bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Evaluation of the Anti-Microbial Activity of New Heterocycles Containing the 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Moiety
Authors: Farghaly Thoraya A. , Abdallah Magda A. , Muhammad Zienab A.
Published: December 2011

A new series of thiadiazole-enaminones 4 were synthesized via reactions of 5-acetyl-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 3 with dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA). The simple phenyl substituted thiadiazole-enaminone 4f was used as a synthetic precursor for the preparation of a wide variety of new heterocyclic compounds, including the 5-substituted-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13, which were obtained via reactions of 4f with nitrogen nucleophiles. Also, reactions of enaminone 4f with carbon nucleophiles afforded the respective 1,3,4-thiadiazoles 8a–d. In addition, the results of the antimicrobial activities of thiadiazole-enaminones 4 and their precursors 2 and 3 indicate that some members of this series display promising activities against all tested microorganisms.
Effect of Ginkgo Leaf Parenteral Solution on Blood and Cochlea Antioxidant and Immunity Indexes in OM Rats
Authors: Zhao Jiandong , Su Yu , Chen Aiting , Yuan Hu , Liu Liangfa , Wu Wenming
Published: December 2011

Oxidative stress is involved in the development and progression of otitis media (OM). In this study, we investigated the effect of Ginkgo leaf parenteral solution on blood and cochlea antioxidant and immunity indexs in OM rats. In OM model rats, blood and cochlea malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were significantly increased, whereas antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GR)) were significantly decreased compared with normal rats. Treatment with Ginkgo leaf parenteral solution restored the altered parameters in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that Ginkgo leaf parenteral solution confers protection against oxidative injuries in OM rats by increasing activities of antioxidants and immunity, suggesting a potential drug for the prevention and therapy of OM.
Kinetic, Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Studies of Cadmium (II) Adsorption by Modified Agricultural Wastes
Authors: Al Othman Zeid A. , Hashem Ali , Habila Mohamed A.
Published: December 2011

Agricultural wastes have great potential for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The contamination of water by toxic heavy metals is a worldwide environmental problem. Unlike organic pollutants, the majority of which are susceptible to biological degradation, heavy metals do not degrade into harmless end products. Discharges containing cadmium, in particular, are strictly controlled because of the highly toxic nature of this element and its tendency to accumulate in the tissues of living organisms. This work aims to develop inexpensive, highly available, effective metal ion adsorbents from natural wastes as alternatives to existing commercial adsorbents. In particular, Tamrix articulata wastes were modified chemically by esterification with maleic acid to yield a carboxyl-rich adsorbent. The adsorption behavior of treated Tamrix articulata wastes toward cadmium ions in aqueous solutions in a batch system has been studied as a function of equilibration time, adsorbent dose, temperature and pH. Results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity was 195.5 mg/g in a pH 4 solution at 30 °C with a contact time of 120 min, an initial concentration of 400 mg/L and an adsorbent dose of 0.3 g/L. The kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. It was shown that the adsorption of cadmium could be described by a pseudo-second-order equation. The experimental data were also analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models of adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔGo, ΔHo and ΔSo have been evaluated and it has been found that the sorption process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. From all of our data, we conclude that the treated Tamrix articulata wastes investigated in this study showed good potential for cadmium removal from aqueous solutions.
The Prevalence of Darunavir-Associated Mutations in HIV-1-Infected Children in the Uk
Authors: Donegan Katherine L , Walker A Sarah , Dunn David , Judd Ali , Pillay Deenan , Menson Esse , Lyall Hermione , Tudor-Williams Gareth , Gibb Diana M
Published: December 2011

Background

We examined the prevalence of ritonavir-boosted darunavir (DRV) resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) in HIV-infected children in the UK to determine the drug's potential clinical utility as a first-line or second- line protease inhibitor (PI).

Methods

The prevalence of DRV RAMs, identified from IAS 2010 and Stanford, and the Stanford susceptibility score, were estimated in PI-naive and PI-experienced children in the Collaborative HIV Paediatric Study and the UK HIV Drug Resistance Database 1998–2008. Associations between type/duration of PI exposure and area under the viraemia curve on PI with the number of RAMs were investigated using multivariate Poisson regression.

Results

A total of 17/417 (4%) children with a resistance test when PI-naive had one IAS DRV RAM, and 1 had a Stanford mutation; none had multiple DRV RAMs. A total of 177 PI-experienced children had a test after a median 2.7 years (IQR 1.1–5.2) on PIs; 19 (11%) had one IAS DRV RAM, 7 (4%) had two RAMs, 1 (0.6%) had three RAMs and 1 (0.6%) had four RAMs. DRV RAMs were independently associated with increased years on a PI, a larger area under the viraemia curve since starting PIs, and any exposure to PIs other than lopinavir (all P≤0.05). Only 6 (3%) PI-experienced children had intermediate-level DRV/ritonavir resistance; none had high-level resistance.

