bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Hypertension and Chronic Arsenic Exposure in Drinking Water: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Mohammad , Khan Ismail , Attia John , Hassan Sheikh , McEvoy Mark , D'Este Catherine , Azim Syed , Akhter Ayesha , Akter Shahnaz , Shahidullah Sheikh , Milton Abul
Published: December 2012

Chronic arsenic exposure and its association with hypertension in adults are inconclusive and this cross-sectional study investigated the association. The study was conducted between January and July 2009 among 1,004 participants from 1,682 eligible women and men aged ≥30 years living in rural Bangladesh who had continuously consumed arsenic-contaminated drinking water for at least 6 months. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg (systolic hypertension) and diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg (diastolic hypertension). Pulse pressure was calculated by deducting diastolic from systolic pressure and considered to be increased when the difference was ≥55 mmHg. The prevalence of hypertension was 6.6% (95% CI: 5.1–8.3%). After adjustment for other factors, no excess risk of hypertension was observed for arsenic exposure >50μg/L or to that of arsenic exposure as quartiles or as duration. Arsenic concentration as quartiles and >50 μg/L did show a strong relationship with increased pulse pressure (adjusted OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.46–8.57), as did arsenic exposure for ≥10 years (adjusted OR: 5.25, 95% CI: 1.41–19.51). Arsenic as quartiles showed a dose response relationship with increased pulse pressure. Our study suggests an association between higher drinking water arsenic or duration and pulse pressure, but not hypertension.
Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein-Like Protein-2 as a Novel Serological Biomarker for Breast Cancer
Authors: Xiang Mingjun , Zhou Wei , Gao Dandan , Fang Xiansong , Liu Qian
Published: December 2012

Inhibitor of apoptosis protein-like protein-2 (ILP-2) has only been detected in the testis and in lymphoblastoid cells. Although previous studies have not reported the presence of ILP-2 in breast cancer tissues, this study indicates the presence of ILP-2 in breast cancer serum samples. To validate whether ILP-2 is a novel serological biomarker for breast cancer, we conducted two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis on 400 breast cancer serum samples and 40 non-cancer serum samples (i.e., healthy controls). We then performed a Western blot analysis of 10 breast cancer serum samples and 10 non-cancer serum samples. Finally, we analyzed 35 serum samples from healthy controls or subjects with breast cancer, other types of cancer, galactophore hyperplasia or breast cancer post-surgery by using 2DE and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicate that ILP-2 is a novel breast cancer biomarker in the peripheral blood.
Flavin-Dependent Enzymes in Cancer Prevention
Authors: Wojcieszyńska Danuta , Hupert-Kocurek Katarzyna , Guzik Urszula
Published: December 2012

Statistical studies have demonstrated that various agents may reduce the risk of cancer’s development. One of them is activity of flavin-dependent enzymes such as flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)GS-OX1, FAD-dependent 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and flavin-dependent monoamine oxidase. In the last decade, many papers concerning their structure, reaction mechanism and role in the cancer prevention were published. In our work, we provide a more in-depth analysis of flavin-dependent enzymes and their contribution to the cancer prevention. We present the actual knowledge about the glucosinolate synthesized by flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)GS-OX1 and its role in cancer prevention, discuss the influence of mutations in FAD-dependent 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase on the cancer risk, and describe FAD as an important cofactor for the demethylation of histons. We also present our views on the role of riboflavin supplements in the prevention against cancer.
Antiviral Activity of Baicalein and Quercetin against the Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Johari Jefree , Kianmehr Aynaz , Mustafa Mohd , Abubakar Sazaly , Zandi Keivan
Published: December 2012

Japanese encephalitis (JE), a mosquito-borne viral disease, is endemic to the entire east and southeast Asia, and some other parts of the world. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic available for JE; therefore, finding the effective antiviral agent against JEV replication is crucial. In the present study, the in vitro antiviral activity of baicalein and quercetin, two purportedly antiviral bioflavonoids, was evaluated against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) replication in Vero cells. Anti-JEV activities of these compounds were examined on different stages of JEV replication cycle. The effects of the compounds on virus replication were determined by foci forming unit reduction assay (FFURA) and quantitative RT-PCR. Baicalein showed potent antiviral activity with IC50 = 14.28 µg/mL when it was introduced to the Vero cells after adsorption of JEV. Quercetin exhibited weak anti-JEV effects with IC50 = 212.1 µg/mL when the JEV infected cells were treated with the compound after virus adsorption. However, baicalein exhibited significant effect against JEV adsorption with IC50 = 7.27 µg/mL while quercetin did not show any anti-adsorption activity. Baicalein also exhibited direct extracellular virucidal activity on JEV with IC50 = 3.44 µg/mL. However, results of quantitative RT-PCR experiments confirmed the findings from FFURA. This study demonstrated that baicalein should be considered as an appropriate candidate for further investigations, such as the study of molecular and cellular mechanism(s) of action and in vivo evaluation for the development of an effective antiviral compound against Japanese encephalitis virus.
Phase Transformations of α-Alumina Made from Waste Aluminum via a Precipitation Technique
Authors: Matori Khamirul , Wah Loy , Hashim Mansor , Ismail Ismayadi , Zaid Mohd
Published: December 2012

