bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Potential of Nanotechnology in Fisheries and Aquaculture: Opportunities and Implications
Authors: Narsale Swapnil Ananda , Debbarma Sourabh , Prakash Patekar , Sheikh Samad , Shinde Sagar , Baidya Sampa
Published: March 2024

Aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing global food industries in recent years, playing a vital role in meeting the increasing demand for animal protein. However, several challenges, such as disease prevalence, chemical contamination, environmental degradation and inefficient feed utilization, have significantly impeded the sector's ability to contribute effectively to global food security. To address these challenges, considerable efforts have been made to leverage advancements in science and technology within aquaculture. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising and effective tool to tackle these challenges across various aspects of aquaculture, including fish nutrition, biotechnology, genetics, reproduction, pathology and environmental sustainability. The utilization of emerging nano-materials, such as nano-elements enriched feed, has notably enhanced fish growth and has been applied in aquatic systems to mitigate pollutants, thereby reducing treatment costs. Furthermore, integrating genetically manipulated techniques with nano-biotechnology has led to significant advancements in fish genetics research. Innovative nanotechnology applications, such as nano-sensors, DNA nano-vaccines and drug delivery systems, have revolutionized fish health, reproduction and immune system management. Additionally, nanotechnology is increasingly employed in the fish processing industry to ensure sterile packaging, precise flavoring and high-quality products. Moreover, bio-nano-engineering techniques for optimal utilization of fishery wastes and the implementation of green nanoparticles signify a promising era in post-harvesting practices. This comprehensive review aims to delve into nanotechnology's diverse and good applications in aquaculture, exploring its potential and the challenges it presents.
Components of Genetic Variation for Yield and its Attributing Traits in Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.)
Authors: Harshitha C. R.  , Yadav G. C. , Anjali  , Patel Abinash Kumar
Published: March 2024

An investigation was carried out to assess the gene action in bottle gourd for twenty- three characters at Main Experiment Station, Department of Vegetable Science, A.N.D.U.A.&T., Kumarganj, Ayodhya (U.P). during Zaid 2022 using 12 genotypes, nine lines i.e., Narendra Rashmi, NDBG-17, Pusa Naveen, NDBG-21, Punjab Komal, NDBG-28, NDBG-65-2, NDBG-105, NDBG-Sel-2 and three testers i.e., Narendra Prabha, Narendra Kamna, Narendra Pooja and their 27 hybrids obtained through line × tester mating pattern. The variances due to sca (σ2 s) were higher than variance due to gca (σ2g) for all the characters. The value of dominance genetic variances (σ2 D) were larger than additive genetic variance (σ2 A), indicating the presence of dominance and over dominance effects and preponderance of non-additive gene action .The heritability in narrow sense was low for most of the traits except fruit length, days to first staminate flower anthesis and primary branches per plant where high estimate of  heritability in narrow sense with low genetic advance were recorded, indicating the presence of non-additive gene action accompanied by environmental influence.
From Drop to Delta: Optimizing Water Footprint for Food Security
Authors: Anand Shubham , Kaur Komalpreet , Kaur Sirat , Kataria Palvi
Published: March 2024

Due to population growth and decreasing freshwater resources, many countries may face a decline in their ability to be self-sufficient in food production. The issue of freshwater contamination and scarcity needs to be addressed globally because a sizeable majority of the world's population lives in areas where water scarcity occurs for at least one month every year. The world economy plays a role in localized water contamination and depletion, especially as water is increasingly used for exporting goods. The idea of water footprints is a practical way to gauge how much water is needed to produce goods and services and to promote sustainability in industrial and food production. The use of water for various reasons can result in the appropriation of valuable data that can be used to examine the environmental, social, and economic effects and advance conversations about fair and sustainable water use. The idea of a water footprint ultimately aims to encourage wise and effective water use.
Bacteriological Tracing of Haemophilus influenzae in Some Public Toilet Seat Bowls of Port Harcourt
Authors: Amadi-Ikpa, C. N.  , Okwelle, A. A.
Published: March 2024

The study aimed at tracing Haemophilus influenzae on toilet seat bowls of some public toilets in Port Harcourt. The toilets were coded DER, TYU, AFR for park, market and hospital toilets respectively, for the purpose of the study. Swabs were collected aseptically from the toilet seat bowls, with a moistened swab stick, and then introduced into a freshly prepared sterile peptone water for viability of the Haemophilus influenza isolates. Thereafter, the spread plate technique was employed in which the swabbed samples were inoculated into Chocolate agar. Result showed toilet seat bowl coded DER had a Haemophilus influenzae mean count of 5 x 102CFU/ml while codes TYU and AFR had a mean Haemophilus influenzae counts of 6 x 102 and 9 x 102 CFU/ml respectively.  A percentage frequency occurrence of Haemophilus influenzae on the toilet bowl showed DER coded toilets had 17% frequency of occurrence, while codes TYU and AFR had 25 and 58% frequency of occurrence respectively. A total of 49 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae were identified macroscopically and biochemically. The presence of Haemophilus influenzae on surface of toilet seat bowl may have resulted from aerosols generated during flushing. Thus, influenza infection (respiratory tract infection) may affect users. Hence, toilet seats, specifically, codes AFR class of toilets should be closed before and after flushing at all times.
Language skills and neuropsychological performance in patients with SHH mutations and a holoprosencephaly‐like phenotype
Authors: Santiago Giselda , Abramides Dagma Venturini Marques , De‐Vitto Luciana Paula Maximino , Ribeiro Lucilene Arilho , Meira Silvio Garcia , Richieri‐Costa Antonio
Published: June 2006

