bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of cotyledons in early development of pine seedlings
Authors: Sasaki S. , Kozlowski T. T.
Published: August 2008

The role of photosynthetically active cotyledons on development of young red pine (pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings, and especially on growth of primary needles, was studied over a 30-day period. Photosynthesis of cotyledons, as measured with an infrared CO2 analyzer, was variously reduced by photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides (atrazine, simazine, propazine, monuron), by reduced light intensity, or by combinations of these. When photosynthesis of cotyledons was completely eliminated shortly after seed germination, the primary needles failed to expand, and dry weight production by seedlings was inhibited. Partial reduction of photosynthesis by herbicides, low light intensity, or both of these was followed by proportional decrease in expansion of primary needles and reduction in dry weight increment of seedlings. Reduced photosynthesis in cotyledons inhibited expansion of primary needles rather than formation of their primordia which occurred early in ontogeny. Growth of cotyledons appeared to utilize carbohydrate reserves to a large extent as cotyledons of many plants emerged even in the dark.
The ontogeny of Platyspora pentamera
Authors: Corlett Michael
Published: August 2008

The ascocarp of Platyspora pentamera (Karst.) Wehm. develops from a pseudoparenchymatous initial. Central cells separate and are displaced by downward-growing pseudoparaphyses which appear to give rise to ascogenous hyphae at the base of the centrum. The ostiole is lysigenous in origin. The developmental pattern is of the Pleospora type.
Natural occurrence of buff and tan mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus in Indian alkaline soils
Authors: Rai J. N. , Tewari J. P. , Agarwal S. C. , Wadhwani K.
Published: August 2008

Buff and tan mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus were found to form part of the natural microflora of Indian 'usar' (alkaline) soils (pH 7.5–10.0). It appears that the two mutants arose as a result of the rigorous physical conditions prevailing in these largely denuded soils where the surface layers are subject to intensely high solar radiations. In view of their natural occurrence, separate taxonomic recognition is advocated for these forms.
The fine structure of the embryo of Lactuca sativa. II. Changes during germination
Authors: Srivastava Lalit M. , Paulson Ronald E.
Published: August 2008

Changes in fine structure and reserve materials of the dormant embryos of Lactuca sativa L. var. Grand Rapids were studied during the first 4 days of germination. Activation of cells begins soon after the embryos are soaked and involves a progressive loss of reserve materials, an increased clarity of organelles and membrane systems, and development of structures either absent or present in a highly modified state in the dormant embryo. Cells of the hypocotyl just behind the root tip are first activated. Activation then progresses through the hypocotyl and acropetally in the cotyledons. These results are discussed in relation to physiology of seed germination. Plastids show several patterns of development, depending on the tissues in which they are localized. There is developmental continuity between the dissolution of protein bodies and formation of vacuoles.
The presence of starch and alpha-amylase in the leaves of plants
Authors: Gates J. W. , Simpson G. M.
Published: August 2008

A survey for alpha-amylase activity in 79 species of plants selected from 30 families indicated that the enzyme was present in the leaves of every species. Starch was also present in the leaves of most species; where it was apparently not present it could be induced, in all but two species, by floating leaves on sucrose in light. An association between starch and alpha-amylase activity in leaves of plants is indicated.
Amino acids in inner bark of loblolly pine, as affected by the southern pine beetle and associated microorganisms
Authors: Hodges John D. , Barras Stanley J. , Mauldin Joe K.
Published: August 2008

Infection with two beetle-associated fungi and the beetle-microorganism complex resulted in no qualitative changes in free amino acids and minor changes in protein-bound amino acids. Concentration of most free amino acids and soluble N was decreased, however, and that of most protein-bound amino acids, insoluble N, and total N was increased.
The embryology of Arceuthobium pusillum
Authors: Tainter F. H.
Published: August 2008

Megasporogenesis in Arceuthobium pusillum begins in March–April, 19 months after emergence of the pistillate aerial shoots. The embryo sacs are fully developed within 1 month. The first division results in a functional dyad and a nonfunctional dyad. The nucleus in the nonfunctional dyad divides once and the resulting nuclei disintegrate. Meiosis in the functional dyad follows immediately. Development of the embryo sac is of the bisporic Allium type. Staminate and pistillate aerial shoots flower in April–May. Fertilization occurs within several days after pollen has adhered to and germinated on the stigmas of pistillate flowers. One sperm nucleus fuses with the egg nucleus, the other with the polar nuclei. A haustorial extension then elongates downward into the ovarian papilla and becomes filled with a file of endosperm cells. Concurrently a uniseriate layer of endosperm has developed around the zygote. The endosperm then grows to a rather massive size before the zygote begins development. A transverse wall forms after the first division of the zygote. The terminal cell is bisected first, followed by bisection of the basal cell. Succeeding anticlinal and periclinal divisions result in growth of the proembryo. Embryonic protoderm is visible as a distinct tissue by the time the embryo has assumed an ovoid shape. When the seeds are forcibly expelled from their fruits in mid-September, the embryo has four distinct histological zones: protoderm, promeristem, ground meristem, and procambium.
A New Approach to Estimating Populations by the Removal Method
Authors: Schnute Jon
Published: August 2008

