bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Gender and Immigration on Pension Outcomes in Canada
Authors: Marier Patrik , Skinner Suzanne
Published: December 2008

This paper analyzes Canadian retirement incomes by focusing on the dynamics of gender and immigration. We demonstrate that elderly women living alone and post-1970 immigrants are more likely to rely on the means-tested component of Canada's pension system, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), which is an indication of their restricted capacity to maintain an autonomous household. The strong reliance of the Canadian pension system on both public and private earnings-related pensions accentuates the disparities within the labour market, causing both women and immigrants to have lower earnings in retirement. In addition, immigrants suffer from the residency requirements attached to basic pension programs.
Safe entry point for twist-drill craniostomy of a chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Hwang Sun-Chul , Im Soo-Bin , Kim Bum-Tae , Shin Won-Han
Published: December 2008

Object

Twist-drill craniostomy (TDC) with closed-system drainage is an effective treatment option for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Because the entry point for TDC has not been described in a definitive area, the aim of this study was to define the optimal twist-drill entry point for CSDH.

Methods

The authors selected 40 random cases involving selective catheter angiography of the external carotid artery, regardless of study purpose, to evaluate the course of the middle meningeal artery. Furthermore, 50 skull radiographs were reviewed to assess the relation of the vascular groove to the coronal suture. On the basis of the radiological anatomical study, the authors propose that the normal TDC entry point should be 1 cm anterior to the coronal suture at the level of the superior temporal line (STL). Thirty patients with symptomatic CSDH were treated using TDC with closed-system drainage at the proposed entry point. The thicknesses of the hematoma and the skull were measured at the proposed entry point. The congruence between the proposed entry point and postoperative craniostomy was estimated and complications were evaluated.

Results

In the radiological study, all the branches of the middle meningeal artery ran posterior to the coronal suture and the vascular grooves were also located posterior to the coronal suture at the level of the STL. The average distance of the vascular grooves was 8.0 ±5.8 mm. Thirty-five procedures were performed. The coronal suture and the STL could be identified clearly on brain CT scans. The mean thickness of the skull and the CSDH at the proposed point was 8 mm (range 5–13 mm) and 20 mm (range 10–28 mm), respectively. All the TDCs except 1 were congruent with the preoperative brain CT scans. One CSDH recurred 1 month after the first operation and was revised using the same procedure. No other complications occurred.

Conclusions

One centimeter anterior to the coronal suture at the level of the STL is suitable as the normal entry point of the TDC for symptomatic CSDH. The thickness of the CSDH can be measured at this point on a preoperative brain CT scan. Furthermore, the entry point on the scalp can be accurately estimated using surface landmarks.
A Tribute to Howard Dalton and Methane Monooxygenase
Authors: Anthony Christopher
Published: December 2008

This is a brief account of the scientific contribution of Professor Sir Howard Dalton FRS, who died in January 2008. It starts with his important study of the physiology of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but concentrates on his work on methane oxidation. This started with the development of reliable assays for the methane monooxygenase, leading to the discovery of two types of enzyme, soluble and membrane-bound and their regulation by copper levels in the growth medium. His contribution to our understanding of the structure and function of these enzymes is then discussed and the review closes with a brief summary of our present knowledge of these important enzymes.
Effects of fungicide on meiosis of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
Authors: Çali Ilkay Öztürk
Published: December 2008

The effects of Equation Pro (22.5 % Famoxadone + 30% Cymoxanil) fungicide applied to tomato grown in greenhouse at recommended dosage (40 g/100 l tap water) by manufacturing company and double the recommended dosage (80 g/100 l tap water) were investigated on pollen meiosis. It was observed that the fungicide used in trial applications caused anomalies in pollen meiosis in parallel with the increase in dosage. It is obvious that this condition will have a negative effect on pollen fertility.
Screening of aromatic rice lines by phenotypic and molecular markers
Authors: Kibria K , Islam MM , Begum SN
Published: December 2008

To improve the yield potential of local aromatic variety Kalizira, a segregating population was developed from a cross between Y-1281 (high yielding mutant variety) and Kalizira. Thirty two F7 rice lines were used to evaluate agronomic characteristics, aroma detection through sensory test and genotypic analysis using microsatellite markers. Highly significant negative association was found between aroma and grain yield. Nine, 12 and 17 pedigree lines (PLs) having fragrance gene (fgr) locus were found using three SSR markers RM223, RM342A and RM515, respectively as homozygous condition in 32 rice lines. The marker RM515 detected highest number of fgr locus in PLs. Fourteen promising lines were identified with aroma genes having higher yield with good agronomic performance and other grain quality traits. These SSR markers could be utilized in marker-assisted selection (MAS) and would have a great impact on identifying fgr locus in rice genotypes. Key words: Aromatic rice, Grain quality, Microsatellite marker doi:10.3329/bjb.v37i2.1720 Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 141-147, 2008 (December)
In vitro micropropagation from shoot meristems of Turkish cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) cv. Akkiz
Authors: Aasim Muhammad , Khawar Khalid Mahmood , Özcan Sebahattin
Published: December 2008

