bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rangewide phylogeography of a terrestrial slug in Europe: evidence for Alpine refugia and rapid colonization after the Pleistocene glaciations
Authors: PINCEEL JAN , JORDAENS KURT , PFENNINGER MARKUS , BACKELJAU THIERRY
Published: March 2005

Intraspecific phylogeographical patterns largely depend on the life history traits of a species. Especially species with a high degree of cold tolerance, limited requirements towards habitat preferences, and relatively low active dispersal capacities may have responded in a different way to the Pleistocene climatological fluctuations than the majority of taxa studied so far. To evaluate this possibility, we studiedArion fuscus(Müller, 1774), a common and widespread European terrestrial slug, from 88 locations (N = 964). Sequence variation was assessed for fragments of the mitochondrial16S rDNAandCOIgenes by means of single‐strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) and subsequent DNA sequencing. Additionally, eight allozyme loci were scored in 843 individuals. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two major evolutionary lineages, one in the Balkan region and another in the Alps and the rest of Europe. The sequence divergence between the two lineages was limited (3.3%), but gene flow between the regions was absent, suggesting that the two regions have been isolated since the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene. Allozyme differentiation among geographical regions and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages was low. The geographical patterns observed in our data showed that (i) haplotype and nucleotide diversities are very low in northern Europe, suggesting that single haplotypes rapidly colonized large areas; (ii) recently expanded haplotype clades have restricted distribution ranges, suggesting that current gene flow is low; and (iii) genetic diversity in the Alps is much higher than in other regions and estimated past gene flow from the Eastern Alps to other regions was high, suggesting that this was a refugial zone during the Pleistocene. This full‐range phylogeography suggests the existence of an alternative refugial zone, situated north of the refugial areas currently recognized in most other taxa.
The etr1‐2 mutation in Arabidopsis thaliana affects the abscisic acid, auxin, cytokinin and gibberellin metabolic pathways during maintenance of seed dormancy, moist‐chilling and germination
Authors: Chiwocha Sheila D.S. , Cutler Adrian J. , Abrams Suzanne R. , Ambrose Stephen J. , Yang Jenny , Ross Andrew R.S. , Kermode Allison R.
Published: March 2005

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the etr1‐2 mutation confers dominant ethylene insensitivity and results in a greater proportion of mature seeds that exhibit dormancy compared with mature seeds of the wild‐type. We investigated the impact of the etr1‐2 mutation on other plant hormones by analyzing the profiles of four classes of plant hormones and their metabolites by HPLC‐ESI/MS/MS in mature seeds of wild‐type and etr1‐2 plants. Hormone metabolites were analyzed in seeds imbibed immediately under germination conditions, in seeds subjected to a 7‐day moist‐chilling (stratification) period, and during germination/early post‐germinative growth. Higher than wild‐type levels of abscisic acid (ABA) appeared to contribute, at least in part, to the greater incidence of dormancy in mature seeds of etr1‐2. The lower levels of abscisic acid glucose ester (ABA‐GE) in etr1‐2 seeds compared with wild‐type seeds under germination conditions (with and without moist‐chilling treatments) suggest that reduced metabolism of ABA to ABA‐GE likely contributed to the accumulation of ABA during germination in the mutant. The mutant seeds exhibited generally higher auxin levels and a large build‐up of indole‐3‐aspartate when placed in germination conditions following moist‐chilling. The mutant manifested increased levels of cytokinin glucosides through zeatin‐O‐glucosylation (Z‐O‐Glu). The resulting increase in Z‐O‐Glu was the largest and most consistent change associated with the ETR1 gene mutation. There were more gibberellins (GA) and at higher concentrations in the mutant than in wild‐type. Our results suggest that ethylene signaling modulates the metabolism of all the other plant hormone pathways in seeds. Additionally, the hormone profiles of etr1‐2 seed during germination suggest a requirement for higher than wild‐type levels of GA to promote germination in the absence of a functional ethylene signaling pathway.
Histology and Ultrastructure of the Equine Lingual Tonsil. II. Lymphoid Tissue and Associated High Endothelial Venules
Authors: Kumar P. , Timoney J. F.
Published: March 2005

The stratified squamous epithelium of the lingual tonsil of five young horses was infiltrated with CD4 and CD8 positive cells, which were very numerous in the crypt reticular epithelium along with macrophages and IgGb and IgA positive cells. Lymphoid follicles of the lamina propria mucosae consisted of a parafollicular area, corona and germinal centre. The parafollicular area was populated by large numbers of CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes as well as macrophages, inter‐digitating cells, and a few B‐lymphocytes. The germinal centre contained mainly IgGb and IgG(T) positive cells, plasma cells and small numbers of follicular dendritic cells, macrophages, CD4, CD8 and IgA positive cells. Some venules in the parafollicular and inter‐follicular areas had features characteristic of high endothelial venules with irregular nuclei and cytoplasmic processes on the luminal surface. In addition to the normal cytoplasmic organelles, a novel vesiculo‐vacuolar organelle was observed in small clusters toward the lateral, luminal and abluminal surfaces of these high endothelial venules. These vesiculo organelles along with their stomata and diaphragms, communicated with each other and with inter‐endothelial clefts forming a structural basis for enhanced permeability and extravasation of macromolecules. The presence of lymphocytes in the high endothelial venules is consistent with transmural and inter‐endothelial passage of these cells.
Digital Cushions in Horses Comprise Coarse Connective Tissue, Myxoid Tissue, and Cartilage but Only Little Unilocular Fat Tissue
Authors: Egerbacher M. , Helmreich M. , Probst A. , König H. , Böck P.
Published: March 2005

