bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of field treatments on processing quality of Record and Pentland Dell potatoes during storage
Authors: Hogge M. C. , Stalham M. A. , Allen E. J.
Published: March 2009

Previous research has suggested that fry colour of processed potatoes is inversely correlated with tuber reducing sugar content, and agronomic practice should therefore be tailored to minimize amounts of tuber sugars at harvest and during storage as a means of maximizing processing quality. A total of 30 experiments from three sites in England from 1985 to 1988 examined this hypothesis for two cultivars using a wider range of husbandry than that used in practice and long periods of storage. No tuber sugar value was sufficiently well correlated with fry colour for the relationship to be interpreted as causal and of use predictively, irrespective of whether it was measured early in growth, at harvest or at the time of processing. Fry colour at harvest was not correlated with fry colour after storage. No agronomic practice (variables used were physiological age, date of planting, irrigation or date of harvest) consistently caused fry colours to be darker than the acceptable colour limit, whether at harvest or after long term storage. Crops producing unacceptable fry colours early in storage generally improved to produce acceptable fry colours after long term storage. Agronomic practices within the range normally found in commercial production are therefore considered to have little effect on long-term processing quality, although harvesting, handling and transport operations were not investigated.
Fertilization of spring barley by combination of pig slurry and mineral nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Petersen J.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments at Askov and Lundgaard Experimental Stations, Denmark, were carried out in 1987–91. Winter and spring applications of pig slurry at two application rates and an unfertilized treatment were combined with three rates of mineral nitrogen fertilizer; 15 treatment in all. Grain and straw yield, nitrogen content and nitrogen uptake of spring barley were measured at harvest. All main effects were significant, resulting in increasing yield and nitrogen uptake both when increasing the rate of mineral nitrogen fertilizer and slurry, and when slurry was applied in spring rather than in winter. The nitrogen content of the barley was affected by mineral nitrogen fertilizer application, and by the rate of slurry. The nitrogen efficiency of applied ammonia-N in the pig slurry was estimated by a quadratic polynomial yield response function and expressed relative to a reference function based on the application of mineral nitrogen fertilizer. The efficiency was estimated at 10 for spring-applied pig slurry. The value for winter-applied pig slurry was lower (0·6) and more variable. The efficiency of ammonia-N in spring-applied pig slurry decreased by 0·4/100 kg N/ha when supplementary mineral nitrogen fertilizer was applied at the same time.
Effect of time and amount of first irrigation on the root distribution and fodder yield of oats
Authors: Sharma B. R.
Published: March 2009

Water-use efficiency and forage yield of irrigated oats depend to a large extent on water application during initial growth. Root distribution, growth and fodder yield of oats as influenced by time and amount of first irrigation were studied in the field for 2 years. Root-weight density of each layer, profile-root-weight density and yields decreased progressively when the first irrigation was delayed. Application of a small amount of irrigation (20 mm) at day 25 proved to be better than applications of 50 or 70 mm at later stages.
Time and source of nitrogen application in rice and wheat
Authors: Meelu O. P. , Saggar S. , Maskina M. S. , Rekhi R. S.
Published: March 2009

The results of four field experiments conducted for 2 or 3 years on two soils, loamy sand (Typic Ustipsamments) and silty clay loam (Natric Ustochrept) showed that in rice, application of N in three equal amounts was more efficient than one or two applications, irrespective of source of N and type of soil. The results further showed that application of the first dose of N 7 days after transplanting rice was more beneficial than its application at transplanting. Calcium ammonium nitrate was significantly inferior to urea and/or ammonium sulphate for rice in both soils. There were no significant differences in wheat yield, N concentration or uptake due to time and source of N application.
A comparison of cross-bred ewes raised from Welsh Mountain dams by three sire breeds: Cambridge, Border Leicester and Lleyn
Authors: Owen J. B. , Whitaker C. J.
Published: March 2009

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A study of cross-bred ewes sired by Cambridge, Border Leicester and Lleyn rams out of Welsh Mountain ewes, involving a total of 408 observations, was carried out partly under lowland and partly under upland conditions in North Wales. The results snowed that the Cambridge and Lleyn were more precocious than the Border Leicester (relative percentage of ewes put to the tup lambing at 1 year old was 51·9, 66·3 and 66·8 respectively for Border Leicester, Cambridge and Lleyn cross-breds). In terms of lambs born and lambs reared per ewe lambing the ranking of the breeds was (in descending order) Cambridge, Border Leicester and Lleyn respectively. The Cambridge was lower in terms of mean weight of lambs at birth and at 56 days and relative mean age at slaughter tended to be lower in the Border Leicester crosses. Taking into consideration the lower body weight, particularly of the Lleyn cross-breds, ranking on relative feed conversion efficiency was Cambridge, Border Leicester and Lleyn when ewe fertility and days to slaughter were excluded.
The available phosphate in soils
Authors: Vanstone Ernest
Published: March 2009

In the official methods of soil analysis followed in this country, the available phosphate is determined by Dyer's (1) method. This consists in determining the amount of phosphoric acid, which becomes soluble, when 200 gm. of soil are shaken continuously for 24 hours with 2 litres of water, containing 20 gm. of citric acid. The result is expressed as a percentage of the weight of soil. It is usual to infer lack of available phosphate if less than 0·01 per cent. P2O5 becomes soluble under these conditions. Hall (2) has suggested the necessity for a revision of this limit.
Ultra-mechanical analysis of soils
Authors: Puri Amar Nath , Puri B. R.
Published: March 2009