This paper presents a new approach to the use of removal data in estimating the size of a population of fish or other animals. The theory admits a variety of assumptions on how catchability varies among fishings including the assumption of constant catchability, which underlies most previous work. The methods here hinge on maximum likelihood estimation, and they can be used both to decide objectively if the data justify rejecting constant catchability and to determine confidence intervals for the parameters. The work includes a new method of assigning confidence to the population estimate and points out problems with methods currently available in the literature, even in the case of constant catchability. The theory is applied both to data in historical literature and to more recent data from streams in New Brunswick, Canada. These examples demonstrate that the assumption of constant catchability can frequently lead to serious errors in data interpretation. In some cases, the conclusion that the population size is well known may be blatantly false, and reasonable estimates may be impossible without further data.
The English–Wabigoon River System: V. Mercury and Selenium Bioaccumulation as a Function of Aquatic Primary Productivity
Authors: Rudd John W. M. , Turner Michael A.
Published: August 2008

An experiment was carried out in four 100-m3 in situ enclosures to determine the effect of primary production rate on mercury and selenium concentrations of biota and to test the possibility of ameliorating mercury pollution problems by increasing ecosystem primary productivity. Two enclosures were controls. Primary productivity in a third enclosure was increased fourfold by addition of NaNO3 and NaH2PO4. This stimulation was not sufficient to change pH although the growth rate of fish was enhanced. In this enclosure, mercury concentrations in pearl dace (Semotilus margarita) whole body and muscle samples increased two- and five-fold, respectively, exceeding the dilution of mercury by the enhanced growth rates. In the fourth enclosure, at the highest rate of nutrient addition, primary productivity was increased ninefold, pH was elevated from about 7.9 to 9.2, and the growth rate of fish was stimulated. In this case, the elevation of pH retarded the rate of mercury bioaccumulation in comparison with the enclosure of intermediate productivity. Based on these results, stimulation of primary productivity is not recommended as a mercury ameliorating procedure. Stimulation of primary productivity resulted in a general decrease in the concentration of selenium in the aquatic food chain probably resulting from dilution of selenium by enhanced growth rates of fish and other biota.
The Importance of Activity in Bioenergetics Models Applied to Actively Foraging Fishes
Authors: Boisclair D. , Leggett W. C.
Published: August 2008

We used the Kitchell et al. (J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 34: 1922–1935) bioenergetics model and field derived estimates of growth and consumption rates to estimate the quantity of energy allocated to activity by 28 combinations of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) age class and population. Activity costs among populations ranged from 0 to 40% of the perch bioenergetics budget. We further evaluated the influence of activity rates on the food consumption estimates predicted by the Kitchell et al. model and the model proposed by Kerr (Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 39: 371–379). As suggested by Kerr, activity costs increased as food consumption increased. However, we found no significant relationship between predicted and observed food consumption estimates for either model. The magnitude of, and the among-population variance in, the quantity of energy allocated to activity is consistent with our hypothesis that this component of the bioenergetics budget of fishes has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the explanation of inter-population differences in perch growth and, by extension, to the variance in growth of other actively foraging fish species.
Triacylglycerol Content as a Condition Index for Fish, Bivalve, and Crustacean Larvae
Authors: Fraser Angus J.
Published: August 2008

The lipid biochemistry of environmentally stressed larval fish, bivalves and crustaceans is presented to illustrate the utility of a larval condition index based on lipid composition. Larvae under environmental stress are often unable to obtain sufficient energy from exogenous sources and, as a result, endogenous energy reserves are catabolised to maintain basal metabolism. The storage lipid triacylglycerol (TAG) is of particular importance in this respect, TAG content consequently correlating with the physiological condition of a larva. However, absolute TAG content cannot be directly correlated with larval condition because of its dependency on larval size. It is proposed that TAG content can be correlated with larval condition when expressed in the form of a TAG-sterol ratio that accounts for the size dependency of TAG content. This proposition is supported by data that illustrate a highly positive correlation between sterol content and dry weight for larval herring and larval American lobster. Examples of TAG-sterol ratios are calculated from a survey of studies relating to the lipid class composition of nutritionally and pollutant stressed larvae of some marine fish and crustaceans.
Value of Short-Term Forecasts of Recruitment Variation for Harvest Management
Authors: Walters Carl J.
Published: August 2008