Digital cushions were studied in horses with particular reference to vascularization, tissue constituents and matrix components. The cushions mainly resembled a network of coarse collagen bundles. The areas inbetween the bundles were replenished with loosely woven interstitial connective tissue, myxoid tissue, and fibrocartilage. Expected masses of fat lobules were missing: only solitary adipocytes or small groups of adipocytes were seen. Vascular supply to the cushions was remarkably poor. The mucinous myxoid matrix largely consisted of hyaluronan with little sulphated glycosaminoglycans. Myxoid cells were stellate or ramified in shape and showed a tendency to store glycogen and lipid droplets. Myxoid cells reacted for vimentin and stained for S‐100 protein. Moreover, myxoid cells often reacted for neuron specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Myxoid tissue continuously transformed into loosely organized interstitial connective tissue with fibroblasts, which remained unreactive when tested for neuroectodermal markers. Myxoid tissue also was not clearly demarcated against irregularly interspersed islets of fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage. Chondrocytes did not stain for neuron specific enolase but reactivity for S‐100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein was noted in peripheral regions of fibrocartilage. Single or grouped unilocular fat cells were rarely placed into myxoid areas. Unilocular fat cells stained for vimentin, S‐100 protein, and occasionally for glial fibrillary acidic protein but not for neuron specific enolase. Continuous transformation of myxoid tissue into cartilage together with corresponding reactivity for neuroectodermal marker proteins of myxoid cells and peripherally located chondrocytes suggest close relationship between myxoid cells and chondrocytes. The same criteria indicate relationship between myxoid cells and adipocytes. Coarse connective tissue, myxoid tissue, fibrous cartilage, and fat cells are functionally combined to absorb mechanical shock in the horse digital cushions.
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and the bilirubin uridine diphosphate‐glucuronosyltransferase gene: The common −3263T > G mutation of phenobarbital response enhancer module is not associated with the neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Japanese
Authors: Kanai Masayo , Kijima Kazuki , Shirahata Emi , Sasaki Ayako , Akaba Kazuhiro , Umetsu Kazuo , Tezuka Naohiro , Kurachi Hirohisa , Aikawa Shogo , Hayasaka Kiyoshi
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is frequent and severe in Japanese newborns. Previously, it has been reported that half of the Japanese neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia carried the 211G > A (p.G71R) mutation of the bilirubin uridine diphosphate‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) gene causing Gilbert syndrome. Recently, it was reported that the −3263T > G mutation in the phenobarbital response enhancer module in UGT1A1 was associated with the majority of cases of Gilbert syndrome. The gene frequency of the −3263T > G mutation was determined and the relation with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Japanese was studied.

Methods
: UGT1A1 in 119 neonates born at Yamagata University Hospital, Yamagata, Japan, and 26 subjects who had undergone phototherapy due to severe hyperbilirubinemia at four other hospitals were studied. The gene frequency of −3263T > G mutation in Japanese, Korean, Chinese and German healthy adult controls was also determined. Hyperbilirubinemia was assessed with a Jaundice Meter and UGT1A1 was analyzed by sequence determination or restriction enzyme method.

Results
: The gene frequency of the −3263T > G mutation was 0.26 in Japanese subjects and was similar to the prevalence in Korean, Chinese and German populations. However, there was no significant increase in the gene frequency of the mutation in the neonates who required phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia compared to that in the neonates without severe hyperbilirubinemia. In addition, neonates with or without the mutation did not show a significant change in the level of bilirubin and the mutation also did not show a synergic effect with the 211G > A mutation on the level of bilirubin.

Conclusion
: The −3263T > G mutation is not likely to be associated with the neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Japanese.
Apoptosis under hypercytokinemia is a possible pathogenesis in influenza‐associated encephalopathy
Authors: Nunoi Hiroyuki , Mercado Maria Regina , Mizukami Tomoyuki , Okajima Kenji , Morishima Tsuneo , Sakata Hiroshi , Nakayama Shinichi , Mori Seiji , Hayashi Masatoshi , Mori Hiromi , Kagimoto Seiichi , Kanegasaki Shiro , Watanabe Keisuke , Adachi Naoto , Endo Fumio
Published: March 2005

Abstract 
Background
: Influenza‐associated encephalopathy is reported to be frequent in Japan and East Asia. No evaluating markers except interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and no likely pathological mechanism for the disease have yet been elucidated.

Methods
: In this study, influenza‐associated encephalopathy was defined by clinical symptoms, and the use of an anti‐influenza antibody test and/or influenza antigen detection kits, as well as computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins, endothelial markers and cytochrome c were compared in sera from 11 patients with and 42 without encephalopathy.

Results
: Cytochrome c concentration in sera from patients with encephalopathy was markedly increased compared with that from patients without encephalopathy and normal controls. Although levels of several other proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins such as TNF‐α and IL‐8 were also elevated in patients with influenza virus infection, the difference between those with and without encephalopathy, though significant, was less dramatic. The mean serum concentration of cytochrome c in 11 patients with encephalopathy, consisting of four deceased, four with and three without residual central nervous system sequelae, was 26.7 ± 19.5 ng/mL on admission. In contrast, cytochrome c levels in 42 patients without encephalopathy were 0.3 ± 0.7 ng/mL.

