bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common and distinct gene expression patterns induced by the herbicides 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, cinidon‐ethyl and tribenuron‐methyl in wheat
Authors: Pasquer Frédérique , Ochsner Urs , Zarn Jürg , Keller Beat
Published: October 2006

In wheat, herbicides are used to control weeds. Little is known about the changes induced in the metabolism of tolerant plants after herbicide treatment. The impact of three herbicides [2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), cinidon‐ethyl and tribenuron‐methyl] on the wheat transcriptome was studied using cDNA microarrays. Gene expression of plants grown in a controlled environment or in the field was studied between 24 h and 2 weeks after treatment. Under controlled conditions, 2,4‐D induced genes of the phenylpropanoid pathway soon after treatment. Cinidon‐ethyl triggered peroxidase and defence‐related gene expression under controlled conditions, probably because reactive oxygen species are released by photo‐oxidation of protoporphyrin‐IX. The same genes were upregulated in the field as under controlled conditions, albeit at a weaker level. These results show that cinidon‐ethyl specifically induces genes involved in plant defence. Under controlled conditions, tribenuron‐methyl did not change the expression profile immediately after treatment, but defence‐related genes were upregulated after 1 week. Sulfonylurea compounds such as tribenuron‐methyl specifically inhibit acetolactate synthase and are rapidly detoxified, but the activity of some of the resulting metabolites could explain later changes in gene expression. Finally, overexpression of the isopropylmalate synthase gene, involved in branched‐chain amino acid synthesis, and of defence‐related genes was observed in the field after sulfonylurea treatment. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel synthesis route for a gold–polymer soft composite material
Authors: Mallick Kaushik , Witcomb Mike , Scurrell Mike
Published: October 2006

We report on the synthesis of a metal–polymer composite material using an interfacial polymerization approach. The advantage of this approach is to form an intimate contact be‐tween the metal and polymer, which is an important param‐ eter for the synthesis of a nanocomposite material. It was found that polymerization of o‐phenylenediamine (PDA) us‐ing HAuCl4 as an oxidizing agent leads to the formation of poly‐PDA with a fiber‐like morphology, while the reduction of HAuCl4 results in the formation of well dispersed and sta‐bilized gold nanoparticles within the polymer matrix. The synthesis was carried out at the organic–aqueous interface. The resultant composite material was purely hydrophilic in nature and deposited at the aqueous fraction of the reaction medium. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Method development and validation for zotarolimus concentration determination in stented swine arteries by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry detection
Authors: Zhang Jun , Todd Reimer M. , Alexander Nicholas E. , Ji Qin. C. , El‐Shourbagy Tawakol A.
Published: October 2006

Drug‐eluting stents have attracted significant attention in the medical community and pharmaceutical industry due to their proven success in significantly reducing restenosis. Abbott Laboratories is developing a drug‐eluting stent coated with zotarolimus and swine was recently used as an animal model for the pre‐clinical study of stent implantation. In this article, we present a detailed experimental design and results for the validation and sample analysis of zotarolimus drug concentration in stented swine artery samples. Introduction of tissue quality control (QC) samples allows evaluation of the entire analytical process as well as the stability of the drug in both original tissue and homogenized tissue samples. In addition, a novel approach using 100% swine blood as the homogenization solution was developed for the consistency of the liquid–liquid extraction recovery and stability of the zotarolimus in tissue homogenates. Standards were prepared by spiking zotarolimus working solution in swine blood and tissue QC samples were used along with the artery samples during the sample analysis. The linear dynamic range of blood standard samples is from 0.61 to 333.20 ng/mL to accommodate the predicted artery homogenate concentrations. Overall tissue QC %CV during the method validation was from 4.4% to 8.6%. The overall %bias of tissue QC samples during the method validation was from −7.3% to 16.6%. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of swine artery samples. A similar approach for method validation and sample analysis has been successfully applied for the analysis of swine myocardium, kidney and liver tissue samples. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collection and storage of CO2 for 13C analysis: an application to separate soil CO2 efflux into root‐ and soil‐derived components
Authors: Midwood Andrew J. , Gebbing Thomas , Wendler Renate , Sommerkorn Martin , Hunt John E. , Millard Peter
Published: October 2006

