had resulted in environmental improvement, recovery in the perch population was incomplete.
Relationship Between N2-Fixation and Heterocyst Abundance and its Relevance to the Nitrogen Budget of Lake 227
Authors: Findlay D. L. , Hecky R. E. , Hendzel L. L. , Stainton M. P. , Regehr G. W.
Published: May 2008

A significant relationship between seasonal N2-fixation rate and heterocyst abundance has been found in Lake 227 and can be modelled to estimate areal rates of N2-fixation based on the known historical phytoplankton records. Experimental imposition of low nitrogen (N): phosphorus (P) loading ratios stimulated N,-fixation. The N:P molar ratio of the internal pool of nutrients oscillates around a mean of 30:1, despite experimental loading ratios that vary from 13:1 to 0. Maintenance of this internal nutrient mass ratio requires preferential regeneration of N through time at all loading rates. Heterocystous, cyanobacteria blooms are most predictable during imposition of a very low external loading N:P ratio and high P loading relative to natural sources. Knowledge of the internal loading N:P ratio and relative contribution of internal and external loadings are required for predicting blooms at intermediate external N:P loading rates. The internal N:P ratio has fluctuated within narrow limits over 25 yr of nearly constant P loading because of adjustments in N2-fixation, N sedimentation, and denitrification, which have counterbalanced changing experimental N loading regimes.
Triploid Coho Salmon Outperform Diploid and Triploid Hybrids Between Coho Salmon and Chinook Salmon During Their First Year
Authors: Habicht Christopher , Seeb James E. , Gates Richard B. , Brock Irvin R. , Olito Carmen A.
Published: May 2008

Sterile hybrid and triploid fish may provide hatchery programs with a tool to reduce the risk of genetic contamination of wild stocks, provided these fish have acceptable performance characteristics. We examined growth, survival, and deformities in diploid and triploid families of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and hybrids between coho salmon females × chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) males. Data were collected from the half-sibling families through day 387. A reparameterized Gompertz growth model showed that conspecific coho salmon grew faster than hybrids, regardless of ploidy. No difference in growth rates was found between diploids and triploids. Abnormalities were significantly associated with the male parent but not with ploidy component, in contrast to previous observations of reduced deformity occurrence in triploid hybrids. Food conversion was better for conspecifics than hybrids during initial feeding, but not different during the second half of the experiment. No ploidy or cross × ploidy interaction effects on food conversion efficiency were observed. Finally, conspecifics had better posthatching survival than hybrids, regardless of ploidy. Of the treatments studied, conspecific triploid coho salmon may be the most viable alternative for sterile fish production: they performed as well as the conspecific diploids and better than either diploid or triploid hybrids.
Saltwater Exposure at Fertilization Induces Ploidy Alterations. Including Mosaicism, in Salmonid
Authors: Miller Gary D. , Seeb James E. , Bue Brian G. , Sharr Samuel
Published: May 2008

We found that salt water induces ploidy alterations in salmonid embryos. Flow cytometry analysis revealed significantly higher frequencies of haploids, triploids, heteroploid mosaics, and aneuploids in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) embryos experimentally exposed to salt water from fertilization to the two- and eight-cell stages of development. Heteroploid mosaics have been reported in diploid and triploid salmonid hybrids, although none were observed in the triploid coho salmon or diploid and triploid coho salmon (O. kisutch) × chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) hybrids we examined. No mosaics were observed in intertidally spawned pink salmon (O. gorbuscha) embryos. Salt water could induce ploidy alterations by causing chromosome segregation errors during meiosis, mitosis, or both. Heteroploid embryos appeared morphologically normal although they may possess physiological deficiencies not immediately apparent.
Variation in Mitochondrial DNA and Allozymes Discriminates Early and Late Forms of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, Alaska
Authors: Adams Noah S. , Spearman William J. , Burger Carl V. , Currens Kenneth P. , Schreck Carl B. , Li Hiram W.
Published: May 2008

Genetic differences between early and late forms of Alaskan chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were identified using two genetic approaches: mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, and protein electrophoresis. Study populations consisted of early and late runs in each of the Kenai and Kasilof rivers in Alaska, and a population from the Minam River, Oregon. Two segments of mtDNA were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digested with 14–16 restriction enzymes. Results showed that early runs were genetically similar to each other but different from the late runs. The late runs were different from each other based on the frequency of the common haplotypes. Frequency differences in shared haplotypes together with the presence of a unique haplotype separated the Minam River stock from those in Alaska. In the protein analysis, each population was examined at 30 allozyme loci. Based on 14 polymorphic loci, Minam River salmon were genetically distinct from the Alaskan populations. Within the Alaskan populations, early runs were most similar to each other but different from the late runs; the late runs were also genetically most similar to each other. Both mtDNA and allozyme analysis suggest that chinook salmon may segregate into genetically different early and late forms within a drainage.
Systematics of the Salmonid Genus Salvelinus Inferred from Ribosomal DNA Sequences
Authors: Phillips Ruth B. , Manley Susan A. , Daniels Thomas J.
Published: May 2008