Conclusions

DRV resistance was negligible in PI-naive children and those with lopinavir PI exposure alone. However resistance increased with increasing time, and with higher levels of viraemia, on PIs. Once-daily DRV/ritonavir would be valuable as a second PI or an alternative first PI, particularly if coformulated with a booster in an appropriate formulation for children.
Emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli in community-acquired urinary infections in Casablanca, Morocco
Authors: Bourjilat Fatna , Bouchrif Brahim , Dersi Noureddine , Gros Claude Jean David Perrier , Amarouch Hamid , Timinouni Mohammed
Published: December 2011

Introduction: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are an increasingly significant cause of community-acquired infection worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in a community, to analyze the relationship between strains studied, and to characterize the ESBL genes involved in this resistance. Methodology: ESBL production was detected by the double disk synergy test. Genes encoding ESBLs (blaTEM, blaCTM, blaSHV) were identified by PCR and DNA sequencing. Conjugation experiments were performed to check the transferability of antibiotic resistance genes. Strain inter-relationships were studied by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Results: Seven ESBL-producing E. coli were identified among the 535 E. coli isolates. Most of them expressed a CTX-M enzyme (6/7) with a predominance of CTX-M-15 (6/6). Two strains possessed TEM in combination with CTX-M-15 or SHV-5.  Plasmid content and gene transfer analysis showed that resistance genes were carried by high molecular weight conjugative plasmids. PFGE analysis showed that the strains were not clonal. Conclusions: ESBL-producing E. coli from urinary tract infections in Casablanca belong to different clones and carry mobile beta-lactamase genes.  It is therefore essential to monitor the epidemiology of ESBLs in E. coli and related organisms locally to effectively combat resistance.
Are human herpes viruses associated with autoimmune thyroid disease?
Authors: AL-Zarzour Noura , Monem Fawza
Published: December 2011

Introduction: Autoimmune diseases are complex diseases with genetic, endogenous and environmental etiologies. Viral infections have been postulated as one of the factors that may be the trigger of autoimmune diseases. Methodology: Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies were measured before thyroidectomy in 100 subjects by chemiluminescence method, 50 of whom were autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) patients and 50 of whom were multinodular goiter (MNG) patients used as a control group. Fresh thyroid samples were collected from all 100 subjects after thyroidectomy to investigate the DNAs of herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) by PCR. Results: The DNA of HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV and HHV-6 were detected in neither the patient group nor in the control group. The mean values of anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies ranged within 9.5-2000 units/ml (527.8 ± 617.4) and 108-5000 units/ml (1458.2 ± 1774.1) in the AITD patients group, respectively. A statistically significant difference of the mean level of anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies among the two groups was found (p value < 0.05). Conclusions: The possible role of human herpes viruses in the pathogenesis of AITD is not supported by our study; hence our raised question stays open for more investigation on more patients and in different parts of the country using different sizes and sites of biopsies.
An outbreak of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica neonatal meningitis in Mauritius
Authors: Issack Mohammad I , Neetoo Yaseen
Published: December 2011

Introduction: Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is a rare but well-recognised cause of neonatal meningitis. Reported outbreaks have involved very few cases. We describe the management and outcome of a relatively large outbreak of E.meningoseptica neonatal meningitis Methodology: From August 2002 to December 2003, eight cases of meningitis caused by E. meningoseptica occurred among babies admitted to the neonatal ward of Jawarhlal Nehru hospital, Mauritius. In all cases, the organism was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid. Infection control measures were re-emphasized after each case and environmental swabs were cultured on several occasions.  Results: The affected babies were aged 6 to 20 days (mean age of 10 days). Seven of the babies weighed < 2,500 g. All CSF isolates had the same antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Apart from one baby who died shortly after admission, all cases responded to treatment with intravenous piperacillin and oral rifampicin for three weeks. Hydrocephalus developed in two babies and was subsequently fatal in one case. At follow-up of the other cases, one baby had severe neurological sequelae but a full recovery was observed in the other four cases. The source of the outbreak could not be established conclusively.  Conclusions: The outcome was better than what has been reported in the medical literature.   Prompt identification of the causative organism and initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy is essential. The combination of piperacillin and rifampicin should be considered an option for the treatment of E. meningoseptica neonatal meningitis if supported by properly performed antibiotic susceptibility test results.
Genetic and morphological diversity in Armeria (Plumbaginaceae) is shaped by glacial cycles in Mediterranean refugia
Authors: Fuertes Aguilar Javier , Gutiérrez Larena Belén , Nieto Feliner Gonzalo
Published: December 2011

