bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting slip melting point of palm oil products
Authors: Berger K. G. , Siew W. L. , OH Flingoh C. H.
Published: March 2007

The effect of different factors affecting the slip melting point of palm oil has been evaluated. The most important factor appears to be the difference in tempering temperatures. The influence of different tempering temperatures on slip point values is, however, dependent on the nature of the sample. For hydrogenated oils and for some high‐melting palm stearins, tempering has no effect. For palm oil and palm olein, higher melting points were obtained when tempering at the higher temperatures in the range of 4–15 C. For some soft stearins, however, lower melting points were obtained at the higher tempering temperatures. These effects are investigated with differential scanning calorimetry and an explanation is offered, based on phase diagrams. A secondary effect on the slip melting point was the height of fat in the capillary tube. Effects of using different methods of determination are also shown. Collaborative trials on a standard testing procedure, AOCS Cc3‐25, revealed the inadequacy for palm oil of the temperature range of 4–10 C specified in the procedure and its fractions. Strict adherence to a fixed tempering temperature produced better precision and reproducibility among laboratories. Tempering at 10±1 C is recommended.
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in the prevention of vagrant dye pick‐up on polyester textile fabric during laundering
Authors: Lannert K. P. , Crutchfield M. M.
Published: March 2007

The unwanted pick‐up of low levels of vagrant dyes during washing of textile fabrics can be a significant contributor to long‐term polyester appearance degradation. Fabric appearance loss from pick‐up of small quantities of a standard yellow dye are measured on both optically brightened and unbrightened polyester. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) surfactant micelles act as effective dye scavengers, reducing the level of dye pick‐up by the fabric substantially. The efficacy of LAS as a dye scavenger is quantified as a function of alkyl chain length and use concentration. Dye scavenging ability per unit weight of LAS increases with increasing molecular weight and decreasing critical micelle concentration (cmc). Dye scavenging of up to 80% of the transferable dye is achieved at high LAS concentrations. Results with C9, C11, C13 and C15 single homolog alkyl chain lengths, and with several mixed chain length blends are presented.
World production trends‐edible fats and oils
Authors: Mehr Stanley
Published: March 2007

In the past decade, production trended upwards at nearly a million tons a year. Below‐trend growth in foreign production between 1968 and 1970 sparked sharp price rises in 1969 and 1970, which in turn stimulated a strong increase in foreign production in 1971 and 1972. This increase appears likely to continue in 1973, barring unfavorable weather. Continued expansion of production, however, could again lead to depressed prices and a subsequent diminution of growth, repeating the price and production cycle of the sixties.
Trends in use and prospects for the future harvest of world fisheries resources
Authors: Sprague Lucian M. , Arnold John H.
Published: March 2007

Estimates of the potential yield from the marine environment have varied between 20–1000 million metric tons because they were based on poor and incomplete data and differing approaches to trophic level evaluation. The data is improving slightly and the estimates are beginning to agree within half an order of magnitude. We believe that the yield of marine fisheries could ultimately be expanded to ca. 400 million metric tons, by utilizing presently known but underutilized resources, by opening new fisheries in areas like the Indian Ocean and Antarctic and by improving systems of regulating the catch and fishing effort. In order to meet the maximum potential of the marine environment we will have to harvest at a lower trophic level in the food chain because most fish in higher trophic levels are being harvested at their maximum sustainable yield. This increasing harvest of smaller fish, plus the increasing demand for fishmeal for animal feed will cause an increasing proportion of the fish harvested to be used for reduction to fishmeal and oil.
Reactions of carbon monoxide with unsaturated fatty acids and derivatives: A review
Authors: Pryde E. H. , Frankel E. N. , Cowan J. C.
Published: March 2007

The important reactions of carbon monoxide with unsaturated fatty derivatives that are reviewed in this paper include hydroformylation (the oxo reaction), Koch carboxylation and Reppe carbonylation. With oleic acid as a substrate, the products are C19 bifunctional compounds e.g., formyl‐ or carboxy‐stearic acid. Double bond isomerization before carbon monoxide addition is characteristic of these catalytic reactions; additionally, rearrangement to introduce methyl branching occurs in the Koch carboxylation. Isomerization does not occur when a rhodium‐triphenylphosphine catalyst replaces cobalt in the oxo reaction. Properties of the C19 dicarboxylic acids differ and depend upon method of preparation: Many areas of application have been reported for C19 compounds‐lubricants, plasticizers, polyurethanes, epoxy resins, leather and other coatings, unsaturated polyester resins and transparent polyamide plastics.
Food emulsifiers—Science and art
Authors: Nash Nat H. , Brickman Lawrence M.
Published: March 2007

General classifications of food emulsifiers are presented, and their functions are discussed. Examples of many food products are given, and recommended emulsifier usage levels are presented. Some of the food applications cited include: cakes, icings, toppings, bread, sweet goods, frozen desserts, coffee whiteners, peanut butter, margarine and confectionery coatings.
Carbonate and phosphate detergent builders: Their impact on the environment
Authors: Jungermann E. , Silberman H. C.
Published: March 2007