Conclusion
: The present results indicate that cytochrome c is a useful marker to follow patients with influenza‐associated encephalopathy and suggest that an apoptosis of cells in several organs including the cerebrum and liver under the influence of hypercytokinemia is a possible mechanism of the disease.
Aggressive female youth benefit from outpatient family therapy: A randomized, prospective, controlled trial
Authors: Nickel Marius K. , Nickel Cerstin , Leiberich Peter , Tritt Karin , Mitterlehner Ferdinand O. , Lahmann Claas , Rother Wolfhardt K. , Loew Thomas H.
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
: Treatments for aggression are based on the underlying causes and may combine pharmacological and environmental or psychotherapeutic measures. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of family psychotherapy as a monotherapy for anger in female youth.

Methods
: Female youth from a randomized sample (381 families) were interviewed over the telephone. Those from 36 of the families complained of subjectively increased aggression owing to conflict at home. A total of 13 of these families were randomly selected and took part in a family therapy programme for 6 months. The control group comprised 12 families. The responder rate was 92.6%. Aggression and change in aggression were measured using the State‐Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI).

Results
: In comparison with the control group, significant changes on all five scales of STAXI (State‐Anger, Trait‐Anger, Anger‐In, Anger‐Out, Anger‐Control) were observed after 6 months in the treated subjects (differences in change between the two groups were between 5.7% and 28.6%).

Conclusion
: The results of this study show that ambulant family therapy appears to be a safe and effective method in the treatment of anger in aggressive female youth.
Readiness to recover in adolescent anorexia nervosa: prediction of hospital admission
Authors: Ametller L. , Castro J. , Serrano E. , Martínez E. , Toro J.
Published: March 2005

Objectives:  To determine if motivation to change in anorexia nervosa during treatment is a predictor of hospitalisation in adolescent patients.

Method:  The Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ), the Eating Disorders Inventory‐2 (EDI‐2) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to a group of 70 anorexia nervosa patients (mean age 15.6 years). They were all receiving treatment at a specialised Eating Disorder Unit and were at different points in the treatment programme. Admission during 6–9 month follow‐up was recorded in 63 of these patients who had been admitted to the Unit. The other 7 patients were contacted by phone to determine if they had been hospitalised in another unit during the follow‐up period.

Results:  Patients who needed hospital admission during follow‐up had higher mean scores at first evaluation on some of the EDI‐2 scales and on the BDI, lower ANSOCQ scores and were more likely to have been outpatients at first evaluation. In the logistic regression analysis a low ANSOCQ score and being an outpatient at first evaluation were shown to be independent predictors of hospitalisation during follow‐up.

Conclusions:  Low motivation to change, depressive symptomatology and some EDI‐2 scales are related to the necessity of hospital admission in adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa.
Interactions of task and subject variables among continuous performance tests
Authors: Denney Colin B. , Rapport Mark D. , Chung Kyong‐Mee
Published: March 2005

Background:  Contemporary models of working memory suggest that target paradigm (TP) and target density (TD) should interact as influences on error rates derived from continuous performance tests (CPTs). The present study evaluated this hypothesis empirically in a typically developing, ethnically diverse sample of children. The extent to which scores based on different combinations of these task parameters showed different patterns of relationship to age, intelligence, and gender was also assessed.

Methods:  Four continuous performance tests were derived by combining two target paradigms (AX and repeated letter target stimuli) with two levels of target density (8.3% and 33%). Variations in mean omission (OE) and commission (CE) error rates were examined within and across combinations of TP and TD. In addition, a nested series of structural equation models was utilized to examine patterns of relationship among error rates, age, intelligence, and gender.

Results:  Target paradigm and target density interacted as influences on error rates. Increasing density resulted in higher OE and CE rates for the AX paradigm. In contrast, the high density condition yielded a decline in OE rates accompanied by a small increase in CEs using the repeated letter CPT. Target paradigms were also distinguishable on the basis of age when using OEs as the performance measure, whereas combinations of age and intelligence distinguished between density levels but not target paradigms using CEs as the dependent measure.

Conclusions:  Different combinations of target paradigm and target density appear to yield scores that are conceptually and psychometrically distinguishable. Consequently, developmentally appropriate interpretation of error rates across tasks may require (a) careful analysis of working memory and attentional resources required for successful performance, and (b) normative data bases that are differently stratified with respect to combinations of age and intelligence.
Sarcopenia is not due to lack of regenerative drive in senescent skeletal muscle
Authors: Edström Erik , Ulfhake Brun
Published: March 2005