Multiple shoots from shoot meristems of three - five-day-old in vitro grown seedlings of Turkish cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) cv. Akkiz was obtained in MS supplemented with 0.50 mg/l BAP - 0, 0.10, 0.30 and 0.50 mg/l NAA. Callus induction was recorded on all cultures. Callusing was recorded on all cultures containing 0.5 mg/l BAP with and without NAA. However, increased diameter of calli was recorded on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP - 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/l NAA. The highest frequency (%) of shoot regeneration and mean number of shoots per explant was recorded on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP with out NAA. Addition of any concentration of NAA resulted in significant decrease in the frequency (%) of shoot regeneration and mean number of shoots per explant. Maximum mean number of 2.60 shoots per explant was obtained on MS without NAA. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS containing 0.50 mg/l IBA where up to seven adventitous secondary shoots arose from the base of mother shoot were also recorded. These shoots could also be rooted easily on the same rooting medium. Rooted plants were adapted at room temprature in soil mix in pots. All plants flowered and set seeds in the growth room after three months. Key words: Cowpea, Micropropagation, Shoot meristem doi:10.3329/bjb.v37i2.1723 Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 149-154, 2008 (December)
Fruit production and biochemical aspects of seeds of Euryale ferox Salisb. under ex-situ conditions
Authors: Alfasane Md Almujaddade , Khondker Moniruzzaman , Begum ZN Tahmida , Banu Laila Arjumand , Rahman Md Mahbubar , Shahjadee Umma Fatema
Published: December 2008

Ex-situ culture studies of Euryale ferox Salisb. using fresh mature seeds were carried out in an arboretum. Production of fresh fruit has been estimated to be 3.05 t/ha. Biochemical analysis of the seeds revealed 61% carbohydrate, 15.6% protein, 12.1% moisture, 7.6% fibre, 1.8% ash and 1.35% fat. The seeds were found to contain 12 amino acids, which are histidine, leucine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, lysine, tyrosine, valine, aspartic, threonine, alanine, methionine and arginine. Key words: Euryale ferox, Ex-situ culture, Fruit production, Seeds biochemical content doi:10.3329/bjb.v37i2.1727 Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 179-181, 2008 (December)
Effects of salinity on ion accumulation in maize (Zea mays L. cv. Bari-7)
Authors: Karmoker JL , Farhana Sharmin , Rashid Parveen
Published: December 2008

NaCl salinity in the range of 50 to 200 mM increased Na+ accumulation in the root and shoot of 7-, 14- and 21-day-old maize seedlings. The accumulation of Na+ and Cl- increased but K+ accumulation decreased with the increase in NaCl concentration from 50 to 200 mM in the root and shoot of maize in all the three ages. Key words: Salinity, NaCl, Ion transport, Root, Shoot, Maize doi:10.3329/bjb.v37i2.1733 Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 203-205, 2008 (December)
Essential oil in roots of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash ex Small from Bangladesh
Authors: Bhuiyan Md Nazrul Islam , Chowdhury Jasim Uddin , Begum Jaripa
Published: December 2008

Essential oil from roots of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash ex Small from Bangladesh was examined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fourteen compounds were identified in root oil. The compositions of oil varied qualitatively and quantitatively. Key words: Vetiveria zizanioides, GC-MS analysis, Essential oil doi:10.3329/bjb.v37i2.1736 Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 213-215, 2008 (December)
Essential oil from inflorescence of Spilanthes calva D.C.
Authors: Begum Jaripa , Bhuiyan Md Nazrul Islam , Chowdhury Jasim Uddin
Published: December 2008

Seven components have been identified including caryophyllene oxide (24.14%), caryophyllene (22.19%), limonene (21.79%) and myrcene (9.02%), as significantly dominating compounds of essential oil from inflorescences of Spilanthes calva DC. from Bangladesh investigated by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Key words: Spilanthes calva, Essential oil, GC-MS, Caryophyllene oxide doi:10.3329/bjb.v37i2.1737 Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 217-218, 2008 (December)
MULTIPLE‐CRITERIA DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM IN HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Šelih Jana , Kne Anžej , Srdić Aleksander , Žura Marjan
Published: December 2008

Highway infrastructure represents a significant part of the public assets, and through its lifetime, is exposed to various deterioration processes leading to the depreciation of its value. It is therefore of vital importance to manage these assets aiming to reduce the loss of their value with time to a minimum. A typical task of road managers is making decisions related to maintenance, repair and rehabilitation based on data regarding the existing condition, risk of its use, life cycle costs and age. Road infrastructure is complex, and therefore the optimal choice of planned interventions is a delicate task often left to the road managers’ subjective judgment. The main goal of research work presented in the paper is the development of a multiple criteria decision support system to determine the priority ranking of asset rehabilitation projects. Results are presented for a selected case study that consists of 27 overpasses for a highway section. The data on the condition of crossovers obtained by regular inspection along their contribution to a structured database are essential. The selection of the set of asset rehabilitation projects is carried out by using the developed decision support system that includes the budget constraint option. The selected set of asset maintenance/rehabilitation projects meets best the pre‐defined combination of several criteria and therefore yields the maximized overall benefit. The results showing the selection criteria employed in the decision process and relative importance are crucial in obtaining the targeted goals. The selected criteria should therefore reflect the needs of the users and the actual conditions related to the assets.
Association of major depression with rare functional variants in norepinephrine transporter and serotonin1Areceptor genes
Authors: Haenisch Britta , Linsel Karoline , Brüss Michael , Gilsbach Ralf , Propping Peter , Nöthen Markus M. , Rietschel Marcella , Fimmers Rolf , Maier Wolfgang , Zobel Astrid , Höfels Susanne , Guttenthaler Vera , Göthert Manfred , Bönisch Heinz
Published: December 2008