Little is known of the direct effects of Quaternary glaciationdeglaciation cycles in plants within southern European refugia. This study, centered in the Sierra Nevada (S Spain), used RAPD and morphometric data from 36 populations of Armeria (Plumbaginaceae) from five taxa belonging to three species that are endemic to that region: A. filicaulis subsp. nevadensis, A. fili caulis subsp. trevenqueana, A. filicaulis subsp. alfacarensis, A. splendens, and A. villosa subsp. bernisii. The results based on genetic analyses at the population level (AMOVA, genetic diversity, genetic distance) and genetic and morphological analyses at individual level (haplotype phenetic distance, PCO, morphometrics) indicate that: (1) genetic diversity decreases with altitude, probably as a result of the postglacial recolonization processes, except in some secondary contact zones between taxa; (2) gene flow among interspecific populations, most likely facilitated by contraction of vegetation belts, led to the formation of hybrid taxa; (3) genetic distances among populations provide a useful basis for studying scenarios with frequent interspecific gene-flow since it allows distinguishing eventual cases of introgression from hybridogenous taxa.
Rediscosvery of Micromeria densiflora Benth. (Labiatae), endemic of Tenerife
Authors: Santos-Guerra Arnoldo , Acevedo-Rodríguez Aurelio , Reyes-Betancort Jorge Alfredo
Published: December 2011

The present study confirms the existence of Micromeria densiflora Benth. on the Tenerife Island, Teno Massif, and detailed information on morphology, chorology and conservation status are provided. A natural hybrid of this species with Micromeria varia Benth. is described.
Isolation of plant nuclei suitable for flow cytometry from species with extremely mucilaginous compounds: an example in the genus Viola L. (Violaceae)
Authors: Cires Eduardo , Cuesta Candela , Fernández Casado María Ángeles , Nava Herminio S. , Vázquez Víctor M. , Fernández Prieto José Antonio
Published: December 2011

Flow cytometry analysis has been widely applied in the determination of nuclear DNA content and ploidy level in many organisms. Despite being the most appropriate method for DNA content measurement, flow cytometry also presents some limitations. A fairly common, but little-studied problem is the effect on measurements of the presence of secondary metabolites. A good example is the genus Viola, which is composed of 525-600 species distributed worldwide. These species have proved to be problematic for flow cytometric analyses due to the release of extremely mucilaginous compounds into the nuclear suspension. In this work, the genome size of 13 species of Viola using flow cytometry are presented for the first time. Despite obtaining histograms with high coefficients of variation, we here present an optimized protocol to remove cytoplasmic compounds, particularly mucilaginous ones, from plant nuclei that pave the way for its application to estimate the genome size of other species exhibiting similar problems. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between sections Viola and Melanium, and within each section (P < 0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant differences were not detected among samples of the same species.
Meriania selvaflorensis (Melastomataceae), a new climbing species of Colombia
Authors: Mendoza-Cifuentes Humberto
Published: December 2011

Meriania selvaflorensis (Melastomataceae) from “Selvas de Florencia” National Park of the department of Caldas, Central Mountains, flank of Magdalena River, Colombia, is described and illustrated. It is unique among described species of the genus with climbing habit. Additionally it’s characterized by the circumscissile calyptra and minute external teeth in the base of the calyptra.
Ductility in a new low nickel stainless steel for reinforced concrete
Authors: Cobo A. , Bastidas D. M. , González M. N. , Medina E. , Bastidas J. M.
Published: December 2011

This paper discusses the stress-strain curves for a new low nickel stainless steel, a conventional AISI 304 stainless steel and a carbon steel commonly used in reinforced concrete structures. Ductility was studied in terms of ultimate tensile strength (fmax), elastic limit (fy) and total elongation at maximum force [ultimate strain; uniform elongation] (εmax). The three materials were assessed with internationally accepted criteria, such as plastic rotational capacity, necking region and the toughness index (total energy absorbed at uniform elongation). The findings were compared to the properties of three types of conventional reinforcing steel: 500SD, 500N and 500H (EC-2).
Helminth Protection against Autoimmune Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice Is Independent of a Type 2 Immune Shift and Requires TGF-β
Authors: Hübner Marc P. , Shi Yinghui , Torrero Marina N. , Mueller Ellen , Larson David , Soloviova Kateryna , Gondorf Fabian , Hoerauf Achim , Killoran Kristin E. , Stocker J. Thomas , Davies Stephen J. , Tarbell Kristin V. , Mitre Edward
Published: December 2011

Leading hypotheses to explain helminth-mediated protection against autoimmunity postulate that type 2 or regulatory immune responses induced by helminth infections in the host limit pathogenic Th1-driven autoimmune responses. We tested these hypotheses by investigating whether infection with the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis prevents diabetes onset in IL-4–deficient NOD mice and whether depletion or absence of regulatory T cells, IL-10, or TGF-β alters helminth-mediated protection. In contrast to IL-4–competent NOD mice, IL-4–deficient NOD mice failed to develop a type 2 shift in either cytokine or Ab production during L. sigmodontis infection. Despite the absence of a type 2 immune shift, infection of IL-4–deficient NOD mice with L. sigmodontis prevented diabetes onset in all mice studied. Infections in immunocompetent and IL-4–deficient NOD mice were accompanied by increases in CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell frequencies and numbers, respectively, and helminth infection increased the proliferation of CD4+Foxp3+ cells. However, depletion of CD25+ cells in NOD mice or Foxp3+ T cells from splenocytes transferred into NOD.scid mice did not decrease helminth-mediated protection against diabetes onset. Continuous depletion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β, but not blockade of IL-10 signaling, prevented the beneficial effect of helminth infection on diabetes. Changes in Th17 responses did not seem to play an important role in helminth-mediated protection against autoimmunity, because helminth infection was not associated with a decreased Th17 immune response. This study demonstrates that L. sigmodontis-mediated protection against diabetes in NOD mice is not dependent on the induction of a type 2 immune shift but does require TGF-β.
Upregulation of IL-23 Expression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Is Mediated by the HBx/ERK/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Xia Limin , Tian Dean , Huang Wenjie , Zhu Hongwu , Wang Jing , Zhang Yongguo , Hu Hao , Nie Yongzhan , Fan Daiming , Wu Kaichun
Published: December 2011