The expected improvement in management performance due to using short-term forecasts can be assessed with stochastic dynamic programming. Numerical studies on test cases indicate that this improvement depends strongly on average productivity and on the flexibility of the inseason regulatory system that is used to adjust stock size estimates and target harvests within each year. For productive stocks that are managed with flexible inseason systems, such as larger Pacific salmon stocks, only modest improvements in average yield (5–10%) can be expected from improved forecasting. Very large (30–50%) improvements would be possible in principle for such stocks if they were managed with inflexible annual quotas set before each fishing season (as would happen for example under some proposals for improving economic performance through vessel quotas), but only if perfect preseason forecasting were practical. For unproductive stocks (where harvest rates are always low), only modest improvements (5–15%) can be expected from short-term forecasting, no matter what inseason regulatory system is used.
Food resources and reproduction in four microtine rodents
Authors: Norrie Michael B. , Millar John S.
Published: August 2008

Palatability of plant species, neutral-detergent solubility of consumed foods, alimentary tract characteristics, throughput rates, and metabolic rates were compared among Clethrionomys gapperi, Microtus pennsylvanicus, Microtus longicaudus, and Phenacomys intermedins to test the hypothesis that differences in the amount of energy committed to reproduction (higher in C. gapperi and M. pennsylvanicus than in M. longicaudus and P. intermedius) are related to differences in food resources and nutrition. The hypothesis was not supported by these data. Palatability of most plant species was similar among the four species. Microtus longicaudus and P. intermedius did not consume lower quality foods, smaller quantities of food, or have lower throughput and metabolic rates than C. gapperi and M. pennsylvanicus. We suggest that differences in the amount of energy committed to reproduction among these voles may be more closely related to differences in social organization and activity patterns than to food resources.
Migratory dynamics and characteristics of breeding pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) from the Carp River, eastern Lake Superior
Authors: Noltie Douglas B.
Published: August 2008

The pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) inhabiting the Great Lakes are unique to their species, the completion of their life cycles occurring entirely in fresh water. This report describes the breeding migration and characteristics of spawners from the Carp River, an eastern Lake Superior tributary 70 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Movement into the stream began at dusk each evening in 1983, seemingly in response to decreasing light levels. Nightly catch numbers varied through the 1983, 1984, and 1985 runs with date, river discharge, wind-generated turbulence, and water temperatures, although the influence of these factors differed with sex and season. Spawners varied in size through the runs each year but not in the same fashion. Spawner size and condition varied yearly in apparent response to prey abundance. Gonad maturation was complete on stream entry more often in males than in females, though this difference was less pronounced further upstream or after time spent in the river. Degree of secondary sexual character development, complete on stream entry in both sexes, differed in even- and odd-year spawners in relation to condition. The recovery rates of spawned-out males and females did not differ. Tagged fish wandered from the Carp River at a rate of at least 7%, many to spawn in adjacent streams. Despite between-year differences in some parameters, much of the breeding ecology of these fish remains comparable to that of anadromous pink salmon.
Respiratory and cardiac function during exercise in squid
Authors: Shadwick Robert E. , O'Dor Ronald K. , Gosline John M.
Published: August 2008

We investigated the cardiorespiratory performance of the squid Loligo opalescens at rest and during jet locomotion while tethered in an aquarium or while swimming in a Brett respirometer at speeds ranging from 0.05 to 0.6 m∙s−1. Simultaneous records of systemic heart rate and ventilatory frequency at each swimming speed were used with data for oxygen consumption to calculate the cardiac output and stroke volume. For a squid of mean weight 0.03 kg and length 0.18 m the resting heart rate averaged 60/min, the ventilatory rate was 26/min, and the calculated stroke volume was 0.05 mL (0.9 mL∙g heart−1) at 12 °C. During exercise the increased oxygen demand was accommodated by increases in both heart rate and stroke volume of almost 100% at the critical swimming speed of about 0.34 m∙s−1. Concomitant increases in the ventilation rate (350%) and ventilatory volume (500%) due to the requirements of jet locomotion were much greater than needed to deliver oxygen to the gills. At rest the oxygen extraction from the respiratory stream was 11%, and this declined to 5% at the critical swimming speed. The possibility that mechanical coupling of the circulatory and respiratory pumps may occur during jet swimming is examined.
Giant axons and control of jetting in the squid Loligo and the jellyfish Aglantha
Authors: Mackie G. O.
Published: August 2008

Both Loligo and Aglantha have sets of giant axons arranged in a cascading series, which transmit impulses at high velocity and with short synaptic delays to the swimming muscles. The layout of the axons is such as to guarantee symmetrical, near-simultaneous contractions of all parts of the swimming muscles, necessary for effective jetting. The giant axons in both animals are multinucleate, syncytial structures. In both animals, the first-order giants receive a rich afferent innervation. Despite these similarities in the layout and properties of their giant axon systems, Loligo and Aglantha control their swimming muscles in very different ways. The most striking difference is that Loligo has separate fast and slow innervations as well as fast and slow muscles, whereas Aglantha has only one innervation and one set of muscles, but can produce two types of contraction by switching between rapidly propagated sodium spikes and slowly propagated calcium spikes in its giant motor axons. A second major difference emerging from recent investigations is that whereas Aglantha uses its fast impulse propagation system for a conventional, short-latency escape response, squid appear (at least in laboratory studies) to use their fast pathway merely to augment the power of contractions brought about by their slow innervation, making no use of the potential the giant fibres hold for short-latency, reflex escape behaviour.
Effect of mini-tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase on ischemic angiogenesis, leukocyte recruitment, and vascular permeability
Authors: Cheng Gang , Zhang Hua , Yang Xianglei , Tzima Eleni , Ewalt Karla L. , Schimmel Paul , Faber James E.
Published: August 2008

