bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translocation and Assembly of Mitochondrially Coded Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit Cox2 by Oxa1 and Yme1 in the Absence of Cox18
Authors: Fiumera Heather L , Dunham Maitreya J , Saracco Scott A , Butler Christine A , Kelly Jessica A , Fox Thomas D
Published: March 2009

Members of the Oxa1/YidC/Alb3 family of protein translocases are essential for assembly of energy-transducing membrane complexes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Oxa1 and its paralog, Cox18, are required for assembly of Cox2, a mitochondrially encoded subunit of cytochrome c oxidase. Oxa1 is known to be required for cotranslational export of the Cox2 N-terminal domain across the inner mitochondrial membrane, while Cox18 is known to be required for post-translational export of the Cox2 C-tail domain. We find that overexpression of Oxa1 does not compensate for the absence of Cox18 at the level of respiratory growth. However, it does promote some translocation of the Cox2 C-tail domain across the inner membrane and causes increased accumulation of Cox2, which remains unassembled. This result suggests that Cox18 not only translocates the C-tail, but also must deliver it in a distinct state competent for cytochrome oxidase assembly. We identified respiring mutants from a cox18Δ strain overexpressing OXA1, whose respiratory growth requires overexpression of OXA1. The recessive nuclear mutations allow some assembly of Cox2 into cytochrome c oxidase. After failing to identify these mutations by methods based on transformation, we successfully located them to MGR1 and MGR3 by comparative hybridization to whole-genome tiling arrays and microarray-assisted bulk segregant analysis followed by linkage mapping. While Mgr1 and Mgr3 are known to associate with the Yme1 mitochondrial inner membrane i-AAA protease and to participate in membrane protein degradation, their absence does not appear to stabilize Cox2 under these conditions. Instead, Yme1 probably chaperones the folding and/or assembly of Oxa1-exported Cox2 in the absence of Mrg1 or Mgr3, since respiratory growth and cytochrome c oxidase assembly in a cox18 mgr3 double-mutant strain overexpressing OXA1 is YME1 dependent.
Comportamento sexual e contracepção de emergência entre adolescentes de escolas públicas de Pernambuco, Brasil
Authors: Araújo Maria Suely Peixoto de , Costa Laura Olinda Bregieiro Fernandes
Published: March 2009

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o conhecimento e o uso do contraceptivo de emergência em 4.210 adolescentes (14-19 anos) da rede pública estadual de Pernambuco, Brasil. As informações foram coletadas pelo questionário Global School-Based Student Health Survey, previamente validado. Foi investigado o conhecimento, a freqüência e forma de uso do contraceptivo de emergência. As variáveis independentes foram divididas em sócio-demográficas e relacionadas ao comportamento sexual. A maioria dos adolescentes relatou conhecer e já ter recebido informações sobre o método, entretanto dentre os que já utilizaram apenas 22,1% o fez de forma correta. A análise ajustada de regressão evidenciou uma maior chance de conhecer o método entre as moças (OR = 5,03; IC95%: 1,72-14,69) e entre aqueles que já tiveram relação sexual (OR = 1,52; IC95%: 1,34-1,75), enquanto os residentes do interior possuem 68% menos chance. Em relação ao uso, os residentes do interior apresentam 1,68 (OR; IC95%: 1,09-2,25) mais chance de uso incorreto, enquanto as moças apresentam 71% menos chance. São necessárias ações de educação sexual e reprodutiva, sobretudo entre os rapazes e adolescentes do interior.
Evaluation of Bacillus sphaericus bioinsecticide produced with white soybean meal as culture medium for the control of Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus
Authors: Melo André L. A. , Soccol Carlos R. , Thomaz-Soccol Vanete , Nogueira Jr.S Miodeli
Published: March 2009

Bioinsecticides are shown to be useful in control programs to prevent several diseases, based on their specificity and efficiency against insect vectors. In the current study a bioinsecticide based on Bacillus sphaericus was produced using a white soybean culture medium and applied to larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus, the susceptible species, and Aedes aegypti, the refractory species used as the negative control. Efficacy was compared with that of the product fermented with the Luria Bertani (LB) reference medium. The experiments showed that C. quinquefasciatus was highly susceptible to the product prepared with white soybean meal, reaching 100% larval mortality even at 10mg/L, while A. aegypti failed to reach 70% mortality at a concentration of 1g/L. By comparison with the reference medium, the proposed culture medium showed high larvicidal power, reaching a LD90 of 2.26mg/L, while 4.37mg/L was needed for the LB medium to achieve the same mortality rate. Cost comparison between the formulations favored the use of the bioinsecticide produced with white soybean meal. After factoring in the LD90 value, the cost ratio favored the new raw material by nearly 1:220.
Qualidade do preenchimento da Caderneta de Saúde da Criança e fatores associados
Authors: Alves Claudia Regina Lindgren , Lasmar Laura Maria de Lima Belizário Facury , Goulart Lúcia Maria Horta Figueiredo , Alvim Cristina Gonçalves , Maciel Gustavo Vieira Rodrigues , Viana Maria Regina de Almeida , Colosimo Enrico Antônio , Carmo Guilherme Augusto Alves do , Costa Juliana Goulart Dias da , Magalhães Maria Elizabeth Neves , Mendonça Marislaine Lumena de , Beirão Mirtes Maria do Vale , Moulin Zeína Soares
Published: March 2009