A micro-pipette for the ultra-mechanical analysis of soils is described. The sources of error in the usual centrifugal methods are discussed and the new method is shown to be simple, accurate and capable of being adopted as a routine method even in the most moderately equipped laboratories. The treatment of the soil with alkaline permanganate to destroy humus does not affect the inorganic soil colloids.
Comparative Studies of Meat I. The chemical composition of fatty and muscular tissue in relation to growth and fattening
Authors: Callow E. H.
Published: March 2009

1. Chemical analyses have been carried out on the muscular and fatty tissues from thirty-one beef animals and twenty-nine lambs, and also on the psoas muscle from twenty-nine pigs. The animals were selected to represent a very wide cross-section of our meat industry.

2. The water content of muscular tissue (psoas muscle), calculated on a fat-free basis, was found to be the same for cattle, lambs, and pigs (immediately after death), the average being about 78%.

3. Similarly, the original water-content of the fatty tissue (perinephric), calculated on a fat-free basis, was found to be the same for cattle and lambs, being on the average about 81–82%.

4. The average water-content of boneless meat (i.e. the combined muscular and fatty tissues from a whole side or carcass) was the same for cattle and lambs, being about 79% (on a fat-free basis), shortly after death.

5. In all these cases there was no significant difference between the different species.
The characterization of the humic complexes of soil organic matter
Authors: Forsyth W. G. C.
Published: March 2009

1. During the course of the alkali fractionation and the preparation of the humic precipitates, the qualitative characters of the fractions were followed by employing a standard hydrolysis with dilute acid. Humic acid itself was shown to be unhydrolysed by this reagent, and, therefore, the extent of hydrolysis of a humic fraction can be used as a criterion of purity.

2. Studies on the fractionation of the humic precipitate with aqueous, anhydrous, and alcoholic bases, led to the following conclusions:

(a) The humic precipitate as normally prepared i s always a mixture of true humic acid with varying amounts of co-precipitated material of a non-humic nature.

(b) This non-humic material is not an integral part of the humic molecules, it is merely co-precipitated and adsorbed contaminants.

(c) The non-humic material is differentiated from the humic acids by the following properties: (i) it is hydrolysable with acid; (ii) it does not give the characteristic nitro-humic compound on nitration.
The performance of West African Dwarf does and their kids at various stocking densities on stylo-based pasture in the subhumid zone of Nigeria
Authors: Iji P. A. , Umunna N. N. , Alawa J. P. , Ikwuegbu O. A.
Published: March 2009

Two studies were conducted between 1991 and 1993 to assess the impact of grazing improved v. natural pasture at different stocking densities on animal and vegetation responses. In the first grazing season, goats of the West African Dwarf (WAD) breed were grazed at four stocking densities – 1·90, 2·86, 3·86 or 4·71 TLU/ha (Tropical Livestock Unit = 250 kg liveweight). Wet-season grazing lasted for 14 weeks while assessment was continued until kids were weaned at 120 days of age. There were significant (P < 0·05) changes in the content of legume and forbs in response to variations in stocking density. Liveweight gain per head was significantly (P < 0·05) higher at low than at high stocking density. The same trend was maintained with most aspects of reproductive performance. Goats at low stocking density were of a higher (P < 0·05) body condition score at parturition and had larger litter sizes than does stocked at high stocking density. Kid birth weight and liveweight gain were significantly (P < 0·001) higher at low than at high stocking density. The overall weight loss in does during nursing was similar at the different stocking densities.

In the following year, comparisons were made between three stocking densities, 2·11, 3·17 and 4·23 TLU/ha, on improved and unimproved pastures. Over 14 weeks of wet-season grazing, there was a significant (P < 0·01) decline in available dry matter except at the lowest stocking density on both pasture types. Weight gain per head decreased with increase in stocking density while the reverse was true for weight gain per unit of land. No significant differences were observed for reproductive performance between pasture types or stocking densities. Kid growth rate up to weaning declined with increase in stocking density (P < 0·001) while kid mortality rose with increase in stocking density (P < 0·01). Weight losses in nursing does were higher (P < 0·05) at low than at high stocking density.
Effects of immunization against GnRH upon body growth, voluntary food intake and plasma hormone concentration in yearling red deer stags (Cervus elaphus)
Authors: Freudenberger D. O. , Wilson P. R. , Barry T. N. , Sun Y. X. , Purchas R. W. , Trigg T. E.
Published: March 2009