Mini-tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (mini-TyrRS), the N-terminal domain of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, is a recently identified protein released by endothelial cells that exhibits angiogenic and leukocyte chemoattractant, ELR-motif (Glu-Leu-Arg)-dependent activities in vitro. We sought to determine whether exogenous mini-TyrRS exerts these and other cytokine-like actions in physiological and pathological settings in vivo. High-dose mini-TyrRS (600 μg·kg−1·day−1) augmented while low-dose mini-TyrRS (3 μg·kg−1·day−1), unexpectedly, inhibited angiogenesis in the ischemic mouse ear. Enhanced angiogenesis was associated with increased CD45- and CD4-positive leukocyte accumulation. Mini-TyrRS also had biphasic actions on both basal and mustard oil-evoked and VEGF-evoked leakage of Evan's blue dye-albumin in nonischemic ear and in endothelial cell monolayers, that is, low-dose inhibited and high-dose augmented leakage. Mutation of the ELR motif of mini-TyrRS abolished the above activities. Mini-TyrRS was reduced (immunoblot) in extracts of ischemic calf muscle and in thoracic aorta explants exposed to hypoxia or VEGF. Inhibition of VEGF with a soluble Flt1 “trap” protein abolished this hypoxic-induced reduction in mini-TyrRS in aorta explants. These data show that mini-TyrRS has dose-dependent biphasic effects on ischemic angiogenesis and vascular permeability in vivo, that is, antiangiogenic and antipermeability activities at low concentration and proangiogenic, propermeability activities at high concentrations.
Dietary doses of nitrite restore circulating nitric oxide level and improve renal injury inl-NAME-induced hypertensive rats
Authors: Kanematsu Yasuhisa , Yamaguchi Kunihisa , Ohnishi Hideki , Motobayashi Yuki , Ishizawa Keisuke , Izawa Yuki , Kawazoe Kazuyoshi , Kondo Shuji , Kagami Shoji , Tomita Shuhei , Tsuchiya Koichiro , Tamaki Toshiaki
Published: August 2008

We have reported that pharmacological doses of oral nitrite increase circulating nitric oxide (NO) and exert hypotensive effects in Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. In this study, we examined the effect of a chronic dietary dose of nitrite on the hypertension and renal damage induced by chronic l-NAME administration in rats. The animals were administered tap water containing l-NAME (1 g/l) or l-NAME + nitrite (low dose: 0.1 mg/l, medium dose: 1 mg/l, high dose: 10 mg/l) for 8 wk. We evaluated blood NO levels as hemoglobin-NO adducts (iron-nitrosyl-hemoglobin), using an electron paramagnetic resonance method. Chronic administration of l-NAME for 8 wk induced hypertension and renal injury and reduced the blood iron-nitrosyl-hemoglobin level (control 38.8 ± 8.9 vs. l-NAME 6.0 ± 3.1 arbitrary units). Coadministration of a low dose of nitrite with l-NAME did not change the reduced iron-nitrosyl-hemoglobin signal and did not improve the l-NAME-induced renal injury. The blood iron-nitrosyl-hemoglobin signals of the medium dose and high dose of nitrite were significantly higher than that of l-NAME alone. Chronic administration of a medium dose of nitrite attenuated l-NAME-induced renal histological changes and proteinuria. A high dose of nitrite also attenuated l-NAME-induced renal injury. These findings suggest that dietary doses of nitrite that protect the kidney are associated with significant increase in iron-nitrosyl-hemoglobin levels. We conclude that dietary nitrite-derived NO generation may serve as a backup system when the nitric oxide synthase/l-arginine-dependent NO generation system is compromised.
The Impact of Autonomic Dysreflexia on Blood Flow and Skin Response in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Ramella-Roman J. C. , Hidler J. M.
Published: August 2008

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is an inappropriate response of the sympathetic nervous system that commonly occurs when individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), at or above the sixth thoracic (T6) vertebra, are subjected to a noxious stimulus below the level of injury. An AD event can be put into motion by something as simple as an ingrown toenail or a full bladder, with symptoms ranging from headache, high blood pressure, and even stroke. We have characterized the onset of AD and resulting autonomic events in an individual with SCI using a fiberoptic‐based probe. Two probes were located above and below the injury level, on the subjects forearm and thigh, respectively, and were connected to a dual channel spectrophotometer. Oxygen saturation was calculated using the reflectance spectra and an algorithm based on melanin and hemoglobin absorption. We noticed that during an AD event the amount of oxygen in the skin below the injury level dropped by as much as 40%, while above the injury level, skin oxygenation remained constant. In addition, we found that the level of skin perspiration below the level of injury increased significantly. We hypothesize that the combination of AD‐related ischemia with pressure‐related ischemia and increased perspiration places individuals with spinal cord injury level at T6 or above at an elevated risk for developing a pressure sore below the injury site.
Frequent EGFR Positivity and Overexpression in High-Grade Areas of Human MPNSTs
Authors: Tabone-Eglinger Séverine , Bahleda Radislav , Côté Jean-François , Terrier Philippe , Vidaud Dominique , Cayre Anne , Beauchet Alain , Théou-Anton Nathalie , Terrier-Lacombe Marie-José , Lemoine Antoinette , Penault-Llorca Frédérique , Le Cesne Axel , Emile Jean-François
Published: August 2008

