bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trace metal cycling in the Whau Estuary, Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Ellwood Michael J. , Wilson Peter , Vopel Kay , Green Malcolm
Published: August 2008

Environmental context. The accumulation of trace metals from urban runoff is a serious environmental concern. In the present paper we show that, in the case of the Whau Estuary, Auckland, New Zealand, there is a significant particulate Zn input, of which a significant amount of Zn is lost from the particulate phase into the dissolved phase within the water column, and via molecular diffusion across the water–sediment interface. The present study shows that changes in the chemical speciation of Zn, associated with changes in salinity, play a major role in regulating the recycling of this metal between the particulate and dissolved phases.
Abstract. Dissolved Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Pb concentrations were measured along a salinity gradient in the Whau Estuary, Auckland, New Zealand. We found a mid-salinity maximum in dissolved Zn and Cd concentrations, consistent with significant loss of these metals from the particulate phase into the dissolved phase. Changes in the chemical speciation of these two metals were coupled to changes in salinity and this was the major driver for Zn and Cd loss from particulate material. Contrastingly, Cu concentrations were conservative with salinity, whereas there was significant scavenging of Fe and Pb from the dissolved phase into the particulate phase. Analysis of sediment pore-water metal concentrations indicated a peak in Zn concentration within the suboxic layer. The peak occurred at a shallower depth than those for Mn and Fe. The concentration gradient across the sediment–water interface suggests that diffusional loss of Zn from the sediment pore water into the overlying water column was occurring. Conversely, the diffusion of Cu from the water column into the sediment pore water was likely to occur because pore-water Cu concentrations were lower than the overlying water column concentrations. The results from the present study show the importance of chemical speciation and the lability of metals attached to particulate material as potentially being a critical determinant on sediment metal concentrations.
Deactivation of aquaporins decreases internal conductance to CO2 diffusion in tobacco leaves grown under long-term drought
Authors: Miyazawa Shin-Ichi , Yoshimura Satomi , Shinzaki Yuki , Maeshima Masayoshi , Miyake Chikahiro
Published: August 2008

We compared the diffusion conductance to CO2 from the intercellular air space to the chloroplasts (internal conductance (g i)) between tobacco leaves acclimated to long-term drought (drought-acclimated (DA)) and those grown under sufficient irrigation (well-watered (WW)), and analysed the changes in g i in relation to the leaf anatomical characteristics and a possible CO2 transporter, aquaporin. The g i, which was estimated by combined analyses of CO2 gas exchange with chlorophyll fluorescence, in the DA plants was approximately half of that in the WW plants. The mesophyll and chloroplast surface areas exposing the intercellular air space, which potentially affect g i, were not significantly different between the WW and DA plants. The amounts of plasma membrane aquaporins (PIP), immunochemically determined using radish PIP antibodies, were unrelated to g i. After treatment with HgCl2, an aquaporin inhibitor, the water permeability of the leaf tissues (measured as the weight loss of fully-turgid leaf disks without the abaxial epidermis in 1 m sorbitol) in WW plants decreased with an increase in HgCl2 concentration. The g i in the WW plants decreased to similar levels to the DA plants when the detached leaflets were fed with 0.5 mm HgCl2. In contrast, both water permeability and g i were insensitive to HgCl2 treatments in DA plants. These results suggest that deactivation of aquaporins is responsible for the significant reduction in g i observed in plants growing under long-term drought.
Rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: does it afford greater protection for marine turtles?
Authors: Dryden Jennifer , Grech Alana , Moloney James , Hamann Mark
Published: August 2008

In 2004 the Australian Government implemented a revised zone-based management plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to increase protection of representative areas while minimising the impacts to the economic viability of important industries. In this study we evaluated the current zoning plan for its capacity to protect marine turtles from commercial trawling and netting activities at nesting sites and at inshore and offshore foraging areas to assess whether the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority met their obligations under the Representative Areas Program (RAP). We found that protection from commercial fisheries increased within 5- and 10-km buffer zones of all very-high, high- and medium-priority nesting sites that were previously less than 100% protected. However, three very-high-priority sites and six high-priority sites remain less than 100% protected out to 5 km, falling short of the objectives of the RAP. There were variable increases in protection at foraging areas; however, each of them increased in the proportion of area protected from commercial fishing, fulfilling the objectives of the RAP. By using a broader-scale fisheries by-catch dataset as a proxy for turtle abundance we found that improvements in protection are not species-specific and can be attributed to the step-wise increases in protection since the mid 1990s.
Catering for the needs of fauna in fire management: science or just wishful thinking?
Authors: Clarke Michael F.
Published: August 2008

