bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3β in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Dettlaff-Pokora Agnieszka , Kostro Justyna
Published: April 2010

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has four isoforms: α, β, γ and δ. STAT3α and STAT3β are the transcriptionally active isoforms, while STAT3γ and STAT3δ are the products of STAT3 proteolytic degradation. STAT3 plays an important role in angiogenesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis. High levels of STAT3β in blood cells from acute leukaemia patients have been reported, suggesting that STAT3β may play an important role in cancerogenesis. Fourteen pancreatic cancer patients and six chronic pancreatitis patients were included in this pilot study. Levels of STAT3 isoforms from samples with pancreatic cancer and in adjacent histologically-normal pancreatic tissue were analysed. Pancreas from chronic pancreatitis patients served as a non-neoplastic tissue. Western-blot analysis of STAT3 proteins with the use of anti-STAT3 antibodies was performed. STAT3α and STAT3β isoforms in both cancerous and in adjacent normal tissues were found in 10 of 14. In chronic pancreatitis patients, only STAT3α and STAT3δ were detected. STAT3β was absent in pancreas from chronic pancreatitis patients, in contrast to pancreatic cancer patients. The presence of STAT3β in pancreatic cancer and in adjacent histologically-normal tissues, but not in inflamed tissues suggests that STAT3β may play a key role in cancer development.
Algal communities of the Hadera River (Israel) under dramatic niche changes
Authors: Barinova Sophia , Tavassi Moti , Nevo Eviatar
Published: April 2010

The Hadera River is the most polluted among the Mediterranean coastal rivers of Israel due to abundant E. coli, high concentrations of heavy metals and nutrients, and high temperatures. In 2003–2008 we found 191 species of algae and cyanobacteria belonging to seven taxonomic divisions. The upper reaches were dominated by cyanobacteria and exhibited levels of toxic pollution. Downstream, the ecological niches of algal communities dramatically changed: upper stream diversity first increased and then decreased due to the influx of rainwater in the tidal zone during winter. On one hand, seasonal dynamics show that in winter, inorganic contamination was reduced because of dilution by the influx of rainwater, but, on the other hand, organic pollution increased from agriculture. Down the river, diversity increases and the community composition undergoes considerable change. In summer, algal blooms indicate a reduction of stress and aid in the river’s self-purification. The WESI indices and RPI show steady year-round stressful conditions for algal photosynthesis with increasing instability in the river. Perpetuation of the current situation would disturb the self-purification capacity of the river ecosystem through destruction of biotic components. Statistical analysis (CCA) reveals the impact of wastewater as the most important stress factor for the Hadera River ecosystem, which is an exceptionally strong example of self-purification.
The first Bulgarian allergen extract from Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.
Authors: Nikolov Georgi , Hristova-Savova Mariela , Michova Antoaneta , Hristova Rumyana , Konstantinova Dora , Petrunov Bogdan
Published: April 2010

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. is a leading cause of allergies in many countries. In the last decade it has appeared and spread in Bulgaria as well. The aims of this study was to collect pollen from ragweed plants in Bulgaria, prepare the first Bulgarian ragweed allergen, and characterize it. The new allergen was studied in parallel with two other ragweed pollen extracts from the USA and Russia. The protein profile was studied through isoelectric focusing, and the total allergen activity was studied by a skin prick test and a basophil activation test. The proteins of the studied extracts were concentrated in the pI region 3.5–5.5 with an identical band number and location. The allergens showed similar total allergen activity in vivo:14/81 tested patients (17.3 %) were SPT positive either to a single ragweed extract or to all three. The allergens had identical histogram profiles and caused basophil degranulation above the test cut-off. The analysis of the flow cytometry results by parallel line bioassay shows linear dose-response relation between the extracts. The observed immunological properties of the Bulgarian allergen from Ambrosia artemisiifolia provide a possibility to use this product for a reliable diagnosis and effective specific immunotherapy of ragweed allergy in our country.
NSAIDs, Opioids, Cannabinoids and the Control of Pain by the Central Nervous System
Authors: Vanegas Horacio , Vazquez Enrique , Tortorici Victor
Published: April 2010

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) act upon peripheral tissues and upon the central nervous system to produce analgesia. A major central target of NSAIDs is the descending pain control system. The rostral structures of the descending pain control system send impulses towards the spinal cord and regulate the transmission of pain messages. Key structures of the descending pain control system are the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) and the rostral ventromedial region of the medulla (RVM), both of which are critical targets for endogenous opioids and opiate pharmaceuticals. NSAIDs also act upon PAG and RVM to produce analgesia and, if repeatedly administered, induce tolerance to themselves and cross-tolerance to opioids. Experimental evidence shows that this is due to an interaction of NSAIDs with endogenous opioids along the descending pain control system. Analgesia by NSAIDs along the descending pain control system also requires an activation of the CB1 endocannabinoid receptor. Several experimental approaches suggest that opioids, NSAIDs and cannabinoids in PAG and RVM cooperate to decrease GABAergic inhibition and thus enhance the descending flow of impulses that inhibit pain.
Polarization Dependence Suppression of Optical Fiber Grating Sensor in a π-Shifted Sagnac Loop Interferometer
Authors: Son Jaebum , Lee Min-Kyoung , Jeong Myung Yung , Kim Chang-Seok
Published: April 2010