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) are highly malignant and resistant. Transformation might implicate up regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Fifty-two MPNST samples were studied for EGFR, Ki-67, p53, and survivin expression by immunohistochemistry and forEGFRamplification by in situ hybridization. Results were correlated with clinical data.EGFRRNA was also quantified by RT-PCR in 20 other MPNSTs and 14 dermal neurofibromas. Half of the patients had a neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). EGFR expression, detected in 86% of MPNSTs, was more frequent in NF1 specimens and closely associated with high-grade and p53-positive areas. MPNSTs expressed moreEGFRtranscripts than neurofibromas. No amplification ofEGFRlocus was observed. NF1 status was the only prognostic factor in multivariate analysis, with median survivals of 18 and 43 months for patients with or without NF1. Finally, EGFR might become a new target for MPNSTs treatment, especially in NF1-associated MPNSTs.
Open Partial Nephrectomy in Renal Cancer: A Feasible Gold Standard Technique in All Hospitals
Authors: Cozar J. M. , Tallada M.
Published: August 2008

Introduction. Partial nephrectomy (PN) is playing an increasingly important role in localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as a true alternative to radical nephrectomy. With the greater experience and expertise of surgical teams, it has become an alternative to radical nephrectomy in young patients when the tumor diameter is 4 cm or less in almost all hospitals since cancer-specific survival outcomes are similar to those obtained with radical nephrectomy.Materials and Methods. The authors comment on their own experience and review the literature, reporting current indications and outcomes including complications. The surgical technique of open partial nephrectomy is outlined.Conclusions. Nowadays, open PN is the gold standard technique to treat small renal masses, and all nonablative techniques must pass the test of time to be compared to PN. It is not ethical for patients to undergo radical surgery just because the urologists involved do not have adequate experience with PN. Patients should be involved in the final treatment decision and, when appropriate, referred to specialized centers with experience in open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomies.
An Observational and Modeling Study of Characteristics of Urban Heat Island and Boundary Layer Structures in Beijing
Authors: Miao Shiguang , Chen Fei , LeMone Margaret A. , Tewari Mukul , Li Qingchun , Wang Yingchun
Published: August 2008

In this paper, the characteristics of urban heat island (UHI) and boundary layer structures in the Beijing area, China, are analyzed using conventional and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with a single-layer urban canopy model (UCM) is used to simulate these urban weather features for comparison with observations. WRF is also used to test the sensitivity of model simulations to different urban land use scenarios and urban building structures to investigate the impacts of urbanization on surface weather and boundary layer structures. Results show that the coupled WRF/Noah/UCM modeling system seems to be able to reproduce the following observed features reasonably well: 1) the diurnal variation of UHI intensity; 2) the spatial distribution of UHI in Beijing; 3) the diurnal variation of wind speed and direction, and interactions between mountain–valley circulations and UHI; 4) small-scale boundary layer convective rolls and cells; and 5) the nocturnal boundary layer lower-level jet. The statistical analyses reveal that urban canopy variables (e.g., temperature, wind speed) from WRF/Noah/UCM compare better with surface observations than the conventional variables (e.g., 2-m temperature, 10-m wind speed). Both observations and the model show that the airflow over Beijing is dominated by mountain–valley flows that are modified by urban–rural circulations. Sensitivity tests imply that the presence or absence of urban surfaces significantly impacts the formation of horizontal convective rolls (HCRs), and the details in urban structures seem to have less pronounced but not negligible effects on HCRs.
Comparison of Precipitation Datasets over the Tropical South American and African Continents
Authors: Negrón Juárez Robinson I. , Li Wenhong , Fu Rong , Fernandes Katia , de Oliveira Cardoso Andrea
Published: August 2008