Red deer stags in New Zealand were given a series of immunizations against GnRH at 9–12 months of age (spring/early summer) in 1989 and 1990 and the effects upon plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone during the rut (15–17 months; autumn) and upon body growth to slaughter at 22 months (spring) were studied in two experiments. Control animals showed a sharp peak in plasma LH and testosterone concentration during late summer/early autumn, just preceding the rut, with scrotal circumference increasing to a maximum during the rut; body growth stopped during the rut in Expt 1 but not in Expt 2. Immunization caused the development of significant antibodies against GnRH during late spring and summer, and reduced but did not eliminate the increase in plasma LH and testosterone and scrotal enlargement leading up to the rut. Immunization did not affect body growth or voluntary feed intake during the rut in either experiment, but in Expt 1 early immunization significantly increased growth during both the pre-rut and post-rut periods. Immunization did not effect dressing out percentage, slightly increased carcass fatness in Expt 1 but not Expt 2, and reduced velvet antler growth by 12 months of age.
Effect of combined and single infections of mosaic and leaf curl viruses on okra (Hibiscus esculentus) growth and yield
Authors: Atiri G. I. , Ibidapo B.
Published: March 2009

In field experiments, infections by okra mosaic virus (OMV) and okra leaf curl virus (OLCV) reduced trie growth of okra more than when the plants were infected singly by either virus. The critical growth component responsible for low performance was leaf area in OLCV-infected plants and chlorophyll content in OMV-infected plants. However, the two viruses had a synergistic effect in mixed infection.

Expressed as percentage yield loss, mixed infections significantly reduced edible fresh fruit weight more than single infections in all okra cultivars. In single infections, OLCV caused higher yield loss than OMV. Since both viruses cause more damage in mixed infections, it may be preferable to breed for combined resistance, particularly if the genes for resistance are linked.
Du-ter as a synergist for insecticide formulations against cotton leafworm
Authors: Moustafa Omayma K. , Attal Z. M. El , Abdallah M. D.
Published: March 2009

The joint action of several insecticide formulations with a constant concentration of the antifeedant Du-ter that gives 50% starvation with the fourth instar of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) was assessed. The results provided evidence that the toxicity of all the tested insecticides to the cotton leafworm can be markedly increased by using Du-ter in combination with each of the candidate insecticides. Since Du-ter proved to be highly synergistic, its mixtures with insecticides can result in a decrease in the rate of insecticide application.
Agri-silviculture in Nigeria: food crops and soil fertility
Authors: Ojeniyi S. O. , Agbede O. O.
Published: March 2009

Agri-silviculture is the simultaneous husbandry of forest tree crops and food crops. In the first 1–3 years of forest crops such as teak, pine and Gmelina arborea, they are interplanted with food crops such as yam, maize and cassava in plantation. In humid countries such as Nigeria and Burma agrisilviculture evolved out of the needs to boost food production and satisfy labourers who work on afforestation programmes.
Investigations into the Intensive System of Grassland Management. By the Agricultural Research Staff of Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited. VII. The Digestibility and Feeding Value of Grass Silage Made in a Pit
Authors: Watson S. J.
Published: March 2009

Silage has been made satisfactorily in a pit from grass cut at the flowering stage when it was impossible to make hay. The digestibilities of all the constituents compare favourably with meadow hay with the exception of the protein which shows a depression.

The silage is richer in starch equivalent than meadow hay, if compared on a dry matter basis, and equal in digestible protein content to poor meadow hay though not to good meadow hay. It is therefore better to make grass silage when weather conditions are bad rather than attempt to make hay which, under such conditions, would be of poor quality.

The silage was used within four weeks of being made and was eaten readily by dairy cows on grass.
Effect of growth hormone on the response to insulin and glucose turnover in sheep
Authors: Rose M. T. , Obara Y.
Published: March 2009

The hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp technique was used to determine the effect of recombinant bovine growth hormone on the response to insulin in castrate male Corriedale sheep. Saline or growth hormone (6·3 μg/min/animal) was infused into four sheep from the beginning of each experiment for 9 h, such that eight clamp experiments were performed, four with growth hormone and four controls. After a basal period of 3 h, insulin was sequentially infused at 1, 3 and then 6 mU/kg/min for 2 h each and the plasma glucose concentration was maintained at the value noted during the basal period by a variable rate of glucose infusion. Short-term growth hormone infusion decreased the glucose infusion rate (GIR) required to maintain eugylcaemia as well as the rates of glucose appearance and disappearance. The glucose metabolic clearance rate (MCR) was also decreased by the growth hormone treatment at all rates of insulin infusion, the average decrease ranging between 20 and 30%. The insulin concentration causing half maximal stimulation of glucose MCR and GIR was unchanged by growth hormone treatment. Endogenous glucose production was not consistently affected by either the growth hormone or insulin treatments. The results of this experiment demonstrate that growth hormone decreases the responsiveness of peripheral tissues to insulin, possibly at a site beyond the receptor.
Webster's Response to Alyssa Lyra Pitstick, Light in Darkness
Authors: Webster John
Published: March 2009