Ecological fire management in Australia is often built on an assumption that meeting the needs of plant species will automatically meet the needs of animal species. However, the scarcity of ecological data on the needs of fauna in relation to fire undermines the confidence managers should place in current popular frameworks for planning ecological burning. Such frameworks are built almost entirely around the goal of maintaining plant community diversity. They provide little guidance to managers regarding the characteristics of desirable ‘mosaics’ (e.g. patch size, connectivity or composition of age-since-burnt classes) or the timing of fires in relation to faunal population trends linked to other cycles (e.g. El Niño events). Claims by agencies of adopting an adaptive management approach (‘learning by doing’) to cope with a dearth of knowledge are credible only if monitoring and evaluation are carried out and future actions are modified in light of new evidence. Much monitoring of fauna is of such a small scale and short duration that the statistical likelihood of detecting a positive or negative effect of the management regime is minute. Such shortcomings will only be overcome through broad-scale and/or long-term studies of fauna. The funding for such research is unlikely to be forthcoming if fire ecologists and land managers convey the impression that the current data are adequate for the implementation of the current planning frameworks.
Contrasting mammal responses to vegetation type and fire
Authors: Lindenmayer D. B. , MacGregor C. , Welsh A. , Donnelly C. , Crane M. , Michael D. , Montague-Drake R. , Cunningham R. B. , Brown D. , Fortescue M. , Dexter N. , Hudson M. , Gill A. M.
Published: August 2008

The response of terrestrial mammals and arboreal marsupials to past burning history as well as a year prior to, and then for 4 years after, a major wildfire in 2003 at Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay Territory was quantified. The present study encompassed extensive repeated surveys at a set of 109 replicated sites stratified by vegetation type and fire history. It was found that most species exhibited significant differences in presence and abundance between major vegetation types. Detections of long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) increased significantly in all vegetation types surveyed, in both burnt and unburnt areas. Temporal patterns in captures of three species of small mammals (bush rat (Rattus fuscipes), swamp rat (Rattus lutreolus) and brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii)) showed a trend for lower numbers of captures on burnt sites compared with unburnt sites. Three species of arboreal marsupials, common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), greater glider (Petauroides volans) and common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), were moderately common and all showed marked differences in abundance between vegetation types. Whereas P. peregrinus and P. volans exhibited a temporal decline between 2003 and 2006, T. vulpecula exhibited a general increase from 2003 levels. However, arboreal marsupial responses did not appear to be directly fire related.
Successful choice behavior is associated with distinct and coherent network states in anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Lapish Christopher C. , Durstewitz Daniel , Chandler L. Judson , Seamans Jeremy K.
Published: August 2008

Successful decision making requires an ability to monitor contexts, actions, and outcomes. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is thought to be critical for these functions, monitoring and guiding decisions especially in challenging situations involving conflict and errors. A number of different single-unit correlates have been observed in the ACC that reflect the diverse cognitive components involved. Yet how ACC neurons function as an integrated network is poorly understood. Here we show, using advanced population analysis of multiple single-unit recordings from the rat ACC during performance of an ecologically valid decision-making task, that ensembles of neurons move through different coherent and dissociable states as the cognitive requirements of the task change. This organization into distinct network patterns with respect to both firing-rate changes and correlations among units broke down during trials with numerous behavioral errors, especially at choice points of the task. These results point to an underlying functional organization into cell assemblies in the ACC that may monitor choices, outcomes, and task contexts, thus tracking the animal's progression through “task space.”
Recovery assessment in Lake Nemi (Italy) after a twenty year period (1981–2001) using plant-associated invertebrates
Authors: Mastrantuono L. , Sforza M.
Published: August 2008

Lake Nemi was subjected to organic pollution in the 1970s due to domestic wastes, which led to a severe eutrophication process. Local authorities consequently planned a gradual waste diversion programme completed in 1990. Comparison between data on plant-associated invertebrates in the period of maximum eutrophication (1981/82) and twenty years after the total waste diversion (2001/02) was carried out with the aim of demonstrating the performance of this littoral community for the purpose of lake recovery assessment. Following the water clarity improvement characterizing the 2001/02 period, the macrophyte community displayed an amelioration in plant diversification, an enlargement of the colonized area, and an appearance of Charales, important bioindicators of oligotrophic conditions. In complete agreement with this new situation, the invertebrate fauna extended its colonization, and the species composition and quantitative structure changed completely. A considerable increase in species richness and diversity, and significant modifications of percentages and densities of bioindicator taxa (cladocerans, gastropods and acari) showed a very appreciable recovery, which can be defined as a phase of “oligotrophication”. This trophic state is closely related to nutrient reduction in the water and enhanced by a drift of organic materials from littoral to profundal bottoms. This was due to the remarkable water level reduction of about five meters which occurred in the lake in recent times.
Understanding the ecology of disease in Great Lakes fish populations
Authors: Riley Stephen C. , Munkittrick Kelly R. , Evans Allison N. , Krueger Charles C.
Published: August 2008