In the sensing applications of optical fiber grating, it is necessary to reduce the transmission-type polarization dependence to isolate the sensing parameter. It is experimentally shown that the polarization-dependent spectrum of acousto-optic long-period fiber grating sensors can be suppressed in the transmission port of a π-shifted Sagnac loop interferometer. General expressions for the transmittance and reflectance are derived for transmission-type, reflection-type, and partially reflecting/transmitting-type polarization-dependent optical devices. The compensation of polarization dependence through the counter propagation in the Sagnac loop interferometer is quantitatively measured for a commercial in-line polarizer and an acousto-optic long-period fiber grating sensor.
De l'URSS à la Russie
Authors: Dubien Arnaud
Published: April 2010

Jamais pays n’a connu, en une décennie, davantage de bouleversements que la Russie. Solder l’héritage soviétique, s’adapter à une perte manifeste de puissance, réformer le pays, autant de défis que la Russie est mise en demeure de relever. Fossoyeur de l’URSS, la Russie a fait les frais du déclin de son influence au moment de l’échec de la CEI. Sur le plan économique, le caractère inachevé des réformes mises en branle l’a empêchée de se doter d’une véritable économie de marché, cependant que la richesse nationale a connu un effondrement sans précédent. La décrépitude de son économie fait écho à l’instabilité politique chronique dont elle pâtit. Une nouvelle Russie peut-elle dès lors émerger ? L’élection de Vladimir Poutine, la refonte du système fédéral, la volonté affichée de mettre au pas les « oligarques », la restauration de l’autorité de l’État sembleraient le prouver. Mais cela ne va pas sans atteinte aux libertés fondamentales.
Idées simples mais idées fixes
Authors: Serfaty Simon
Published: April 2010

« Les États-Unis peuvent-ils faire confiance à la France ? » Il s’agit là d’une question récurrente outre-Atlantique, pour laquelle aucune réponse ne semble véritablement avoir été arrêtée. Est-ce à dire que les relations franco-américaines souffriraient encore, à l’heure actuelle, de ces malentendus qui ont ouvertement caractérisés l’après-Seconde Guerre mondiale ? Si les tensions nées de ces divergences ne semblent pas fonder, aujourd’hui, la réalité de la relation transatlantique, il n’en demeure pas moins que les représentations « hostiles » et les perceptions négatives de l’un pour l’autre dictent encore largement les comportements diplomatiques et politiques des autorités dirigeantes de chaque pays. Cependant, les attentats survenus le 11 septembre 2001 permettront peut-être de dépasser ces appréhensions et ces méfiances mutuelles qui viennent miner les relations entre les deux pays.
Qui décide la politique étrangère tchèque ? Les internationalistes, les européanistes, les atlantistes ou les autonomistes ?
Authors: Drulák Petr
Published: April 2010

Résumé Contrairement à certains de ses voisins, les grandes directions de la politique étrangère tchèque n'ont pratiquement pas évolué depuis la fin de la guerre froide. La formulation de la politique étrangère reste l'objet d'un jeu d'influence opaque d'une élite dominée par les deux Vaclav, Havel le dissident « européaniste » et Klaus le néolibéral « atlantiste ». Pourtant, même confus, cet équilibre des pouvoirs a permis à la République tchèque d'obtenir l'adhésion à l'Union Européenne et à l'OTAN. Le parti communiste, encore vivace, aurait joué le rôle de tiers et permit indirectement au pays de n'exclure ni les États-Unis, ni l'Union européenne. Une tâche rendue difficile lors du récent conflit irakien et du référendum européen, où il fut demandé aux Tchèques de prendre position pour un camp.
L'Iraq et la communauté internationale face au défi de construire l'État
Authors: de Hoop Scheffer Alexandra
Published: April 2010

Résumé Cet article apporte un éclairage particulier sur la phase de reconstruction en Iraq, en s'intéressant notamment à la relation triangulaire qui lie l'Iraq, les États-Unis et les organisations internationales, dans le processus de transition politique du pays. Il expose les difficultés auxquelles ces acteurs sont confrontés alors qu'ils tentent de poser les fondements d'un État iraquien démocratique. L'auteur propose enfin d'expliquer ces obstacles — notamment la persistance de l'insécurité et des milices — par l'absence d'une vision commune d'un contrat social en Iraq.
Dr Folamour à Téhéran ou pourquoi faut-il à nouveau s'inquiéter à propos de la bombe ?
Authors: Hummel Alexandre
Published: April 2010

Résumé Cet article remet en cause un postulat largement partagé par les partisans et une partie des adversaires d'une nucléarisation de l'Iran, le nucléaire stabilisateur. Il s'agit de présenter une vision « pessimiste », selon laquelle un Iran nucléarisé est source d'instabilité stratégique en raison du risque d'accident, de problèmes de contrôle et des incitations de frappe en premier. Cette instabilité est encore accrue en temps de crise, notamment dans la mesure où la République islamique peut la mettre à profit pour pratiquer une forme particulière de dissuasion du faible au fort. Le sujet ne saurait donc être traité à la légère et il faut procéder à une étude approfondie des motivations de Téhéran. Le cadre conceptuel est cependant encore défaillant sur ce point.
Entretien
Authors: Lahoud Marwan
Published: April 2010