Though rarely addressed in a direct way, the theology of God's perfection is a central point at issue in contemporary Christian dogmatics. A good many debates of the moment turn on how the perfection of God's life is to be conceived: debates about the relation of the so-called immanent and economic Trinity; about the propriety of explicating the person and work of Christ through the metaphysics of divine and human natures; about the applicability of kenosis to account for the relation of the divine Word to the human career of Jesus; about the constitutive significance of temporality for the being of God; and much else besides. Recent disagreements amongst Barth scholars about the issue of the relation of the doctrine of divine election and the doctrine of the Trinity are in some measure animated by differing conceptions of the perfection of God, and one of the many ways of profiting from Dr Pitstick's book is to read it as, in part at least, an essay in defence of a certain construal of divine perfection. Indeed, one of my hopes for the book is that, once the noise of battle has subsided and the wounded have been dressed and taken to shelter, we may be able to engage peaceably and constructively with some of the material dogmatic issues to which it has drawn our attention. I do not propose to comment in detail on Dr Pitstick's evaluation of Balthasar; any judgements I might reach would be those of a mere amateur, one of those Protestants who in the 1970s discovered in Balthasar something which kept us reading Roman Catholic theology after Lonergan had wearied us and before we had been pointed to the treasures of ressourcement theology. Instead, I want to draw out from the book three doctrinal topics of capital importance: the ‘finished’ character of the redemptive work of Christ on the cross; the relation between theology and economy in the doctrine of the Trinity; and the doctrine of the hypostatic union – in all of which topics, of course, we are pressed to attend to the perfection of God and the acts of God.
Simulations of pitch angle scattering of relativistic electrons with MLT‐dependent diffusion coefficients
Authors: Shprits Yuri Y. , Chen Lunjin , Thorne Richard M.
Published: March 2009

We present magnetic local time (MLT)‐dependent simulations of pitch angle scattering of relativistic (approximately MeV) electrons by chorus and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. Numerical simulations indicate that in the case of scattering by chorus waves, the pitch angle distribution is relatively independent of MLT. In the case of scattering by EMIC and chorus waves, the modeled pitch angle distribution shows significant variations with MLT. MLT‐averaged simulations tend to overestimate net loss during a storm but can accurately predict equilibrium loss rates and the overall shape of the pitch angle distribution. Numerical simulations show that EMIC waves not only scatter electrons into the loss cone but also create gradients in the pitch angle distribution, assisting chorus waves in scattering relativistic electrons into the loss cone. We also show that changes in the spectral properties of waves can significantly change loss rates. Loss rates reach a maximum level for EMIC waves with amplitudes above approximately 1 nT, present over a few percent of the drift orbit, and then become relatively independent of the amplitudes of EMIC waves.
Bone mineral density and sex hormone status in intellectually disabled women on progestin‐induced amenorrhea
Authors: ARVIO MARIA , KILPINEN‐LOISA PÄIVI , TIITINEN AILA , HUOVINEN KARI , MÄKITIE OUTI
Published: March 2009

Objective. To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and hormonal status in female patients with intellectual disability and a history of progestin‐induced amenorrhea. Design. Cross‐sectional study. Setting. Nursing home. Sample. The study included 51 patients with a history of therapeutic amenorrhea (age 23–77 years, mean 45 years); 115 staff members (age 21–64 years, mean 45 years) at the same nursing homes served as controls. Methods. Calcaneal BMD was measured for all (Peripheral Instantaneous X‐ray Imaging Lunar Bone Densitometer); blood samples for serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH) were obtained only for the patients. Results. The patients showed significantly lower age and weight‐adjusted BMD than the controls (0.35 g/cm2±0.13 vs. 0.53 g/cm2±0.09, p<0.001). BMD values did not differ between pre‐ (N = 29) and postmenopausal (N = 22) patients. Osteoporosis was observed in 57% of the patients and only in 2% of the controls. Four patients (8%) but none of the controls had sustained a bone fracture during the preceding five years. Most premenopausal patients had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, as shown by low serum E2, LH and FSH levels in 83%, 69%, and 59% of the cases. Postmenopausal patients showed normal hormonal status for their age. Conclusion. Osteoporosis with concomitant fractures is prevalent in women with intellectual disability on therapeutic amenorrhea. Progestin‐induced amenorrhea results in hypogonadism, an established risk factor for osteoporosis. New strategies for the management of menstruation should be considered.
Serum testosterone bioassay evaluation in a large male cohort
Authors: Need Eleanor F. , O’Loughlin Peter D. , Armstrong David T. , Haren Matthew T. , Martin Sean A. , Tilley Wayne D. ,   the Florey Adelaide Male Aging Study, Wittert Gary A. , Buchanan Grant
Published: March 2009

Objective  To assess if a cell‐based readout of androgen action in serum demonstrates a closer association with recognized classical parameters of androgen action in men than current measures of serum testosterone (T).

Design  To develop, validate and utilize a mammalian cell‐based assay to measure specifically bioactive T and determine if this measure is a physiologically relevant fraction of serum T.

Measurements and participants  We have developed a specific serum T bioassay using human prostate cancer cells. A rapid 5‐min exposure to 100% serum followed by serum withdrawal confers specificity of the assay to serum T and provides sufficient sensitivity to measure T in male serum samples. Matrix effects were experimentally discounted as a confounding issue. A total of 960 male serum samples from the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS) with previous comprehensive cohort data and serum measurements were utilized.

Results  Bioassay T measurement in the 960 FAMAS serum samples returned a median of 10·7 nmol/l (1·7–45·4), and was most closely related to immunoassayed total T, but not immunoassayed bioavailable T or calculated free T. Immunoassayed total T demonstrated a positive association with isometric grip‐strength (R2 = 0·127, P < 0·001), self‐reported sexual desire (R2 = 0·113, P < 0·001) and erectile function (R2 = 0·085, P < 0·05) while bioassay T did not.

