bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Particle Ripening, Removal and Breakthrough in Drinking‐Water Filtration: Implications for the Capture of Cryptosporidium and Giardia Cysts
Authors: Glasgow G. D. E. , Wheatley A. D.
Published: July 2007

An increasing number of reported outbreaks of Cryptosporidiosis, associated with the water supply, have led to an upsurge in interest in particle analysis in drinkingwater treatment. This paper describes recent observations of rapid‐gravity filter performance using particle‐size distribution analysis. Experimental rapid sand filters were constructed and operated using a suspension of PVC particles, and samples for particle analysis were collected at several depths and various times during the filter cycle. Ripening and early breakthrough of Cryptosporidium oocyst size particles were observed during the study, and 1 β particles exhibited the worst capture efficiency. Flow disturbances were found to reduce particle‐capture efficiency including Cryptosporidium and Giardia cyst sizes.
In Situ Performance Monitoring of an Infiltration Drainage System and Field Testing of Current Design Procedures
Authors: Abbott C. L. , Comino‐Mateos L.
Published: July 2007

Sustainable urban drainage systems offer a sustainable option for the disposal of stormwater runoff ‐ reducing the risks of flooding and pollution of receiving watercourses. However, the adoption of such systems has been slow, with a lack of performance data identified as being one barrier. This paper presents in situ performance data from a perforated concrete ring soakaway which was installed to collect stormwater runoff from a school roof and paved area. Data on rainfall at the site and water depth in the soakaway were collected for a period of twenty months, and a number of rain events were studied in detail. Data from the soakaway were used to test the most recent design procedures for infiltration drainage systems, and it was found that the design equations gave reasonable predictions of system response to rainfall ‐ especially when the observed runoff coefficients were taken into account.
Aeration Performance of Triangular‐Notch Weirs
Authors: Baylar A. , Bagatur T , Tuna A.
Published: July 2007

Hydraulic structures have an impact on the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a river system, even though the water is in contact with the structure for only a short period of time. The same oxygen transfer that would normally occur over several kilometres in a river can occur at a single hydraulic structure, because the flow over a structure is typically highly turbulent, resulting in increased interfacial renewal. Plunging overfall jets from weirs are a good example of this fact, and the aeration properties of such structures have been studied widely in the laboratory and field over a number of years. This technical note (a) describes triangular‐notch weirs having a different weir angle α and how they affect aeration performance, and (b) demonstrates that aeration efficiency decreases with increasing weir angle.
Model and Prototype Results for a Sinuous Two‐Stage River‐Channel Design
Authors: Sellin R. H. J. , Wilson C. A. M. E. , Naish C.
Published: July 2007

A relocated length of the River Blackwater in Hampshire, UK, has been designed and constructed as a doubly‐sinuous, two‐stage channel. This has been established as a field test site with water level and discharge recording equipment for an ongoing analysis of its hydraulic and ecological performance. Preliminary hydraulic data, which were collected from the site, are analysed and compared with data from two hydraulic models which were built to the same design but at different scales. Results from the prototype, the 1/5, and 1/25 scale models are examined for scaling relationships and scale effects. The small‐scale model was then reconstructed with a 2:1 vertical‐scale exaggeration, and the results were assessed against the others. Methods for the selection of appropriate surface roughness for small‐scale river models are discussed.
Extension of the QUASAR River‐Water Quality Model to Unsteady Flow Conditions
Authors: Sincock A. M. , Lees M. J.
Published: July 2007

A modification of the well‐known water‐quality model ‘quality simulation along river systems’(QUASAR) is presented in order to extend its ability, so that it may be considered applicable under unsteady‐flow conditions. An aggregated dead‐zone travel‐time parameter, based on (a) the kinematic wave velocity (celerity) of the flow wave and (b) the behaviour of the solute within so‐called ‘dead zones’, has been incorporated into the existing model formulation. This extends the current continuously‐stirred tank reactor‐based model process to account for the behaviour of solute under unsteady‐flow conditions. The enhanced water‐quality model has been validated by application to the Colorado River.
Minimising Sludge Production at Water‐Treatment Plants
Authors: Gregory R. , Dillon G.
Published: July 2007

The paper identifies the mass and volume components of waterworks’sludge. The mass components arise from (i) the quality of the raw water treated, (ii) the chemicals used for treatment, and (iii) the efficiency with which those chemicals are utilised. Operation of the water‐treatment processes and choice of treatment chemicals has an impact on the volume of sludge produced.