The impact of detergent builders on the environment is critically examined by review of the literature, material balance calculations, wastewater treatment experiments and aquatic toxicity studies. The experiments were designed to assess the influence of alkalinity and carbonates on various sewage treatment processes. Carbonate detergent builders were found to have no detrimental effect on sewage treatment. There was no indication that carbonate detergents are more toxic to fish than phosphate detergents.
The X‐ray diffraction of molecular compounds of 2‐aminopyridine with long chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Skau Evald L. , Mod Robert R. , Magne Frank C. , O’Connor Robert T.
Published: March 2007

X‐Ray diffraction measurements of long and short spacings are reported for the crystalline 1:1 and 4:1 molecular compounds of 2‐aminopyridine with the C10 to C18 saturated fatty acids and the 1:1 and 2:1 compounds of oleic, elaidic, alpha‐eleostearic and beta‐eleostearic acids. Data are also reported for 2‐aminopyridine, α‐eleostearic acid and β‐eleostearic acid. The angle of tilt of the 1:1 saturated compounds is 42°15′. The long spacings of the 4:1 compounds indicate a unit cell length of four molecules of fatty acid and one molecule of 2‐aminopyridine with an angle of tilt of 62°15′. The contribution of the 2‐aminopyridine to the length of a molecule of the 1:1 compounds is ca. 6 Å, the distance between the NH2 and the CH2 in the para position. In the 4:1 and 2:1 compounds it is ca. 3 Å, the distance between the NH2 and the ring nitrogen.
Application of NMR for the determination of HLB values of nonionic surfactants
Authors: Ben‐Et G. , Tatarsky D.
Published: March 2007

Hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) values for various commercial nonionic surfactants have been determined by means of high resolution NMR. The results are in good agreement with given HLB values. The method is rapid, nondestructive and requires only small samples.
Two‐step homogeneous conjugation and hydrogenation of methyl esters of unsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Ben‐Et G. , Dolev A. , Schimmel M. , Stern R.
Published: March 2007

A new approach to the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids is suggested. It consists of a two step process. The first is a selective conjugation of the double bonds, while the second consists of the hydrogenation reaction using a catalyst which is specific to conjugated systems. Potassiumt‐butoxide was used as a conjugation catalyst and its activity and selectivity were tested at various concentrations, different molar ratios of catalyst to oil, and in various solvents. Phenanthrene chromium tricarbonyl was used as the hydrogenation catalyst and its activity tested at various concentrations, temperatures and in various solvents.
Trace metal contents, chemical properties and oxidative stability of capelin and herring oils produced in norwegian plants
Authors: Notevarp O. , Chahine M. H.
Published: March 2007

The iron and copper contents of 14 crude capelin oils, two herring oils and one blend produced in oil meal plants in northern Norway were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Their oxidative stability, peroxide (PV), benzidine (BV) and iodine values (IV), free fatty acids (FFA) and tocopherol contents were also evaluated. The oxidative stability was found to be more dependent on the tocopherol content and BV of the crude oils than on their content of trace metals. Changes in iron, copper and nickel contents were determined by AAS after refining and hydrogenation of marine oils in two Norwegian hydrogenation plants. The content of trace metals in the oils and hydrogenated products decreased as a result of alkali refining and bleaching to the lower limits of detectability by the method used, and amounted to 0.01 (oils), 0.02 and <0.3 ppm for iron, copper and nickel respectively.
A convenient preparation of 10‐hydroxydecanoic acid
Authors: Elliger Carl A. , Diamond M. J.
Published: March 2007

The alkaline cleavage of ricinoleates may be carried out in ethanol at temperatures of 190–200 C using two to three equivalents of NaOH to give yields up to 69% of pure 10‐hydroxydecanoic acid. This method avoids the use of large excesses of alkali as well as the use of high boiling alcohols as reaction media.
Specific diacid triglycerides by a simple two‐step procedure
Authors: Mitchell Lawrence C.
Published: March 2007

A simple two‐step synthesis of specific diacid triglycerides is described. This process avoids the use of blocking groups and the problem of acyl group migration. In principle any naturally occurring diacid triglyceride can be synthesized by this procedure.
High order compositeness in natural fats. The glyceride structures of seed fats fromSchleichera trijuga, Sapindus trifoliatus, andMimusops elengi
Authors: Kartha A. R. S. , Narayanan R.
Published: March 2007

The glyceride‐type structures of seed fats fromS. trijuga (Sapindacae, Sm 28.0),S. trifoliatus (Sapindacae, Sm 12.6), andM. elengi (Sapotacae, Sm 29.6) were studied by the gravimetric azelaoglyceride technique. The seed fats fromS. trifoliatus andM. elengi agreed well with the requirements of the Glyceride‐Type Distribution Rule (GTDR). TheS. trijuga seed fat however contained GS3 – nil, GS2U – 25.2, GSU2 – 34.1, and GU3 – 40.7 percentage mols respectively against GTDR values of 0, 21.0, 42.5, and 36.5 percentage mols.