Sarcopenia, loss of skeletal muscle mass, is a hallmark of aging commonly attributed to a decreased capacity to maintain muscle tissue in senescence, yet the mechanism behind the muscle wasting remains unresolved. To address these issues we have explored a rodent model of sarcopenia and age‐related sensorimotor impairment, allowing us to discriminate between successfully and unsuccessfully aged cohort members. Immunohistochemistry and staining of cell nuclei revealed that senescent muscle has an increased density of cell nuclei, occurrence of aberrant fibers and fibers expressing embryonic myosin. Using real‐time PCR we extend the findings of increased myogenic regulatory factor mRNA to show that very high levels are found in unsuccessfully aged cohort members. This pattern is also reflected in the number of embryonic myosin‐positive fibers, which increase with the degree of sarcopenia. In addition, we confirm that there is no local down‐regulation of IGF‐I and IGF‐IR mRNA in aged muscle tissue; on the contrary, the most sarcopenic individuals showed significantly higher local expression of IGF‐I mRNA. Combined, our results show that the initial drive to regenerate myofibers is most marked in cases with the most advanced loss of muscle mass, a pattern that may have its origin in differences in the rate of tissue deterioration and/or that regenerating myofibers in these cases fail to mature into functional fibers. Importantly, the genetic background is a determinant of the pace of progression of sarcopenia.
Destabilisation and subsequent lysis of human erythrocytes induced by Plasmodium falciparum haem products
Authors: Omodeo‐Salè Fausta , Motti Anna , Dondorp Arjen , White Nicholas J. , Taramelli Donatella
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  In falciparum malaria, both infected and uninfected red cells have structural and functional alterations. To investigate the mechanisms of these modifications, we studied the effects of two Plasmodium falciparum haem products (haematin and malaria pigment in the synthetic form beta‐haematin) on isolated human red blood cells (RBCs) and purified RBC ghosts. A dose‐ and time‐dependent incorporation of haematin into RBC ghosts and intact cells was observed, which was in proportion to the extent of haematin‐ induced haemolysis. RBCs pre‐incubated with haematin were more sensitive to haemolysis induced by hypotonic shock, low pH, H2O2 or haematin itself. Haemolysis was not related to membrane lipid peroxidation and only partially to oxidation of protein sulphydryl groups and it could not be prevented by scavengers of lipid peroxidation or hydroperoxide groups. N‐acetylcysteine partly protected the oxidation of SH groups and significantly reduced haemolysis. In contrast, beta‐haematin was neither haemolytic nor oxidative towards protein sulphydryl groups. Beta‐haematin did destabilise the RBC membrane, but to a lesser extent than haematin, inducing increased susceptibility to lysis caused by hypotonic medium, H2O2 or haematin. This study suggests that the destabilising effect of haematin and, to a much less extent, beta‐haematin on the RBC membrane does not result from oxidative damage of membrane lipids but from direct binding or incorporation which may affect the reciprocal interactions between the membrane and cytoskeleton proteins. These changes could contribute to the reduced red cell deformability associated with severe malaria.
Assessment of systemic inflammation markers to differentiate a stable from a deteriorating clinical course in patients with febrile neutropenia
Authors: Persson Lennart , Söderquist Bo , Engervall Per , Vikerfors Tomas , Hansson Lars‐Olof , Tidefelt Ulf
Published: March 2005

In this study, we evaluated the predictive values of procalcitonin (PCT), C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and serum amyloid A (SAA) for determining the clinical course in febrile neutropenic patients. Daily plasma analyses during the fever course were performed in 101 episodes with fever and chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia (neutrophil count <0.5 × 109/L). Procalcitonin (PCT) and IL‐6 values were significantly higher in febrile episodes in patients who developed complications. Procalcitonin with a cut‐off value of ≤0.4 ng/mL or IL‐6 ≤50 pg/mL 3 d after fever onset indicated daily high negative predictive values (NPVs) (91–100%) for episodes with complications. No marker could predict deterioration; however, daily low plasma concentrations of PCT or IL‐6 during the first 8 d of fever were found to be a good predictor of no subsequent complications in neutropenic patients and therefore to be a helpful tool for limiting anti‐microbial therapy.
Prevalence of the H63D mutation of the HFE in north India: its presence does not cause iron overload in beta thalassemia trait
Authors: Garewal Gurjeewan , Das Reena , Ahluwalia Jasmina , Marwaha R. K.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Objectives: To determine the allele frequency in the north Indian population of the two mutations in the HFE gene, the C282Y and H63D, which are responsible for causing hereditary haemochromatosis particularly in Caucasians of north European descent. We also wanted to correlate these mutations with the iron status in beta thalassemia traits. Patients and Methods: Sixty normal subjects and 215 individuals with beta thalassemia trait from north India were screened for the C282Y and H63D by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). We studied the iron status in these subjects and correlated the same with the HFE gene mutations. Results: On screening for the C282Y gene mutation, all individuals were detected to be of the wild‐type. The overall allele frequency of H63D was 9.09% with three individuals being homozygous for 63D. No statistically significant difference in the iron status was detected between the individuals of the wild‐type and mutant for H63D. Haplotyping of the homozygous 63D alleles revealed the pattern to be identical to the Europeans. Conclusions: Our study shows that H63D is prevalent and C282Y is rare in north Indians and the presence of 63D mutation does not increase body iron as measured by serum ferritin in beta thalassemia traits. Haplotype of H63D gene mutation is of an European haplotype, indicating a common origin.
Markers of endothelial and haemostatic function in the treatment of relapsed myeloma with the immunomodulatory agent ActimidTM (CC‐4047) and their relationship with venous thrombosis
Authors: Streetly Matthew , Hunt Beverley J. , Parmar Kiran , Jones Richard , Zeldis Jerome , Schey Steve
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  We evaluated the serum/plasma levels of cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β2] and markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis, endothelial and platelet activation during the first 4 wk of treatment with the thalidomide analogue ActimidTM (CC‐4047) in 15 patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma. There was evidence of activation of endothelium (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule, sVCAM), coagulation (prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, PF1 + 2) and fibrinolysis (D‐dimers) but no evidence of platelet activation or endothelial cell damage in myeloma patients. These parameters were not affected by the use of CC‐4047. Three of four patients with baseline D‐dimers levels >500 μg/L subsequently developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The hypothesis that D‐dimer level >500 μg/L may predict for those patients most at risk of thromboembolism with multiple myeloma undergoing treatment is worthy of further study.
T‐DNA Integration Category and Mechanism in Rice Genome
Authors: WANG Jiang , LI Lin , SHI Zhen‐Ying , WAN Xin‐Shan , AN Lin‐Sheng , ZHANG Jing‐Liu
Published: March 2005

