bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal storage of nutrients by perennial herbaceous species in undisturbed and disturbed deciduous hardwood forests
Authors: Mabry Cathy M. , Gerken Michaeleen E. , Thompson Janette R.
Published: February 2009

Question:Pollution and eutrophication of surface water is increasingly a problem in agricultural landscapes. Do intact (relatively undisturbed) and degraded forests differ in seasonal nutrient storage and therefore potential to ameliorate nutrient pollution?

Location:United States, Midwestern region.

Methods:We used three sets of paired plots, where intact plots were located close to disturbed woodlands. Herbaceous perennials located in eight 0.25 m2quadrats in the plots were harvested (in spring and mid‐summer), dried, separated into above‐ and below‐ground plant parts, and weighed to determine biomass. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of the plant tissues were then determined, and these data combined with biomass to estimate nutrient storage.

Results:In spring, intact sites had 62% greater above‐ground biomass than disturbed sites and 75% greater below‐ground biomass. In summer, below‐ground biomass of intact plots was still much greater than that of disturbed plots (73 percent), but above‐ground biomass was similar. Nutrient tissue concentration generally did not differ, nor did soil nutrient levels. The disturbed sites were largely missing one group of species, the spring ephemerals, and this accounted for the difference in biomass and nutrient storage between sites.

Conclusions:Relatively undisturbed woodlands in our study had a much greater capacity to store nutrients, and therefore ameliorate nutrient pollution, in early spring. This is significant because spring is also the time of highest potential leaching of nutrients into surface water.
Long‐term effects of the abandonment of grazing on steppe‐like grasslands
Authors: Enyedi Z. Márton , Ruprecht Eszter , Deák Mónika
Published: February 2009

Question: What are the consequences of grazing abandonment on the Stipa lessingiana dominated steppe‐like grasslands? What is the relative importance of management and environmental factors in causing variation in species composition and abundance in the continuously grazed and abandoned grassland stands?

Location: Transylvanian Lowland, Romania.

Methods: Repeated vegetation mapping of a grassland stand, where grazing was abandoned 35 years ago; re‐sampling six grassland stands surveyed 29–57 years ago. For revealing long‐term changes in species composition and rank abundance PCoA ordination was applied. The relative importance of management and environmental factors in structuring vegetation were explored by CCA ordination. Diversity, evenness and the relative number and abundance of red‐listed species were compared between managed and abandoned stands.

Results: Our results pointed out that grasslands which were formerly grazed and dominated by S. lessingiana, in the long‐term absence of grazing, have been transformed into a S. pulcherrima dominated type. Management, probably by creating bare surfaces and preventing litter accumulation, had the strongest effect on the species composition and abundance in the grasslands. Abandoned grassland stands had lower diversity and evenness compared to continuously grazed stands. While at the same time, the relative number of threatened, rare species did not differ between managed and abandoned sites.

Conclusion: Maintaining extensively grazed, as well as un‐managed, Stipa dominated grasslands would be important in order to create various habitat conditions for plant species, especially threatened and rare species, and promote diversity on the landscape scale.
Long‐term effects of drainage and initial effects of hydrological restoration on rich fen vegetation
Authors: Mälson K. , Backéus I. , Rydin H.
Published: February 2009

Questions: What vegetational changes does a boreal rich fen (alkaline fen) undergo during a time period of 24 years after drainage? How is plant species richness affected, and what are the changes in composition of ecological groups of species? Is it possible to recover parts of the original flora by rewetting the rich fen? Which are the initial vegetation changes in the flora after rewetting? What are the major challenges for restoration of rich fen flora after rewetting?

Location: Eastern central Sweden, southern boreal vegetational zone. Previously rich fen site, drained for forestry purposes during 1978–1979. The site was hydrologically restored (rewetted) in 2002.

Method: Annual vegetation survey in permanent plots during a period of 28 years.

Results: There were three successional stages in the vegetational changes. In the first stage there was a rapid (< 5 years) loss of rich fen bryophytes. The second step was an increase of sedges and early successional bryophytes, which was followed by an increase of a few emerging dominants, such as Molinia caerulea, Betula pubescens and Sphagnum spp. After rewetting, there are indications of vegetation recovery, albeit at slow rates. Depending on, for instance, initial species composition different routes of vegetation change were observed in the flora after drainage, although after 24 years, species composition became more homogenous and dominated by a few species with high cover.

Conclusion: Major changes have occurred after changes in the hydrology (drainage and rewetting) with a severe impact on the biodiversity among vascular plants and bryophytes. Several rich fen bryophytes respond quickly to the changes in water level (in contrast to vascular plants). The recovery after rewetting towards the original rich fen vegetation is slow, as delayed by substrate degradation, dispersal limitation and presence of dominant species.
Land‐cover/use transitions in the binational Tijuana River watershed during a period of rapid industrialization
Authors: Ojeda‐Revah L. , Bocco G. , Ezcurra E. , Espejel I.
Published: February 2009

Question: How do differing social and economic systems affect the dynamics and trajectory of land cover / land use change on similar, neighbouring ecosystems in a time span when an economic industrialization program was enforced?