Here, we evaluate linguistic skills and neuropsychological performance in a sample of patients with SHH mutations and a holoprosencephaly (HPE)‐like phenotype, a minor form of classic HPE. Our findings suggest that patients with SHH mutations and a HPE‐like phenotype have normal cognitive ratios and significant language impairment. Imaging evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal in three patients and in one there was hypoplasia of the anterior commissure and the presence of a temporal cyst, apparently not related to the clinical findings. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retaliatory discourse: the politics of attack and withdrawal
Authors: Layton Lynne
Published: June 2006

Long‐term and recent sociopolitical trends in the USA pull for narcissistic ways of fashioning the self and relating to others. Discourses that sustain a split between capacities for autonomy and capacities for attachment, and discourses that sustain a split between individuals and their social surround elicit omnipotent and/or submissive modes of narcissistic relating. An increasingly vulnerable and socially abandoned population, conditioned to be ashamed of its vulnerabilities and dependency, finds itself subject to discourses that pull for various splits between “us” and “them.” This situation is a breeding ground for a politics of attack, or a politics of hostile withdrawal, or both. Neoconservatism fosters a politics of attack, and liberalism fosters a politics of withdrawal. Drawing on the psychoanalytic concept of “thirdness,” the paper concludes that only discourses and institutions that foster interdependence, containment of vulnerability, and the bringing together of relational and autonomous capacities can counter retaliatory politics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcatheter closure of a ventricular septal defect resulting from knife stabbing using the Amplatzer muscular VSD occluder
Authors: Berry Colin , Hillis W. Stewart , Knight W. Brodie
Published: June 2006

We report for the first time the transcatheter closure of a traumatic ventricular septal defect (VSD) with the Amplatzer muscular VSD occluder in a 34‐year‐old man who had been stabbed through the heart. After his initial life‐saving surgery to relieve tamponade, control bleeding, and repair the lacerated right ventricle, the risks and difficulties of subsequent open heart surgery were felt to favor transcatheter closure. We review other reports of transcatheter closure of traumatic VSD. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss., Inc.
Automated interpretation of subcellular patterns in fluorescence microscope images for location proteomics
Authors: Chen Xiang , Velliste Meel , Murphy Robert F.
Published: June 2006

Proteomics, the large scale identification and characterization of many or all proteins expressed in a given cell type, has become a major area of biological research. In addition to information on protein sequence, structure and expression levels, knowledge of a protein's subcellular location is essential to a complete understanding of its functions. Currently, subcellular location patterns are routinely determined by visual inspection of fluorescence microscope images. We review here research aimed at creating systems for automated, systematic determination of location. These employ numerical feature extraction from images, feature reduction to identify the most useful features, and various supervised learning (classification) and unsupervised learning (clustering) methods. These methods have been shown to perform significantly better than human interpretation of the same images. When coupled with technologies for tagging large numbers of proteins and high‐throughput microscope systems, the computational methods reviewed here enable the new subfield of location proteomics. This subfield will make critical contributions in two related areas. First, it will provide structured, high‐resolution information on location to enable Systems Biology efforts to simulate cell behavior from the gene level on up. Second, it will provide tools for Cytomics projects aimed at characterizing the behaviors of all cell types before, during, and after the onset of various diseases. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Bim mediates apoptosis of CD127lo effector T cells and limits T cell memory
Authors: Wojciechowski Sara , Jordan Michael B. , Zhu Yanan , White Janice , Zajac Allan J. , Hildeman David A.
Published: June 2006

Following an acute T cell response, most activated effector cells die, while some survive and become memory cells. The pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family member, Bcl‐2 interacting mediator of death (Bim) is critical for eliminating most effector T cells, while expression of CD127 (IL‐7Rα) has been proposed to mark effector cells destined to become memory cells. Here, we examined the effects of Bim on the death of effector T cells in relationship to CD127 expression and on development of T cell memory following lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. We found that large numbers of CD127lo LCMV‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were lost in wild‐type mice, but were spared in Bim–/– mice. Further, while the numbers of CD127hi T cells declined only slightly during contraction of the response in wild‐type mice, they increased significantly in Bim–/– mice due to re‐expression of CD127 on CD127lo T cells that had avoided apoptosis. Functional memory T cells were significantly increased in Bim–/– mice; however, they underwent a slow attrition due to decreased proliferative renewal. Taken together, these data suggest that the absence of Bim‐mediated death of LCMV‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vivo can increase T cell memory, but other homeostatic mechanisms control the long‐term maintenance of memory cells.
Characterization of nano hydroxyapatite/collagen surfaces and cellular behaviors
Authors: Zhu Xiaolong , Eibl Oliver , Scheideler Lutz , Geis‐Gerstorfer Jürgen
Published: June 2006