DNA sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA were determined for six species of the genus Salvelinus: S. alpinus (Arctic char), S. malma (Dolly Varden), S. confluentus (bull trout), S. leucomaenis (Japanese char), S. fontinalis (brook trout), and S. namaycush (lake trout), and for Hucho perryi (huchen). The ITS2 sequence data (approximately 375 base pairs (bp)) were combined with previously determined sequence data for the ITS1 (approximately 575 bp), giving a total of 981 bp of aligned sequence for each species. Phylogenetic analysis of the aligned sequences was done using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and distance matrix methods with H. perryi as an outgroup. The results were consistent with previous work based on comparisons of morphologies, allozymes, and karyotypes. Comparison of these results with those based on mitochondrial DNA sequences suggests that hybridization may have occurred between S. confluentus and S. alpinus or S. malma.
Estimating mean age at sexual maturity in the crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus)
Authors: Hårding Karin C. , Härkönen Tero
Published: May 2008

Mean age at sexual maturity (ASM) in crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) was estimated according to two different methods. Samples were from 1964, 1977, and 1989. Using the first method, the estimated ASM in 1989 was 6.57 ± 0.82 years, which was considerably older than reported earlier. This estimate is the only one existing for crabeater seals that can be used to compare populations and species. The first method was based on the maturity rate at age. Behavioural segregation of mature and immature seals could give skewed maturity rates in samples. Because the 1964 and the 1977 samples were collected during a season when segregated behaviour was expected (breeding season), results from these years were not comparable with the 1989 estimate (collected during moult). The second method does not produce absolute values of ASM, but the estimates could be used as indices of ASM within a specific population. There was a statistically significant increase in the ASM index in 1989 (4.93 ± 0.57), compared with 1964 (3.75 ± 0.31) and 1977 (3.80 ± 0.44). This is a strong indication of a true increase in ASM in crabeater seals. Recommendations are made to improve future procedures for studying reproductive status in seals.
The nonrandom size distribution and size-selective transport of age-O Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod) in the lower Hudson River estuary
Authors: Dew C. Braxton
Published: May 2008

From early March until about mid-May 1975 and 1976, the entire Hudson River population of recently hatched Atlantic tomcod, Microgadus tomcod, was sorted, by estuarine hydrodynamic forces, into a distinct longitudinal size gradient throughout a 93-km section of the lower estuary. This distribution was evident as a well-ordered progression of mean lengths, beginning upriver with the smallest larvae and increasing in a downriver direction, with the largest larvae being nearer the estuary mouth. Aspects of the passive estuarine transport of larval tomcod during March and April, and the active upriver migrational movement of juveniles greater than 20 mm in length beginning in late April, were deduced from systematic changes in the longitudinal distribution of tomcod mean lengths and associated variances. Abrupt increases in tomcod mean length, variation in length, and population density often occurred just seaward of the 1.0‰ salinity-intrusion boundary. During March–May, vulnerability of tomcod to power-plant entrainment at km 60 – km 69 increased whenever freshwater flow decreased and the 1.0‰ intrusion boundary moved upriver. The late April – early May appearance each year of age-0 tomcod in impingement samples at km 69 is consistent with the hypothesis of an upriver migration of juvenile tomcod beginning in late April.
Influence of fluoride on aluminum toxicity to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Hamilton Steven J. , Haines Terry A.
Published: May 2008

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) alevins were exposed to various aluminum (0–4700 μg/L) and four fluoride (0–500 μg/L) concentrations at two pH values (5.5 and 6.5) for 4- and 30-d periods. In the 4-d tests, aluminum with fluoride was less toxic at pH 6.5 than at pH 5.5, whereas without fluoride, pH had no effect. In the 30-d test, mortality in all treatments was 17–21% at pH 5.5, but only 3–7% at pH 6.5. Fish length and weight after 30 d were reduced in all fluoride–aluminum treatments at pH 5.5, but only in the 200-μg/L aluminum without fluoride treatment at pH 6.5. At pH 5.5 and 6.5 without aluminum, histomorphological examinations revealed no abnormalities in gill tissue. However, in aluminum exposure with no fluoride, gill filaments and secondary lamellae were swollen and thickened. Addition of fluoride at pH 6.5 alleviated some gill damage. At pH 5.5 and 200 μg/L aluminum, addition of 100 μg/L fluoride reduced swelling of gill lamellae, but 200 μg/L fluoride did not reduce swelling. Low fluoride concentrations (< 100 μg/L) may reduce gill morphological damage in fish exposed to aluminum in acidic waters, whereas high fluoride concentrations (> 100 μg/L) may not reduce aluminum-induced effects.
Microhomogenization of individual zooplankton species improves mercury and methylmercury determinations
Authors: Back Richard C. , Visman Vanessa , Watras Carl J.
Published: May 2008