Résumé Si l'objectif commercial de MBDA est fondamental, l'industrie de défense est avant tout un acteur de la sécurité, qui doit répondre aux besoins de défense de la France, de la Grande-Bretagne, de l'Italie et de l'Allemagne. Ainsi, ces États régulent l'activité de l'industrie d'armement, notamment en limitant les exportations. Ils ont également incité les groupes européens d'armement à se regrouper autour de programmes en coopération. Par conséquent, les États ont une responsabilité particulière quant à la situation financière de ces entreprises, qui doivent s'adapter à l'évolution des menaces et aux contraintes budgétaires. Or, pour faire face à la concurrence américaine, l'industrie de défense européenne a actuellement besoin d'un soutien politique fort de la part des Européens et de la constitution un grand marché européen.
Justice pénale internationale : entre raison d'État et État de droit
Authors: Aptel Cécile
Published: April 2010

Résumé Partant du postulat que certains crimes touchent à l'essence même de l'humanité, les juridictions pénales internationales contribuent à la moralisation des relations internationales. Leur intervention en dernier recours incite les tribunaux nationaux à exercer leur compétence. Critiquées pour leur coût et leur lenteur, les juridictions internationales sont en outre freinées par le principe de respect de la souveraineté nationale. De plus, alors que les États sont tenus de coopérer avec les tribunaux onusiens, ils restent partagés entre la volonté de prouver à leur opinion publique qu'ils agissent, et la nécessité de ne pas s'engager trop loin politiquement. Juger les auteurs de ces crimes majeurs est, par ailleurs, d'autant plus difficile qu'ils restent souvent des interlocuteurs internationaux dans la résolution des conflits.
Les nouveaux flux de migrations médicales
Authors: Nys Jean-François
Published: April 2010

Résumé La santé n’aura pas échappé à la mondialisation : à celle des pathologies, de l’industrie pharmaceutique…, et aussi des flux de personnes. En effet, on constate d’une part une mobilité accrue du personnel soignant et d’autre part le développement du tourisme médical. Il s’agit pour les soignants, souvent originaires du Sud, d’émigrer afin de bénéficier de rémunérations plus attractives et pour les patients de se faire soigner à moindre coût. Ces migrations ne sont pas sans conséquences : fuite des cerveaux, manque de suivi médical des patients… Dès lors se pose la question de la régulation de ces flux migratoires. Au Nord comme au Sud, les États tentent de trouver des réponses par l’instauration de « codes », mais la médecine peut-elle échapper à la société de consommation, qui transforme l’acte médical en simple acte commercial ?
La (para)littérature (pré)coloniale à la fin du XIXe siècle
Authors: Seillan Jean-Marie
Published: April 2010

Dans le dernier tiers du XIXe siècle, l’expansion coloniale en Afrique a produit une abondante littérature que les naturalistes et les symbolistes, généralement indifférents aux grands espaces, ont abandonnée aux feuilletonistes et à un public dit populaire. Portée par un positivisme souvent étroit, compromise avec des thèses racialistes aujourd’hui inadmis~sibles, évidemment peu soucieuse de l’épithète rare, cette littérature est tombée dans un relatif oubli dont il n’est pas sans intérêt, pourtant, de la tirer. Distincte à la fois du roman exotique à la Loti et du roman colonial postérieur à la guerre de 1914, elle se nourrit des récits d’exploration authentiques et des travaux de l’ethnographie naissante et en fictionna~lise les matériaux en suivant les codes simplificateurs du roman d’aventures. Entre les deux pôles du « civilisé » et du « sauvage », elle met aux prises, dans une extrême violence, une variété considérable de héros et d’adversaires et passe l’avenir du processus colonial au banc d’essai de ses affabulations. Celles-ci dressent la cartographie idéologique de la fin du siècle et révèlent que l’imaginaire de la Décadence, qui ne s’est pas toujours confiné dans les chambres closes, continue, un grand siècle plus tard, de formater le nôtre.
L'oralité des dialectes : de la science à la littérature. La « langue patoise » de Verlaine
Authors: Bernadet Arnaud
Published: April 2010

De Sagesse à Liturgies intimes , Verlaine manifeste une attention accrue aux dialectes, spécialement issus de la langue d’oïl. Cette démarche n’est pas séparable de la publication en 1880 du Recueil sur les patois , reconstituant l’enquête de l’abbé Grégoire (1790-1794), mais aussi de l’essor de la dialectologie contemporaine autour de la Revue des patois gallo-romans (1887). C’est en mesurant le projet littéraire de Verlaine aux nouvelles méthodes scientifiques que l’on saisit comment l’écrivain prend à revers le dualisme qui a organisé l’historiographie du français entre la norme idiomatique et les vernaculaires spontanés. Du poème, il tend alors à faire le lieu d’une expression linguistique plurielle. Ce qui lui importe, avant le lexique et la syntaxe, ce sont d’abord des accents régionaux et locaux, une oralité en déclin dont ses textes conservent la trace pour lui redonner une actualité. Mais cette valorisation des patois est également politique : elle s’attache à défendre des cultures périphériques menacées, en lien avec les mœurs et les manières d’un peuple, contre le processus engagé depuis la Révolution jacobine.
Conjunctival Lymphangiectasis
Authors: Kiliç Adil , Gül Adem , Çinal Adnan
Published: April 2010

