bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Pineapple Cultivation on the Increased Income of Pineapple Growers
Authors: Hasan SS , Ali MA , Khalil MI
Published: May 2011

A study was conducted to determine the impact of pineapple cultivation on the income of pineapple growers of Madhupur upazila under Tangail District. The study also aimed at exploring the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their increased income from unit area. The study was conducted during the month of March and April, 2007. Seventy five respondents were selected as the sample for the study by using simple random sampling technique. Most of the respondents were middle aged (49.3%), had primary level of education (56%), possessed medium farm (57.3%) and small family size (85.3%). The respondents had medium organizational participation (65.3%) and medium extension contact (83.1%). It was found that most of the respondents had sufficient knowledge on pineapple cultivation along with favorable attitude towards pineapple cultivation. Kachu (Colocasia esculenta), turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginger (Zingiber officinale), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) etc were the major crops used as intercrops with pineapple for proper utilization of land and higher economic return. It was also found from the study that most of the respondents belonged to the higher (54.7%) income category as their average increased income was 146.72 thousand taka per annum. Keywords: Pineapple cultivation; impact; increased income. DOI: 10.3329/agric.v8i2.7577 The Agriculturists 8(2): 50-56 (2010)
Evaluation of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes at Germination and Early Seedling Stage for Their Tolerance to Salinity
Authors: Islam MM , Karim MA
Published: May 2011

An experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Agronomy Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur from July-June, 2009-2010 to evaluate the rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for their tolerance to salinity. One hundred rice genotypes and two check cultivars (Pokkali as tolerant and IR29 as susceptible) were exposed to solution of Electrical Conductivity (EC) of 10, 15, and 20 dSm-1 (5:1 molar concentration of NaCl and CaCl2 solution) at germination and early seedling stage. Based on visual salt injury symptoms at 15 dSm-1, 13 genotypes were found fairly tolerant to salinity. However, among the 13 genotypes, only Patnai23 showed higher germination index and seedling relative dry weight than the check salt tolerant Pokkali at 15 dSm-1. Beside these, performance of Awned-1, Nonasail and Soloi was also well at this level. The genotypes Patnai23, Awned-1, Nonasail and Soloi showed the best performance under saline condition. Keywords: Rice genotypes; germination; salinity; tolerance DOI: 10.3329/agric.v8i2.7578   The Agriculturists 8(2): 57-65 (2010)
Trichoderma-Enriched Biofertilizer: A Prospective Substitute of Inorganic Fertilizer for Mustard (Brassica campestris) Production
Authors: Haque Md Manjurul , Haque Md Amdadul , Ilias GNM , Molla Abul Hossain
Published: May 2011

Effects of Trichoderma-enriched biofertilizer such as biofertilizer/compost [BioF/compost (household/kitchen wastes composted with Trichoderma harzianum T22)] and biofertilizer/liquid [BioF/liquid (T. harzianum T22 broth culture contains spores and mycelia)] alone or in combination with NPK fertilizer were evaluated for the growth, dry matter production, yield and yield attributes of mustard (Brassica campestris) grown under field condition. BioF/compost performed better than that of BioF/liquid. Recommended doses of NPK and 50% BioF/compost + 50% NPK showed similar effects on growth, dry matter accumulation and yield of mustard. Seed yield per plant was increased by 5.34% over the recommended dose of NPK, when the crop was fertilized with 50% BioF/compost along with 50% NPK. However, seed yield per plant was decreased only by 7.3 and 6.6% when BioF/compost, and 75% BioF/compost + 25% NPK were applied as compared to the recommended dose of NPK. Since 20% reduced yield is accepted in organic faming worldwide, the treatments namely BioF/compost, 50% BioF/compost + 50% NPK and 75% BioF/compost + 25% NPK might be recommended for mustard cultivation in Bangladesh, which may reduce cultivation cost and also reduce environmental pollution. Keywords: Mustard; growth; dry matter production; seed yield; biofertilizer DOI: 10.3329/agric.v8i2.7579   The Agriculturists 8(2): 66-73 (2010)
Glutinous Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars Grown on Coastal Soils of Bangladesh
Authors: Miah Md Yunus , Kamal Mohammed Zia Uddin , Haque KM Shamsul , Kuddus Kkan Golam
Published: May 2011

The experiment describes the patterns of plant height, days required for booting, heading and flowering, sterility (%), grain yield, straw yield and harvest index of three glutinous rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars namely, Pushbiruine, Kathalibiruine and Pakbiruine grown in the coastal saline soils of South West Bangladesh. The experiment was carried out in a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) during aman season, 2003 at the experimental land of Khulna University, Khulna. The obtained results suggest that Kathalbiruine had better plant growth, considerable booting, heading and flowering periods, higher grain yield and harvest index than Pushbiruine and Pakbiruine. Thus Kathalbiruine may be considered as a potential candidate for cultivation in South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh. Keywords: Coastal Bangladesh; glutinous rice and urea DOI: 10.3329/agric.v8i2.7580 The Agriculturists 8(2): 74-79 (2010)
Plant Regeneration from Seedling Derived Explants through Callus of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L)
Authors: Ray BP , Hassan L , Sarker SK
Published: May 2011