Soil surface CO2 efflux is comprised of CO2 from (i) root respiration and rhizosphere microbes and (ii) heterotrophic respiration from the breakdown of soil organic matter (SOM). This efflux may be partitioned between these sources using δ13C measurements. To achieve this, continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry can be used and, in conjunction with 10 mL septum‐capped vials, large numbers of samples may be analysed using a Finnigan MAT DeltaplusXP interfaced to a Gas Bench II. Here we describe a number of advances to facilitate such work, including: (i) a technique for monitoring mass spectrometer performance, (ii) improvements to sample storage, and (iii) a gas‐handling system for incubating and sampling the CO2 derived from roots and soils. Mass spectrometer performance was monitored using an automated refillable vial. Compressed air analysed with this system had mean δ13C of −9.61 ± 0.16‰ (± 1σ, n = 28) collected over four runs. Heating the butyl rubber septa used to seal the vials at 105°C for 12 h improved the sample storage. After air transportation over 12 days, the isotope composition of the CO2 at ambient concentrations was unchanged (before: −35.2 ± 0.10‰, n = 4; after: −35.3 ± 0.10‰, n = 15); without heat treatment of the septa the CO2 became slightly enriched (–35.0 ± 0.14‰, n = 15). The linearity of the Gas Bench II was found to decline above 8000 µmol CO2 mol–1. To stay within a linear range and to allow the incubation of soil and root material we describe a gas‐handling system based around a peristaltic pump. Finally, we demonstrate these methods by growing a C‐4 grass (Guinea grass, Panicum maximum Jacq.) in a C‐3 soil. Root respiration was found to contribute between 5 and 22% to the soil surface CO2 efflux. These methodologies will facilitate experiments aimed at measuring the isotopic composition of soil‐derived CO2 across a range of ecological applications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening forin vivometabolites of isovalertatin family oligosaccharides in rats by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Si Duanyun , Zhong Dafang , Liu Changxiao
Published: October 2006

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSn) was used to identify trace levels ofin vivometabolites after the administration of isovalertatin M23 or isovalertatin D23 to rats. The biosamples of urine, feces, and ileum incubation were pre‐treated by solid‐phase extraction (SPE), and then chromatographed with a reversed‐phase C8column with acetonitrile/1.5 mM aqueous ammonia (18:82, v/v) as the mobile solvent. The parent drug and the possible metabolites were identified by two independent qualitative parameters, retention time and collision‐induced dissociation product ions. Nine and seven metabolites were successfully characterized from biosamples after administration of isovalertatins M23 and D23, respectively, to rats. The metabolism seemed to take place in the rat intestinal tract, and metabolic pathways were identified including isovaleryl de‐esterification and hydrolysis ofα‐glucose units located either at the reducing or the non‐reducing terminus. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of therapeutics with growth‐hormone secretagogue activity in human urine for doping control purposes
Authors: Thevis Mario , Wilkens Frauke , Geyer Hans , Schänzer Wilhelm
Published: October 2006

The administration of growth‐promoting agents such as human growth hormone as well as compounds with respective secretagogue activity is prohibited in sports according to the regulations of the World Anti‐Doping Agency. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors have been demonstrated to stimulate growth‐hormone secretion in elderly humans, and new orally active drugs have been developed to provide alternatives to therapeutic injections of growth‐hormone preparations. Preventive anti‐doping strategies include method development for emerging drugs and potentially misused compounds. Hence, the mass spectrometric dissociation behavior of three acetylcholine esterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine) and a structural analogue to the growth‐hormone secretagogue SM‐130686 were studied using high‐resolution/high‐accuracy orbitrap mass spectrometry. These data provided substantial information for screening procedures, complementing common methods of sports drug testing. Using liquid‐liquid extraction and subsequent liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis, the four target analytes were determined at urinary concentrations of 15–20 ng/mL, recoveries ranged from 55–97%, and assay precisions were calculated at 5.2–15.8% (intraday) and 10.2–21.6% (interday) for all compounds. The applicability of the developed assay to authentic urine specimens was tested using two administration study urine samples after application of Reminyl (galantamine) and Aricept (donepezil). In both cases, the administered drug and the respective desmethylated metabolites were detected. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct high‐resolution peptide and protein analysis by desorption electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Bereman Michael S. , Nyadong Leonard , Fernandez Facundo M. , Muddiman David C.
Published: October 2006

We report the first coupling of a desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) ion source to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI‐FT‐ICR‐MS) for high‐resolution protein analysis. The DESI FT‐ICR‐MS source design is described in detail along with preliminary data obtained on peptides and proteins ranging from 1 to 5.7 kDa. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ℒ︁2‐Stabilization of continuous‐time linear systems with saturating actuators
Authors: Castelan E. B. , Tarbouriech S. , Gomes da Silva J. M. , Queinnec I.
Published: October 2006

This paper addresses the problem of controlling a linear system subject to actuator saturations and to ℒ︁2‐bounded disturbances. Linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions are proposed to design a state feedback gain in order to satisfy the closed‐loop input‐to‐state stability (ISS) and the closed‐loop finite gain ℒ︁2stability. By considering a quadratic candidate Lyapunov function, two particular tools are used to derive the LMI conditions: amodified sector condition, which encompasses the classical sector‐nonlinearity condition considered in some previous works, andFinsler's Lemma, which allows to derive stabilization conditions which are adapted to treat multiple objective control optimization problems in a potentially less conservative framework. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Galerkin‐based sliding mode tracking control of non‐minimum phase DC‐to‐DC power converters
Authors: Fossas Enric , Olm Josep M. , Zinober Alan S. , Shtessel Yuri B.
Published: October 2006