Structure deviations from GTDR of the type shown byS. trijuga seed fat have been designated as “HOC deviations” for obvious reasons and may probably be attributed to a new phenomenon termed high order compositeness of fats, which is ultimately caused by the nonhomogeneity of fat tissues. Since this phenomenon appears to be rather widespread, a new constant, the HOC index, is suggested to denote the degree of HOC shown by specific natural fats with reference to GTDR as the standard. The nature of further experimental evidence, required to establish the causative factors behind HOC variations, is also discussed in some detail.
“Acid” pyrolysis‐capillary chromatographic analysis of anionic and nonionic surfactants
Authors: Lew H. L.
Published: March 2007

A tandem “acid” pyrolysis‐capillary chromatographic method for analyzing surfactants has been developed, and its application to the more common anionic and nonionic surfactant types investigated. In this method a surfactant is mixed with an acid, such as P2O5 or H3PO4, and dropped into a pyrolyzer attached to a capillary gas chromatograph. The resulting volatile pyrolyzate is carried into the chromatograph for analysis.

According to the chromatograms, the point of cleavage during “acid” pyrolysis is quite selective, usually at a C‐S or C‐O bond. For example, LAS and ABS give peaks corresponding to the alkylbenzene precursors; primary linear alkyl sulfates and sulfonates, peaks corresponding to olefins with the same number of carbon atoms as the alkyl group; and alcohol and alkylphenol ethoxylates and ethoxylate sulfates, peaks corresponding to olefins from the alkyl group and to acetaldehyde and a higher aldehyde from the polyethoxy group. Alkylphenol derivatives are probably cleaved to form an alkylphenoxy intermediate, which then dealkylates to give the olefins.

This method is quantitative for carbon number or carbon number and isomer distribution of hydrophobes in linear surfactants, semiquantitative for ethoxy content and for hydrophobes in branched chain surfactants, and qualitative for hydrotropes and certain foam additives. Surfactants, as well as mixtures of certain surfactant types, in built detergent formulations can be analyzed without isolation.
Estimation of the total number of disease‐causing mutations in ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency. Value of the OTC structure in predicting a mutation pathogenic potential
Authors: Arranz J. A. , Riudor E. , Marco‐Marín C. , Rubio V.
Published: March 2007

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD), the X‐linked, most frequent urea cycle error, results from mutations in the OTC gene, encoding a 354‐residue polypeptide. To date 341 OTCD clinical mutations, including 222 missense single nucleotide changes (mSNCs), have been compiled (Hum Mutat 2006;27:626). OTCD mutation detection might be simplified if the entire repertoire of OTCD‐causing mutations were known. We estimate the size of this repertoire from 23 new OTCD patients exhibiting 22 different mutations, of which 9, including 4 mSNCs, are novel. The complete repertoire of OTCD‐causing mutations is estimated as 560 mutations (95% confidence interval, 422–833 mutations), including 290 mSNCs (95% confidence interval, 230–394 mSNCs). Thus, OTCD diagnosis based on the screening for known mutations might attain ˜90% sensitivity in <5 years. Since disease‐causing mSNCs represent <20% of the 2064 possible OTC mSNCs, simple approaches are essential for discrimination between causative and trivial mSNCs. Observation of the OTC structure appears a simple approach for such discrimination, comparing favourably in our sample with three formalized structure‐based and/or sequence‐based in silico assessment methods, and supporting the causation of complete deficiency by the mutations p.Pro305Arg and p.Ser96Phe, and of partial deficiency by p.Asp41Gly, p.Glu122Gly, p.Leu179Phe, p.Pro220Thr and p.Glu273del. Five non‐mSNC novel mutations (p.Gly71X, a 7‐nucleotide and a 10‐nucleotide duplication and deletion in exon 5, G>A transitions at bases +1 and +5 of introns 4 and 9, respectively) are obviously pathogenic. The previously reported mSNCs p.Arg26Gln, p.Arg40His, p.Glu52Lys, pLys88Asn, p.Arg129His, p.Asn161Ser, p.Thr178Met, p.His202Tyr, p.Ala208Thr and p.His302Arg, found in our cohort, are also discussed.
Macroscopic Entanglement and Phase Transitions
Authors: Anders Janet , Vedral Vlatko
Published: March 2007

This paper summarises the results of our research on macroscopic entanglement in spin systems and free Bosonic gases. We explain how entanglement can be observed using entanglement witnesses which are themselves constructed within the framework of thermodynamics and thus macroscopic observables. These thermodynamical entanglement witnesses result in bounds on macroscopic parameters of the system, such as the temperature, the energy or the susceptibility, below which entanglement must be present. The derived bounds indicate a relationship between the occurrence of entanglement and the establishment of order, possibly resulting in phase transition phenomena. We give a short overview over the concepts developed in condensed matter physics to capture the characteristics of phase transitions in particular in terms of order and correlation functions. Finally we want to ask and speculate whether entanglement could be a generalised order concept by itself, relevant in (quantum induced) phase transitions such as BEC, and that taking this view may help us to understand the underlying process of high-T superconductivity.
Modification of alumina matrices through chemical etching and electroless deposition of nano-Au array for amperometric sensing
Authors: Jagminas Arūnas , Kuzmarskytė Julijana , Valinčius Gintaras , Malferrari Luciana , Malinauskas Albertas
Published: March 2007

Simple nanoporous alumina matrix modification procedure, in which the electrically highly insulating alumina barrier layer at the bottom of the pores is replaced with the conductive layer of the gold beds, was described. This modification makes possible the direct electron exchange between the underlying aluminum support and the redox species encapsulated in the alumina pores, thus, providing the generic platform for the nanoporous alumina sensors (biosensors) with the direct amperometric signal readout fabrication.
Opioid titration in cancer pain: A critical review
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano
Published: March 2007