Different concentrations and combinations of hormones were used in MS medium to observe callus induction and then plant regeneration using stem, leaf and root explants. The rate of callus formation varied in different treatments used. The highest amount of callus (48.66%) was produced on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA from stem after 8.2 days. The highest fresh weight of callus was 1.12, 0.5 and 0.48 g from stem, leaf and root, respectively. The highest percentage of regeneration (23.28%) was recorded in MS media containing 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA from stem after 38.8 days. However, 11.94% leaf the regeneration was obtained by 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA after 46.2 days. It was also found that 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA was the best stem regeneration. The protocol in the study might be useful for the production of disease free and healthy plant materials and also it would be useful for genetic transformation of eggplant using biotechnological approach. Keywords: 6-Benzyl amino purine (BAP); α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA); Solanum melongena; regeneration. DOI: 10.3329/agric.v8i2.7583 The Agriculturists 8(2): 98-107 (2010)
Flower-girl and bugler-boy no more: changing gender representation in writing for children
Authors: Macalister John
Published: May 2011

Awareness of gender bias in the depiction of children has been well-established in educational circles since the 1970s, and robust attempts to address this bias have been made in many parts of the world. Corpus linguistics has, however, made a limited contribution to our understanding of this field, with early studies of the depiction of children in children's reading materials typically involving content analyses. Without challenging the tenor of their findings, questions of reliability and validity could be raised about a number of these studies. In this paper, I suggest that these questions can be managed using a corpus linguistic approach and I report on a diachronic investigation of changes in the depiction of gender roles in writing for children with materials published by the same publisher (the New Zealand School Journal) at thirty-year intervals throughout the twentieth century. My investigation confirms earlier findings to a considerable extent, but suggests changes in the depiction of children were occurring well before the 1970s. I also provide evidence to support claims that gender stereotyping has, largely, been successfully addressed in contemporary writing for children.
Corpus-based dialectometry: a methodological sketch
Authors: Szmrecsanyi Benedikt
Published: May 2011

In this paper, I introduce methodologies to tap corpora for exploring aggregate linguistic distances between dialects or varieties as a function of properties of geographic space. The paper describes the different steps necessary to obtain an appropriate corpus-based dataset (a so-called ‘distance matrix’), and subsequently discusses several cartographic visualisation techniques – network maps, continuum maps and cluster maps – to project aggregate linguistic relationships to geography. In addition, the paper sketches some statistical methods to quantify these relationships. By way of example, a case study draws on the Freiburg Corpus of English Dialects – a major dialect corpus in which more than thirty traditional dialects of English from all over Great Britain are sampled. With a focus on regional variation in morphosyntax and on the basis of text frequencies of several dozen features, the study probes joint linguistic variability between the dialects sampled in the corpus.
Polyphenolic Contents and Antioxidant Potential of Stem Bark Extracts from Jatropha curcas (Linn)
Authors: Igbinosa Osamuyimen O. , Igbinosa Isoken H. , Chigor Vincent N. , Uzunuigbe Olohirere E. , Oyedemi Sunday O. , Odjadjare Emmanuel E. , Okoh Anthony I. , Igbinosa Etinosa O.
Published: May 2011

We assessed the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant potential of the aqueous, ethanol and methanol stem bark extracts of Jatropha curcas. The total phenol, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin contents of the extracts were evaluated to determine their effect on the antioxidant property of this plant, using standard phytochemical methods. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant were also assessed against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion, (O2−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using spectroscopic methods and results were compared with that of butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid as standards. The concentrations of different classes of phenolic compounds were higher in methanol and ethanol extracts compared to aqueous extracts. There was correlation between total phenol, total flavonoids, total flavonol and total proanthocyanidins (r = 0.996, 0.978, 0.908, and 0.985) respectively. There was correlations between the amount of phenolic compounds and percentage inhibition of DPPH radicals scavenging activity of the extract (r = 0.98). Findings from the present study indicated that J. curcas is a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be a good candidate for pharmaceutical plant based products.
Diversity-Oriented Synthesis Based on the DPPP-Catalyzed Mixed Double-Michael Reactions of Electron-Deficient Acetylenes and β-Amino Alcohols
Authors: Fan Yi Chiao , Kwon Ohyun
Published: May 2011

In this study, we prepared oxizolidines through 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)-propane (DPPP)–catalyzed mixed double-Michael reactions of b-amino alcohols with electron-deficient acetylenes. These reactions are very suitable for the diversity-oriented parallel syntheses of oxizolidines because: (i) they are performed under mild metal-free conditions and (ii) the products are isolated without complicated work-up. To demonstrate the applicability of mixed double-Michael reactions for the preparation of five-membered-ring heterocycles, we prepared 60 distinct oxazolidines from five β-amino alcohols and 12 electron-deficient acetylenes. We synthesized 36 of these 60 oxazolidines in enantiomerically pure form from proteinogenic amino acid–derived β-amino alcohols.
Making Sense out of Antisense Transcription in Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Viruses (HTLVs)
Authors: Barbeau Benoit , Mesnard Jean-Michel
Published: May 2011

