bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecophysiology of the cacao tree
Authors: Almeida Alex-Alan F. de , Valle Raúl R.
Published: May 2008

Cacao, one of the world's most important perennial crops, is almost exclusively explored for chocolate manufacturing. Most cacao varieties belong to three groups: Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario that vary according to morphology, genetic and geographical origins. It is cropped under the shade of forest trees or as a monocrop without shade. Seedlings initially show an orthotropic growth with leaf emission relatively independent of climate. The maturity phase begins with the emission of plagiotropic branches that form the tree crown. At this stage environmental factors exert a large influence on plant development. Growth and development of cacao are highly dependent on temperature, which mainly affects vegetative growth, flowering and fruit development. Soil flooding decreases leaf area, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates in addition to inducing formation of lenticels and adventitious roots. For most genotypes drought resistance is associated with osmotic adjustment. Cacao produces caulescent flowers, which begin dehiscing in late afternoon and are completely open at the beginning of the following morning releasing pollen to a receptive stigma. Non pollinated flowers abscise 24-36 h after anthesis. The percentage of flowers setting pods is in the range 0.5 - 5%. The most important parameters determinants of yield are related to: (i) light interception, photosynthesis and capacity of photoassimilate distribution, (ii) maintenance respiration and (iii) pod morphology and seed fermentation, events that can be modified by abiotic factors. Cacao is a shade tolerant species, in which appropriate shading leads to relatively high photosynthetic rates, growth and seed yield. However, heavy shade reduces seed yield and increases incidence of diseases; in fact, cacao yields and light interception are tightly related when nutrient availability is not limiting. High production of non-shaded cacao requires high inputs in protection and nutrition of the crop. Annual radiation and rainfall during the dry season explains 70% of the variations in annual seed yields.
Expression of adrenomedullin 2/intermedin in human adrenal tumors and attached non-neoplastic adrenal tissues
Authors: Morimoto Ryo , Satoh Fumitoshi , Murakami Osamu , Hirose Takuo , Totsune Kazuhito , Imai Yutaka , Arai Yoichi , Suzuki Takashi , Sasano Hironobu , Ito Sadayoshi , Takahashi Kazuhiro
Published: May 2008

Adrenomedullin 2/intermedin (AM2/IMD) is a new member of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide family. AM is expressed in various tumors including adrenocortical tumors and modulates tumor growth. The AM2/IMD expression has not been studied, however, in adrenal tumors. The expression of AM2/IMD and AM was therefore studied in human adrenal tumors and attached non-neoplastic adrenal tissues by immunocytochemistry (ICC). Immunoreactive (IR)–AM2/IMD was measured by RIA. Furthermore, the expression of AM2/IMD and its receptor components, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) 1, 2, and 3 mRNA in these tissues was studied by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). ICC showed that AM2/IMD and AM immunoreactivities were localized in adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytomas. AM2/IMD and AM immunoreactivities were detected in medulla of attached non-neoplastic tissues, while the degree of immunoreactivity for AM2/IMD and AM in cortices of attached adrenals was relatively weak or undetectable. RIA detected IR-AM2/IMD in adrenal tumors (0.414±0.12 to 0.786±0.27 pmol/g wet weight, mean±s.e.m.) and attached adrenal tissues (0.397±0.052 pmol/g wet weight). Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography showed one broad peak eluted in the similar position to synthetic AM2/IMD with several minor peaks. RT-PCR showed expression of AM2/IMD, CRLR, and RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3 mRNA in tissues of adrenal tumors and attached adrenal glands. In conclusion, AM2/IMD is expressed in human adrenal tumors and attached non-neoplastic adrenal tissues and may play (patho-)physiological roles in normal and neoplastic adrenals as an autocrine/paracrine regulator.
What happens to international students’ English after one semester at university?
Authors: Storch Neomy , Hill Kathryn
Published: May 2008

There is a common expectation, particularly amongst international students, that studying in an English-medium university should automatically produce a significant improvement in their English language skills. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that this is not necessarily the case.

This paper reports on a study which investigated the impact of one semester of study at a university on the English language proficiency of a sample of 40 international students. This was measured by comparing the students’ scores on a diagnostic English language test at the beginning and end of their first semester. A comparison of discourse measures of writing in terms of fluency, complexity and accuracy was also undertaken. Background information, including details of ESL support, if any, was collected for all participants via questionnaires, and interviews were conducted with a subset of the participants.

It was found that studying in an English-medium university generally led to an improvement in English language proficiency. The paper identifies a number of factors which appear to support language development, as well as factors that may inhibit it.
Continuous thermal hydrolysis and energy integration in sludge anaerobic digestion plants
Authors: Fdz-Polanco F. , Velazquez R. , Perez-Elvira S. I. , Casas C. , del Barrio D. , Cantero F. J. , Fdz-Polanco M. , Rodriguez P. , Panizo L. , Serrat J. , Rouge P.
Published: May 2008