Dysregulations of central noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. The norepinephrine transporter (NET; SLC6A2) and the serotonin (5‐HT)1Areceptor (5‐HT1Areceptor; HTR1A) play an important role in central nervous monoaminergic homeostasis. As shown previously, variations in the human NET and 5‐HT1Areceptor genes can alter noradrenergic and serotonergic signaling in the brain: a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the coding region of the NET gene resulting in a F528C substitution increased plasma membrane expression of this NET variant, and a SNP in the human 5‐HT1Areceptor gene leading to the R219L receptor variant almost abolished cellular signal transduction subsequent to receptor activation. The present study aimed at investigating whether these NET and 5‐HT1Areceptor variants are associated with major depression (MD). The sample comprised 426 patients suffering from unipolar MD as well as 643 healthy control subjects for the variants of the 5‐HT1Areceptor and the NET. Both SNPs were shown to be associated with MD. In conclusion, our results favor the hypothesis that monoaminergic neurotransmission in general and the F528C NET and R219L 5‐HT1Areceptor variants in particular are involved in the pathogenesis of depression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stress‐induced changes in microstructure of a low‐crystalline polypropylene investigated at uniaxial stretching
Authors: Boger A. , Imhof C. , Heise B. , Marti O. , Troll C. , Rieger B. , Hild S.
Published: December 2008

Novel asymmetric metallocene catalysts lead to low isotactic polypropylenes (iPP) with randomly distributed stereo irregularities. The polypropylenes are low crystalline and show elastic mechanical behavior due to physical crosslinking. The morphology of such iPP, which is responsible for the observed mechanical properties, is still sparsely resolved. In the present work a low isotactic, low crystalline metallocene iPP containing randomly distributed stereoerrors was investigated. The influence of the chain microstructure in the elastic properties was studied using two complementary investigation methods, X‐ray diffraction and scanning force microscopy (SFM). For a better understanding of the unique mechanical properties, microscopic changes in morphology and strain‐induced variation in chain orientation were monitored during uniaxial stretching using SFM and wide angle X‐ray scattering measurements. For quantitative analysis and discussion the polymer chain orientations were calculated. The correlation between the orientation, the arrangements of the amorphous and crystalline phases observed by SFM, and the mechanical properties of the material at different elongation ratios allowed an interpretation of the macroscopic behavior on the microscopic scale. It was shown that the deformation behavior of low isotactic polypropylene with randomly distributed stereoerrors is in agreement with existing structural models, which proposed that small crystalline domains act as physical crosslinks for the amorphous matrix. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Processing and properties of carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite films
Authors: Liu Jing , Rasheed Asif , Minus Marilyn L. , Kumar Satish
Published: December 2008

A systematic study of the reinforcement of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and vapor‐grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is reported. SWNT/PMMA composite films with various SWNT concentrations (from 0.5 to 50 wt % with respect to the weight of PMMA) were processed from nitromethane. Two types of SWNTs were used: SWNT‐A, which contained 35 wt % metal catalyst, and SWNT‐B, which contained about 2.4 wt % metal catalyst. Properties of different nanotubes containing composites were compared with 15 wt % carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Property enhancement included electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and solvent resistance. The thermal degradation of PMMA in the presence of CNTs in air and nitrogen environments was studied. No variation in the thermal degradation behavior of PMMA/CNT was observed in nitrogen. The peak degradation temperature increased for the composites in air at low CNT loadings. Dynamic and thermomechanical properties were also studied. At a 35 wt % SWNT loading, a composite film exhibited good mechanical and electrical properties, good chemical resistance, and a very low coefficient of thermal expansion. Property improvements were rationalized in terms of the nanotube surface area. Composite films were also characterized with Raman spectroscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Double‐miniemulsion preparation of Fe3O4/poly(methyl methacrylate) magnetic latex
Authors: Hong R. Y. , Feng B. , Cai X. , Liu G. , Li H. Z. , Ding J. , Zheng Y. , Wei D. G.
Published: December 2008

Magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microspheres were prepared by double‐miniemulsion polymerization. First, oleic acid coated magnetite particles synthesized by means of coprecipitation were dispersed into octane to obtain a ferrofluid. The ferrofluid and MMA were emulsified to form O/W emulsion, respectively. Subsequently two miniemulsions were mixed together for polymerization. The obtained magnetic polymer particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, and thermogravimetry. The results showed that oleic acid coated magnetite particles were well encapsulated in PMMA. The effects of initiator dosage and monomer concentration on the conversion of MMA were also investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Iodothyronamines are Oxidatively Deaminated to Iodothyroacetic Acids in vivo
Authors: Wood Warren J. L. , Geraci Travis , Nilsen Aaron , DeBarber Andrea E. , Scanlan Thomas S.
Published: December 2008