We report on a recycling project in which α-Al2O3 was produced from aluminum cans because no such work has been reported in literature. Heated aluminum cans were mixed with 8.0 M of H2SO4 solution to form an Al2(SO4)3 solution. The Al2(SO4)3 salt was contained in a white semi-liquid solution with excess H2SO4; some unreacted aluminum pieces were also present. The solution was filtered and mixed with ethanol in a ratio of 2:3, to form a white solid of Al2(SO4)3·18H2O. The Al2(SO4)3·18H2O was calcined in an electrical furnace for 3 h at temperatures of 400–1400 °C. The heating and cooling rates were 10 °C /min. XRD was used to investigate the phase changes at different temperatures and XRF was used to determine the elemental composition in the alumina produced. A series of different alumina compositions, made by repeated dehydration and desulfonation of the Al2(SO4)3·18H2O, is reported. All transitional alumina phases produced at low temperatures were converted to α-Al2O3 at high temperatures. The X-ray diffraction results indicated that the α-Al2O3 phase was realized when the calcination temperature was at 1200 °C or higher.
Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor for Hg2+ Based on Multivalent Rhodamine Ligands
Authors: Wang Xuemei , Iqbal Mudassir , Huskens Jurriaan , Verboom Willem
Published: December 2012

Rhodamine-based fluorescent chemosensors 1 and 2 exhibit selective fluorescence enhancement to Fe3+ and Hg2+ over other metal ions at 580 nm in CH3CN/H2O (3/1, v/v) solution. Bis(rhodamine) chemosensor 1, under optimized conditions (CH3CN/HEPES buffer (0.02 M, pH = 7.0) (95/5, v/v)), shows a high selectivity and sensitivity to Hg2+, with a linear working range of 0–50 μM, a wide pH span of 4–10, and a detection limit of 0.4 μM Hg2+.
On the Origin of Metadata
Authors: Mannens Erik , Verborgh Ruben , Van Hooland Seth , Hauttekeete Laurence , Evens Tom , Coppens Sam , Van de Walle Rik
Published: December 2012

Metadata has been around and has evolved for centuries, albeit not recognized as such. Medieval manuscripts typically had illuminations at the start of each chapter, being both a kind of signature for the author writing the script and a pictorial chapter anchor for the illiterates at the time. Nowadays, there is so much fragmented information on the Internet that users sometimes fail to distinguish the real facts from some bended truth, let alone being able to interconnect different facts. Here, the metadata can both act as noise-reductors for detailed recommendations to the end-users, as it can be the catalyst to interconnect related information. Over time, metadata thus not only has had different modes of information, but furthermore, metadata’s relation of information to meaning, i.e., “semantics”, evolved. Darwin’s evolutionary propositions, from “species have an unlimited reproductive capacity”, over “natural selection”, to “the cooperation of mutations leads to adaptation to the environment” show remarkable parallels to both metadata’s different modes of information and to its relation of information to meaning over time. In this paper, we will show that the evolution of the use of (meta)data can be mapped to Darwin’s nine evolutionary propositions. As mankind and its behavior are products of an evolutionary process, the evolutionary process of metadata with its different modes of information is on the verge of a new-semantic-era.
Biotechnology Applications of Tethered Lipid Bilayer Membranes
Authors: Jackman Joshua , Knoll Wolfgang , Cho Nam-Joon
Published: December 2012

The importance of cell membranes in biological systems has prompted the development of model membrane platforms that recapitulate fundamental aspects of membrane biology, especially the lipid bilayer environment. Tethered lipid bilayers represent one of the most promising classes of model membranes and are based on the immobilization of a planar lipid bilayer on a solid support that enables characterization by a wide range of surface-sensitive analytical techniques. Moreover, as the result of molecular engineering inspired by biology, tethered bilayers are increasingly able to mimic fundamental properties of natural cell membranes, including fluidity, electrical sealing and hosting transmembrane proteins. At the same time, new methods have been employed to improve the durability of tethered bilayers, with shelf-lives now reaching the order of weeks and months. Taken together, the capabilities of tethered lipid bilayers have opened the door to biotechnology applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring and energy storage. In this review, several examples of such applications are presented. Beyond the particulars of each example, the focus of this review is on the emerging design and characterization strategies that made these applications possible. By drawing connections between these strategies and promising research results, future opportunities for tethered lipid bilayers within the biotechnology field are discussed.
The Protection of Selenium against Cadmium-Induced Cytotoxicity via the Heat Shock Protein Pathway in Chicken Splenic Lymphocytes
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhu Yi-Hao , Cheng Xin-Yue , Zhang Zi-Wei , Xu Shi-Wen
Published: December 2012

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that poses a hazard to animal health due to its toxicity. Selenium (Se) is an important nutritional trace element. However, the potential protective effects of Se against Cd-induced toxicity remain to be elucidated. To investigate the cytotoxicity of Cd on bird immunocytes in vitro and the protective effects of Se against exposure to Cd, chicken splenic lymphocytes received Cd (10−6 mol/L), Se (10−7 mol/L), and the mixture of 10−7 mol/L Se and 10−6 mol/L Cd and were incubated for 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, respectively. The transcription of heat shock protein (HSP) 27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA was tested by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The results showed that the mRNA expression of HSPs exposed to 10−6 mol/L Cd showed a sustained decrease at 12–48 h exposure. A statistically significant increase in the mRNA expression of HSPs in the case of Se group was observed, as compared to the control group of chicken splenic lymphocytes. Concomitantly, treatment of chicken splenic lymphocytes with Se in combination with Cd enhanced the mRNA expression of HSPs which were reduced by Cd treatment. This indicated that the protective effect of Se against the toxicity of Cd might, at least partially, be attributed to stimulation of the level of HSPs.
Textile Electrodes for EEG Recording — A Pilot Study
Authors: Löfhede Johan , Seoane Fernando , Thordstein Magnus
Published: December 2012