Osseointegration at the bone–implant interface is a prerequisite for endosseous implants to succeed in achieving and maintaining their long‐term stability in bone tissue. The achievement of osseointegration is significantly affected by surface nature of implants. To optimize osseointegration, this study presents the characterization of synthesized nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nano HA) and in vitro studies on nano HA, nano‐HA/collagen, and titanium surfaces. Voids were found within the grain of nano HA, which consisted of the shell and the core. The finding assists the clarification of microstructures of nano HA. By low‐temperature mixing nano‐HA sol with collagen gel (nano‐HA/collagen 80:20), nano HA, and nano‐HA/collagen coated on pure titanium or porous anodic titanium oxides resulted in higher wettability and lower roughness. The in vitro studies showed that porous structures produced by anodic oxides on titanium served as positive anchorage sites for cell filopodia to connect, and nano HA decreased cell attachment of osteoblasts and induced well‐developed long filopodia and broad lamellipodia, thereby enhancing cellular motility. Collagen involvement enhanced cell adhesion to nano HA. Cell reactions to nano HA, nano‐HA/collagen, native, and porous titanium surfaces provide some guidance for an optimal osseointegration by their application in surface modifications for implants. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Monolithic enantiomer‐selective stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Qin Feng , Xie Chuanhui , Yu Zhiyuan , Kong Liang , Ye Mingliang , Zou Hanfa
Published: June 2006

Monolithic materials have become a well‐established format for stationary phases in the field of capillary electrochromatography. Four types of monoliths, namely particle‐fixed, silica‐based, polymer‐based, and molecularly imprinted monoliths, have been utilized as enantiomer‐selective stationary phases in CEC. This review summarizes recent developments in the area of monolithic enantiomer‐selective stationary phases for CEC. The preparative procedure and the characterization of these columns are highlighted. In addition, the disadvantages and limitations of different monolithic enantiomer‐selective stationary phases in CEC are briefly discussed.
Autoignition of H2/CO at elevated pressures in a rapid compression machine
Authors: Mittal Gaurav , Sung Chih‐Jen , Yetter Richard A.
Published: June 2006

Autoignition of H2/O2 and H2/CO/O2 mixtures has been studied in a rapid compression machine at pressures from 15 to 50 bar, temperatures from 950 to 1100 K, and equivalence ratios from 0.36 to 1.6. In addition, the effect of change in relative concentrations of H2 and CO is investigated by replacing H2 with CO, while keeping the total fuel mole fraction of the combined H2/CO fuel constant. Under the experimental conditions of intermediate temperature and high pressure, reactions involving formation and consumption of HO2 and H2O2 are important. Results show that for H2 autoignition, the mechanism of O'Conaire et al. agrees well with the experimental data, although some improvements can still be made. At all the pressures investigated, replacement of some amount of H2 by CO in a reacting mixture leads to an increase in ignition delay, even with small amounts of CO addition. The inhibition effect of CO addition is also observed to be much more pronounced with increasing pressure. For H2/CO mixtures, the existing mechanisms of Li et al., Davis et al., and GRI‐Mech 3.0 fail to describe the experimental trend of ignition delay. At a pressure of 50 bar, ignition delays are seen to decrease monotonically with O2 addition, although such an effect is rather weak. Kinetic analysis further demonstrates that under the present experimental conditions, CO + HO2 = CO2 + OH is the primary reaction responsible for the mismatch of experimental and calculated ignition delays. Significant improvements in the ignition delay predictions can be made by reducing this reaction rate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 516–529, 2006
Controlled radical polymerization by carboxyl‐ and hydroxyl‐terminated dithiocarbamates and xanthates
Authors: Lai John T. , Shea Ronald
Published: June 2006

Carboxyl‐ and hydroxyl‐terminated dithiocarbamates and xanthates were practically synthesized. Carboxyl‐ and hydroxyl‐terminated polymers were made from them. These reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents had low chain‐transfer constants that resulted in wider molecular distributions for the polymers. Nevertheless, kinetic studies showed that the polymerization behaved like a RAFT‐mediated process after a fast start. 1H NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization spectra confirmed that the functional group or groups were cleanly transferred to the polymer end or ends. The copolymerization of methacrylates and acrylates could bring the former under control during radical polymerization. Block copolymers were synthesized through the condensation of the functional polymers with other types of functional polymers or through the condensation of the functional agents followed by radical polymerization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4298–4316, 2006
Relationship of species composition of tropical seagrass meadows to multiple physical environmental factors
Authors: Tanaka Yoshiyuki , Kayanne Hajime
Published: June 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between species composition of tropical seagrasses and various physical environmental factors: depth, sediment thickness and silt–clay content in the sediments. We investigated species composition and abundance of seagrasses as well as the physical environmental factors for six transects around Ishigaki Island, southwest Japan. Eight species occurred in the quadrat census. The occurrence frequencies ranged from 66.8% (Thalassia hemprichii) to 4.5% (Enhalus acoroides). Both canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and cluster analysis elucidated that depth was mainly responsible for the distributions of species and assemblage type. Monte Carlo permutation for partial CCA revealed that 37.5% of the variance was explained by depth, 10.3% by sediment thickness and 4.6% by silt–clay content in the sediment. Twenty‐six sites were categorized into four assemblage types by a cluster analysis using the leaf area index (LAI; the ratio of total leaf area to bottom area) as a measure of species abundance. Type I was dominated by T. hemprichii and Cymodocea rotundata, Type II by C. serrulata, Type III by E. acoroides, and Type IV by Halodule pinifolia and Halophila ovalis. Type I occurred mostly in the intertidal zone (91.3±30.5 cm below MSL, mean sea level), Type II in the subtidal zone (179.1±75.0 cm below MSL) and Type IV in both shallow sites (between 47.8 and 75.6 cm below MSL) and in those with low silt–clay contents (between 2.0 and 3.8%).
Prevalence of hyperventilation syndrome in an allergy clinic, compared with a routine ENT clinic
Authors: Ogata N , Bapat U , Darby Y , Scadding G
Published: June 2006