A new method for processing zooplankton improves the accuracy and precision of mercury (Hg) and methylmereury (MeHg) determinations and permits the analysis of Hg species and ancillary variables, such as dry weight and C, N, and protein contents on subsamples of the same tissue homogenate using clean technique. In this study, 10–50 individual zooplankton were sorted from live samples, homogenized in 500 μL of low-Hg water, subsampled, and then digested for analysis without contamination. Detection limits ranged from 4 to 12 pg for Hg and from 0.8 to 4.3 pg for MeHg. Procedural blanks averaged 18.7 pg Hg and 5.3 pg MeHg. Yield from certified reference materials was consistently high on small masses of tissue homogenate (96% for Hg and 89% for MeHg), and recovery from spiked samples was good (99% for Hg and 92% for MeHg). We also present results for Daphnia and Chaoborus from Mud Lake, Wisconsin, processed in this manner. The new method improves our ability to determine the distribution of Hg species at lower levels of aquatic food webs and to investigate factors potentially regulating the bioaccumulation of Hg and MeHg in specific taxa.
Exercise training alters effect of high-fat feeding on the ACTH stress response in pigs
Authors: Jankord Ryan , Ganjam Venkataseshu K. , Turk James R. , Hamilton Marc T. , Laughlin M. Harold
Published: May 2008

Eating and physical activity behaviors influence neuroendocrine output. The purpose of this study was to test, in an animal model of diet-induced cardiovascular disease, the effects of high-fat feeding and exercise training on hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity. We hypothesized that a high-fat diet would increase circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) and decrease the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol response to an acute stressor. We also hypothesized that exercise training would reverse the high-fat diet-induced changes in FFAs and thereby restore the ACTH and cortisol response. Pigs were placed in 1 of 4 groups (normal diet, sedentary; normal diet, exercise training; high-fat diet, sedentary; high-fat diet, exercise training; n = 8/group). Animals were placed on their respective dietary and activity treatments for 16–20 weeks. After completion of the treatments animals were anesthetized and underwent surgical intubation. Blood samples were collected after surgery and the ACTH and cortisol response to surgery was determined and the circulating concentrations of FFAs, glucose, cholesterol, insulin, and IGF-1 were measured. Consistent with our hypothesis, high-fat feeding increased FFAs by 200% and decreased the ACTH stress response by 40%. In exercise-trained animals, the high-fat diet also increased FFA; however, the increase in FFA in exercise-trained pigs was accompanied by a 60% increase in the ACTH response. The divergent effect of high-fat feeding on ACTH response was not expected, as exercise training alone had no effect on the ACTH response. Results demonstrate a significant interaction between diet and exercise and their effect on the ACTH response. The divergent effects of high-fat diet could not be explained by changes in weight gain, blood glucose, insulin, or IGF-1, as these were altered by high-fat feeding, but unaffected by exercise training. Thus, the increase in FFA with high-fat feeding may explain the blunted ACTH response to an acute stressor in sedentary animals, but cannot explain the exaggerated response in exercise trained animals.
Movements and survival of Common Goldeneye broods near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Wayland Mark , McNicol Donald K.
Published: May 2008

We examined movements and survival of Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) broods in a highly acidified area on the Canadian Precambrian Shield near Sudbury, Ontario, during 1989 and 1990. When data from the 2 years were combined, a total of 16 females had led their broods from nesting to rearing lakes, while only 4 had raised their broods on the nesting lake. Initial brood-rearing lakes contained a greater biomass of invertebrate prey and were closer to neighbouring lakes than corresponding nesting lakes. Eight broods undertook 17 secondary movements between rearing lakes. These movements were not related to differences between lakes in prey biomass or distance to neighbouring lakes. Daily survival rates of age-class I and age-class II ducklings did not differ between years. When data from the 2 years were combined, it was found that duckling survival was not related to brood movements or prey biomass. Duckling survival was higher on clustered lakes than on isolated lakes. The availability of alternate brood-rearing lakes with sufficient invertebrate prey, in addition to the primary brood-rearing lake, may be an important factor influencing Common Goldeneye brood movements and survival in our study area.
Effects of low pH and aluminum on amphibians at high elevation in the Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Bradford David F. , Swanson Christina , Gordon Malcolm S.
Published: May 2008