Abstract: T‐DNA integration is a key step in the process of plant transformation, which is proven to be important for analyzing T‐DNA integration mechanism. The structures of T‐DNA right borders inserted into the rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome and their flanking sequences were analyzed. It was found that the integrated ends of the T‐DNA right border occurred mainly on five nucleotides “TGACA” in inverse repeat (IR) sequence of 25 bp, especially on the third base “A”. However, the integrated ends would sometimes lie inward of the IR sequence, which caused the IR sequence to be lost completely. Sometimes the right integrated ends appeared on the vector sequences rightward of the T‐DNA right border, which made the T‐DNA, carrying vector sequences, integrated into the rice genome. These results seemingly suggest that the IR sequence of the right border plays an important role in the process of T‐DNA integration into the rice genome, but is not an essential element. The appearance of vector sequences neighboring the T‐DNA right border suggested that before being transferred into the plant cell from Agrobacterium, the entire T‐DNA possibly began from the left border in synthesis and then read through at the right border. Several nucleotides in the T‐DNA right border homologous with plant DNA and filler DNAs were frequently discovered in the integrated position of T‐DNA. Some small regions in the right border could match with the plant sequence, or form better matches, accompanied by the occurrence of filler DNA, through mutual twisting, and then the T‐DNA was integrated into plant chromosome through a partially homologous recombination mechanism. The appearance of filler DNA would facilitate T‐DNA integration. The fragments flanking the T‐DNA right border in transformed rice plants could derive from different parts of the inner T‐DNA region; that is, disruption and recombination could occur at arbitrary positions in the entire T‐DNA, in which the homologous area was comparatively easier to be disrupted. The structure of flanking sequences of T‐DNA integrated in the rice chromosome presented various complexities. These complexities were probably a result of different patterns of recombination in the integrating process. Some types of possible integrating mechanism are detailed.

(Managing editor: Li‐Hui ZHAO)
Isolation of a Mutant of Fer1 Gene, Acting Synergistically with the ARF8 Gene to Control Development of the Anther and Filament in Arabidopsis
Authors: TIAN Chang‐En , ZHOU Yu‐Ping , LIU Shun‐Zhi , YAMAMOTO Kotaro
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Auxin response factors (ARFs) play a central role in plants as transcriptional factors in response to auxin. The Arabidopsis ARF8 gene is a light‐inducible gene and ARF8 protein might control auxin homeostasis in a negative feed‐back fashion through regulation of GH3 gene expression. In a double mutant designated infertile line including arf8‐1 (a T‐DNA insertion mutant of ARF8), we isolated fertility1‐1 (fer1‐1), a mutant of Fer1, which acts synergistically with ARF8 to control the development of the anther and filament in Arabidopsis. Genetics analysis has demonstrated that fer 1‐1 is a T‐DNA insertion line, indicating that Fer1 might be cloned by inverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or the TAIL‐PCR approach. Phenotypic identification and molecular analysis of fer 1‐1 and the infertile line will be helpful to characterize the function of Fer1, to further study the function of ARF8, and to reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction of Fer1 and ARF8 in controlling development of the anther and filament.

(Managing editor: Li‐Hui ZHAO)
Carbon Dioxide Exchange Between the Atmosphere and an Alpine Shrubland Meadow During the Growing Season on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Authors: ZHAO Liang , LI Ying‐Nian , GU Song , ZHAO Xing‐Quan , XU Shi‐Xiao , YU Gui‐Rui
Published: March 2005

Abstract: In the present study, we used the eddy covariance method to measure CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and an alpine shrubland meadow ecosystem (37°36’N, 101°18’E; 3 250 m a.s.l.) on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, China, during the growing season in 2003, from 20 April to 30 September. This meadow is dominated by formations of Potentilla fruticosa L. The soil is Mol‐Cryic Cambisols. During the study period, the meadow was not grazed. The maximum rates of CO2 uptake and release derived from the diurnal course of CO2 flux were ‐9.38 and 5.02 μmol·m‐2·s‐1, respectively. The largest daily CO2 uptake was 1.7 g C·m‐2·d‐1 on 14 July, which is less than half that of an alpine Kobresia meadow ecosystem at similar latitudes. Daily CO2 uptake during the measurement period indicated that the alpine shrubland meadow ecosystem may behave as a sink of atmospheric CO2 during the growing season. The daytime CO2 uptake was correlated exponentially or linearly with the daily photo synthetic photon flux density each month. The daytime average water use efficiency of the ecosystem was 6.47 mg CO2/g H2O. The efficiency of the ecosystem increased with a decrease in vapor pressure deficit.