The paper also identifies the roles in sludge mass and volume minimisation of (a) the choice and management of raw‐water source, (b) the choice and management of coagulant and other treatment chemicals, sludge recycle and coagulant recovery, and (c) the choice and operation of water and sludge‐treatment processes.
The Management of Potable Water Treatment Sludge: Present Situation in the UK
Authors: Simpson A. , Burgess P. , Coleman S. J.
Published: July 2007

This paper details the results of a survey of UK potable water supply organisations, which was undertaken in 1998 on behalf of UK Water Industry Research. An extrapolation of the data indicated that, in 1997, about 131 000 tDS of water‐treatment works sludge were produced in the UK. The relevant methods and associated costs are reported. A number of companies are using, or developing, novel waste‐management methods for water‐treatment works sludges, such as incorporation into bricks and spreading on agricultural land, and these are discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL WATER REQUIREMENTS: A DEMAND MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Lankford B. A.
Published: July 2007

This paper examines water management within the environment. It argues that discussion of, and decision‐making governing, the allocation of water for the environment should be expanded to consider the application of demand management to the environment. The paper examines the technical feasibility of this aspect and proposes some principles which address parity across water‐use sectors in terms of their water rights, responsibilities and performance objectives. It concludes that a more equitable policy framework encourages better resource analysis and promotes better informed trade‐offs and management concerning water allocation, particularly in times of low water availability.
POLYMERS IN ALUM SLUDGE DEWATERING: DEVELOPMENTS AND CONTROL
Authors: Bache D. H. , Papavasilopoulos E. N. , Rasool E. , Zhao Y. Q. , McGilligan J. F.
Published: July 2007

The paper (a) discusses the use of polymers for conditioning alum sludge derived from the coagulation of low turbidity coloured waters, and (b) reviews the factors which control the optimum dosage vis a vis individual test methods such as specific resistance to filtration and capillary suction time. It was demonstrated that good estimates of the solids feed could be obtained via the suspended‐solids concentration in the flocculators. An algorithm based on water‐quality parameters was recommended for planning purposes. Difficulties arising from variations in the solids delivery to the thickeners were shown to influence the separation efficiency. The paper also includes a survey of polymer routeing within a water‐treatment plant in which there was multiple polymer use and extensive recycling; this identified a number of quality‐control issues and demonstrated the value of polymer measurement.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POINT‐SOURCE CHLORINATION IN IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN INTERNALLY DISPLACED COMMUNITIES IN ANGOLA
Authors: Godfrey S. , McCaffery L. , Obika A. , Becks M.
Published: July 2007

Demographic displacement throughout Angola has created a large number of informal peri‐urban communities, many of which depend upon groundwater sources for their primary water supply. These ground‐water sources are at increased risk of pollution due to limited access to safe faecal disposal. This paper describes a study which was undertaken in Angola during the period 1999–2001 to assess the effectiveness of different types of hand‐dug well protection. The study demonstrates that (a) point‐source disinfection of traditional wells improves water quality to within universally accepted minimum standards for humanitarian assistance (SPHERE), and (b) chlorination can be a cost‐effective method of groundwater‐source protection.
GLOBAL WARMING AND THE DEMAND FOR WATER
Authors: Hall M. J.
Published: July 2007

More than a decade has passed since the International Panel on Climatic Change began to study (in depth) the possibility that the global climate was changing. Increasing attention is also being paid to the impact of such changes on society in general, and on the planning and management of water resources. Not least among the water resources planning problems is the estimation of the changes which might occur in public water‐supply demands. Such changes are notoriously difficult to evaluate, particularly in the UK where most domestic premises remain un‐metered. Elsewhere, econometric models involving climatic parameters as independent variables have had some success, but a recent application of this approach in the UK was unable to identify particular parameters which had a consistent influence over the summer period. This lack of success might be partly caused by the public reaction to summer conditions being a complex function of several parameters, such as duration of sunshine, temperature and rainfall. This complexity has already been recognised by climatologists, who have devised forms of summer indices involving weighted combinations of climatic variables to determine how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ a particular period might be perceived by the general public. The use of one such summer index to explain the variations in an index of demand for public water supply in the London supply area has shown that simple and consistent relationships can be derived. Application of these relationships to scenarios of changes in temperature, sunshine duration and rainfall totals for the year 2050 shows an increase of 0.6‐ 2.9 index points in water‐supply demand over the 1950‐1990 period average.
IN‐SITU HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF A PERMEABLE PAVEMENT SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Authors: Abbott C. L. , Comino‐Mateos L.
Published: July 2007

There is growing awareness that sustainable urban drainage systems can offer a more sustainable option for the management of stormwater runoff than conventional drainage systems. This paper presents in‐situ performance data from a permeable pavement system which was installed to collect and treat stormwater runoff from a motorway servicestation car park. Data on rainfall at the site and outflow from the permeable pavement were collected over a thirteen‐month period, and twenty rain events were studied in detail. The system provided a large degree of attenuation in terms of (a) reduction in peak flows, and (b) extended duration of outflows compared with rain events. Infiltration tests provided information on the processes of water entry into the pavement system and impacts of clogging on hydraulic performance.
THE USE OF TREATED SEWAGE FOR IRRIGATION IN JORDAN: OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
Authors: Abu‐Sharar T. M. , Hussein I. A. , Al‐Jayyousi O. R.
Published: July 2007

Water demand in Jordan is of concern because all sectors are facing a supply shortage. In 1998–99, deficits in irrigation, municipal and industrial water supply were 35%, 30% and 9% respectively. By the year 2010, it is anticipated that the gap between supply and demand will reach about 515 million m3 unless non‐conventional resources are used.