The authors report the case of a 41-year-old woman presenting with both intermittent conjunctival swelling and dilated conjunctival vessels on ocular examination in the right eye who was diagnosed as having conjunctival lymphangiectasis. This is a rare disease that occurs as the result of a connection between conjunctival lymphatic and blood vessels.
Improvement of phenolic antioxidants and quality characteristics of virgin olive oil with the addition of enzymes and nitrogen during olive paste processing
Authors: Iconomou D. , Arapoglou D. , Israilides C.
Published: April 2010

The evolution of phenolic compounds and their contribution to the quality characteristics in virgin olive oil during fruit processing was studied with the addition of a combination of various commercial enzymes containing pectinases, polygalacturonases, cellulase and β-glucanase with or without nitrogen flush. Olive fruits (Olea europaea, L.) of the cultivar Megaritiki, at the semi black pigmentation stage of maturity, were used in a 3-phase extraction system in an experiment at industrial scale. The addition of enzymes in the olive paste during processing increased the total phenol and ortho-diphenol contents, as well as some simple phenolic compounds (3,4-DHPEA, p-HPEA) and the secoiridoid derivatives (3,4-DHPEA-EDA and 3,4-DHPEAEA) in olive oil and therefore improved its oxidative stability. Furthermore, enzyme treatment ameliorated the quality parameters of the produced olive oil (acidity and peroxide value) and their sensory attributes. The use of additional N2 flush with the enzyme treatments did not improve the quality parameters of olive oil any further; however it did not affect the concentration of individual and total sterols or most of the fatty acid composition. Consequently, olive paste treatment with enzymes not only improved the quality characteristics of olive oil and enhanced the overall ogranoleptic quality, but also increased the olive oil yield.
Characterization and seasonal variation of the quality of virgin olive oil of the Throumbolia and Koroneiki varieties from southern Greece
Authors: Vekiari S. A. , Oreopoulou V. , Kourkoutas Y. , Kamoun N. , Msallem M. , Psimouli V. , Arapoglou D.
Published: April 2010

Extra virgin olive oil was produced from olives of the two main varieties cultivated in the region of Rethymnon in the Greek island of Crete named “Throumbolia”, and “Koroneiki”. The former is very famous due to the natural way of fruit debittering, while the latter is the most common olive variety cultivated in Northern Greece. The olives were harvested at three successive stages of ripening according to their skin color and the extra virgin olive oil was extracted using an experimental olive oil extraction mill at 30ºC. Peroxide value, UV absorption, acidity, fatty acid content and total polyphenols were measured and the contents of tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol 3,4- DHPEA-EDA, p-HPEA-EDA and 3,4-DHPEA-EA were determined by HPLC. The sterol fraction and the volatile component profile were determined by GC and SPME GC/MS, respectively. Throumbolia olive oil presented an extremely higher content of β-sitosterol and linoleic acid (n6) in comparison to the Koroneiki variety. The concentration of linoleic acid decreased in olive oils produced from both varieties in contrast to oleic acid which increased at the same time. Furthermore, the content of OH-tyrosol was higher, while the content of 3, 4-DHPEA-EDA and the total polyphenols was lower in Throumbolia olive oil than in olive oil produced from the Koroneiki variety. In general, significant differences were observed in all parameters between the olive oils produced from the two varieties during different stages of maturation.
Elaboration process, chemical and sensory analyses of fried-salted soybean
Authors: Gayol María F. , Riveros Cecilia , Jauregui Paula , Quiroga Patricia R. , Grosso Nelson R. , Nepote Valeria
Published: April 2010

The purpose of this work was to develop an elaboration process of fried-salted soybean and to determine the chemical composition, consumer acceptance and sensory description of the product. Different fried-salted soybean products were obtained under different temperature and time conditions by maceration in water, roasting and frying. Four of the best products were selected and evaluated by consumers (overall, color and texture acceptances): FSS1, FSS2, FSS3 and FSS4. The product with the highest consumer acceptance (7 = “like moderately” in a hedonic scale of 9 points) was the one obtained by maceration at 100°C during 10 min and fried at 170°C for 5 min (FSS3). Proximate and fatty acid composition along with sensory attribute intensity ratings from descriptive analyses were determined on the fried-salted soybean with the highest consumer acceptance (FSS3). Proximate and fatty acid composition were also determined in raw soybeans. FSS3 had lower percentages of moisture and proteins, and higher lipids and carbohydrates than raw soybean. The use of sunflower oil in the frying process improved the fatty acid composition of the soybean product. Sensory attributes from descriptive analyses that were detected in high intensity ratings for the product were roasted, salty, crunchiness, hardness, brown color and gloss. This product is neither commonly consumed nor easily available in markets. It could be promoted to be consumed as a snack because of its high nutritional and sensory quality.
Partial chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Daucus crinitus Desf. extracts
Authors: Dib M. A. , Bendahou M. , Bendiabdellah A. , Djabou N. , Allali H. , Tabti B. , Paolini J. , Costa J.
Published: April 2010