(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin HAN)
ATP regulation of ciliary beat frequency in rat tracheal and distal airway epithelium
Authors: Hayashi Tetsuya , Kawakami Manpei , Sasaki Shinjiro , Katsumata Takahiro , Mori Hiroshi , Yoshida Hideyo , Nakahari Takashi
Published: March 2005

Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured by video‐optical microscopy in rat tracheal and distal airway ciliary cells using a slice preparation. In tracheal ciliary cells (tracheal slice), ATP or 2‐methylthio ATP (MeSATP) increased CBF, which was inhibited by suramin (100 μm, an inhibitor of purinergic receptor). Ionomycin (5 μm) or thapsigargin (2 μm) increased CBF similarly. Ca2+‐free solution or addition of Ni2+ (1 mm) decreased CBF gradually by approximately 25% and subsequent stimulation with ATP (10 μm) increased CBF transiently. The purinergic agonist experiments demonstrated that ATP increases CBF in tracheal ciliary cells via both P2X and P2Y receptors. ATP increased the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in tracheal ciliary cells. However, in distal airway ciliary cells (lung slice), ATP did not increase CBF and [Ca2+]i, although a Ca2+‐free solution decreased CBF, and ionomycin (5 μm) or thapsigargin (2 μm) increased it. Moreover, acetylcholine (100 μm) did not increase CBF in distal airway ciliary cells, although it increased CBF in tracheal ciliary cells. Terbutaline (10 μm), a selective β2‐adrenergic agonist, increased CBF in both tracheal and distal airway ciliary cells. These observations suggest that the Ca2+‐mobilization mechanisms via purinergic or muscarinic receptors of the distal airway ciliary cell may be different from those of the tracheal ciliary cell. In conclusion, the CBF increase is differently regulated in the tracheal and distal airway epithelia of the rat.
Endothelial hypoxic preconditioning in rat hypoxic isolated aortic segments
Authors: Carrasco‐Martín Carolina , Alonso‐Orgaz Sergio , De la Pinta Juan C. , Marques Maria , Macaya Carlos , Barrientos Alberto , González Maria M. , García‐Méndez Antonio , Mateos‐Cáceres Petra Jiménez , Porres Juan C. , Rico Luis A. , López‐Farré Antonio J.
Published: March 2005

Our aim was to analyse endothelial hypoxic preconditioning after hypoxia–reperfusion (HR). Endothelial functionality was analysed through the vasorelaxation responses to acetylcholine (Ach) and the level of serine1177 phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (ser1177‐eNOS) measured by Western blot in in vitro hypoxic preconditioned (P + HR) isolated rat aortic segments. Relaxation in response to Ach was reduced in phenylephrine‐precontracted aortic segments after HR (control: IC50, 5 ± 2.5 × 10−8 mol l−1; HR: IC50, 3 ± 1.2 × 10−7 mol l−1; P < 0.05). Ach‐dependent vasodilatation was improved by P + HR. The content of ser1177‐eNOS in the HR segments was 1.5‐fold lower than in P + HR. Confocal microscopy showed an increased content of both superoxide anion and peroxynitrite in the vascular wall of HR aortic segments, which it was reduced by P + HR. Geldanamycin (10 μg ml−1), an agent known to inhibit heat shock protein 90 (hsp90), reduced the level of ser1177‐eNOS in P + HR aortic segments. However in the presence of geldanamycin, endothelial hypoxic preconditioning persisted. We conclude that short periods of hypoxia induced endothelial hypoxic preconditioning that was accompanied by enhanced levels of ser1177‐eNOS in the vascular wall. The fact that endothelial hypoxic preconditioning persisted in the presence of geldanamycin suggests that other molecular mechanisms are involved in the endothelial adaptation to HR injury.
A Second Look at the Higher-Order Theory for Periodic Multiphase Materials
Authors: Bansal Yogesh , Pindera Marek-Jerzy
Published: March 2005

In this communication, we present a reformulation, based on the local/global stiffness matrix approach, of the recently developed higher-order theory for periodic multiphase materials, Aboudi et al. [“Linear Thermoelastic Higher-Order Theory for Periodic Multiphase Materials,” J. Appl. Mech., 68(5), pp. 697–707]. This reformulation reveals that the higher-order theory employs an approximate, and standard, elasticity approach to the solution of the unit cell problem of periodic multiphase materials based on direct volume-averaging of the local field equations and satisfaction of the local continuity conditions in a surface-averge sense. This contrasts with the original formulation in which different moments of the local equilibrium equations were employed, suggesting that the theory is a variant of a micropolar, continuum-based model. The reformulation simplifies the derivation of the global system of equations governing the unit cell response, whose size is substantially reduced through elimination of redundant continuity equations employed in the original formulation, allowing one to test the theory’s predictive capability in most demanding situations. Herein, we do so by estimating the elastic moduli of periodic composites characterized by repeating unit cells obtained by rotation of an infinite square fiber array through an angle about the fiber axis. Such unit cells possess no planes of material symmetry in the rotated coordinate system, and may contain a few or many fibers, depending on the rotation angle, which the reformulated theory can easily accommodate. The excellent agreement with the corresponding results obtained from the standard transformation equations confirms the new model’s previously untested predictive capability for a class of periodic composites characterized by nonstandard, multi-inclusion repeating unit cells lacking planes of material symmetry. Comparison of the effective moduli and local stress fields with the corresponding results obtained from the original Generalized Method of Cells, which the higher-order theory supersedes, confirms the need for this new model, and dramatically highlights the original model’s shortcomings for a certain class of unidirectional composites.
Boundary Element Analysis of Multiple Scattering Waves in High Performance Concretes
Authors: Sato Hirotaka , Kitahara Michihiro , Shoji Tetsuo
Published: March 2005