A Caderneta de Saúde da Criança (CSC) é um documento imprescindível para a promoção da saúde infantil. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com amostra aleatória simples de crianças acompanhadas no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), visando analisar os fatores associados à qualidade do preenchimento da CSC. Foram realizadas entrevistas e verificação direta das cadernetas de 365 crianças das nove regionais de saúde de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foi criado um sistema de escore para classificar as CSC quanto à qualidade do seu preenchimento e relacioná-la às variáveis explicativas. O odds ratio foi calculado por regressão logística. O preenchimento dos vinte itens do escore variou de 3,1% (uso de ferruginoso) a 99,7% (data de nascimento). Os fatores associados aos piores escores foram: crianças > 12 meses de idade (OR = 1,77), mães < 6 anos de estudo (OR = 1,97), crianças não acompanhadas por médicos generalistas (OR = 3,18) e mães que não receberam explicações sobre a CSC na maternidade (OR = 1,77). Os resultados apontam a precária utilização da CSC, reforçando a necessidade de investimentos em capacitação dos profissionais e organização dos serviços para que ela cumpra seu papel na promoção da saúde infantil.
Avaliação da completitude das variáveis da Declaração de Nascido Vivo de residentes em Pernambuco, Brasil, 1996 a 2005
Authors: Costa Juliana Martins Barbosa da Silva , Frias Paulo Germano de
Published: March 2009

Com o objetivo de avaliar a completitude das variáveis da Declaração de Nascido Vivo, foi realizado um estudo avaliativo, descritivo de série temporal. A população de estudo foi composta pelo total de nascidos vivos de residentes de Pernambuco, Brasil, no período de 1996 a 2005, contidos na base de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) disponibilizados pelo Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS). Foi calculada a incompletude de cada variável (branco/ignorado) segundo município de residência. Com base nesses dados, foi calculado o percentual de municípios com preenchimento excelente(> 95%), construído o modelo de regressão linear simples e calculado o coeficiente de determinação. Observou-se incremento importante no percentual de municípios com preenchimento excelente, com destaque para as variáveis: raça/cor, escolaridade materna, estado civil materno e número de consultas pré-natal. Ressalta-se a importância e a pertinência do uso do SINASC na análise das condições de saúde materno-infantil.
Utilisation of geothermal resources
Authors: Lund J. W.
Published: March 2009

For centuries, geothermal energy has been used for bathing, cooking and space heating. More recently, district heating, industrial processing and geothermal heat pumps have become part of the direct-use mix. Geothermal electric power generation began in Italy in 1904, with the first commercial plant operational in 1913. Presently, the total installed global capacity for direct use is 29 000 MWt, producing 76 000 GW h/year in 72 countries; the installed capacity for electric power is 9700 MWe, generating 60 000 GW h/year in 24 countries. Recent trends are to maximise the use of geothermal resources in a combined heat and power project. Geothermal resources of around 100°C have been used in binary (organic Rankine) cycle plants and then cascaded for district heating. Geothermal energy is considered to be both renewable and sustainable as a ‘green energy’ resource, but certain environmental aspects must be considered and mitigated.
Transforming low-voltage networks into small-scale energy zones
Authors: Trichakis P. , Taylor P. C. , Lyons P. , Hair R.
Published: March 2009

Integration of different types of small-scale embedded generators (SSEGs) in the UK electricity supply system has become a key issue for distribution network operators, policy makers, energy producers and the research and development community. When regarded as separate entities, SSEGs offer minimal technical, economical or environmental benefits. However, intelligent coordination of large numbers of SSEGs coupled with energy storage and demand-side management techniques have the potential to maximise these benefits. This paper introduces the small-scale energy zone (SSEZ) concept, which aims to facilitate the proliferation of SSEGs by maximising their potential commercial and environmental benefits, while also ensuring that the associated technical challenges are overcome. A distributed control approach, realised through multi-agent systems technology, is proposed in order to satisfy the specific control requirements of an SSEZ. Moreover, an application of the proposed agent-based approach to the experimental SSEZ at Durham University is presented, focusing on overcoming steady-state voltage-rise issues. Results demonstrating the deployment of direct generation agents are presented and discussed, showing that active network management schemes employed within SSEZs have the potential to increase system performance, while also increasing the annual energy yield of the connected SSEGs.
Quick and Novel Method to Check the Gas Lift Valve Performance and Calibrate it for the Best Performance at the Wellbore Location
Authors: Shahri M. A. , Shahri A. A.
Published: March 2009

The original gas lift valve testing method which has been proposed by South West Research Institute, SWRI, is very slow and expensive. The current API testing method is based on the API RP 11 V2 procedure. This testing method is not sufficient for all the gas valves purposes. On the other hand, the gas valves just calibrated at the manufacturer based on the API code which may not satisfy the application at all because the calibration is in static conditions whereas the valve is working under dynamic modes.