Disease may be an important factor affecting wild fish population dynamics in the Great Lakes, but a lack of information on the ecology of fish disease currently precludes the prediction of risks to fish populations. Here we propose a conceptual framework for conducting ecologically-oriented fish health research that addresses the inter-relationships among fish health, fish populations, and ecosystem dysfunction in the Great Lakes. The conceptual framework describes potential ways in which disease processes and the population-level impacts of disease may relate to ecosystem function, and suggests that functional ecosystems are more likely to be resilient with respect to disease events than dysfunctional ecosystems. We suggest that ecosystem- or population-level research on the ecology of fish disease is necessary to understand the relationships between ecosystem function and fish health, and to improve prediction of population-level effects of diseases on wild fish populations in the Great Lakes. Examples of how the framework can be used to generate research questions are provided using three disease models of current interest in the Great Lakes: thiamine deficiency complex, botulism, and bacterial kidney disease.
Upconversion Luminescence of SrTiO3:Er3+Ultrafine Powders Produced by 785 nm Laser
Authors: Guo Hai , Qiao Yan-min , Zheng Ju-fang , Zhao Lei-hong
Published: August 2008

Er3+ doped SrTiO3 ultrafine powders were prepared by solid state reaction in a molten NaCl flux. The structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Stokes emission spectra of Er3+ in SrTiO3: Er3+ ranging from green to near infrared region were investigated under 514.5 nm laser excitation. The green and red upconverted luminescence spectra of Er3+ were measured under excitation into the 4I9/2 level by 785 nm laser. The upconversion mechanisms were studied in detail through laser power dependence and Er3+ ion concentration dependence of upconverted emissions, and results show that excited state absorption and energy transfer process are the possible mechanisms for the upconversion. The upconversion properties indicate that SrTiO3:Er3+ may be used in upconversion phosphors.
Erk5 Controls Slug Expression and Keratinocyte Activation during Wound Healing
Authors: Arnoux Valerie , Nassour Mayssaa , L'Helgoualc'h Annie , Hipskind Robert A. , Savagner Pierre
Published: August 2008

Reepithelialization during cutaneous wound healing involves numerous signals that result in basal keratinocyte activation, spreading, and migration, all linked to a loosening of cell–cell adhesion structures. The transcription factor Slug is required for this process, and EGF treatment of human keratinocytes induced activating phosphorylation of Erk5 that coincides with slug transcription. Accordingly, ectopic activation of Erk5 led to increased Slug mRNA levels and faster wound healing, whereas keratinocyte migration was totally blocked by Erk5 pathway inhibition. Expression of a shRNA specific for Erk5 strongly diminished Erk5 levels in keratinocytes and significantly decreased their motility response to EGF, along with induction of Slug expression. These Erk5-deprived keratinocytes showed an altered, more compact morphology, along with disruption of desmosome organization. Accordingly, they displayed an altered ability to form cell aggregates. These results implicate a novel EGFR/Erk5/Slug pathway in the control of cytoskeleton organization and cell motility in keratinocytes treated with EGF.
First Report of Wisteria vein mosaic virus in Wisteria sinensis in the United States of America
Authors: Naidu Rayapati A. , Karthikeyan Gandhi
Published: August 2008

The ornamental Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is a woody perennial grown for its flowering habit in home gardens and landscape settings. In this brief, the occurrence of Wisteria vein mosaic virus (WVMV) was reported for the first time in Chinese wisteria in the United States of America.

Accepted for publication 18 June 2008. Published 18 August 2008.
Brucellosis complicating chronic non-infectious disorders: diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas
Authors: Jacob Néstor R. , Rodríguez Claudia G. , Binaghi María A. , Scapellato Pablo G. , Rosales Ostriz María B. , Ayala Sandra M. , Lucero Nidia E.
Published: August 2008

There is little information in the literature on the clinical progress of brucellosis in patients affected by other non-infectious diseases; however, the infection can often trigger an exacerbation of existing underlying conditions in certain target organs. In this report we present four cases of brucellosis complicating previous diseases, and the difficulties in relation to their diagnosis and treatment. The study involved four patients with the following disorders: polycythaemia vera, pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis of the liver and arthritis of the knee. Brucellosis was diagnosed by classical serological and bacteriological methods. The strains involved could be isolated only in three of the four patients: two strains were Brucella abortus biovar 1 and one was Brucella suis biovar 1. Two patients relapsed 10 and 7 months after admission, another presented chronic brucellosis and received various therapy schemes, and one died. Since the best selection of antibiotics and the optimal duration of therapy remain unknown for patients having brucellosis complicated by previous pathologies, these remain at the discretion of the attending physician. Management of our patients was controversial in terms of the selection of antibiotics, duration of treatment and decision regarding surgery.
Discrete and Essential Roles of the Multiple Domains of Arabidopsis FHY3 in Mediating Phytochrome A Signal Transduction
Authors: Lin Rongcheng , Teng Yibo , Park Hee-Jin , Ding Lei , Black Christopher , Fang Ping , Wang Haiyang
Published: August 2008