The overall aim of our research is to develop a monitoring system for neonatal intensive care units. Long-term EEG monitoring in newborns require that the electrodes don’t harm the sensitive skin of the baby, an especially relevant feature for premature babies. Our approach to EEG monitoring is based on several electrodes distributed over the head of the baby, and since the weight of the head always will be on some of them, any type of hard electrode will inevitably cause a pressure-point that can irritate the skin. Therefore, we propose the use of soft conductive textiles as EEG electrodes, primarily for neonates, but also for other kinds of unobtrusive long-term monitoring. In this paper we have tested two types of textile electrodes on five healthy adults and compared them to standard high quality electrodes. The acquired signals were compared with respect to morphology, frequency distribution, spectral coherence, correlation and power line interference sensitivity, and the signals were found to be similar in most respects. The good measurement performance exhibited by the textile electrodes indicates that they are feasible candidates for EEG recording, opening the door for long-term EEG monitoring applications.
Privacy-Preserved Behavior Analysis and Fall Detection by an Infrared Ceiling Sensor Network
Authors: Tao Shuai , Kudo Mineichi , Nonaka Hidetoshi
Published: December 2012

An infrared ceiling sensor network system is reported in this study to realize behavior analysis and fall detection of a single person in the home environment. The sensors output multiple binary sequences from which we know the existence/non-existence of persons under the sensors. The short duration averages of the binary responses are shown to be able to be regarded as pixel values of a top-view camera, but more advantageous in the sense of preserving privacy. Using the “pixel values” as features, support vector machine classifiers succeeded in recognizing eight activities (walking, reading, etc.) performed by five subjects at an average recognition rate of 80.65%. In addition, we proposed a martingale framework for detecting falls in this system. The experimental results showed that we attained the best performance of 95.14% (F1 value), the FAR of 7.5% and the FRR of 2.0%. This accuracy is not sufficient in general but surprisingly high with such low-level information. In summary, it is shown that this system has the potential to be used in the home environment to provide personalized services and to detect abnormalities of elders who live alone.
Detecting Driver Drowsiness Based on Sensors: A Review
Authors: Sahayadhas Arun , Sundaraj Kenneth , Murugappan Murugappan
Published: December 2012

In recent years, driver drowsiness has been one of the major causes of road accidents and can lead to severe physical injuries, deaths and significant economic losses. Statistics indicate the need of a reliable driver drowsiness detection system which could alert the driver before a mishap happens. Researchers have attempted to determine driver drowsiness using the following measures: (1) vehicle-based measures; (2) behavioral measures and (3) physiological measures. A detailed review on these measures will provide insight on the present systems, issues associated with them and the enhancements that need to be done to make a robust system. In this paper, we review these three measures as to the sensors used and discuss the advantages and limitations of each. The various ways through which drowsiness has been experimentally manipulated is also discussed. We conclude that by designing a hybrid drowsiness detection system that combines non-intusive physiological measures with other measures one would accurately determine the drowsiness level of a driver. A number of road accidents might then be avoided if an alert is sent to a driver that is deemed drowsy.
Tuning the properties of magnetic thin films by interaction with periodic nanostructures
Authors: Wiedwald Ulf , Haering Felix , Nau Stefan , Schulze Carsten , Schletter Herbert , Makarov Denys , Plettl Alfred , Kuepper Karsten , Albrecht Manfred , Boneberg Johannes , Ziemann Paul
Published: December 2012

The most important limitation for a significant increase of the areal storage density in magnetic recording is the superparamagnetic effect. Below a critical grain size of the used CoCrPt exchange-decoupled granular films the information cannot be stored for a reasonable time (typically ten years) due to thermal fluctuations arbitrary flipping of the magnetization direction. An alternative approach that may provide higher storage densities is the use of so-called percolated media, in which defect structures are imprinted in an exchange-coupled magnetic film. Such percolated magnetic films are investigated in the present work. We employ preparation routes that are based on (i) self-assembly of Au nanoparticles and (ii) homogeneous size-reduction of self-assembled polystyrene particles. On such non-close-packed nanostructures thin Fe films or Co/Pt multilayers are grown with in-plane and out-of-plane easy axis of magnetization. The impact of the particles on the magnetic switching behavior is measured by both integral magnetometry and magnetic microscopy techniques. We observe enhanced coercive fields while the switching field distribution is broadened compared to thin-film reference samples. It appears possible to tailor the magnetic domain sizes down to the width of an unperturbed domain wall in a continuous film, and moreover, we observe pinning and nucleation at or close to the imprinted defect structures.
A 72-Week Randomized Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a Stavudine to Zidovudine Switch at 24 Weeks Compared to Zidovudine or Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate when Given with Lamivudine and Nevirapine
Authors: Phanuphak Nittaya , Ananworanich Jintanat , Teeratakulpisarn Nipat , Jadwattanakul Tanate , Kerr Stephen J , Chomchey Nitiya , Hongchookiat Piranun , Mathajittiphun Pornpen , Pinyakorn Suteeraporn , Rungrojrat Patcharawee , Praihirunyakit Pairoa , Gerschenson Mariana , Phanuphak Praphan , Valcour Victor , Kim Jerome H , Shikuma Cecilia ,   the SEARCH 003 Study Group
Published: December 2012

Background

Due to superior long-term toxicity profiles, zidovudine (AZT) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are preferred over stavudine (d4T) for first-line antiretroviral regimens. However, short-term d4T use could be beneficial in avoiding AZT-induced anaemia.