A thermal hydrolysis pilot plant with direct steam injection heating was designed and constructed. In a first period the equipment was operated in batch to verify the effect of sludge type, pressure and temperature, residence time and solids concentration. Optimal operation conditions were reached for secondary sludge at 170°C, 7 bar and 30 minutes residence time, obtaining a disintegration factor higher than 10, methane production increase by 50% and easy centrifugation In a second period the pilot plant was operated working with continuous feed, testing the efficiency by using two continuous anaerobic digester operating in the mesophilic and thermophilic range. Working at 12 days residence time, biogas production increases by 40–50%. Integrating the energy transfer it is possible to design a self-sufficient system that takes advantage of this methane increase to produce 40% more electric energy.
Treatment of low and medium strength sewage in a lab-scale gradual concentric chambers (GCC) reactor
Authors: Mendoza L. , Carballa M. , Zhang L. , Verstraete W.
Published: May 2008

One of the major challenges of anaerobic technology is its applicability for low strength wastewaters, such as sewage. The lab-scale design and performance of a novel Gradual Concentric Chambers (GCC) reactor treating low (165±24 mg COD/L) and medium strength (550 mg COD/L) domestic wastewaters were studied. Experimental data were collected to evaluate the influence of chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations in the influent and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the performance of the GCC reactor. Two reactors (R1 and R2), integrating anaerobic and aerobic processes, were studied at ambient (26°C) and mesophilic (35°C) temperature, respectively. The highest COD removal efficiency (94%) was obtained when treating medium strength wastewater at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1.9 g COD/L·d (HRT = 4 h). The COD levels in the final effluent were around 36 mg/L. For the low strength domestic wastewater, a highest removal efficiency of 85% was observed, producing a final effluent with 22 mg COD/L. Changes in the nutrient concentration levels were followed for both reactors.
Anaerobic treatment as a core technology for energy, nutrients and water recovery from source-separated domestic waste(water)
Authors: Zeeman Grietje , Kujawa Katarzyna , de Mes Titia , Hernandez Lucia , de Graaff Marthe , Abu-Ghunmi Lina , Mels Adriaan , Meulman Brendo , Temmink Hardy , Buisman Cees , van Lier Jules , Lettinga Gatze
Published: May 2008

Based on results of pilot scale research with source-separated black water (BW) and grey water (GW), a new sanitation concept is proposed. BW and GW are both treated in a UASB (-septic tank) for recovery of CH4 gas. Kitchen waste is added to the anaerobic BW treatment for doubling the biogas production. Post-treatment of the effluent is providing recovery of phosphorus and removal of remaining COD and nitrogen. The total energy saving of the new sanitation concept amounts to 200 MJ/year in comparison with conventional sanitation, moreover 0.14 kg P/p/year and 90 litres of potential reusable water are produced
Anaerobic biodegradation of estrogens—hard to digest
Authors: de Mes T. Z. D. , Kujawa-Roeleveld K. , Zeeman G. , Lettinga G.
Published: May 2008

Although many publications are available on the fate of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) during aerobic wastewater treatment, little is published on their fate under strictly anaerobic conditions. Present research investigated the digestibility of E1 and EE2, using digested pig manure, granular UASB sludge, UASB-septic tank sludge and activated sludge as inocula. Besides, actual concentrations were measured in a UASB septic tank treating black water. Under anaerobic conditions E1 is reduced to E2 but the extent of this reduction depends on type of inoculum. No significant loss of the sum of E1 and E2 and of EE2 was observed. Adsorption was responsible for a 32–35% loss of E1 and E2 from the liquid phase in the UASB septic tank and the effluent still contained considerable concentrations of respectively 4.02 μg/l and 18.79 μg/l for E1 and E2 with a large fraction present in conjugated form. No EE2 was detected in the UASB effluent
Use of on-line UV/Vis-spectrometry in the measurement of dissolved ozone and AOC concentrations in drinking water treatment
Authors: van den Broeke J. , Ross P. S. , van der Helm A. W. C. , Baars E. T. , Rietveld L. C.
Published: May 2008

The concentrations of dissolved ozone and assimilable organic carbon (AOC) are important performance parameters in drinking water production. For the measurement of ozone, a spectral algorithm was developed that allows quantification in situ using a UV/Vis spectrometer probe. Furthermore, a strong correlation between the change in the absorption spectrum after individual treatment steps and the formation or removal of AOC in that treatment step was observed. This allowed the development of a spectral algorithm that predicts AOC formation during ozonation and subsequent removal in further treatment steps. This method has been verified at one pilot plant of the Amsterdam drinking water supply.
Sixty-five-year old final clarifier performance rivals that of modern designs
Authors: Barnard James L. , Kunetz Thomas E. , Sobanski Joseph P.
Published: May 2008

The Stickney plant of the Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the world, treats an average dry weather flow of 22 m3/s and a sustained wet weather flow of 52 m3/s that can peak to 63 m3/s. Most of the inner city of Chicago has combined sewers, and in order to reduce pollution through combined sewer overflows (CSO), the 175 km Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) tunnels, up to 9.1 m in diameter, were constructed to receive and convey CSO to a reservoir from where it will be pumped to the Stickney treatment plant. Pumping back storm flows will result in sustained wet weather flows over periods of weeks. Much of the success of the plant will depend on the ability of 96 circular final clarifiers to produce an effluent of acceptable quality. The nitrifying activated sludge plant is arranged in a plug-flow configuration, and some denitrification takes place as a result of the high oxygen demand in the first pass of the four-pass aeration basins that have a length to width ratio of 18:1. The SVI of the mixed liquor varies between 60 and 80 ml/g. The final clarifiers, which were designed by the District's design office in 1938, have functioned for more than 65 years without major changes and are still producing very high-quality effluent. This paper will discuss the design and operation of these final clarifiers and compare the design with more modern design practices.
Savings with upgraded performance through improved activated sludge denitrification in the combined activated sludge–biofilter system of the Southpest Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Jobbágy A. , Tardy G. M. , Palkó Gy. , Benáková A. , Krhutková O. , Wanner J.
Published: May 2008