Objectives: A high prevalence of chronic hyperventilation syndrome in patients with asthma has been reported. We examined whether this phenomenon extended to allergy clinic patients in general and whether the prevalence was higher in patients attending a general allergy clinic compared with those attending a routine ENT clinic in our hospital.

Methods: We examined the prevalence of hyperventilation syndrome in unselected, consecutive patients (n = 100) seen in an allergy clinic. The validated Nijmegen questionnaire was completed by patients in the waiting room. We also administered the questionnaire to unselected, consecutive patients (n = 100) in a routine ENT clinic.

Results: There was no significant difference in prevalence of hyperventilation between allergy clinic and routine ENT clinic patients (25/100 vs 23/100).

Conclusion: The result indicates a high prevalence of hyperventilation amongst hospital attendees in general. Consideration should perhaps be given to the possible role of hyperventilation in symptomatology.
Ascaris suuminfections in pigs born and raised on contaminated paddocks
Authors: MEJER H. , ROEPSTORFF A.
Published: June 2006

The transmission ofAscaris suumwas studied in outdoor reared pigs. From May to June 2001, 6 farrowing paddocks were naturally contaminated withA. suumusing experimentally infected seeder pigs. Early July, 1 sow farrowed on each paddock. One piglet per litter was slaughtered every second week starting at week 3post-partum(p.p.) for registration of liver white spots and recovery ofA. suumfrom the lungs and the small intestine. The last pigs were slaughtered at week 19 p.p. Faeces was examined for parasite eggs and blood was analysed forA. suum-specific antibodies. Weaning took place at week 7 p.p. by removing the sow. Paddock infection levels were estimated by regular examination of soil samples and in late June and late November using parasite naïve tracer pigs. Paddock contamination was high but eggs developed slowly resulting in a low initial transmission to the experimental pigs. By week 5 p.p. transmission had increased and the numbers of infective eggs in the soil increased during the study. The results indicate a continuous uptake of infective eggs, but visceral larval migration was reduced with time, probably due to the development of a pre-hepatic barrier. Nevertheless, a rather large population of adult worms remained in the pigs throughout the study, and it may primarily have been eggs ingested in the early infection phase that gave rise to the patent infections. It is suggested that neonatal exposure may result in increased persistence and size of adult worm burden and that the higher ‘life-time worm burden’ may be of significant economic importance.
Socioeconomic correlates of antibody levels to enteric pathogens among Israeli adolescents
Authors: HASIN T. , DAGAN R. , BOUTBOUL G. , DERAZNE E. , ATIAS O. , COHEN D.
Published: June 2006

We examined the association between socioeconomic status and the level of serum antibodies to selected faeco-orally transmitted pathogens among Israeli adolescents. Random samples of eighty volunteers aged 12–15 years from high (HSL), medium (MSL) and low (LSL) standard of living towns were included in the study. Serum samples were examined by radioimmunoassay for HAV and by in-house-developed ELISA systems for IgA and IgG antibody levels against Shigella sonnei, S. flexneri, E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 lipopolysacchride and Cryptosporidium parvum antigens. Seropositivity to HAV was highest (98·8%) in the LSL towns and lowest (25%) in the HSL towns, showing a statistically significant linear trend. Antibody levels to the other enteropathogens had gender variation, with higher titres in females. Significantly lower titres in the HSL towns were found for: IgA anti-S. sonnei in females (P<0·001); IgG anti-S. sonnei in females (P=0·024) and males (P=0·033); IgG anti-S. flexneri in females (P=0·016). Inverse linear association with socioeconomic status was found for IgA anti-C. parvum in females (P<0·001); IgA anti-E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 in females (P<0·001) and males (P=0·024). A statistically significant association between HAV seropositivity and higher titres of IgA anti-S. sonnei and E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 was shown. In conclusion, exposure to enteropathogens transmitted via the faecal–oral route in communities of lower socioeconomic status is reflected in a higher prevalence of lifelong lasting antibodies to HAV, and higher levels of antibodies to bacterial and protozoan enteropathogens. Among females, the levels of specific serum antibodies are higher and more strongly associated with low socioeconomic status.
Antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype and genotype distribution of meningococci in Portugal, 2001–2002
Authors: FERREIRA E. , DIAS R. , CANIÇA M.
Published: June 2006