Methods

We randomized (1:1:1) 150 treatment-naive Thai HIV-infected adults with CD4+ T-cell count <350 cells/mm3 to arm 1 (24-week GPO-VIR S30® [d4T plus lamivudine (3TC) plus nevirapine (NVP)] followed by 48-week GPO-VIR Z250® [AZT plus 3TC plus NVP]), arm 2 (72-week GPO-VIR Z250®) or arm 3 (72-week TDF plus emtricitabine [FTC] plus NVP). Haemoglobin (Hb), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, neuropathic signs, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), CD4+ T-cell count, plasma HIV RNA and adherence were assessed.

Results

In an intention-to-treat analysis, mean Hb decreased from baseline to week 24 in arm 2 compared with arm 1 (-0.19 versus 0.68 g/dl; P=0.001) and arm 3 (0.48 g/dl; P=0.010). Neuropathic signs were more common in arm 2 compared with arm 3 (20.4 versus 4.2%; P=0.028) at week 24. There were no differences in changes in peripheral fat and eGFR from baseline to weeks 24 and 72 among arms. CD4+ T-cell count increased more in arm 1 than arms 2 and 3 from baseline to week 24 (168 versus 117 and 118 cells/mm3; P=0.01 and 0.02, respectively) but the increase from baseline to week 72 was similar among arms.

Conclusions

A 24-week d4T lead-in therapy caused less anaemia and greater initial CD4+ T-cell count increase than initiating treatment with AZT. This strategy could be considered in patients with baseline anaemia or low CD4+ T-cell count. If confirmed in a larger study, this may guide global recommendations on antiretroviral initiation where AZT is more commonly used than TDF.
Producteur laitier en Afrique de l'Ouest : une modernité rêvée par les techniciens à l'épreuve du terrain
Authors: Corniaux Christian , Alary Véronique , Gautier Denis , Duteurtre Guillaume
Published: December 2012

Résumé À l’instar des modèles de développement agricole en Occident, existe-t-il en Afrique de l’Ouest des producteurs laitiers « modernes » capables, selon la réthorique modernisante, d’affronter la concurrence du lait en poudre importé ? Pour répondre à cette question, il est nécessaire de savoir qui sont les producteurs laitiers ouest-africains. Notre analyse, basée sur trois typologies réalisées en périphérie des villes au Sénégal, en Mauritanie et au Mali, montre une grande diversité de situations. Néanmoins, la stratégie dominante est une stratégie sécuritaire, dans le cadre d’exploitations familiales relativement pauvres qui privilégient la production de céréales ou d’animaux sur pieds. Le lait n’est pas une priorité économique dans le système actuel de production. La figure du producteur laitier à l’occidentale n’existe pas encore en Afrique de l’Ouest.
Les petits producteurs dans le nouveau modèle agro-exportateur péruvien : entre subordination et stratégies propres
Authors: Marshall Anaïs , Mesclier Évelyne , Chaléard Jean-Louis
Published: December 2012

Résumé Au Pérou, la politique d’ouverture des marchés économique et foncier, initiée par le gouvernement d’A. Fujimori en 1990, a provoqué de nombreux changements sur le piémont côtier péruvien, avec l’implantation d’entreprises agro-industrielles tournées vers l’exportation. L’analyse de l’évolution dans trois oasis (Motupe, Virú et Ica) montre que les petits producteurs sont confrontés à une double réalité : d’une part, une nouvelle concurrence sur les ressources foncières et hydriques et, d’autre part, la possibilité de tisser des liens avec les entreprises présentes sur le territoire local afin de produire pour de nouveaux marchés. Dans ce contexte, certains petits producteurs s’insèrent par eux-mêmes dans les nouvelles filières, tandis que d’autres sont incités à le faire par ces entreprises. Pratiquement tous continuent par ailleurs à diversifier leurs cultures, pour assurer la reproduction de leur famille comme pour approvisionner les marchés urbains nationaux. La comparaison de cas dans des situations géographiques différentes permet de conclure que les petits agriculteurs peuvent participer au développement d’un modèle agro-exportateur mis en place récemment et reposant sur des techniques exogènes sans renoncer à avoir des stratégies propres.
Transferts publics et adaptations des ménages agricoles au processus de libéralisation au Sud du Mexique
Authors: Léonard Éric , Palma Rafael , Brun Virginie
Published: December 2012