The purpose of the experiments was to increase the rate of activated sludge denitrification in the combined biological treatment system of the Southpest Wastewater Treatment Plant in order to gain savings in cost and energy and improve process efficiency. Initial profile measurements revealed excess denitrification capacity of the preclarified wastewater. As a consequence, flow of nitrification filter effluent recirculated to the anoxic activated sludge basins was increased from 23,000 m3 d−1 to 42,288 m3 d−1 at an average preclarified influent flow of 64,843 m3 d−1, Both simulation studies and microbiological investigations suggested that activated sludge nitrification, achieved despite the low SRT (2–3 days), was initiated by the backseeding from the nitrification filters and facilitated by the decreased oxygen demand of the influent organics used for denitrification. With the improved activated sludge denitrification, methanol demand could be decreased to about half of the initial value. With the increased efficiency of the activated sludge pre-denitrification, plant effluent COD levels decreased from 40–70 mg l−1 to < 30–45 mg l−1 due to the decreased likelihood of methanol overdosing in the denitrification filter
Wastewater irrigation of salad crops: further evidence for the evaluation of the WHO guidelines
Authors: Bastos R. K. X. , Bevilacqua P. D. , Silva C. A. B. , Silva C. V.
Published: May 2008

This paper presents the results of an experiment on salad crop irrigation with waste stabilisation pond effluents, conducted in Southeast Brazil. Over about 18 months several trials were carried out using different effluent qualities to irrigate lettuce, kale, arugula, spinach, and green pepper. Equations for predicting the bacterial quality of irrigated crops (E.coli per gram) based on the irrigation water quality (E.coli per 100 mL) were derived for low and high growing crops. The quantitative microbial risk analysis (QMRA) technique, using pathogen-ingestion scenarios based on these field data and on official statistics of vegetables consumption in Brazil, was used to estimate infection risks arising from the consumption of wastewater irrigated crops. It is inferred that irrigation with effluents complying with the WHO guidelines for unrestricted irrigation should result in salad crops acceptable for consumption.
Reuse of low concentrated electronic wastewater using selected microbe immobilised cell system
Authors: Lee Seok Jae , Lee Yong-Woo , Chung Jinwook , Lee Jong Kwang , Lee Ju Young , Jahng Deokjin , Cha Yongmi , Yu Yongho
Published: May 2008

This work describes a novel technology for the reuse of low concentrated electronic wastewater using selected microbe immobilisation cell (SMIC) system. The SMIC system is an innovative technology to maximise the activity of specific microorganisms capable of decomposing tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) as a major organic compound in the low concentrated electronic wastewater. The versatility of the SMIC system has been studied by using continuous-flow reactors. The TOC in a SMIC system was removed completely, indicating that SMIC is a useful technology to remove TOC biologically in low concentrated wastewater. The most important advantages of this system are highly effective and stable in view of TMAH removal. These characteristics make well suited to various applications depending on targeted compounds and microorganisms and, especially, in the wastewater of electronic facilities.
A pollutant removal prediction tool for stormwater derived diffuse pollution
Authors: Revitt D. Michael , Scholes Lian , Ellis J. Bryan
Published: May 2008

This report describes the development of a methodology to theoretically assess the effectiveness of structural BMPs with regard to their treatment of selected stormwater pollutants (metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and herbicides). The result is a prioritisation, in terms of pollutant removal efficiency, of 15 different BMPs which can inform stormwater managers and other stakeholders of the best available options for the treatment of urban runoff pollutants of particular environmental concern. Regardless of the selected pollutant, infiltration basins and sub-surface flow constructed wetlands are predicted to perform most efficiently with lagoons, porous asphalt and sedimentation tanks being the least effective systems for the removal of pollutants. The limitations of the approach in terms of the variabilities in BMP designs and applications are considered.
Sensitivity analysis of non-point sources in a water quality model applied to a dammed low-flow-reach river
Authors: Silva Nayana G. M. , von Sperling Marcos
Published: May 2008

Downstream of Capim Branco I hydroelectric dam (Minas Gerais state, Brazil), there is the need of keeping a minimum flow of 7 m3/s. This low flow reach (LFR) has a length of 9 km. In order to raise the water level in the low flow reach, the construction of intermediate dikes along the river bed was decided. The LFR has a tributary that receives the discharge of treated wastewater. As part of this study, water quality of the low-flow reach was modelled, in order to gain insight into its possible behaviour under different scenarios (without and with intermediate dikes). QUAL2E equations were implemented in FORTRAN code. The model takes into account point-source pollution and diffuse pollution. Uncertainty analysis was performed, presenting probabilistic results and allowing identification of the more important coefficients in the LFR water-quality model. The simulated results indicate, in general, very good conditions for most of the water quality parameters The variables of more influence found in the sensitivity analysis were the conversion coefficients (without and with dikes), the initial conditions in the reach (without dikes), the non-point incremental contributions (without dikes) and the hydraulic characteristics of the reach (with dikes).
Analysis of the causes of pump failure and differences of failure characteristics
Authors: Korving H. , Ottenhoff E. C.
Published: May 2008

