bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Uptake and Quality of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as Influenced by Sulphur and Boron
Authors: Padasalagi Ramesh Malakari , Lalitha B. S.  , Raddy Gurunath
Published: March 2024

At the Agronomy Field Unit, ZARS, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, a field experiment was carried out in kharif 2017 to examine the impact of sulphur and boron on sesame yield and quality (Sesamum indicum L.). Twelve treatments were reproduced three times in the experiment, which was set up using a factorial RCBD design. The application of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) with 30 kg sulphur and 5 kg borax per ha resulted in significantly higher seed yield (470.00 kg ha-1) and stalk yield (3126 kg ha-1) than the application of the recommended dose of fertilisers with 40 and 5, 40 and 2.5, 30 and 5 kg sulphur and borax per ha (461.56 and 2826.67, 455.13 and 2733.33, 445.67 and 2626.67 kg per ha, respectively). Increased nutrient uptake of nitrogen (40.23 kg ha-1) phosphorus (15.01 kg ha-1) potassium (45.23 kg ha-1) sulphur (13 kg ha-1) and boron (162.4 ppm) was primarily responsible for increased seed and stalk yield. The application of the recommended dose of fertilisers with 40 kg sulphur and 5 kg borax per ha resulted in higher seed protein (10.72%). This matched RDF + 40 kg sulphur + 2.5 kg borax (10.66%). RDF+30 kg sulphur + 5 kg borax per ha produced the highest C: B ratio (3.5).
Evaluation of Drought in the Ken River Basin in Bundelkhand Region, India
Authors: Dwivedi Manish , Mishra Alok Kumar , Pandey Rajendra Prasad , Suryavanshi Shakti , Kumre Shailendra Kumar
Published: March 2024

The present study exhibits the analyses of the meteorological drought events in the Ken Basin using various indices viz., Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for different time-scale and Rainfall Departure (RD) method. Precipitation data from 1990 to 2020 for six districts falling in the basin have been used to compute SPI and RD values. The computation of SPI series has been carried out for 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, 9-month and 12-month time-scales. The analysis indicated that the most parts of the basin experienced drought events in the years 2007, 2015 and 2017 region during the years. However, the basin was affected partially in the other drought years. The maximum severity of drought has been recorded as -65% and -52% in the year 1997 in Mahoba and Banda districts respectively. However, the up-reach parts of the basin were not affected in the year 1997.  The comparative analysis of RD and SPI exhibited a good correlation with 3-month and 6-month SPI time steps. It is found that the SPI-3 identifies the meteorological drought event appropriately followed by SPI-6.
Innovations and Future Trends in Storage Pest Management
Authors: Mishra Rishabh , Tripathi Paritosh , Kumar Puneet , Rajpoot Pankaj Kumar , Verma Shikhar , Aman Ashutosh Singh
Published: March 2024

Current innovations and future trends in storage pest management, with a specific focus  on the Indian context. The critical role of effective pest management in agriculture and food security is underscored, considering its impact on economic stability and public health. It begins by detailing the challenges faced in storage pest management, including the variety of pests like insects and rodents, and the damage they inflict on stored agricultural products. It critiques the limitations of traditional pest management methods, particularly chemical control, and highlights emerging issues such as climate change effects and pesticide resistance. The core examines the latest innovations in storage pest management. Advanced chemical approaches like novel pesticides and controlled release formulations are discussed, alongside the rise of nanotechnology applications in pest control, including nano-pesticides and smart delivery systems. The emergence of biological control innovations, particularly new biocontrol agents, and genetic control strategies like the sterile insect technique, marks a significant shift towards more sustainable pest management methods. Additionally, It explores developments in physical and mechanical control methods, emphasizing improved storage facilities and environmental control techniques. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches are identified as a key future trend, promoting holistic and sustainable strategies, with case studies underscoring their success and practical application. It also addresses the vital role of policy and regulatory developments, considering the impact of global regulations and the importance of international cooperation and standards in shaping pest management practices in India. Ethical and environmental considerations form a crucial part of the discourse, focusing on the ecological impact of pest management and the balance between control measures and conservation efforts. It concludes with an examination of practical applications and case studies, providing insights into real-world challenges and the strategies employed to overcome them. Overall, It offers a thorough analysis of the state-of-the-art in storage pest management, highlighting the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and practicality. It aims to provide valuable guidance for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field, contributing to the advancement of more effective, environmentally responsible, and sustainable pest management strategies in India.
Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Growth and Yield of Timely Sown Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Kamal Ashish , Singh V. , Singh Gaurav Kumar , Pyare Ram , Singh Shivendra , Verma Shikhar , Bhayankar
Published: March 2024