Six rainfall datasets are compared over the Amazon basin, Northeast Brazil, and the Congo basin. These datasets include three gauge-only precipitation products from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC), and Brazilian Weather Forecast and Climate Studies Center (CLMNLS), and three combined gauge and satellite precipitation datasets from the CPC Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP), Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP), and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) product. The pattern of the annual precipitation is consistently represented by these data, despite the differences in methods and periods of averaging. Quantitatively, the differences in annual precipitation among these datasets are 5% more than the Amazon domain (0°–15°S, 50°–70°W), 22% more than Northeast Brazil (5°–10°S, 35°–45°W), and 11% more than the Congo domain (5°N–10°S, 15°–30°E). Over the Amazon domain the rainfall variation is well correlated between CPC, TRMM, GPCP, and GPCC (r 2 > 0.9) except for the northwestern Amazon, whereas CMAP and CLMNLS were different from these four datasets. Over the Congo basin, the coefficient of determination between these rainfall datasets is generally below 0.7. The empirical orthogonal functions analysis suggests large discrepancies in interannual and decadal variations of rainfall among these datasets, especially for the Congo basin and for the South American region after 1998. In general, CMAP, GPCC, TRMM, and GPCP significantly agree over the tropical areas in South America.
Time Dependent Behavior of a Particle Filled Composite PMMA/ATH at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Basaran Cemal , Nie Shihua , Hutchins Clyde S.
Published: August 2008

Creep behavior of particle filled acrylic composite materials become a major concern when they are used at elevated temperatures. Therefore, for elevated temperature finite element simulations any constitutive modeling requires time— temperature dependent material properties. Unfortunately, this type of data is very difficult to come across in the literature, due to a very long time needed to conduct creep testing. In this study, the creep properties of acrylic casting dispersion PMMA/ ATH were obtained experimentally and the observed characteristics of this material are presented with the experimental data. The underlying deformation mechanisms and the steady-state creep response are also discussed.
Relationship Between Electrical and Mechanical Loss Tangents of SLG Reinforced Phenolic Composites: Pilot Study
Authors: Ku H. , Cardona F. , Ball J. , Jacobson W. , Trada M.
Published: August 2008

The mechanical properties of ceramic microspheres (SLG) reinforced phenolic resin composites have been measured and evaluated in earlier studies. This basic but critical and important data has created interest in the relevant industry in Australia. This study is therefore carried out to measure and evaluate the dielectric and mechanical properties of the composites with a view to benefit the relevant industry. The relationship between the two properties will also be studied. The original contributions of this article are that samples post-cured in conventional ovens have higher electrical loss as well as mechanical loss than their counterparts post-cured in microwaves. The storage modulus of all samples post-cured conventionally is higher than its counterpart. This is in line with the fact that it is a softer material with lower glass transition temperature. They also have higher mechanical loss tangent as well as loss modulus. For all percentages by weight of SLG, the glass transition temperature for the microwave cured sample was higher and the composite was stiffer; the opposite was true for the conventionally cured sample.
Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Studies: A Comparison of Random Intercept, Normal-Normal, and Binomial-Normal Bivariate Summary ROC Approaches
Authors: Hamza Taye H. , Reitsma Johannes B. , Stijnen Theo
Published: August 2008

Background . The authors compared 3 recently introduced refinements of the Littenberg and Moses summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method for pooling studies of a diagnostic test: the random intercept (RI) linear meta-regression model, the approximate normal distribution (normal-normal [NN] model), and the binomial distribution (binomial-normal [BN] model). Methods . Using data from a published meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging of the menisci and cruciate ligaments, the authors varied the overall sensitivity and specificity, the between-studies variance, the within-study sample size, and the number of studies to evaluate the performances of the 3 methods in a simulation study. The parameters to be compared are the associated intercept, slope, and residual variance, using bias, mean squared error, and coverage probabilities. Results . The BN method always gave unbiased estimates of the intercept and slope parameter. The coverage probabilities were also reasonably acceptable, unless the number of studies was very small. In contrast, the RI and NN methods could produce large biases with poor coverage probabilities, especially when sample sizes of individual studies were small or when sensitivities or specificities were close to 1. Although this was rare in the simulations, the bivariate methods can suffer from nonconvergence mostly due to the correlation being close to ± 1. Conclusion . The binomial-normal model performed better than the other recently introduced methods for meta-analysis of data from studies of test performance.
Holocene multidecadal- to millennial-scale hydrologic variability on the South American Altiplano
Authors: Ekdahl Erik J. , Fritz Sherilyn C. , Baker Paul A. , Rigsby Catherine A. , Coley Kirstin
Published: August 2008

Precipitation on the South American Altiplano varies at a range of temporal scales. A long-term secular increase in moisture availability from the early/mid Holocene to the present, driven by increasing summer insolation resulting from precessional changes in the Earth's orbit, has been documented in earlier studies. However, higher frequency Holocene variability is not yet understood. Here we present high-resolution diatom assemblage data from two small Altiplano lakes, Lago Lagunillas and Lago Umayo, indicating changes in effective moisture in the southern tropical Andes at decadal, centennial and millennial timescales throughout the mid to late Holocene. A strong millennial-scale component, similar in pacing to periods of increased icerafted debris flux in the North Atlantic, is observed in both lake records, which suggests that regional precipitation and North Atlantic climate variability are coupled at these scales. The interpretation of the higher frequency variability is hampered by the small number of high-resolution continental and marine records for comparison.
Holocene variability of the East Asian summer monsoon from Chinese cave records: a re-assessment
Authors: Maher B.A.
Published: August 2008