It is generally accepted that sewage pumping stations are directly responsible for affecting sewer system performance in terms of combined sewer overflows and flooding. However, the specific causes of pump failure are unknown. This paper presents the analysis of pump failure data provided by four sewer management authorities in The Netherlands. Pump failures have been studied accounting for the nature of failures, operation and maintenance procedures of the management authority, ageing of the pumps and changes in the environment of pumps. Pumps have been clustered on the basis of specific characteristics of their ‘environment’, including pump age, operating time, pump capacity and degree of pollution of the sewage. The analysis shows that the well known ‘bathtub’ type failure rate curve can describe failures of sewage pumps. The impact of the degree of pollution of the sewage, however, is less clear. Operating time and total pumping capacity show no correlation with failure rate. Consequently, further research using data mining techniques is needed to separate the impact of the different aspects of the environment of a pump.
Has brief counselling an impact on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 40-year-old men. A three-year follow-up study
Authors: Näslindh-Ylispangar Anita , Sihvonen Marja , Sarna Seppo , Vanhanen Hannu , Kekki Pertti
Published: May 2008

The metabolic syndrome presents a serious challenge to health professionals. The aim of the present study is to analyze the impact of a brief counselling on cardiovascular risk factors among 40-year-old men. Forty-six males living in north-eastern Helsinki voluntarily completed the follow-up study between 2001 and 2004, and were assessed for clinical risk factors. The mean differences were determined by a paired t-test, and the interaction between groups and time by the F-test with repeated measures ANOVA. After baseline assessment and in 2002, males received a 45 minute nurse-delivered counselling session with self-administered protocol. Cardiovascular risk factors improved significantly (p<0.05) from baseline within months. However, the final measurements obtained after three years showed that almost all risk factors, except the low and high density lipoprotein, tended to revert back to baseline. The profiles were similar in all predictor groups. Brief counselling had an impact on risk factors measured in 2002, but only a partial effect on them in 2004. Conclusive results lead to the idea thatmore collaboration is needed between private health care agencies and official primary health care for ensuring the continuity of improved health habits among middle-aged males.
The mitochondrial localization of RelB and NFATx in immature T cells
Authors: Stasik Izabela , Rapak Andrzej , Zioło Ewa , Strządała Leon
Published: May 2008

In order to exert their activity, transcription factors must be transported to the nucleus. Certain transcription factors have also been found on mitochondria. Here, the localization of RelB and NFATx in the mitochondrial fractions of normal thymocytes and thymic lymphoma cells is shown for the first time. CREB was only found in the nucleus, while p50 (NFκB) was found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, but outside the mitochondria. The translocation of transcription factors to the mitochondria is differentially regulated. Unlike RelB, which is always present in the mitochondrial fraction, NFATx appeared on the mitochondria in cells treated with ionomycin together with an immunosuppressant and inhibitor of calcineurin (FK506). This data reveals that the mitochondrial localization of some transcription factors is precisely controlled by a calcium signal sensitive to FK506 in T cells.
Simulation of OSL Pulse-Annealing at Different Heating Rates: Conclusions Concerning the Evaluated Trapping Parameters and Lifetimes
Authors: Pagonis Vasilis , Chen Reuven
Published: May 2008

Pulse annealing has been the subject of several studies in recent years. In its basic form, it consists of relatively short-time optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) measurements of a given sample after annealing at successively higher temperatures in, say, 10°C increments. The result is a decreasing function with a maximum OSL at low temperatures and gradually decreasing to zero at high temperature. Another presentation is that of the percentage OSL signal lost per annealing phase, associated with minus the derivative of the former curve, which yields a thermoluminescence (TL)-like peak. When the heating is performed at different heating rates, the TL various heating rates (VHR) method can be utilized to evaluate the trapping parameters. Further research yielded more complex pulse-annealing results in quartz, explained to be associated with the hole reservoir. In the present work, we simulate numerically the effect, following the experimental steps, in the simpler form when no reservoir is involved, and in the more complex case where the reservoir plays an important role. The shapes of the reduction-rate curves resemble the experimental ones. The activation energies found by the VHR method are very close to the inserted ones when the retrapping probability is small, and deviate from them when retrapping is strong. The theoretical reasons for this deviation are discussed.
Holonomy Groups of Stable Vector Bundles
Authors: Balaji Vikraman , Kollár János
Published: May 2008

We deﬁne the notion of holonomy group for a stable vector bundle

F

on a variety in terms of the Narasimhan–Seshadri unitary representation of its restriction to curves.