Initiation of therapy with strong opioids is a challenging phase to obtain the maximum benefit and to gain the patient's compliance. The approach could be different, depending on the clinical situation and type of opioid regimen. Substantially, the need to titrate the dose of strong opioids emerges in different conditions: (a) in opioid‐naive patients who require an opioid treatment; (b) in patients no longer responsive to weaker drugs requiring strong opioids; (c) in patients already receiving strong opioids requiring higher doses because of an increase in pain intensity or a new acute pain problem; (d) in patients who are severely suffering and need an intensive as well as rapid intervention, due to previous persistent undertreatment. Whilst there is a vast literature confirming the effectiveness of most opioid drugs for the treatment of chronic pain, there is a lack of information regarding opioid titration. This review assesses the principal titration methods and outcomes regarding the different opioid drugs and their modalities of administration, in different clinical contexts.
Effects of spinal cord stimulation on cortical excitability in patients with chronic neuropathic pain: A pilot study
Authors: Schlaier Jürgen R. , Eichhammer Peter , Langguth Berthold , Doenitz Christian , Binder Harald , Hajak Göran , Brawanski Alexander
Published: March 2007

Background: Despite a broad clinical use, the mechanism of action of SCS is poorly understood. Current information suggests that the effects of SCS are mediated by a complex set of interactions at several levels of the nervous system including spinal and supraspinal mechanisms.

Aims: The study was undertaken to investigate the influence of SCS on distinct parameters of cortical excitability using single‐ and paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Methods: Five patients with chronic neuropathic pain were examined with the SCS stimulator on and off by means of TMS. Pain was assessed using a visual‐analogue scale. Electrophysiological and pain parameters of patients during this procedure were compared by means of a linear mixed effect model.

Results: SCS induced a significant modulation of cortical excitability, especially by influencing the parameter “intracortical facilitation” (t=−2.657; df=8; p=0.029). A significant relationship between this parameter and “perceived pain” could be obtained (t=−4.798; df=8; p=0.002).

Conclusions: These results suggest that SCS is able to influence neurobiological processes at the supraspinal level and that clinical effects of SCS may be at least in part of cortical origin.
Dissecting yeast Hog1 MAP kinase pathway using a chemical genetic approach
Authors: Kim Sungjoon , Shah Kavita
Published: March 2007

Using a chemical genetic approach, we identified four novel physiological substrates of Hog1 kinase (Krs1, Tdh3, Hsp26, and Shm2). These substrates suggest plausible mechanisms for actin reorganization, cell cycle arrest and regulation of protein synthesis observed upon osmotic stress. We further show that the human homolog of Shm2 (SHMT1) is a novel physiological substrate of p38 MAP kinase in vitro and in vivo. Down‐regulation of its enzymatic activity was observed following p38‐mediated phosphorylation revealing a potential cancer‐modulating property of p38 MAP kinase. This screen has uncovered several novel Hog1 substrates that provide new avenues for investigation into the mechanism of osmoadaptation by this kinase.
Properties of recombinant glycine decarboxylase P‐ and H‐protein subunits from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803
Authors: Hasse Dirk , Mikkat Stefan , Thrun Hans-Albrecht , Hagemann Martin , Bauwe Hermann
Published: March 2007

The multi‐enzyme complex glycine decarboxylase is important for one‐carbon metabolism, essential for the photorespiratory glycolate cycle of plants, and comprises four different polypeptides, P‐, H‐, T‐, and L‐protein. We report on the production and properties of recombinant P‐protein from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis and also describe features of recombinant H‐protein from the same organism. The P‐protein shows enzymatic activity with lipoylated H‐protein and very low activity with H‐apoprotein or lipoate as artificial cofactors. Its affinity towards glycine is unaffected by the presence and nature of the methyleneamine acceptor molecule. The cyanobacterial H‐protein apparently forms stable dimers.
Characterisation of cyclin D1 down‐regulation in coronavirus infected cells
Authors: Harrison Sally M. , Dove Brian K. , Rothwell Lisa , Kaiser Pete , Tarpey Ian , Brooks Gavin , Hiscox Julian A.
Published: March 2007

The positive strand RNA coronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), induces a G2/M phase arrest and reduction in the G1 and G1/S phase transition regulator cyclin D1. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated that cyclin D1 was reduced post‐transcriptionally within infected cells independently of the cell‐cycle stage at the time of infection. Confocal microscopy revealed that cyclin D1 decreased in IBV‐infected cells as infection progressed and inhibition studies indicated that a population of cyclin D1 could be targeted for degradation by a virus mediated pathway. In contrast to the SARS‐coronavirus, IBV nucleocapsid protein did not interact with cyclin D1.
Differential requirement for the translocation of clostridial binary toxins: Iota toxin requires a membrane potential gradient
Authors: Gibert Maryse , Marvaud Jean Christophe , Pereira Yannick , Hale Martha L. , Stiles Bradley G. , Boquet Patrice , Lamaze Christophe , Popoff Michel R.
Published: March 2007