Output voltage control of nonlinear DC‐to‐DC power converters is handicapped by the non‐minimum phase character exhibited by these systems. The problem has been usually solved with indirect control strategies that work through the input current. In this article, we report a robust control methodology that uses Galerkin‐based sliding manifolds, which use full state reference profiles and an estimate of the disturbed load parameter. The sliding surface incorporates a first‐order Galerkin approximation of the input current that provides robustness to piecewise constant load perturbations by dynamic compensation: it allows on‐line accommodation to the action of the load estimator. This results in high‐accuracy tracking of periodic references at the output resistance of boost and buck‐boost converters. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vision‐only control and guidance for aircraft
Authors: Proctor Alison A. , Johnson Eric N. , Apker Thomas B.
Published: October 2006

An unmanned aerial vehicle usually carries an array of sensors whose output is used to estimate vehicle attitude, velocity, and position. This paper details the development of guidance, navigation, and control strategies for a glider, which is capable of flying a terminal trajectory to a known fixed object using only a single vision sensor. Controlling an aircraft using only vision presents two unique challenges: First, absolute state measurements are not available from a single image; and second, the images must be collected and processed at a high rate to achieve the desired controller performance. The image processor utilizes an integral image representation and a rejective cascade filter to find and classify simple features in the images, reducing the image to the most probable pixel location of the destination object. Then, an extended Kalman filter uses measurements obtained from a single image to estimate the states that would otherwise be unobservable in a single image. In this research, the flights are constrained to keep the destination object in view. The approach is validated through simulation. Finally, experimental data from autonomous flights of a glider, instrumented only with a single nose‐mounted camera, intercepting a target window during short low‐level flights, are presented. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐resolution millimeter‐wave radar systems for visualization of unstructured outdoor environments
Authors: Brooker Graham , Hennessey Ross , Bishop Mark , Lobsey Craig , Durrant‐Whyte Hugh , Birch David
Published: October 2006

This paper examines the use of millimeter‐wave radar systems for visualization and navigation in unstructured outdoor environments. Three types of radar systems are described. The first is a long range, 94 GHz, frequency modulated interrupted continuous wave radar which is capable of producing two‐dimensional (2D) reflectivity images to a range of more than 3 km. This is intended for use in long‐range path planning. The second is a class of medium range 77 GHz frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar with two axis mirror scanners which is capable of producing high resolution threedimensional (3D) imagery out to 500 m at a reasonably slow frame rate. The final class also operates using the FMCW principle, but at 94 GHz, to produce high resolution 2D and 3D images out to about 50 m at a much higher update rate. These shorter range sensors may be used to determine the traversability of the local terrain. The outputs produced by the different classes of radar are examined and the paper considers their advantages when compared to other sensors such as vision and scanning laser. Using radar images, the final section compiles rules for interpreting radar reflectivity images from a path‐planning perspective. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A framework of sustainable behaviours that can be enabled through the design of neighbourhood‐scale developments
Authors: Williams Katie , Dair Carol
Published: October 2006

The purpose of this paper is to present, and explain, the development of a framework of sustainable behaviours that can, potentially, be enabled through the design of neighbourhood‐scale developments. To be sustainable, such developments need to be technically sustainable (i.e. in terms of materials, construction methods and so on) and to support behavioural sustainability by their residents. This paper focuses on the latter. Drawn from a literature review, the paper presents eight sustainable behaviours that are argued to be enabled by specific design features of neighbourhood developments. These are the following: use less energy in the home; use less water in the home; recycle waste; maintain and encourage biodiversity and ecologically important habitats; make fewer and shorter journeys by fuel inefficient modes of transport; make essential journeys by fuel efficient modes of transport; take part in local community groups, local decision making and local formal and informal social activities and use local services, amenities and businesses. Both theory and empirical evidence underpinning the claimed relationships between the design features and the eight behaviours are presented. The framework, and accompanying explanations, are offered as tools for further research, and as references for practitioners such as urban designers, architects and planners seeking some clarity on designing for behavioural sustainability at the neighbourhood scale. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Multiple imputation for the comparison of two screening tests in two‐phase Alzheimer studies
Authors: Harel Ofer , Zhou Xiao‐Hua
Published: October 2006

Two‐phase designs are common in epidemiological studies of dementia, and especially in Alzheimer research. In the first phase, all subjects are screened using a common screening test(s), while in the second phase, only a subset of these subjects is tested using a more definitive verification assessment, i.e. golden standard test. When comparing the accuracy of two screening tests in a two‐phase study of dementia, inferences are commonly made using only the verified sample. It is well documented that in that case, there is a risk for bias, called verification bias. When the two screening tests have only two values (e.g. positive and negative) and we are trying to estimate the differences in sensitivities and specificities of the tests, one is actually estimating a confidence interval for differences of binomial proportions. Estimating this difference is not trivial even with complete data. It is well documented that it is a tricky task. In this paper, we suggest ways to apply imputation procedures in order to correct the verification bias. This procedure allows us to use well‐established complete‐data methods to deal with the difficulty of the estimation of the difference of two binomial proportions in addition to dealing with incomplete data. We compare different methods of estimation and evaluate the use of multiple imputation in this case. Our simulation results show that the use of multiple imputation is superior to other commonly used methods. We demonstrate our finding using Alzheimer data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular and extracellular behavior in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) ventral prostate following different types of castration and the consequences of testosterone replacement
Authors: Oliveira Sérgio Marcelino , Vilamaior Patricia Simone Leite , Corradi Lara Silvia , Góes Rejane Maira , Taboga Sebastião Roberto
Published: October 2006