Conclusions  While cellular bioassays offer a rapid and sensitive means of identifying the androgenic potential of complex environmental compounds, the utility of such assays in defining a clinically relevant fraction of serum T distinct from total T needs further investigation.
Femoral artery blood flow and its relationship to spontaneous fluctuations in rhythmic thigh muscle workload
Authors: Osada Takuya , Rådegran Göran
Published: March 2009

Background and aim:  Limb femoral arterial blood flow (LBF) is known to increase linearly with increasing workload under steady‐state conditions, suggesting a close link between LBF and metabolic activity. We, however, hypothesized that sudden physiological and spontaneous changes in exercise rhythm, and consequently workload temporarily alter blood flow to the working muscle. LBF and its relation to fluctuations in the contraction rhythm and workload were therefore investigated.

Methods:  LBF, measured by Doppler ultrasound, and the achieved workload, were continuously measured in nine subjects, aiming to perform steady‐state, one‐legged, dynamic knee‐extensor exercise at 30 and 60 contractions per minute (cpm), at incremental target workloads of 10, 20, 30 and 40 W.

Results:  In agreement with previous findings, LBF increased positively and linearly (P<0·05) with increasing target workload. However, LBF was inversely and linearly related (P<0·05) to the actually achieved workload, when measured over 60 consecutive contraction–relaxation cycle bouts, for each target intensity at 30 and 60 cpm respectively. Thus any sudden spontaneous increase or decrease in the achieved workload transiently altered the relationship between LBF and the achieved workload. The influence upon the magnitude of LBF, due to fluctuations in the achieved workload from the target workload, was furthermore similar between target workload sessions at 30 and 60 cpm respectively. LBF was, however, not associated with variations in the contraction frequencies.

Conclusions:  These findings indicate that a transient sudden increase in the workload more rapidly impedes LBF and that vasodilatation may be elicited to restore the intensity related steady‐state LBF response in relation to the average metabolic activity.
Pyogenic Granuloma in Ten Children Treated with Topical Imiquimod
Authors: Tritton Sara M. , Smith Saxon , Wong Li‐Chuen , Zagarella Samuel , Fischer Gayle
Published: March 2009

Abstract:  Traditional therapy for pyogenic granuloma is procedural. In young children it can require a general anesthetic and may be complicated by scarring, dyspigmentation, and recurrence. We report a series of 10 children, highlighting the safety and efficacy of topical 5% Imiquimod as an alternative noninvasive treatment of pyogenic granuloma. Ten children with a mean age of 2.5 years and 10.8 week duration of facial pyogenic granuloma lesion were recruited. Treatment regime with topical Imiquimod 5% cream varied in frequency of application and duration according to clinical response. Clinical outcome in the majority of the children was satisfactory. Three had no evidence of disease and five had small hypopigmented or erythematous lesions which were continuing to improve and more acceptable then a surgical scar. One child required a prolonged treatment course, and one progressed to surgical excision when prolonged treatment failed. There were no systemic side effects noted in any of the patients and no recurrence noted with resolution sustained over an average of 9.6 months of follow‐up. Imiquimod is a safe, cost‐effective, and clinically effective management option in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma.
Passing for English Fluent: Latino Immigrant Children Masking Language Proficiency
Authors: Monzó Lilia D. , Rueda Robert
Published: March 2009

This article describes passing for English fluent among Latino immigrant children. A two‐year ethnography of eight Latino immigrant families was conducted in which fifth‐grade children were followed in home, school, and community contexts. This article presents passing as a consequence of U.S. race relations. Their reasons for presenting themselves as English fluent suggest a sophisticated awareness of the power and status of English in this country and a clear link between language and identity. [bilingualism, English language learners, Latino students, identity]
Sclerotic bodies in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a new histopathologic finding
Authors: Bhawan Jag , Swick Brian L. , Koff Amy B. , Stone Mary S.
Published: March 2009

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF – known previously as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy) is a systemic disorder observed exclusively in patients with a history of kidney disease associated with renal failure. Reported histopathologic findings of NSF include spindle‐shaped fibroblast‐like cells with fibrosis, thickened collagen bundles with surrounding spindled and epithelioid cells, increased number of elastic fibers, sparse inflammatory infiltrate and increased stromal mucin. Two populations of multinucleated giant cells (Factor XIIIa and CD68 positive) have also been observed. We observed the presence of sclerotic bodies with entrapped elastic fibers in two cases of NSF, which we interpreted to be collagenous in nature, a finding not previously reported. These bodies should not be confused with osseous metaplasia previously seen in association with NSF, which show lacunae and cells within the osseous bodies that may or may not be calcified. We did not observe lacunae or cells within the sclerotic bodies in our cases. Furthermore, the sclerotic bodies in our cases stained blue on Masson trichrome, whereas previous investigators observed the osseous metaplasia to be red. We suggest that sclerotic bodies may be an additional clue to the diagnosis of NSF.
A re‐evaluation of the role of matrix acidification in uncoupler‐induced Ca2+ release from mitochondria
Authors: Vajda Szilvia , Mándi Miklós , Konràd Csaba , Kiss Gergely , Ambrus Attila , Adam‐Vizi Vera , Chinopoulos Christos
Published: March 2009