This paper (a) assesses the potential use of treated sewage for irrigation, (b) discusses the viability of using treated sewage in agriculture, (c) addresses an assessment of the water budget in Jordan and means to overcome the water deficit, and (d) presents scenarios and recommendations for sustainable water management. Strategies to meet unsatisfied water demand include the use of non‐conventional water resources and improving efficiency in water‐distribution systems and demand management.
THE IMPACT OF URBANISATION ON THE WATER QUALITY OF LAKE CHIVERO, ZIMBABWE
Authors: Nhapi I. , Siebel M. A. , Gijzen H. J.
Published: July 2007

This study quantified concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Lake Chivero catchment area, Zimbabwe. The results showed that sewage effluent is the major source of nutrients in the lake. The lake is hypertrophic, and it was concluded that the current situation is not sustainable. The Vollenweider model was used to predict the acceptable inflow phosphorus concentrations based upon oligotrophic conditions. The predicted value of 10 t/year total phosphorus was considered to be unattainable under the current situation because it is already lower than that from non‐point sources. A 1970s value of 75 t/year total phosphorus is recommended as a starting point because it excludes sewage effluent and, for the long‐term, it is recommended that pollution prevention and water re‐use should be adopted in combination with the recycling of nutrients in controlled urban agriculture.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE SOIL MICROBIAL QUALITY MEASUREMENTS OF BIOMASS QUOTIENT AND RESPIRATION QUOTIENT
Authors: Godley A. R.
Published: July 2007

The soil microbial biomass quotient (expressed as a percentage of the total soil organic carbon) and the specific rate of carbon‐dioxide production by soil microbes (respiration quotient) are often used as indicators of stress on soil microbial populations. A low biomass quotient or a high respiration quotient is considered to be an indication of stress from, for example, toxicity from metals in sewage sludge applied to soils. These metabolic quotients are affected by a wide variety of other factors such as the biodegradability of soil organic‐carbon amendments, plant inputs of organic carbon into soils, natural variations in microbial population sizes with depth, and in the rhizosphere of plants. These variations could be sufficiently large to make interpretation of changes in biomass quotient and respiration quotient, as a response to stress, problematical.
DETERMINATION OF SLUDGE COMPOST QUALITY BY BIOASSAY
Authors: Shana A. , Hammond R. , Johnson A.
Published: July 2007

The paper reports the progress on a plant germination and growth trial as part of Thames Water's quality‐control procedure for sludge composting and recycling. The experiment was conducted by cultivating two types of plants in a greenhouse under controlled environmental conditions, using (a) standard peat‐based multipurpose compost, (b) Terra Eco Systems multipurpose compost, and (c) woodchip‐amended sludge compost.

Tomatoes and petunias were selected for the trial, and the varieties were first‐generation (F) hybrid. Germinated seed counts were used to calculate germination percentages and germination values, to assess compost performance. Calculated germination values for tomato and petunias were 26.52 and 17.76 respectively for the peat‐based compost: the values of tomato plants for Woodchip‐amended compost and Terra Eco compost were 17.80 and 11.84 respectively; and for petunia, all composts performed similarly, with germination values ranging from 14.00 to 17.76. It was concluded that there were no significant differences between the petunia plants in three composts used in this trial.
THE USE OF REED‐BEDS FOR SLUDGE DRYING
Authors: Cooper P. , Willoughby N. , Cooper D.
Published: July 2007

This paper reviews the design and performance experience with sludge‐drying reed‐beds over the past fourteen years. Whilst there are very few of these systems in the UK, there is much experience in Europe and particularly in Denmark. The Danish experience is reviewed in some detail. The design of and experience gained from two UK systems is described. The final dry‐solids concentration depends upon the concentration in the initial sludge dose. It is possible, when treating anaerobically digested sludges containing 3–4% DS, to achieve about 90% volume reduction and a final dry‐solids content of up to 40%. With thinner activated sludges containing 0.3–0.6% DS, a reduction (in volume) of greater than 97% is possible with a final solids concentration in the range 10–20%.
A REVIEW OF THE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE REGULATIONS IN RELATION TO THE WATER INDUSTRY
Authors: Whipps A.
Published: July 2007

This Technical Note presents the impact on the UK water industry of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations which became law in December 2002. These regulations introduce (into UK legislation) the requirements of a number of European Union Directives, including the Chemical Agents Directive and ATEX Directives dealing with potentially explosive and hazardous situations. The impact of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations on thermal‐drying installations is relatively clear. However, there are potentially greater and far‐reaching implications for the UK water industry.
CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR MINEWATER TREATMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND ECOLOGICAL RECOVERY
Authors: Wiseman I. M. , Rutt G. P. , Edwards P. J.
Published: July 2007

The ecology of the River Pelenna (in South Wales) was impoverished by polluted discharges from abandoned coal mines. A series of passive constructed wetlands was created in order to treat these discharges and to improve the ecology of the river. A three‐year Environment Agency R&D project investigated the performance, environmental benefits and sustainability of the constructed wetlands. It showed that the treatment systems were removing most of the iron contamination. In the reaches downstream from the minewaters, the dissolved‐iron concentration quickly dropped below the target level. Invertebrate abundance, trout and riverine bird populations increased in following years. However, occasional overflows from the systems have significantly affected the ecology of one stretch of river. The research work has provided an insight into the potential for ecological recovery associated with future minewater treatment.
DIFFUSE POLLUTION ‐ WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM?
Authors: Ferrier Robert C. , D’Arcy Brian J. , MacDonald Jannette , Aitken Mark
Published: July 2007

This paper considers recent developments in the understanding of diffuse pollution, its generation, transport and impacts. The relative importance of diffuse sources to total pollutant loading must be identified in order to develop appropriate strategies for management.