3‐Iodothyronamine (T1AM) and 3,3′,5‐triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac) are bioactive metabolites of the hormone thyroxine (T4). In the present study, the ability of T1AM and 3,3′,5‐triiodothyronamine (T3AM) to be metabolized to 3‐iodothyroacetic acid (TA1) and Triac, respectively, was investigated. Both T1AM and T3AM were converted to their respective iodinated thyroacetic acid analogues in both cell and tissue extracts. This conversion could be significantly inhibited with the monamine oxidase (MAO) and semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) inhibitor iproniazid. TA1 was found to be present in trace quantities in human serum and in substantial levels in serum from T1AM‐treated rats. These results demonstrate that iodothyronamines are substrates for amine oxidases and that this metabolism may be the source of the corresponding endogenous arylacetic acid products Triac and TA1.
Reactions of Diazo Compounds with Alkenes Catalysed by [RuCl(cod)(Cp)]: Effect of the Substituents in the Formation of Cyclopropanation or Metathesis Products
Authors: Basato Marino , Tubaro Cristina , Biffis Andrea , Bonato Marco , Buscemi Gabriella , Lighezzolo Filippo , Lunardi Pamela , Vianini Chiara , Benetollo Franco , Del Zotto Alessandro
Published: December 2008

The reaction of diazo compounds with alkenes catalysed by complex [RuCl(cod)(Cp)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, Cp=cyclopentadienyl) has been studied. The catalytic cycle involves in the first step the decomposition of the diazo derivative to afford the reactive [RuCl(Cp){C(R1)R2}] intermediate and a mechanism is proposed for this step based on a kinetic study of the simple coupling reaction of ethyl diazoacetate. The evolution of the Ru–carbene intermediate in the presence of alkenes depends on the nature of the substituents at both the diazo N2C(R1)R2 (R1, R2=Ph, H; Ph, CO2Me; Ph, Ph; C(R1)R2=fluorene) and the olefin substrates R3(H)CC(H)R4 (R3, R4=CO2Et, CO2Et; Ph, Ph; Ph, Me; Ph, H; Me, Br; Me, CN; Ph, CN; H, CN; CN, CN). A remarkable reactivity of the complex was recorded, especially towards unstable aryldiazo compounds and electron‐poor olefins. The results obtained indicate that either cyclopropanation or metathesis products can be formed: the first products are favoured by the presence of a cyano substituent at the double bond and the second ones by a phenyl.
Flow past a transversely oscillating square cylinder in free stream at low Reynolds numbers
Authors: Singh A. P. , De A. K. , Carpenter V. K. , Eswaran V. , Muralidhar K.
Published: December 2008

This paper reports simulation results for free‐stream flow past an oscillating square cylinder at Re=100 and 150, for oscillating‐to‐natural‐shedding frequency ratios of 0.5⩽fr⩽3.0 at a fixed oscillation amplitude of 0.2 of the cylinder width. The transformed governing equations are solved in a non‐inertial frame of reference using the finite volume technique. The ‘lock‐in’ phenomena, where the vortex shedding becomes one with the oscillation frequency, is observed near the natural shedding frequency (fr≈1). Beyond the synchronization band, downstream recovery of the wake to its stationary (natural) state (frequency) is observed in cross‐stream velocity spectra. At higher forcing frequencies, a phase lag between the immediate and the far wake results in a shear layer having multi‐polar vortices. A ‘Vortex‐switch’ accompanied by a change in the direction of energy transfer is identified at the ‘lock‐in’ boundaries. The variation of aerodynamic forces is noticed to be different in the lock‐in regime. The velocity phase portrait in the far wake revealed a chaotic state of flow at higher excitation though a single (natural) frequency appears in the spectra. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Schwann cell alignment along the oriented electrospun chitosan nanofibers on nerve regeneration
Authors: Wang Wei , Itoh Soichiro , Konno Katsumi , Kikkawa Takeshi , Ichinose Shizuko , Sakai Katsuyoshi , Ohkuma Tsuneo , Watabe Kazuhiko
Published: December 2008

We have constructed a chitosan nonwoven nanofiber mesh tube consisting of oriented fibers by the electrospinning method. The efficacy of oriented nanofibers on Schwann cell alignment and positive effect of this tube on peripheral nerve regeneration were confirmed. The physical properties of the chitosan nanofiber mesh sheets prepared by electrospinning with or without fiber orientation were characterized. Then, immortalized Schwann cells were cultured on these sheets. Furthermore, the chitosan nanofiber mesh tubes with or without orientation, and bilayered chitosan mesh tube with an inner layer of oriented nanofibers and an outer layer of randomized nanofibers were bridgegrafted into rat sciatic nerve defect. As a result of fiber orientation, the tensile strength along the axis of the sheet increased. Because Schwann cells aligned along the nanofibers, oriented fibrous sheets could exhibit a Schwann cell column. Functional recovery and electrophysiological recovery occurred in time in the oriented group as well as in the bilayered group, and approximately matched those in the isograft. Furthermore, histological analysis revealed that the sprouting of myelinated axons occurred vigorously followed by axonal maturation in the isograft, oriented, and bilayered group in the order. The oriented chitosan nanofiber mesh tube may be a promising substitute for autogenous nerve graft. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Unavoidable parallel minors of 4‐connected graphs
Authors: Chun Carolyn , Ding Guoli , Oporowski Bogdan , Vertigan Dirk
Published: December 2008