Phytochrome A is the primary photoreceptor for mediating various far-red light-induced responses in higher plants. We recently showed that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 (FHY3) and FAR-RED-IMPAIRED RESPONSE1 (FAR1), a pair of homologous proteins sharing significant sequence homology to Mutator-like transposases, act as novel transcription factors essential for activating the expression of FHY1 and FHL (for FHY1-like), whose products are required for light-induced phytochrome A nuclear accumulation and subsequent light responses. FHY3, FAR1, and Mutator-like transposases also share a similar domain structure, including an N-terminal C2H2 zinc finger domain, a central putative core transposase domain, and a C-terminal SWIM motif (named after SWI2/SNF and MuDR transposases). In this study, we performed a promoter-swapping analysis of FHY3 and FAR1. Our results suggest that the partially overlapping functions of FHY3 and FAR1 entail divergence of their promoter activities and protein subfunctionalization. To gain a better understanding of the molecular mode of FHY3 function, we performed a structure-function analysis, using site-directed mutagenesis and transgenic approaches. We show that the conserved N-terminal C2H2 zinc finger domain is essential for direct DNA binding and biological function of FHY3 in mediating light signaling, whereas the central core transposase domain and C-terminal SWIM domain are essential for the transcriptional regulatory activity of FHY3 and its homodimerization or heterodimerization with FAR1. Furthermore, the ability to form homodimers or heterodimers largely correlates with the transcriptional regulatory activity of FHY3 in plant cells. Together, our results reveal discrete roles of the multiple domains of FHY3 and provide functional support for the proposition that FHY3 and FAR1 represent transcription factors derived from a Mutator-like transposase(s).
The Effect of Leaf-Level Spatial Variability in Photosynthetic Capacity on Biochemical Parameter Estimates Using the Farquhar Model: A Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Chen Charles P. , Zhu Xin-Guang , Long Stephen P.
Published: August 2008

Application of the widely used Farquhar model of photosynthesis in interpretation of gas exchange data assumes that photosynthetic properties are homogeneous throughout the leaf. Previous studies showed that heterogeneity in stomatal conductance (g  s) across a leaf could affect the shape of the measured leaf photosynthetic CO2 uptake rate (A) versus intercellular CO2 concentration (C  i) response curve and, in turn, estimation of the critical biochemical parameters of this model. These are the maximum rates of carboxylation (V  c,max), whole-chain electron transport (J  max), and triose-P utilization (V  TPU). The effects of spatial variation in V  c,max,  J  max, and V  TPU on estimation of leaf averages of these parameters from A-C  i curves measured on a whole leaf have not been investigated. A mathematical model incorporating defined degrees of spatial variability in V  c,max and J  max was constructed. One hundred and ten theoretical leaves were simulated, each with the same average V  c,max and J  max, but different coefficients of variation of the mean (CVVJ) and varying correlation between V  c,max and J  max (Ω). Additionally, the interaction of variation in V  c,max and J  max with heterogeneity in V  TPU, g  s, and light gradients within the leaf was also investigated. Transition from V  c,max- to J  max-limited photosynthesis in the A-C  i curve was smooth in the most heterogeneous leaves, in contrast to a distinct inflection in the absence of heterogeneity. Spatial variability had little effect on the accuracy of estimation of V  c,max and J  max from A-C  i curves when the two varied in concert (Ω = 1.0), but resulted in underestimation of both parameters when they varied independently (up to 12.5% in V  c,max and 17.7% in J  max at CVVJ = 50%; Ω = 0.3). Heterogeneity in V  TPU also significantly affected parameter estimates, but effects of heterogeneity in g  s or light gradients were comparatively small. If V  c,max and J  max derived from such heterogeneous leaves are used in models to project leaf photosynthesis, actual A is overestimated by up to 12% at the transition between V  c,max- and J  max-limited photosynthesis. This could have implications for both crop production and Earth system models, including projections of the effects of atmospheric change.
Brassinosteroids Regulate Grain Filling in Rice
Authors: Wu Chuan-yin , Trieu Anthony , Radhakrishnan Parthiban , Kwok Shing F. , Harris Sam , Zhang Ke , Wang Jiulin , Wan Jianmin , Zhai Huqu , Takatsuto Suguru , Matsumoto Shogo , Fujioka Shozo , Feldmann Kenneth A. , Pennell Roger I.
Published: August 2008

Genes controlling hormone levels have been used to increase grain yields in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa). We created transgenic rice plants expressing maize (Zea mays), rice, or Arabidopsis thaliana genes encoding sterol C-22 hydroxylases that control brassinosteroid (BR) hormone levels using a promoter that is active in only the stems, leaves, and roots. The transgenic plants produced more tillers and more seed than wild-type plants. The seed were heavier as well, especially the seed at the bases of the spikes that fill the least. These phenotypic changes brought about 15 to 44% increases in grain yield per plant relative to wild-type plants in greenhouse and field trials. Expression of the Arabidopsis C-22 hydroxylase in the embryos or endosperms themselves had no apparent effect on seed weight. These results suggested that BRs stimulate the flow of assimilate from the source to the sink. Microarray and photosynthesis analysis of transgenic plants revealed evidence of enhanced CO2 assimilation, enlarged glucose pools in the flag leaves, and increased assimilation of glucose to starch in the seed. These results further suggested that BRs stimulate the flow of assimilate. Plants have not been bred directly for seed filling traits, suggesting that genes that control seed filling could be used to further increase grain yield in crop plants.
RD19, anArabidopsisCysteine Protease Required for RRS1-R–Mediated Resistance, Is Relocalized to the Nucleus by theRalstonia solanacearumPopP2 Effector
Authors: Bernoux Maud , Timmers Ton , Jauneau Alain , Brière Christian , de Wit Pierre J.G.M. , Marco Yves , Deslandes Laurent
Published: August 2008