The chemical composition of fatty acids and the unsaponifiable fraction of the roots, leaves and stems from Daucus crinitus Desf. were, determined using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The fatty acid fractions of different organs (leaves, stems and roots) were characterized by lauric acid (17.9, 17.5 and 18.1 % respectively) and other long chain fatty acids (until C22). Qualitative and quantitative differences were reported between the unsaponifiable fractions of different organs from D. crinitus. The unsaponifiable fractions of the leaves, roots and stem showed high amounts of aliphatic components (83.4%, 87.2% and 91.4%, respectively). The monoterpen, diterpen and sesquiterpen components were only present in small percentages. The antimicrobial properties of the D. critinus extracts were tested on four different microorganisms. These extracts were found to be active against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.
El espejismo de una energía social. La economía del hidrógeno
Authors: Valero Matas Jesús A.
Published: April 2010

El texto reflexiona sobre la economía del hidrógeno. Una esperanza que abrió Rifkin en su obra La economía del hidrógeno (2002) como solución a los carburantes fósiles y al efecto invernadero. Este nuevo “dorado” energético que iba a solucionar los problemas energéticos de la humanidad, en especial a los más desfavorecidos, no ha llegado, y posiblemente nunca llegue en los términos de Rifkin. Las cuestiones que impiden desarrollar la economía del hidrógeno son múltiples, entre ellas sus impactos sociales. La divulgación de las tesis de Rifkin abrieron la esperanza a muchos sectores de la sociedad, y tras el paso de los años esto no se ha cumplido y está lejos de hacerse realidad. Se exponen algunas razones por las cuales la economía “social” del hidrógeno no podrá convertirse en esa energía de salvación social.
Meiofauna communities in exposed sandy beaches on the Galician coast (NW Spain), six months after the Prestige oil spill: the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Authors: Veiga Puri , Besteiro Celia , Rubal Marcos
Published: April 2010

The effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Galician sandy beach ecosystems, six months after the Prestige oil spill, was evaluated using the meiobenthos at a higher taxon level as an indicator. Meiobenthos community structure, environmental variables and sediment PAH content from six affected exposed beaches were studied and compared with three reference sites. They were also compared with data from polluted beaches obtained during the first days of the spill. Significant amounts of PAHs were found in affected beach sediments and both univariate and multivariate analyses showed differences between affected and reference beaches. Correlation analyses between PAH content and the meiobenthos community structure showed that 1,2-dimethylnaphthalene (C2-NAPH) and 1-methylphenanthrene (C-PHEN) affected both the community structure and the abundance of the main taxa. These two PAHs seem to be responsible for the low meiofauna density values, which suggests that there is a relationship between the oil spill and the differences between affected and reference localities.
Pseudo-nitzschia species on the Catalan coast: characterization and contribution to the current knowledge of the distribution of this genus in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Quijano-Scheggia Sonia , Garcés Esther , Andree Karl B. , De la Iglesia Pablo , Diogène Jorge , Fortuño José Manuel , Camp Jordi
Published: April 2010

Proliferations of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia recur along the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean) throughout the year. The establishment of 58 clonal cultures facilitated morphological studies with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ITS 5.8S rDNA sequence characterization. Moreover, strains of each species were examined with respect to sexual compatibility and toxicity. The results of the morphological and phylogenetic studies confirmed nine species of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia: P. brasiliana, P. calliantha, P. delicatissima clade A/del 2, P. arenysensis, P. fraudulenta, P. galaxiae, P. linea, P. multistriata and P. pungens clade I. Moreover, two Pseudo-nitzschia species, P. caciantha and P. cf mannii, could only be identified following SEM analysis of their morphology. None of the cultured strains of Pseudo-nitzschia analyzed produced domoic acid in amounts above the limit of detection. The current distributions of the Pseudo-nitzschia species in the Mediterranean Sea were plotted on maps, which led to the following observations: i) diversity within this genus is much greater than previously considered, ii) some species have a broad distribution (e.g. P. calliantha), iii) whereas the distribution of others is narrowly restricted (e.g. P. pungens clade I). Moreover, this study reports the first detection of P. linea in the Mediterranean Sea and is the first description of P. galaxiae and P. cf mannii along the Catalan coast. Morphological studies coupled with molecular biological characterization, mating tests and biogeographic distribution analyses provide a critical theoretical basis for testing and/or implementing the current phylogenetic framework in the genus Pseudo-nitzschia.
Exploring Europa’s Ocean: A Challenge for Marine Technology of this Century
Authors: Carsey Frank D. , Chen GunShing , Cuns James , French Lloyd , Kern Roger , Lane A. Lonne , Stolorz Paul , Zimmerman Wayne , Ballou Phil
Published: April 2010