A parallel minor is obtained from a graph by any sequence of edge contractions and parallel edge deletions. We prove that, for any positive integer k, every internally 4‐connected graph of sufficiently high order contains a parallel minor isomorphic to a variation of K4,k with a complete graph on the vertices of degree k, the k‐partition triple fan with a complete graph on the vertices of degree k, the k‐spoke double wheel, the k‐spoke double wheel with axle, the (2k+1)‐rung Möbius zigzag ladder, the (2k)‐rung zigzag ladder, or Kk. We also find the unavoidable parallel minors of 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐connected graphs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 60: 313‐326, 2009
Ischemic limb preconditioning downregulates systemic inflammatory activation
Authors: Szabó Andrea , Varga Renáta , Keresztes Margit , Vízler Csaba , Németh István , Rázga Zsolt , Boros Mihály
Published: December 2008

We examined local and systemic antiinflammatory consequences of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in a rat model of limb ischemia‐reperfusion (I‐R) by characterizing the leukocyte‐endothelial interactions in the periosteum and the expression of adhesion molecules playing a role in leukocyte‐mediated inflammatory processes. IPC induction (2 cycles of 10 min of complete limb ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion) was followed by 60 min of ischemia/180 min of reperfusion or sham‐operation. Data were compared with those on animals subjected to I‐R and sham‐operation. Neutrophil leukocyte‐endothelial cell interactions (intravital videomicroscopy), intravascular neutrophil activation (CD11b expression changes by flow cytometry), and soluble and tissue intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1; ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively) expressions were assessed. I‐R induced enhanced leukocyte rolling and adherence in the periosteal postcapillary venules after 120 and 180 min of reperfusion. This was associated with a significantly enhanced CD11b expression (by ∼80% and 72%, respectively) and moderately increased soluble and periosteal ICAM‐1 expressions. IPC prevented the I‐R–induced increases in leukocyte adherence and CD11b expression without influencing the soluble and tissue ICAM‐1 levels. The results show that limb IPC exerts not only local, but distant antiinflammatory effects through significant modulation of neutrophil recruitment. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 897–902, 2009
Partitioning and Localization of Fragrances in Surfactant Mixed Micelles
Authors: Fischer Elmar , Fieber Wolfgang , Navarro Charles , Sommer Horst , Benczédi Daniel , Velazco Maria Inés , Schönhoff Monika
Published: December 2008

The localization and dynamics of fragrance compounds in surfactant micelles are studied systematically in dependence on the hydrophobicity and chemical structure of the molecules. A broad range of fragrance molecules varying in octanol/water partition coefficientsPowis employed as probe molecules in an aqueous micellar solution, containing anionic and nonionic surfactants. Diffusion coefficients of surfactants and fragrances obtained by Pulsed Field Gradient (PFG)‐NMR yield the micelle/water distribution equilibrium. Three distinct regions along the log(Pow) axis are identified: hydrophilic fragrances (log(Pow) < 2) distribute almost equally between micellar and aqueous phases whereas hydrophobic fragrances (log(Pow) > 3.5) are fully solubilized in the micelles. A steep increase of the incorporated fraction occurs in the intermediate log(Pow) region. Here, distinct micelle swelling is found, while the incorporation of very hydrophobic fragrances does not lead to swelling. The chemical structure of the probe molecules, in addition to hydrophobicity, influences fragrance partitioning and micelle swelling. Structural criteria causing a decrease of the aggregate curvature (flattening) are identified.2H‐NMR spin relaxation experiments of selectively deuterated fragrances are performed monitoring local mobility of fragrance and leading to conclusions about their incorporation into either micellar interface or micelle core. The tendencies of different fragrance molecules (i) to cause interfacial incorporation, (ii) to lead to a flattening of the micellar curvature and (iii) to incorporate into micelles are shown to be correlated.
Molecular Genetics of Rice Root Development
Authors: Rebouillat J. , Dievart A. , Verdeil J. L. , Escoute J. , Giese G. , Breitler J. C. , Gantet P. , Espeout S. , Guiderdoni E. , Périn C.
Published: December 2008

Plant roots have a large range of functions, including acquisition of water and nutrients, as well as structural support. Dissecting the genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling rice root development is critical for the development of new rice ideotypes that are better adapted to adverse conditions and for the production of sustainably achieved rice yield potential. Most knowledge regarding the gene networks involved in root development has been accumulated in the model dicotyledon plant speciesArabidopsis thaliana. Rice, the model monocotyledon species, presents several singularities compared toA. thaliana, including a root architecture characterized by a fibrous root system comprising five types of embryonic and postembryonic roots. The anatomy and morphology of the rice root system, which is typical for a cereal, differs from that ofA. thaliana, for instance, by the presence of a lysigenous cortex and additional cell layers compared to the dicotyledon model. Moreover, the structure and functions of the root apical meristem (RAM) of rice are distinct from those ofA. thaliana. Recently, several rice root mutants have been identified via forward or reverse genetics, and these will aid in forming hypothesis to characterize either the divergence or conservation of genetic pathways relative toA. thaliana. Furthermore, these mutants will help to identify key genes in rice roots that may be missing inA. thaliana. This review summarizes both classical and recent data concerning the molecular genetics of rice root development, including root anatomy and morphology, RAM structure, RAM patterning, and root mutants.
Eyelid multiple cysts of the apocrine gland of Moll in Persian cats
Authors: Giudice Chiara , Muscolo Maria C. , Rondena Marco , Crotti Alberto , Grieco Valeria
Published: December 2008