Application of this work is to test and calibrate the gas valve based on the best performance and efficiency at the wellbore location.

This method which is based on concept of pressure decay is really unique, novel, and inexpensive. It can be carried out at the wellbore location. This method is able to determine the actual flowing area, stem travel, discharge coefficient, and load rate of valve during flowing conditions.

The significant section is that this method will correct the API standards of calibrating for different applications which is a great progress in this field of action.
Foamed Calcium Aluminate Phosphate Cement Enables Drilling and Cementation of California Geothermal Wells
Authors: Berard Brian , Hernández Rafael , Nguyen Hao
Published: March 2009

In the Salton Sea Field of Imperial County, California, the operating company successfully applied foamed calcium aluminate phosphate (CaP) cement to achieve long-term zonal isolation in a geothermal well that presented a corrosive carbon dioxide (CO2) environment. Weak formations along the wellbore of the shallow well required tight management of drilling-mud weight and cement density to help avoid circulation loss during drilling and cementing. This paper (1) describes the case history of Del Ranch Well 14, (2) describes the cement, (3) discusses the job design, and (4) compares/contrasts the performance of conventional cements to that of CaP cement.

CO2 is a common element in downhole fluids, whether naturally occurring in ground waters or the result of CO2 injection processes. When CO2 comes into contact with the Portland cement traditionally used to cement well casings, it produces a deterioration phenomenon, called carbonation, in the cement. Over time, the loss of cement caused by carbonation can (1) cause serious damage to downhole tubulars and (2) destroy zonal isolation integrity, resulting in costly remedial services or even abandonment of a well.

CaP is specially formulated cement that is both CO2 and acid resistant. It comprises four basic components: calcium aluminate cement, sodium polyphosphate, Class F fly ash, and water. CaP has been laboratory tested and proven at temperatures as low as 140°F and as high as 700°F. Under test conditions that cause Class G and H cements and latex-containing Portland cements to lose up to 50% of their weight, CaP cement's properties are only slightly affected and might actually improve.

Some sections of the cement sheath were cemented with foamed slurry to provide added protection against formation breakdown.
Fusible-Particle System Helps to Control Severe Lost Circulation While DrillingAcross a Fractured Zone in Elk Hills Field, CA
Authors: Hutton F. , Payne T. , Jeffreys K. , Osorio J. , Therond E. , Velasco A. , Williams H.
Published: March 2009

Lost circulation, a time-consuming issue that has long plagued the oil drilling industry, presents a number of challenges to the operator such as lost rig time, stuck pipe, increased cost from lost drilling fluids, well-control situations, and bad zonal isolation due to poor cement placement. Several methods are used to treat lost circulation, depending on the severity of the losses and the type of losses. For severe losses (100 to 500 bbls/hr), few methods are routinely successful in curing losses with a treatment that is durable and lasting until the well is cemented. The methods used to treat severe losses include pills with coarse, medium, and fine particles and crosslinked polymers or gunk/cement pills. The mixed results of such methods in attempting to treat total losses in a durable way have led to the design of a fusible-particle lost-circulation material (FPLCM). This study investigates the properties and placement techniques of FPLCM through four field studies in the Elk Hills field, Bakersfield, CA.

FPLCM consists of fusing particles, along with weighting agents of optimized particle size and various additives that control leak-off rate and dispersion of the material. FPLCM can also be used with engineered fiber material (EFM). The fusing of the material depends on dehydration rate, which can be controlled depending on lithology and lost-circulation geometry (highly permeable depleted sands, impermeable shale, natural or induced fractures, etc.). FPLCM works best if placed during fracture initiation and/or propagation, when the material will dehydrate both axially and radially in the fracture, thus isolating the fracture tip and increasing the nearwellbore hoop stress.

Laboratory data have shown that FPLCM can plug a variety of different fracture geometries, while at the same time passing through smaller drillbit nozzle geometries. Further, FPLCM remains stable under simulated downhole temperatures for extended periods of time without gelling, but, at the same time, set rapidly under simulated fracture closure pressure.

Currently, four trials have been performed in the Elk Hills field, in which FPLCM immediately promoted returns of 80% to 90% after placement in wells that previously had varying degrees of returns (0% to 70%). All treatments have been applied during drilling operations either through the bottomhole assembly (BHA) or through a fluid diverterbypass tool.
Optimized Performance With New Eccentric Hole Enlargement Tool Through Improved Directional Control, Bit Cleaning, and Dysfunction Mitigation in Soft, Balling, and Swelling Formations
Authors: Allen Scott , Rhodes Carl , Anderson Mark , Payne Lee , Rickabaugh David , Shale Leslie T. , Sinkinson Jim
Published: March 2009

The problematic drilling environment of soft, balling, and swelling formations that are common in the Elk Hills Field of California required a novel design for the eccentric bits used for the hole-enlargement procedures. This new eccentric bit design met and exceeded the drilling requirements with an improved overall drilling performance of 32% increased penetration rate on average, reduced bottomhole assembly (BHA) damage through enhanced downhole tool life, and improved drilling curve cost benefits. The design also achieved the world record for the operator for the most footage drilled in 24 hours. This was achieved through better directional control, reduced bit balling, and reduced non productive time (NPT) due to an improved BHA design that mitigates the described drilling issues.