IL-23 is a newly discovered proinflammatory cytokine that contributes to the maintenance and expansion of Th17 cells. IL-23 has recently been identified as playing a critical role in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the regulatory mechanism of IL-23 in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains largely unknown. The aims of this study were to detect the expression of IL-23 in CHB patients and to explore the molecular mechanism of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced IL-23 expression. Serum levels and hepatic expression of IL-23 were significantly upregulated in CHB patients. A positive correlation was found between IL-23 expression and the histological activity index score, HBV DNA load, and serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. HBx protein increased IL-23 expression in a dose-dependent manner. It also aided in the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, which directly bound to the promoters of IL-23 subunits p19 and p40 to facilitate their transcription. NF-κB inhibitors blocked the effect of HBx on IL-23 induction, and NF-κB subunits p65 and p50 increased the augmented IL-23 expression. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation and transfection with ERK dominant-negative plasmid significantly blocked the HBx-induced IL-23 expression. Furthermore, PI3K and Ras–MEK–MAPK inhibitors significantly decreased the ERK1/2 activation and IL-23 expression. Thus, we report a new molecular mechanism for HBV-induced IL-23 expression, which involves the activation of the ERK/NF-κB pathway by HBx, leading to the transactivation of the IL-23 p19 and p40 promoters.
Shifting of Immune Responsiveness to House Dust Mite by Influenza A Infection: Genomic Insights
Authors: Al-Garawi Amal , Husain Mainul , Ilieva Dora , Humbles Alison A. , Kolbeck Roland , Stampfli Martin R. , O’Byrne Paul M. , Coyle Anthony J. , Jordana Manel
Published: December 2011

Respiratory viral infections have been associated with an increased incidence of allergic asthma. However, the mechanisms by which respiratory infections facilitate allergic airway disease are incompletely understood. We previously showed that exposure to a low dose of house dust mite (HDM) resulted in enhanced HDM-mediated allergic airway inflammation, and, importantly, marked airway hyperreactivity only when allergen exposure occurred during an acute influenza A infection. In this study, we evaluated the impact of concurrent influenza infection and allergen exposure at the genomic level, using whole-genome microarray. Our data showed that, in contrast to exposure to a low dose of HDM, influenza A infection led to a dramatic increase in gene expression, particularly of TLRs, C-type lectin receptors, several complement components, as well as FcεR1. Additionally, we observed increased expression of a number of genes encoding chemokines and cytokines associated with the recruitment of proinflammatory cells. Moreover, HDM exposure in the context of an influenza A infection resulted in the induction of unique genes, including calgranulin A (S100a8), an endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern and TLR4 agonist. In addition, we observed significantly increased expression of serum amyloid A (Saa3) and serine protease inhibitor 3n (Serpina3n). This study showed that influenza infection markedly increased the expression of multiple gene classes capable of sensing allergens and amplifying the ensuing immune-inflammatory response. We propose that influenza A infection primes the lung environment in such a way as to lower the threshold of allergen responsiveness, thus facilitating the emergence of a clinically significant allergic phenotype.
Cutting Edge: A TLR9 Cytoplasmic Tyrosine Motif Is Selectively Required for Proinflammatory Cytokine Production
Authors: Chockalingam Annapoorani , Rose William Alfred , Hasan Maroof , Ju Chia-Hsin , Leifer Cynthia Anne
Published: December 2011

Compartmentalization of nucleic acid sensing TLR9 has been implicated as a mechanism to prevent recognition of self nucleic acid structures. Furthermore, recognition of CpG DNA in different endosomal compartments leads to the production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, or type I IFN. We previously characterized a tyrosine-based motif at aa 888–891 in the cytoplasmic tail of TLR9 important for appropriate intracellular localization. In this article, we show that this motif is selectively required for the production of TNF, but not IFN. In response to CpG DNA stimulation, the proteolytically processed 80-kDa fragment is tyrosine phosphorylated. Although Y888 is not itself phosphorylated, the structure of this motif is necessary for both TLR9 phosphorylation and TNF-α production in response to CpG DNA. We conclude that bifurcation in TLR9 signaling is regulated by a critical tyrosine motif in the cytoplasmic tail.
Immunohaematological reference values for HIV-negative healthy adults in Botswana
Authors: Mine Madisa , Moyo Sikhulile , Stevens Penny , Michael Kurt , Novitsky Vladimir , Makhaola Kgomotso , Asmelash Aida , Molefhabangwe S’khatele , Woldegabriel Elias , Mothowaeng Gaseboloke , Maruta Talkmore , Kamhukamwe Charity , Mangwendeza Phibeon M. , Holmes-Pretorius Molly , Mtoni Isaac , Motswaledi Modisa , Musonda Rosemary , Ndwapi Ndwapi , Makhema Joseph , Marlink Richard , Seipone Khumo , Gaolathe Tendani , Essex Max
Published: December 2011