Research has indicated that individual diffuse pollutants respond differently to changing flow conditions and that there is a widespread misconception that higher flows are associated with lower pollutant concentrations. Evidence is presented to highlight this discrepancy and a rationale for load assessment is presented. The implications of this for monitoring within the context of the EU Water Framework Directive are discussed as are the implications for the mitigation of diffuse pollution.
Role of NF2 Haploinsufficiency in NF2‐associated Polyneuropathy
Authors: Hanemann Clemens O. , Diebold Ruth , Kaufmann Dieter
Published: July 2007

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a hereditary tumor disease characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Polyneuropathy seems to occur quite frequently in NF2 and in most cases, the etiology of this neuropathy is unclear, especially when the neuropathy is symmetric. NF2 is believed to follow the two‐hit hypothesis. According to this, one allele is mutated in the germline, and the second hit is somatic and results in tumor formation. The second hit most frequently is a loss of the NF2 locus, often the entire chromosome 22. We set out to investigate the underlying genetics in peripheral nerve of NF2 patients with polyneuropathy. We identified NF2 patients with polyneuropathy in which we could detect the germline mutation and analyzed NF2 gene dosage in archived nerve biopsies from these patients using a newly developed method. We observed merlin haploinsufficiency in peripheral nerves of two different patients with NF2‐related polyneuropathy. This finding was further supported by showing that approximately 50% merlin expression in a cell line using shRNA results in altered gene expression as previously shown in schwannomas. Thus, we suggest that reduced merlin gene dosage is relevant in NF2‐associated polyneuropathy.
Determination of Trace Elements (Ag, B, Ge, Mo, Sn, W, Tl) in Reference Samples of Soils and Bottom Sediments by Atomic Emission Spectrometry: A Traceability and Fitness‐for‐Purpose Study
Authors: Kuznetsova Albina I. , Zarubina Olga V. , Sklyarova Olga A.
Published: July 2007

Reference samples of soils from the Institute of Applied Physics, Irkutsk (RIAP), the Institute of Geochemistry, Irkutsk (IGI) and the United States Geological Survey, Reston (USGS) were analysed with the aim of determining Ag, B, Ge, Mo, Sn, Tl and W abundances by an atomic emission method with air‐stabilised D.C. arc excitation. Two series of reference samples of soils and bottom sediments, GSS‐1‐8 and GSD‐1‐12 (IGGE), were used to ensure the traceability link for the analytical results. Traceability was also demonstrated through the comparison of measured results by AES and ICP‐MS methods. It is shown that the reference samples GSS‐1‐8 and GSD‐1‐12 satisfied the “fitness‐for‐purpose” criterion (uncertainty U of the certified value should be one‐third to one‐tenth the magnitude of routine laboratory data uncertainty S (S/U > 3‐10)) and can be applied for calibrating AES techniques.
Search Technologies for the Internet
Authors: Henzinger Monika
Published: July 2007

About 20% of the world's population uses the Web, and a large majority thereof uses Web search engines to find information. As a result, many Web researchers are devoting much effort to improving the speed and capability of search technology.
Comment on "Coherent Control of Retinal Isomerization in Bacteriorhodopsin"
Authors: Joffre Manuel
Published: July 2007

Prokhorenko
et al
. (Research Articles, 1 September 2006, p. 1257) reported that, in the weak-field regime, the efficiency of retinal isomerization in bacteriorhodopsin can be controlled by modulating the spectral phase of the photoexcitation pulse. However, in the linear excitation regime, the signal measured in an experiment involving a time-invariant, stationary process can be shown to be independent of the pulse spectral phase.
The Nature of Belief
Authors: Atran Scott
Published: July 2007

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast
. The Evolutionary Origins of Belief.
By Lewis Wolpert
. Faber and Faber, London, 2006. 243 pp., £14.99. ISBN 9780571209200. Norton, New York, 2007. 255 pp. $25.95. ISBN 9780393064490.

Wolpert discusses the psychological basis of belief and considers evolutionary explanations for its origin and persistence.
The World Measurers
Authors: Ash Caroline
Published: July 2007

Measuring the World
. A Novel.
By Daniel Kehlmann
. Translated from the German () by Carol Brown Janeway. Pantheon, New York, 2006. 262 pp. $23, C$30. ISBN 9780375424465. Quercus, London, 2007. £12.99. ISBN 9781847240453.

Jaguars and Electric Eels
.
By Alexander von Humboldt
. Penguin, London, 2007. 112 pp. Paper, £4.99, C$9.99. ISBN 9780141025452. Great Journeys.

Kehlmann's protagonists are the home-bound mathematical genius Carl Friedrich Gauss and the widely traveled explorer and biogeographer Alexander von Humboldt.
Reflecting on the Surfaces of Life
Authors: Herzig Rebecca M.
Published: July 2007

The Politics of Life Itself
. Biomedicine, Power, and Subjectivity in the Twenty-First Century.
By Nikolas Rose
. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2007. 367 pp. $65, £38.95. ISBN 9780691121901. Paper, $24.95, £14.95. ISBN 9780691121918.