At high elevation in the Sierra Nevada of California, surface waters are extremely low in acid-neutralizing capacity and thus may be vulnerable to changes in water chemistry due to acid deposition. The present study assesses the sensitivity of embryos and hatchling larvae of two Sierran amphibians, Pseudacris regilla (Pacific chorus frog) and Ambystoma macrodactylum (long-toed salamander), to low pH and an elevated level of dissolved aluminum. The populations of these two species are not known to be declining at present. These findings are compared with results for two other Sierran amphibians, Rana muscosa (mountain yellow-legged frog) and Bufo canorus (Yosemite toad), both of which reportedly have declined substantially in numbers in recent years. Embryos and hatchlings of P. regilla and A. macrodactylum were kept for 7 d in reconstituted soft water at pH 4.0–6.0 (inorganic monomeric aluminum effectively 0 or 39–80 μg/L at pH ≥ 4.9), and subsequently for a post-treatment period of up to 16 d in reconstituted soft water at pH 6.0 (no aluminum). LC50 pH values for post-treatment survival averaged 4.3 for embryos and tadpoles of both species. The estimated extreme pH for Sierra Nevada surface water, 5.0, did not cause a significant reduction in survival for either life stage of either species, and sublethal effects on body size and hatching time were not evident at pH ≥ 5.0. Aluminum also did not affect survival of either species, although sublethal effects were evident as reduced body size of A. macrodactylum larvae and earlier hatching in P. regilla. Pseudacris regilla and A. macrodactylum were not consistently more tolerant of low pH than R. muscosa and B. canorus. However, the latter two species show sublethal effects of low pH at pH ≥ 5.0, whereas the former two do not.
The ontogeny of individuality in black-tailed prairie dogs, Cynomys ludovicianus
Authors: Loughry W. J. , Lazari Andreas
Published: May 2008

We examined the ontogeny of individual distinctiveness in time-allocation patterns of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). All adults and yearlings (n = 112) in the study colony were observed in 14 separate samples, beginning in early April and ending in mid-August. Pups (young of the year, n = 105) were observed in the last 11 of these samples, beginning with their first emergence above ground in late May to early June. Discriminability was determined using a Monte Carlo procedure that randomly selected data from 20 individuals; these data were then entered into a discriminant analysis and this procedure was repeated 100 times. The percent correct classification from these runs was averaged to produce a mean discriminability score. We found that (i) overall, individual pups were discriminable at levels three times higher than that expected by chance alone, (ii) pup discriminability declined significantly over the summer and yearlings had lower discriminability scores than did pups, (iii) average discriminability increased from yearlings to adults and adult values were significantly higher than those for pups, (iv) with the exception of mothers (who had the lowest discriminability values of any group tested), all sex and parental groups of older prairie dogs were significantly more discriminable than were pups, (v) distinctiveness among pups did not appear to be a result of differences between litters, and (vi) measures of behavioral bout lengths proved no better at discriminating individuals than time budgets. The results indicate that the ontogeny of individuality in prairie dog time budgets is not a simple linear function and that discriminability may be constrained by a number of contextual influences.
Reproduction in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis)
Authors: Knowlton Amy R. , Kraus Scott D. , Kenney Robert D.
Published: May 2008

The reproductive biology of the western North Atlantic right whale population was assessed using photoidentification techniques. From 1980 to 1992, 145 calves were born to 65 identified cows. There was no detectable trend in the number of calves produced per year. Mean age at first parturition was 7.57 years. The reproductively active female pool was static at approximately 51 animals from 1987 to 1992. Gross annual reproductive rate, population growth rate, and mortality rate were estimated to be 4.5, 2.5, and 2.0%, respectively. The population size was estimated to be 295 individuals in 1992. Mean calving interval, based on 86 records, was 3.67 years, significantly longer than the South African right whale population but not different from the Argentine population. There was an indication that calving intervals may be increasing over time, though the trend was not quite statistically significant (P = 0.083). Potential causes for the reduced growth rate of this population are unknown but include anthropogenic mortality, inbreeding depression resulting in reduced fecundity, competition for food from other species, climatic changes affecting food availability, and sublethal effects of toxic contaminants.
Ginseng Total Saponin Enhances the Phagocytic Capacity of Canine Peripheral Blood Phagocytesin Vitro
Authors: Kang K. A. , Kang J. H. , Yang M. P.
Published: May 2008

The clinical and pharmacological activities of ginseng are known to modulate immune function, metabolic processes and neuro-endocrine system activities. Ginseng saponins are the principle active ingredients in the formation of immune stimulating complexes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of ginseng total saponin (GTS) on the phagocytic capacity of canine peripheral blood phagocytes. GTS itself did not cause any direct effect on the phagocytic capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) but not peripheral blood monocytes. However, the phagocytic capacity of PMN and monocytes, but not PBMC, was enhanced by the culture supernatant from PBMC treated with GTS. The phagocytic capacity of PMN and monocytes was also increased by treatment with recombinant canine (rc) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The ability of the culture supernatant from GTS-treated PBMC to stimulate the phagocytic capacity of phagocytes was inhibited by addition of anti-rc TNF-α polyclonal antibody (pAb) prior to the culture. The amount of TNF-α in the culture supernatant from PBMC was shown to increase upon treatment of GTS as compared with that of vehicle-treated PBMC culture supernatant. These results suggest that GTS has an immunoenhancing effect on the phagocytic capacity of canine peripheral blood phagocytes, which is mainly mediated by TNF-α released from GTS-stimulated PBMC.
Protective Effects of Total Flavones of Rhododendra on Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Guo Yan , Chen Zhi-Wu
Published: May 2008