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were grouped into two experimental groups: GEx.01 suffered orchiectomy and after 30 days received doses of testosterone cipionate (T), while GEx.02 received weekly and alternated doses of the anti‐androgens cyproterone acetate and flutamide for 30 days, and the animals were then euthanized. Structural evaluation reveals a more intense reduction in epithelial height in GEx.02. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) presented a star‐shaped aspect after 30 days of hormonal ablation and basal membrane was shown to be more intensely grooved in GEx.01. In both groups, after hormonal replacement, recovery in epithelial height could be noted and the SMC presented its phenotypes, but an increase in RER was seen, characterizing a modulation from its contractile to secreting phenotype. In conclusion, the prostate presented involution capacity after androgen ablation and the ability to reorganize after hormonal replacement, but events resulting from orchiectomy and subsequent T replacement were shown to be more aggressive to the prostate.
Molecular characterization of a possible progenitor sodium channel toxin from the Old World scorpion Mesobuthus martensii
Authors: Zhu S. , Gao B.
Published: October 2006

Toxins affecting sodium channels widely exist in the venoms of scorpions throughout the world. These molecules comprise an evolutionarily related peptide family with three shared features including conserved three‐dimensional structure and gene organization, and similar function. Based on different pharmacological profiles and binding properties, scorpion sodium channel toxins are divided into α‐ and β‐groups. However, their evolutionary relationship is not yet established. Here, we report a gene isolated from the venom gland of scorpion Mesobuthus martensii which encodes a novel sodium channel toxin‐like peptide of 64 amino acids, named Mesotoxin. The Mesotoxin gene is organized into three exons and two introns with the second intron location conserved across the family. This peptide is unusual in that it has only three disulfides and a long cysteine‐free tail with loop size and structural characteristics close to β‐toxins. Evolutionary analysis favors its basal position in the origin of scorpion sodium channel toxins as a progenitor. The discovery of Mesotoxin will assist investigations into the key issue regarding the origin and evolution of scorpion toxins.
Adapter protein NRBP associates with Jab1 and negatively regulates AP‐1 activity
Authors: Wang Hui , Sun Xiaoqing , Luo Ying , Lin Zhixin , Wu Jun
Published: October 2006

Jun activation domain‐binding protein 1 (Jab1) is a coactivator of activating protein‐1 (AP‐1) and is the fifth component of the COP9 signalosome complex. It interacts with a variety of proteins and plays important roles in diverse signaling pathways and cellular function including oncogenesis. We show here that Jab1 interacts in vivo with nuclear receptor binding protein (NRBP), an evolutionarily conserved adapter protein with a kinase‐like domain. We further show that NRBP inhibits Jab1‐induced phosphorylation of c‐Jun and AP‐1 activation. Finally, overexpression of NRBP in mammalian cells specifically inhibits AP‐1 activation by various stimuli. Taken together, our data suggest that NRBP may be an important negative regulator of Jab1‐mediated functions such as gene transcription and tumor progression.
Flexible docking of an amyloid‐forming peptide from β2‐microglobulin
Authors: Standley Daron M. , Yonezawa Yasushige , Goto Yuji , Nakamura Haruki
Published: October 2006

Using an all‐atom, molecular dynamics‐based, flexible docking method, the tertiary and quaternary structures of protofilaments of the “K3” fragment from β2‐microglobulin (residues Ser20‐Lys41) were predicted at low pH in a continuous mixture of water and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE). Tetramers with energies very close to the global minimum were produced with Cα root‐mean square deviation values under 4 Å over 88 residues compared to a recently solved SSNMR structure. The most accurate model distinguishes itself from other low‐energy solutions in that it shows high structural similarity to another known fold, the parallel β‐helix, in agreement with models proposed previously by several other groups. The method achieves efficiency without loss of generality or atomic detail by enforcing local symmetry on the individual peptides, rewarding intermolecular contacts, and iteratively building up the protofilaments by successively doubling the number of chains. Solvent effects were included in the model by treating the dielectric constant and surface tension as functions of the TFE concentration. In order to understand the physical basis for the stabilizing effects of TFE, the TFE concentration was varied from 0% to 50% (v/v) and a peak in stability was observed at 16%, where the polar and hydrophobic terms cancel out and close to the experimentally determined value of 20%.
The messaoudensis–trifidum acritarch assemblage and correlation of the base of Ordovician Stage 2 (Floian)
Authors: MOLYNEUX S. G. , RAEVSKAYA E. , SERVAIS T.
Published: October 2006