Oxygen isotope records from stalagmites in caves in southern China, interpreted as proxy rainfall records reflecting the intensity of the East Asian summer monsoon, indicate gradual monsoon weakening for the last ~9000 years, as also documented for the Indian monsoon. Coupled with high-precision dating, the speleothem proxy records have been used to test monsoon links with orbital forcing, solar changes, iceberg discharges in the North Atlantic, ocean currents and atmospheric methane. However, these `benchmark' cave records do not match other published, dated E Asian proxy rainfall records (specifically here, independently calibrated rainfall records from loess/palaeosol magnetic properties, and cave oxygen isotope intercomparisons), which show variable E Asian monsoon intensity through the entire Holocene. The strong correlation of the cave records with the extraregional Indian monsoon record yet their mismatch with these other dated Chinese rainfall records might be reconciled if the speleothem isotope variations reflect not changes in Holocene rainfall amount but in rainfall source. Declining Holocene influence of isotopically lighter, Indian monsoon-sourced moisture over China would have resulted in increasing proportions of isotopically heavier rainfall, sourced from the more oceanic E Asian monsoon. Individual speleothems may thus regionally record Holocene changes in Indian monsoon intensity and isotopic influence. Conversely, the other Chinese proxy records described here reflect changes in rainfall amount, and thus in E Asian summer monsoon intensity. For the Holocene, the E Asian and the Indian monsoon responses to orbital forcing are likely to have differed, specifically due to E Asian internal feedbacks and the seasonal contrasts between the two monsoon systems.
Association of killer cell immunoglobulin–like receptor genotypes with vascular arterial events and anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with lupus
Authors: Toloza SMA , Pellett FJ , Chandran V , Ibanez D , Urowitz MB , Gladman DD
Published: August 2008

To determine whether killer cell immunologlobulin–like receptor (KIR) genotypes are associated with vasculitis, vascular arterial events or anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies in patients with lupus. A total of 304 patients followed prospectively at the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic were assessed for the occurrence of vasculitis and vascular arterial events. Molecular HLA-C and KIR (presence or absence of KIR2DL1, 2DL2, 2DL3, 2DS1 and 2DS2) genotyping were performed. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to analyse association between KIR genes and vascular arterial events and aCL antibodies. In patients with vascular arterial events, there was a significant increase in KIR2DS2 (60% vs 45%, P = 0.02) and in KIR2DL2 (62% vs 47%, P = 0.01) compared with patients without events. There was no increase in activating KIR genotypes in patients with vasculitis. In patients with aCL antibodies, significant increases were seen in KIR2DS2 (54% vs 41%, P = 0.03) and KIR2DL2 (58% vs 41%, P = 0.003), but KIR2DL3 was decreased (87% vs 95%, P = 0.03). Logistic regression confirmed independent association of KIR2DS2 with vascular arterial events. We found an increase in KIR2DS2 in lupus patients with vascular arterial events, but not in patients with vasculitis.
Clinical features and therapeutic management of subglottic stenosis in patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis
Authors: Solans-Laqué R , Bosch-Gil JA , Canela M , Lorente J , Pallisa E , Vilardell-Tarrés M
Published: August 2008

The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical features, response to treatment, and long-term outcome of subglottic stenosis (SGS) in a series of patients diagnosed as having Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) at a single institution. Subglottic stenosis developed in 6 out of 51 (11.7%) patients, in four of them in the absence of other features of active disease, and was the symptom that leads to WG diagnosis in three cases. In two cases, SGS began while the patients were receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy for disease activity involving other sites. PR3-ANCAs were positive in four cases. An urgent tracheostomy was needed in two patients. Four patients achieved SGS clinical remission on standard treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide, but three of them experienced repeated local relapses and required additional immunosuppressive therapy and mechanical dilations. In one case, a local relapse was successfully managed with endotracheal dilation of the stenotic segment and intralesional injection of a long-acting corticosteroid plus mechanical dilation of the stenotic segment (ILCD) without adding supplemental immunosuppressant drugs. Two patients with isolated SGS were also successfully managed with ILCD alone and did not require the institution of systemic immunosuppressive therapy. One patient underwent open surgical repair when the disease was under control. Our data suggest that Subglottic stenosis often occurs or progresses independently of other features of active WG, and that ILCD may be a safe alternative to conventional immunosuppressive therapy in patients who develop SGS in the absence of other features of active disease, allowing reducing the treatment-related toxicity.
Nurse and physician patient counseling about tobacco smoking in Jordan
Authors: Merrill Ray M. , Madanat Hala , Kelley A. Taylor , Layton James B.
Published: August 2008