Retroviral gene expression generally depends on a full-length transcript that initiates in the 5' long terminal repeat (LTR), which is either unspliced or alternatively spliced. We and others have demonstrated the existence of an antisense transcript initiating in the 3' LTR of the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) that is involved in the production of HBZ (HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper (bZIP) factor). HBZ is a Fos-like factor capable of inhibiting Tax-mediated activation of the HTLV-1 LTR by interacting with the cellular transcription factor cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and the pleiotropic cellular coactivators p300/CBP. HBZ can also activate cellular transcription through its interaction with p300/CBP. Interestingly, HBZ has also been found to promote T-lymphocyte proliferation. By down-regulating viral expression and by stimulating T-cell proliferation, HBZ could be essential in the establishment of a chronic infection. Antisense transcription also occurs in the closely related HTLV-2 retrovirus as well as in the recently discovered HTLV-3 and HTLV-4. These antisense transcripts are also involved in the production of retroviral proteins that we have termed Antisense Protein of HTLVs (APH). Like HBZ, the APH proteins are localized in the nucleus of transfected cells and repress Tax-mediated viral transcription.
Pour introduire « la direction de la cure »
Authors: Vanier Alain
Published: May 2011

est un texte de Lacan de 1958 et publié en 1961. Il se déploie entre une première proposition : le psychanalyste dirige la cure, mais non le patient, et une seconde : c’est le désir inconscient qui dirige le traitement. Cet axe reste celui de toute analyse. On a souvent opposé la visée de la cure chez Freud et chez Lacan, or cette contradiction n’est qu’apparente, c’est ce que cet article entend soutenir.
Ce qui oriente la cure
Authors: Pickmann Claude-Noële
Published: May 2011

Lacan a voulu redonner aux psychanalystes les conditions d’une pratique analytique comme telle. C’est dans ce cadre qu’il invente le terme de « désir de l’analyste », comme ce qui opère dans une cure pour mettre l’analysant à la tâche d’élaborer le savoir inconscient et d’interroger de la bonne façon le chiffrage de sa jouissance. Lacan ne cessera, tout au long de son enseignement et au fur et à mesure de l’avancée de sa théorisation, de revenir à cette question de la fin de l’analyse et d’en reprendre l’élaboration.
Le paradoxe de l'abstention
Authors: Pommier Gérard
Published: May 2011

Dans les premières années de la psychanalyse, Freud recommandait l’abstinence à ses patients. Il s’agissait d’éviter les Acting out , même si l’expérience devait vite montrer qu’il était vain de prévenir longtemps les passages à l’acte (qui seront d’ailleurs souvent positifs). Cette recommandation s’est assouplie avec le temps ; même si elle reste toujours d’actualité. En partant de la distinction d’actualité entre psychanalyse et psychothérapies, cet article montre le motif de la position éthique de l’analyste, qui l’amène finalement à s’abstenir non seulement de tout jugement et de toute opinion, mais de tout geste amical à l’égard de ses patients. L’abstinence a donc changé de sens au fur et à mesure que le discours analytique s’est installé.
La direction de la cure (transmission indirecte d'analysant à analyste)
Authors: Moscovitz Jean-Jacques
Published: May 2011

L’écoute dans sa cure d’un analysant passant à l’analyste, convoque son analyste à une direction de la cure qui le renvoie lui-même à sa propre analyse avec son analyste, de telle sorte que d’analysant à analyste, un retour temporel à Freud s’effectue vers ces moments où Freud désire être analyste, commence à être praticien de sa découverte de l’inconscient. Ce désir est de cette libido couleur de vide, énonce Lacan in « Du Trieb de Freud et du désir du psychanalyste ». C’est à ce point de vide que la menée, la direction de nos cures se réfère ; soit à une énonciation énigmatique, un(x), à un trou de savoir qui appelle à poser une transmission indirecte de la psychanalyse aussi bien celle à rebours vers Freud, que celle progrédiente vers l’actuel : une de nos institutions de psychanalyse, où s’élabore, depuis notre pratique, la direction singulière d’une cure selon chacun d’entre nous.
Qui dirige la cure ? À propos de la perversion
Authors: Susini Marie-Laure
Published: May 2011

Dans ce cas exceptionnel de perversion criminelle, on souligne d’abord le déroulement classique de la cure. Se vérifient, dans ce cas singulier, les principes de la psychanalyse et de toute cure freudienne, et l’efficience de la formalisation lacanienne. Se précisent aussi les difficultés liées à la structure de la perversion : non seulement l’analyste se fait l’agent du discours, la cause de la division du sujet de l’Inconscient, (l’objet de la pulsion) mais il doit aussi se laisser diviser pour maintenir dans la réalité psychique du fantasme, le sujet désirant.
Psychose : réaménagements de la suppléance perverse Joyce, Wittgenstein et quelques autres...
Authors: Kong Philippe
Published: May 2011

Le propre d’une psychose non déclenchée tient à l’existence d’une suppléance perverse, qui fait consister la structure du sujet. Cette suppléance perverse est analysée au prisme de l’enseignement des nœuds borroméens du dernier Lacan. Il est possible de la réaménager et de lui assigner des destins plus dignes, en conformité avec l’adage éthique : aimer et travailler. Ce que Joyce, Wittgenstein, Anaïs et Aphélien viennent nous enseigner.
La musique, l'interprétation et la direction de la cure dans le travail avec les bébés
Authors: Golse Bernard
Published: May 2011