Next we relate the holonomy group to the minimal structure group and to the decomposition of tensor powers of

F

. Finally we illustrate the principle that either the holonomy is large or there is a clear geometric reason why it should be small.
A $\phi_{1,3}$-Filtration of the Virasoro Minimal Series $M(p, p')$ with $1 < p'/p < 2$
Authors: Feigin Boris , Feigin Evgeny , Jimbo M. , Miwa Tetsuji , Takeyama Yoshihiro
Published: May 2008

The ﬁltration of the Virasoro minimal series representations

M_{r,s}^{(p,p')}

induced by the

(1, 3)

-primary ﬁeld

\phi_{1,3}(z)

is studied. For

1 < p'/p < 2

, a conjectural basis of

M_{r,s}^{(p, p')}

compatible with the ﬁltration is given by using monomial vectors in terms of the Fourier coeffcients of

\phi_{1,3}(z)

. In support of this conjecture, we give two results. First, we establish the equality of the character of the conjectural basis vectors with the character of the whole representation space. Second, for the unitary series (

p' = p + 1

), we establish for each

m

the equality between the character of the degree

m

monomial basis and the character of the degree

m

component in the associated graded module

\mathrm{gr}(M_{r,s}^{(p, p+1)})

with respect to the ﬁltration deﬁned by

\phi_{1,3}(z)

.
On $ℚ$-conic Bundles
Authors: Mori Shigefumi , Prokhorov Yuri
Published: May 2008

A

ℚ

-conic bundle is a proper morphism from a threefold with only terminal singularities to a normal surface such that ﬁbers are connected and the anti-canonical divisor is relatively ample. We study the structure of

ℚ

-conic bundles near their singular ﬁbers. One corollary to our main results is that the base surface of every

ℚ

-conic bundle has only Du Val singularities of type A (a positive solution of a conjecture by Iskovskikh). We obtain the complete classiﬁcation of

ℚ

-conic bundles under the additional assumption that the singular ﬁber is irreducible and the base surface is singular.
Valuations and Plurisubharmonic Singularities
Authors: Boucksom Sébastien , Favre Charles , Jonsson Mattias
Published: May 2008

We extend to higher dimensions some of the valuative analysis of singularities of plurisubharmonic (psh) functions developed by the ﬁrst two authors. Following Kontsevich and Soibelman we describe the geometry of the space

\mathcal V

of all normalized valuations on

\mathbf C[x_1 , . . . , x_n]

centered at the origin. It is a union of simplices naturally endowed with an affine structure. Using relative positivity properties of divisors living on modiﬁcations of

\mathbf C^n

above the origin, we deﬁne formal psh functions on

\mathcal V

, designed to be analogues of the usual psh functions. For bounded formal psh functions on

\mathcal V

, we deﬁne a mixed Monge–Ampère operator which reﬂects the intersection theory of divisors above the origin of

\mathbf C^n

. This operator associates to any

(n − 1)

-tuple of formal psh functions a positive measure of ﬁnite mass on

\mathcal V

. Next, we show that the collection of Lelong numbers of a given germ

u

of a psh function at all inﬁnitely near points induces a formal psh function

\hat u

on

\mathcal V

. When

φ

is a psh Hölder weight in the sense of Demailly, the generalized Lelong number

ν_φ(u)

equals the integral of

\hat u

against the Monge–Ampère measure of

\hat φ

. In particular, any generalized Lelong number is an average of valuations. We also show how to compute the multiplier ideal of u and the relative type of

u

with respect to

φ

in the sense of Rashkovskii, in terms of

\hat u

and

\hat φ

.
Mordell–Weil Groups of a Hyperkähler a Manifold—A Question of F. Campana
Authors: Oguiso Keiji
Published: May 2008

Among other things, we show that Mordell–Weil groups of ﬁnitely many diﬀerent abelian ﬁbrations of a hyperkähler manifold have essentially no relation, as its birational transformation. Precise deﬁnition of the terms “essentially no relation” will be given in Introduction.
Lattice Cohomology of Normal Surface Singularities
Authors: Némethi András
Published: May 2008

For any negative deﬁnite plumbed 3-manifold

M

we construct from its plumbed graph a graded

ℤ[U]

-module. This, for rational homology spheres, conjecturally equals the Heegaard–Floer homology of Ozsváth and Szabó, but it has even more structure. If

M

is a complex singularity link then the normalized Euler-characteristic can be compared with the analytic invariants. The Seiberg–Witten Invariant Conjecture of [16], [13] is discussed in the light of this new object.
Functoriality in Resolution of Singularities
Authors: Bierstone Edward , Milman Pierre D.
Published: May 2008

Algorithms for resolution of singularities in characteristic zero are based on Hironaka’s idea of reducing the problem to a simpler question of desingularization of an “idealistic exponent” (or “marked ideal”). How can we determine whether two marked ideals are equisingular in the sense that they can be resolved by the same blowing-up sequences? We show there is a desingularization functor deﬁned on the category of equivalence classes of marked ideals and smooth morphisms, where marked ideals are “equivalent” if they have the same sequences of “test transformations”. Functoriality in this sense realizes Hironaka’s idealistic exponent philosophy. We use it to show that the recent algorithms for desingularization of marked ideals of Włodarczyk and of Kollár coincide with our own, and we discuss open problems.
Elimination with Applications to Singularities in Positive Characteristic
Authors: Villamayor U. Orlando
Published: May 2008

We present applications of elimination theory to the study of singularities over arbitrary ﬁelds. A partial extension of a function, deﬁning resolution of singularities over ﬁelds of characteristic zero, is discussed here in positive characteristic.
Long‐term impacts of nitrogen and sulphur deposition on forest floor vegetation in the Northern limestone Alps, Austria
Authors: Hülber Karl , Dirnböck Thomas , Kleinbauer Ingrid , Willner Wolfgang , Dullinger Stefan , Karrer Gerhard , Mirtl Michael
Published: May 2008

Question: Are there effects of long‐term deposition of airborne nitrogen and sulphur on the forest floor vegetation from permanent plots collected in 1993 compared to 2005.