Résumé Depuis le milieu des années 1990, le Mexique est engagé dans un processus d’insertion compétitive qui met en question le devenir des petites exploitations familiales composant la trame de son secteur agricole. Sur la base d’une enquête réalisée auprès de 320 ménages ruraux, cet article explore les formes de reconfiguration des organisations économiques familiales à partir d’une analyse de leurs revenus. Il en examine la structure et la distribution en référence à l’hypothèse d’évolution trimodale des formes d’insertion dans les marchés proposée par le Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2008 de la Banque mondiale : la spécialisation agricole via l’insertion dans les chaînes de valeur agro-industrielles ; la diversification des activités rurales agricoles et non agricoles ; et la sortie de l’agriculture par la migration. L’article s’attache au rôle des programmes publics d’appui aux ménages ruraux dans la réorganisation des structures d’activité, ainsi que dans les dynamiques de différenciation socio-spatiale associées au processus d’insertion compétitive.
Agriculture paysanne népalaise et phénomènes migratoires : de la complémentarité à la rupture des liens ?
Authors: Aubriot Olivia , Bruslé Tristan
Published: December 2012

Résumé L’agriculture népalaise, en montagne comme en plaine, est essentiellement familiale et de subsistance. Mais, de longue date, elle entretient des liens forts et complémentaires avec les phénomènes migratoires, puisque ceux-ci ont permis aux familles de poursuivre l’agriculture sur les terres ancestrales ou de s’installer dans la plaine, productrice de riz. Les migrations de travail n’ont cessé de croître, influençant en retour l’agriculture aux échanges davantage monétarisés et aux activités féminisées. Il s’ensuit un manque de main-d’œuvre masculine dans un pays pourtant fortement peuplé et, du fait des nouvelles migrations de travail, plus rémunératrices vers des pays lointains comme ceux du Golfe, une urbanisation des comportements sans qu’il y ait pour autant d’exode rural. En effet, avec d’autres changements de la société (scolarisation, urbanisation, etc.), ces nouvelles migrations entraînent une rupture d’aspirations chez les jeunes, qui tendent à s’éloigner de l’agriculture.
Les modèles familiaux de production agricole en question. Comprendre leur diversité et leur fonctionnement
Authors: Sourisseau Jean-Michel , Bosc Pierre-Marie , Fréguin-Gresh Sandrine , Bélières Jean-François , Bonnal Philippe , Le Coq Jean-François , Anseeuw Ward , Dury Sandrine
Published: December 2012

Résumé Les transformations des agricultures familiales interrogent le monde académique et les politiques. Cette interrogation traverse l’histoire des représentations de l’agriculture depuis un siècle. Les manières de voir les agricultures ont accompagné ces transformations. Aujourd’hui, l’agriculture familiale acquiert une légitimité internationale mais elle est questionnée par les évolutions des agricultures au Nord comme aux Suds. Le cadre Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (SRL) permet une appréhension globale du fait agricole comme une composante de systèmes d’activités multisectoriels et multisitués dont les logiques renvoient à des régulations marchandes et non marchandes. Le poids relatif et la nature des capitaux mobilisés permettent de représenter de manière stylisée trois formes d’organisation de l’agriculture familiale au Brésil, en France et au Mali. Une caractérisation plus générique, qu’esquisse notre proposition de modèle conceptuel est enfin proposée, qui pose de nouvelles questions méthodologiques.
Adaptation des sociétés bédouines de la côte nord-ouest de l'Égypte au changement global
Authors: Alary Véronique , Daoud Ibrahim , Abdelzaher Mona , Salama Omar , Aboul-Naga Adel , Merveille Nicolas , Tourrand Jean-François , Dury Sandrine
Published: December 2012

Résumé En ce début de millénaire, avec une croissance démographique de 1,9 % par an empiétant sur le rural (environ 250 000 ha urbanisés en vingt ans) et à peine 3,5 % de son territoire cultivable, l’Égypte fait face à d’importants défis. Les zones arides (8 % du pays), bien que menacées par les changements climatiques actuels, présentent un réel potentiel agricole. Le projet de recherche ELVULMED propose une analyse des processus d’adaptation des sociétés bédouines de la Côte Nord-Ouest suite à quinze ans de sécheresse, de 1995 à 2011. Les premiers résultats montrent des changements sociétaux profonds et de nouvelles formes d’adaptation liées à l’urbanisation croissante de la côte, formes dépassant le système traditionnel bédouin basé sur l’élevage.
Detection of Brucella abortus in Chiredzi district in Zimbabwe
Authors: Gomo Calvin , Musari Shuvai , De Garine-Wichatitsky Michel , Caron Alexandre , Pfukenyi Davies M. , Van Heerden Henriette
Published: December 2012

Brucellosis is an endemic disease in Zimbabwe caused by the genus Brucella. Brucella seroprevalence was recently reported to be high in the wildlife-livestock interface in the Chiredzi district and the neighbouring Gonarezhou National Park (GNP) in Zimbabwe, and higher amongst communal cattle with an abortion history and access to grazing in GNP than amongst communal cattle with no abortion history or access to grazing in GNP. The aim of this study was to investigate Brucella species in brucellosis seropositive cattle in the Chiredzi district with access to GNP using isolation and identification. Isolation of Brucella species from whole blood (n = 18) and milk samples (n = 10) from seropositive animals with an abortion history was based on the rose Bengal test (RBT) and enzyme-linked immunoassays (enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]; indirect ELISA and complement ELISA), using microbiology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Brucella abortus was cultured and identified from blood and milk collected from seropositive cows in both communal areas. The Brucella-specific 16-23S intergenic spacer (ITS) PCR and multiplex AMOS-PCR assays verified the identification of the cultures. Our results confirmed that B. abortus is present in cattle on communal farms in the Chiredzi district in Zimbabwe and might cause cattle abortions. The need for implementing control measures and raising public awareness on zoonotic transmission of brucellosis are recommended.
Orf in South Africa: Endemic but neglected
Authors: Scagliarini Alessandra , Piovesana Silvia , Turrini Filippo , Savini Federica , Sithole Fortune , McCrindle Cheryl M.
Published: December 2012