The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for Stage 2 of the Ordovician System, now the Floian Stage and approximately equivalent to the lower and middle Arenig of England and Wales, is defined by the first appearance datum (FAD) of the graptolite Tetragraptus approximatus in the Diabasbrottet Quarry section at Mount Hunneberg, Sweden. One of the issues this raises is how to correlate the base of Stage 2 at the GSSP with areas and successions that do not contain a correlative graptolite fauna. The distinctive Cymatiogalea messaoudensis–Stelliferidium trifidum acritarch assemblage is present in the upper Tremadocian Araneograptus murrayi Graptolite Biozone of NW England and ranges across the Tremadocian–Stage 2 boundary there (the Tremadoc–Arenig boundary of Anglo-Welsh nomenclature). It also occurs widely at other high southern Ordovician palaeolatitudes around the margin of Gondwana, being reported from Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Turkey, and may also be present in Bohemia and Argentina (Eastern Cordillera). It therefore has the potential to contribute towards the recognition and correlation of the base of Stage 2 in those areas. Of particular interest are the First Appearance Datums of various taxa within the stratigraphical range of the messaoudensis–trifidum assemblage, notably that of Aureotesta clathrata simplex, which is considered to be close to the base of Stage 2 in NW England.

Elements of the messaoudensis–trifidum assemblage also occur in Baltica, the palaeoplate on which the GSSP for the base of Stage 2 is located. However, many of the taxa used to subdivide the messaoudensis–trifidum assemblage around Gondwana have not been recorded from Baltica and may be restricted palaeobiogeographically to the Gondwanan margin. Furthermore, acritarch microfloras have not been reported from the Diabasbrottet Quarry section itself, and there are hiatuses across the base of Stage 2 in the two sections from Baltica considered in this paper. Hence, direct correlation of the base of Stage 2 between the GSSP and other sections using acritarchs is not yet possible. Nevertheless, some taxa, for example the genera Peteinosphaeridium and Rhopaliophora, are shown to have FADs at similar stratigraphical levels in the late Tremadocian Stage of both Baltica and Gondwana, and therefore have the potential to correlate time slices in the late Tremadocian Stage between palaeoplates.
Amethyst-bearing lava flows in the Paraná Basin (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil): cooling, vesiculation and formation of the geodic cavities
Authors: PROUST DOMINIQUE , FONTAINE CLAUDE
Published: October 2006

Size distribution data obtained from detailed field study of bubbles and amethyst-geodes in the basaltic lava flows of the Serra Geral Formation (Ametista do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) are used in cooling and vesiculation models to infer the origin and the formation processes of the geodic cavities. Coupled field observations and modelling results emphasize that (1) the formation of geodes in the studied lava flow can be explained, qualitatively and quantitatively, by the exsolution of magmatic gas from the supersaturated melt with no need for external surface water supply; (2) the vertically elongated habits of the geodes result from higher cooling rate of the magma in contact with the accumulating bubbles; and (3) the abnormal metre-sized geodes with their branching habits result not only from the diffusive/decompressive bubble growth but also from the coalescence of inwards-progressing tubular cavities.
Experimental studies on Lecanora rupicola (L.) Zahlbr.: chemical and microscopical investigations of the mycobiont and re-synthesis stages
Authors: BRUNAUER Georg , HAGER Armin , KRAUTGARTNER Wolf Dietrich , TÜRK Roman , STOCKER-WÖRGÖTTER Elfie
Published: October 2006

Culture experiments that trigger the axenically grown mycobionts of Lecanora rupicola to produce the polyketide chemosyndrome typical of the naturally grown lichen are reported. This chemosyndrome comprises lecanoric, haematommic and orsellinic acids, sordidone, eugenitol and atranorin, all of which were hardly produced under standard culture conditions. The only exception was arthothelin that was only present in the voucher specimen. It has been shown that almost the complete acetyl-polymalonyl-pathway leading to depsides and chromones can be induced in culture, but apparently not the xanthones. The mycobiont was also successfully re-synthesized with its original photobiont, as confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope studies (SEM). Cultures of the resynthesised lichen biosynthesized additional satellite substances, which were not detected either in the voucher specimens or in the aposymbiontically (without the photobiont) grown mycobiont cultures. The identity of cultured mycobionts of L. rupicola was confirmed by comparing ITS-DNA-sequence data from the original lichen with publicly available (GeneBank) sequences of that species.
Three new species of Lithothelium (Pyrenulaceae) from China and Thailand, with a revised world key and annotated list of species
Authors: APTROOT André
Published: October 2006

Three new species of Lithothelium are described from southern China (Yunnan) and Thailand. A world key and an annotated list of all currently described species are provided. The following new combinations are proposed: Anisomeridium concameratum (Stirt.) Aptroot (Verrucaria concamerata Stirt.) and Lithothelium fugax (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot (Astrothelium fugax Müll. Arg.).
Three new species of Lepraria (Ascomycota, Stereocaulaceae) containing fatty acids and atranorin
Authors: SLAVÍKOVÁ-BAYEROVÁ štěpánka , ORANGE Alan
Published: October 2006