One hundred and eighteen Neisseria meningitidis isolates were recovered from patients with invasive meningococcal disease in Portugal, over one year. Our study was undertaken to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility, serogroup, serotype and genotype of isolates. One quarter (24·6%) of the isolates showed moderate resistance to penicillin and 47·4% were resistant to sulphadiazine. The two most common serosubtypes were C:2b:P1.5,2 (31·3%) and B:4:P1.15 (3·4%). Half (53·6%) of the isolates with moderate resistance to penicillin were phenotype C:2b:P1.5,2 (n=14), C:2b:P1.2 (n=1) or C:2b:NST (n=1); Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed that all these isolates were genetically related. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of representative clones from each PFGE pattern showed the predominance of the ST-8 complex/cluster A4 among N. meningitidis with moderate resistance to penicillin. This clonal complex has been principally found in Southern Europe. The apparent emergence and dissemination of the hypervirulent ST-8 complex/cluster A4 among serogroup C strains increases the need for a continued surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of meningococci and of genotypic markers in Portugal.
A recurring salmonellosis epidemic in New Zealand linked to contact with sheep
Authors: BAKER M. G. , THORNLEY C. N. , LOPEZ L. D. , GARRETT N. K. , NICOL C. M.
Published: June 2006

One strain of Salmonella Brandenburg began causing large numbers of human infections in New Zealand in 1998. We investigated the emergence of this strain using combined notification and laboratory data on human and animal disease and a case-control study. S. Brandenburg infection in humans was characterized by spring peaks and high rates in the southern half of the South Island. This epidemic pattern followed very closely that seen in sheep. The case-control study found that infection was significantly associated with occupational contact with sheep and having a household member who had occupational contact with sheep, during the 3 days prior to illness or interview. We conclude that S. Brandenburg has become established as a zoonotic disease in New Zealand. Preventing infection requires control of the epidemic in sheep through vaccination, changes in farm management practices, and promotion of hand washing and other precautions to protect farmers and their families.
Development of ideas about the origin of the universe
Authors: DE JAGER CORNELIS
Published: June 2006

After considering the evolution of thoughts about the origin of the Universe since antiquity, the evolution of scientific methods is described. The current view on the origin of the universe is considered in the light of these methods
Acquisition and disclosure of genetic information under alternative policy regimes: an economic analysis
Authors: Wilson Deborah
Published: June 2006

A current policy issue is whether, and if so under what circumstances, insurance companies should be given access to genetic test results. The insurance industry argues for mandatory disclosure in order to avoid problems of adverse selection; an alternative would be a moratorium or legislation preventing such disclosure; a third option a voluntary disclosure law. This paper investigates the impact of these policies on individuals' incentives to both acquire genetic information and to disclose it to providers of health and/or life insurance. The theoretical framework used to inform this analysis is provided by the ‘games of persuasion’ literature, in which one agent tries to influence another agent's decision by selectively withholding her private information regarding quality. The application of the theoretical framework to this policy context yields the following results. Individuals have the incentive to acquire genetic information and to disclose the test results if disclosure is voluntary. If, however, they are obliged to disclose the results of any genetic tests they have taken, their incentive may be not to acquire such information. I discuss the policy implications of these findings both from the point of view of the insurance industry and from a public health perspective.
The private–public mix of healthcare: evidence from a decentralised NHS country
Authors: Midttun Linda , Hagen Terje P.
Published: June 2006

Privatizations of public services are often driven by economic scarcity and changes in political leadership, in particular election victories for conservative or neoliberal political parties. Data from Norwegian counties on numbers of medical specialists in secondary care over a period of 11 years (1991–2001) allow us to analyse effects of economic, socioeconomic, and political factors on supply of both public and private specialists and the private–public mix. We find striking variations between the main explanatory factors related to public and private supply. Supply of public specialists is explained by counties' revenue levels and demographic factors and is not affected by the party composition of councils. The supply of private specialist medical services is negatively related to the proportion of elderly patients. The scarcity hypothesis is confirmed as lower county revenue levels increase both the absolute and relative proportions of private supply. Political composition of councils affects the private proportion of medical specialists as increased representation of conservatives leads to privatization.
Arzneimittelanwendung über Sonden
Authors: Pfaff
Published: June 2006

In den letzten Jahren ist eine steigende Zahl über Sonden künstlich ernährter Patienten zu verzeichnen. Davon ist sowohl der stationäre wie auch der ambulante Sektor betroffen. Ärzte, Pfleger, Apotheker und Angehörige sehen sich mit Fragestellungen der Arzneimittelapplikation via Sonde konfrontiert. Häufig müssen mehrere Arzneimittel zusätzlich zur künstlichen Ernährung über die Sonde verabreicht werden. Unter anderem ist die Auswahl eines geeigneten Arzneimittels von Bedeutung, um Komplikationen zu vermeiden und eine sichere und effektive Therapie sicher zu stellen.
Spaceborne observations of ocean glint reflectance and modeling of wave slope distributions
Authors: Bréon F. M. , Henriot N.
Published: June 2006