A survey amongst sheep and goat producers and veterinarians was undertaken to collect epidemiological data on orf in South Africa. Previous epidemiological studies on the presence of the disease in the country have not been documented and this report is the first descriptive epidemiological study of orf in South Africa. A seven-month investigation, realised by direct and indirect interviews and field observation, enabled us to outline incidence and risk factors of this disease and to better understand how the local farmers in rural areas relate to it. The results may contribute to better management of the disease in rural areas. By means of molecular analyses the phylogenetic relationships between field isolates from different areas have been identified. The findings gave a first important contribution to the general assessment of the economic impact of orf virus infections and the extent of the risk to human health.
Determination of the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease virus (avian paramyxovirus type 1) in Zambian backyard chicken flocks
Authors: Musako Chimuka , Abolnik Celia
Published: December 2012

A cross-sectional study was conducted in five provinces and 11 districts of Zambia to determine the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in Zambian backyard chicken flocks. Of the chickens sampled, 73.9% tested positive for avian paramyxovirus type 1 antibodies by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seroprevalence varied amongst the five provinces sampled, ranging from 82.6% in the Eastern Province to 48.3% in Luapula Province. Seroprevalence also varied amongst the 11 districts sampled, ranging from 91.3% in Monze district of Southern Province to 22.8% in Mufulira district of the Copperbelt province. Overall, the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in Zambian backyard chicken flocks has increased since the previous study conducted in 1994.
Relative performance of resistant wheat varietal blends and susceptible wheat cultivars exposed to wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin)
Authors: Vera C. L. , Fox S. L. , DePauw R. M. , Smith M. A. H. , Wise I. L. , Clarke F. R. , Procunier J. D. , Lukow O. M.
Published: December 2012

Vera, C. L., Fox, S. L., DePauw, R. M., Smith, M. A. H., Wise, I. L., Clarke, F. R., Procunier, J. D. and Lukow, O. M. 2013. Relative performance of resistant wheat varietal blends and susceptible wheat cultivars exposed to wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin). Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 59–66. Wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), causes significant yield losses to spring wheat in western Canada. To mitigate these losses, midge-resistant wheat varietal blends, consisting of cultivars with the Sm1 midge resistance gene and containing 10% of a midge susceptible cultivar (interspersed refuge), were made available to farmers. To test their performance relative to conventional midge-susceptible cultivars, four varietal blends were grown during four consecutive growing seasons at eight locations in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, and compared with four conventional midge-susceptible cultivars. Midge damage varied from year to year during the 4-yr study. In general, the varietal blends, as a group, yielded more grain than the susceptible cultivars, especially when grown in environments with high (12.8%) seed damage. In environments with low (0.9%) seed damage, the varietal blend yield increases were smaller but still significant, suggesting that some of the varietal blends may be endowed with additional superior attributes, unrelated to midge resistance. The Sm1 gene was independent of time to heading and maturity, plant height, lodging and seed weight.
Cytosolic alkalization-mediated H2O2 and NO production are involved in darkness-induced stomatal closure in Vicia faba
Authors: Ma Yinli , She Xiaoping , Yang Shushen
Published: December 2012

Ma, Y., She, X. and Yang, S. 2013. Cytosolic alkalization-mediated H 2 O 2 and NO production are involved in darkness-induced stomatal closure in Vicia faba. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 119–130. Darkness raised cytosolic pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in guard cells while inducing Vicia faba stomatal closure. These darkness effects were prevented by weak acid butyric acid, H2O2 modulators ascorbic acid (ASA), catalase (CAT), diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and NO modulators 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO), NG-nitro-L-arg-methyl ester (L-NAME) respectively. The data suggest that cytosolic alkalization, H2O2 and NO all participate in darkness-induced stomatal closure. During darkness treatment, pH rise became noticeable at 10 min and peaked at 25 min, while H2O2 and NO production increased significantly at 20 min and reached their maximums at 40 min. The H2O2 and NO levels were increased by methylamine in light and decreased by butyric acid in darkness. The results show that cytosolic alkalization induces H2O2 and NO production. ASA, CAT and DPI suppressed NO production by methylamine, c-PTIO and L-NAME prevented H2O2 generation by methylamine. Calcium chelator 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) and 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) restricted darkness-induced alkalization, H2O2 and NO production and stomatal closure. We suggest that cytosolic alkalization is necessary for H2O2 and NO production during darkness-induced stomatal closure. H2O2 mediates NO synthesis by alkalization, and vice versa. Calcium may act upstream of cytosolic alkalization, H2O2 and NO production, besides its known action downstream of H2O2 and NO.
Does the presence of the gene for glabrous hull in annual canarygrass affect the response to chloride fertilizer?
Authors: May W. E. , Holzapfel C. B. , Lafond G. P. , Schoenau J. J.
Published: December 2012