Feline eyelid hidrocystoma is a rarely reported disease of the apocrine glands of Moll that has been variably interpreted as proliferative/neoplastic lesion or retention cyst. The purpose of this paper was to investigate feline hidrocystoma pathogenesis by means of a histological and immunohistochemical study. Nine paraffin embedded biopsies of eyelid hidrocystoma were retrieved from our archives. Histological sections were immunostained with antibodies anti-cytoskeletal proteins and Ki67 antigen. All hidrocystomas were observed in Persian cats, seven males/two females, mean age 9.6 years. Histologically, single or multiple, variably sized cysts expanded eyelid dermis. Cyst was lined by cuboidal epithelium, occasionally raising in papillary structures. Immunostaining was consistent with apocrine gland epithelium (cytokeratin 8/18; 19 and 14 positive). Ki67 immunolabelled nuclei ranged from 5.3 to 20.83%. Although it was not possible to draw a definite conclusion concerning hidrocystoma aetiopathogenesis, the relatively high Ki67-proliferative index observed, suggested a proliferative nature of the lesion.
Some reflections on Newton'sPrincipia
Authors: DAVIES E. B.
Published: December 2008

This article examines the text ofPrincipia Mathematicato discover the extent to which Newton's claims about his own contribution to it were justified. It is argued that for polemical reasons the General Scholium, written twenty-six years after the first edition, substantially misrepresented the methodology of the main body of the text. The article discusses papers of Wallis, Wren and Huygens that use the third law of motion as set out by Newton in Book 1. It also argues that Newton's use of induction is quite different from and subtler than the ‘logical’ and ‘probabilistic’ notions of induction discussed and then rejected by a number of twentieth-century philosophers.
Long-term effects of manure application on grain yield under different cropping systems and ecological conditions in China
Authors: ZHANG H. , XU M. , ZHANG F.
Published: December 2008

Rice (Oryza sativaL.), wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) and maize (Zea maysL.) are the main crops grown in China. Applying organic manures is an important practice in sustaining soil fertility and agricultural productivity in these cropping systems. The current paper presents the effects of manure application on grain yields in nine long-term experiments that consist of one continuous maize, four wheat–maize and four rice-based cropping systems across a wide range of agro-ecological regions in China. The study shows that regular manure application can increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and grain yield across all the sites. Overall, regular use of manure results in larger increases in SOC in the maize and wheat–maize systems than in the rice-based systems. Application of manure tends to increase the grain yield in the maize and wheat–maize systems during the final years, but increases the grain yield in the rice-based systems during the initial years of the long-term experiments. There is only one site that shows significant improvement in the yield trend in association with the application of manure. The effects of manure on yield trends are probably determined by the initial yield and/or the ‘organic C effect’ that may cause gradual improvements in SOC and soil physical properties.
Growth and yield responses of UK wheat cultivars to winter waterlogging
Authors: DICKIN E. , BENNETT S. , WRIGHT D.
Published: December 2008

Winter waterlogging is expected to become an increasingly serious problem due to climate change. It is therefore important to find whether differences in tolerance to waterlogging exist between wheat cultivars grown in the UK. Screening experiments were conducted outdoors and in a glasshouse to investigate the yield response to waterlogging and waterlogging tolerance at the seedling stage. The experiments suggested that differences in tolerance existed between cultivars, in the form of digression of some cultivars from their expected yield in the outdoor experiment and a significant interaction between cultivar and waterlogging for shoot and root dry weight in the seedling experiment. Cultivars that appeared to differ in their responses to waterlogging were further tested in a field experiment over two seasons and in a second glasshouse seedling experiment. However, there was no significant relationship between measurements taken at the seedling stage and grain yield at maturity; also the field experiment did not provide compelling evidence of differences in tolerance. Cultivars with the largest yield suffered the largest decrease due to waterlogging, and the yield of the cultivar with the lowest yield potential was unaffected. All cultivars showed considerable ability to compensate for winter waterlogging damage by vigorous spring growth. All cultivars produced nodal roots in response to waterlogging, and these displayed evidence of aerenchyma tissue by penetrating below the water level, but no cultivar was any better in this respect than any other. The results of these experiments suggest that screening for waterlogging tolerance at the seedling stage is not representative of final yield. It is suggested that the lack of diversity for tolerance is a result of the inbred nature of UK wheat cultivars and that the overall good level of tolerance and ability to compensate has been selected for, either inadvertently, or as a result of selecting the best cultivars in UK conditions, where tolerance to waterlogging is a part of the general winter hardiness required.
Assessing intercultural capability in learning languages: Some issues and considerations
Authors: Scarino Angela
Published: December 2008