Measurements of wind speed and direction from the NASA Scatterometer and ocean reflectance from the POLDER multi‐directional radiometer are used for a quantitative analysis of the ocean glint intensity and shape. These two instruments have been flying on board the ADEOS satellite platform, which assures a very large data set of coincident measurements distributed over all oceans. The glint intensity and pattern is directly related to the wave slope probability function. The slope distribution model developed by Cox and Munk (1954) more than half a century ago, which is a function of wind speed and direction, permits an excellent fit of the observation. In particular, the modeled mean square slope is in near perfect agreement with that derived from the satellite data. The latter permit, however, a novel analysis of the deviations from a pure Gaussian slope distribution. In particular, it is shown that the skewness is a non‐linear function of the wind speed. A typical glint reflectance in the specular direction is 0.2, which is therefore significantly smaller than, for instance, a typical cloud reflectance. There are large variations with the Sun zenith angle, however, that are easily accounted for with a simple formula. The glint reflectance allows an estimate of the wind speed that is highly correlated with the independent measurement from the scatterometer, with an estimated error less than 1 m s−1. The multidirectional reflectance measurements from POLDER also permit the retrieval of the wind direction, albeit only in favorable conditions depending on the respective orientation of the view and wind vectors.
On African easterly waves that impacted two tropical cyclones in 2004
Authors: Peng Melinda S. , Fu Bing , Hogan Timothy F. , Li Tim
Published: June 2006

The U. S. Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) daily analysis fields are used to study the African easterly waves to show how they impacted two tropical cyclones. Danielle and Earl (2004) formed approximately at the same time in the Atlantic. A three to eight day band‐pass filter is applied to the daily global analysis fields to reveal the characteristics of the African easterly waves related to the two cyclones. The time‐filtered 850 mb vorticity shows that African easterly waves reaching the formation locations of Danielle and Earl on and about 14 August 2004 bear similar structures, indicating a unique situation in which one train of the easterly wave is responsible for the genesis of two tropical cyclones located one‐wavelength apart. In addition, using piecewise time‐filtered analysis for different latitude bands, it is demonstrated that the movements of both cyclones are significantly modulated by the propagation of the easterly waves, even during Danielle's poleward movement for more than ten‐degrees latitude.
Low frequency variability in globally integrated tropical cyclone power dissipation
Authors: Sriver Ryan , Huber Matthew
Published: June 2006

Surface wind and temperature records from the European Centre for Medium‐ Range Weather Forecasts 40 Year Reanalysis (ERA‐40) Project are used to estimate low‐frequency variations in globally integrated tropical cyclone (TC) intensity from 1958 to 2001. For the first time, the annually integrated power dissipation (PD) is explicitly calculated on a global scale, and results show an upward trend in PD during much of the ERA‐40 project period, although we argue this is at least partially due to limitations in cyclone representation in ERA‐40. Comparing our estimated trend in PD with Emanuel's (2005) approximation to PD reveals good agreement after 1978, coinciding with the onset of a major satellite observing‐system epoch in ERA‐40. The low pass (>60 months) filtered PD time series correlates with mean annual tropical temperature, thus this result is consistent with the hypothesis that tropical temperatures may directly regulate the integrated intensity of TCs.
Shifts in ENSO coupling processes under global warming
Authors: Philip Sjoukje , van Oldenborgh Geert Jan
Published: June 2006

Global warming may shift the properties and dynamics of El Niño. We study the shifts in ENSO couplings in IPCC‐AR4 coupled general circulation climate models. First, we compare period, pattern, amplitude and mean state of the Pacific Ocean between the current climate and a high CO2 climate. Next, shifts in ENSO couplings between sea surface temperature (SST), thermocline depth and wind stress are discussed. Although the mean state shifts, the overall ENSO properties do not change much. Changes in the mean state affect the feedback loop. Higher mean SST provides higher damping through cloud feedback. The shallower thermocline and mixed layer depth increase SST sensitivity to thermocline variability and wind stress. Wind response to SST variability increases where the mean SST has increased the most. However, the higher damping and more stable atmosphere compensate the other changes and the residual change in ENSO properties is relatively small.
Satellite‐derived, melt‐season surface temperature of the Greenland Ice Sheet (2000–2005) and its relationship to mass balance
Authors: Hall D. K. , Williams R. S. , Casey K. A. , DiGirolamo N. E. , Wan Z.
Published: June 2006

Mean, clear‐sky surface temperature of the Greenland Ice Sheet was measured for each melt season from 2000 to 2005 using Moderate‐Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)–derived land‐surface temperature (LST) data‐product maps. During the period of most‐active melt, the mean, clear‐sky surface temperature of the ice sheet was highest in 2002 (−8.29 ± 5.29°C) and 2005 (−8.29 ± 5.43°C), compared to a 6‐year mean of −9.04 ± 5.59°C, in agreement with recent work by other investigators showing unusually extensive melt in 2002 and 2005. Surface‐temperature variability shows a correspondence with the dry‐snow facies of the ice sheet; a reduction in area of the dry‐snow facies would indicate a more‐negative mass balance. Surface‐temperature variability generally increased during the study period and is most pronounced in the 2005 melt season; this is consistent with surface instability caused by air‐temperature fluctuations.
Border collision route to quasiperiodicity: Numerical investigation and experimental confirmation
Authors: Zhusubaliyev Zhanybai T. , Mosekilde Erik , Maity Somnath , Mohanan Srijith , Banerjee Soumitro
Published: June 2006