A comprehensive study examining the effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth and yield of wheat was carried out during the Rabi season of 2020-21 at the Student's Instructional Farm, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. The experimental design was a Randomized Block Design, with each treatment replicated three times across eight different treatments: Control (T1), 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) (120:60:40 NPK kg/ha) (T2), RDF + Azotobacter (T3), RDF + Azotobacter + Farmyard Manure (FYM) @ 2.0 tons/ha + Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) @ 6.0 kg/ha + Trichoderma @ 5.0 kg/ha (T4), RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 tons/ha (T5), RDF + FYM @ 2.0 tons/ha + Vermicompost @ 1.0 ton/ha + Trichoderma @ 5.0 kg/ha (T6), RDF + FYM @ 2.0 tons/ha + Vermicompost @ 1.0 ton/ha + PSB @ 6.0 kg/ha + Azotobacter (T7), and RDF + FYM @ 2.0 tons/ha + Vermicompost @ 1.0 ton/ha + Azotobacter + PSB @ 6.0 kg/ha + Zinc @ 5.0 kg/ha + Sulphur @ 25 kg/ha (T8). The soil type was sandy loam with a pH of 8.13. The wheat variety Shekhar (K-1006) was planted on November 30, 2020, with a seed rate of 100 kg/ha and row spacing of 20 cm. The results indicated that the T8 treatment, which combined RDF, FYM, Vermicompost, Azotobacter, PSB, Zinc, and Sulphur, significantly improved plant growth characteristics such as height, fresh weight, dry weight, and number of tillers per plant, as well as yield-contributing factors including spike length, number of grains per spike, and test weight, compared to all other treatments. Specifically, the T8 treatment produced the highest grain yield, straw yield, and biological yield, recording 52.77, 67.55, and 120.32 quintals per hectare, respectively, which was significantly higher than the yields in treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4, and comparable to those in treatments T5, T6, and T7. Moreover, the T8 treatment achieved the highest gross income (Rs. 143,076.00), net income (Rs. 86,300.00), and benefit-cost ratio (2.52) when compared to all other treatments.
Stability Analyses for Yield and Its Components in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense L.)
Authors: Madhavilatha L. , ShanthiPriya M. , Anuradha N. , Reddy C.V. Chandra Mohan , Soumya P. , Kumar M. Hemanth
Published: March 2024

Linear regression model of Eberhart and Russell is used to identify high yielding stable little millet genotypes suitable across environments. Pooled analysis of variance revealed significant genetic variability among the little millet genotypes for yield and yield attributing traits. Significant variability among environments confirms the heterogeneity in the locations for the traits. Significant genotype x environment interaction for all the traits indicated differential response of the genotypes for the traits in different locations.  Among genotypes BL-6, LMNDL-4, LMNDL-3, OLM 203, VS 13, VS 15, VS 19, VS 25 and VS 6, with a regression coefficient near to unity and non-significant deviation from regression, were considered to be highly stable and suitable to all environments for fodder yield. For grain yield VS10 and VS 19 genotypes recorded regression coefficient near to unity with non-significant deviation from regression were considered to be stable in all the environments. GGE biplot model were used to evaluate stability for important traits; fodder yield and grain yield and test location representativeness in little millet genotypes. The testing locations were partitioned into two mega environments (ME) for fodder yield. ME1 was represented by Nandyal and Vizianagaram with OLM 203 as the winning genotype, while in ME 2 which was represented by Perumallapalle with LMNDL 4 performed well. Genotype VS 10 was stable for fodder yield in all the environments.For grain yield over pooled locations, BL 6 performed well at Perumallapalle location while LMNDL 5 performed well at Nandyal. Genotype VS 6 was the best genotype for Vizianagaram. The genotype VS 19 was near to origin and it was considered as stable for all the environments.
Leveraging Remote Sensing and Nanotechnology to Overcome Barriers to Agroforestry Adoption by Small Holder Farmers
Authors: Singh Manish , Upadhyay Lalit , Badekhan Almaszabeen , Shil Susmita , Gautam Saransh Kumar , Anand Ashish , Karthickraja A.
Published: March 2024

Agroforestry systems that strategically combine trees and/or shrubs with crops provide ecological and economic benefits. However, barriers including lack of quality tree germplasm, limited access to input and output markets, land tenure insecurity, and inadequate technical knowledge restrict widespread adoption of agroforestry among smallholder farmers. Advances in remote sensing and nanotechnology can help overcome these barriers. Remote sensing through high resolution satellite imagery, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and aerial photography can map landscapes and provide geospatial information to facilitate agroforestry planning and optimization at farm scales. Nanotechnology involves manipulating matter at nanometer scales and has emerging applications in agriculture. Nanobased tools are emerging for targeted seed and agrichemical delivery, enhanced plant protection, soil remediation, and real-time field-level monitoring. The convergence of nanotechnology with information technology and biotechnology presents new opportunities to enhance agroforestry value chains to benefit smallholders. For example, nanobiosensors integrated with mobile platforms can monitor tree health and translate alerts to remedial actions and services customized to small farm contexts. In spite of significant potential, the use of remote sensing and nanotechnology in agroforestry remains limited and targeted capacity building is needed to promote wider adoption of these innovations in smallholder systems to make agroforestry a viable climate-smart approach to sustaining rural livelihoods.
POESÍA QUECHUA CONTEMPORÁNEA
Authors: Favaron Peyón Pedro Martín
Published: March 2024

El presente artículo procura dar cuenta de las continuidades del proyecto literario andino, surgido en medio de la violencia del Virreinato, que se manifiestan en la poesía quechua contemporánea. Partiendo de la delimitación de dos momentos fundamentales de la poesía quechua del siglo XX (el señorial-indigenista y las poéticas migrantes), se tratará de trazar las diferencias y las continuidades de la heterogeneidad fundante de las literaturas andinas. Se plantea, en general, que las literaturas heterogéneas de las zonas andinas han servido (y siguen sirviendo) a los escritores (indígenas y mestizos) para dar cuenta de sus procesos de negociación identitaria y de las múltiples herencias culturales que los conforman. Aunque se reconoce que en el área andina hay un conflicto (por momentos irresoluble) entre la escritura y la oralidad, al mismo tiempo se da cuenta de que estas poéticas parecen guiadas por la esperanza de alcanzar una relación complementaria entre las técnicas occidentales y los saberes ancestrales amerindios
CORPO E MEMÓRIA EM POÉTICAS TRANSFRONTEIRIÇAS DE VICUÑA E BUENO
Authors: Frenkel Barretto Eleonora
Published: March 2024