Teachers of languages, as well as educators in general and employers, increasingly recognise the importance of developing intercultural capability. This recognition, however, brings the question of how this is evidenced as an outcome of learning. The assessment of this capability poses a range of theoretical and practical challenges. I begin with a description of languages learning within an intercultural orientation and a model for understanding assessment. I then discuss issues of conceptualising and defining the construct, as integral to the process of assessment. Next, I consider issues in eliciting intercultural capability in a proposed framework that includes assessment as both communicative performance (elicited in ‘critical moments’) and meta-awareness (elicited in commentaries). To conclude, I discuss issues related to identifying and judging evidence of the development of the intercultural capability and warranting the inferences made about students' developing understanding. The discussion is based on the experience of ongoing studies investigating the assessment of the intercultural capability in learning languages and in international education.
But and Negation
Authors: von Klopp Ana
Published: December 2008

Many languages (e.g. Spanish, German, and Swedish) have more than one morpheme corresponding to the English “but”. It has been argued by Anscombre & Ducrot (1977) and by Horn (1989) that two of these morphemes covary with two different functions of natural language negation. Anscombre's and Ducrot's descriptions of these BUTs are examined, and it is shown that there is no such link. There is, however, an interesting connection between “but” and negation. One of the two morphemes imposes a restriction on the use of negation in the clause that follows it, which suggests that natural language negation does not correspond to a truth function.
Cognitive Morphology in Swedish: Studies with Normals and Aphasics
Authors: Ahlsén Elisabeth
Published: December 2008

A multiple methods approach was applied to the study of morphology on the processing of lexical items in Swedish. Data from slips-of-the-tongue, agrammatic speech production, agrammatic oral reading, and lexical decision experiments were used. The results indicate that whole word processing as well as morphological processing takes place in the different types of tasks. The type of processing seems to vary along a continuum, with whole word processing as the most commonly applied type in automatized and relatively simple processing (such as lexical decision for common Swedish words), whereas signs of morpheme-based processing appear less often, and perhaps in less automatized tasks (such as agrammatic speech production).
We Can't Go On Meeting Like This
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik
Published: December 2008

The article investigates the meeting between linguistics and literary theory under the auspices of cognitive grammar. First, it places this recent meeting in contrast to the relation between the two under structuralism; second, it sketches the philosophical foundations of cognitive linguistics in a series of related ideal types, such as cognitivism, diagrammatism, gestaltism, phenomenology, etc.; third, it investigates the literary theory of cognitive semantics in Lakoff and Turner'sMore Than Cool Reasonas a background for some critical remarks.
Remarks on the Formation of Cojunctions in Germanic Languages
Authors: Braunmüller Kurt
Published: December 2008

This paper focusses upon the semantics of cojunctions and their referential properties in texts.

It is show that the function of conjunctions can be descrined in terms of deictic theory of didcourse reference. The main argument is that there is in principle neituer a functional nor an original historical difference berween pronominal/deictic expressions on the one hand, and conjunctions on the other.

Some general aspects of the historical evolution of conjunctional expressions in Germanic languages are presented which are necessary in order to reach an explanatory level in linguistic description. Thus an analysis of the processes of univerbation, deletion, morphological differentiation, and shifts of morphological classes is given, based on data from the different branches of Germanic.
Synchronic Umlaut in Old Icelandic
Authors: Iverson Gregory K.
Published: December 2008

Recent papers by Cathey and Demers (1975, 1976, 1977, ms) have incorporated an analysis of Old Icelandic phonology in which purely phonetically conditioned rules ofi-Umlaut andu-Umlaut are crucial not only to the analysis itself, but to the theoretical implications theauthors draw from that analysis. Synchronically, however, the non exceptional application ofi-Umlaut is restricted to just four morpho-syntactic classes: athematic andj-thematic verbs in the preterite subjunctive,j-thematic verbs in the non-preterite, adjectives with a consonant-initial comparative suffix, and athematic feminine or pluralr-stem nouns. Historical u-Umlaut continues to round a to Q before u in the next syllable even in literary Old Icelandic, but its application is also morphologically induced, viz. a → Q in all feminines, plurals, and u-stems not followed by a vocalic suffix. All intraparadigmatic umlaut alternations are covered by these morphologizations, which in turn obviate the abstractions proposed by Cathey and Demers.
A Note on Old Norwegian Vowel Harmony
Authors: Hagland Jan Ragnar
Published: December 2008

In some dialects of Old Norwegian unstressed non-low vowels have a distribution which has traditionally been defined as vowel harmony. However, such vowels after low stressed vowels have a distributional pattern which cannot be fully accounted for in terms of vowel harmony. On the basis of data from one vowel harmony dialect of Old Norwegian (Trøndelag) the present note suggests that the distribution of unstressed non-low vowels should be regarded as the result of four separate processes rather than one, including both vowel harmony and vowel reduction.
Deep Case, Text Surface, and Information Structure
Authors: Källgren Gunnel
Published: December 2008

This article is an attempt at combining sentence level and text level by similar means of analysis, based on a DEEP CASE MODEL. Tentative lists of DEEP CASES and TEXTUAL RELATIONS are given and discussed.