Clostridial binary toxins, such asClostridium perfringensIota andClostridium botulinumC2, are composed of a binding protein (Ib and C2‐II, respectively) that recognizes distinct membrane receptors and mediates internalization of a catalytic protein (Ia and C2‐I, respectively) with ADP‐ribosyltransferase activity that depolymerizes the actin cytoskeleton. After internalization, it was found that C2 and Iota toxins were not routed to the Golgi apparatus and exhibited differential sensitivity to inhibitors of endosome acidification. While the C2‐I component of C2 toxin was translocated into the cytosol from early endosomes, translocation of the Ia component of Iota toxin occurred between early and late endosomes, was dependent on more acidic conditions, and uniquely required a membrane potential gradient.
CD36 is a receptor for oxidized high density lipoprotein: Implications for the development of atherosclerosis
Authors: Thorne Rick F. , Mhaidat Nizar M. , Ralston Kylie J. , Burns Gordon F.
Published: March 2007

Atherosclerotic plaques result from the excessive deposition of cholesterol esters derived from lipoproteins and lipoprotein fragments. Tissue macrophage within the intimal space of major arterial vessels have been shown to play an important role in this process. We demonstrate in a transfection system using two human cell lines that the macrophage scavenger receptor CD36 selectively elicited lipid uptake from Cu2+‐oxidized high density lipoprotein (HDL) but not from native HDL or low density lipoprotein (LDL). The uptake of oxHDL displayed morphological and biochemical similarities with the CD36‐dependent uptake of oxidized LDL. CD36‐mediated uptake of oxidized HDL by macrophage may therefore contribute to atheroma formation.
Malaria parasitemia and systemic cytokine bias in pregnancy
Authors: Achidi E.A. , Apinjoh T.O. , Titanji V.P.K.
Published: March 2007

Objectives: To investigate the effects of age, gravidity, and gestational age on peripheral malaria parasitemia and functional T helper (Th) cell heterogeneity in pregnant women. Methods: Maternal age, gravidity, and gestational age were recorded and peripheral venous blood collected from 175 women attending antenatal clinics in south western Cameroon between March and September 2002. The blood was checked for malaria parasitemia by light microscopy and plasma levels of interleukin (IL)‐4 and human interferon (IFN)‐γ were measured by indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Malaria parasites were detected in 45 (25.4%) of 174 women, with rates similar for different age groups, trimesters of pregnancy, and gravidity. The geometric mean parasite density was 565, and parasite density was significantly higher in younger than in older women. For all groups combined, the mean IL‐4 level was significantly higher than the mean IFN‐γ (P = 0.0004), irrespective of the presence and density of malaria parasites, gravidity except for women in their first trimester of pregnancy and grandmultiparas, who had similar levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐4. In general, the cytokine profile was biased toward The‐type of responses in 112 (84.3%) of 132 women. Conclusions: In this study the ability to control malaria parasitemia during pregnancy was found to be predominantly age dependent, suggesting naturally acquired immunity. Furthermore, the systemic cytokine profile was found to be biased towards Th2 responses, a prerequisite for a successful pregnancy. This pattern was unaffected by maternal age, gestational age, gravidity, or parasitemia.
SOCIAL DEPRIVATION AND HAND INJURY
Authors: HORTON T. C.
Published: March 2007

This study investigated the relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and the incidence, patterns of injury, process of care and outcome of hand trauma using data collected prospectively on 1,234 injuries presented during six months. The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 was derived from census data and postcodes. Socioeconomic deprivation is significantly associated with hand trauma. The odds ratio for suffering hand injuries in the most deprived quintile is 1.6 (SE 0.09 95% CI 1.45, 1.83) compared to the least deprived quintile. This is most marked among older children and adults. Fractures, sprains and ligament injuries showed the strongest association with the degree of deprivation. Injuries related to sport were not associated with deprivation. Surgical time utilised is greater in more deprived patients and their self reported physical outcome is worse. Hand surgery units working in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation will have higher trauma workloads and unit costs. Social deprivation may also influence physical outcomes.
The frontiers of eBusiness technology and supply chains
Authors: Boone Tonya , Ganeshan Ram
Published: March 2007

This article is an Introduction to this Special Issue on “eBusiness and Supply Chain Management.” It also provides a vision for eBusiness and supply chain for the future.
Geomorphological, paleontological and 87Sr/86Sr isotope analyses of early Pleistocene paleoshorelines to define the uplift of Central Apennines (Italy)
Authors: Mancini Marco , D'Anastasio Elisabetta , Barbieri Mario , De Martini Paolo Marco
Published: March 2007

The eastern border of the Middle Valley of the Tiber River is characterized by several Plio-Pleistocene paleoshorelines, which extend for about 100 km along the western margin of the Central Apennines (Italy). We studied these paleoshorelines by the means of geological and paleontological analyses and new 87Sr/86Sr isotope analyses. The youngest and uppermost paleoshorelines have been detected and mapped through detailed geologic and stratigraphic surveys, which led to the recognition of nearshore deposits, cliff breccias, alignments of Lithophaga borings, fossil abrasion notches and wave-cut platforms. The altitude of these paleoshorelines decreases almost regularly in the NNW–SSE direction from 480 to 220 m a.s.l. Measurements of the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio have been conducted on corals and mollusks collected from sediments outcropping close to the paleoshorelines. The isotopic dating results indicate numerical values that range between 0.70907 and 0.70910 all over the 100-km outcrop. These results, together with biostratigraphic data, constrain the age of the youngest paleoshorelines to 1.65–1.50 Ma. These paleoshorelines are thus considered almost isochronous, giving an estimated uplift rate of 0.34–0.17±0.03 mm/a moving from NNW to SSE. Shape, length and continuity of the 100-km-long observed movements indicate that the studied paleoshorelines are an important marker of the Quaternary uplift of the Central Apennines.
United States Department of Agriculture's weather and climate information system for operational applications in agriculture
Authors: Motha Raymond , Stefanski Robert
Published: March 2007