Bacterial wilt, a disease impacting cultivated crops worldwide, is caused by the pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum. PopP2 (for Pseudomonas outer protein P2) is an R. solanacearum type III effector that belongs to the YopJ/AvrRxv protein family and interacts with the Arabidopsis thaliana RESISTANT TO RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM 1-R (RRS1-R) resistance protein. RRS1-R contains the Toll/Interleukin1 receptor–nucleotide binding site–Leu-rich repeat domains found in several cytoplasmic R proteins and a C-terminal WRKY DNA binding domain. In this study, we identified the Arabidopsis Cys protease RESPONSIVE TO DEHYDRATION19 (RD19) as being a PopP2-interacting protein whose expression is induced during infection by R. solanacearum. An Arabidopsis rd19 mutant in an RRS1-R genetic background is compromised in resistance to the bacterium, indicating that RD19 is required for RRS1-R–mediated resistance. RD19 normally localizes in mobile vacuole-associated compartments and, upon coexpression with PopP2, is specifically relocalized to the plant nucleus, where the two proteins physically interact. No direct physical interaction between RRS1-R and RD19 in the presence of PopP2 was detected in the nucleus as determined by Förster resonance energy transfer. We propose that RD19 associates with PopP2 to form a nuclear complex that is required for activation of the RRS1-R–mediated resistance response.
Macrotransposition and Other Complex Chromosomal Restructuring in Maize by Closely Linked Transposons in Direct Orientation
Authors: Huang Jun T. , Dooner Hugo K.
Published: August 2008

Several observations indicate that compatible ends of separate, yet closely linked, transposable elements (TEs) can interact in alternative transposition reactions. First, pairs of TEs cause chromosome breaks with frequencies inversely related to the intertransposon distance. Second, some combinations of two TEs produce complex rearrangements that often include DNA adjacent to one or both elements. In pairs of TEs in direct orientation, alternative reactions involving the external ends of the two TEs should lead to the transposition of a macrotransposon consisting of both elements plus the intervening chromosomal segment. Such macrotransposons have been hypothesized previously based on deletions, but no macrotransposon insertions have been recovered. To detect macrotransposition, we have analyzed heritable chromosomal rearrangements produced by a chromosome-breaking pair of Ac and Ds elements situated 6.5 kb apart in direct orientation in a part of the maize (Zea mays) genome dispensable for viability. Here, we show that the postulated macrotransposon can excise and reinsert elsewhere in the genome. In addition, this transposon pair produces other complex rearrangements, including deletions, inversions, and reshuffling of the intertransposon segment. Thus, closely linked TE pairs, a common transposition outcome in some superfamilies, are adept at restructuring chromosomes and may have been instrumental in reshaping plant genomes.
Elastic-Plastic Stress Analysis and Plastic Zone Propagation in Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastic Laminates Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Aykul H. , Atasi C. , Akbulut H.
Published: August 2008

The results of a study of elastic-plastic stress analysis and plastic zone propagation in a low density polyethylene thermoplastic composite plate subjected to uniform transverse load are presented. Thermoplastic matrix, polyethylene (LDPE), and steel fibres were used to fabricate the composite plates. Yield points and elastic, elastic-plastic and residual stresses are calculated numerically for both symmetric and antisymmetric laminated plates with different ply orientations by using Finite Element Method. First order shear deformation theory was used as an equivalent single-layer laminate theory for small deformations. Contour plots corresponding to 100, 150 and 200 load steps display the expansion of the plastic zone. Mechanical properties of a layer were obtained experimentally.
Failure Analysis of Laminated Composite Pretwisted Rotating Plates
Authors: Karmakar A. , Sinha P. K.
Published: August 2008

In this paper a finite element computational procedure is presented for the determination of first-ply failure strengths of pretwisted rotating plates subjected to centre point transverse load. The finite element model is based on the tensor polynomial failure criterion that contains the maximum stress, maximum strain, Tsai-Hill, Tsai-Wu and Hoffman failure criteria as special cases. A nine-noded three-dimensional degenerated composite shell element is developed and used for the present finite element formulation. Effects of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia are included. Lagrange's equation of motion is employed to derive the dynamic equilibrium equation considering moderate rotational speeds for which the Coriolis effect is negligible. Finally, the static equilibrium equation is formulated after discarding the time-dependent terms. Failure load computations for rotating cantilever plates with nonlinear pretwist are carried out to investigate the effects of angle of twist, rotational speed and laminate configuration.
An Approach for Obtaining the Young's Modulus in Woven Glass/Epoxy Reinforced Composites
Authors: Okoli Okenwa I.
Published: August 2008

A number of equations for predicting the in-plane material properties of woven reinforced composites have been suggested in the available literature using empirically evaluated correction factors. The use of such factors in the determination of dynamic properties has, however, led to signficant errors. It is therefore imperative that a method of obtaining high speed material properties of composite laminates must be sought since micro-mechanics equations have not been found suitable.