Location: Northern limestone Alps in Austria.

Methods: Single species responses were analysed by correlating trends in cover‐abundance values, as derived from marginal models, with Ellenberg indicator values. Changes in the species composition of plots were analysed by correlating changes in mean Ellenberg indicator values with the displacement of plots within a multidimensional scaling ordination.

Results: Trends in single species abundance were positively correlated with indicator values of soil pH but were independent of nutrient availability. A general trend towards the homogenisation of vegetation, due to convergent time vectors of the relevés, became obvious. Oligotrophic sites previously situated at the distal ends of ordination axes shifted towards the centre since they were enriched by species preferring mesotrophic conditions. The bulk of plots with intermediate site conditions hardly showed any trends. A concomitant analysis demonstrated that temporal changes in species composition exceed the variation in cover abundance estimates among different field botanists.

Conclusions: N deposition can lead to a homogenisation of forest floor vegetation. Larger limestone areas with diverse soil conditions, such as the Northern limestone Alps in Austria, as a whole are thus negatively affected by airborne N deposition. Nevertheless, the vegetation was at least as strongly affected by an increase of basiphilous species as a result of decreasing S deposition.
Mixing ratio and species affect the use of substrate‐derived CO2 by Sphagnum
Authors: Limpens J. , Robroek B.J.M. , Heijmans M.M.P.D. , Tomassen H.B.M.
Published: May 2008

Question:

Can mixing ratio and species affect the use of substrate‐derived CO2 by Sphagnum?

Location:

Poor fen in south Sweden and greenhouse in Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Methods:

Two mixing ratios of Sphagnum cuspidatum and S. magellanicum were exposed to two levels of CO2 by pumping CO2 enriched and non‐enriched water through aquaria containing the species mixtures in the greenhouse.

Results:

Enhanced CO2 stimulated the production of S. cuspidatum, but only in aquaria co‐dominated by S. magellanicum, coinciding with higher CO2 concentrations in the water layer. The denser growing S. magellanicum seemed to reduce gas escape from the water, resulting in accumulation of dissolved CO2. Adding CO2 did not affect species replacement.

Conclusions:

The use of substrate‐derived CO2 for Sphagnum production depended on species identity and mixing ratio. The effect of mixing ratio on CO2 concentrations in the water layer suggests that species composition may affect both the efficiency with which substrate‐derived CO2 is trapped and subsequently used. This could result in hitherto unexplored feedbacks between vegetation composition and gas exchange.
Activity and Heart Rate-based Measures for Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Sarela A. , Bidargaddi N. P.
Published: May 2008

Objectives:
Derive activity and heart rate (HR) monitor-based clinically relevant measures for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Methods:
We are currently collecting activity/ ECG data from patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation over duration of six weeks. From these data sets, we a) derive various measures which can be used in assessing home-based CR patients remotely and b) investigate the usefulness of continuous ambulatory HR and heart rate variability (HRV) for various core components of CR.

Results:
The information provided by these measures is interpreted according to the CR guidelines framework by American Association of Cardiovascular and Pul - monary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), thus showing how these tools can be used in assessing the progress of patients’ condition. The usefulness and significance of these measures from a health care professional perspective is also presented by evaluating them against the existing hospital-based measures through examples.

Conclusions:
Hospital-based CR programs, despite their clinical benefits are severely under-utilized and resource-demanding. Ambulatory monitoring technologies, which provide a means for continuous physiological monitoring of patients at home compared to hospital-based tools, can enable home-based CR. The clinically relevant measures derived from these tools not only reflect patients´ condition in a similar way as conventional tools but also show the continuous status of functional capacity (FC).
ON SOLUTIONS OF NEUMANN BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM FOR THE LIÉNARD TYPE EQUATION
Authors: Atslega Svetlana
Published: May 2008

We provide conditions on the functions f(x) and g(x), which ensure the existence of solutions to the Neumann boundary value problem for the equation x'' + f(x)x'2+g(x)=0.
RESTARTING PROJECTION METHODS FOR RATIONAL EIGENPROBLEMS ARISING IN FLUID‐SOLID VIBRATIONS
Authors: Betcke Marta M. , Voss Heinrich
Published: May 2008

For nonlinear eigenvalue problems T(λ)x = 0 satisfying a minmax characterization of its eigenvalues iterative projection methods combined with safeguarded iteration are suitable for computing all eigenvalues in a given interval. Such methods hit their limitations if a large number of eigenvalues is required. In this paper we discuss restart procedures which are able to cope with this problem, and we evaluate them for a rational eigenvalue problem governing vibrations of a fluid‐solid structure.
ESTIMATION OF CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR QUANTILES IN A FINITE POPULATION
Authors: Chadyšas Viktoras
Published: May 2008

Confidence intervals provide a way of reporting an estimate of a population quantile along with some information about the precision of estimates. Some procedures that may be used to obtain estimates of confidence intervals for quantiles in a finite population (most of which are based on resampling) are compared in the paper. A simulation study, based on two different artificial populations, is performed and comparisons of the estimation methods proposed for confidence intervals of population quantiles are made.
ON NONLINEAR FUČIK TYPE SPECTRA
Authors: Gritsans Armands , Sadyrbaev Felix
Published: May 2008