Numerical studies of higher-dimensional piecewise-smooth systems have recently shown how a torus can arise from a periodic cycle through a special type of border-collision bifurcation. The present article investigates this new route to quasiperiodicity in the two-dimensional piecewise-linear normal form map. We have obtained the chart of the dynamical modes for this map and showed that border-collision bifurcations can lead to the birth of a stable closed invariant curve associated with quasiperiodic or periodic dynamics. In the parameter regions leading to the existence of an invariant closed curve, there may be transitions between an ergodic torus and a resonance torus, but the mechanism of creation for the resonance tongues is distinctly different from that observed in smooth maps. The transition from a stable focus point to a resonance torus may lead directly to a new focus of higher periodicity, e.g., a period-5 focus. This article also contains a discussion of torus destruction via a homoclinic bifurcation in the piecewise-linear normal map. Using a dc–dc converter with two-level control as an example, we report the first experimental verification of the direct transition to quasiperiodicity through a border-collision bifurcation.
Structure and expression of the murine retinoblastoma gene and characterization of its encoded protein.
Authors: Bernards R , Schackleford G M , Gerber M R , Horowitz J M , Friend S H , Schartl M , Bogenmann E , Rapaport J M , McGee T , Dryja T P
Published: June 2006

We have isolated a cDNA clone of the murine homologue of the human retinoblastoma (Rb) susceptibility gene. DNA sequence analysis reveals a high degree of conservation with the human Rb sequence, both in the coding and in the noncoding regions. The predicted amino acid sequence of the mouse Rb protein shows 91% identity to that of the human protein. Both proteins were found to contain a peptide sequence reminiscent of a leucine-repeat motif ("leucine-zipper") that is also found in the myc, fos, and jun oncogenes. Synthetic peptide antiserum directed against a portion of the mouse Rb protein detects three proteins of 104-110 kDa in cells that were transiently transfected with a mouse Rb gene expression construct. In the mouse embryo the expression of Rb mRNA was ubiquitous, with maximal expression being observed around 13 days of gestation. In the embryo, the highest level of expression was observed in liver and brain. In contrast, the Rb gene was found to be expressed at a very low level in adult mouse liver with high levels being found in lung, thymus, and spleen. A shorter Rb transcript was detected in mouse testes.
Membrane localization of the pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein subunits alpha i-2 and alpha i-3 and expression of a metallothionein-alpha i-2 fusion gene in LLC-PK1 cells.
Authors: Ercolani L , Stow J L , Boyle J F , Holtzman E J , Lin H , Grove J R , Ausiello D A
Published: June 2006

The renal epithelial cell line LLC-PK1 has topographically distinct regulatory roles for the alpha subunits of pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (alpha i subunit); these include the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase at the basolateral membrane and the stimulation of Na+ channel activity at the apical membrane. We now report that LLC-PK1 cells contain two members of the alpha i protein family, alpha i-2 and alpha i-3, which have distinct cellular locations consistent with their diverse functional roles. By using specific alpha i antibodies and immunofluorescence, the alpha i-2 subunit was found to be localized to the basolateral membrane, whereas the alpha i-3 subunit was concentrated in the Golgi and was also detectable at low levels on apical membranes in some cells. Induction of a chimeric mouse metallothionein 1-rat or canine alpha i-2 gene stably transfected into the LLC-PK1 cells produced an increase in the content of the alpha i-2 subunit, which was targeted only to the basolateral membrane. These findings suggest that alpha i subunit specificity for effectors may be achieved in polarized renal epithelial cells by their geographic segregation to different cellular membranes. The LLC-PK1 cell stably transfected with the metallothionein-alpha i-2 fusion gene will provide a model for the study of guanine nucleotide regulatory protein function in epithelia.
Long-range electron exchange measured in proteins by quenching of tryptophan phosphorescence.
Authors: Vanderkooi J M , Englander S W , Papp S , Wright W W , Owen C S
Published: June 2006

Ten proteins that span a wide range of phosphorescence lifetimes were examined for sensitivity to quenching by four agents of disparate chemical nature. The results show that quenching efficiency is relatively independent of the quencher and is highly correlated with depth of burial of the phosphorescent tryptophan. The bimolecular quenching rate constants (kq) measured for the different proteins, spanning 5 orders of magnitude in kq, are found to decrease exponentially with the distance (r) of the tryptophan in angstroms from the protein surface--i.e., kq = Aexp(-r/rho), where A contains a geometrical factor dependent on tryptophan burial and surface geometry [corrected]. Theoretical analysis shows that this behavior can be expected for an electron-exchange reaction between the buried tryptophans and quenchers in solution in the rapid diffusion limit. Therefore, the results obtained provide evidence for an exponential dependence of electron-transfer rate on distance in a protein environment and evaluate the distance parameter, rho, for electron transfer through the general protein matrix at 1.0 A. For a unimolecular donor-acceptor pair with ket = koexp(-r/rho), ko approximately 10(9) sec-1.
Isolation and structural characterization of a cDNA clone encoding the human DNA repair protein for O6-alkylguanine.
Authors: Tano K , Shiota S , Collier J , Foote R S , Mitra S
Published: June 2006