There are many challenges facing today's farmers and the use of weather and climate can help farmers in meeting and overcoming these challenges. Additionally, government decision‐makers use information on actual and potential crop production impacts, a large percentage of which is based on weather and climate information such as drought, heavy rain events, and hurricanes. The Joint Agricultural Weather Facility (JAWF) is an example of one U.S. Government organization successfully using weather and climate information in many of its operational applications that are disseminated to users. These agricultural weather applications or products are grouped into tactical (short‐term) and strategic (long‐term) products. Examples of tactical products discussed include the Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (WWCB); routine and special crop‐weather assessments, and a Regional Weather Network in Mississippi. Strategic products discussed include the U.S. Drought Monitor and the use of weather information in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) process. The purpose of this paper is to provide some successful applications of climate and weather information and how this information is communicated between this agrometeorological service and farmers. Also, the goal is to provide lessons learned for other agrometeorological services around the world. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Commission 31: Time
Authors: Matsakis Demetrios , Defraigne Pascale , Hosokawa M. , Leschiutta S. , Petit G. , Zhai Z.-C.
Published: March 2007

The most intensely discussed and controversial issue in time keeping has been the proposal before the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to redefine Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) so as to replace leap seconds by leap hours. Should this proposal be adopted, the practice of inserting leap seconds would cease after a specific date. Should the Earth's rotation continue to de-accelerate at its historical rate, the next discontinuity in UTC would be an hour inserted several centuries from now. Advocates of this proposal cite the need to synchronize satellite and other systems, such as GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS, which did not exist and were not envisioned when the current system was adopted. They note that leap second insertions can be and have been incorrectly implemented or accounted for. Such errors have to date had localized impact, but they could cause serious mishaps involving loss of life. For example, some GPS receivers have been known to fail simply because there was no leap second after a long enough interval, other GPS receivers failed because the leap second information was broadcast more than three months in advance, and some commercial software used for internet time-transfer Network Time Protocol (NTP) could either discard all data received after a leap second or interpret it as a frequency change. The ambiguity associated with the extra second could also disrupt financial accounting and certain forms of encryption. Those opposed to the proposal question the need for a change, and also point out the costs of adjusting to the proposed change and its inconvenience to amateur astronomers and others who rely upon astronomical calculations published in advance. Reports have been circulated that the cost of checking and correcting software to accommodate the new definition of UTC would be many millions of dollars for some systems. In October 2005 American Astronomical Society asked the ITU for a year's time to study the issue. This commission has supported the efforts of the IAU's Committee on the Leap Second to make an informed recommendation, and anticipates considerable discussion at the IAU's 26th General Assembly in 2006.
Division II: Sun and Heliosphere
Authors: Webb David F. , Melrose Donald B. , Benz Arnold O. , Bogdan Thomas J. , Bougeret Jean-Louis , Klimchuk James A. , Pillet Valentin Martinez
Published: March 2007

Division II of the IAU provides a forum for astronomers studying a wide range of phenomena related to the structure, radiation and activity of the Sun, and its interaction with the Earth and the rest of the solar system. Division II encompasses three Commissions, 10, 12 and 49, and four working groups. During the last triennia the activities of the division involved some reorganization of the division and its working groups, developing new procedures for election of division and commission officers, promoting annual meetings from within the division and evaluating all the proposed meetings, evaluating the division's representatives for the IAU to international scientific organizations, and participating in general IAU business.
Commission 10: Solar Activity
Authors: Melrose Donald B. , Klimchuk James A. , Benz A.O. , Craig I.J.D. , Gopalswamy N. , Harrison R.A. , Kozlovsky B.Z. , Poletto G. , Schrijver K.J. , van Driel-Gesztelyi L. , Wang J.-X.
Published: March 2007

Commission 10 aims at the study of various forms of solar activity, including networks, plages, pores, spots, fibrils, surges, jets, filaments/prominences, coronal loops, flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar cycle, microflares, nanoflares, coronal heating etc., which are all manifestation of the interplay of magnetic fields and solar plasma. Increasingly important is the study of solar activities as sources of various disturbances in the interplanetary space and near-Earth “space weather”.

Over the past three years a major component of research on the active Sun has involved data from the RHESSI spacecraft. This review starts with an update on current and planned solar observations from spacecraft. The discussion of solar flares gives emphasis to new results from RHESSI, along with updates on other aspects of flares. Recent progress on two theoretical concepts, magnetic reconnection and magnetic helicity is then summarized, followed by discussions of coronal loops and heating, the magnetic carpet and filaments. The final topic discussed is coronal mass ejections and space weather.

The discussions on each topic is relatively brief, and intended as an outline to put the extensive list of references in context.