Après avoir rappelé les deux grands modes de communication humaine (verbale et préverbale), l’auteur résume les travaux de S. Maiello sur « l’objet sonore » avant d’insister sur la place particulière de la voix maternelle pour le fœtus futur bébé. L’intégration de la discontinuité de la voix maternelle préparerait en effet la possibilité ultérieure d’élaborer la problématique de la présence et de l’absence de l’objet. Sont ensuite abordées les questions de la verbalisation et de l’interprétation dans le cadre de la cure, ainsi que le problème de l’énonciation des interventions du thérapeute dans le cadre des thérapies conjointes parent(s)-bébé. C’est peut-être le travail avec les bébés qui permettra de compléter notre théorie actuelle de l’interprétation.
Le corps symptôme de l'adolescence
Authors: Godefroy Hélène
Published: May 2011

Le monde scientifique stimulé par une avancée irrésistible, mais nécessaire, se retrouve aujourd’hui en butte à l’éruption inattendue de nouvelles formes de symptômes. Son ambition du tout possible, outrepassant le registre du symbolique, confronte, en effet, notre civilisation à l’émergence de certains phénomènes de société qui, sous l’égide des techniques offertes font nécessairement appel à la nomination. Tels les « implants », comme nouveau mode d’expression, dont le corps des adolescents sert à présent de support.
Le droit à la ville. Cheminements géographique et épistémologique (France – Brésil – International)
Authors: Pereira Elson Manoel , Perrin Mathieu
Published: May 2011

Résumé Ce texte retrace l’émancipation d’une idée, celle du droit à la ville. Une réflexion épistémologique y sera développée, tentant de recenser les influences scientifiques et philosophiques ayant contribué à l’émergence de cette revendication, initialement portée par Henri Lefebvre. Puis, seront mentionnés quelques éléments importants du cheminement géographique suivi par ce construit et donc les différents apports qui sont venus l’enrichir. Car si l’idée d’un droit à la ville fut d’abord lancée dans un contexte scientifique français et soixante-huitard, il aura fallu que celle-ci transite par d’autres horizons, notamment brésiliens, pour connaître une destinée mondiale. Aujourd’hui, les instances internationales se montrent intéressées (ONU-Habitat, UNESCO) par une telle proposition.
Comment appréhender les slums indiens ? Normes sociale et scientifique
Authors: Louiset Odette
Published: May 2011

Résumé Les bidonvilles des métropoles « en développement » ont été essentiellement décrits comme la périphérie de la périphérie. L’analyse critique des normes culturelle, sociale et scientifique fondant cette figure de la marge ouvre sur de multiples perspectives, y compris celle de la conceptualisation de la ville. De quelle manière peut-on appréhender ces « quartiers » s’ils ne sont plus perçus sous un tour stéréotypé ? Qui sont les chercheurs ou intervenants, plus ou moins acteurs dans la production de représentations persistantes ? Comment dépasser le recouvrement des normes sociales (et de leurs valeurs) et des normes scientifiques ? Comment passer de la ville-modèle au concept de ville ? Substituer le transfert « sud-nord » au conventionnel transfert « nord-sud » pourrait y contribuer.
Du paradigme sahélien du lieu à l'espace (mondial) mobile
Authors: Retaillé Denis
Published: May 2011

Résumé Un travail empirique portant sur la rencontre entre paysans sédentaires et pasteurs nomades au Sahel a conduit à une révision théorique portant sur la nature de l’espace géographique. Établi sur la base du fixe comme la surface terrestre et les milieux ou comme la surface théorique de l’analyse spatiale, l’espace de la science géographique oublie le mouvement qui sans cesse anime le réglage des lieux et des distances. Ce réglage qui paraît comme habituel chez les nomades touche aussi les sédentaires. C’est le point de départ d’un transfert conceptuel vers le monde contemporain et l’observation du pouvoir spatial. L’espace mobile en est l’outil.
Autonomie et négativité de l'art
Authors: Wellmer Albrecht , Voirol Olivier
Published: May 2011

Résumé Les concepts de négativité et de critique sont centraux pour Adorno : ils renvoient à ce qui déborde la réalité factuelle en préservant la possibilité d’une société autre. Son esthétique explicite une idée de l’art comme débordement de « ce qui est », y compris de l’art lui-même. Simultanément, l’art est aussi fait social , il incorpore un élément historique. C’est en refusant la contrainte de l’empirique - et non pas en y abdiquant - que ce dernier est présent sous forme sublimée dans les œuvres. Adorno privilégiait la seule musique capable d’incarner cette négativité en exprimant des expériences de bonheur : celle issue des expérimentations des avant-gardes, en marge du système totalisant de l’industrie culturelle abîmant toute négativité. Cette fixation sur ce type de musique, vue comme la seule assurant la négativité, a enfermé Adorno dans une certaine tradition musicale en le rendant insensible aux innovations subversives et aux expériences d’écoute collective au sein de la musique pop.
Une critique de la mêmeté
Authors: Christ Julia
Published: May 2011

Résumé La présente étude tente de recadrer la critique de la culture d’Adorno : souvent considérée comme centrée sur le contenu des produits culturels, nous essayons de montrer qu’elle vise avant tout la forme « marchandise » en ce que cette dernière transforme la culture en objet. Si le monde de la culture est compris, avec Adorno, au sens freudien de « civilisation », cette chosification du culturel signifie l’impossibilité matérielle, pour les individus singuliers, de participer aux pratiques culturelles qui sont les leurs. C’est cette exclusion des individus de l’agir commun qui se trouve au centre de la critique. D’un point de vue de la méthode la question centrale d’Adorno est donc « que fait faire la culture aux individus d’un univers culturel donné ?
Retour sur l'industrie culturelle
Authors: Voirol Olivier
Published: May 2011