The Galileo spacecraft has sent back tantalizing image data hinting at a vast ocean beneath a thick ice crust on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons which is about the size of our moon. NASA plans to establish definitively whether this ocean exists with the Europa Orbiter mission to
be launched in 2003. Should the Europa ocean be a reality, and this looks quite likely, it will mean that another planet besides Earth has an old, deep, salty ocean; the consequences of such an ocean are profound, and there are good reasons to be prepared to take the next step, an in-situ
examination of this ocean. A deep subsurface in-situ study of another planetary body has never been attempted, and the challenges are considerable. In this paper we address the technology to be developed to be ready for this exciting mission, and we seek to initiate the exchanges needed between
the marine technology and space exploration communities.
Open Ocean Aquaculture Engineering: Numerical Modeling
Authors: Tsukrov Igor I. , Ozbay Mustafa , Swift M. Robinson , Celikkol Barbaros , Fredriksson David W. , Baldwin Kenneth
Published: April 2010

Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to predict the dynamic performance of an offshore fish cage and submerged mooring grid system. The system has been deployed at an exposed demonstration site in 55 meters of water south of the Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire. Computer simulations
were performed to investigate the dynamics of the cage motion and to calculate mooring line tensions. The results were used to establish the baseline design specifications and to evaluate the overall performance of the system.Both surface and submerged positions of the net pen are considered.
It is shown that the extreme environmental loading conditions at the demonstration site produce 60% less mooring tension in the case of a submerged cage. According to the analysis, the case when one of four mooring legs becomes disabled will not produce the failure of the mooring system.The
problem of adequate modeling of net is addressed. A simple technique is proposed to approximate the effect of netting on the overall dynamic response offish cage/mooring systems.
Open Ocean Aquaculture Engineering: Mooring & Net Pen Deployment
Authors: Celikkol Barbaros , Baldwin Kenneth , Steen Robert , Michelin Derek , Muller Erik , Lavoie Paul
Published: April 2010

An open ocean aquaculture net pen syste1n was developed for offshore deployment south of the Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire, USA in 55 meters of water. Two cages were specified for the growout of summer flounder as part of an interdisciplinary effort at the University of New Hampshire
involving engineers, biologists, economists, and commercial fishermen. This effort included the design of mooring system suitable for the offshore environment. Assembly and deployment of these cages and associated moorings occurred in the summer of 1999. An overview of the procedures and techniques
used during these efforts are presented here.
Groundtmthing Multibeam Bathymetric Surveys of Finfish Aquaculture Sites in the Bay d’Espoir Estuarine Fjord, Newfoundland
Authors: Tlusty Michael F. , Clark John E. Hughes , Shaw John , Pepper Vem A. , Anderson M. Robin
Published: April 2010

Current and potential salmonid aquaculture sites in the Bay d’Espoir estuarine fjord on the south coast of Newfoundland were surveyed using multibeam SWATH sonar. In 1997, shallow sites were surveyed using the CSS Puffin EM3000POS/MV system, and deeper sites were surveyed
in 1998 using the CCGS Creed hull mounted EM 1000. Sediment cores from representative areas were collected during this period and analyzed for organic matter content, and pore water ammonium and sulfate. We discuss the correlation between the sediment core profiles and the results of
the side scan and sun-illuminated bathymetric imagery. Bay d’Espoir is a natural depositional area, and that, coupled with the unique backscatter properties of fish farm wastes, increases the difficulty of interpreting these multibeam sonar images. A fairly accurate broad scale characterization
of sediment quality can be made from high-resolution images. However’, much of the fine scale detail and inherent variation of sediment characteristics associated with impacts from aquaculture cannot be determined from multibeam imagery.
Scientific Diver Training at Northeastern University
Authors: Maney Edward J. , Genovese Salvatore J.
Published: April 2010

At Northeastern University, a course was developed to train scientific divers, which fulfills the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) requirement of 100 hours training with 12 dives. This course is designed to introduce students to techniques used in the study of biology,
ecology and physiology of subtidal marine organisms. Current underwater research methods are learned and implemented in underwater exercises. Topics include: diving physiology, diving accident management, sampling design, underwater video and photography, population censusing methods, shipboard
diving operations, and the use of submersibles in research. The laboratory component demonstrates quantitative analysis of field data including statistical analysis using microcomputers. Students enter the course as Divers-in-Training and upon completion are certified as Scientific Divers.
Selected Murine Residues Endow Human TCR with Enhanced Tumor Recognition
Authors: Bialer Gil , Horovitz-Fried Miryam , Ya’acobi Shlomo , Morgan Richard A. , Cohen Cyrille J.
Published: April 2010