Background: Clinical laboratories in Botswana have relied entirely on the reference intervals for normal immunohaematological values provided by manufacturers’ kits and textbooks. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the means, medians, 2.5th and 97.5th percentile reference intervals, for normal immunohaematological values in healthy adults in Botswana.Method: A total of 261 healthy participants comprising 126 men (48%) and 135 (52%) women were enrolled in the southern part of Botswana, and immunological and haematological laboratory parameters were measured.Results: The mean age was 28.8 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 27.7–29.8) years, with a median of 27 years and a range 18–66 years. The mean haemoglobin level was significantly lower for women (12.4 g/dL; 95% CI 12.1% – 12.7%) than men (15.1 g/dL; 95% CI 14.9% – 15.3%). The women’s haemoglobin reference values (9.0 g/dL – 15.0 g/dL) levels were lower than observed in predominantly White populations (12.0 g/dL – 16.0 g/dL), but comparable with regional consensus reference intervals (9.5 g/dL – 15.8 g/dL) recently defined for East and Southern Africa.Conclusion: The established values provide an important tool for patient management and could influence decisions on inclusion of participants and adverse events in clinical trials conducted locally.
Consequences of potassium, magnesium sulphate fertilization of high density Fuji apple orchards
Authors: Neilsen G. H. , Neilsen D.
Published: December 2011

Neilsen, G. H. and Neilsen, D. 2011. Consequences of potassium, magnesium sulphate fertilization of high density Fuji apple orchardsConsequences of potassium, magnesium sulphate fertilization of high density Fuji apple orchards. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 1013–1027. Three annual broadcast fertilizer treatments of 0, 100 or 200 kg K ha–1as K, Mg sulphate (KMag) were applied in a randomized complete block design with six replicate multi-tree plots. The study was undertaken for three successive growing seasons in eight commercial apple orchards of fruiting ‘Fuji’/M.9 (Malus × domestica Borkh.) located on coarse-textured soils typical of the Okanagan valley fruit production region of southern British Columbia. After 3 yr, KMag fertilization increased the amount and proportion of exchangeable K and Mg at the 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth. Soil exchangeable Ca was generally decreased in the surface 0–10 cm layer although the Ca/Σ[Ca + Mg + K] ratio decreased over the surface 20 cm. During the study, application of KMag fertilizer often increased leaf and fruit K concentrations, minimally affected leaf Mg and sometimes decreased fruit Ca concentration by years 2 and 3 and had little effect on fruit K/Ca or Mg/Ca ratio. KMag fertilization was effective in an orchard of marginal K nutritional status, increasing cumulative yield, fruit size and red colouration, implying an economic response to the K contained in the fertilizer. KMag fertilization was effective for maintaining leaf Mg concentration, but could not be relied upon to increase deficient leaf Mg. There were no widespread declines in fruit Ca concentration, nor increases in Ca-related harvest disorders after 3 yr of KMag fertilization, despite declines in exchangeable Ca and Ca/Σ[Ca + Mg + K] in surface soil layers.
Phosphorus solubility in Manitoba soils treated with pig manure from phytase supplemented diets
Authors: Ige D. V. , Abioye O. S. , Akinremi O. O. , Nyachoti C. M. , Flaten D. N.
Published: December 2011