Résumé Partie intégrante du vocabulaire courant de la sociologie de la culture, des médias et de la communication, le terme d’« industrie culturelle » décrit couramment les entreprises économiques œuvrant dans le domaine de la culture et de la communication. Sous la plume de ses initiateurs, Theodor W. Adorno et Max Horkheimer, le concept avait cependant une portée plus large, au carrefour de l’esthétique, de l’économie politique et de la psychanalyse. La première se penche sur l’étude interne des œuvres culturelles, la seconde examine les transformations du capitalisme, la troisième s’intéresse au devenir de l’individu et aux mutations des structures familiales. À ne pas saisir la relation entre ces différents domaines, on fait perdre au concept d’industrie culturelle sa portée singulière. Ce texte retrace la genèse et l’élaboration de ce concept dans les travaux d’Adorno, jusqu’à ses reprises tardives, en insistant sur le rôle qu’a joué la recherche empirique interdisciplinaire au sein de l’Institut de recherche sociale. Un tel examen vise à faire ressortir la portée de ce concept et à en proposer une reconsidération contemporaine.
Identification of IDO-Positive and IDO-Negative Human Dendritic Cells after Activation by Various Proinflammatory Stimuli
Authors: Von Bubnoff Dagmar , Scheler Marina , Wilms Helene , Fimmers Rolf , Bieber Thomas
Published: May 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) can induce tolerance or immunity. We identified and characterized an IDO-expressing and an IDO-negative human DC population after stimulation by various proinflammatory stimuli. IDO expression was strongly dependent on the maturation status of the cells (CD83-positive cells only). The two DC subpopulations remained IDO positive and IDO negative, respectively, over a time period of at least 48 h. IDO enzyme activity of human DCs was highest during stimulation by strongly maturation-inducing TLR ligands such as highly purified LPS (TLR4 ligand) or polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (TLR3 ligand); factors of the adaptive immune system such as IFN-γ, a mixture of cytokines, and IFN-α had lesser stimulatory capacity for IDO induction and activity. After stimulation with CD40L, IDO-positive DCs expressed significantly increased levels of B7 family molecules such as CD40, CD80, CD86, ICOS ligand, as well as PD-L1 (B7-H1) and PD-L2 (B7-DC) compared with the IDO-negative DC subset. At the same time, the inhibitory receptors Ig-like transcripts 3 and 4 were significantly downregulated on IDO-positive cells. Functionally, IDO-positive DCs produced significantly more IL-1β and IL-15 and less IL-10 and IL-6 than the IDO-negative subset after CD40L stimulation. These results show that IDO expression is associated with a distinctive phenotype and functional capacity in mature DCs. It seems likely that the IDO-positive DC subset possesses a regulatory function and might skew a T cell response toward tolerance.
GSK‐3 in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Lei Peng , Ayton Scott , Bush Ashley I. , Adlard Paul A.
Published: May 2011

Glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK‐3) regulates multiple cellular processes, and its dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse diseases. In this paper we will focus on the dysfunction of GSK‐3 in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, GSK‐3 is known to interact with tau, β‐amyloid (Aβ), and α‐synuclein, and as such may be crucially involved in both diseases. Aβ production, for example, is regulated by GSK‐3, and its toxicity is mediated by GSK‐induced tau phosphorylation and degeneration. α‐synuclein is a substrate for GSK‐3 and GSK‐3 inhibition protects against Parkinsonian toxins. Lithium, a GSK‐3 inhibitor, has also been shown to affect tau, Aβ, and α‐synuclein in cell culture, and transgenic animal models. Thus, understanding the role of GSK‐3 in neurodegenerative diseases will enhance our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these disorders and also facilitate the identification of new therapeutic avenues.
Associations between Variation in X Chromosome Male Reproductive Genes and Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Greenspan Leah , Clark Andrew G.
Published: May 2011

Variation in reproductive success has long been thought to be mediated in part by genes encoding seminal proteins. Here we explore the effect on male reproductive phenotypes of X-linked polymorphisms, a chromosome that is depauperate in genes encoding seminal proteins. Using 57 X chromosome substitution lines, sperm competition was tested both when the males from the wild-extracted line were the first to mate (“defense” crosses), followed by a tester male, and when extracted-line males were the second to mate, after a tester male (“offfense” crosses). We scored the proportion of progeny sired by each male, the fecundity, the remating rate and refractoriness to remating, and tested the significance of variation among lines. Eleven candidate genes were chosen based on previous studies, and portions of these genes were sequenced in all 57 lines. A total of 131 polymorphisms were tested for associations with the reproductive phenotypes using linear models. Nine polymorphisms in 4 genes were found to show significant associations (at a 5% FDR). Overall, it appears that the X chromosomes harbor abundant variation in sperm competition, especially considering the paucity of seminal protein genes. This suggests that much of the male reproductive variation lies outside of genes that encode seminal proteins.
Definition of Nonresponse to Analgesic Treatment of Arthritic Pain: An Analytical Literature Review of the Smallest Detectable Difference, the Minimal Detectable Change, and the Minimal Clinically Important Difference on the Pain Visual Analog Scale
Authors: Stauffer Melissa E. , Taylor Stephanie D. , Watson Douglas J. , Peloso Paul M. , Morrison Alan
Published: May 2011