O objetivo geral do texto é aproximar as poéticas de Cecilia Vicuña e Wilson Bueno por seu aspecto transfronteiriço, marcado pela mescla de línguas originárias ameríndias e coloniais em suas composições. A perspectiva crítica aponta para a operação de leitura, para a performance dos textos que provocam a dicção e a corporeidade de leitores. Notadamente, a poética de Vicuña funda-se na intrínseca relação entre o texto e o corpo, sendo a vocalização um ato de criação. Os “quase-poemas” de Vicuña, textos que se colocam como uma possibilidade que se realiza apenas em performance, inspiram a criação de uma videoperformance que propõe a tradicção, uma tradução em performance, de um fragmento da narrativa Mar Paraguayo.
OSWALDO REYNOSO E NARRACIÓN
Authors: Poenaru Lara
Published: March 2024

Há um consenso entre os estudos literários de uma guinada crítica sobre a produção literária latino-americana, entre 1960 e 70, que se associa à Nova Narrativa (cf. Candido, 1981; González Vigil, 2008). Interessa-nos pensar de que maneira a nova perspectiva integralizadora da produção literária se articula com a nova narrativa peruana, a partir da participação de Oswaldo Reynoso na idealização do grupo Narración. Será avaliado o caráter engajado da literatura (Sartre, 1947) articulado com os textos da revista Narración, que refletem o debate ideológico proposto pelo grupo. O desejo de uma literatura acessível que engaje o leitor a tomar consciência das opressões às quais está submetido realiza-se na práxis do compromisso, na escrita testemunhal e na crônica. Contudo, a imposição de uma única forma de pensar o fazer literário implica a limitação da potência criativa e subversiva das artes.
PRESENÇA DO QUÉCHUA E DO TAHUANTINSUYU NA LITERATURA AMAZÔNICA
Authors: De Barros Borges Priscila Maria , Monte Alto Romulo
Published: March 2024

A importância política do Tahuantinsuyu gerou todo um imaginário em torno do Inca, inspirando a criação de cantos, mitos e narrativas históricas em torno desse tema. O presente estudo propõe investigar a presença da língua quéchua e do imaginário do Tahuantinsuyu na literatura amazônica contemporânea e, para isso, observaremos de forma mais detalhada alguns dos poemas da coletânea Harawinchis: poesia quéchua contemporánea, organizada por Gonzalo Espino Relucé (2022). Os textos serão analisados a partir de suas características estruturais, temáticas e de estilo, utilizando uma metodologia comparatista e interdisciplinar com a finalidade de examinar o contexto sócio-histórico de produção. Nesse sentido, torna-se relevante a reflexão em torno de três conceitos desenvolvidos por Espino Relucé (2019): processo, rapto da escrita e região literária.
MITO E RELIGIÃO EM GABRIEL GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ
Authors: Moura Andressa Kelly Lima Moura
Published: March 2024

O presente trabalho propõe uma análise do conto Um senhor muito velho com umas asas enormes, de Gabriel García Márquez. O conto narra a aparição de um suposto anjo decrépito no povoado litorâneo ficcionalizado, onde viviam Pelayo, sua mulher, Elisenda, e seu filho. A narrativa se concentrará em torno da mudança na rotina do pobre e até então monótono povoado a partir da aparição da referida figura mítica. Nossa análise, de cunho teórico e bibliográfico, buscará elucidar como os sujeitos pertencentes àquele cotidiano irão lidar com a desestabilização causada pelo surgimento de uma figura mítica divina, mas praticamente incapaz. Buscaremos estabelecer relações entre a narrativa, o mito e a religião, partindo do pressuposto de que anjos são figuras predominantemente bíblicas. Nossa análise irá focar no entrelugar do humano e do mítico para elucidar criticamente a narrativa.
DE PARIS A RECIFE
Authors: Balbino Galeno Maria do Carmo
Published: March 2024

Em seu estudo intitulado Circuitos e travessias: o caso de A família Elliot (2016), Sandra Vasconcelos afirma que Persuasion foi o único romance austeniano que circulou no Brasil Oitocentista; a obra, traduzida ao francês e ao português, teve o título transformado em A família Elliot, ou a inclinação antiga; em seguida, cruzou o Atlântico rumo ao Brasil e foi anunciada à venda no Rio de Janeiro. Este estudo, cujo objetivo é ampliar o conhecimento acerca da circulação da obra no país, evidencia que em anos anteriores o romance já circulava em um outro lugar. Essa busca foi possível rastreando o romance por meio de pesquisas na hemeroteca digital. Além disso, buscamos apontar um outro romance austeniano que aqui circulou alguns anos antes, em língua inglesa, e as primeiras menções a Jane Austen nos jornais do século XIX e início do século XX, bem como a primeira tradução brasileira de Orgulho e preconceito.
An investigation of the mechanisms of ultrasonically enhanced desorption
Authors: Hamdaoui Oualid , Naffrechoux Emmanuel
Published: January 2007