Advances in computing have allowed for the development of high performance concretes mathematically. We develop a method which combines the generalized self consistent model together with the boundary element method and the statistical averaging procedure to study the multiple scattering of plane elastic waves in concrete containing randomly distributed parallel fibers. In analysis, the concrete matrix is modeled by dispersed aggregate structure. The physical properties for a fiber-reinforced concrete are obtained numerically and shown in graphs for various microstructures at designated frequencies.
Micromechanics and Homogenization of SMA-Wire-Reinforced Materials
Authors: Marfia S. , Sacco E.
Published: March 2005

The aim of the paper is to develop a micromechanical model for the evaluation of the overall constitutive behavior of a composite material obtained embedding SMA wires into an elastic matrix. A simplified thermomechanical model for the SMA inclusion, able to reproduce the superelastic as well as the shape memory effect, is proposed. It is based on two assumptions: the martensite volume fraction depends on the wire temperature and on only the normal stress acting in the fiber direction; the inelastic strain due to the phase transformations occurs along the fiber direction. The two introduced hypotheses can be justified by the fact that the normal stress in the fiber direction represents the main stress in the composite. The overall nonlinear behavior of long-fiber SMA composites is determined developing two homogenization procedures: one is based on the Eshelby dilute distribution theory, the other considers the periodicity conditions. Numerical applications are developed in order to study the thermomechanical behavior of the composite, influenced by the superelastic and shape memory effects occurring in the SMA wires. Comparisons of the results obtained adopting the two homogenization procedures are reported. The influence of the matrix stiffness and of a prestrain in the SMA wires on the overall behavior of the composites is investigated.
Damage Modeling in Random Short Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites Including Permanent Strain and Unilateral Effect
Authors: Mir Hicham , Fafard Mario , Bissonnette Benoı^t , Dano Marie-Laure
Published: March 2005

This paper presents the development of a theoretical damage mechanics model applicable to random short glass fiber reinforced composites. This model is based on a macroscopic approach using internal variables together with a thermodynamic potential expressed in the stress space. Induced anisotropic damage, nonsymmetric tensile/compressive behavior (unilateral effect) and residual effects (permanent strain) are taken into account. The anisotropic damage is represented with second-order tensorial internal variables D. The unilateral effect due to microcrack closure in compression is introduced by generalizing the hypothesis of the complementary elastic energy equivalence. In the case of the permanent strain, a new term related to frozen energy, which is a function of the damage variable, the stress tensor, and some materials constants to be identified, is added to the basic thermodynamic potential. Using laboratory test results, parameter identification has been performed to illustrate the applicability of the proposed model.
Fluidized Bed Combustion of a Biomass Fuel: Comparison Between Pilot Scale Experiments and Model Simulations
Authors: Miccio Francesco , Scala Fabrizio , Chirone Riccardo
Published: March 2005

In the present work the efficiency of the fluidized bed combustion (FBC) of high-volatile fuels and the extent of volatile matter post-combustion in the splashing zone and freeboard are investigated. A typical Mediterranean biomass (pine-seed shells) has been burned in a pilot-scale bubbling FB combustor (200 kWt) at different operating conditions. Both over-and under-bed fuel feeding options have been considered. A FBC model specifically developed for high-volatile fuels has been also applied to provide a comparison with bed carbon loading, in-bed heat release and splashing region temperature experimental data. Experimental results showed that the biomass combustion efficiency is always very high as a consequence of the high reactivity of the fuel. Extensive volatile post-combustion above the bed is observed, whose extent appears to be sensitive to the over/under bed feeding option and to the excess air. Approximately 80% of the total heat is released/recirculated in the bed, the remainder leading to appreciable overheating of the freeboard with respect to the nominal bed temperature. Very low bed carbon loadings have been found. Model results compare well with the experimental temperature, heat release and carbon loading trends. However, a detailed prediction of the freeboard temperature profiles requires further improvements of the model.
Ultrahigh CHF Prediction for Subcooled Flow Boiling Based on Homogenous Nucleation Mechanism
Authors: Liu Wei , Nariai Hideki
Published: March 2005

Homogeneous nucleation, although being discounted as a mechanism for vapor formation for water in most conditions, is found to possibly occur under some extreme conditions in subcooled flow boiling. Under the conditions, vapor bubbles of molecular dimensions generated in the superheated liquid adjacent to channel wall from homogeneous nucleation due to the local temperature exceeds homogeneous nucleation temperature. The condition is called in this paper as homogeneous nucleation governed condition. Under the condition, conventional flow pattern for subcooled flow boiling, which is characterized by the existence of Net Vapor Generation (NVG) point and the followed bubble detachment, movement and coalescence processes, cannot be established. Critical heat flux (CHF) triggering mechanism so far proposed, which employs a premise assumption that the conventional flow pattern has been established, such as liquid sublayer dryout model, is no more appropriate for the homogeneous nucleation governed condition. In this paper, first, the existence of the homogeneous nucleation governed condition is indicated. In the following, a criterion is developed to judge a given working condition as the conventional one or the homogeneous nucleation governed one. With the criterion, subcooled flow boiling data are categorized and typical homogeneous nucleation governed datasets are listed. The homogeneous nucleation governed data are characterized by extreme working parameters, such as ultrahigh mass flux, ultralow ratio of heated length to channel diameter L/D or ultrahigh pressure. CHF triggering mechanism for the homogeneous nucleation governed condition is proposed and verified. Parametric trends of the CHF, in terms of mass flux, pressure, inlet subcooling, channel diameter, and the ratio of heated length to diameter are also studied.
Modeling Gas-Liquid Head Performance of Electrical Submersible Pumps
Authors: Sun Datong , Prado Mauricio
Published: March 2005