Ige, D. V., Abioye, O. S., Akinremi, O. O., Nyachoti, C. M. and Flaten, D. N. 2011. Phosphorus solubility in Manitoba soils treated with pig manure from phytase supplemented diets. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 947–955. Phytase supplementation has been shown to reduce manure P content. However, this manipulation can influence manure P solubility upon land application. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the solubility of P in soils amended with manure from diets with reduced or no inorganic P supplement with and without phytase addition and to evaluate the influence of soil type on the solubility of manure P from phytase supplemented pig diets. Two calcareous and two non-calcareous Manitoba soils were amended with manure produced by pigs that were fed with diets containing different levels of supplemental inorganic P with and without phytase. Manure was applied at the rate of 75 kg P ha−1and the amended soils were incubated for 1, 4 and 16 wk. Soil P was extracted with water (H2O-P), Olsen (Ols-P) and Mehlich-3 (M3-P) solutions. Manure application mostly increased H2O-P above the control. Complete removal of supplemental inorganic P from the diet irrespective of phytase addition significantly increased M3-P (P<0.05) in the two calcareous soils during the 16-week incubation. Similarly, when no supplemental inorganic P was included in the diet, Ols-P was increased in the fine textured, calcareous soil at 16th week of incubation. Thus, the complete removal of inorganic P from pig diet has potential to increase P solubility in some soils. Addition of phytase to pig diet did not have consistent effects on the soil extractable P in these soils. Soil factor had the greatest influence (77 to 94%) on P solubility. Our results showed that while phytase supplementation with concurrent reduction in inorganic P will reduce manure P with no adverse effect on P solubility in soils, total elimination of dietary inorganic P through the use of greater rate of phytase may not be feasible as this has the potential to increase P solubility in some soils.
Regional impacts of ultrafine particle emissions from the surface of the Great Lakes
Authors: Chung S. H. , Basarab B. M. , VanReken T. M.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Quantifying the impacts of aerosols on climate requires a detailed knowledge of both the anthropogenic and the natural contributions to the aerosol population. Recent work has suggested a previously unrecognized natural source of ultrafine particles resulting from breaking waves at the surface of large freshwater lakes. This work is the first modeling study to investigate the potential for this newly discovered source to affect the aerosol number concentrations on regional scales. Using the WRF-Chem modeling framework, the impacts of wind-driven aerosol production from the surface of the Great Lakes were studied for a July 2004 test case. Simulations were performed for a base case with no lake surface emissions, a case with lake surface emissions included, and a default case wherein large freshwater lakes emit marine particles as if they were oceans. Results indicate that the lake surface emissions can enhance the surface-level aerosol number concentration by ~20% over the remote northern Great Lakes and by ~5% over other parts of the Great Lakes. These results were highly sensitive to the new particle formation (i.e., nucleation) parameterization within WRF-Chem; when the new particle formation process was deactivated, surface-layer enhancements from the lake emissions increased to as much as 200%. The results reported here have significant uncertainties associated with the lake emission parameterization and the way ultrafine particles are modeled within WRF-Chem. Nevertheless, the magnitudes of the impacts found in this study suggest that further study to quantify the emissions of ultrafine particles from the surface of the Great Lakes is merited.
Hygroscopic behavior of atmospherically relevant water-soluble carboxylic salts and their influence on the water uptake of ammonium sulfate
Authors: Wu Z. J. , Nowak A. , Poulain L. , Herrmann H. , Wiedensohler A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The hygroscopic behavior of atmospherically relevant water-soluble carboxylic salts and their effects on ammonium sulfate were investigated using a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (H-TDMA). No hygroscopic growth is observed for disodium oxalate, while ammonium oxalate shows slight growth (growth factor = 1.05 at 90%). The growth factors at 90% RH for sodium acetate, disodium malonate, disodium succinate, disodium tartrate, diammonium tartrate, sodium pyruvate, disodium maleate, and humic acid sodium salt are 1.79, 1.78, 1.69, 1.54, 1.29, 1.70, 1.78, and 1.19, respectively. The hygroscopic growth of mixtures of organic salts with ammonium sulfate, which are prepared as surrogates of atmospheric aerosols, was determined. A clear shift in deliquescence relative humidity to lower RH with increasing organic mass fraction was observed for these mixtures. Above 80% RH, the contribution to water uptake by the organic salts was close to that of ammonium sulfate for the majority of investigated compounds. The observed hygroscopic growth of the mixed particles at RH above the deliquescence relative humidity of ammonium sulfate agreed well with that predicted using the Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) mixing rule. Mixtures of ammonium sulfate with organic salts are more hygroscopic than mixtures with organic acids, indicating that neutralization by gas-phase ammonia and/or association with cations of dicarbonxylic acids may enhance the hygroscopicity of the atmospheric particles.
Aerosol shortwave direct radiative effect and forcing based on MODIS Level 2 data in the Eastern Mediterranean (Crete)
Authors: Benas N. , Hatzianastassiou N. , Matsoukas C. , Fotiadi A. , Mihalopoulos N. , Vardavas I.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The shortwave (SW) radiation budget was computed on a 10 km × 10 km resolution above FORTH-CRETE AERONET station in Crete, Greece, for the 11-year period from 2000 to 2010. The area is representative of the Eastern Mediterranean region, where air pollution and diminishing water resources are exacerbated by high aerosol loads and climate change. The present study aims to quantify the aerosol direct effect and forcing on the local surface and atmospheric energy budget. A radiative transfer model was used, with climatological data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), on board NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites. The instantaneous radiative fluxes were computed for satellite overpass times at the surface, within the atmosphere and at the top of atmosphere (TOA). Downward surface fluxes and aerosol input data were validated against ground measurements. Output fluxes reveal the direct radiative effects of dust events, with instantaneous values reaching up to −215, 139 and −46 Wm−2 at the surface (cooling), within the atmosphere (warming) and at TOA (cooling), respectively. Mean monthly values show a decreasing trend of the aerosol direct radiative effect, in agreement with a similar trend in AOT. The analysis of the contribution of anthropogenic and natural aerosol show major peaks of natural aerosol direct effect occurring mainly in spring, while a summer maximum is attributed to anthropogenic aerosol. During their peaks, anthropogenic aerosol forcing can reach values of −24 Wm−2 at the surface, 19 Wm−2 in the atmosphere and over −4 Wm−2 at TOA (monthly mean instantaneous values). The corresponding monthly peak values for natural aerosol are over −20 Wm−2, 12 Wm−2 and −9 Wm−2.
Proton/electron temperature ratio in the magnetotail
Authors: Artemyev A. V. , Baumjohann W. , Petrukovich A. A. , Nakamura R. , Dandouras I. , Fazakerley A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. We study the temperature ratio of protons and electrons based on statistics of Cluster observations in the Earth's magnetotail from 2001 to 2004. During these years, from June to November, the Cluster spacecraft visited the plasma sheet at the distance r~−19 RE. We use proton and electron moments collected in the central region of the plasma sheet (|Z|<5 RE). We find an average ratio of proton and electron temperatures ⟨Tp/Te ⟩ ≈ 3.5. The dependence of Tp on Te can be approximated by the power-law function: Tp ≈ 11Te0.62, where Tp and Te are measured in MK. A previous reported ratio ⟨Tp/Te ⟩ ~ 7 is limited to small electron temperatures <20 MK. The observations with the high electron temperature correspond to smaller values of the electron density and larger values of the proton and electron bulk velocities. A correlation between Te and curlometer current density is not found.