Given the directional and drilling application, the task was to create an eccentric hole-opening tool capable of superior directional control and cleaning capability in soft formations with known positive displacement motor (PDM) limitations. This required revisiting existing eccentric hole-enlargement requirements, including bi-center and two-piece eccentric technology, and implementing improved drilling features for increased performance. A value-driven tool was designed for use with motor applications in swelling formations. This assembly would meet and exceed the drilling requirements for the field.

The authors of this paper will review and discuss the design, development, and run history of this new eccentric bit and hole-enlargement tool. Run data performance improvements, time savings, and reduced BHA damage of existing one-piece and two-piece eccentric tools will be identified and compared with the performance of offset data for bi-center bits and two-piece eccentric tools. The application benefits discussed will include improved directional control, enhanced cleaning effectiveness, and enhanced pilot bit and hole-enlargement tool blade designs compared with that of current bi-center bits for this type of drilling environment.
Comparison of Fractured Horizontal-Well Performance in Conventional and Unconventional Reservoirs
Authors: Ozkan E. , Brown M. , Raghavan R. , Kazemi H.
Published: March 2009

This paper presents a discussion of fractured horizontal-well performance in conventional (milli-Darcy permeability) and unconventional (micro- to nano-Darcy permeability) reservoirs. It provides interpretations of the objective of fracturing horizontal wells in both types of formations. By using a trilinear-flow model, it is shown that the drainage volume of multiply-fractured-horizontal-wells is limited to the inner reservoir between the fractures even for relatively large matrix permeabilities. Unlike conventional reservoirs, favorable productivities are not warranted in unconventional-tight reservoirs because of high reservoir permeability and high hydraulic fracture conductivity. The most efficient mechanism to improve the productivity of unconventional-tight formations is to increase the density of natural fractures. High natural fracture permeabilities may not necessarily contribute to productivity. Decreasing fracture spacing increases the productivity of the well, but the incremental production for each additional fracture decreases. The trilinear-flow model presented in this work can be used to determine optimum hydraulic fracture properties for a multiply-fractured-horizontal-well. The model can also be used as a predictive tool. The information given in this paper should help the design of multiply-fractured-horizontal-wells and predict their performances.
Desalination of Oilfield-Produced Water at the San Ardo Water Reclamation Facility, CA
Authors: Webb Charles , Nagghappan Lnsp , Smart Gerald , Hoblitzell John , Franks Rich
Published: March 2009

This paper discusses the successful application of reverse osmosis membranes at the San Ardo Oil Field in California to desalinate produced water for beneficial re-use through surface discharge to the local groundwater.

The field produces heavy oil via a recovery process called steam flooding, in which steam is injected into the formation to heat up the crude and decrease its viscosity, thereby allowing the normally tar-like substance to flow by gravity to producing wells. This process typically results in the production of ten or more barrels of water for every barrel of oil recovered. Historically, a portion of this water has been recycled and softened to provide water for steam generation, with the remainder going to local EPA class II injection wells for disposal. However, the injection zone capacity is limited, which has constrained full field development. In October 2007, a desalination facility was commissioned to allow a portion of the produced water to be treated and discharged to the shallow fresh water aquifer, thereby providing an alternate outlet for produced water, and allowing field development to progress.

At the San Ardo site, the process is sized to treat 50,000 barrels of water per day, and consists of de-oiling followed by the OPUS™ technology, which consists of multiple treatment processes, including degasification, chemical and ion exchange softening, multi-media filtration, cartridge filtration, double-pass reverse osmosis, pH neutralization, and partial remineralization. The treated water is discharged to post-treatment constructed wetlands and aquifer recharge basins. This technology, portions of which were developed jointly and patented separately by Chevron U.S.A., Inc. and Veolia N.A. Water Systems, has proven to be a reliable and robust process for successfully treating produced water for surface discharge.

This paper details the treatment process, water quality specifications, and challenges faced during the design and operation of the facility.
Incentives to Revitalize Mature Fields in an Environmentally Safe Manner
Authors: Voskanian Marina M. , Duda Ceclia
Published: March 2009

California has long been a pioneer in establishing a balance between oil and gas operations and protection of the environment. The State was a major catalyst in the development of modern environmental laws and is continuing that role in its attention to green house gas emissions. These laws have had a profound effect on the management of offshore resources. Oil and gas operators, who serve as stewards of these resources, are finding new ways of utilizing conventional reservoir technologies and demonstrating that successful development can be achieved with limited environmental impacts. Some of these methods include using contractual incentives, government sponsorship, and innovative applications of conventional technologies to promote development in an environmentally safe manner. These methods are not exclusive to California, but may provide opportunities worldwide. This paper will demonstrate how economic incentives such as government contractual agreements and sponsorship provide stimulus for operators to apply off-the-shelf advanced technologies to revitalize mature oil field production. Application of these technologies will be shown in several case studies from California fields such as Wilmington, South Ellwood, and Belmont offshore. These will include: re-alignment of a complex waterflood, identification of bypassed intervals; use of horizontal drilling; reinterpretation of 3D seismic; use of new production logging tools; extended reach drilling from existing offshore infrastructure into a previously abandoned field. Many of the ideas presented in these case studies can be very successfully applied in other parts of the world and provide financial incentives to revitalize mature fields.
A Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Marker‐Assisted Selection Methods in Breeding Maize Streak Virus Resistance in Maize
Authors: Abalo Grace , Tongoona Pangirayi , Derera John , Edema Richard
Published: March 2009