May, W. E., Holzapfel, C. B., Lafond, G. P. and Schoenau, J. J. 2013. Does the presence of the gene for glabrous hull in annual canarygrass affect the response to chloride fertilizer? Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 109–118. Annual canarygrass is an important cereal crop in western Canada with a unique niche market as feed for caged birds. Chloride (Cl) fertilizer has been shown to increase seed yield in annual canarygrass; however, the response was only tested in one glabrous cultivar. Currently, glabrous cultivars created through mutagenesis, are lower yielding than cultivars with trichomes on their lemma, palea and glumes. The objective of this study was to determine if the mutagenic process which created cultivars that lack trichomes on their lemma, palea and glumes also affected the response of annual canarygrass to chloride fertilizer. A two-way factorial study was conducted across 7 site-years. The first factor was Cl applied at two rates (0 and 18.2 kg Cl ha−1) and the second factor was four cultivars (Keet, Cantate, CDC Togo (glabrous) and CDC Bastia (glabrous). The application of Cl increased the seed yield of annual canarygrass by 25% and most of this increase was due to a 21% increase in seeds per panicle. Kernel weight also contributed to increased seed yield. Chloride did not interact with the presence or absence of trichomes and therefore growers can expect to receive a yield increase from the application of Cl regardless of the annual canarygrass cultivar grown. Growers should apply 9 kg ha−1 of Cl when growing annual canarygrass. In conclusion, Cl is not involved in the physiology of the lower yield in glabrous cultivars compared with cultivars with trichomes, and Cl could not explain the seed yield differences between the two types of annual canarygrass.
The effect of the environment on the grain colour and quality of commercially grown Canada hard white spring wheat,Triticum aestivumL. ‘Snowbird’
Authors: Lukow Odean M. , Adams Kathy , Suchy Jerry , DePauw Ron M. , Humphreys Gavin
Published: December 2012

Lukow, O. M., Adams, K., Suchy, J., DePauw, R. M. and Humphreys, G. 2013. The effect of the environment on the grain colour and quality of commercially grown Canada hard white spring wheat, Triticum aestivum L. ‘Snowbird’. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 1–11. One of the main advantages of hard white wheat is its lighter grain colour, which can produce visually appealing lighter-coloured end-products. However, grain colour variation can be a concern due to a lack of consistency. This study was carried out to determine the effect of the environment on commercially grown hard white wheat grain colour and wheat grading. More than 1100 samples of the cultivar Snowbird were collected from elevators across western Canada during the 2003 to 2007 crop years. Grain and wholemeal colours were recorded using the CIE L* a* b* scale. Samples were analyzed for grain properties including dimensions, hardness and protein content. Variation in grain colour was mostly attributed to annual fluctuations in climatic conditions (71–79%) and agro-climates (13–18%). Grain ranged in colour from white and bright to dark grey-red. Grain brightness was very highly correlated with grain yellowness. Grain a* and b* were inversely related to grade indicating that higher quality grain was redder and more yellow than lower grades. Warmer and drier environments showed reduced grain yields but produced on average better quality grain with higher protein content.
Apex common bean
Authors: Navabi A. , Rupert T. , Park S. J. , Yu K. , Smith T. H. , Pauls K. P.
Published: December 2012

Navabi A., Rupert, T., Park, S. J, Yu, K., Smith, T. H. and Pauls, K. P. 2013. Apex common bean. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 131–135. Apex (CFIA registration no. 7052) is an indeterminate, full-season navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar with an upright plant architecture, suitable for direct harvest, high yield potential, moderate resistance to common bacterial blight (CBB; caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli) and superior cooking quality. Apex is adapted to and recommended for the dry bean growing areas with higher than 2700 CHU in southwestern Ontario.
CDC Vivid durum wheat
Authors: Pozniak C. J.
Published: December 2012

Pozniak, C. J. 2013. CDC Vivid durum wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 137–141. CDC Vivid durum wheat is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. This conventional height durum wheat cultivar combines high grain yield potential with high grain pigment and protein concentrations and low grain cadmium. CDC Vivid is strong-strawed and has similar maturity and disease resistance to the current check cultivars.
Dark-adapted leaf conductance, but not minimum leaf conductance, predicts water use efficiency of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)
Authors: Walden-Coleman Alison E. , Rajcan Istvan , Earl Hugh J.
Published: December 2012