Location: Tijuana River watershed, located on the border between Baja California, Mexico and California, United States.

Methods: We quantified land use changes between 1970 and 1994 in the Tijuana River watershed. Using aerial photographs and geographic information systems, we elaborated land‐cover/use maps and calculated transition probability matrices to describe natural land‐cover changes at the landscape level on both sides of the border.

Results: Land cover / land use transitions are mainly driven by urban development on both sides of the border, but exhibit different patterns in each country. The processes seem to be more complex in the Mexican part of the basin, where itinerant land use may revert induced grasslands and rain‐fed agriculture into natural communities, than on the US side, where the transition pathways are few and unidirectional.

Conclusions: Despite the need for an integrated planning and management of binational basins and shared water resources, in practice, these goals may be hampered by different economic and social factors triggering land use change within each country.
Linking vegetation heterogeneity and functional attributes of temperate grasslands through remote sensing
Authors: Aragón Roxana , Oesterheld Martín
Published: February 2009

Question:How are plant communities of the Flooding Pampa grasslands spatially distributed? How do canopy dynamics of the different communities vary among seasons and years?

Location:Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

Methods:We characterized the distribution of communities through a supervised classification based on four Landsat 5TM images. We sampled species composition of 200 sites, with 130 of them corresponding to natural communities. Of the sampling areas 60% were used to classify, and the remaining areas to assess classification accuracy. We characterized the seasonal and interannual variability of canopy dynamics using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data provided by MODIS /Terra images.

Results:Overall accuracy of the classification was satisfactory. The resulting maps showed a landscape formed by a matrix of extended lowlands with small patches of mesophytic and humid mesophytic meadows. The October scene (near the peak of productivity) was particularly important in discriminating among communities. The seasonal pattern of NDVI differed among communities and years. Mesophytic meadows had the highest NDVI mean and the lowest interannual coefficient of variation, halophytic steppes had the lowest mean, and vegetated ponds were the most variable.

Conclusions:These grasslands have a fine‐grained heterogeneity at the landscape scale. Each plant community has distinct seasonal and interannual canopy dynamics. These two features of grassland structure and functioning represent key information for rangeland management that may be obtained through a combination of minor field sampling and remote sensing.
The influence of management history on spatial prediction of Eryngium spinalba, an endangered endemic species
Authors: Marage Damien , Garraud Luc , Rameau Jean‐Claude
Published: February 2009

Question: Spatial prediction of plant populations is essential for conservation management. This is especially true for rare and/or threatened endemic species, for which knowledge of determinants of distribution is necessary to mitigate threats and counteract decline. We therefore ask if the distribution of an endemic species can be accurately predicted by georeferenced environmental variables or, if anthropogenic variables also need to be taken into account.

Location: Alps, Hautes‐Alpes, France.

Methods: Potential distribution area and abundance of Eryngium spinalba were predicted with logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression, respectively, in a 57‐km2 watershed.

Results: Aspect, global solar radiation in March, elevation and grazing pressure were the main predictors of the probability of occurrence of Eryngium spinalba. Taking into account the persistence of agro‐pastoral activities by diachronic analysis (Napoleonic cadastral map and orthorectified photographs) improved predictions from the model and the level of spatial concordance with independent surveys.

Conclusions: Niche modelling improved our understanding of the distribution of this threatened species which, in the context of land abandonment, is diminishing as a result of the decline of its favoured habitats. The key role of pastoral activities and historic continuity for its distribution and persistence was clearly demonstrated.
Occurrence of Senecio aquaticus in relation to grassland management
Authors: Suter Matthias , Lüscher Andreas
Published: February 2009

Background: Senecio aquaticus is an esteemed wetland species, but it is also a poisonous species in grasslands for forage production of various countries (e.g. Great Britain and Central European states), and its further spread onto farmland must be prevented. To reveal links between management practice and the occurrence of S. aquaticus, a survey was carried out on agricultural grassland in the summer of 2005.

Location: The mountain region in the northern and central part of Switzerland.

Methods: Botanical assessments were carried out on management units (parcels) where S. aquaticus occurred and on neighbouring parcels without occurrence. For all parcels, we analysed the soil nutrients and the details of management such as intensity of fertilisation and defoliation frequency.

Results: There was a high risk of S. aquaticus occurrence in parcels with low nitrogen fertilisation, a change of management intensity in the preceding 15 years, high inclination, and gaps in the sward. The change in the vegetation composition caused by altering the management intensity most probably provided gaps in the sward, which were then colonised by S. aquaticus. A novel finding is that, despite its preference for low‐nutrient sites, the species was also persistent at sites with a moderate to high management intensity.