In this work, the mechanisms underlying ultrasonic desorption of 4‐chlorophenol from granular activated carbon have been explored. Desorption experiments are investigated in the absence and presence of 516 kHz ultrasound of different intensities. Using three regenerating solutions and two temperatures, it has been shown that ultrasonic irradiation considerably improves both the amount and the rate of desorption. Desorption increases with increasing temperature and ultrasound intensity. The addition of sodium hydroxide or a mixture of sodium hydroxide and ethanol to the regenerating medium leads to an enhancement of the desorption, especially in the presence of ultrasound. The mechanisms of ultrasonically enhanced desorption is due both to the thermal and non‐thermal (hydrodynamical) effects of ultrasound. Hydrodynamical phenomena are principally produced by the acoustic vortex microstreaming within porous solids as well as at the solid‐liquid interface and by the high‐speed micro‐jets and high‐pressure shock waves produced by acoustic cavitation. The thermal effects are evaluated as localized hot spots formed when bubbles cavitated as well as by global heating of the medium and piezoelectric transducer heating‐up. Additionally, the non‐thermal effect of ultrasound is greater than the thermal effect, and it is more noticeable when the ultrasonic irradiation is carried out in a high temperature regenerating medium. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 2007
Asymmetric Synthesis of 2‐Trifluoromethyl‐1,2,3‐triols
Authors: Enders Dieter , Herriger Cornelia
Published: January 2007

The asymmetric synthesis of the 2‐trifluoromethylated 1,2,3‐triols 5 starting from 2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐one (1) is described. The enantiomerically pure α‐alkylated dioxanones 3 and 6 were obtained via the SAMP/RAMP hydrazone methodology. Trifluoromethylation of the monoalkylated dioxanones 3 with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane in the presence of TBAF gave the 2‐trifluoromethylated acetonide‐protected triols 4 in high diastereo‐and enantiomeric excesses (de ≥ 96 %, ee = 92 – ≥ 98 %) and good overall yields (52–97 %). Finally, deprotection of the triol under acidic conditions afforded the title compound 5 (de ≥ 96 %, ee = 95, 96 %) as a typical example. In addition, the methodology was extended to the trialkylated dioxanone 6 leading to the trifluoromethylated alcohol 7 with two neighbouring quaternarystereocenters in good yield (77 %) and very good diastereo‐ and enantiomeric excesses (de ≥ 96 %, ee = 98 %). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
APOE and cytokines as biological markers for recovery of prevalent delirium in elderly medical inpatients
Authors: Adamis Dimitrios , Treloar Adrian , Martin Finbarr C. , Gregson Norman , Hamilton Gillian , Macdonald Alastair J. D.
Published: January 2007

Background

Delirium frequently occurs in the context of infection and other inflammatory conditions associated with elevated levels of cytokines. Cytokines used therapeutically can induce symptoms of delirium as an adverse effect. We hypothesized that a causal relationship might exist between delirium and cytokine production during illness. Further, we speculated that the APOE genotype of patients might influence their rate of recovery from delirium given that APOE is associated with amyloid deposition, increased susceptibility to exogenous neurotoxins, and can affect the immune response.

Methods

A cohort of 164 acutely ill patients, 70 years or older, admitted to an elderly medical unit were studied within 3 days of hospital admission and re‐assessed twice weekly until their discharge, to identify and follow the clinical course of delirium. The APOE genotype and the level of circulating cytokines were determined for 116 and 60 patients respectively.

Results

Prevalent delirium was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with a previous history of dementia, age, illness severity, disability and low levels of circulating IGF‐I. Recovery was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with lack of APOE 4 allele and higher initial IFN‐γ. A model incorporating gender, APOE epsilon 4 status and IGF‐I levels predicted recovery or not from delirium in 76.5% of cases, with a sensitivity 0.77 and specificity 0.75.

Conclusions

A relationship between delirium with APOE genotype, IFN‐γ, and IGF‐I, but not with IL‐6, IL‐1, TNF‐α, and LIF was found. A predictive model of recovery was derived from gender, APOE status, and IGF‐I levels. This model needs replication with further studies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alendronate prevents bone loss and improves tendon‐to‐bone repair strength in a canine model
Authors: Thomopoulos Stavros , Matsuzaki Hironori , Zaegel Melissa , Gelberman Richard H. , Silva Matthew J.
Published: January 2007

Previously we showed a loss of bone and a concomitant decrease in mechanical properties in the first 21 days after flexor tendon insertion site injury and repair in a canine model. The goal of this short‐term study was to suppress bone loss after insertion site repair using alendronate in an attempt to prevent the reduction in biomechanical properties. Flexor tendons of the second and fifth digits of the right forelimbs of canines were injured and repaired. Dogs received a daily oral dose of alendronate (2 mg/kg). One digit in each dog also received a local dose of alendronate in the bone tunnel at the time of surgery. The repair was evaluated for bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical properties and compared to data from a previous study in which no alendronate was used. Alendronate was effective in protecting the distal phalanx from resorption during tendon‐to‐bone healing (BMD was 94 and 104% of control for systemic alendronate and for systemic plus local alendronate, respectively). Alendronate treatment prevented much of the decrease in ultimate load that occurs in the first 21 days. Without treatment, ultimate load was 42% of control. With systemic alendronate treatment and systemic plus local alendronate treatment, ultimate load was 78 and 69% of control, respectively. Failure mode was significantly different when comparing alendronate treatment to repair alone. A lower incidence of suture pull through was found in alendronate treated dogs, suggesting less tendon degeneration. Ultimate load can be improved in association with preventing the bone loss that normally occurs during the early period following tendon‐to‐bone repair. These initial short‐term data demonstrate the potential for a clinical treatment that could enhance tendon‐to‐bone healing. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:473–479, 2007
Lipid composition and amino acid transport in a nystatin‐resistant mutant ofAspergillus niger
Authors: Mazumder Chitra , Kundu Manikuntala , Basu Joyoti , Chakrabarti Parul
Published: January 2007