TCR-gene transfer can mediate tumor regression in terminally ill melanoma patients. However, the formation of mix dimers between endogenous and transduced TCR chains may result in the surface dilution of the introduced TCR, which translates in poorer cellular avidity. Recently, we reported that murinization of human TCRs (i.e., the replacement of human C regions by murine ones) can improve TCR function. However, because xenogenic sequences may trigger immunogenicity, we sought to identify the essential murine residues that mediate this enhanced functional effect. We constructed murine/human chimeras of α- and β-chains and assessed for their surface expression and function. We identified an evolutionary-unique lysine residue in Cβ, central to murine TCR function. The mapping of Cα revealed that a few short stretches of amino acids play a role in enhancing TCR function, one of the most important ones being the SDVP sequence. This information led us to design improved and minimally murinized human TCR C regions that mediate increased tumor recognition. This also enabled us to suggest a structural model that could explain the role of the aforementioned residues in promoting the preferential pairing and stability of murinized TCRs. Overall, these findings could have implications for the treatment of malignant diseases using TCR-gene transfer.
298 K rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with i - C3H7I, n - C3H7I and C3H8
Authors: Carl S. A. , Crowley J. N.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The kinetics of the title reactions were investigated using the laser photolysis - resonance fluorescence method, employing the sequential two-photon dissociation of NO2 in the presence of H2  as the OH source. The 298 K rate constant for OH + C3H8 was found to be (1.15 ± 0.1) × 10-12 cm3 s-1, in excellent agreement with the literature recommendation, and with a separate determination using HNO3  photolysis at 248 nm as the OH source. The 298 K rate constants for OH + n - C3H7I and  i - C3H7I  were measured for the first time and found to be (1.47 ± 0.08) and (1.22 ± 0.06) × 10-12 cm3 s-1, respectively. The errors include an assessment of systematic error due to concentration measurement, which, for the propyl-iodides was minimised by on-line UV-absorption spectroscopy. These results show that reaction with OH is an important sink for  n - C3H7I and  i - C3H7I, which has implications for the reactive iodine budget of the marine boundary layer.
What does the global mean OH concentration tell us?
Authors: Lawrence M. G. , Jöckel P. , von Kuhlmann R.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The global mean OH concentration ([OH]GM) has been used as an indicator of the atmospheric oxidizing efficiency and its changes over time. It is also used for evaluating the performance of atmospheric chemistry models by comparing with other models or with observationally-based reference [OH]GM levels. We contend that the treatment of this quantity in the recent literature renders it problematic for either of these purposes. Several different methods have historically been used to compute [OH]GM: weighting by atmospheric mass or volume, or by the reaction with CH4 or CH3CCl3. In addition, these have been applied over different domains to represent the troposphere. While it is clear that this can lead to inconsistent [OH]GM values, to date there has been no careful assessment of the differences expected when [OH]GM is computed using various weightings and domains. Here these differences are considered using four different 3D OH distributions, along with the weightings mentioned above applied over various atmospheric domains. We find that the [OH]GM values computed based on a given distribution but using different domains for the troposphere can result in differences of 10% or more, while different weightings can lead to differences of up to 30%, comparable to the uncertainty which is commonly stated for [OH]GM or its trend. Thus, at present comparing [OH]GM values from different studies does not provide clearly interpretable information about whether the OH amounts are actually similar or not, except in the few cases where the same weighting and domain have been used in both studies. We define the atmospheric oxidizing efficiency of OH with respect to a given gas as the inverse of the lifetime of that gas, and show that this is directly proportional to the [OH]GM value weighted by the reaction with that gas, where the proportionality constant depends on the temperature distribution and the domain. We find that the airmass-weighted and volume-weighted [OH]GM values, in contrast, are generally poor indicators of the global atmospheric oxidizing efficiency with respect to gases such as CH4 and CH3CCl3 with a strong temperature dependence in their reaction with OH. We recommend that future studies provide both the airmass-weighted and the CH4-reaction-weighted [OH]GM values, over the domain from the surface to a climatological tropopause. The combination of these values helps to reduce the chance of coincidental agreement between very different OH distributions. Serious evaluations of modeled OH concentrations would best be done with airmass-weighted [OH]GM broken down into atmospheric sub-compartments, especially focusing on the tropics, where the atmospheric oxidizing efficiency is the greatest for most gases.
A novel tandem differential mobility analyzer with organic vapor treatment of aerosol particles
Authors: Joutsensaari J. , Vaattovaara P. , Vesterinen M. , Hämeri K. , Laaksonen A.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. A novel method to characterize the organic composition of aerosol particles has been developed. The method is based on organic vapor interaction with aerosol particles and it has been named an Organic Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (OTDMA). The OTDMA method has been tested for inorganic (sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate) and organic (citric acid and adipic acid) particles. Growth curves of the particles have been measured in ethanol vapor and as a comparison in water vapor as a function of saturation ratio. Measurements in water vapor show that sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate as well as citric acid particles grow at water saturation ratios (S) of 0.8 and above, whereas adipic acid particles do not grow at S <  0.96. For sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate particles, a deliquescence point is observed at S = 0.75 and S = 0.79, respectively. Citric acid particles grow monotonously with increasing saturation ratios already at low saturation ratios and no clear deliquescence point is found. For sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate particles, no growth can be seen in ethanol vapor at saturation ratios below 0.93. In contrast, for adipic acid particles, the deliquescence takes place at around S = 0.95 in the ethanol vapor. The recrystallization of adipic acid takes place at S < 0.4. Citric acid particles grow in ethanol vapor similarly as in water vapor; the particles grow monotonously with increasing saturation ratios and no stepwise deliquescence is observed. The results show that the working principles of the OTDMA are operational for single-component aerosols. Furthermore, the results indicate that the OTDMA method may prove useful in determining whether aerosol particles contain organic substances, especially if the OTDMA is operated in parallel with a hygroscopicity TDMA, as the growth of many substances is different in ethanol and water vapors.