Our objective was to develop a working definition of nonresponse to analgesic treatment of arthritis, focusing on the measurement of pain on the 0–100 mm pain visual analog scale (VAS). We reviewed the literature to assess the smallest detectable difference (SDD), the minimal detectable change (MDC), and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The SDD for improvement reported in three studies of rheumatoid arthritis was 18.6, 19.0, and 20.0. The median MDC was 25.4 for 7 studies of osteoarthritis and 5 studies of rheumatoid arthritis (calculated for a reliability coefficient of 0.85). The MCID increased with increasing baseline pain score. For baseline VAS tertiles defined by scores of 30–49, 50–65, and >65, the MCID for improvement was, respectively, 7–11 units, 19–27 units, and 29–37 units. Nonresponse can thus be defined in terms of the MDC for low baseline pain scores and in terms of the MCID for high baseline scores.
A Genomic Approach to Study Anthocyanin Synthesis and Flower Pigmentation in Passionflowers
Authors: Aizza Lilian Cristina Baldon , Dornelas Marcelo Carnier
Published: May 2011

Most of the plant pigments ranging from red to purple colors belong to the anthocyanin group of flavonoids. The flowers of plants belonging to the genusPassiflora(passionflowers) show a wide range of floral adaptations to diverse pollinating agents, including variation in the pigmentation of floral parts ranging from white to red and purple colors. Exploring a database of expressed sequence tags obtained from flower buds of two divergentPassifloraspecies, we obtained assembled sequences potentially corresponding to 15 different genes of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in these species. The obtained sequences code for putative enzymes are involved in the production of flavonoid precursors, as well as those involved in the formation of particular (“decorated”) anthocyanin molecules. We also obtained sequences encoding regulatory factors that control the expression of structural genes and regulate the spatial and temporal accumulation of pigments. The identification of some of the putativePassifloraanthocyanin biosynthesis pathway genes provides novel resources for research on secondary metabolism in passionflowers, especially on the elucidation of the processes involved in floral pigmentation, which will allow future studies on the role of pigmentation in pollinator preferences in a molecular level.
Preventing the Establishment of a Wildlife Disease Reservoir: A Case Study of Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild Deer in Minnesota, USA
Authors: Carstensen Michelle , DonCarlos Michael W.
Published: May 2011

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) has been found in 12 cattle operations and 27 free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northwestern Minnesota, following the state's most recent outbreak of the disease in 2005 in the northwest part of the state. Both deer and cattle have the same strain of bTB. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has been leading efforts to eradicate the disease in Minnesota's cattle, which have included the depopulation of all infected herds, a cattle buy-out program, and mandatory fencing of stored feeds. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources began surveillance efforts in free-ranging white-tailed deer in fall 2005. All bTB-infected deer have been found within a 16 km2area in direct association with infected cattle farms. Aggressive efforts to reduce deer densities through liberalized hunting and sharpshooting have resulted in a 55% decline in deer densities. Also, recreational feeding of wild deer has been banned. Disease prevalence in deer has decreased from 1.2% in 2005 to an undetectable level in 2010.
Subgross Morphology, the Sick Lobe Hypothesis, and the Success of Breast Conservation
Authors: Tot Tibor
Published: May 2011

Breast carcinoma has a complex subgross morphology in the majority of cases. The malignant transformation usually involves a single breast lobe and may demonstrate peripheral, segmental, or lobar growth patterns in the in situ phase. During the invasive phase, the tumor may grow beyond the borders of the affected lobe. The dimensions of the involved lobe and the pattern of its involvement determine the extent of the disease in the early phase, with the size, type, and position of the invasive foci being additional determinants in more advanced cases. Breast carcinomas of limited extent (occupying a tissue area <40 mm) are proper candidates for breast-conserving surgery. In other cases, careful individual preoperative assessment of disease extent is necessary in making decisions about the most appropriate surgical approach, taking into account the position of the lesion(s) within the breast, the dimensions of the breast, and patient preference.
Bilateral Femoral Insufficiency Fractures Likely Related to Long-Term Alendronate Therapy
Authors: Gudena Ravindra , Werle Jason , Johnston Kelly
Published: May 2011