Eigenvalue problems of the form x″ = -λf(x+) + μg(x-), x(0) = 0, x(1) = 0 are considered, where x+ and x− are respectively the positive and the negative parts of x. We are looking for (λ, μ) such that the problem has a nontrivial solution. This problem generalizes the famous Fučik problem for piece‐wise linear equations. In order to show that nonlinear Fučik spectra may differ essentially from the classical ones, we consider piece‐wise linear functions f(x) and g(x). We show that the first branches of the Fučik spectrum may contain bounded components.
FINITE-DIFFERENCE SCHEME FOR ONE PROBLEM OF NONLINEAR OPTICS
Authors: Laukaityte Ingrida , Čiegis Raimondas
Published: May 2008

We consider a mathematical model, which describes Q‐switching process. The finite difference scheme is developed for approximation of the given system of nonlinear PDEs. It is constructed by using the staggered grid, such a strategy enables an automatic linearization of the algorithm. The transport equations are approximated along characteristics z±t, thus no discretization error is introduced at this stage. But such algorithm puts a strong relation between time and space steps of the discrete grid. The convergence analysis of this scheme is done using the method developed in [2]. First some estimates of the boundedness of the exact solution are proved. Then the boundedness of the discrete solution is investigated. On the basis of these estimates the main stability inequality is proved. The second order convergence rate with respect the space and time coordinates follows from this estimate.
GENERALIZED LINEAR METHODS AND GAP TAUBERIAN REMAINDER THEOREMS
Authors: Meronen Olga , Tammeraid Ivar
Published: May 2008

Some gap Tauberian remainder theorems are proved for generalized linear methods A = (Ank) , where Ank are bounded linear operators from Banach space X into X. In these theorems the investigated sequences have infinitely many constant pieces.
ON CALCULATION OF LINEAR RESOURCE PLANNING MODELS FOR OPTIMAL PROJECT SCHEDULING
Authors: Valuev Andrey
Published: May 2008

Recent author's papers have shown new opportunities resulting from the treatment of resource planning in project scheduling as the optimization problem for a hybrid system. This approach gives the possibility to work out the optimum resource sharing in an iteration process of branch‐and‐bound type. The present paper concentrates on the most standard case of the problem in question for which all the relationships may be represented in the linear form. Two exact finite methods are proposed. The first method is obtained using the piecewise‐linear form of Bellman function, the second evolves from the decomposition approach for dynamic linear programming problem.
Offene Gerüststrukturen von Übergangsmetallen
Authors: Natarajan Srinivasan , Mandal Sukhendu
Published: May 2008

In den letzten Jahren hat sich gezeigt, dass neben anorganischen Silicaten und Phosphaten auch Carboxylate, Arsenate, Sulfate, Selenate, Selenite, Germanate und Phosphite offene Gerüststrukturen bilden können. Von besonderem Interesse sind die organisch‐anorganischen Hybridverbindungen, die sich aus der Kombination der reichen Koordinationschemie der zentralen Metall‐Ionen vieler dieser Strukturtypen mit der Flexibilität und der Funktionalität organischer Verbindungsglieder (“Linker”) ergeben. Vor allem die Übergangsmetalle scheinen besonders viele Varianten zu liefern, was in den bevorzugten Koordinationsweisen, Ligandengeometrien und Valenzzuständen begründet ist. Außerdem lässt die Kombination der magnetischen Eigenschaften von Übergangsmetallen mit den Kanalstrukturen offener Gerüste interessante Anwendungen erwarten. In diesem Aufsatz werden die Synthesen, Strukturen und Eigenschaften einer Reihe von Übergangsmetallverbindungen mit offenem Gerüst vorgestellt.
Testing of polysulfone for applications in nuclear facilities
Authors: Plaček V. , Hnát V. , Pejša R. , Kohout T.
Published: May 2008

Polysulfone Tecason S samples, designed for use in nuclear facilities, were aged under different conditions to simulate their long‐term use in nuclear power plants. The specimens, with thicknesses of 4 mm, were irradiated with 60Co γ rays in oxygen and/or in air at different temperatures and thermally aged at 180°C. For all samples, the glass‐transition temperature, the stepwise change in the heat capacity at the glass‐transition temperature, and the oxidative induction temperature were measured with differential scanning calorimetry. Simultaneously, the mechanical properties were determined and correlated with the results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry. Although the material was aged under very harsh conditions (irradiation in oxygen with absorbed doses up to 500 kGy and thermal aging at 180°C up to 115 days), the detected changes were relatively small. Nevertheless, a tendency of the glass‐transition temperature and oxidative induction temperature to decrease with advanced material degradation was evident. The color changes of the cross‐sectional slices of some samples clearly indicated that the degradation was due to diffusion‐limited oxidation not homogeneously distributed throughout the sample bulk. In addition, samples from the near surface layers and from the center of the sample were examined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Development and electrical conductivity behavior of copper‐powder‐filled‐epoxy graded composites
Authors: Chand Navin , Nigrawal Archana
Published: May 2008