Coastal zone production of IO precursors: a 2-dimensional study
Authors: Carpenter L. J. , Hebestreit K. , Platt U. , Liss P. S.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. At Mace Head, Eire, in the coastal East Atlantic, diiodomethane has been identified as an important precursor of iodine oxide radicals. Peak concentrations of both CH2I2 and IO at low water indicate that the intertidal region is a strong source of organo-iodines. Atmospheric measurements of CH2I2 made in marine air are compared with the concentrations predicted by a 2-dimensional model incorporating horizontal and vertical dispersion of surface emissions. The model shows that micrometeorological variability, proximity of the site to emissions, and photolysis all play important roles in determining the CH2I2 concentrations at Mace Head. In addition to a tidal-height dependent intertidal flux, which was estimated from seaweed production data, a contribution from offshore (non-local) sources was required in order to reproduce the strong signature of photolysis in the CH2I2 observations. A combination of an offshore flux and an intertidal flux (of up to 1.4 × 109 molecules cm-2s-1 at low water) results in good agreement between the measured and modelled CH2I2 concentrations. Although this study does not necessarily infer emission of CH2I2 from the open ocean, it suggests that air-sea exchange of CH2I2 in coastal waters does occur.
Technical Note: Time-dependent limb-darkening calibration for solar occultation instruments
Authors: Burton S. P. , Thomason L. W. , Zawodny J. M.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Solar occultation has proven to be a reliable technique for the measurement of atmospheric constituents in the stratosphere. NASA's Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiments (SAGE, SAGE II, and SAGE III) together have provided over 25 years of quality solar occultation data, a data record which has been an important resource for the scientific exploration of atmospheric composition and climate change. Herein, we describe an improvement to the processing of SAGE data that corrects for a previously uncorrected short-term time-dependence in the calibration function. The variability relates to the apparent rotation of the scanning track with respect to the face of the sun due to the motion of the satellite. Correcting for this effect results in a decrease in the measurement noise in the Level 1 line-of-sight optical depth measurements of approximately 40% in the middle and upper stratospheric SAGE II and III observations where it has been applied. The technique is potentially useful for any scanning solar occultation instrument and suggests further improvement for future occultation measurements if a full disk imaging system can be included.
Gaseous elemental mercury depletion events observed at Cape Point during 2007–2008
Authors: Brunke E.-G. , Labuschagne C. , Ebinghaus R. , Kock H. H. , Slemr F.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Gaseous mercury in the marine boundary layer has been measured with a 15 min temporal resolution at the Global Atmosphere Watch station Cape Point since March 2007. The most prominent features of the data until July 2008 are the frequent occurrences of pollution (PEs) and depletion events (DEs). Both types of events originate mostly within a short transport distance (up to about 100 km), which are embedded in air masses ranging from marine background to continental. The Hg/CO emission ratios observed during the PEs are within the range reported for biomass burning and industrial/urban emissions. The depletion of gaseous mercury during the DEs is in many cases almost complete and suggests an atmospheric residence time of elemental mercury as short as a few dozens of hours, which is in contrast to the commonly used estimate of approximately 1 year. The DEs observed at Cape Point are not accompanied by simultaneous depletion of ozone which distinguishes them from the halogen driven atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs) observed in Polar Regions. Nonetheless, DEs similar to those observed at Cape Point have also been observed at other places in the marine boundary layer. Additional measurements of mercury speciation and of possible mercury oxidants are hence called for to reveal the chemical mechanism of the newly observed DEs and to assess its importance on larger scales.
First multi-year occultation observations of CO2 in the MLT by ACE satellite: observations and analysis using the extended CMAM
Authors: Beagley S. R. , Boone C. D. , Fomichev V. I. , Jin J. J. , Semeniuk K. , McConnell J. C. , Bernath P. F.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. This paper presents the first global set of observations of CO2 in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) obtained by the ACE-FTS instrument on SCISAT-I, a small Canadian satellite launched in 2003. The observations use the solar occultation technique and document the fall-off in the mixing ratio of CO2 in the MLT region. The beginning of the fall-off of the CO2, or "knee" occurs at about 78 km and lies higher than in the CRISTA-1 measurements (~70 km) but lower than in the SABER 1.06 (~80 km) and much lower than in rocket measurements. We also present the measurements of CO obtained concurrently which provide important constraints for analysis. We have compared the ACE measurements with simulations of the CO2 and CO distributions in the vertically extended version of the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM). Applying standard chemistry we find that we cannot get agreement between the model and ACE CO2 observations although the CO observations are adequately reproduced. There appears to be about a 10 km offset compared to the observed ACE CO2, with the model "knee" occurring too high. In analyzing the disagreement, we have investigated the variation of several parameters of interest (photolysis rates, formation rate for CO2, and the impact of uncertainty in turbulent eddy diffusion) in order to explore parameter space for this problem. Our conclusions are that there must be a loss process for CO2, about 2–4~times faster than photolysis that will sequester the carbon in some form other than CO and we have speculated on the role of meteoritic dust as a possible candidate. In addition, from this study we have highlighted a possible important role for unresolved vertical eddy diffusion in 3-D models in determining the distribution of candidate species in the mesosphere which requires further study.