Osteoporosis-related fractures are a major public health problem and one in two women and one in four men are affected with osteoporosis-related fractures. Alendronate (Fosamax) is one of the first bisphosphonates used to treat osteoporosis effectively. Recently, however, there is a concern regarding long bone insufficiency fractures related to long-term alendronate therapy. We report a case of bilateral femoral insufficiency fractures likely related to long-term alendronate therapy, the classic symptoms, signs, and treatment of these fractures.
Aura MLS observations of the westward-propagating s=1, 16-day planetary wave in the stratosphere, mesosphere and lower thermosphere
Authors: Day K. A. , Hibbins R. E. , Mitchell N. J.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on the Aura satellite has been used to measure temperatures in the stratosphere, mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The data used here are from August 2004 to December 2010 and latitudes 75° N to 75° S. The temperature data reveal the regular presence of a westward-propagating 16-day planetary wave with zonal wavenumber 1. The wave amplitudes maximise in winter at middle to high latitudes, where monthly-mean amplitudes can be as large as ~8 K. Significant wave amplitudes are also observed in the summer-time mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) and at lower stratospheric heights of up to ~20 km at middle to high latitudes. Wave amplitudes in the Northern Hemisphere approach values twice as large as those in the Southern Hemisphere. Wave amplitudes are also closely related to mean zonal winds and are largest in regions of strongest eastward flow. There is a reduction in wave amplitudes at the stratopause. No significant wave amplitudes are observed near the equator or in the strongly westward background winds of the atmosphere in summer. This behaviour is interpreted as a consequence of wave/mean-flow interactions. Perturbations in wave amplitude summer MLT are compared to those simultaneously observed in the winter stratosphere of the opposite hemisphere and found to have a correlation coefficient of +0.22, suggesting a small degrees of inter-hemispheric coupling. We interpret this to mean that some of the summer-time MLT wave may originate in the winter stratosphere of the opposite hemisphere and have been ducted across the equator. We do not observe a significant QBO modulation of the 16-day wave amplitude in the polar summer-time MLT. Wave amplitudes were also observed to be suppressed during the major sudden stratospheric warming events of the Northern Hemisphere winters of 2006 and 2009.
Fragmentation vs. functionalization: chemical aging and organic aerosol formation
Authors: Chacon-Madrid H. J. , Donahue N. M.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. The transformation process that a carbon backbone undergoes in the atmosphere is complex and dynamic. Understanding all these changes for all the species in detail is impossible; however, choosing different molecules that resemble progressively higher stages of oxidation or aging and studying them can give us an insight into general characteristics and mechanisms. Here we determine secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass yields of two sequences of molecules reacting with the OH radical at high NOx. Each sequence consists of species with similar vapor pressures but a succession of oxidation states. The first sequence consists of n-pentadecane, n-tridecanal, 2-, 7-tridecanone, and pinonaldehyde. The second sequence consists of n-nonadecane, n-heptadecanal and cis-pinonic acid. Oxidized molecules tend to have lower relative SOA mass yields; however, oxidation state alone was not enough to predict how efficiently a molecule forms SOA. Certain functionalities are able to fragment more easily than others, and even the position of these functionalities on a molecule can have an effect. n-Alkanes tend to have the highest yields, and n-aldehydes the lowest. n-Ketones have slightly higher yields when the ketone moiety is located on the side of the molecule and not in the center. In general, oxidation products remain efficient SOA sources, though fragmentation makes them less effective than comparable alkanes.
Height-diameter allometry of tropical forest trees
Authors: Feldpausch T. R. , Banin L. , Phillips O. L. , Baker T. R. , Lewis S. L. , Quesada C. A. , Affum-Baffoe K. , Arets E. J. M. M. , Berry N. J. , Bird M. , Brondizio E. S. , de Camargo P. , Chave J. , Djagbletey G. , Domingues T. F. , Drescher M. , Fearnside P. M. , França M. B. , Fyllas N. M. , Lopez-Gonzalez G. , Hladik A. , Higuchi N. , Hunter M. O. , Iida Y. , Salim K. A. , Kassim A. R. , Keller M. , Kemp J. , King D. A. , Lovett J. C. , Marimon B. S. , Marimon-Junior B. H. , Lenza E. , Marshall A. R. , Metcalfe D. J. , Mitchard E. T. A. , Moran E. F. , Nelson B. W. , Nilus R. , Nogueira E. M. , Palace M. , Patiño S. , Peh K. S.-H. , Raventos M. T. , Reitsma J. M. , Saiz G. , Schrodt F. , Sonké B. , Taedoumg H. E. , Tan S. , White L. , Wöll H. , Lloyd J.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Tropical tree height-diameter (H:D) relationships may vary by forest type and region making large-scale estimates of above-ground biomass subject to bias if they ignore these differences in stem allometry. We have therefore developed a new global tropical forest database consisting of 39 955 concurrent H and D measurements encompassing 283 sites in 22 tropical countries. Utilising this database, our objectives were: 1. to determine if H:D relationships differ by geographic region and forest type (wet to dry forests, including zones of tension where forest and savanna overlap). 2. to ascertain if the H:D relationship is modulated by climate and/or forest structural characteristics (e.g. stand-level basal area, A). 3. to develop H:D allometric equations and evaluate biases to reduce error in future local-to-global estimates of tropical forest biomass. Annual precipitation coefficient of variation (PV), dry season length (SD), and mean annual air temperature (TA) emerged as key drivers of variation in H:D relationships at the pantropical and region scales. Vegetation structure also played a role with trees in forests of a high A being, on average, taller at any given D. After the effects of environment and forest structure are taken into account, two main regional groups can be identified. Forests in Asia, Africa and the Guyana Shield all have, on average, similar H:D relationships, but with trees in the forests of much of the Amazon Basin and tropical Australia typically being shorter at any given D than their counterparts elsewhere. The region-environment-structure model with the lowest Akaike's information criterion and lowest deviation estimated stand-level H across all plots to within amedian −2.7 to 0.9% of the true value. Some of the plot-to-plot variability in H:D relationships not accounted for by this model could be attributed to variations in soil physical conditions. Other things being equal, trees tend to be more slender in the absence of soil physical constraints, especially at smaller D. Pantropical and continental-level models provided less robust estimates of H, especially when the roles of climate and stand structure in modulating H:D allometry were not simultaneously taken into account.
Improving confidence in deep drainage estimates, for arid and semi-arid areas using multiple linear regression with percent clay content and rainfall
Authors: Wohling D. L. , Leaney F. W. , Crosbie R. S.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Deep drainage estimates are required for effective management of water resources. However, field measurements are time consuming and costly so simple empirical relationships are often used. Relationships developed between clay content of the surface soil and deep drainage have been used extensively in Australia to provide regional estimates of drainage but these relationships have been poorly justified and did not include rainfall in the relationships. Here we present a rigorous appraisal of clay content of soils and rainfall as predictors of drainage using an extensive database of field observations from across Australia. This study found that annual average rainfall and the clay content of the top 2 m of the soil are statistically significant predictors of drainage. Relationships have been defined for annual, perennial and tree type vegetation as a line of best fit along with 95 % confidence intervals. This allows the uncertainty in these drainage estimates to be assessed for the first time.
Classification of thermal waters based on their inorganic fingerprint and hydrogeothermal modelling
Authors: Delgado-Outeiriño I. , Araujo-Nespereira P. , Cid-Fernández J. A. , Mejuto J. C. , Martínez-Carballo E. , Simal-Gándara J.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Hydrothermal features in Galicia have been used since ancient times for therapeutic purposes. A characterization of these thermal waters was carried out in order to understand their behaviour based on inorganic pattern and water-rock interaction mechanisms. In this way 15 thermal water samples were collected in the same hydrographical system. The results of the hydrogeochemistry analysis showed one main water family of bicarbonate type sodium waters, typical in the post-orogenic basins of Galicia. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial lest squared (PLS) clustered the selected thermal waters in two groups, regarding to their chemical composition. This classification agreed with the results obtained by the use of geothermometers and the hydrogeochemical modelling. The first included thermal samples that could be in contact with surface waters and therefore, their residence time in the reservoir and their water-rock interaction would be less important than for the thermal waters of the second group.
A Blind Two-Stage Receiver for MIMO-CDMA Systems
Authors: Hwang Fuh-Hsin , Lin Tsui-Tsai
Published: May 2011