A nystatin‐resistant mutant ofAspergillus niger has been isolated and used as a model system to study the effect of altered sterol levels on lipid composition, transport behavior and physical properties of membrane lipids. There is a decrease in the sterol to phospholipid ratio in the mutant compared to the wild type. Although there is no qualitative change in phospholipid composition, the mutant contains a higher amount of phosphatidylcholine and a lower amount of phosphatidylethanolamine compared to the wild type. The most significant change is the elevated level of linoleic acid in the mutant, concomitant with a decreased level of oleic acid. These adaptive changes to nystatin resistance are manifested in the altered thermotropic behavior of membrane lipids as studied by the steady‐state fluorescence polarization technique. These changes are also associated with altered membrane permeability as evidenced by the change in Vmax values for uptake of some amino acids in the mutant compared to the wild type.
Liver subcellular fatty acid profiles of chicks fed diets containing hydrogenated fats and varying linoleate levels
Authors: Rogel A. M. , Watkins B. A.
Published: January 2007

Day‐old male broiler chickens were fed semipurified diets containing 5% lipid from one of four different lipid sources: corn oil (CO), partially hydrogenated soybean oil (HSBO), a spent restaurant grease (SRG) and a purified mixture of triolein, tripalmitin and tristearin (OPS). Diets CO and HSBO contained adequate amounts of linoleic acid, but diets SRG and OPS were deficient in linoleate. In addition, SRG and HSBO containedtrans isomers of 16∶1 and 18∶1. The diets were fed for 3 wk to determine the effects of low linoleate levels andtrans isomers on fatty acid profiles in liver microsomes, mitochondria and cytosol. Chicks fed HSBO had the highest body weights, while those fed SRG and OPS had the lowest. The incidence and severity of dermatitis were similar for all treatments. The proportions of linoleate and arachidonate in lipids from liver subcecullar fractions were reduced significantly in chicks fed OPS and SRG; however levels of 20∶3ω9 were not increased. Feeding HSBO, which is high in both linoleate and linolenate, resulted in higher levels of 18∶3ω3 and 20∶5ω3 in liver subcellular fractions and lower levels of 20∶4ω6 than those seen in chicks fed CO. The isomeric forms of 18∶1 present in the partially hydrogenated fats (HSBO and SRG) appeared to be incorporated into the lipids of liver fractions. The results of this study show that dietary lipids influence fatty acid, profiles of chick liver microsomes, mitochondria and cytosol. Decreases in linoleate and arachidonate in these organelles occur before overt essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency signs in chicks fed EFA‐deficient diets.
Deconjugation of bile acids by human intestinal bacteria implanted in germ‐free rats
Authors: Chikai Toshiyuki , Nakao Hiroyuki , Uchida Kiyohisa
Published: January 2007

Fecal bile acids in germ‐free rats were analyzed after inoculation withBacteroides vulgatus, Bifidobacterium longum, Escherichia coli orClostridium ramosum. B. vulgatus preferentially deconjugated tauro‐β‐muricholic acid andB. longum taurocholic acid.C. ramosum deconjugated both bile acids, butE. coli deconjugated neither. 7α‐Dehydroxylation of bile acids was negligible even after 18 days of inoculation, but a small amount of 7‐oxo‐bile acid, less than 5%, was formed. Fecal excretion of bile acids increased after inoculation withB. vulgatus, B. longum andC. ramosum, but not withE. coli.
Total and peroxisomal oxidation of various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in rat liver, heart and m. quadriceps
Authors: Reubsaet F. A. G. , Veerkamp J. H. , Trijbels J. M. F. , Monnens L. A. H.
Published: January 2007

Rates of total and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation were estimated from the production of14C‐labeled CO2 and acid‐soluble products from differently labeled [14C]fatty acids, in the absence and presence of antimycinrotenone, in homogenates of liver, heart and m. quadriceps. Total and peroxisomal oxidation rates of palmitic, oleic and linoleic acid were 3–4 times higher than those of arachidonic and adrenic acid which had higher oxidation rates than those of lignoceric and erucic acid. The peroxisomal contribution to the oxidation of the last fatty acids was similar to or higher than that of palmitic acid. For all fatty acids tested in these tissues, the mitochondrial contribution to β‐oxidation was higher than the peroxisomal contribution.