Conclusion: A long‐term control of S. aquaticus on agricultural grasslands can best be achieved by avoiding sward damage and by promoting dense and stable swards. The management should be adjusted to the local environmental conditions and the requirements of the favourable plant species. This could prevent the spread of S. aquaticus from the protected wetlands onto agricultural grasslands, where the species would threaten animal health.
IMMEDIATE DENTIN SEALING FOR INDIRECT BONDED RESTORATIONS
Authors: Swift Edward J.
Published: February 2009

For laboratory‐fabricated, resin‐bonded indirect restorations, clinicians usually prepare the tooth, make an impression, and cement a provisional restoration at an initial appointment. A few weeks later, after the definitive restoration has been tried in and adjusted, it is bonded with some combination of adhesive and resin cement. Another approach—most commonly called “immediate dentin sealing”—has been suggested. This technique involves placement of a resin coating on the dentin immediately after preparation. Several advantages have been cited for immediate dentin sealing. Prominent among those are a reduction in tooth sensitivity during the provisional phase and the potential for better bonding of the restoration to dentin. This Critical Appraisal reviews several in vitro research studies on the immediate dentin sealing technique.
The Impact of On-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery vs. Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery on Sexual Function
Authors: Mohamed Osama A. , Bennett Carol J. , Roaiah Mohamed Farid , Helmy Tarek , Mahran Ali , Hamed Hamed A.
Published: February 2009

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction and ischemic heart disease are common health problems that affect elderly individuals. Despite advances in treatment strategies, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been used for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for over three decades for surgical myocardial revascularization.

Aim

To discuss the difference between the on pump and the newer alternative—the off-pump CABG (OPCABG) surgery—on the sexual function.

Methods

This prospective study included 100 patients who underwent CABG.

Main Outcome Measures

The patients were evaluated by an abridged form of International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF-5), Pharmaco-Penile Duplex Ultrasound and finally by the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation. The patients were underwent either on-pump CABG or OPCABG. Six months after surgery, the erectile function was revaluated according to the same preoperative measures.

Results

Patients included in the study were classified into two matched groups: group I—patients who underwent on-pump CABG (N = 50); and group II—patients who underwent OPCABG (N = 50). The frequency of intercourse was significantly higher in OPCABG (P < 0.05) after surgery. The mean ± standard deviation of the IIEF-5 scores of the on-pump group postoperatively became 12.48 ± 7.19 whereas it became 15.88 ± 6.67 in the off-pump group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number of patients who reported postoperative improvement of their IIEF-5 score was significantly higher in OPCABG group (N = 23) compared with the conventional on-pump CABG group (N = 13) (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the duplex ultrasound after surgery between both groups.

Conclusions

The OPCABG has a diminished impact on the sexual function of patients compared with the conventional on-pump CABG. Therefore, the type of operation can be considered a predictive factor of sexual function following CAB surgery.
Coining and Defining Novel Nursing Terminology. Part 3: Critical Incident Control
Authors: Wong Elizabeth
Published: February 2009

PURPOSE.  In the third of a three‐part series, a novel nursing terminology is introduced and proposed for inclusion in the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)—Critical incident control (CIC)—defined as a response that attempts to reverse a life‐threatening condition. Critical incident nursing diagnosis (CIND), defined as recognition of an acute life‐threatening event that occurs as a result of disease, surgery, treatment, or medication, and critical incident nursing intervention, defined as any indirect or direct care registered nurse–initiated treatment, based upon clinical judgment and knowledge that a registered nurse performs in response to a CIND, were introduced in Parts 1 and 2 of this series, respectively.

DATA SOURCES.  The current literature, research studies, meta‐analyses from a variety of disciplines, and personal clinical experience serve as the data sources for this article.

DATA SYNTHESIS.  The current nursing outcomes in the NOC are inaccurate or inadequate for describing nursing care during life‐threatening situations. The lack of standardized nursing terminology creates a barrier that may impede critical communication and patient care during life‐threatening situations.

CONCLUSION.  Coining and defining novel nursing terminology, CIC, for patient care during life‐threatening situations is important and fills the gap in the current standardized nursing terminology.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE.  Refining the NOC will permit nursing researchers, among others, to conduct studies on nursing diagnoses in conjunction with the proposed novel nursing terminology, CIC.
Identification and characterisation of traditional chestnut varieties of southern Spain using morphological and simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers
Authors: Martin M.A. , Alvarez J.B. , Mattioni C. , Cherubini M. , Villani F. , Martin L.M.
Published: February 2009

The maintenance of plant genetic resources requires the identification of places and agroforestry systems that support high levels of genetic diversity. The aim of this work was to clarify the number and names of chestnut (Castanea sativa) cultivars in the south of Spain. Accordingly, 100 grafted chestnut trees corresponding to 34 traditional names were evaluated using 10 qualitative morphological traits and seven simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers. We identified 38 varieties, 12 in the Huelva region and 26 in Malaga, and synonymies and homonymies were discussed. This work demonstrated that the joint use of morphological traits and SSR markers is an efficient method to evaluate the agrobiodiversity of chestnut in this region. It was also stated that chestnut production in the south of Spain is a traditional system using varieties developed ‘in situ’. This constitutes a genuine system of on‐farm conservation, which is now threatened. Consequently, adopting strategies for its safeguarding are urgently recommended.
Building anisotropic sampling schemes for the estimation of anisotropic dispersal
Authors: Soubeyrand S. , Enjalbert J. , Kretzschmar A. , Sache I.
Published: February 2009