A blind two-stage multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receiver is proposed for code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems utilizing space-time block coding (STBC) over a multipath fading channel. Specifically, in the first stage, a signal-blocked (SB) interference-blocked (IB) detector is first constructed for collection of the desired signals and suppression of multiple access interference (MAI). In the second-stage, a decision-directed scheme is developed to alleviate desired signal cancellation. Computer simulations demonstrate that the proposed blind receiver can achieve a reliable output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) performance approximating that of the optimal minimum mean squared error (MMSE) receiver and can exhibit the robustness against the finite data sample effect.
Footballer's Lateral Meniscus: Anterior Horn Tears of the Lateral Meniscus with a Stable Knee
Authors: Hagino Tetsuo , Ochiai Satoshi , Sato Eiichi , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Senga Shinya
Published: May 2011

This paper aimed to identify the characteristics of isolated anterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus in footballers who underwent arthroscopic surgery. We identified 8 patients with stable knee and no ligament injury, who had only isolated anterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus between 2007 and 2009. All 8 patients were footballers, comprising 7 men and 1 woman with mean age of 18.6 years. Arthroscopy revealed multiple longitudinal tears in 2 patients, longitudinal tear in 2 patients, degenerative tear in 3 patients, and flap tear in 1 patient. Two patients were treated by repair, five by partial excision, and one by rasping only. The mean Lysholm score was 65 before surgery and recovered to 89 at the last followup, on average 12 months after surgery. Anterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus in footballers with a stable knee is characterized by pain at the anterolateral aspect of the knee during knee extension, especially when kicking a ball, and pain during weight-bearing knee extension, together with MRI finding of hyperintense signal in the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. Preoperative diagnosis may be possible based on these findings in footballers.
A Rare Presentation of Pellet Injury in the Neck
Authors: Gupta Bulbul , Gulati Achal , Gupta Divya
Published: May 2011

Penetrating neck injuries are dangerous and deserve emergency treatment by virtue of the vital structures present underneath. There is a potential risk of unrecognized vascular injury and retained foreign bodies with their associated complications in these wounds. Therefore, an early diagnostic workup to localize the site of injury and an immediate neck exploration are important.
Equivalence between the Existence of an Approximate Equilibrium in a Competitive Economy and Sperner's Lemma: A Constructive Analysis
Authors: Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: May 2011

Brouwer's fixed point theorem cannot be constructively proved, so the existence of an equilibrium in a competitive economy also cannot be constructively proved. On the other hand, Sperner's lemma which
is used to prove Brouwer's theorem is constructively proved. Some authors
have presented a constructive (or an approximate) version of Brouwer's fixed
point theorem using Sperner's lemma. In this paper, I prove the existence of
an approximate equilibrium in a competitive economy directly by Sperner's
lemma. Also I show that the existence of an approximate equilibrium leads to
Sperner's lemma. I follow the Bishop style constructive mathematics according
to Bishop and Bridges (1985), Bridges and Richman (1987), and Bridges and Vîţă (2006).
Some Families of Two-Step Simultaneous Methods for Determining Zeros of Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Mir Nazir Ahmad , Muneer Rifka , Jabeen Iffat
Published: May 2011

We construct two families of two-step simultaneous methods, one of order four and the other of order six, for determining all the distinct zeros of single variable nonlinear equations. The convergence analysis of both the families of methods and the numerical results are also given in order to demonstrate the efficiency and the performance of the new iterative simultaneous methods.