Three new species of Lepraria, L. celata, L. humida, and L. sylvicola, are described from Europe. They each possess a finely granular unstratified thallus containing fatty acids and atranorin, but can be distinguished from each other by the type of fatty acids present and by their ecology. Anthraquinones are present in subthalline hyphae of L. humida and L. sylvicola, and are also reported for L. atlantica. Toensbergianic acid can be produced by L. jackii as a minor compound. A key is presented to species of Lepraria containing fatty acids and atranorin as major substances.
Gelatinopsis leptogii (Helotiales, Ascomycota), a new lichenicolous fungus on Leptogium byssinum from Belgium and Germany
Authors: ERTZ Damien , DIEDERICH Paul
Published: October 2006

The new lichenicolous fungus, Gelatinopsis leptogii, is described from Belgium and Germany, where it grows on Leptogium byssinum. It differs from G. ericetorum, which grows on Dibaeis, in the shorter and broader ascospores and different ascomatal pigments, and from G. roccellae, which grows on Roccella, in the shorter ascospores and larger ascomata.
The different origins of stability and change in antisocial personality disorder symptoms
Authors: BURT S. ALEXANDRA , McGUE MATT , CARTER LATANYA A. , IACONO WILLIAM G.
Published: October 2006

Background. Although adult antisocial personality disorder is generally preceded by a pattern of childhood/adolescent conduct problems, only a subset of those who manifest these developmental precursors go on exhibit significant antisocial behavior in adulthood. To date, however, researchers have yet to resolve the origins of either stability or change in antisocial behavior from childhood/adolescence to adulthood.

Method. The present study sought to fill this gap in the literature, making use of a sample of 626 twin pairs from the ongoing Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS). Participants were assessed three times between late adolescence and early adulthood. We made use of biometric Cholesky decomposition and latent growth curve modeling techniques, which allow researchers to disambiguate processes of stability and change and evaluate their respective etiologies (i.e. genetic or environmental).

Results. Our results revealed that genetic forces were largely responsible for the stability of adult symptoms of antisocial behavior (AAB) from late adolescence through mid-adulthood, while non-shared environmental influences were primarily responsible for change. Importantly, however, although some of the latter represented systematic and long-lasting influence, much of this non-shared environmental variance appeared transient and idiosyncratic.

Conclusions. Such findings highlight the enduring impact of genetic influences on AAB, and offer insights into the nature of non-shared environmental influences on development.
A common genetic factor explains the association between psychopathic personality and antisocial behavior
Authors: LARSSON HENRIK , TUVBLAD CATHERINE , RIJSDIJK FRUHLING V. , ANDERSHED HENRIK , GRANN MARTIN , LICHTENSTEIN PAUL
Published: October 2006

Background. Both psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior are influenced by genetic as well as environmental factors. However, little is known about how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the associations between the psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior.

Method. Data were drawn from a longitudinal population-based twin sample including all 1480 twin pairs born in Sweden between May 1985 and December 1986. The twins responded to mailed self-report questionnaires at two occasions: 1999 (twins 13–14 years old), and 2002 (twins 16–17 years old).

Results. A common genetic factor loaded substantially on both psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior, whereas a common shared environmental factor loaded exclusively on antisocial behavior.

Conclusions. The genetic overlap between psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior may reflect a genetic vulnerability to externalizing psychopathology. The finding of shared environmental influences only in antisocial behavior suggests an etiological distinction between psychopathic personality dimensions and antisocial behavior. Knowledge about temperamental correlates to antisocial behavior is important for identification of susceptibility genes, as well as for possible prevention through identification of at-risk children early in life.
Specialist clinical assessment of vulnerable older people: outcomes for carers from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: VENABLES DAN , CLARKSON PAUL , HUGHES JANE , BURNS ALISTAIR , CHALLIS DAVID
Published: October 2006

‘Caring for carers’ is high on the United Kingdom policy agenda for community care. Although recent policy advocates the provision of services directly to the carer, research suggests that an alternative way of helping carers is through targeting enhanced services towards the cared-for person. This paper reports a randomised controlled trial of the effects on carer distress of an additional specialist clinical assessment for vulnerable older people at risk of residential or nursing home placement. The sample was composed of 142 informal carers of older people, randomly assigned to receive either the additional specialist assessment or the usual social services assessment. Carers were assessed using the modified Social Behaviour Assessment Schedule (SBAS), and data were also collected on older peoples' service use throughout the study period. Regression analyses indicated that changes in older peoples' behaviour, as opposed to carer or service-related factors, predicted changes in carer distress, and that the carers of the older people who experienced depressive symptoms received the greatest benefit from the specialist assessment. The study suggests that an effective means of improving outcomes for carers may be to target services towards the distressing behaviours of the person for whom they care, with symptoms of depression being particularly important.
Ageing, disability and workplace accommodations
Authors: MCMULLIN JULIE ANN , SHUEY KIM M.
Published: October 2006