Anisotropy, a structural property of dispersal, is observed in dispersal patterns occurring for a wide range of biological systems. While dispersal models more and more often incorporate anisotropy, the sampling schemes required to collect data for validation usually do not account for the anisotropy of dispersal data. Using a parametric model already published to describe the spatial spread of a plant disease, the wheat yellow rust, we carry out a study aimed at recommending an appropriate sampling scheme for anisotropic data. In a first step, we show with a simulation study that prior knowledge of dispersal anisotropy can be used to improve the sampling scheme. One of the main guidelines to be proposed is the orientation of the sampling grid around the main dispersal directions. In a second step, we propose a sequential sampling procedure (SSP) used to automatically build anisotropic sampling schemes adapted to the actual anisotropy of dispersal. The SSP is applied to simulated and real data. The proposed methodology is expected to be adapted easily to any kind of organisms with wind‐borne propagule dispersal because it does not require the inclusion of biological features specific of the considered organism.
Health monitoring of plants by their emitted volatiles: trichome damage and cell membrane damage are detectable at greenhouse scale
Authors: Jansen R.M.C. , Hofstee J.W. , Wildt J. , Verstappen F.W.A. , Bouwmeester H.J. , Posthumus M.A. , Van Henten E.J.
Published: February 2009

Pathogen attack and herbivore infestation have a major impact on plant health. In a model study, these two plant health issues were simulated to study whether plant health can be monitored at greenhouse scale through the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in greenhouse atmosphere. To simulate pathogen attack and herbivore infestation, we repeatedly stroked the stems of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) and repeatedly removed their side shoots. In addition, we studied the effect of fruit picking on the concentration of plant‐emitted VOCs in greenhouse atmosphere. Analysis of air samples obtained before these treatments revealed up to 17 VOCs that are known to be released from tomato plants, of which the most dominant one was the monoterpene β‐phellandrene. When plants were 7 weeks old, the concentration of this VOC was approximately 0.06 ppbv before treatment. When plants were 12 weeks old, this concentration was raised to approximately 0.14 ppbv. Stroking of the stems, removing the side shoots and fruit picking resulted in an increase in the concentrations of all mono‐ and most sesquiterpenes up to 60‐fold, which was expected because these VOCs are well‐known constituents of trichomes. The treatments did not result in substantially increased concentrations of the stress‐related compounds α‐copaene, methyl salicylate and (E,E)‐4,8,12‐trimethyl‐1,3,7,11‐tridecatetraene. In contrast to stroking and fruit picking, shoot removal resulted in the emission of the lipoxygenase‐derived product (Z)‐3‐hexenol in greenhouse atmosphere expressing cell membrane degradation. The findings presented in this paper focus on the feasibility of monitoring plant health through the analysis of VOCs in greenhouse air, but findings might also be relevant for atmospheric chemistry.
Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Flag‐leaf Ligule Length in Rice and Alignment with ZmLG1 Gene
Authors: Zeng Dali , Hu Jiang , Dong Guojun , Liu Jian , Zeng Longjun , Zhang Guangheng , Guo Longbiao , Zhou Yihua , Qian Qian
Published: February 2009

A doubled haploid (DH) population, which consists of 120 lines derived from anther culture of a typical indica and japonica hybrid ‘CJ06’/‘TN1’, was used in this study. Ligule lengths of flag leaf were investigated for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping using the DH population. Five QTLs (qLL‐2, qLL‐4, qLL‐6, qLL‐10 and qLL‐12) controlling the ligule length (LL) were detected on chromosomes 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12, with the variances explained 11.4%, 13.6%, 27.8%, 22.1% and 11.0%, respectively. Using four known genes of ZmGL1, ZmGL2, ZmGL3 and ZmGL4 in maize from the MaizeGDB, their homologs in rice were aligned and integrated into the existing simple sequence repeats linkage map by in silico mapping. A ZmLG1 homolog gene, OsLG1 encoding a squamosa promoter binding protein, was located between the markers RM255 and RM280, which is just identical to the interval of qLL‐4 on the long arm of chromosome 4. The results are beneficial to dissection of the ligule molecular mechanism and the study of cereal evolution.
Constraints on w0 and wa of dark energy from high-redshift gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Tsutsui Ryo , Nakamura Takashi , Yonetoku Daisuke , Murakami Toshio , Tanabe Sachiko , Kodama Yoshiki , Takahashi Keitaro
Published: February 2009

We extend the Hubble diagram up to z= 5.6 using 63 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) via peak energy–peak luminosity relation (so-called Yonetoku relation), and obtain constraints on cosmological parameters including dynamical dark energy parametrized by P/ρ≡w(z) =w0+wa×z/(1 +z). It is found that the current GRB data are consistent with the concordance model (Ωm= 0.28, ΩΛ= 0.72, w0=-1, wa= 0) within 2σ level. Although constraints from GRBs themselves are not so strong, they can improve the conventional constraints from type Ia supernovae because GRBs have much higher redshifts. Further, we estimate the constraints on the dark energy parameters expected by future observations with Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope and Swift by Monte Carlo simulation. Constraints would improve substantially with another 150 GRBs.
Latin American and Spanish Copyright Relations (1880–1904)
Authors: Bellido Jose
Published: February 2009