This study presents a new gas-liquid model to predict electrical submersible pumps head performance. The newly derived approach based on gas-liquid momentum equations along pump channels has improved the Sachdeva model (Sachdeva, R., Doty, D. R., and Schmidt, Z., 1988, “Two-Phase Flow through Electrical Submersible Pumps,” Ph.D. dissertation, The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 1994, “Performance of Electric Submersible Pumps in Gassy Wells,” SPE Prod. Facil., 9, pp. 55–60) in the petroleum industry and generalized the Minemura model (Minemura, K., Uchiyama, T., Shoda, S. and Kazuyuki, E., 1998, “Prediction of Air-Water Two-Phase Flow Performance of a Centrifugal Pump Based on One-Dimensional Two-Fluid Model,” ASME J. Fluids. Eng., 120, pp. 327–334) in the nuclear industry. The new two-phase model includes novel approaches for wall frictional losses for each phase using a gas-liquid stratified assumption and existing correlations, a new shock loss model incorporating rotational speeds, a new correlation for drag coefficient and interfacial characteristic length effects by fitting the model results with experimental data, and an algorithm to solve the model equations. The model can predict pressure and void fraction distributions along impellers and diffusers in addition to the pump head performance curve under different fluid properties, pump intake conditions, and rotational speeds.
STATUS OF CHIRAL DOUBLERS OF HEAVY-LIGHT HADRONS IN LIGHT OF RECENT BABAR, CLEO, BELLE AND SELEX Ds STATES
Authors: NOWAK MACIEJ A.
Published: March 2005

We explain the main idea of the chiral doublers scenario, originating from simultaneous constraints of chiral symmetry and of heavy quark spin symmetry on effective theories of heavy-light hadrons. In particular we discuss chiral doublers for mesons, chiral doublers for excited mesons, chiral doublers for baryons and chiral doublers for excited baryons. We point out the arguments why new states Ds(2317) and Ds(2457) might be viewed as chiral doublers of Ds and [Formula: see text]. Then we comment on non-strange mesons D0(2308) and D′1(2427) observed by Belle and Focus, and on Θc(3099) signal observed by H1. Finally, we point out that very recent discovery by SELEX of Ds(2632), if confirmed by other experiments and if spin-parity of this state is 1-, may be interpreted as a signal for chiral doubler of Ds1(2536). Such an identification implies another narrow, spin-parity 2-Ds state ca 37 MeV above the new 1-, corresponding to chiral partner of Ds2.
2π-PHOTOPRODUCTION
Authors: THOMA ULRIKE
Published: March 2005

2π-photoproduction is one of the promising reactions to search for new baryon resonances and to investigate the properties of resonances in general. Recent data taken by various experiments show interesting resonance structures. First preliminary partial wave analysis results of the γp→pπ0π0-CB-ELSA data indicate the observation of baryon resonances not only decaying via Δπ but also via higher mass states like e.g. D13(1520)π. Recently, data on polarisation observables became available, like e.g. the double polarisation data from MAMI, or the single polarisation data from GRAAL and CLAS.
FIRST HYPERNUCLEAR RESULTS FROM THE FINUDA EXPERIMENT AT DAΦNE
Authors:   FOR THE FINUDA COLLABORATION, BERTANI M. , AGNELLO M. , BEER G. , BENUSSI L. , BIANCO S. , BOTTA E. , BRESSANI T. , BUSSO L. , CALVO D. , CAMERINI P. , CERELLO P. , DALENA B. , DE MORI F. , D'ERASMO G. , DI SANTO D. , FABBRI F. L. , FASO D. , FELICIELLO A. , FILIPPI A. , FILIPPINI V. , FIORE E. M. , FUJIOKA H. , GIANOTTI P. , GRION N. , KRASNOPEROV A. , LUCHERINI V. , MARCELLO S. , MARUTA T. , MIRFAKHRAI N. , MORRA O. , OLIN A. , PACE E. , PALLOTTA M. , PALOMBA M. , PANTALEO A. , PANZARASA A. , PATICCHIO V. , PIANO S. , POMPILI F. , RUI R. , SIMONETTI G. , SO H. , TOMASSINI S. , WHEADON R. , ZENONI A.
Published: March 2005

FINUDA is the hypernuclear physics experiment carried out at DAΦNE, the e+e- ϕ-factory of the INFN Frascati Laboratory. The aim of the experiment is to study simultaneously the formation and decay of hypernuclei produced by the strangeness exchange reaction induced by the stopped K- coming from the decay of the ϕ(1020) mesons. This paper presents the first preliminary results concerning spectrometer performances, hypernuclear formation and decay from the first FINUDA data set.
SPECTRUM AND DECAYS OF HADRONIC ATOMS
Authors: SCHWEIZER JULIA
Published: March 2005

We describe the spectra and decays of π+π-and π±K∓atoms within a non-relativistic effective field theory. The evaluations of the energy shifts and widths are performed at next-to-leading order in isospin symmetry breaking. The prediction for the lifetime of the π±K∓atom in its ground-state yields τ10=(3.7±0.4)·10-15s .