Rose explores some political, social, and ethical consequences of the shift of biomedicine's focus from the practice of healing to the governance of life.
Distribution and Evolution of T-Cell Receptor Vβ Repertoire on Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Newborn Infants of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected Mothers: Differential Display on CD4 and CD8 T Cells and Effect of HIV Infection
Authors: Borkowsky William , Chen Song-He , Belitskaya-Levy Ilana
Published: July 2007

Neonatal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 12 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and 84 uninfected children were assessed for their distribution of T-cell receptors (TCRs) by flow cytometry employing monoclonal antibodies to 14 Vβ types. Vβ 2, 5c, and 13 were the most commonly found on CD4 cells (in that order). There was a bimodal distribution of Vβ 2, being most common in 48% of individuals but in limiting frequency (<2% of CD4) in 21%. Vβ 2, 3, 8b, and 13 were most commonly expressed on CD8 cells at similar frequencies. There was little difference in the pattern displayed among the infected compared to that of the uninfected. The variation of the distribution over time was studied in 12 infants (7 infected). Only a single HIV-infected child had a significant difference in the interquartile range; none of the HIV-negative patients showed a significant difference. In conclusion, newborns demonstrate different distributions of TCR Vβ types on CD4 and CD8 cells. HIV infection produces no change in neonatal TCR and little change over the course of 2 years compared to that seen in the uninfected.
Quality Assurance Program for Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Cryopreservation
Authors: Weinberg Adriana , Louzao Raul , Mussi-Pinhata Marisa M. , Cruz Maria L. S. , Pinto Jorge A. , Huff Maria F. , de Castro Andrea C. , Sucupira Maria C. , Denny Thomas N.
Published: July 2007

Seven Brazilian sites participating in the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group international cryopreservation quality assurance pilot program cryopreserved and shipped peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to a central U.S. laboratory for analysis. Cell viability and recovery significantly increased over time. A wet-laboratory training session conducted at the central laboratory significantly improved the quality of the cryopreserved PBMC.
Evaluation of Four Whole-Cell
Leptospira
-Based Serological Tests for Diagnosis of Urban Leptospirosis
Authors: McBride Alan J. A. , Santos Balbino L. , Queiroz Adriano , Santos Andréia C. , Hartskeerl Rudy A. , Reis Mitermayer G. , Ko Albert I.
Published: July 2007

Four serologic assays for leptospirosis had sensitivities of 72 to 88% and specificities of 88 to 100% in the setting of highly endemic urban transmission, indicating that assays using enzyme-linked immunosorbency and rapid formats may be used as alternatives to the microscopic agglutination test for diagnosing urban leptospirosis. Testing a second sample will be required in cases with an initial negative result, since sensitivity was low (46 to 68%) during the first week of illness.
PrimaTB STAT-PAK Assay, a Novel, Rapid Lateral-Flow Test for Tuberculosis in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Lyashchenko Konstantin P. , Greenwald Rena , Esfandiari Javan , Greenwald David , Nacy Carol A. , Gibson Susan , Didier Peter J. , Washington Marc , Szczerba Peter , Motzel Sherri , Handt Larry , Pollock John M. , McNair James , Andersen Peter , Langermans Jan A. M. , Verreck Frank , Ervin Sean , Ervin Frank , McCombs Candace
Published: July 2007

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most important zoonotic bacterial disease in nonhuman primates (NHP). The current diagnostic method, the intradermal palpebral tuberculin test, has serious shortcomings. We characterized antibody responses in NHP againstMycobacterium tuberculosisto identify immunodominant antigens and develop a rapid serodiagnostic test for TB. A total of 422 NHP were evaluated, including 243 rhesus (Macaca mulatta), 46 cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis), and 133 African green (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) monkeys at five collaborative centers. Of those, 50 monkeys of the three species were experimentally inoculated withM. tuberculosis. Antibody responses were monitored every 2 to 4 weeks for up to 8 months postinfection by MultiAntigen Print ImmunoAssay with a panel of 12 recombinant antigens. All of the infected monkeys produced antibodies at various levels and with different antigen recognition patterns. ESAT-6 and MPB83 were the most frequently recognized proteins during infection. A combination of selected antigens which detected antibodies in all of the infected monkeys was designed to develop the PrimaTB STAT-PAK assay by lateral-flow technology. Serological evaluation demonstrated high diagnostic sensitivity (90%) and specificity (99%). The highest rate of TB detection was achieved when the skin test was combined with the PrimaTB STAT-PAK kit. This novel immunoassay provides a simple, rapid, and accurate test for TB in NHP.
Extraintestinal Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Strains of Avian and Human Origin: Link between Phylogenetic Relationships and Common Virulence Patterns
Authors: Moulin-Schouleur Maryvonne , Répérant Maryline , Laurent Sylvie , Brée Annie , Mignon-Grasteau Sandrine , Germon Pierre , Rasschaert Denis , Schouler Catherine
Published: July 2007

Extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(ExPEC) strains of human and avian origin show similarities that suggest that the avian strains potentially have zoonotic properties. However, the phylogenetic relationships between avian and human ExPEC strains are poorly documented, so this possibility is difficult to assess. We used PCR-based phylotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to determine the phylogenetic relationships between 39 avian pathogenic
E. coli
(APEC) strains of serogroups O1, O2, O18, and O78 and 51 human ExPEC strains. We also compared the virulence genotype and pathogenicity for chickens of APEC strains and human ExPEC strains. Twenty-eight of the 30 APEC strains of serogroups O1, O2, and O18 were classified by MLST into the same subcluster (B2-1) of phylogenetic group B2, whereas the 9 APEC strains of serogroup O78 were in phylogenetic groups D (3 strains) and B1 (6 strains). Human ExPEC strains were closely related to APEC strains in each of these three subclusters. The 28 avian and 25 human strains belonging to phylogenetic subcluster B2-1 all expressed the K1 antigen and presented no significant differences concerning the presence of other virulence factors. Moreover, human strains of this phylogenetic subcluster were highly virulent for chicks, so no host specificity was identified. Thus, APEC strains of serotypes O1:K1, O2:K1, and O18:K1 belong to the same highly pathogenic clonal group as human
E. coli
strains of the same serotypes isolated from cases of neonatal meningitis, urinary tract infections, and septicemia. These APEC strains constitute a potential zoonotic risk.
Development of a Real-Time Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer PCR To Detect
Arcobacter
Species
Authors: Abdelbaqi Khalil , Buissonnière Alice , Prouzet-Mauleon Valérie , Gresser Jessica , Wesley Irene , Mégraud Francis , Ménard Armelle
Published: July 2007

A real-time PCR targeting the gyrase A subunit gene outside the quinolone resistance-determining region has been developed to detect
Arcobacter
species. The species identification was done by probe hybridization and melting curve analysis, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer technology. Discrimination between
Arcobacter
species was straightforward, as the corresponding melting points showed significant differences with the characteristic melting temperatures of 63.5°C, 58.4°C, 60.6°C, and 51.8°C for the
Arcobacter butzleri
,
Arcobacter cryaerophilus
,
Arcobacter cibarius
, and
Arcobacter nitrofigilis
type strains, respectively. The specificity of this assay was confirmed with pure cultures of 106
Arcobacter
isolates from human clinical and veterinary specimens identified by phenotypic methods and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The assay was then used to screen 345 clinical stool samples obtained from patients with diarrhea. The assay detected
A. butzleri
in four of these clinical samples (1.2%). These results were confirmed by a conventional PCR method targeting the 16S rRNA gene with subsequent sequencing of the PCR product. In conclusion, this real-time assay detects and differentiates
Arcobacter
species in pure culture as well as in the competing microbiota of the stool matrix. The assay is economical since only one biprobe is used and multiple
Arcobacter
species are identified in a single test.
Multicenter Evaluation of the BD Phoenix Automated Microbiology System for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of
Streptococcus
Species
Authors: Richter Sandra S. , Howard Wanita J. , Weinstein Melvin P. , Bruckner David A. , Hindler Janet F. , Saubolle Michael , Doern Gary V.
Published: July 2007

This multicenter study evaluated the BD Phoenix Automated Microbiology System STREP panel (BD Diagnostic Systems). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) with 13 agents was performed on 2,013 streptococci (938
Streptococcus pneumoniae
isolates; 396 group B streptococci [GBS]; 369 viridans group streptococci [VGS]; 290 beta-hemolytic streptococcus groups A, C, and G; and 20 other streptococci) with the Phoenix system and a broth microdilution reference method. Clinical and challenge isolates were tested against cefepime, cefotaxime (CTX), ceftriaxone (CTR), clindamycin (CLI), erythromycin (ERY), gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, linezolid, meropenem, penicillin (PEN), tetracycline (TET), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin. Clinical isolates with major errors or very major errors (VMEs) were retested in duplicate by both methods. The final results for clinical isolates showed the following trends. For all of the organism-antimicrobial agent combinations tested, categorical agreement (CA) was 92 to 100%, with one exception—VGS-PEN (87% CA; all errors were minor). For
S. pneumoniae
, there was one major error with CLI (0.1%) and one or two VMEs with CTX (4%), CTR (4.5%), ERY (0.9%), and TET (0.7%). For groups A, C, and G, the CA was 97 to 100% and the only VMEs were resolved by additional reference laboratory testing. For GBS, there was only one VME (TET, 0.3%) and D-zone testing of 23 isolates with CLI major errors (one isolate unavailable) revealed inducible CLI resistance. For VGS, the major error rates were 0 to 3% and VMEs occurred with seven agents (3.5 to 7.1%). The mean times required for organism groups to generate results ranged from 8.4 to 9.4 h. The Phoenix system provided reliable and rapid AST results for most of the organism-antimicrobial agent combinations tested.
Transduction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vectors Lacking Encapsidation and Dimerization Signals
Authors: Laham-Karam Nihay , Bacharach Eran
Published: July 2007