The review was prepared jointly by the members of the Organizing Committee, and the names of the primary contributors to the various sections are indicated in parentheses.
Commission 16: Physical Study of Planets and Satellites
Authors: Consolmagno Guy J. , Courtin Régis , Blanco C. , Cruikshank D. , Ksanfomality L. , McGrath M. , Morrison D. , Noll K. , Owen T. , Roos-Serote M. , Spencer J. , Tejfel V.
Published: March 2007

This report is a brief summary of some of the major achievements in studies of planets and satellites that have been accomplished during the years 2003–2005. Unlike previous years, we do not attempt to provide a detailed overview of the field but rather choose to highlight aspects which are of particular novelty.
Commission 20: Positions and Motions of Minor Planets, Comets and Satellites
Authors: Valsecchi Giovanni B. , Fernández Julio A. , Arlot J.-E. , Bowell E.L.G. , Chernetenko Y. , Chesley S.R. , Fernández J.A. , Lazzaro D. , Lemaître A. , Marsden B.G. , Muinonen K. , Rickman H. , Tholen D.J. , Valsecchi G.B. , Yoshikawa M.
Published: March 2007

The past triennium has continued to see a huge influx of astrometric positions of small solar system bodies provided by near-Earth object (NEO) surveys. As a result, the size of the orbital databases of all populations of small solar system bodies continues to increase dramatically, and this in turn allows finer and finer analyses of the types of motion in various regions of the orbital elements space.
Commission 21: Light of the Night Sky
Authors: Gustafson Bo Å. S. , Witt Adolf N. , Dwek E. , Lamy P. , Henry R. , Mann I.
Published: March 2007

Commission 21, one of IAU's smallest commissions, consists of some hundred members and consultants working to understand and describe the light of the night sky with emphasis on the diffuse components. Many more work on these topics without being members of the commission. Light is here defined in its broader sense of electromagnetic radiation of any frequency. The diffuse components of the light of the night sky encompass a variety of physical phenomena over the full range of cosmic distance scales and include scattered light, thermal emission, line emission, and any other emission phenomena producing a diffuse light source. These attract interest not only as scientific topics of study in their own right but also as an unwanted foreground or background against which all other sky phenomena are observed. Commission 21 has for mandate to promote research and availability of results on issues related to the diffuse light of the night sky. This document is a report on activities in this field and is not confined to the activities of its members, no distinction is made between work carried out by commission members and non commission members. The report is organized starting with a summary of the state of broad surveys that provide most of the observations. The report on developments in the various disciplines start with the sources closest to the observer known as airglow and progresses by way of the interplanetary and interstellar mediums to the increasingly distant integrated starlight, diffuse galactic light and diffuse emission in other galaxies ending with the extragalactic background radiation.
Commission 22: Meteors, Meteorites & Interplanetary Dust
Authors: Mann Ingrid , Spurný Pavel , Baggaley Jack , Borovička Jiří , Spurný Pavel , Watanabe J. , Williams I.P. , Porubčan Vladimír , Jeniskens Peter , Grady Monica
Published: March 2007

There have been three international meetings where the subject area of the meeting was to significant extent within the area of interest of commission 22. These were: The Meteoroids 2004 Conference was held at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada from August 15 to 21, 2004. This conference was the fifth in a series of meteoroid meetings which have been held approximately every three years since 1992, the previous one being in Kiruna, Sweden in 2001. Ingrid Mann chaired a scientific organizing committee which set the program for the conference. The meeting brought together scientists from more than twenty countries, to deliver 84 oral and 38 poster presentations. The papers represented the research contributions of more than 150 different scientists. The conference provided a comprehensive overview of leading edge research on topics ranging from the dynamics, sources and distribution of meteoroids, their chemistry and their physical processes in the interplanetary medium and the Earthõs atmosphere, and space and laboratory studies of meteorites, micrometeorites and interplanetary dust were also well represented. It was clear from the conference that the coordinated international campaigns for the Leonid showers provided a rich observational dataset and lead to the development of new observational and analysis techniques. Another trend obvious at the conference was the increasing use of sophisticated large aperture radars for meteor studies. High performance computing facilitates both dynamical model calculations and sophisticated ablation models. Significant progress was reported on ablation models for meteoroids ranging from dust to those producing bright fireballs. Study of solid particles entering the solar system from interstellar space and improved dust measuring capabilities on interplanetary spacecraft are an important research area which links astrophysical dust with solar system dust. The majority of papers presented at the conference (a total of 69 papers) are being published as a special issue of the journal Earth, Moon, and Planets (Vol. 95, Nos. 1–4) and also in the form of an associated book published by Springer: Modern Meteor Science: An Interdisciplinary View which was edited by R.Hawkes, I. Mann and P. Brown (ISBN 1-4020-4374-0). The book will be accompanied by a CD-ROM which includes a selection of conference photographs and the complete abstracts of all papers from the conference. As is reflected in the title of the spin-off book, this field is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary in nature, with researchers from astronomy, astrophysics, space science, space engineering, cosmochemistry, atmospheric science and geophysics, as well as others, now contributing to research in the field.
Working Group on Extrasolar Planets
Authors: Boss Alan P. , Butler R. Paul , Hubbard William B. , Ianna Philip A. , Kürster Martin , Lissauer Jack J. , Mayor Michel , Meech Karen J. , Mignard Francois , Penny Alan J. , Quirrenbach Andreas , Tarter Jill C. , Vidal-Madjar Alfred
Published: March 2007