In most western nations, laws discourage discrimination in paid employment on the basis of disability, but for these policies to be of benefit, individuals must define their functional limitations as disabilities. There is a strong relationship between age and disability among those of working age, yet it is unclear whether older workers attribute their limitations to disability or to ‘natural ageing’. If the latter is true, they may not believe that they need or qualify for workplace accommodations (i.e. adaptations or interventions at the workplace). Similarly, if an employer ascribes a worker's limitation to ‘natural ageing’, rather than to a disability, they may not offer compensatory accommodation. Using data from the Canadian 2001 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, this paper asks whether workers who ascribe their functional limitation to ageing are as likely as those who do not to report a need for a workplace accommodation. It also addresses whether those who identify a need for compensatory accommodations and who ascribe their limitation to ageing have unmet workplace-accommodation needs. The findings suggest that, even when other factors are controlled, e.g. the type and severity of disability, the number of limiting conditions, gender, age, education, income and occupation, those who made the ageing attribution were less likely to recognise the need for an accommodation; and among those who acknowledged a need, those who ascribed their disability to ageing were less likely to have their needs met.
From commodity to community in nursing homes: an impossibility?
Authors: MCLEAN ATHENA
Published: October 2006

Ever since Erving Goffman (1962) discovered unexpected social bonding and elaborate social networks among the ‘inmates’ of total institutions, researchers and policy makers have used ‘community’ to refer to those very persons (nursing-home residents, in-patients in psychiatric hospitals, and others incarcerated for diverse disabilities) believed to be ‘its principal victims’ (Hazan 1995: 211). The concept ‘community’ was built upon Tönnies's (1955/1887) concept of Gemeinschaft, which depicted homogeneous groups integrated through multiple social linkages and face-to-face relations. By the 1970s, scholars of community studies called into question the conceptual underpinnings and potentially negative implications of the concept. They reframed ‘community’ as a concept that addressed more refined questions concerning locality, and reserved the term for the social networks that reflected group interests and provided symbolic evidence of identity formation or belonging (Davies 2003). Nonetheless, the term retains prominence for the institutions that provide residential care for people with various disabilities.
Heroines, villains and victims: older people's perceptions of others
Authors: TOWNSEND JEAN , GODFREY MARY , DENBY TRACY
Published: October 2006

This paper examines older people's contrasting images of older people as ‘those like us’ and as ‘others’. It draws on data from a qualitative study about the experience of ageing that was undertaken in partnership with two local groups of older people in England. Whilst the informants acknowledged their chronological age, changes in appearance and physical limitations, most did not describe themselves as old. They challenged the idea of older people as being ‘past it’. Older people who personified their own values of inter-dependence, reciprocity and keeping going were seen as ‘heroines’ of old age, but negative stereotypes were ascribed simultaneously to others, ‘the villains’. Aspects of behaviour which evoked censure were ‘giving up’; ‘refusal to be helped’ and ‘taking without putting back’, and were usually attributed to acquaintances known only at a distance. The victims of old age were primarily people with dementia, who were perceived as ‘needing to be looked after’ and objects of pity and concern. The paper explores the ways in which these various images of old age related to people's self-identity and management of the ageing process; especially in a society that has ambivalent conceptions of old age. The findings contribute to an understanding of how people's values underpin their conception of ‘a good old age’ and how they shape their interpretation of societal stereotypes. They also indicate the importance of considering whose voices are heard in the context of exploring the identity and contributions of older people to achieve a more inclusive society.
Productivity among older people in The Netherlands: variations by gender and the socio-spatial context in 2002–03
Authors: VAN DER MEER MARIEKE
Published: October 2006

Productivity among older adults manifests in engagement in paid work, voluntary work, giving support to others, home maintenance and housekeeping. This paper reports an investigation into the extent to which levels of participation in the different productive activity types in The Netherlands are associated with age, gender and the settings in which older people live. The regional and urban–rural dimensions of variation are examined. The data were derived from the European Study of Adult Well-Being survey (ESAW). The results show that the oldest women tended to restrict their productivity to the private domain of housekeeping, while the oldest men were more often productive in the community, and that regional variations were stronger for women than for men. Traditional gender roles particularly affected the way in which older women living in a peripheral region participated in productive activities. In contrast, the urban–rural dimension was more important for men than for women, partly because a group of older men in the cities were not involved in paid work. Overall, strong gender influences on the variations in productive engagement were found. Processes of age-related contraction and convergence in patterns of participation in productive activities were imputed from the cross-sectional data. A full understanding of the ageing and cohort effects underlying the reported patterns would require much more detailed information on the spatial and temporal dimensions of older people's activity patterns.
Laser–induced film deposition by LIFT: Physical mechanisms and applications
Authors: VEIKO V.P. , SHAKHNO E.A. , SMIRNOV V.N. , MIASKOVSKI A.M. , NIKISHIN G.D.
Published: October 2006