Reliable information regarding comparative advantage of marker‐assisted selection (MAS) over conventional selection (CS) in breeding for maize streak virus (MSV) resistance in maize (Zea mays L.) is scarcely available. A comparative study was, therefore, conducted to determine the efficiency of both methods in breeding for MSV resistance in Uganda. Backcross and selfed‐progenies were derived from inbred lines CML202 (resistant), CML321, and CML384 (susceptible) using MAS and CS. The experimental lines and their testcross progenies were evaluated for MSV resistance and yield across three locations. Although both breeding approaches were effective in generating MSV‐resistant lines, disease incidence was higher in populations under CS (79%) than MAS (62%). A similar trend was observed for area under disease progress curve. However, an equal number of lines generated by MAS and CS displayed high yield potential and MVS resistance in testcrosses. Because all required DNA analysis was performed in an existing laboratory and on a well‐characterized quantitative trait locus, costs of capital, equipment maintenance, and marker development were excluded in costing the MAS procedure. Considering total running costs, MAS was cheaper than CS by 26%, which was realized by using fewer plants. Therefore, when laboratory facilities are already established MAS would be recommended in breeding for MSV resistance.
Salinity Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth of Guar
Authors: Teolis Igino , Liu Weixin , Peffley Ellen B.
Published: March 2009

The potential of guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] as a feasible crop for saline soils was tested in this study by evaluating seed germination of 42 accessions of guar in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The seeds were germinated in 200 mM NaCl or double‐distilled water (control). There were significant differences in salt tolerance among the accessions tested. Percentages of seeds germinating in the salt solution ranged from 7.7 to 90.3% of the control, with the higher percentages suggesting greater salt tolerance. Twelve of the forty‐two accessions were selected to study the effect of salinity on plant growth. Significant differences were obtained between the accessions for seed yield per pod, but not for seed yield per plant, plant height, branch number, and pod number (percentage of control). The presence of variation in the germplasm suggests some potential for selecting cultivars with increased salt tolerance. Salinity studies should include both germination and plant trials, because germination assays for salt tolerance do not necessarily predict plant growth and yield in saline soils.
O3 Sensitivity in a Potential C4 Bioenergy Crop: Sugarcane in California
Authors: Grantz D.A. , Vu H.‐B.
Published: March 2009

The C4 perennial grasses have many potential virtues as bioenergy crops—high productivity and water use efficiency, multiyear crop cycle that minimizes replanting costs, and wide environmental adaptation. In the productive San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California, these species also confront high levels of ozone (O3) air pollution. It is often assumed that C4 species will exhibit tolerance to O3, relative to C3 species, based on limited crop yield‐loss data and on responses to a contrasting gaseous air pollutant, sulfur dioxide (SO2). Tolerance to O3 of high‐biomass C4 crops such as sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) has not been demonstrated. Here we tested the hypothesis that a clone of sugarcane currently grown on a small commercial scale in the O3–impacted SJV will exhibit tolerance to O3 The hypothesis was disproven. Biomass production declined by over one‐third and allocation to roots declined by over two‐thirds, over a range of O3 exposures (4, 58, and 114 ppb, 12‐h means). These responses are comparable to responses previously reported for O3–sensitive C3 crop species. Greater O3 tolerance may be required to maximize the potential viability of bioethanol production using tall tropical grasses such as sugarcane (for sucrose) or energy canes (for cellulose) in O3–impacted western valleys. In the case of the locally successful sugarcane clone examined here, the C4 photosynthetic pathway did not confer resistance to O3 exposure.
Inheritance of Resistance to Stripe Rust in Three Lines of Soft Red Winter Wheat
Authors: Markell S.G. , Griffey C.A. , Milus E.A.
Published: March 2009

Since 2000, stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks., has been the most important foliar disease of wheat in the eastern United States. Three lines of soft red winter wheat, ‘McCormick’, VA96W‐270, and a variant of VA96W‐270 (VA96W‐270V), were resistant to the stripe rust population first described in the United States in 2000. The objective of this study was to characterize the inheritance of this resistance. Each line was crossed to the susceptible cultivar Coker 9835. Parental and F1 plants were characterized for reaction to races PST‐3 and PST‐100 of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici in growth chamber experiments. Parents and F1, F2, F3, F4, and BC1F1 progenies were evaluated for reaction to race PST‐100 over 3 yr in inoculated field experiments. Stripe rust resistance was conferred by two to three recessive, race‐specific adult‐plant genes in McCormick, and by two recessive, race‐specific adult‐plant genes in VA96W‐270. At least one gene was common in both lines. Stripe rust resistance in VA96W‐270V was controlled by one recessive all‐stage gene and one dominant adult‐plant gene. Broad‐sense heritability as estimated by variance component methods ranged from 0.56 to 0.96, whereas narrow‐sense heritability estimated in standard units ranged from 0.29 to 0.51. Moderate heritability suggests the resistance could be incorporated into other cultivars.
Genetic Relationship and QTL Association between Kernel Shattering and Agronomic Traits in Wheat
Authors: Zhang Guorong , Mergoum Mohamed , Kianian Shahryar , Meyer Dwain W. , Simsek Senay , Singh Pawan K.
Published: March 2009