Massive amounts of Ca2+ can accumulate in mitochondria, owing to its complexation with matrix phosphate. Under conditions in which the mitochondrial uniporter is the foremost pathway for Ca2+ efflux, the release of sequestered Ca2+ by protonophoric uncouplers is invariably demonstrated. This has been recently ascribed to matrix acidification, which results in the dissociation of the Ca2+–phosphate complex. In the present study, we compared the effect of stepwise depolarization on Ca2+ release induced by either the complex III inhibitor stigmatellin or an uncoupler in energized Ca2+‐loaded rat liver mitochondria in the presence of phosphate, at extramitochondrial pH (pHo) 6.8 and pHo 7.8. Both poisons were examined in the presence and absence of oligomycin. Prior to Ca2+ loading, mitochondria were allowed to phosphorylate 0.5 mm ADP. Opening of the permeability transition pore was additionally hampered by cyclosporin A, and was monitored by changes in light scattering. Na+ was excluded from the medium, preventing Na+/Ca2+ exchange. At both pHo values, ΔpH was in the range 0.11–0.15. Complete depolarization by uncoupling with or without oligomycin resulted in an approximately pH 0.05 acidic shift, but there was none in the case of stigmatellin plus oligomycin. At pHo 6.8 and in the presence of oligomycin, the uncoupler‐induced Ca2+ release started in the −80 to −50 mV range, whereas in the absence of oligomycin, the release occurred at approximately −15 mV. Stigmatellin induced minor Ca2+ release only in the presence of oligomycin, starting at approximately −4 mV. At pHo 7.8, the uncoupler‐induced Ca2+ release started at approximately −11 mV, irrespective of the presence or absence of oligomycin. Unexpectedly, at this alkaline pH and in the presence of oligomycin, stigmatellin induced substantial Ca2+ release, starting at approximately −10 mV. From the above findings, we conclude that matrix acidification cannot be the sole explanation for uncoupler‐induced Ca2+ release from mitochondria.
Anxiety Disorders in Patients with Idiopathic Priapism: Risk Factor and Pathophysiologic Link?
Authors: Burnett Arthur L.
Published: March 2009

Introduction

A scientific explanation remains elusive for many presentations of recurrent ischemic priapism.

Aim

The aim of this article was to evaluate the possible clinical association between idiopathic priapism and anxiety disorders.

Methods

Twenty-one patients without identifiable, presumed etiologies for their priapism disorders presented consecutively to a single practitioner’s clinical practice and underwent clinical history evaluation and management over a 2½-year interval.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome is the documentation of patient demographics and clinical profiles relating to medical history and priapism presentations.

Results

Anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were self-reported in 10 patients.

Conclusions

The possible association between idiopathic priapism and anxiety disorders lends support for a central neurobiologic pathophysiology for the erectile disorder. Further neuropsychiatric studies of this clinical population is required to confirm the hypothesis.
Characterization of microsatellite loci for the pitcher plant midge, Metriocnemus knabi Coq. (Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: RASIC GORDANA , MAXWELL SHERI A. , KEYGHOBADI NUSHA
Published: March 2009

As a component of the inquiline community of the purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), the pitcher plant midge Metriocneus knabi has been the subject of various ecological studies. However, very little is known about its characteristics beyond the larval stage, in particular the dispersal ability of adults. This study presents new molecular tools developed for testing of evolutionary and ecological questions in natural populations of this species. We describe a set of 12 microsatellite loci specific to M. knabi that are sufficiently polymorphic to provide insight into population genetic structure and dispersal patterns.
Human leucocyte antigen‐B27 subtypes in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis: higher B*2705 in the patient group
Authors: PARK Sung‐Hoon , KIM JiHun , KIM Sang‐Gyung , KIM Seong‐Kyu , CHUNG Won Tae , CHOE Jung‐Yoon
Published: March 2009

Aim:  To investigate the distribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens and B27 subtypings in a group of B27(+) ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and a group of B27(+) control individuals, and to compare differences in their clinical features using subtyping.

Methods:  At otal of 143 B27(+) AS samples and 32 B27(+) control samples were collected consecutively from two rheumatology centres in South Korea. All patients were diagnosed according to the modified New York criteria for AS. Medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed for demographic information, Bath disease activity index (BASDAI) scores, laboratory parameters at diagnosis and extra‐articular manifestations. Polymerase chain reaction‐sequence‐specific primer typing for the B27 subtypes was performed using the Dynal HLA‐B27 high resolution kit.

Results:  Whereas subtypes in Korean AS patients include B*2704 (n = 11, 7.7%) B*2705 (n = 130, 90.9%), and B*2710 (n = 2, 1.4%), those of the control groups include B*2704 (n = 11, 34.4%), B*2705 (n = 19, 59.4%), B*2710 (n = 1, 3.1%), and B*2715 (n = 1, 3.1%). The proportion of B*2705 subtypes were significantly higher in the AS group than the control group (P < 0.01). There were no differences in clinical features (peripheral arthritis, uveitis, BASDAI scores) or laboratory parameters between the two groups.