Tensile tests were conducted on woven reinforced glass/epoxy laminates at increasing rates of strain and the fractured surfaces were viewed under a scanning electron microscope. In this work a semi-empirical relationship for the tensile modulus was proposed using micro-mechanics and data from tests conducted.
Dynamic Behavior and Impact Induced First Ply Failure of Multiple Delaminated Composite Shells
Authors: Parhi P. K. , Sinha P. K. , Bhattacharyya S. K.
Published: August 2008

This analytical study is concerned with the free vibration, forced vibration, low velocity impact response as well as impact induced first ply failure of delaminated composite shells. It is based on a simple multiple delamination modeling which can take care of any arbitrary number and size of delaminations placed at any location of the laminate. Sander's shallow shell theory is applied for the shell analysis. First order shear deformation theory in conjunction with an eight noded isoparametric quadratic delaminated shell element with five degrees of freedom per node are used to develop the finite element formulation. Newmark's time integration algorithm is employed for solving the time dependent multiple equations of the plate and the impactor. Tsai-Wu failure criterion is used to predict the first ply failure of a laminate due to impact at every time step. Numerical results are generated for different cases by varying the size and location of delaminations as well as the stacking sequences. It is observed that the delaminations reduce the natural frequencies and increase the dynamic displacements. Critical impactor velocity to cause the first ply failure in a laminate is also reduced in the presence of a delamination.
Phylogeny, taxonomy, and evolution of Neotropical cichlids (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Cichlinae)
Authors: Leo Smith Wm. , Chakrabarty Prosanta , Sparks John S.
Published: August 2008

Despite recent progress on the higher‐level relationships of Cichlidae and its Indian, Malagasy, and Greater Antillean components, conflict and uncertainty remain within the species‐rich African, South American, and Middle American assemblages. Herein, we combine morphological and nucleotide characters from the mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit, cytochromecoxidase subunit I, NADH dehydrogenase four, and cytochromebgenes and from the nuclear histone H3, recombination activating gene two, Tmo‐4C4, Tmo‐M27, and ribosomal S7 loci to analyse relationships within the Neotropical cichlid subfamily Cichlinae. The simultaneous analysis of 6309 characters for 90 terminals, including representatives of all major cichlid lineages and all Neotropical genera, resulted in the first well‐supported and resolved generic‐level phylogeny for Neotropical cichlids. The Neotropical subfamily Cichlinae was recovered as monophyletic and partitioned into seven tribes: Astronotini, Chaetobranchini, Cichlasomatini, Cichlini, Geophagini, Heroini, and Retroculini. Chaetobranchini + Geophagini (including the “crenicichlines”) was resolved as the sister group of Heroini + Cichlasomatini (includingAcaronia). The monogeneric Astronotini was recovered as the sister group of these four tribes. Finally, a clade composed of Cichlini + Retroculini was resolved as the sister group to all other cichlines. The analysis included the recently described †Proterocara argentina, the oldest known cichlid fossil (Eocene), which was placed in an apical position within Geophagini, further supporting a Gondwanan origin for Cichlidae. These phylogenetic results were used as the basis for generating a monophyletic cichline taxonomy.

© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
Characterisation of haematological profiles and low risk of thromboembolic events with bortezomib in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma
Authors: Lonial Sagar , Richardson Paul G , San Miguel Jesús , Sonneveld Pieter , Schuster Michael W , Bladé Joan , Cavenagh Jamie , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Jakubowiak Andrzej J , Esseltine Dixie‐Lee , Anderson Kenneth C , Harousseau Jean‐Luc
Published: August 2008

Haematological toxicities and thromboembolic (TE) events are common complications of myeloma therapy. TE risk may be elevated with combination regimens, notably thalidomide/lenalidomide plus high‐dose dexamethasone; concomitant erythropoietin appears to further increase the risk with lenalidomide–dexamethasone. We characterised thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in the phase 3 APEX (Assessment of Proteasome Inhibition for Extending Remissions) study of bortezomib versus high‐dose dexamethasone in relapsed myeloma, and calculated the incidences of deep‐vein thrombosis (DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE) with: bortezomib or dexamethasone ± erythropoietin in APEX; bortezomib ± dexamethasone ± erythropoietin in two phase 2 studies of relapsed/refractory myeloma. Bortezomib‐associated thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were transient, predictable and manageable; mean platelet and neutrophil counts followed a cyclical pattern, and improved over the treatment course. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia incidence was higher with bortezomib versus dexamethasone (26%/4% vs. 5%/1%), but significant bleeding events were comparable (4% vs. 5%). DVT/PE incidence was low (≤3·1%) in all analyses; addition of dexamethasone/erythropoietin did not affect TE risk. In APEX, TE risk appeared lower with bortezomib versus dexamethasone. Bortezomib caused transient and cyclical thrombocytopenia and was not associated with elevated TE risk, alone or with dexamethasone ± erythropoietin. Preliminary data suggest bortezomib may reduce the thrombogenic potential of combination regimens via inhibition of platelet function or other mechanism‐specific effects on coagulation.
Inattentive/overactive children with histories of profound institutional deprivation compared with standard ADHD cases: a brief report
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke E. J. S. , Rubia K.
Published: August 2008