Production of14CO2 and14C‐labeled, acid‐soluble metabolites from [13‐14]arachidonic acid indicated that polyunsaturated fatty acids can be chain‐shortened beyond their double bonds in m. quadriceps and heart as well as in liver. Although 2,4‐dienoyl‐CoA reductase requires NADPH, addition of this coenzyme did not influence arachidonic acid oxidation. Arachidonic acid oxidation was inhibited by palmitic acid in mitochondria and peroxisomes, but arachidonic acid had only a slight effect on palmitic acid oxidation.
Fluorescent products from reaction of peroxidizing polyunsaturated fatty acids with phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phenylalanine
Authors: Dillard C. J. , Tappel A. L.
Published: January 2007

Fluorescent chromophores produced by reaction of peroxidizing arachidonic acid or methyl docosahexaenoate with synthetic dipalmityl phosphatidyl ethanolamine were lipid soluble, and those from reaction with phenylalanine were water soluble. In all reaction systems that contained polyunsaturated fatty acid and only one amine compound, the development of fluorescence was linearly related to oxygen absorption for 12–24 hr (p<0.001) and to the amount of thiobarbituric acid reacting materials until the rate of oxygen absorption decreased. The fluorochromes typically had maximum excitation at 360 nm and maximum emission at 430–440 nm, indicating that they were conjugated Schiff bases with the general structure R−N=C−C=C−N−R, where R represents the amino acid phenylalanine or the phospholipid phosphatidyl ethanolamine. The fluorochromes were similar to those extracted from isolated age pigments and tissues of animals that are aged, vitamin E‐deficient, or stressed with highly unsaturated lipid diets.
Retroverted epiglottis presenting as a variant of globus pharyngeus
Authors: Agada F O , Coatesworth A P , Grace A R H
Published: January 2007

We describe a series of four patients who presented with ‘high globus pharyngeus’, who all had an abnormally curled epiglottis tip touching and indenting the tongue base. The actual incidence of ‘curling epiglottis’, as well as the potential impact of this variation in persistent globus symptoms, is not known. We therefore describe for the first time a series of patients with this anatomical variant of the epiglottis, each of whom experienced unresolved globus symptoms despite receiving intensive medical treatment. In the literature, the success rate for improvement in symptoms following medical treatment ranges from 68 to 80 per cent.

Following CO2 laser partial epiglottectomy, all four patients experienced complete relief of their symptoms.

We advocate consideration of this treatment for high globus pharyngeus that fails to respond to conservative treatment, in cases with proven curled epiglottis on endoscopic examination.
An object-oriented calculus with term constraints
Authors: SURÁNYI GÁBOR M.
Published: January 2007

Safety has become a fundamental requirement in all aspects of computer systems. Object-oriented calculi, such as Castagna's λ&-calculus and its variants (Castagna, 1997) ensure type safety in environments based on the distinguished object-oriented paradigm. Although for safety reasons object invariance and operation specifications are getting widely employed in all stages of the engineering process, they are not supported by these calculi. In this paper, a new calculus is presented which supports term (value) constraints besides the key object-oriented mechanisms (class types, inheritance, overloading with multiple dispatch and late binding). We also show how a type with constraints may realise a role, another useful object-oriented modelling element. The soundness of the type system and the confluence of the notion of reduction of the calculus are considered. The contribution also discusses computability issues partially arising from the use of first-order logic to formalise the constraints.
Horizontal mixing of Great Barrier Reef waters: Offshore diffusivity determined from radium isotope distribution
Authors: Hancock Gary J. , Webster Ian. T. , Stieglitz Thomas C.
Published: January 2007

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR), northern Australia, is the largest coral reef system in the world and provides habitat for highly diverse tropical marine ecosystems. Mixing in the coastal waters of the GBR is an important parameter influencing the health of these ecosystems. We have used the distribution of the four naturally occurring radium isotopes to determine the rate of mixing of nearshore waters of the central part of the GBR lagoon with water from the Coral Sea. The observed radium distribution is modeled using a one‐dimensional diffusion model. The model improves on previous radium offshore mixing models by incorporating the benthic flux of radium diffusing across the sediment‐water interface and offshore changes in water column depth. We find that the inner lagoon diffusivity (<20 km offshore) is best estimated using the short‐lived isotopes 224Ra and 223Ra. The concordance of Kx estimated using the two different isotopes and the apparent consistency between measured riverine inflows to the lagoon and inflows inferred from the modeled salinity distribution provide confidence in the results. The mean value of Kx for the inner lagoon region of the southern central zone between latitudes 15.8°S and 19.0°S (265 ± 36 m2 s−1) is more than twice that in the northern central zone (14.3°S to 15.8°S). This difference likely reflects the different reef matrix density in the two zones. The distribution of the longer‐lived isotope 228Ra indicates more rapid mixing in the middle and outer lagoon. These results indicate that central GBR water within 20 km of coast is flushed with outer lagoon water on a timescale of 18–45 days, with the flushing time increasing northward.
Wintertime aerosol characteristics at a north Indian site Kharagpur in the Indo‐Gangetic plains located at the outflow region into Bay of Bengal
Authors: Niranjan K. , Sreekanth V. , Madhavan B. L. , Krishna Moorthy K.
Published: January 2007