Conclusion:  In Korean AS patients, not in the control group, the HLA‐B*2705 subtype was higher than other subtypes, in contrast to AS patients from Japan and China. B27 subtypes in AS patients were not associated with clinical features or laboratory parameters.
An exploratory study of long‐term health outcomes following an in‐patient multidisciplinary program for people with fibromyalgia syndrome
Authors: WHITE Douglas H. N. , FAULL Kieren , JONES Peter B. B.
Published: March 2009

Objective:  To examine the health status of people with fibromyalgia syndrome approximately 10 years after an intensive rehabilitation intervention to identify biopsychosocial factors for further research.

Methods:  Baseline data, collected upon admission to the rehabilitation intervention was compared to follow‐up data collected by telephone interview. Data was evaluated for differences and relationships using the appropriate parametric or non‐parametric tests.

Results:  The 29 participants were interviewed an average of 9.4 years after their admissions. All participants reported the persistence of fibromyalgia and use of related medication. Differences between baseline and follow‐up were: increased paid employment (P < 0.001), social networks (P < 0.05) and decreased stress levels (P < 0.05). Correlations with paid employment were: younger age (rs = –0.66, P < 0.01); larger social networks (rs = –0.40, P < 0.05) and transformation rehabilitation intervention experience (rs = .46, P < 0.05). Follow‐up stress and sleep status were also related (rs = 0.46, P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Fibromyalgia symptoms and medication use persist over time. The wider issues concerning social integration and participation appear to be worthy of further investigation.
Leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from normal and Maedi–Visna‐infected sheep
Authors: Katsoulos Panagiotis D. , Christodoulopoulos Georgios , Kontopidis Georgios , Minas Anastasios , Tzivara Athanasia , Kritas Spyridon K.
Published: March 2009

Background: Bronchoalveolar lavage has proven helpful for the diagnosis of certain ovine diseases of the lungs. There is insufficient data concerning the leukocyte profile of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from MaediVisna infected sheep.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the differential leukocyte profile of BALF associated with Maedi virus infection in sheep and to determine whether cytologic examination of BALF is an effective way to diagnose Maedi or determine the severity of lung lesions.

Methods: BALF and serum samples were analyzed from 400 sheep. Sediment smears of bronchoalveolar lavage were stained with Diff‐Quik and examined microscopically to obtain a 200‐cell differential cell count. Serum was tested using a commercial kit for Maedi–Visna virus antibodies. Lung samples obtained at the time of slaughter were weighed and examined histologically.

Results: Maedi‐infected sheep (n=267; seropositive with lung lesions) had a significantly higher percentage of lymphocytes and lower percentage of macrophages in BALF than normal sheep (n=133; seronegative and no lung lesions). These differences were significantly more severe in animals with advanced vs moderate lung lesions. Using classification trees, a cut‐off of 13.5% lymphocytes was predictive of Maedi infection and a cut‐off of 24.5% lymphocytes was predictive of advanced lung lesions.

Conclusions: Cytologic examination of BALF is useful for the clinical diagnosis of Maedi in sheep and provides important information about the severity of the lung lesions.
Picasso Paintings, Moon Rocks, and Hand-Written Beatles Lyrics: Adults' Evaluations of Authentic Objects
Authors: Frazier Brandy , Gelman Susan , Wilson Alice , Hood Bruce
Published: March 2009

Authentic objects are those that have a historical link to a person, event, time, or place of some significance (e.g., original Picasso painting; gown worn by Princess Diana; your favorite baby blanket). The current study examines everyday beliefs about authentic objects, with three primary goals: to determine the scope of adults' evaluation of authentic objects, to examine such evaluation in two distinct cultural settings, and to determine whether a person's attachment history (i.e., whether or not they owned an attachment object as a child) predicts evaluation of authentic objects. We found that college students in the UK (N=125) and the USA (N=119) consistently evaluate a broad range of authentic items as more valuable than matched control (inauthentic) objects, more desirable to keep, and more desirable to touch, though only non-personal authentic items were judged to be more appropriate for display in a museum. These patterns were remarkably similar across the two cultural contexts. Additionally, those who had an attachment object as a child evaluated objects more favorably, and in particular judged authentic objects to be more valuable. Altogether, these results demonstrate broad endorsement of "positive contagion" among college-educated adults.
Preparation of Free-standing Bamboo-like Ni Nanowire Arrays
Authors: Zheng Wen Jun , Fei Guang Tao , Wang Biao , Zhang Li De
Published: March 2009

Free-standing bamboo-like Ni nanowire arrays with periodic branches have been produced by electrochemical deposition in the pores of layer-by-layer anodic alumina membrane. This method could provide a possible approach to prepare free-standing nanostructures of various functional materials with great self-support ability and large surface area in practical applications.
Novel N-Doped Carbon Cathode Catalyst for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Formed on Carbon Black
Authors: Kobayashi Rieko , Ozaki Jun-ichi
Published: March 2009

Carbonization of Co–[poly(4-vinylpyridine)] (Co–PVP) complex on carbon black gave rise to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. Surface analysis revealed that the activity was caused by the introduction of nitrogen on to the surface of the carbon black but not by the presence of residual cobalt.
Chemical Degelation of Polysilane Organogel by Selective Scission of Silicon Main Chain by Fluoride Anion
Authors: Naito Masanobu , Kawabe Takuma , Nakamura Masashi , Wakayama Keiji , Chung Woojung , Yasui Ken-ichiro , Fujiki Michiya
Published: March 2009