This study was to investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of total flavones of rhododendra (TFR) against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats and mice. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by occluding the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Infarct volume, neurological deficit, brain water content, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) contents, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in plasma and brain, levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in brain were evaluated 7 or 10 days after treatment. TFR significantly reduced infarct volume, ameliorated the neurological deficit and reduced the brain water content. The activities of SOD, LDH and GPX in brain were enhanced, while the activity of LDH in plasma and the contents of MDA and NO in plasma and brain were decreased. While, the expression of iNOS and nNOS mRNA in brain were down-regulated, the expression of eNOS mRNA in the brain was up-regulated. These results suggest that TFR has protective effects for cerebral injury in rats and mice, which might be associated with its antioxidant properties and ability to regulate the expression of NOS isoforms.
In vitro Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity of the Stem Extracts from Graptopetalum paraguayense
Authors: Chen Shu-Ju , Chung Jing-Gung , Chung Yun-Chin , Chou Su-Tze
Published: May 2008

This study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant abilities of water (SGWE), 50% ethanolic (SGE50) and 95% ethanolic (SGE95) extracts from the stem of Graptopetalum paraguayense, and the extract with the highest antioxidant activity was assayed for its inhibitory effect on proliferation of human hepatoma (Hep G2) cell line. Antioxidant abilities of extracts were assessed their radical-scavenging abilities and effects on Fe /ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in a liposome model system. The results of this study showed that antioxidant activities were increased with the increase of the extracts concentrations, and the activities correlated with both the total phenol and anthocyanin contents. A comparison of the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) values of different antioxidant reactions revealed that SGWE was the more effective at scavenging superoxide anion radical and preventing lipid peroxidation than SGE50 and SGE95 ( p < 0.05). The flow cytometry results indicated that SGWE lowered cell viability, and induced G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in Hep G2 cells. These results demonstrated the antioxidatant and anti-hepatoma potential of stem of Graptopetalum paraguayense.
Production, Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody against Aristolochic Acid-II and Development of its Assay System
Authors: Tian Min , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Shang Ming-Ying , Karashima Seiko , Chao Zhi , Wang Xuan , Cai Shao-Qing , Shoyama Yukihiro
Published: May 2008

Aristolochic acid-II (AA-II) conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as an antigen for immunizing BALB/c mice. Isolated splenocytes from the immunized mice were fused with an aminopterin-sensitive mouse myeloma cell line, SP2/0-Ag14, to produce hybridoma cells that secreted a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against AA-II. The selected hybridoma was subsequently cloned by limited dilution method. For MAb, the isotype and an estimated dissociation constant ( K D ) of the MAb were determined. The MAb was used to establish an ELISA method. Accuracy and variation assays, as well as determinations of the specificity and sensitivity, were also carried out and the linear range was 0.19–13 μg/ml. The anti-AA-II MAb showed a very high specificity for AA-II and had low cross-reactivities against the other aristolochic acid (AAs) (CR: AA-I, 3.4%; AA-VIIa, 0.86%) or aristololactam-I (AL-I) (CR < 0.07%) except AA-IIIa which has 17% of cross activity. Anti-AA-II MAb also showed negligible cross-reactivity (< 0.5%) toward other natural compounds with different chemical structures including barbaloin, sennoside A, rutin, glycyrrhizin, caffeic acid etc. This is the first time that an ELISA method was successfully established for the application of anti-AA-II MAb.
GENERAL FORMULA FOR THE FOUR-QUARK CONDENSATE AND VACUUM FACTORIZATION ASSUMPTION
Authors: ZONG HONG-SHI , HE DENG-KE , HOU FENG-YAO , SUN WEI-MIN
Published: May 2008

By differentiating the dressed quark propagator with respect to a variable background field, the linear response of the dressed quark propagator in the presence of the background field can be obtained. From this general method, using the vector background field as an illustration, we derive a general formula for the four-quark condensate [Formula: see text]. This formula contains the corresponding fully dressed vector vertex and it is shown that factorization for [Formula: see text] holds only when the dressed vertex is taken to be the bare one. This property also holds for all other types of four-quark condensate. By comparing this formula with the general expression for the corresponding vacuum susceptibility, it is found that there exists some intrinsic relation between these two quantities, which are usually treated as independent phenomenological inputs in the QCD sum rule external field approach. The above results are also generalized to the case of finite chemical potential and the factorization problem of the four-quark condensate at finite chemical potential is discussed.
Improving the change-management process
Authors: Mohan Kannan , Xu Peng , Ramesh Balasubramaniam
Published: May 2008