Keeping the importance of aerosol characterization in the out flow regions from the Indian subcontinent in view, a campaign mode observation on aerosol physical properties was made at Indian Institute of Technology campus, Kharagpur located under the vent region in the Indo‐Gangetic plains during the winter month of December 2004. The aerosol spectral optical depths and near‐surface mass concentrations were high with a mean aerosol optical depth of 0.7 at 500 nm and a percent share of fine mode particle concentration as high as 90. However, the share of the BC aerosol to fine mode aerosol was consistently 10%, which is typical of an urban location. The vertical profiles of aerosol backscatter intensity derived using a micropulse lidar show that the boundary layer height variation accounts for the day‐to‐day variability in the surface mass concentrations. The negative correlation between aerosol backscatter intensity at two representative altitudes above and below the boundary layer implicates only vertical redistribution of aerosols. The lidar data also suggest that no aerosol transport has taken place over the location to account for the day‐to‐day variability. The forward trajectories at three representative altitudes with source point at the observing site indicate a possible aerosol transport from the outflow regions into Bay of Bengal, southern peninsular India and Arabian Sea. The results were discussed in light of the earlier mobile campaign observations on the spatial variability of aerosol physical properties over the peninsular India.
Effect of desorption kinetics on colloid‐facilitated transport of contaminants: Cesium, strontium, and illite colloids
Authors: Turner Ned B. , Ryan Joseph N. , Saiers James E.
Published: January 2007

To examine the importance of desorption kinetics to colloid‐facilitated transport, we conducted column experiments comparing the transport of cesium and strontium through a saturated quartz sand porous medium in the absence and presence of illite colloids at two ionic strengths. Because cesium desorption from illite was anticipated to be slower than that of strontium, we expected to see a contrast in the colloid‐facilitated transport of the cations. A model of colloid‐facilitated transport accounting for second‐order cation adsorption to and desorption from the quartz, second‐order cation adsorption to and desorption from fast and slow sites on the illite colloids, and second‐order colloid deposition to and release from the quartz accurately simulated the cation transport in the absence and presence of the illite colloids. The column results and model simulations revealed that cesium desorption was indeed slower than strontium desorption and that this contrast in desorption kinetics resulted in greater colloid‐facilitated transport of the cesium. The desorption of both cations was slow relative to the rate of advection. The fast and slow sites on the illite colloids behaved like planar and frayed edge sites typically identified for cesium adsorption to illite. The amount of cesium adsorbed to the slow, or frayed edge, sites was similar to the frayed edge site density of illite estimated by other researchers.
Mutagenesis and crystallographic studies of the catalytic residues of the papain family protease bleomycin hydrolase: new insights into active-site structure
Authors: O'Farrell Paul A. , Joshua-Tor Leemor
Published: January 2007

Bleomycin hydrolase (BH) is a hexameric papain family cysteine protease which is involved in preparing peptides for antigen presentation and has been implicated in tumour cell resistance to bleomycin chemotherapy. Structures of active-site mutants of yeast BH yielded unexpected results. Replacement of the active-site asparagine with alanine, valine or leucine results in the destabilization of the histidine side chain, demonstrating unambiguously the role of the asparagine residue in correctly positioning the histidine for catalysis. Replacement of the histidine with alanine or leucine destabilizes the asparagine position, indicating a delicate arrangement of the active-site residues. In all of the mutants, the C-terminus of the protein, which lies in the active site, protrudes further into the active site. All mutants were compromised in their catalytic activity. The structures also revealed the importance of a tightly bound water molecule which stabilizes a loop near the active site and which is conserved throughout the papain family. It is displaced in a number of the mutants, causing destabilization of this loop and a nearby loop, resulting in a large movement of the active-site cysteine. The results imply that this water molecule plays a key structural role in this family of enzymes.
Mutagenesis and mechanistic study of a glycoside hydrolase family 54 α-L-arabinofuranosidase from Trichoderma koningii
Authors: Wan Chin-Feng , Chen Wei-Hong , Chen Cheng-Ta , Chang Margaret Dah-Tsyr , Lo Lee-Chiang , Li Yaw-Kuen
Published: January 2007

A GH (glycoside hydrolase) family 54 α-L-arabinofuranosidase from Trichoderma koningii G-39 (termed Abf) was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified to near homogeneity by cation-exchange chromatography. To determine the amino acid residues essential for the catalytic activity of Abf, extensive mutagenesis of 24 conserved glutamate and aspartate residues was performed. Among the mutants, D221N, E223Q and D299N were found to decrease catalytic activity significantly. The kcat values of the D221N and D299N mutants were 7000- and 1300-fold lower respectively, than that of the wild-type Abf. E223Q was nearly inactive. These results are consistent with observations obtained from the Aspergillus kawachii α-L-arabinofuranosidase three-dimensional structure. This structure indicates that Asp221 of T. koningii Abf is significant for substrate binding and that Glu223 as well as Asp299 function as a nucleophile and a general acid/base catalyst for the enzymatic reaction respectively. The catalytic mechanism of wild-type Abf was further investigated by NMR spectroscopy and kinetic analysis. The results showed that Abf is a retaining enzyme. It catalyses the hydrolysis of various substrates via the formation of a common intermediate that is probably an arabinosyl–enzyme intermediate. A two-step, double-displacement mechanism involving first the formation, and then the breakdown, of an arabinosyl–enzyme intermediate was proposed. Based on the kcat values of a series of aryl-α-L-arabinofuranosides catalytically hydrolysed by wild-type Abf, a relatively small Brønsted constant, βlg=−0.18, was obtained, suggesting that the rate-limiting step of the enzymatic reaction is the dearabinosylation step. Further kinetic studies with the D299G mutant revealed that the catalytic activity of this mutant depended largely on the pKa values (>6) of leaving phenols, with βlg=−1.3, indicating that the rate-limiting step of the reaction becomes the arabinosylation step. This kinetic outcome supports the idea that Asp299 is the general acid/base residue. The pH activity profile of D299N provided further evidence strengthening this suggestion.
Purification and membrane reconstitution of catalytically active Menkes copper-transporting P-type ATPase (MNK; ATP7A)
Authors: Hung Ya Hui , Layton Meredith J. , Voskoboinik Ilia , Mercer Julian F. B. , Camakaris James
Published: January 2007