The theoretical apparatus has been developed through empirical analyses of important notion of LINK FAMILY is introduced. The ultimate goal of this type of analysis is to find the INFORMATION STRUCTURE of texts, but its connections wiht e.g. “pure” TEXTUAL COHESION are also treated.
A Phantom of a Rule: Icelandic Vowel Shift
Authors: Benediktsson Hreinn
Published: December 2008

The article deals with Stephen R. Anderson's Icelandic Vowel Shift Rule as an example of the general concept ofexchange ruleand involvingmarked vs. unmarked rule orde˚. The evidence adduced from Modern as well as Old Icelandic is reexamined in detail and shown to be in fact nonexistent. The paper ends with a few concluding remarks on the general notions involved.
Some Remarks on the Syntactic Construction “Attributive Expansion” in Norwegian
Authors: Venås Kjell
Published: December 2008

“Attributive expansion” renders directly the Norwegian term “attributiv sperring”, which has been used by grammarians to designate the syntactic construction exemplified by de for arbeiderne mest påtrengende spørsmål (the for the labourers most urgent questions) Owing its existence to German influence this construction is infrequent in Norwegian to-day, and grammarians have characterized it as completely obsolete. An examination of various kinds of Norwegian reveals, however, that it still exists, in writing and orally. The surface appearance of the construction is analysed on hte basis of examples selected from an excerpted material, and the construction is compared with its chief alternative, which consists of the head and a relative clause. some acceptability condition are assessed
Finnish Syntax in Text: Methodology and Some Results of a Quantitative Study
Authors: Hakulinen Auli , Karlsson Fred
Published: December 2008

The Paper contains a report on the theory and methodology used in a project on finnish syntax as investigated in (some genres of written) text. 123 texts containing 10,149 clauses (5016 graphical sentences) were analyzed according to a syntactic coding frame containing 63 variables. The variables include sentences structure, clause structure, clause type, clause function, clause length, surface word order, constituent structure, the text semantic and referential properties of nominal constituents, and some movement and deletion transformations. The theoretical considerations behind the selection of the variables are discussed in detail, as are the principles for syntactic sampling. The usefulness of the computer for certain low-level tasks is demonstrated, such as finding correlations between variables. The relevance of quantitative data to ‘qualitative’ syntactic description is stressed.
Mhd. beide/beidiu … und(e). Kritische Bewertung einer Distributionsregel
Authors: Gjelsten Bodil
Published: December 2008

In this paper, the hypothesis postulated by Askedal (1974), that the MHG forms beide and beidiu in combination with und(e) occur in syntactically determined complementary distribution in a statistical sense, is subjected to critical examination. It is aruged that on the basis of the statistical material employed in support of this hypothesis, it seems impossible to conclude that the syntactical environments influence the choice of the forms beide and beidiu.
Language, Meaning and Human Knowledge
Authors: Õim Haldur
Published: December 2008

The paper touches upon the relations between grammar-oriented and communication-oriented ways of analysing language in the light of some recent related developments in theoretical linguistics, congnitive psychology and artificial intelligence. The integration of (linguistic) meaning, situational interpretation and background knowledge is discussed. In Particular, different types of linguistically relevant common-sense knowledge and higher level cognitive procedures are considered.
Grammar and the Intersubjectivity of Language. Focus on Epistemic Verbs
Authors: Heltoft Lars
Published: December 2008

This paper argues that Jürgen Habermas' theory of universal pragmatics is valuable for semantic and text-linguistic theory. Habermas' distinctions between communicative action (Kommunikatives Handeln) and discourse (Diskurs; debate on the validity of statements) are reflected in linguistic structure, as is his distinction between the four dimensions involved in every speech, act: comprehensibility, truth, sincerity, and correctness. The primary question is: Given that Habermas' distinctions are universal, what means of signalling them do natural languages contain? The present article limits itself to contrastive focus and epistemic verbs. The application of contrastive focus, to epistemic verbs enables speakers to mark the distinction between communicative action and discourse (the level of debate) and to clarify the dimension, under debate: comprehensibility, truth, sincerity, or correctness.
Formal and Functional Restrictions on the Productivity of Word Formation Rules (WFRs)
Authors: Górska Elżbieta
Published: December 2008

A better understanding of problem of productivity of WERs is necessary not only to define the concept of a WEF, but also to find a “place” for the WF component in the model of generative grammar. The paper analyese one approach, in which the productivity is measured in terms of competence restrictions, on the basis of Nouns of Location in Polish. It is claimed that the productivity of a WFR is determined not only by relations of a base to an affix, but also by interrelations within the system of WFRs. A functional and/or formal conspiracy of WFRs may have an inhibitory and facilitatory effect on productivity. Thus, the concept of competence restrictions on the Productivity of WFRs developed so far is too narrow.
Tag Questions and Grammatical Acceptability
Authors: Hintikka Jaakko
Published: December 2008

Recent grammars rule out uninverted tag questions (unnegated tag questions when the main clause is also unnegated and vice versa) as ungrammatical. It is argued that the inversion is merely a conversational phenomenon which is not always required. Linguists requiring inversion have been misled by their “intuitions”, which cast general doubts on their role in recent linguistic theorizing.