It is crucial to integrate SCM and traceability, but significant challenges slow progress toward this goal.
Departmental influences on policy design
Authors: Whitley Edgar A. , Hosein Ian R.
Published: May 2008

How the U.K. is confusing identity fraud with other policy agendas.
Server-centric Web frameworks
Authors: Vosloo Iwan , Kourie Derrick G.
Published: May 2008

Most contemporary Web frameworks may be classified as server-centric. An overview of such Web frameworks is presented. It is based on information gleaned from surveying 80 server-centric Web frameworks, as well as from popular related specifications. Requirements typically expected of a server-centric Web framework are discussed. Two Web framework taxonomies are proposed, reflecting two orthogonal ways of characterizing a framework: the way in which the markup language content of a browser-destined document is specified in the framework (presentation concerns); and the framework's facilities for the user to control the flow of events between browser and server (control concerns).
Sketching reality
Authors: Chen Xuejin , Kang Sing Bing , Xu Ying-Qing , Dorsey Julie , Shum Heung-Yeung
Published: May 2008

In this article, we introduce
sketching reality
, the process of converting a freehand sketch into a realistic-looking model. We apply this concept to architectural designs. As the sketch is being drawn, our system periodically interprets its 2.5D-geometry by identifying new junctions, edges, and faces, and then analyzing the extracted topology. The user can add detailed geometry and textures through sketches as well. This is possible through the use of databases that match partial sketches to models of detailed geometry and textures. The final product is a realistic texture-mapped 2.5D-model of the building. We show a variety of buildings that have been created using this system.
Worst-case execution time analysis of security policies for deeply embedded real-time systems
Authors: Mohan Sibin
Published: May 2008

Deeply embedded systems often have unique constraints because of their small size and vital roles in critical infrastructure. Problems include limitations on code size, limited access to the actual hardware, etc. These problems become more critical in real-time systems where security policies must not only work within the above limitations but also ensure that task deadlines are not missed. A critical piece of information for security policies in real-time systems is the worst-case execution time (WCET) of the security code. This paper addresses some of the issues faced in the implementation of such security policies and also the process of determining WCETs for them.
Using sequencing to trigger a better analysis
Authors: Cooprider Nathan , Regehr John
Published: May 2008

We improve the static analysis of control flow in programs running on embedded microcontrollers. Our new techniques, called sequencing and triggering analysis, can sometimes determine that the scheduler always runs a collection of tasks in a certain order or that some interrupt handlers are dead or at least cannot fire at certain times. Triggering identifies root causes of indirect control flow through system idioms and programmer annotations. Sequencing propagates the results of triggers through system execution in order to refine our estimate of the program control flow graph. We show that triggering and sequencing improve the effectiveness of static analyses of sensor network applications. Improved static analyses result in better optimizations, increased verification power, and more accurate worst-case-execution time estimations.
MobileAds
Authors: He Wenbo , Nahrstedt Klara
Published: May 2008

We study the requirements and challenges that arise in the mobile advertisement applications, which are more and more anticipated and will bring great societal and economic impact in the future. The goal of advertisement is to reach largest possible target population. Hence, we propose a reliable and robust message propagation protocol in this paper.
Work in progress
Authors: Walia Jatindera S. , Zheng Rong
Published: May 2008

Pervasive computing is on the horizon with ever shrinking device form factors and increasing computation power. Sensor devices such as those used to monitor temperature, pressure, humidity, flow, audio, video etc. allow acquisition of information regarding the physical environments, which can be utilized in actuation and visualization. Traditionally, sensing data is either stored locally or transported to a centralized location at the perimeter of the network. We argue that the information producers and consumers in a cyber physical system are likely to be distributed and with different capabilities. This necessitates a uniform abstraction that can hide device/platform dependent characteristics, intricacies of communication and networks, and utilize distributed heterogeneous storage among different devices. A distributed storage solution also has the benefit of fault tolerance in events of disasters, such as infrastructure failure or natural calamities, wherein remnants of information stored over the distributed storage system from the destroyed devices can be invaluable. In this paper, we propose a Distributed File System that is agnostic to platforms and operating systems of deeply embedded devices.
Improved Forecasts of the Diurnal Cycle in the Tropics Using Multiple Global Models. Part I: Precipitation
Authors: Krishnamurti T. N. , Gnanaseelan C. , Mishra A. K. , Chakraborty A.
Published: May 2008