The MNK (Menkes disease protein; ATP7A) is a major copper- transporting P-type ATPase involved in the delivery of copper to cuproenzymes in the secretory pathway and the efflux of excess copper from extrahepatic tissues. Mutations in the MNK (ATP7A) gene result in Menkes disease, a fatal neurodegenerative copper deficiency disorder. Currently, detailed biochemical and biophysical analyses of MNK to better understand its mechanisms of copper transport are not possible due to the lack of purified MNK in an active form. To address this issue, we expressed human MNK with an N-terminal Glu-Glu tag in Sf9 [Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) 9] insect cells and purified it by antibody affinity chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography in the presence of the non-ionic detergent DDM (n-dodecyl β-D-maltopyranoside). Formation of the classical vanadate-sensitive phosphoenzyme by purified MNK was activated by Cu(I) [EC50=0.7 μM; h (Hill coefficient) was 4.6]. Furthermore, we report the first measurement of Cu(I)-dependent ATPase activity of MNK (K0.5=0.6 μM; h=5.0). The purified MNK demonstrated active ATP-dependent vectorial 64Cu transport when reconstituted into soya-bean asolectin liposomes. Together, these data demonstrated that Cu(I) interacts with MNK in a co-operative manner and with high affinity in the sub-micromolar range. The present study provides the first biochemical characterization of a purified full-length mammalian copper-transporting P-type ATPase associated with a human disease.
Identification of a mitochondrial alcohol dehydrogenase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: new insights into energy metabolism
Authors: Crichton Paul G. , Affourtit Charles , Moore Anthony L.
Published: January 2007

In the present study we have shown that mitochondria isolated from Schizosaccharomyces pombe exhibit antimycin A-sensitive oxygen uptake activity that is exclusively dependent on ethanol and is inhibited by trifluoroethanol, a potent inhibitor of ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase). Ethanol-dependent respiratory activity has, to our knowledge, not been reported in S. pombe mitochondria to date, which is surprising as it has been concluded previously that only one ADH gene, encoding a cytosolic enzyme, occurs in this yeast. Spectrophotometric enzyme assays reveal that ADH activity in isolated mitochondria is increased ∼16-fold by Triton X-100, which demonstrates that the enzyme is located in the matrix. Using genetic knockouts, we show conclusively that the novel mitochondrial ADH is encoded by adh4 and, as such, is unrelated to ADH isoenzymes found in mitochondria of other yeasts. By performing a modular-kinetic analysis of mitochondrial electron transfer, we furthermore show how ethanol-dependent respiratory activity (which involves oxidation of matrix-located NADH) compares with that observed when succinate or externally added NADH are used as substrates. This analysis reveals distinct kinetic differences between substrates which fully explain the lack of respiratory control generally observed during ethanol oxidation in yeast mitochondria.
Development of continuum states in photoluminescence of self-assembled InGaAs∕GaAs quantum dots
Authors: Mazur Yu. I. , Liang B. L. , Wang Zh. M. , Tarasov G. G. , Guzun D. , Salamo G. J.
Published: January 2007

Crossed transitions between the wetting layer valence band and the quantum dot (QD) electron states are revealed in the photoluminescence from self-assembled In0.4Ga0.6As∕GaAs QDs. The strength of these transitions becomes comparable with the excitonic transitions for below-GaAs barrier excitation and decreases significantly with below wetting layer excitation. The observed peculiar QD photoluminescence dependences on temperature and excitation density are due partly to interdot carrier transfer through the continuum states related to the wetting layer morphology and to phonon-assisted processes.
aMagnetic control of spin reorientation and magnetodielectric effect below the spin compensation temperature in TmFeO3
Authors: Muralidharan R. , Jang T.-H. , Yang C.-H. , Jeong Y. H. , Koo T. Y.
Published: January 2007

The onset of antiferromagnetic transition, spin reorientation, and spin compensation of TmFeO3 single crystals were investigated by the magnetic and heat capacity measurements. Control of spin reorientation by magnetic field and anomalous hysteretic behavior in domain switching were clarified. No appreciable magnetodielectric effect was observed in spin reorientation temperature region. On the other hand, below the spin compensation temperature both a dielectric anomaly along the c axis and a concomitant magnetodielectric effect up to ∼4% at 80kOe were observed. This suggests that rare-earth orthoferrites can be another candidate for magnetodielectric system through the mediation of spin compensation phenomena.
Confinement quantization of parallel pump instability threshold in a metallic ferromagnetic stripe
Authors: Kostylev M. , Hu J.-G. , Stamps R. L.
Published: January 2007

Lateral quantization of an excitation in a confined geometry is shown to lead to multiple cutoff thresholds for parametric processes. This idea is illustrated with a calculation of parallel pump instability thresholds for a ferromagnetic metallic stripe. The lateral quantization by the strip geometry results in thresholds which change discontinuously with increasing stripe width. Magnetostatic interactions create a secondary fine structure of kinks on the threshold curve. This effect should be possible to detect experimentally and be used for precise measurement of microwave losses in patterned magnetic metals.