In this article, an attempt is made to capture experiences embodied through bilateral copyright relationships between Latin America and Spain (1884–1904). Special attention is devoted to issues bracketed off in traditional historical narratives, such as the always‐decisive intervention of a suitable time to act and the techniques by which political relations outside the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Property 1886 were established. In doing so, attempts are made to describe the practices in carrying out negotiations and to follow the simultaneous emergence of problems interwoven in those political practices. The main aim is to try to appreciate abilities to establish contacts and to frame different themes, prioritizing and singularizing issues, furnishing trust and helping to construct horizons in bilateral copyright relations.
Interdependence of social structure and demography in the southern elephant seal colony of Península Valdés, Argentina
Authors: Ferrari Mariano A. , Lewis Mirtha N. , Pascual Miguel A. , Campagna Claudio
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Southern elephant seals breed at Península Valdés (PV, Argentina) along 200 km of coastline. Annual pup counts at peak breeding season for the entire colony increased from 12,113 in 1995 to 14,350 in 2006. Two demographic subunits were identified in the North and South of PV with different trends in births numbers, sex ratios and harem sizes. Birth numbers increased in the South, but decreased sharply in the North. To explain the trends in the colony and subunits, a population model was proposed that integrates social structure (harem size and sex ratio) in a fertility function that quantifies the effects of the social structure on the number of births. We found that a better fit to census data results from our model compared to a linear one (χ12= 4.027, P= 0.045). The model was then used to test alternative hypotheses about the role of recruitment and migration on the dynamic of the two subunits. Results indicated the relevance of considering social structure in population models of gregarious and polygynous species, and is an additional tool for comparative studies between populations of elephant seals where long term census are available.
Radiation‐associated carotid artery atherosclerosis: case report and review of contemporaneous literature
Authors: Friedlander Arthur H. , Federico Maria , Yueh Ronald , Norman Keith M. , Chin Eva E.
Published: February 2009

Radiation therapy (RT) is a component of the treatment of patients with head and neck malignancies. This therapy may damage the nearby carotid arteries, thereby initiating or accelerating the atherosclerotic process (atheroma formation). Dentists treating patients who have been irradiated should examine the patient's panoramic radiograph for evidence of atheroma‐like calcifications, which appear 1.5 to 2.5 cm posterior and inferior to the angle of the mandible. Patients with evidence of such lesions should be referred to their primary care physician with the suggestion that an ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries is indicated.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Ainsliaea faurieana (Asteraceae), an endemic plant species on Yakushima Island, Japan, and cross‐species amplification in closely related taxa
Authors: MITSUI Y. , ISAGI Y. , SETOGUCHI H.
Published: February 2009

Fourteen microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for Ainsliaea faurieana, an endemic perennial plant species on Yakushima Island. In an analysis of 37 individuals from Yakushima Island, the observed number of alleles ranged from two to six. The expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.109–0.811 and 0.000–0.27, respectively. The inbreeding coefficient was 0.489–1.000. The interspecific applicability of these microsatellites was evaluated by analysing three closely related taxa from the Ryukyu Islands. All primer pairs for the 14 loci tested successfully amplified in all taxa.
Isolation and characterization of codominant markers for the perennial canker fungal pathogen Neonectria ditissima
Authors: MARRA ROBERT E. , CORWIN JASON A.
Published: February 2009

Neonectria ditissima is a fungal pathogen native to eastern North America that causes disfiguring cankers on numerous tree species, particularly birches (Betula spp.). In order to develop control strategies, fundamental knowledge of the pathogen's reproductive and dispersal dynamics is necessary. To undertake these studies, we developed genomic libraries enriched for clones containing microsatellites, and then designed primers flanking each locus. Of 34 loci that were screened, 11 were polymorphic among 38 isolates obtained from a single population. Gene diversities ranged from 0.05 to 0.862 with a mean of 0.409. These markers will be invaluable in population studies of this fungus.
Characterization of 27 microsatellite loci in the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis
Authors: LALLIAS DELPHINE , STOCKDALE RUTH , BOUDRY PIERRE , BEAUMONT ANDY R. , LAPÈGUE SYLVIE
Published: February 2009

The flat oyster Ostrea edulis is native to Europe and populations have been severely depleted by the parasite Bonamia ostreae since the 1980s. Additional genetic markers are required to improve population genetics study and linkage map development for selection for B. ostrea‐resistance in this species. Here, we characterized 27 novel microsatellite loci for O. edulis. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 25 and observed heterozygosity between 0.375 and 1. Null alleles were suggested at a few loci but most loci were in Hardy–Weinberg agreement enabling their reliable use in further population and mapping genetics approaches.
Isolation and characterization of 15 polymorphic microsatellites in the Plethodontid salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii
Authors: DEVITT THOMAS J. , PEREIRA RICARDO , JAKKULA LAKSHMI , ALEXANDRINO JOÃO , BARDELEBEN CAROLYNE , MORITZ CRAIG
Published: February 2009