Can we predict groundwater discharge from terrestrial ecosystems using existing eco-hydrological concepts?
Authors: O'Grady A. P. , Carter J. L. , Bruce J.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. There is increasing recognition of the role that groundwater plays in the maintenance of ecosystem structure and function. As a result, water resources planners need to develop an understanding of the water requirements for these ecosystems. In this study we reviewed estimates of groundwater discharge from terrestrial vegetation communities around Australia and explored this data set for empirical relationships that could be used to predict groundwater discharge in data poor areas. In particular we explored how leaf area index and the water balance of groundwater systems conformed to two existing ecohydrological frameworks; the Budyko framework, which describes the partitioning of rainfall into evapotranspiration and runoff within a simple supply and demand framework, and Eagleson's theory of ecological optimality. We demonstrate strong convergence with the predictions of both frameworks. Terrestrial groundwater systems discharging groundwater lie above the water limit line as defined in the Budyko framework. However, when climate wetness was recalculated to include groundwater discharge there was remarkable convergence of these sites along this water limit line. Thus, we found that there was a strong correlation between estimates of evapotranspiration derived from the Budyko's relationship with observed estimates of evapotranspiration. Similarly, the LAI of ecosystems with access to groundwater have higher LAI than those without access to groundwater, for a given climatic regime. However, again when discharge was included in the calculation of climate wetness index there was again strong convergence between the two systems, providing support for ecological optimality frameworks that maximize LAI under given water availability regimes. The simplicity and utility of these simple ecohydrological insights potentially provide a valuable tool for predicting groundwater discharge from terrestrial ecosystems, especially in data poor areas.
Discharge simulation in the sub-basins of the Amazon using ORCHIDEE forced by new datasets
Authors: Guimberteau M. , Drapeau G. , Ronchail J. , Sultan B. , Polcher J. , Martinez J.-M. , Prigent C. , Guyot J.-L. , Cochonneau G. , Espinoza J. C. , Filizola N. , Fraizy P. , Lavado W. , De Oliveira E. , Pombosa R. , Noriega L. , Vauchel P.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of the ORCHIDEE land surface model to simulate streamflows over each sub-basin of the Amazon River basin. For this purpose, simulations are performed with a routing module including the influence of floodplains and swamps on river discharge and validated against on-site hydrological measurements collected within the HYBAM observatory over the 1980–2000 period. When forced by the NCC global meteorological dataset, the initial version of ORCHIDEE shows discrepancies with HYBAM measurements with underestimation by 15% of the annual mean streamflow at Óbidos hydrological station. Consequently, several improvements are incrementally added to the initial simulation in order to reduce those discrepancies. First, values of NCC precipitation are substituted by HYBAM daily in-situ rainfall observations from the meteorological services of Amazonian countries, interpolated over the basin. It highly improves the simulated streamflow over the northern and western parts of the basin, whereas streamflow over southern regions becomes overestimated, probably due to the extension of rainy spots that may be exaggerated by our interpolation method, or to an underestimation of simulated evapotranspiration when compared to flux tower measurements. Second, the initial map of maximal fractions of floodplains and swamps which largely underestimates floodplains areas over the main stem of the Amazon River and over the region of Llanos de Moxos in Bolivia, is substituted by a new one with a better agreement with different estimates over the basin. Simulated monthly water height is consequently better represented in ORCHIDEE when compared to Topex/Poseidon measurements over the main stem of the Amazon. Finally, a calibration of the time constant of the floodplain reservoir is performed to adjust the mean simulated seasonal peak flow at Óbidos in agreement with the observations.
The December 2008 Crammont rock avalanche, Mont Blanc massif area, Italy
Authors: Deline P. , Alberto W. , Broccolato M. , Hungr O. , Noetzli J. , Ravanel L. , Tamburini A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. We describe a 0.5 Mm3 rock avalanche that occurred in 2008 in the western Alps and discuss possible roles of controlling factors in the context of current climate change. The source is located between 2410 m and 2653 m a.s.l. on Mont Crammont and is controlled by a densely fractured rock structure. The main part of the collapsed rock mass deposited at the foot of the rock wall. A smaller part travelled much farther, reaching horizontal and vertical travel distances of 3050 m and 1560 m, respectively. The mobility of the rock mass was enhanced by channelization and snow. The rock-avalanche volume was calculated by comparison of pre- and post-event DTMs, and geomechanical characterization of the detachment zone was extracted from LiDAR point cloud processing. Back analysis of the rock-avalanche runout suggests a two stage event. There was no previous rock avalanche activity from the Mont Crammont ridge during the Holocene. The 2008 rock avalanche may have resulted from permafrost degradation in the steep rock wall, as suggested by seepage water in the scar after the collapse in spite of negative air temperatures, and modelling of rock temperatures that indicate warm permafrost (T > −2 °C).
Emergent behavior in a coupled economic and coastline model for beach nourishment
Authors: Lazarus E. D. , McNamara D. E. , Smith M. D. , Gopalakrishnan S. , Murray A. B.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Developed coastal areas often exhibit a strong systemic coupling between shoreline dynamics and economic dynamics. "Beach nourishment", a common erosion-control practice, involves mechanically depositing sediment from outside the local littoral system onto an actively eroding shoreline to alter shoreline morphology. Natural sediment-transport processes quickly rework the newly engineered beach, causing further changes to the shoreline that in turn affect subsequent beach-nourishment decisions. To the limited extent that this landscape/economic coupling has been considered, evidence suggests that towns tend to employ spatially myopic economic strategies under which individual towns make isolated decisions that do not account for their neighbors. What happens when an optimization strategy that explicitly ignores spatial interactions is incorporated into a physical model that is spatially dynamic? The long-term attractor that develops for the coupled system (the state and behavior to which the system evolves over time) is unclear. We link an economic model, in which town-manager agents choose economically optimal beach-nourishment intervals according to past observations of their immediate shoreline, to a simplified coastal-dynamics model that includes alongshore sediment transport and background erosion (e.g. from sea-level rise). Simulations suggest that feedbacks between these human and natural coastal processes can generate emergent behaviors. When alongshore sediment transport and spatially myopic nourishment decisions are coupled, increases in the rate of sea-level rise can destabilize economically optimal nourishment practices into a regime characterized by the emergence of chaotic shoreline evolution.
Callus Induction, Proliferation, and Plantlets Regeneration of Two Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) Genotypes under Saline and Heat Stress Conditions
Authors: Benderradji Laid , Brini Faiçal , Kellou Kamel , Ykhlef Nadia , Djekoun Abdelhamid , Masmoudi Khaled , Bouzerzour Hamenna
Published: December 2011