Background  The Inattention/Overactivity/Impulsiveness (I/OA) behavioural cluster diagnostic of ADHD is recognized as a characteristic outcome of early institutional care.

Methods  We compared the symptom and neuropsychological profiles of children with a history of I/OA and early severe deprivation (D‐I/OA: n = 13) with standard clinical ADHD cases (S‐ADHD; N = 20) and children who had experienced deprivation but were not pervasively I/OA (ERA‐controls; n = 22). The mean age of testing was around 13 years. D‐I/OA and ERA‐controls were selected from the English and Romanian Adoptees (ERA) study and had spent their early lives in the extremely depriving Romanian institutions of the Ceausescu regime and were later adopted into UK families.

Results  ADHD symptoms for male D‐I/OA and S‐ADHD cases showed marked similarities across symptom domains. In contrast, girls with D‐I/OA were more similar to ERA controls than to ADHD cases. Longitudinal data suggested that this was due to a remission of symptoms in D‐I/OA girls. Neuropsychological profiles of males and females with D‐I/OA, however, were similar: both were more impaired than S‐ADHD and ERA controls.

Discussion  Children with D‐I/OA were more neuropsychologically impaired than S‐ADHD despite the fact that only boys showed a persistent pattern of ADHD symptoms. These results need replication in a larger sample with groups matched for gender.
Stages of development and injury: an epidemiological survey of young children presenting to an emergency department
Authors: Reading Richard
Published: August 2008

.
 
MacInnes K. &
Stone D. H.
(
2008
)

,
8
,
120
.
 
DOI: 10.1186/1471‐2458‐8‐120
.

Background  The aim of our study was to use a local (Glasgow, west of Scotland) version of a Canadian injury surveillance programme (CHIRPP) to investigate the relationship between the developmental stage of young (pre‐school) children, using age as a proxy, and the occurrence (incidence, nature, mechanism and location) of injuries presenting to a Scottish hospital emergency department, in an attempt to replicate the findings of a recent study in Kingston, Canada.

Methods  We used the Glasgow CHIRPP data to perform two types of analyses. First, we calculated injury rates for that part of the hospital catchment area for which reasonably accurate population denominators were available. Second, we examined detailed injury patterns, in terms of the circumstances, mechanisms, location and types of injury. We compared our findings with those of the Kingston researchers.

Results  A total of 17 793 injury records for children aged up to 7 years were identified over the period 1997–99. For 1997–2001, 6188 were used to calculate rates in the west of the city only. Average annual age‐specific rates per 1000 children were highest in both males and females aged 12–35 months. Apart from the higher rates in Glasgow, the pattern of injuries, in terms of breakdown factors, mechanism, location, context and nature of injury, was similar in Glasgow and Kingston.

Conclusion  We replicated in Glasgow, UK, the findings of a Canadian study demonstrating a correlation between the pattern of childhood injuries and developmental stage. Future research should take account of the need to enhance statistical power and explore the interaction between age and potential confounding variables such as socio‐economic deprivation. Our findings highlight the importance of designing injury prevention interventions that are appropriate for specific stages of development in children.
Reducing absenteeism from gastrointestinal and respiratory illness in elementary school students: a randomized, controlled trial of an infection‐control intervention
Authors: Reading Richard
Published: August 2008

.
 
Sandora T. J.,
Shih M.‐C. &
Goldman D. A.
(
2008
)

,
121
,
e1555
–
e1562
.
 
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007‐2597
.

Background  Students often miss school because of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. We assessed the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention, including alcohol‐based hand sanitizer and surface disinfection, in reducing absenteeism caused by gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in elementary school students.

Methods  We performed a school‐based cluster‐randomized, controlled trial at a single elementary school. Eligible students in third to fifth grade were enrolled. Intervention classrooms received alcohol‐based hand sanitizer to use at school and quaternary ammonium wipes to disinfect classroom surfaces daily for 8 weeks; control classrooms followed usual hand‐washing and cleaning practices. Parents completed a pre‐intervention demographic survey. Absences were recorded along with the reason for absence. Swabs of environmental surfaces were evaluated by bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction for norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and parainfluenza 3. The primary outcomes were rates of absenteeism caused by gastrointestinal or respiratory illness. Days absent were modelled as correlated Poisson variables and compared between groups by using generalized estimating equations. Analyses were adjusted for family size, race, health status and home sanitizer use. We also compared the presence of viruses and the total bacterial colony counts on several classroom surfaces.