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite supplemented with the Defense Meteorological Satellites Program (DMSP) microwave dataset provides accurate rain-rate estimates. Furthermore, infrared radiances from the geostationary satellites provide the possibility for mapping the diurnal change of tropical rainfall. Modeling of the phase and amplitude of the tropical rainfall is the theme of this paper. The present study utilizes a suite of global multimodels that are identical in all respects except for their cumulus parameterization algorithms. Six different cumulus parameterizations are tested in this study. These include the Florida State University (FSU) Modified Kuo Scheme (KUO), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Relaxed Arakawa–Schubert Scheme (RAS1), Naval Research Laboratory–Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NRL–NOGAPS) Relaxed Arakawa–Schubert Scheme (RAS2), NCEP Simplified Arakawa–Schubert Scheme (SAS), NCAR Zhang–McFarlane Scheme (ZM), and NRL–NOGAPS Emanuel Scheme (ECS). The authors carried out nearly 600 experiments with these six versions of the T170 Florida State University global spectral model. These are 5-day NWP experiments where the diurnal change datasets were archived at 3-hourly intervals. This study includes the estimation of skills of the phase and amplitudes of the diurnal rain using these member models, their ensemble mean, a multimodel superensemble, and those from a single unified model. Test results are presented for the global tropics and for some specific regions where the member models show difficulty in predicting the diurnal change of rainfall. The main contribution is the considerable improvement of the modeling of diurnal rain by deploying a multimodel superensemble and by constructing a single unified model. The authors also present a comparison of these findings on the modeling of diurnal rain from another suite of multimodels that utilized different versions of cloud radiation algorithms (instead of different cumulus parameterization schemes) toward defining the suite of multimodels. The principal result is that the superensemble does provide a future forecast for the total daily rain and for the diurnal change of rain through day 5 that is superior to forecasts provided by the best model. The training of the superensemble with good observed estimates of rain, such as those from TRMM, is necessary for such forecasts.
Three-Dimensional Structure and Dynamics of African Easterly Waves. Part III: Genesis
Authors: Thorncroft Chris D. , Hall Nicholas M. J. , Kiladis George N.
Published: May 2008

This paper promotes the view that African easterly waves (AEWs) are triggered by localized forcing, most likely associated with latent heating upstream of the region of observed AEW growth. A primitive equation model is used to show that AEWs can be triggered by finite-amplitude transient and localized latent heating on a zonally varying basic state that is linearly stable. Heating close to the entrance region of the African easterly jet (AEJ) is shown to initiate AEWs downstream. The heating leads to an initial trough that reaches the West African coast about 5–7 days later, depending on the nature of the heating profile. After this, a structure that projects strongly onto the leading linear normal mode of the basic state becomes established, characterized by a number of westward-propagating disturbances that strongly resemble AEWs. The sensitivity of the forced AEWs to the nature and location of the heating profile is examined. AEWs are most efficiently triggered by heating profiles that establish lower tropospheric circulations close to the entrance region of the AEJ. In the present study, this was best achieved by lower tropospheric heating from shallow convection or upper-level heating and lower-level cooling from a stratiform precipitation profile. Both profiles have significant heating gradients in the vertical in the mid-to-lower troposphere. This triggering paradigm for the genesis of AEWs has consequences for the variability and predictability of AEWs at weather and climate time scales. In addition to the nature of the AEJ, often emphasized, it is crucial to consider the nature and variability of upstream heating triggers.
The Angular Momentum Budget of the Transformed Eulerian Mean Equations
Authors: Egger Joseph , Hoinka Klaus-Peter
Published: May 2008

The axial angular momentum (AAM) budget of zonal atmospheric annuli extending from the surface to a given height and over meridional belts is discussed within the framework of conventional and transformed Eulerian mean (TEM) theory. Conventionally, it is only fluxes of AAM through the boundaries and/or torques at the surface that are able to change the AAM of an annulus. TEM theory introduces new torques in the budget related to the vertically integrated Eliassen–Palm flux divergence and also new AAM fluxes of the residual difference circulation. Some of these torques are displayed for various annuli. In particular, the application of TEM theory generates a large positive torque at tropospheric upper boundaries in the global case. This torque is much larger than the global mountain and friction torques but is cancelled exactly by the new vertical AAM fluxes through the upper boundary. It is concluded that the TEM approach complicates the analysis of AAM budgets but does not provide additional insight. Isentropic pressure torques are believed to be similar to the TEM torques at the upper boundary of an annulus. The isentropic pressure torques are evaluated from data and found to differ in several respects from the TEM torques.
The Impact of Convection on ENSO: From a Delayed Oscillator to a Series of Events
Authors: Neale Richard B. , Richter Jadwiga H. , Jochum Markus
Published: May 2008