This article reports the development and direct‐current (dc) conductivity behavior of copper‐powder‐filled‐epoxy graded composite. Copper‐powder‐filled‐epoxy composites with 10 wt % copper powder and epoxy resin were developed. dc conductivity measurements were performed on the graded composites with an electrometer in the temperature range of 28–146°C. The dc conductivity decreased with an increase in the distance in the direction of the centrifugal force, and this showed the formation of a graded structure. The dc conductivity increased as the copper powder content increased. Two‐phase conduction occurred in all the copper‐filled‐epoxy graded samples. The activation energy calculated with an Arrhenius equation for one sample was 0.88 eV, and this was mainly due to conduction electronic. Another sample had an activation energy of 1.33 eV. Three samples exhibited ionic conduction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
A thermal expulsion approach to homogeneous large‐volume methacrylate monolith preparation; Enabling large‐scale rapid purification of biomolecules
Authors: Danquah Michael K. , Ho Jenny , Forde Gareth M.
Published: May 2008

Numerous efforts have been dedicated to the synthesis of large‐volume methacrylate monoliths for large‐scale biomolecules purification but most were obstructed by the enormous release of exotherms during preparation, thereby introducing structural heterogeneity in the monolith pore system. A significant radial temperature gradient develops along the monolith thickness, reaching a terminal temperature that supersedes the maximum temperature required for structurally homogenous monoliths preparation. The enormous heat build‐up is perceived to encompass the heat associated with initiator decomposition and the heat released from free radical‐monomer and monomer–monomer interactions. The heat resulting from the initiator decomposition was expelled along with some gaseous fumes before commencing polymerization in a gradual addition fashion. Characteristics of 80 mL monolith prepared using this technique was compared with that of a similar monolith synthesized in a bulk polymerization mode. An extra similarity in the radial temperature profiles was observed for the monolith synthesized via the heat expulsion technique. A maximum radial temperature gradient of only 4.3°C was recorded at the center and 2.1°C at the monolith peripheral for the combined heat expulsion and gradual addition technique. The comparable radial temperature distributions obtained birthed identical pore size distributions at different radial points along the monolith thickness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
PdII‐Catalyzed Domino Heterocyclization/Cross‐Coupling of α‐Allenols and α‐Allenic Esters: Efficient Preparation of Functionalized Buta‐1,3‐dienyl Dihydrofurans
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Martínez del Campo Teresa , Carrascosa Rocío
Published: May 2008

A mild, palladium(II)‐catalyzed reaction of α‐allenols with α‐allenic esters in a heterocyclization/cross‐coupling sequence, applicable to a wide range of substitution patterns, has been developed for the preparation of 2,3,4‐trifunctionalized 2,5‐dihydrofurans. Our studies indicate high levels of chemo‐ and regiocontrol. The possibility of using optically active substrates as well as substrates of increased steric demand, such as tertiary α‐allenols, makes this novel sequence of heterocyclization/cross‐coupling an attractive method in organic synthesis. The current mechanistic hypothesis invokes a regiocontrolled palladium(II)‐mediated intramolecular oxypalladation of the free allenol component, that then undergoes a cross‐coupling reaction with the allenic ester partner, followed by a trans‐β‐deacyloxypalladation with concomitant regeneration of the PdII species.
Total Synthesis of Siomycin A: Construction of Synthetic Segments
Authors: Mori Tomonori , Higashibayashi Shuhei , Goto Taiji , Kohno Mitsunori , Satouchi Yukiko , Shinko Kazuyuki , Suzuki Kengo , Suzuki Shunya , Tohmiya Hiraku , Hashimoto Kimiko , Nakata Masaya
Published: May 2008

The five practical segments for the total synthesis of siomycin A, that is, the dehydropiperidine segment A (5), the pentapeptide segment B (3), the dihydroquinoline segment C (6), and the β‐phenylselenoalanine dipeptide segments D (7) and E (4), were synthesized. Segment A (5) was constructed by the coupling of the azomethine ylide and the chiral sulfinimine, followed by the stereoselective reduction of the six‐membered imine function. Segment B (3) was synthesized by the phenylselenylation of the β‐lactone, stereoselective vinylzinc addition to the chiral sulfinimine, and oxazoline–thioamide conversion. Segment C (6) was prepared by the one‐pot olefination of the tetrahydroquinoline N‐oxide using triflic anhydride and triethylamine, stereoselective reduction of the methyl ketone function, and regioselective Yb(OTf)3‐catalyzed epoxide opening by the amino group. Segments D (7) and E (4) were synthesized by coupling of the properly protected β‐phenylselenoalanines.
Total Synthesis of Siomycin A: Completion of the Total Synthesis
Authors: Mori Tomonori , Higashibayashi Shuhei , Goto Taiji , Kohno Mitsunori , Satouchi Yukiko , Shinko Kazuyuki , Suzuki Kengo , Suzuki Shunya , Tohmiya Hiraku , Hashimoto Kimiko , Nakata Masaya
Published: May 2008

The total synthesis of siomycin A (1), a representative compound of the thiostrepton family of peptide antibiotics, was achieved by incorporating the five synthetic segments A (2), B (3), C (4), D (5), and E (6). The dehydropiperidine segment A (2) was esterified with the dihydroquinoline segment C (4), and the subsequent coupling with the β‐phenylselenoalanine dipeptide segment D (5) at the segment C portion followed by lactamization between the segments A and D gave segment A‐C‐D (27). This was amidated with the pentapeptide segment B (3) at the segment A portion followed by one‐pot cyclization (between segments A and B) and elongation (with the β‐phenylselenoalanine dipeptide segment E (6) at the segment A portion), thus furnishing siomycin A (1).