Results  A total of 285 students were randomly assigned; baseline demographics were similar in the two groups. The adjusted absenteeism rate for gastrointestinal illness was significantly lower in the intervention‐group subjects compared with control subjects. The adjusted absenteeism rate for respiratory illness was not significantly different between groups. Norovirus was the only virus detected and was found less frequently on surfaces in intervention classrooms compared with control classrooms (9% vs. 29%).

Conclusions  A multifactorial intervention including hand sanitizer and surface disinfection reduced absenteeism caused by gastrointestinal illness in elementary school students. Norovirus was found less often on classroom surfaces in the intervention group. Schools should consider adopting these practices to reduce days lost to common illnesses.
Cytological assessment of conventional transbronchial fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes
Authors: Rakha E. A. , Naik V. , Chaudry Z. , Baldwin D. , Soomro I. N.
Published: August 2008

E. A. Rakha, V. Naik, Z. Chaudry, D. Baldwin and I. N. Soomro Cytological assessment of conventional transbronchial fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes

Objectives:  Transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA) is a minimally invasive bronchoscopic technique that allows pathological examination of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to assess the cytopathological outcome of TBNA.

Methods:  One hundred and eighty‐seven patients who underwent TBNA of mediastinal and hilar lesions from May 2000 to June 2007 were reviewed.

Results:  TBNA results were considered to be adequate if the cytological material revealed a malignant lesion or sufficient number of benign lymphoid cells. In the current study, 40 cases (21.9%) were reported as inadequate. When inadequate tests were excluded, the overall sensitivity and accuracy of TBNA in the diagnosis of malignant lesions were 83.5% and 88.0% respectively. The lowest sensitivity was noted in lymph node involvement by lymphoma. Regarding the workload associated with TBNA cytology, we found that the average number of conventionally prepared cytological slides per case was high (17 slides per case).

Conclusion:  Our results confirm that conventional TBNA is a sensitive and useful technique but it is relatively expensive and the protocols should be adapted to allow appropriate material to be collected for ancillary diagnostic tests.
Diagnostic pitfalls in the evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid: correlation with histopathology in 260 cases
Authors: Haberal A. N. , Toru S. , Özen Ö. , Arat Z. , Bilezikçi B.
Published: August 2008

Objectives:  Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid is a non‐invasive, cost‐effective screening procedure that is valuable for distinguishing neoplastic lesions from non‐neoplastic nodules. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FNACs performed at our institution by correlating FNAC results with histopathological diagnoses.

Methods:  Two hundred and seventy‐one aspiration cytology specimens followed by thyroidectomy were included in the study, and the results of 260 adequate FNACs were compared with their histological diagnoses.

Results:  The sensitivity and specificity of thyroid FNAC for detecting neoplasia were 92.6% and 91.6%, respectively. There were 15 (5.7%) false positives and six (2.3%) false negatives.

Conclusions:  The results showed that follicular cells that exhibit some of the features of papillary carcinoma could be observed in a cytology slide of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, leading to a diagnostic pitfall. In addition, cellularity and overlapping cytological criteria in hyperplasia might lead to a false diagnosis.
Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on oncogenes and cell proliferation
Authors: Zhu Y. , Shu X. , Chen J. , Xie Y. , Xu P. , Huang D.‐Q. , Lu N.‐H.
Published: August 2008

Background  Helicobacter pylori , the main cause of chronic gastritis, is a class 1 gastric carcinogen. However, it remains unclear whether H. pylori affects molecular alterations in chronic gastritis. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the effect of H. pylori eradication on the expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), c‐myc and proliferation nuclear cell antigen (PCNA) in H. pylori associated chronic gastritis.

Materials and methods  hTR was determined by in situ hybridization, hTERT, c‐myc and PCNA were detected by immunohistochemistry using stomach tissues obtained from 39 H. pylori‐infected and 21 H. pylori‐negative patients with chronic gastritis before and after H. pylori eradication therapy or treatment for symptom relief only.

Results  Levels of hTR, hTERT, c‐myc and PCNA were significantly higher in H. pylori‐infected mucosa (51·3%, 53·8%, 53·8% and 16·8 ± 5·8, respectively) when compared to H. pylori‐negative mucosa before therapy (19·0%, 23·8%, 28·6%, 8·8 ± 3·4, respectively; P < 0·05 in all cases). In patients with successful eradication of H. pylori the levels of hTR, hTERT, c‐myc and PCNA (55·5%, 59·3%, 59·3%, 16·8 ± 5·8, respectively) were significantly reduced after the therapy (22·2%, 22·2%, 14·8%, 7·0 ± 5·0, respectively; P < 0·05 in all cases). In the H. pylori failed eradication and H. pylori‐negative groups, there was no statistical difference in all four measurements.

Conclusions  H. pylori infection may induce the overexpression of hTR, hTERT, c‐myc and stimulate cell proliferation. Eradication of H. pylori may reverse the aberrant expression of these oncoproteins and thus correct the abnormal cell proliferation.