The encapsidation signal (Ψ) and the nested dimerization initiation site are important for efficient packaging of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genomic RNA dimers. Consequently, these signals are included in all HIV-1 vectors. Here, we provide evidence demonstrating that these elements in such vectors are not absolutely required for vector transduction. In single-cycle infection assays, vectors with Ψ deleted (ΔΨ) were transduced with only a two- to fivefold reduction compared to the wild type. The transduction of ΔΨ showed typical products of reverse transcription and vector integration; however, in vitro and in vivo dimerization assays demonstrated the lack of normal dimerization of the ΔΨ vector. The reduction in transduction reflected a similar reduction in packaging. Nevertheless, a relatively high specificity of packaging was retained, as the ΔΨ vector was encapsidated at a level 4 orders of magnitude higher than that for overexpressed, nonretroviral cellular mRNA and 15 orders of magnitude higher than that for a murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based vector, all containing the same reporter gene, suggesting a Ψ-independent mechanism of packaging. The fact that HIV-1 and MLV vectors were encapsidated with a much higher level of efficiency than the cellular RNA suggests that the genomic RNAs of different retroviruses share common features and/or pathways that target them to encapsidation. Overall, these results formally demonstrate that packaging and dimerization signals are not required for the early stages of infection and can be deleted without risking a total loss of vector transduction. Deletion of these signals should enhance the safety of these vectors.
Primary Isolates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Are Usually Dominated by the Major Variants Found in Blood
Authors: Voronin Yegor , Chohan Bhavna , Emerman Michael , Overbaugh Julie
Published: July 2007

The isolation of primary strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an invaluable tool for assessing properties of viruses replicating in HIV-infected subjects. A common method for obtaining a primary isolate is coculture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV-infected subjects with PBMCs from uninfected donors. However, such in vitro expansion may disturb the composition (identities and relative proportions of constituting viral species) of the original viral population. We developed a GeneScan assay to monitor HIV populations by detecting variants that differ in the length of the V1/V2 coding region of the envelope gene. This assay was used to compare proviral DNAs from the PBMCs of eight subjects to the corresponding primary isolates. Major variants found in uncultured PBMCs usually persisted during culturing, while the minor variants frequently disappeared, resulting in a reduction in viral diversity. The outgrowth of the initial (2 to 4 days) viral population appeared to be determined by random events. However, subsequent changes in the population were deterministic, and as a result, the compositions of primary isolates from parallel cultures were often very similar. For two of three subjects studied, the source of HIV-negative PBMCs had little effect on the composition of primary isolates, while for the third subject donor-dependent effects were observed. Overall, our results show that most primary isolates accurately represent the major viruses found in a subject's blood and that rapid population-based genotyping methods are useful for detecting isolates with perturbed viral populations.
ON BARGAINING SETS IN SYMMETRIC GAMES
Authors: MEERTENS MARC , POTTERS J. A. M. , REIJNIERSE J. H.
Published: July 2007

The paper investigates under which additional assumptions the bargaining set, the reactive bargaining set or the semireactive bargaining set coincides with the core on the class of symmetric TU-games. Furthermore, we give an example which illustrates that the property 'the bargaining set coincides with the core' is not a prosperity property.
Structural evolution of the Achnashellach Culmination, southern Moine Thrust Belt: testing the duplex model
Authors: Butler R. W. H. , Matthews S. J. , Morgan R. K.
Published: July 2007

The Achnashellach Culmination is one of the major structures of the Moine Thrust Belt. As with other culminations in the belt, it is formed by a stack of imbricate thrusts. Up to 1 km of Torridon Group sediments, together with a further 200–250 m of Cambrian strata, are repeated up to 10 times, but with ramp-on-ramp thrust geometries. Thus structural thickening was chiefly achieved by thick thrust sheets with individually and aggregated displacements that are substantially lower than elsewhere in the thrust belt. The culmination is limited on its flanks by lateral ramps that climb section out of Torridon Group and up into Cambrian strata. To the north the imbricate thrusts may be deduced to branch onto the major Kinlochewe Thrust. To the south the imbricates are represented only by stacked Durness Limestone. The northward-climbing lateral ramp coincides with a major Precambrian structure, the Loch Maree Fault, which controls the thickness of Torridonian strata preserved beneath the sub-Cambrian unconformity, a rare example of basement influence on thrust system geometry within the Moine Thrust Belt. The imbricates of the Achnashellach Culmination show back-steepening and have bulged up the overriding Kishorn and Kinlochewe thrust sheets. However, these structurally higher level tectonic units slice across imbricate structures in their footwalls. Elsewhere high-level thrusts are folded by some parts of underlying imbricates. Collectively these relationships are not compatible with classical duplex models. They are explained better by models of quasi-synchronous slip on imbricate thrusts. Discordant relationships beneath major thrust sheets, including those that cut down stratigraphic section in the transport direction, can be explained by such models without necessitating low-angle extensional faulting within the thrust belt.
Tectonic stratigraphy and structural continuity of the northernmost Moine Thrust Zone and Moine Nappe, Scottish Caledonides
Authors: Holdsworth R. E. , Alsop G. I. , Strachan R. A.
Published: July 2007