The objective of this study was to identify whether nurses are as likely as physicians to feel prepared to assist patients to quit smoking, to have smoked in front of patients, or to have received training on counseling patients about smoking cessation. The sample consisted of 262 nurses and 251 physicians, ages 18 years and older, from public and private hospitals in Jordan. It was found that nurses were more likely than physicians to receive training on counseling patients about smoking cessation (41% vs. 18%); more likely to currently smoke (30% vs. 19%); and less likely to feel prepared to assist patients to quit smoking (78% vs. 95%). Smoking status and training were associated with counseling patients about smoking. Approximately 19% of nurses and 81% of physicians who currently or formerly smoked had previously smoked in front of patients. Nurses compared with physicians have lower agreement with statements involving smoking-related responsibilities and views on smoking policy, but higher agreement that second-hand smoke is related to selected diseases. Physicians felt more strongly than nurses that they should serve as role models for the public, routinely advise their smoking patients to quit, and speak to lay groups about smoking. In conclusion, a greater level of smoking cessation training among physicians and nurses in Jordan is warranted. (Promot Educ 2008; 15 (3): 9-14)
Getting serious about the social determinants of health: new directions for public health workers
Authors: Raphael Dennis
Published: August 2008

International interest in the social determinants of health and their public policy antecedents is increasing. Despite evidence that as compared to other wealthy nations Canada presents a mediocre population health profile and public policy environments increasingly less supportive of health, the Canadian public health gaze is firmly — and narrowly — focused on lifestyle issues of diet, physical activity and tobacco use. Much of this has to do with Canada being identified as being driven by a liberal political economy, a situation shared with a cluster of other developed nations. Reasons for Canada's neglect of structural and public policy issues are explored and ways by which public health workers in Canada and elsewhere can help to shift policymakers and the general public's understandings of the determinants of health are outlined. (Promot Educ 2008;15(3): 15-20)
Educación para la salud con personas mayores: descripc de una experiencia
Authors: Pino Juste Margarita R.
Published: August 2008

En este artículo se describe una experiencia llevada a cabo con pacientes mayores de 65 años en centros de Atención Primaria de salud situados en el medio rural.

Los objetivos planteados en el programa tienen como meta facilitar la consecución de hábitos saludables, conocer la sintomatología y tratamiento de las enfermedades más comunes en la vejez y como consecuencia conseguir una optimización de los recursos sanitarios.

La elección de los contenidos se ha realizado teniendo en cuenta las necesidades detectadas en el historial clínico del paciente, en las valoraciones geriátricas realizadas por los médicos y en las entrevistas realizadas por las educadoras para definir las características sociosanitarias de la población. Así como la edad y del nivel socio-cultural de los participantes. Para la evaluación de la experiencia se utilizaron diferentes técnicas como escalas, cuestionarios, entrevistas, observación, discusiones en grupo y registro de datos y se tuvo en cuenta la cobertura del programa, su desarrollo y el índice de impacto del mismo.

La asistencia al curso ha sido regular y el 92 % de los pacientes ha asistido a todas las sesiones y ha participado activamente.

El personal sanitario manifestó que a raíz de la experiencia, la comunicación médico-paciente se hizo más fluida y se detecta una mayor comprensión de la información que los médicos ofrecen al usuario.

Además se ha constatado la escasa formación de las personas mayores en temáticas de salud. Las temáticas que consideraron más importantes fueron el ejercicio físico, la estimulación cognitiva y la alimentación adecuada. Igualmente, se ha detectado una mejora del estado de ánimo, una mayor autonomía y una menor dependencia de los familiares para actividades de la vida diaria.

Los propios mayores revelan al médico la experiencia vivida como un auténtico aprendizaje, así como su deseo de continuar en otras ediciones del programa. (Promot Educ 2008;15(3): 58-62)
The Child With Arthritis in the School Setting
Authors: Sanzo Maria
Published: August 2008

Arthritis is a condition often associated with the elderly. However, arthritis affects approximately 275,000 children nationwide. Symptoms may vary from one swollen joint to multiply affected joints coupled with fatigue, fever, and rash. Its effect on the school-age child can range from missing a few days of school per year to hospitalizations requiring tutoring to keep up with missed schoolwork. Other issues include the social impact of medications and their side effects, noncompliance, frequent doctor’s visits interfering with school and afterschool activities, and not being able to keep up with peers. The financial impact of multiple copayments for office visits and medications and the stress associated with work absence puts a strain on parents. The school nurse recognizes how these factors can affect the academic success of children with a chronic disease and can provide care that will assist students and families address and cope with these concerns.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Sandwich Core Materials
Authors: Mylavarapu Phani , Woldesenbet Eyassu
Published: August 2008

Sandwich composites are widely used in structural applications because of their high specific strength and bending stiffness. Core materials of these sandwich structures are commonly constructed out of low density particulate composites. The use of these core materials requires an extensive study of their mechanical properties along with better characterization techniques. The pulse echo ultrasound is one of the methods used for nondestructive evaluation of these materials. The present study focuses on the effect of volume fraction of solid glass particles on the ultrasonic properties of solid particulate core materials. Coefficient of attenuation, ultrasonic wave velocities and dynamic Young's modulus are observed to depend on the volume fraction of solid glass particles.