O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT; DNA-O6-methylguanine:protein-L-cysteine S-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.63), a unique DNA repair protein present in most organisms, removes the carcinogenic and mutagenic adduct O6-alkylguanine from DNA by stoichiometrically accepting the alkyl group on a cysteine residue in a suicide reaction. The mammalian protein is highly regulated in both somatic and germ-line cells. In addition, the toxicity of certain alkylating drugs in tumor and normal cells is inversely related to the levels of this protein. The cDNA of the human gene, henceforth named MGMT, has been cloned in an expression vector on the basis of its rescue of a methyltransferase-deficient (ada-) Escherichia coli host. A 22-kDa active methyltransferase encoded entirely by the cDNA contains an amino acid sequence of 61 residues that bears 60-65% similarity with segments of E. coli methyltransferase (products of the ada and ogt genes), which encompass the alkyl-acceptor residues. The human cDNA has no sequence similarity with the ada and ogt genes, due in part to differences in codon usage, and shows no detectable homology with E. coli genomic DNA. However, it hybridizes with distinct restriction fragments of human, mouse, and rat DNAs. The lack of methyltransferase observed in many human cell lines is due to the absence of the MGMT gene or to lack of synthesis and/or stability of its 0.95-kilobase poly(A)+ RNA transcript.
A rapid method of cloning functional variable-region antibody genes in Escherichia coli as single-chain immunotoxins.
Authors: Chaudhary V K , Batra J K , Gallo M G , Willingham M C , FitzGerald D J , Pastan I
Published: June 2006

We have devised a strategy based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the rapid cloning of functional antibody genes as single-chain immunotoxins. RNA from a hybridoma producing an antibody (OVB3) that reacts with ovarian cancer cells was used as a template to make the first strand of a cDNA. Then a second strand was synthesized and amplified by using two sets of DNA primers that (i) hybridized to the ends of the light- and heavy-chain variable regions, (ii) encoded a linker peptide, and (iii) contained appropriate restriction enzyme sites for cloning. After 30 cycles of PCR, the DNA fragments containing sequences encoding the light- and heavy-chain variable regions were cloned into an Escherichia coli expression vector containing a portion of the Pseudomonas exotoxin gene. Clones encoding recombinant single-chain immunotoxins were expressed in E. coli and the protein product was assessed for its ability to bind to or kill cells bearing the OVB3 antigen. By using this approach it should be possible to rapidly clone the functional variable region sequences of many different antibodies from hybridoma RNA.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 produces immune defects in CD4+ T lymphocytes by inhibiting interleukin 2 mRNA.
Authors: Oyaizu N , Chirmule N , Kalyanaraman V S , Hall W W , Pahwa R , Shuster M , Pahwa S
Published: June 2006

Envelope glycoprotein gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is known to inhibit T-cell function, but little is known about the mechanisms of this immunosuppression. Pretreatment of a CD4+ tetanus toxoid-specific T-cell clone with soluble gp120 was found to exert a dose-dependent inhibition of soluble antigen-driven or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-driven proliferative response, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production, and surface IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha-chain expression, all of which were reversed by the addition of exogenous IL-2. mRNA for the gene encoding IL-2 was suppressed by treatment with gp120, but IL-2R gene transcription was not inhibited. Bypass activation of the T-cell clone with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin was unaffected by gp120 pretreatment. Thus, gp120-CD4 interaction interferes with an essential role of the CD4 molecule in signal transduction through the CD3-antigen receptor (Ti) complex. Such a mechanism of gp120-induced immunosuppression, if operative in vivo, could contribute to the depressed specific immune responses associated with HIV infection.
Immediate release of a nitric oxide-like factor from bovine aortic endothelial cells by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.
Authors: Salvemini D , Korbut R , Anggård E , Vane J
Published: June 2006

Incubation of human washed platelets with bovine aortic endothelial cells (ECs) treated with indomethacin resulted in an inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation that was dependent on the number of ECs added. Preincubation of ECs with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.5-2.0 micrograms/ml) for 1 min significantly enhanced their inhibitory activity. This effect was potentiated by superoxide dismutase (60 units/ml) and reversed by oxyhemoglobin (5-10 microM), indicating that the inhibition was due to the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide). When the ECs were pretreated with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (30-300 microM) before LPS, the antiaggregatory activity was strongly reduced. The reduction of activity by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine was reversed by L-arginine (100 microM) but not by D-arginine (100 microM). Under similar conditions, LPS also enhanced the antiaggregatory activity of ECs grown on beads. The immediate enhancement by LPS of the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor from endothelial cells may contribute to the rapid fall in blood pressure associated with endotoxin shock in vivo.