We developed 15 new polymorphic microsatellites for the plethodontid salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii. Loci were isolated from a genomic library from Ensatina eschscholtzii xanthoptica enriched for (AAAG)n repetitive elements. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 20 (mean 9) in the sampled population. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.37 to 1. None of the loci deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium or showed significant linkage disequilibrium after a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. All loci amplified in the six other subspecies of the Ensatina eschscholtzii complex. These new markers will prove useful in measuring gene flow and population structure as well as patterns of mating and sperm use in Ensatina.
Microsatellite loci within sixgill sharks, Hexanchus griseus
Authors: LARSON SHAWN , TINNEMORE DEBORAH , AMEMIYA CHRIS
Published: February 2009

Novel sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) microsatellite loci were developed and tested on five shark species. A suite of microsatellite loci previously developed for lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) was also tested. Data on 15 microsatellites are presented including primer sequences, number of alleles (a), observed (HO) and expected heterozygosities (HE), and FIS values for sixgill sharks (a = 10–69, HO = 0.24–1.00, HE = 0.76–0.96 and FIS = –0.21–0.60), sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) (a = 6–40, HO = 0.20–0.73, HE = 0.59–0.94 and FIS = –0.47–0.58), Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) (a = 3–13, HO = 0.00–0.96, HE = 0.24–0.93 and FIS =–0.52–1.00), angle sharks (Squatina californica) (a = 1–4, HO = 0.00–1.00, HE = 0.60–1.00 and FIS =–1.00–0.25), and leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) (a = 3–16, HO = 0.20–1.00, HE = 0.53–0.92 and FIS = –0.57–1.00). A final suite of 14 microsatellites (13 developed from sixgill sharks and one from lemon sharks) were found to be polymorphic and conform to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium within sixgill sharks.
Six diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphism markers for detecting introgression between cutthroat and rainbow trouts
Authors: FINGER AMANDA J. , STEPHENS MOLLY R. , CLIPPERTON NEIL W. , MAY BERNIE
Published: February 2009

Ten primer pairs were screened to develop single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) TaqMan assays that will distinguish California golden trout and some rainbow trouts (Oncorhynchus mykiss sspp., O. m. aguabonita) from the Paiute and Lahontan cutthroat trouts (Oncorhynchus clarkii seleniris, O. c. henshawi). From these 10 primer pairs, one mitochondrial and five nuclear fixed SNP differences were discovered and developed into TaqMan assays. These six assays will be useful for characterizing and monitoring hybridization between these groups. Additional Oncorhynchus clarkii sspp. and Oncorhynchus mykiss sspp. were assayed to determine if these assays are useful in closely related species.
Molecular characterization of major histocompatibility complex class II alleles in the common frog, Rana temporaria
Authors: ZEISSET I. , BEEBEE T. J. C.
Published: February 2009

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes, which play a major role in the immune system response, are some of the most polymorphic genes in vertebrates. We developed polymerase chain reaction primers for part of the second exon of an expressed MHC class II gene in the common frog, Rana temporaria. We genotyped this locus in five frog populations in southeast England and detected eight alleles in 215 individuals. Five or six alleles were detected in each population with a maximum of two alleles per individual, indicating that only a single locus was amplified. We also inferred the possible existence of a null allele. There were 23 variable nucleotide sites (out of 136) and 13 variable amino acid sites (out of 44), many of which corresponded to amino acids involved in antigen recognition. We detected a significant excess of nonsynonymous substitutions at antigen binding sites, indicating that this gene is under positive selection. The level of variation we found was similar to that in other amphibian MHC class II loci, such as those in Bombina bombina, Xenopus laevis and Ambystoma tigrinum.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Eosinophilia in Dogs
Authors: Windsor R.C. , Sturges B.K. , Vernau K.M. , Vernau W.
Published: February 2009

Background:Marked eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalomyelitis (EME) is rarely reported in dogs and the cause is usually undetermined. Long‐term prognosis for dogs with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) eosinophilia is variable.

Animals:Twenty‐three client‐owned dogs.

Methods:Retrospective case series. Dogs with eosinophilic CSF, defined as total nucleated cell count (TNCC) >3 cells/μL with >20% eosinophils, were identified by a computerized search of all dogs having cisternal and/or lumbar CSF analyzed as part of the diagnostic workup between 1992 and 2007.

Results:TNCC in CSF ranged from 4 to 4,740 cells/μL (median 84 cells/μL, reference range ≤3 cells/μL), with 22 to 95% (median 78%) eosinophils in the differential count. An infectious agent was identified on necropsy in 4 of 23 (17%) dogs (Cryptococcus neoformans[n = 2],Neospora caninum[n = 1], andBaylisascaris procyonis[n = 1]). Each of these dogs had progressive neurologic deterioration. Sixteen dogs had idiopathic EME. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were abnormal in 7 of 13 dogs with EME; 2 dogs had focal lesions and 5 dogs had multifocal lesions. Clinical signs in 12 of 16 (75%) dogs with idiopathic EME resolved with prednisone treatment. Three dogs with acute intervertebral disc herniations recovered after decompressive surgery alone.