Walden-Coleman, A. E., Rajcan, I. and Earl, H. J. 2013. Dark-adapted leaf conductance, but not minimum leaf conductance, predicts water use efficiency of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 13–22. The conductance to water vapor of dark-adapted leaves (gdark) has been shown to be negatively correlated with whole-plant water use efficiency (WUE) in soybean, but the physiological basis of this relationship is unknown. It is also not clear how gdark compares with the minimum leaf conductance of wilted leaves (gmin), a trait that has been studied extensively across a broad range of species. We compared gdark to gmin of soybean leaves and found that gdark values were consistently much higher than gmin values measured on the same leaves. Also, across seven soybean varieties known to differ for WUE, gdark but not gmin was correlated with WUE. Thus, gdark and gmin should be considered distinct traits. We measured gdark at two different leaf positions, and found that gdark measured at the lower leaf position (two main stem nodes below the youngest fully expanded leaf) was best correlated with WUE. We then used this method to screen a selection of current commercial soybean varieties adapted to Ontario, Canada, for variation in gdark. The range in gdark among the commercial varieties was as broad as that measured previously among more diverse genotypes, suggesting that Ontario soybean varieties might also vary widely for WUE.
Climatology of middle atmospheric water vapour above the ALOMAR observatory in northern Norway
Authors: Hallgren K. , Hartogh P. , Jarchow C.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. We have been observing the water vapour line at 22.235 GHz above ALOMAR in northern Norway (69° N, 16° E) since early 1996 with ground-based microwave spectrometers (WASPAM and cWASPAM) and will here describe a climatology based on these observations. Maintenance, different spectrometers and upgrades of the hardware have slightly changed the instruments. Therefore great care has been taken to make sure the different datasets are compatible with each other. In order to maximise the sensitivity at high altitude for the older instrument a long integration time (168 h) was chosen. The complete dataset was thereafter recompiled into a climatology which describes the yearly variation of water vapour at polar latitudes on a weekly basis. The atmosphere is divided into 16 layers between 40–80 km, each 2.5 km thick. The dataset, spanning 15 yr from 1996 to 2010, enabled us to investigate the long-term behaviour of water vapour at these latitudes. By comparing the measurements from every year to the climatological mean we were also able to look for indications of trends in the dataset at different altitudes during the time period of our observations. In general there is a weak negative trend which differs slightly at different altitudes. There are however no drifts in the annual variation of water vapour from the point of view of onset of summer and winter. We compare our climatology to the reference water vapour profiles from AFGL, a free and easy accessible reference atmosphere. There are strong deviations between our observations and the reference profile, therefore we publish our climatological dataset in a table in the paper.
Elucidating multipollutant exposure across a complex metropolitan area by systematic deployment of a mobile laboratory
Authors: Levy I. , Mihele C. , Lu G. , Narayan J. , Hilker N. , Brook J. R.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. In urban areas, air quality is the outcome of multiple emission sources, each emitting a different combination of air pollutants. The result is a complex mixture of pollutants with a different spatiotemporal variability for each constituent. Studies exploring average spatial patterns across urban areas typically rely on air quality monitoring networks of a few sites, short multi-site saturation monitoring campaigns measuring a limited number of pollutants and/or air quality models. Each of these options has limitations. This study elucidates the main complexities of urban air quality with respect to small scale spatial differences for multiple pollutants so as to gain a better understanding of the variability in exposure estimates in urban areas. Mobile measurements of 23 air pollutants were taken at high resolution in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and examined with respect to space, time and their interrelationships. The same route was systematically followed on 34 measurement days spread over different seasons and measurements were compared to adjacent air quality monitoring network stations. This approach allowed linkage of the mobile measurements to the network observations and to generate average maps that provide reliable information on the typical, annual average spatial pattern. Sharp differences in the spatial distribution were found to exist between different pollutants on the sub-urban scale, i.e. the neighbourhood to street scales, even for pollutants usually associated with the same specific sources. Nearby microenvironments may have a wide range in average pollution levels varying by up to 300%, which may cause large misclassification errors in estimating chronic exposures in epidemiological studies. For example, NO2 measurements next to a main road microenvironment are shown to be 210–265% higher than levels measured at a nearby urban background monitoring site, while black carbon is higher by 180–200% and ultrafine particles are 300% higher. For some pollutants (e.g. SO2 and benzene), there is good correspondence on a large scale due to similar emission sources, but differences on a small scale in proximity to these sources. Moreover. hotspots of different pollutants were identified and quantified. These results demonstrate the ability of an independent heavily instrumented mobile laboratory survey to quantify the representativeness of the monitoring sites to unmonitored locations, reveal the complex relationships between pollutants and understand chronic multi-pollutant exposure patterns associated with outdoor concentrations in an urban environment.
Abundance and distribution of gaseous ammonia and particulate ammonium at Delhi, India
Authors: Singh S. , Kulshrestha U. C.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. This study reports abundance and distribution of gaseous NH3 and particulate NH4+ at Delhi. Gaseous NH3 and particulate NH4+ concentrations were measured during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of the years 2010 and 2011. Average concentrations of gaseous NH3 during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons were recorded as 26.4, 33.2 and 32.5 μg m−3, respectively. Gaseous NH3 concentrations were the highest during monsoon, thought to be due to decay and decomposition of plants and other biogenic material under wet conditions, leading to increased NH3 emission. The results showed that particulate NH4+ was always lower than the gaseous NH3 during all the seasons. The concentrations of particulate NH4+ were recorded as 11.6, 22.9 and 8.5 μg m−3 during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The percent fraction of particulate NH4+ was noticed to be highest during the monsoon season, which is attributed to increased humidity levels favouring partitioning into the aerosol phase. On an average, 33.3% of total N-NHx was present as particulate NH4+. Higher concentrations of NH3 noticed during night time may be due to stable atmospheric conditions. The study highlighted that, as compared with rural sites, urban sites showed higher concentrations of gaseous NH3 in India, which may be due to higher population density, human activities and poor sanitation arrangements.