The Moine Thrust Zone and overlying Moine Nappe represent classic ground in Scottish geology in which Neoproterozoic Moine metasedimentary rocks were translated towards the WNW over the Laurentian foreland comprising Lewisian basement gneisses and a Cambrian cover succession during Caledonian orogenesis at
c.
430 Ma. Systematic mapping of both the Moine Nappe and underlying Moine Thrust Zone in the Loch Hope to Whiten Head region of Sutherland extends the tectonic stratigraphy developed in other parts of the thrust zone to the little-studied north coast section. An apparent continuum of deformation is recognized from the Moine Nappe down into the underlying thrust zone with a consistent gently ESE-dipping foliation associated with down-dip mineral and extension lineations. The polyphase fold history present within the Moine Nappe and the thrust zone results from progressive deformation during thrusting. Thrust-related fold axes and bedding-cleavage intersections are typically subparallel to the transport direction in high-strain zones, whereas gently north- or south-plunging attitudes are common in lower strain portions of the thrust zone. Thrusts are commonly deformed by folds developed within their footwalls, consistent with a foreland-propagating sequence of deformation. The newly defined Lochan Riabhach Thrust is interpreted as an ‘out-of-sequence’ structure that sliced at low angles across the thrust zone and toward the WNW after initial thrust stacking. Comparison with the downfaulted segment of the Moine Nappe and thrust zone exposed on the foreland at Faraid Head demonstrates cross-strike continuity of the thrust sheet template and structural history for at least 15 km to the NW.
Constrictional extensional tectonics in the northern Oman mountains, its role in culmination development and the exhumation of the subducted Arabian continental margin
Authors: Al-Wardi Mohammed , Butler Robert W. H.
Published: July 2007

The NE margin of the Arabian continent was overthrust by ‘exotic’ sheets of oceanic and continental margin units (the Semail Ophiolite allochthon) in the Late Cretaceous. Although parts of this margin (Saih Hatat Massif) were deeply buried, through subduction, to depths suitable for eclogite-facies metamorphism, other parts are unmetamorphosed (Jebel Akhdar Massif). Hence an almost continuous metamorphic gradient is preserved. This forms an ideal setting within which to relate shallow and deeper-seated tectonic processes within an orogen. Structural data are presented from the Jebal Akhdar Massif, a composite antiformal structure that contains a network of structures that post-date allochthon emplacement. These include down-to-the-NNE layer-extensional shears and steeper faults. Layer-extensional shears contain open to close folds with hinge lines parallel to regional elongation directions. Larger-scale NNE-trending folds include the regional Jebel Nakhl Antiform. The same kinematic style can be traced into the exhumed high-pressure metamorphic terrane of Saih Hatat. Coeval orthogonal layer contraction and layer-thinning and elongation describes bulk constrictional 3D strain. Although this might be indicative of regional transtension, large-scale strike-slip faults, active during the extension, as predicted by general transtensional models are not evident. Consequently, it is inferred that constriction was the result of laterally varying crustal extension whereby top-to-the-NNE extension was locally combined with left-lateral shearing. Exhumation of the metamorphic series occurred under a carapace of extending allochthons, defining an elongate ‘pip’ of material returning to shallow crustal levels. There is, however, an imbalance between net extension and possible contraction within the Arabian continent that requires deformation within a volume of net-divergent tectonics. Thus crustal extension continued after the end of convergent tectonics in the region.
Tectonic evolution of the South Tethyan ocean: evidence from the Eastern Taurus Mountains (Elaziğ region, SE Turkey)
Authors: Robertson A. H. F. , Parlak O. , Rízaoğlu T. , Ünlügenç Ü. , İnan N. , Tasli K. , Ustaömer T.
Published: July 2007

Geological information from the Eastern Taurus Mountains, part of the Tethyan (South Neotethyan) suture zone exposed in the Elaziğ region, is used here to test existing tectonic hypotheses and to develop a new tectonic model. Five main tectonic stages are identified: (1) Mid-Late Triassic rifting-spreading of Southern Neotethys; (2) Late Cretaceous northward subduction-accretion of ophiolites and arc-related units; (3) Mid-Eocene subduction-related extension; (4) Early-Mid-Miocene collision and southward thrusting over the Arabian Foreland; (6) Plio-Quaternary, post-collisional left-lateral tectonic escape. During the Late Cretaceous (
c.
90 Ma) northward intra-oceanic subduction generated regionally extensive oceanic lithosphere as the İspendere, Kömürhan, Guleman and Killan ophiolites of supra-subduction zone type. A northward-dipping subduction zone was activated along the northern margin of the ocean basin (Keban Platform), followed by accretion of Upper Cretaceous ophiolites in latest Cretaceous time. As subduction continued the accreted ophiolites and overriding northern margin (Keban Platform) were intruded by calc-alkaline plutons, still during latest Cretaceous time. The northern margin was covered by shallow-marine mixed clastic-carbonate sediments in latest Cretaceous-Early Palaeogene time. Northward subduction during the Mid-Eocene was accompanied by extension of the northern continental margin, generating large fault-bounded, extensional basins that were infilled with shallow- to deep-water sediments and subduction-influenced volcanic rocks (Maden Group). Thick debris flows (‘olistostromes’) accumulated along the oceanward edge of the active margin. The partly assembled allochthon finally collided with the Arabian continental margin to the south during Early-Mid-Miocene time in response to oblique convergence; the entire thrust stack was then emplaced southwards over the downflexed Arabian Foreland. Left-lateral strike-slip (tectonic escape) along the East Anatolian Fault Zone ensued.