Selective scission of the positively charged main chain of polydialkylsilane using tetrabutylammonium fluoride was utilized for facile chemical degelation of polymer-based organogel. The degelation mechanism was characterized by combinational analyses with photodiode array-equipped size exclusion chromatography, GC/MS, and FTIR measurements.
New n-Type Field-effect Transistors Based on Pyrimidine-containing Compounds with (Trifluoromethyl)phenyl Groups
Authors: Kojima Takahiro , Nishida Jun-ichi , Tokito Shizuo , Yamashita Yoshiro
Published: March 2009

New co-oligomers containing pyrimidine units were prepared. The planar molecular and π-stacking structures were revealed by X-ray structure analysis. The FET devices based on them showed good n-type performance.
Hydrogen Production from Water Catalyzed by an Air-stable Di-iron Complex with a Bio-relevant Fe2(μ-S)2 Core
Authors: Yamaguchi Toshiki , Masaoka Shigeyuki , Sakai Ken
Published: March 2009

An air-stable dinuclear iron–dithiolene complex with an Fe2(μ-S)2 core, [FeIII(mnt)2]22− (mnt = maleonitriledithiolate), has been found to serve as an electrode catalyst toward the reduction of water into molecular hydrogen with an overpotential of 560 mV. The acid form of a buffer reagent, such as CH3CO2H, has been found to serve as a major proton mediator during the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
Connection between stop codon reassignment and frequent use of shifty stop frameshifting
Authors: Vallabhaneni Haritha , Fan-Minogue Hua , Bedwell David M. , Farabaugh Philip J.
Published: March 2009

Ciliated protozoa of the genus Euplotes have undergone genetic code reassignment, redefining the termination codon UGA to encode cysteine. In addition, Euplotes spp. genes very frequently employ shifty stop frameshifting. Both of these phenomena involve noncanonical events at a termination codon, suggesting they might have a common cause. We recently demonstrated that Euplotes octocarinatus peptide release factor eRF1 ignores UGA termination codons while continuing to recognize UAA and UAG. Here we show that both the Tetrahymena thermophila and E. octocarinatus eRF1 factors allow efficient frameshifting at all three termination codons, suggesting that UGA redefinition also impaired UAA/UAG recognition. Mutations of the Euplotes factor restoring a phylogenetically conserved motif in eRF1 (TASNIKS) reduced programmed frameshifting at all three termination codons. Mutation of another conserved residue, Cys124, strongly reduces frameshifting at UGA while actually increasing frameshifting at UAA/UAG. We will discuss these results in light of recent biochemical characterization of these mutations.
Model predictive control of diffusion-reaction processes
Authors: Dubljevic Stevan
Published: March 2009

Parabolic partial differential equations naturally arise as an adequate representation of a large class of spatially distributed systems, such as diffusion-reaction processes, where the interplay between diffusive and reaction forces introduces complexity in the characterization of the system, for the purpose of process parameter identification and subsequent control. In this work we introduce a model predictive control (MPC) framework for the control of input and state constrained parabolic partial differential equation (PDEs) systems. Model predictive control (MPC) is one of the most popular control formulations among chemical engineers, manly due to its ability to account for the actuator (input) constraints that inevitably exist due to finite actuator power and its ability to handle state constraints within an optimal control setting. In controller synthesis, the initially parabolic partial differential equation of the diffusion reaction type is transformed by the Galerkin method into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that capture the dominant dynamics of the PDE system. Systems obtained in such a way (ODEs) are used as the basis for the synthesis of the MPC controller that explicitly accounts for the input and state constraints. Namely, the modified MPC formulation includes a penalty term that is directly added to the objective function and through the appropriate structure of the controller state constraints accounts for the infinite dimensional nature of the state of the PDE system. The MPC controller design method is successively applied to control of the diffusion-reaction process described by linear parabolic PDE, by demonstrating stabilization of the non-dimensional temperature profile around a spatially uniform unstable steady-state under satisfaction of the input (actuator) constraints and allowable non-dimensional temperature (state) constraints.
Rheological examination of erythrocyte aggregation in the presence of lipid-based fine particles
Authors: Pajic-Lijakovic Ivana , Bugarski Branko , Plavsic Milenko
Published: March 2009

The development of lipid-based fine particles as potential drug carriers requires a detailed investigation of the possible effects of these carriers on the rheological properties of blood. In this study, we investigated the influence of dynamic conditions on aggregate formation and stability in dispersions of lipid-based fine particles in whole blood under in vitro conditions. The rheological parameters of two concentrations of liposome dispersion and two concentrations of lipid emulsion in blood were examined. A micro-rheological model of aggregating dispersions is proposed in which the apparent viscosity is estimated as the sum of the hydrodynamic and structural parts which are correlated with system structural ordering in the flow. The dynamics of structural ordering of the aggregating system an considered by examining the evolution of the state of the system in phase space depending on the shear rate. The addition of lipid-based particles induced aggregate formation in the blood, which was more pronounced at higher concentrations of lipid-based fine particles. Furthermore, larger and more stable aggregates are formed in liposome dispersions as compared to lipid emulsions in blood.