Peculiarities of the technique of the laser-induced film transfer (LIFT) are investigated. Possible mechanisms of tearing-off and transference of the films from the donor substrate (target) to the acceptor one are investigated. The main fields of LIFT applications are considered. One of the most interesting directions of LIFT applications—decontamination of radioactive surfaces—is investigated in detail. The main peculiarities and regimes of the processing are defined.
Simulations of heating of solid targets by fast electrons
Authors: HONRUBIA J. J. , ALFONSÍN C. , ALONSO L. , PÉREZ B. , CERRADA J. A.
Published: October 2006

Recent experiments of fast electron heating of aluminum foil targets
have been analyzed by means of hybrid PIC simulations. A suitable initial
angular distribution of fast electrons has been used and the diameter of
the fast electron source has been fitted to reproduce with the same
simulation parameters the beam divergence, Kα yields and
temperatures at the target rear surface measured in the experiments. This
results in a consistent description of the fast electron propagation that
can be useful in general for simulations of laser-driven fast electron
transport in dense media.
Thin plate effects in the Rayleigh–Taylor instability of
elastic solids
Authors: PIRIZ A. R. , LÓPEZ CELA J. J. , SERNA MORENO M. C. , TAHIR N. A. , HOFFMANN D. H. H.
Published: October 2006

We perform the analysis of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability of
thin perfectly elastic solid plates using the analytical approach recently
developed by Piriz and coworkers. The model describes the evolution of the
perturbation amplitude from the initial conditions and at relatively long
times it yields the asymptotic growth rate. It applies to
solid/inviscid fluid interfaces. For the particular case of
solid/vacuum interface, the model has been compared with the exact
results by Plohr and Sharp and an excellent agreement has been found. In
general, thinner plates are found to be more unstable and, in the presence
of a fluid below the elastic plate, the growth rate is reduced.
GeV laser ion acceleration from ultrathin targets: The laser break-out afterburner
Authors: YIN L. , ALBRIGHT B. J. , HEGELICH B. M. , FERNÁNDEZ J. C.
Published: October 2006

A new laser-driven ion acceleration mechanism has been identified using particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. This mechanism allows ion acceleration to GeV energies at vastly reduced laser intensities compared with earlier acceleration schemes. The new mechanism, dubbed “Laser Break-out Afterburner” (BOA), enables the acceleration of carbon ions to greater than 2 GeV energy at a laser intensity of only 1021W/cm2, an intensity that has been realized in existing laser systems. Other techniques for achieving these energies in the literature rely upon intensities of 1024W/cm2or above, i.e., 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than any laser intensity that has been demonstrated to date. Also, the BOA mechanism attains higher energy and efficiency than target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA), where the scaling laws predict carbon energies of 50 MeV/u for identical laser conditions. In the early stages of the BOA, the carbon ions accelerate as a quasi-monoenergetic bunch with median energy higher than that realized recently experimentally.
Policy-based techniques for self-managing parallel applications
Authors: ANTHONY RICHARD
Published: October 2006

This paper presents an empirical investigation of policy-based self-management techniques for parallel applications executing in loosely-coupled environments. The dynamic and heterogeneous nature of these environments is discussed and the special considerations for parallel applications are identified. An adaptive strategy for the run-time deployment of tasks of parallel applications is presented. The strategy is based on embedding numerous policies which are informed by contextual and environmental inputs. The policies govern various aspects of behaviour, enhancing flexibility so that the goals of efficiency and performance are achieved despite high levels of environmental variability. A prototype self-managing parallel application is used as a vehicle to explore the feasibility and benefits of the strategy. In particular, several aspects of stability are investigated. The implementation and behaviour of three policies are discussed and sample results examined.
Building autonomic systems using collaborative reinforcement learning
Authors: DOWLING JIM , CUNNINGHAM RAYMOND , CURRAN EOIN , CAHILL VINNY
Published: October 2006

This paper presents Collaborative Reinforcement Learning (CRL), a coordination model for online system optimization in decentralized multi-agent systems. In CRL system optimization problems are represented as a set of discrete optimization problems, each of whose solution cost is minimized by model-based reinforcement learning agents collaborating on their solution. CRL systems can be built to provide autonomic behaviours such as optimizing system performance in an unpredictable environment and adaptation to partial failures. We evaluate CRL using an ad hoc routing protocol that optimizes system routing performance in an unpredictable network environment.
Providing expert scientific advice on the Antarctic environment
Authors: Walton D.W.H.
Published: October 2006

It is hard to divorce most human activities, including science, completely from politics. Politics is about perceived certainty whilst science is about doubt – they make strange bedfellows. Politicians detest probabilities whilst scientists abhor the absolute. Nowhere is the relationship between politics and science more publicly developed than in the Antarctic Treaty System. In the only continent devoted to peace and science it might be supposed that, after more than thirty years, the role of science would be both more robust and more pivotal in decision-making than elsewhere in the world. So it appears at present but will it remain so?