Kernel shattering can cause severe grain yield loss in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Evaluation of kernel shattering in the field could be difficult because of environmental effects and the influence of other agronomic traits. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic relationship between kernel shattering and various agronomic traits. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between ‘Sumai3’ and ‘Stoa’ was evaluated for kernel shattering in five environments and for glume strength, glume‐pair angle, open‐floret percentage, spike density, and plant height in four out of the five environments. The QTL analysis was performed and genetic correlations were estimated to elucidate the relationships between kernel shattering and other agronomic traits. The results showed that glume strength consistently correlated with kernel shattering in all test environments, but their correlation was moderate with a pooled correlation of −0.61. Only one QTL for glume strength was identified in the genomic regions containing the kernel‐shattering QTLs, suggesting that glume strength is not the only genetic factor that determines kernel shattering. Among the other agronomic traits, both glume‐pair angle and open‐floret percentage correlated significantly with kernel shattering in all test environments with the correlation ranges of 0.41 to 0.88 and 0.66 to 0.83, respectively. Additionally, all QTLs detected for glume‐pair angle and open‐floret percentage coincided with the kernel‐shattering QTLs, indicating that glume‐pair angle and open‐floret percentage might be the direct causes of kernel shattering. In contrast, spike density and plant height correlated with kernel shattering in some environments only, indicating they might have minor effects on kernel shattering.
Protein Extraction Methods Compatible with Proteomic Analysis for the Cotton Seedling
Authors: Xie Chengjian , Wang De , Yang Xingyong
Published: March 2009

An efficient protein extraction method to ensure successful separation by two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) is a critical step for any proteomics study. The objective of this study was to compare four previously published protein extraction protocols to identify a suitable protein extraction method to extract total proteins from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings, a recalcitrant plant tissue. The results suggested that trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation combined with phenol extraction method (Method D) produced the purest sample and the most proteins spots (321), particularly basic proteins in the 2‐DE image. The extraction method combining acetone precipitation and phenol (Method B) gave 216 spots in the 2‐DE image. The trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation method (Method A) is not suitable for the cotton seedlings because only small molecular weight proteins were visualized in the 2‐DE image. The phenol extraction method (Method C) showed 240 spots in the 2‐DE gel but gave higher gel background. We subsequently selected and optimized Method D to extract protein from cotton seedlings. After optimization, more than 900 spots were detected on the 2‐DE gel with pH 3–10 nonlinear gradient strip and 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) gel using Coomassie brilliant blue G‐250 staining. Our results suggest that the optimized Method D is expected to have excellent applications in proteomic studies of cotton seedlings.
Bahiagrass Tetraploid Germplasm: Reproductive and Agronomic Characterization of Segregating Progeny
Authors: Acuña C. A. , Blount A. R. , Quesenberry K. H. , Kenworthy K. E. , Hanna W. W.
Published: March 2009

The tetraploid germplasm of bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Flüggé, is an unexploited source of variability that can be used for the genetic improvement of this species as forage or turf. The objectives of this research were to develop a segregating population by hybridizing induced sexual and apomictic clones and to characterize the resulting population for mode of reproduction, seed fertility, growth habit, seasonal growth pattern, and frost resistance. A population of 591 hybrids had a 4:1 ratio between sexual and apomictic (facultative + obligate apomictic) plants and an 8:1 ratio between others (facultative apomictic + sexual) and obligate apomictic plants. The general fertility of the progeny was higher than that of the induced sexual parents. Significant differences were observed for self‐ and cross‐fertility among apomictic progeny and for self‐fertility among sexual progeny. Most sexual progeny set the same amount of seed when self‐ or cross‐ pollinated, indicating an absence of self‐incompatibility. Marked variation was observed for growth habit, seasonal growth patterns, and frost resistance among the progeny. Heritability estimates obtained for these characteristics indicate that selection can be successfully used for the genetic improvement of this species.
CEL I Nuclease Digestion for SNP Discovery and Marker Development in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Galeano Carlos H. , Gomez Marcela , Rodriguez Lina M. , Blair Matthew W.
Published: March 2009