The NCAR Community Climate System Model, version 3 (CCSM3) exhibits persistent errors in its simulation of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) mode of coupled variability. The amplitude of the oscillation is too strong, the dominant 2-yr period too regular, and the width of the sea surface temperature response in the Pacific too narrow, with positive anomalies extending too far into the western Pacific. Two changes in the parameterization of deep convection result in a significant improvement to many aspects of the ENSO simulation. The inclusion of convective momentum transport (CMT) and a dilution approximation for the calculation of convective available potential energy (CAPE) are used in development integrations, and a striking improvement in ENSO characteristics is seen. An increase in the periodicity of ENSO is achieved by a reduction in the strength of the existing “short-circuited” delayed-oscillator mode. The off-equatorial response is weaker and less tropically confined, largely as a result of the CMT and an associated redistribution of zonal momentum. The Pacific east–west structure is improved in response to the presence of convective dilution and cooling provided by increased surface fluxes. The initiation of El Niño events is fundamentally different. Enhanced intraseasonal surface stress variability leads to absolute surface westerlies and a cooling–warming dipole between the Philippine Sea and western Pacific. Lag-regression analysis shows that intraseasonal variability may play a significant role in event initiation and maintenance as opposed to being a benign response to increased SSTs. Recent observational evidence appears to support such a leading relationship.
A Nonlinear Artificial Intelligence Ensemble Prediction Model for Typhoon Intensity
Authors: Jin Long , Yao Cai , Huang Xiao-Yan
Published: May 2008

A new nonlinear artificial intelligence ensemble prediction (NAIEP) model has been developed for predicting typhoon intensity based on multiple neural networks with the same expected output and using an evolutionary genetic algorithm (GA). The model is validated with short-range forecasts of typhoon intensity in the South China Sea (SCS); results show that the NAIEP model is clearly better than the climatology and persistence (CLIPER) model for 24-h forecasts of typhoon intensity. Using identical predictors and sample cases, predictions of the genetic neural network (GNN) ensemble prediction (GNNEP) model are compared with the single-GNN prediction model, and it has been proven theoretically that the former is more accurate. Computation and analysis of the generalization capacity of GNNEP also demonstrate that the prediction of the ensemble model integrates predictions of its optimized ensemble members, so the generalization capacity of the ensemble prediction model is also enhanced. This model better addresses the “overfitting” problem that generally exists in the traditional neural network approach to practical weather prediction.
Multisensory Stimulation for Elderly With Dementia: A 24-Week Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Milev Roumen V. , Kellar Tracey , McLean Marilyn , Mileva Vicky , Luthra Veb , Thompson Shiela , Peever Linda
Published: May 2008

Background: Dementia in the elderly is a common, debilitating condition. Residents in long-term care facilities present with a number of challenging behaviors. Pharmacological management is not always helpful. Alternative approaches are needed. Methods: Multisensory stimulation (MSS) was developed to address sensory stimulation imbalance. In this pilot 24-week single-blinded, randomized controlled study, the authors examined the effect of MSS when given for 12 weeks in either 1 or 3 sessions per week with a control group. Results: There is a trend for better outcomes as measured by daily observation scales (DOS) or Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) with the increase of sessions of treatment per week. This became statistically significant at weeks 8 (DOS) and 12 (CGI). This difference continued for 12 additional weeks after treatment ended. Conclusions: MSS may be a useful addition to the care of elderly patients with dementia. A larger double-blind randomized control study is required.
Mapping multiple attributes to three- and four-component color models — A tutorial
Authors: Guo Hao , Lewis Sean , Marfurt Kurt J.
Published: May 2008

During the past 30 years, seismic attributes have evolved beyond simple measures of amplitude, frequency, and phase to include measures of waveform similarity, amplitude variation with offset (AVO), spectral content, and structural deformation. Although neural networks and geostatistics are effective ways of combining the information content of these many attributes, such analyses cannot replicate the pattern-recognition capabilities of an experienced interpreter. For this reason, careful visualization and display of multiple attributes remains one of the most powerful interpretation tools at our disposal. The two most important color display models are based on red, green, and blue (RGB) or hue, lightness, and saturation (HLS). Each of these color models in turn can be modulated by transparency. We recommend using the RGB color model to map attributes of similar type, such as-volumes of near-, mid-, and far-angle amplitude or low-, moder-ate-, and high-frequency spectral components. The HLS model is preferred when one attribute modulates another, such as dip magnitude modulating dip azimuth or amplitude of the peak spectral frequency modulating the phase measured at the peak frequency. Transparency/opacity provides a fourth color dimension and additional attribute modulation capabilities. This tutorial demonstrates those attributes best displayed in each of the two basic color models with examples from the Gulf of Mexico and Fort Worth Basin, Texas, U.S.A. Sometimes these combinations can be achieved using commercial voxel-based interpretation software. By careful use of color and transparency applied to modern volumetric attributes, one can display the strike of faults and flexures in three dimensions, isolate collapse features, and qualitatively display the geomorphology and thickness of channels.