Conclusions:Idiopathic EME is a common cause of eosinophilic pleocytosis in dogs. MRI findings are variable. Infectious causes of EME were less common and had a poor prognosis.
Variational Multiscale A Posteriori Error Estimation for Quantities of Interest
Authors: Hauke Guillermo , Fuster Daniel
Published: February 2009

This paper applies the variational multiscale theory to develop an explicit a posteriori error estimator for quantities of interest and linear functionals of the solution. The method is an extension of a previous work on global and local error estimates for solutions computed with stabilized methods. The technique is based on approximating an exact representation of the error formulated as a function of the fine-scale Green function. Numerical examples for the multidimensional transport equation confirm that the method can provide good local error estimates of quantities of interest both in the diffusive and the advective limit.
Three-Dimensional Edge-Based SUPG Computation of Inviscid Compressible Flows With YZβ Shock-Capturing
Authors: Catabriga Lucia , de Souza Denis A. F. , Coutinho Alvaro L. G. A. , Tezduyar Tayfun E.
Published: February 2009

The streamline-upwind/Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) formulation of compressible flows based on conservation variables, supplemented with shock-capturing, has been successfully used over a quarter of a century. In this paper, for inviscid compressible flows, the YZβ shock-capturing parameter, which was developed recently and is based on conservation variables only, is compared with an earlier parameter derived based on the entropy variables. Our studies include comparing, in the context of these two versions of the SUPG formulation, computational efficiency of the element- and edge-based data structures in iterative computation of compressible flows. Tests include 1D, 2D, and 3D examples.
Experimental Testing of Gerotor and Scroll Expanders Used in, and Energetic and Exergetic Modeling of, an Organic Rankine Cycle
Authors: Mathias James A. , Johnston Jon R. , Cao Jiming , Priedeman Douglas K. , Christensen Richard N.
Published: February 2009

This paper presents the experimental testing of relatively cost-effective expanders in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) to produce power from low-grade energy. Gerotor and scroll expanders were the two types of expanders tested to determine their applicability in producing power from low-grade energy. The results of the experimental testing showed that both types of expanders were good candidates to be used in an ORC. The gerotor and scroll expanders tested produced 2.07 kW and 2.96 kW, and had isentropic efficiencies of 0.85 and 0.83, respectively. Also the paper presents results of an analytical model produced that predicted improved cycle efficiency with certain changes. One change was the flow rate of the working fluid in the cycle was properly matched with the inlet pocket volume and rotational speed of the expander. Also, the volumetric expansion ratio of the expander was matched to the specific volume ratio of the working fluid (R-123) across the expander. The model incorporated the efficiencies of the expanders and pump obtained during experimental testing, and combined two expanders in series to match the specific volume ratio of the working fluid. The model determined the power produced by the expanders, and subtracted the power required by the working fluid pump and the condenser fan. From that, the model calculated the net power produced to be 6271 W and the overall energy efficiency of the cycle to be 7.7%. When the ORC was simulated to be integrated with the exhaust of a stationary engine, the exergetic efficiency, exergy destroyed, and reduction in diesel fuel while still producing the same amount of power during 2500 h of operation were 22.1%, 22,169 W, and 4,012 L (1060 U.S. gal), respectively. Consequently, the model presents a very realistic design based on results from experimental testing to cost-effectively use low-grade energy.
Diesel Engine Optimization for Electric Hybrid Vehicles
Authors: Yusaf Talal F.
Published: February 2009

Performance and emission testing for a single cylinder four-stroke diesel engine have been experimentally performed to determine the optimum operation conditions for this engine when it is used as a hybrid power unit. The studied operation parameters included brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), exhaust emission (NOx, CO, CO2, and O2), and engine life. The results indicate that the lowest BSFC of the engine was found when the engine runs around 1 kW charging load at speed ranged between 1900 rpm and 2700 rpm. As the speed of the engine is maintained constant, the minimum level of BSFC is below 300 g/kW h at around 1900 rpm. The best engine operation conditions, for low emission, are found at engine speed around 2500 rpm. It was found that the oxides of nitrogen remain within the acceptable level (below 180 ppm) for such a diesel engine. The battery charge has been conducted at constant speeds, where the lubricant oil temperature was constant and always below maximum temperature; this is a good indication for longer engine life.
Time-Derivative Preconditioning Methods for Multicomponent Flows—Part I: Riemann Problems
Authors: Housman Jeffrey A. , Kiris Cetin C. , Hafez Mohamed M.
Published: February 2009