Response of two genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), Mahon-Demias (MD) and Hidhab (HD1220), to mature embryo culture, callus production, andin vitrosalt and heat tolerance was evaluated. For assessment of genotypes to salt and heat tolerance, growing morphogenic calli were exposed to different concentrations of NaCl (0, 5, 10, and 15 g·L−1) and under different thermal stress intensities (25, 30, 35, and 40°C). Comparison of the two genotypes was reported for callus induction efficiency from mature embryo. While, for salt and heat tolerance, the proliferation efficiency, embryonic efficiency, and regeneration efficiency were used. The results show significant medium and genotype effects for the embryogenesis capacity of calluses induction and plantlets regeneration under saline and thermal stresses. Mahon-Demias showed good callus induction and ability to proliferate and regenerate seedling under heat and salt stress conditions compared to Hidhab. No sizeable differences were observed between the two genotypes at higher salt stress rates. This study will serve as a base line forin vitroscreening of several elite wheat cultivars for their ability to induce callus and regenerate plants from mature embryos, and to start selection for tolerance to salinity.
Superresolution of Images Using Area Preserving Geometric Evolution Laws
Authors: Jäger Caroline , Praetorius Simon , Voigt Axel
Published: December 2011

PDE-based approaches are used to obtain superresolution of images. Using level set method for area constraint geometric evolution laws allows to remove pixelation in images without removing small-scale features. We compare mean curvature flow, surface diffusion, and Willmore flow for this purpose.
Ultraviolet/Visible Spectroscopy in Process Analyses
Authors: Saltzman Robert S.
Published: December 2011

Process analyzers based on ultraviolet and visible radiation absorption can provide reliable and high‐speed composition analyses throughout the process industries and are frequently used in closed loop control. This chapter reviews the history and designs of process UV/VIS analyzers, as well as some of their important applications for process and environmental monitoring and control.