The Working Group on Extrasolar Planets (hereafter the WGESP) was created at a meeting of the IAU Executive Council in 1999 as a Working Group of IAU Division III and was renewed for three more years at the IAU General Assembly in 2003. The charge of the WGESP is to act as a focal point for international research on extrasolar planets. The membership of the WGESP has remained unchanged for the last three years.
Commission 26: Double and Multiple Stars
Authors: Hartkopf William I. , Allen Christine , Davis J.A. , Fekel F.C. , Lampens P. , Ling J.F. , Oblak E. , Oswalt T.D. , Scarfe C.
Published: March 2007

While Commission 26 remains one of the smallest in the IAU, it maintains an active program which belies its size, as highlighted below. Further information on the commission may be found at our website: http://ad.usno.navy.mil/wds/dsl.html\#iau. This site includes links to other sites and to major databases and catalogues, as well as bibliographies of recent double star papers, an archive of the Commission's Information Circulars, and a list of upcoming meetings.
Commission 29: Stellar Spectra
Authors: Sneden Christopher , Parthasarathy M. , Castelli Fiorella , Cunha Katia , Eenens Philippe , Friel Eileen , Gratton Raffaele , Hubeny Ivan , Landstreet John D. , Mathys Gautier , Piskunov Nikolai , Primas Francesca , Takada-Hidai Masahide , Weiss Werner
Published: March 2007

Participants in Commission 29 study various aspects of stellar spectra and the information that can be extracted from spectra. The list of fields of interest of the Organizing Committee members suggest some major current research topics in this area are stellar chemical compositions and surface/envelope phenomena. Some of the topics of this commission have overlap with other commissions, such as Commission 14 (Atomic and Molecular Data), 26 (Double and Multiple Stars), 27 (Variable Stars), 30 (Radial Velocities), 36 (Theory of Stellar Atmospheres), and 37 (Star Clusters and Associations). Many Commission 29 members are also members of these other commissions.
Inter-Division IV/V WG on Active OB Stars
Authors: Owocki Stan , Aerts Conny , Fabregat Juan , Gies Doug , Henrichs Huib , McDavid David , Porter John , Rivinius Thomas , Peters Gerrie , Štefl Stan
Published: March 2007

Our group studies active early-type (OB) stars, with historical focus on classical Be stars, but extending in recent years to include Slowly Pulsating B-stars (SPB), Beta-Cephei stars, the strongly magnetic Bp stars, Luminous Blue Vairiable (LBV) stars, and B[e] stars. An overall goal is to understand the nature, origin, and consequences of this activity, in terms of both the stellar structure and evolution, as well as the distribution and dynamics of circumstellar material and mass outflows.
Inter-Division IV/V WG on Chemically Peculiar and Related Stars
Authors: Weiss Werner W.
Published: March 2007

A meeting of the IAU Working Group on Chemically Peculiar and Related Stars was held in Sydney on July 16th, 2003. The focus of the business session was on possible effects on our WG due to plans for restructuring the IAU. Working Groups are to be evaluated every 3 years and in general, will be limited to a period of 3 or 6 years.
Commission 42: Close Binaries
Authors: Giménez Alvaro , Rucinski Slavek , Szkody P. , Gies D. , Kang Y.-W. , Linsky J. , Livio M. , Morrell N. , Hilditch R. , Nordström B. , Ribas I. , Sion E. , Vrielman S.
Published: March 2007

The triennial report from Commission 42 covers various topics like massive binaries, contact systems, cataclysmic variables and low-mass binary stars. We try in a number of sections to provide an update on the current status of the main research areas in the field of close binaries. It is not a formal review, even complete or comprehensive, but an attempt to bring the main topics on recent research to astronomers working in other fields. References are also not comprehensive and simply added to the text to help the reader looking for deeper information on the subject. For this reason, we have chosen to include references (sometimes incomplete for ongoing work) not in a list at the end but integrated with the main text body. Complete references and additional sources can be easily obtained through web access of ADS or SIMBAD. Furthermore, the summary of papers on close-binary research contained in the Bibliography of Close Binaries (BCB) can be accessed from the web site of Commission 42. I would like to express the gratitude of the commission for the careful work of Colin Scarfe as Editor-in-Chief of BCB and Andras Holl and Attila Sragli for maintaining the web pages of the Commission within the structure of Division V. Finally, K. Olah and J. Jurcsik are gratefully acknowledged for their continued support as editors of the Information Bulletin on Variable Stars (IBVS), also accessible through the commission web page.
Commission 33: Structure and Dynamics of the Galactic System
Authors: Whitelock Patricia , Gerhard Ortwin , Efremov Yuri , Evans Wyn , Flynn Chris , Grindlay Josh , Nordström Birgitta , Perryman Michael , Wyse Rosemary , Yuan Chi
Published: March 2007

The commission supported the following IAU symposia and colloquia during the period 2002 to 2005: Dark Matter in Galaxies (IAUS220), Gravitational Lensing Impact on Cosmology (IAUS225); Transit of Venus: New Views of the Solar System and Galaxy (IAUC196); Populations of High-Energy Sources in Galaxies (IAUS230); Scientific Requirements for Extremely Large Telescopes (IAUS232).