A time-derivative preconditioned system of equations suitable for the numerical simulation of inviscid multicomponent and multiphase flows at all speeds is described. The system is shown to be hyperbolic in time and remains well conditioned in the incompressible limit, allowing time marching numerical methods to remain an efficient solution strategy. It is well known that the application of conservative numerical methods to multicomponent flows containing sharp fluid interfaces will generate nonphysical pressure and velocity oscillations across the component interface. These oscillations may lead to stability problems when the interface separates fluids with large density ratio, such as water and air. The effect of which may lead to the requirement of small physical time steps and slow subiteration convergence for implicit time marching numerical methods. At low speeds the use of nonconservative methods may be considered. In this paper a characteristic-based preconditioned nonconservative method is described. This method preserves pressure and velocity equilibrium across fluid interfaces, obtains density ratio independent stability and convergence, and remains well conditioned in the incompressible limit of the equations. To extend the method to transonic and supersonic flows containing shocks, a hybrid formulation is described, which combines a conservative preconditioned Roe method with the nonconservative preconditioned characteristic-based method. The hybrid method retains the pressure and velocity equilibrium at component interfaces and converges to the physically correct weak solution. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the nonconservative and hybrid approaches, a series of one-dimensional multicomponent Riemann problems is solved with each of the methods. The solutions are compared with the exact solution to the Riemann problem, and stability of the numerical methods are discussed.
Simulation of Perfluoropolyether Lubricant Films
Authors: Jhon M. S. , Izumisawa S. , Guo Q. , Hsia Y. T.
Published: February 2009

Thin-film lubricants play a key role in high-density data storage capabilities via increased reliability and performance of hard disk drive systems. The commercially-used perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants are random copolymers with a linear, polymeric backbone chain structure: X–[(OCF2CF2)p–(OCF2)q]–O–X (p/q ≅ 2/3). Here, X (representing the endgroups) is CF3 in PFPE Z (non-reactive) and CF2CH2OH in PFPE Zdol (reactive), where the hydroxyl groups in PFPE Zdol exhibits strong polar interactions with solid surfaces and with other endgroups. Figure 1 illustrates the representative bead-spring models [1,2] for PFPE Zdol examined in this paper.
Mechanism of Cavitation Erosion at the Exit of a Long Orifice
Authors: Yagi Yoshinori , Murase Michio , Sato Keiichi , Hattori Shuji
Published: February 2009

We carried out experiments to clarify the mechanism of cavitation erosion at the exit of a long orifice equipped at a pressure-reducing line in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). In order to ascertain the mechanism of cavitation erosion at the first stage and progression stage, we used a high-speed video camera. As a result, we observed cavity collapse near the exit of the orifice under oscillating flow conditions, which might be a major factor in the first stage of erosion at the exit of the orifice. To simulate the progression stage, we used an orifice with a cone-shaped flow passage at its exit, corresponding to an orifice diffuser. We observed cavity collapse near the exit, after which cavities that existed upstream in the cone shape collapsed in a manner similar to a chain reaction. The propagation speed varied with the quantity of cavities in the cone-shaped flow passage and cavities collapsed in a concentric circle pattern. Thus, the cavity collapse mechanism was concluded as follows: a pressure wave (shock wave) was generated by cavity collapse near the exit, then propagated upwards, and consequently caused cavity collapse upstream. This mechanism might promote cavitation erosion in an upward direction.
Development of Air/Water Two-Phase Flow Centrifugal Pump and Its Operating Characteristics
Authors: Furukawa Akinori , Ohshita Satoshi , Okuma Kusuo , Watanabe Satoshi
Published: February 2009

A centrifugal impeller, the pumping action of which could be highly kept even at an air-water two-phase flow condition of inlet void fraction more than 30% in the region of relatively high water flow rate, has been developed. In the present paper, the design concept of two-phase flow impeller is described, at first, with experimental results. The short bladed forward impeller with high outlet blade angle was decided to keep theoretical head higher even in two-phase flow condition and to disperse the air accumulating region on the suction blade surface by the water jet flow coming from the pressure side. Furthermore, the tandem arrangement of outer and inner rotating cascades with the same blade numbers was adopted to suppress the rotating stall phenomena appearing in the case of a single stage of outer cascade. It should be noted that these results were obtained with operating a boost pump installed upstream of mixing section of air and water, that is not an actual operation of two-phase flow pump. Secondly, the operating characteristics of this two-phase flow pump with change of air flow rate were investigated experimentally without operating the boost pump. As the trajectory of operating point with increasing air flow rate appears along the resistance curve of piping system, the impossibility of pumping occurs at lower air flow rate even though pump head takes a positive value at high air flow rate with increasing water flow rate. It is recognized that it is necessary to improve two-phase flow head characteristic curves in the region of low water flow rate to operate in wider two-phase flow conditions.
Irregular Bubble Entrainment Following Drop Impact on a Free Surface
Authors: Tomita Yukio , Kasai Toshiyasu , Miura Shinya
Published: February 2009

An air bubble is entrained by the impact of a drop on a water surface. Consequently sound is emitted. There are two categories of the bubble entrainment depending on the drop diameter dD and impact velocity Vimp. One is the regular entrainment where air bubbles are always pinched off, another is the irregular case where bubbles are trapped irregularly. In this paper we explore the mechanism of the irregular bubble entrainment and induced bubble sound.