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common sequence difference found in plant genomes, yet they have not been widely exploited for producing molecular markers in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The objective of this study was to develop a SNP assay based on a type of heteroduplex mismatch cleavage called EcoTILLING for molecular marker development in this important legume, and apply the assay (i) to the conversion of a sequence‐characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker useful for selecting virus resistance (SR2) and (ii) to the screening of SNP polymorphisms in newly developed expressed sequence tag (EST)–based markers. The SNP assay involved heteroduplex mismatch cleavage by a single‐strand specific nuclease ‘CEL I’ which was used to uncover two SNPs in the SR2 fragment and 22 SNPs in 37 candidate ESTs, some of which were used in segregation analysis. While developing the SNP techniques we tested several platforms, including LI‐COR, nondenaturing polyacrylamide, and agarose gel detection. The agarose gel system was used for SNP genetic mapping in two common bean mapping populations, showing that heteroduplex cleavage is a useful technique for increasing molecular marker number for the crop. Examples are given of mapped SNP markers for the phytic acid pathway gene for myo‐inositol‐1‐phosphate synthase and a drought tolerance–related gene, S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase.
Analytical Approaches and Population Types for Finding and Utilizing QTL in Complex Plant Populations
Authors: Sneller C. H. , Mather D. E. , Crepieux S.
Published: March 2009

In the past decade plant geneticists began using complex plant populations to identify QTL by association analysis, and the practice is becoming commonplace. Plant populations present unique challenges for association analyses. Plant populations vary in complexity and structure and analyses generally derived from human genetics have been applied to them in a broad fashion. We review analytical techniques and their application in different plant populations. Analyses were classified as either family‐based (FBAA) or population‐based (PBAA). Over time, the different analyses have been generalized to accommodate a variety of populations, and are complementary. The PBAA are suited for populations with individuals that share little ancestry. Use of PBAA in these types of populations has dominated plant association analyses with success, though PBAA is unlikely to detect some important QTL in highly structured populations. Both PBAA and FBAA are suited for populations of related individuals. The use of FBAA in a breeding population warrants special attention due to features such as large population size, availability of phenotypic data, immediate relevance to marker‐assisted selection, ease of QTL validation, and the computational simplicity of tests that require linkage for significance. Specific recommendations for PBAA and FBAA are made as well as some suggestions for future directions of research.
Numerical Modeling of Dissolved Oxygen in an Ultra‐Urban Best Management Practice
Authors: Bai Sen
Published: March 2009

Stormvault (Jensen Precast, Sparks, Nevada) is a retention‐type ultra‐urban best management practice, which has been tested extensively for pollutant reduction. As the first step to understand the internal water quality change during a dry‐weather condition, dissolved oxygen was monitored in a Stormvault system. A diffusion‐reaction model was developed to diagnose the contributions of organic materials floating on the water surface, in the water column, and in the sediment, to dissolved oxygen decrease. The mathematical model was calibrated using the observed dissolved oxygen data recorded at a 0.15‐m interval along the water column depth. Three scenarios were simulated, and the results confirmed that sediment oxygen demand (SOD) is the governing factor controlling a dissolved oxygen decrease in the system. The SOD rate reaches 0.8 g m −2 d −1 at 20°C, with an average sediment accumulation depth of 0.05 m, which is lower than the recommended cleanup depth of 0.15 m.
The impact of the trade liberalization on the women work: Comparative analyzes between the South Africa and the Ethiopia with an impact of the general equilibrium calculable
Authors: Lulit Mitik , Berthomieu Claude
Published: March 2009

The effects of trade liberalization on female labor depend on a country?s socio-economic and employment sector characteristics. A Gender-aware computable general equilibrium model is applied to Ethiopia and South Africa from a comparative perspective. Tariff reduction results in opposite outcomes regarding gender-based wage and labor market participation inequalities in the two countries due to their structural differences in men?s and women?s employment.
Economic freedom and new economic paradigm
Authors: Vukotic Veselin
Published: March 2009

Are economic freedoms going to clear our way to prosperity? Is the growth of economic freedoms our path to prosperity? Is it in the base of the new understanding of development? If yes, what will necessarily have to be changed in the economic practice of every country and whole world in general? What will be changed in economic theory? What are potential consequences of an attempt to offer resistance to the new concept of development? These are just some of the questions discussed in this paper, whereas the starting point is the economy and economic development of Montenegro.
Full employment as a possible objective for EU policy II: Review of some empirical aspects
Authors: Cingolani Massimo
Published: March 2009

A contribution appeared in the previous issue of Panoeconomicus reviewed the theoretical arguments brought by Alain Parguez and Jean Gabriel Bliek in support of their idea of assigning a full employment objective to European economic policies and their coordination (Bliek and Parguez (2007) and Parguez (2007b)). Without pretending at exhaustiveness, this contribution reviews and partly extends the empirical evidence they presented in support of their argument with reference to selected macroeconomic developments in several countries and different historical periods, in particular for the US, Canada, Japan and the EU. It confirms the descriptive power of the circuit and its relevance for the discussion of alternative economic policies, in particular in the field of employment. Together with the previous article, it shows that the circuit can be used to update economic policy thinking, nourishing also the necessary democratic debate amongst police alternatives. .
Labour market asymmetries and shock absorption in a monetary union: are government coalitions effective?
Authors: Oros Cornel
Published: March 2009

Given a monetary Union which is heterogeneous at the level of labour market flexibility, this paper investigates the effects in terms of macroeconomic stabilization of the different degrees of fiscal coordination between governments. We use a static Keynesian model within a closed monetary Union and we introduce an intermediate level of coordination between the national governments, which is the variable geometry coordination between economic clubs consisting of structurally close countries. The distinction between the wide Union's welfare and each country member's individual welfare proves that the effectiveness of a variable geometry fiscal coordination mainly depends on the type of the economic shocks affecting the Union members, the nature of the fiscal spillovers, and the extent of the Union's structural heterogeneity. While this type of game is effective in neutralizing the demand shocks, it doesn't manage to improve the national protection of all the country members against the supply shocks. .
Real exchange of rate of balance and misalignments: Lesson from the model VAR-ECM in the case of Tunisia
Authors: Charfi Marrakchi
Published: March 2009

Tunisia has experienced a performance when pursuing a constant real exchange rate rule. The limitations of this rule are beginning to emerge in the context of a more open economy, which desire to relax capital controls. This paper estimates the equilibrium real exchange rate of the dinar vis ? vis the euro and the $US from 1983 to 2000, using quarterly data, based on the following fundamental variables: terms of trade, net capital inflows and the differential of productivity. Results show that Tunisian dinar was overvalued before the 1986 devaluation, becomes close to its equilibrium value over the 90s'. In the beginning of this century (2000), authorities permit a larger fluctuation of the real effective exchange rate. .
Modeling seasonality: An extension of the HEGY approach in the presence of two structural breaks
Authors: Tasseven Ozlem
Published: March 2009

In this paper the HEGY testing procedure (Hylleberg et al. 1990) of analyzing seasonal unit roots is tried to be re-examined by allowing for seasonal mean shifts with exogenous break points. Using some Monte Carlo experiments the distribution of the HEGY and the extended HEGY tests for seasonal unit roots subject to mean shifts and the small sample behavior of the test statistics have been investigated. Based on an empirical analysis upon the conventional money demand relationships in the Turkish economy, our results indicate that seasonal unit roots appear for the GDP deflator, real M2 and the expected inflation variables while seasonal unit roots at annual frequency seem to be disappear for the real M1 balances when the possible structural changes in one or more seasons at 1994 and 2001 crisis years have been taken into account. .
A rhodamine-based Hg2+-selective fluorescent probe in aqueous solution
Authors: Zhao Minglei , Yang Xiao-Feng , He Shenfeng , Wang Liping
Published: March 2009

A new rhodamine-based Hg2+-selective fluorescent probe (I) was designed and synthesized. Compound I displays excellent selective and sensitive response to Hg2+ over other transition metal ions in neutral aqueous solutions. I itself is a colorless, nonfluorescent compound. Upon addition of Hg2+ to its solution, the thiosemicarbazide moiety of I undergoes an irreversible desulfurization reaction to form the corresponding 1,3,4-oxadiazole (II), a colorful and fluorescent product, causing instantaneous development of visible color and strong fluorescence emission. Based on this mechanism, a fluorogenic probe for Hg2+ was developed. The fluorescence increases linearly with the Hg2+ concentration up to 0.8 μmol L−1 with the detection limit of 9.4 nmol L− (3σ).
Intramolecular MLOH/π and MLNH/π interactions in crystal structures of metal complexes
Authors: Janjić Goran , Milčić Miloš , Zarić Snežana
Published: March 2009

Intramolecular metal-ligand OH/π (MLOH/π) and metal-ligand NH/π (MLNH/π) interactions in transition metal complexes between aqua or ammine ligand and ligand containing a C6-aromatic ring were investigated in crystal structures deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). These intramolecular interactions appear in 38 structures with aqua ligand as the hydrogen atom donor and in 10 structures with ammine ligand as the hydrogen atom donor. Among all these complexes only one is negatively charged, 14 are positively charged and 33 are neutral indicating that the overall charge of the molecule has an influence on the XH/π (X = O or N) interactions. Energy estimated by DFT calculations is approximately 19 kJ mol−1 for the MLOH/π interactions and approximately 15 kJ mol−1 for the MLNH/π interactions.
Adsorption and release of terbinafine hydrochloride: Effects of adsorbents, additives, pH, and temperature
Authors: Vitková Zuzana , Oremusová Jarmila , Greksáková Oľga
Published: March 2009

The paper describes results obtained within the study of factors affecting the process of an antifungal drug — terbinafine hydrochloride adsorption on two different adsorbents — charcoal and silicagel. The effects of the adsorbent area, pH value, temperature and additives (polymers — methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose) were analyzed and their impact on the adsorption of terbinafine was derived. The increase of pH and temperature, and the presence of additives decreased the amount of terbinafine adsorbed on the adsorbents. Terbinafine is currently applied both perorally and topically. Hydrogels, i.e. compositions of a drug, additives and water, are, due to their advantageous properties, preferred topical dosage forms. Mass fraction of additives of 1 % to 4 % were studied from the view point of drug release. This study shows that both the sort and the concentration of polymers influence the drug release from hydrogels significantly.