bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical fate, bioconcentration, and environmental effects testing: Proposed testing and decision criteria
Authors: Walker John D.
Published: October 2006

Chemicals should have a minimum amount of available chemical fate, bioconcentration, and environmental effects data toidentifythose chemicals with potentially problematic environmental partitioning or persistence, or those with potential to bioconcentrate or cause adverse effects. Professional judgment, estimates of a chemical's mode(s) of action or mechanism of action, and its susceptibility to rapid transport or transformation should be utilized to determine the types of chemical fate, bioconcentration, and environmental effects data that should be available. Data‐supported decision criteria should be used to develop additional data tocharacterizethe persistence, bioconcentration, and adverse effects of chemicals that have been identified as potentially problematic. To facilitate an understanding of minimum chemical fate and bioconcentration data that should be available, recommended chemical fate and bioconcentration data from previously published testing schemes or approaches were evaluated. For environmental effects data, the types of organisms recommended for developing aquatic toxicity data in previously published testing schemes or approaches were evaluated. To facilitate an understanding of available testing decision criteria, those criteria that were used (as of December 31, 1988) to propose or require chemical fate, bioconcentration, on aquatic toxicity tests under section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act and those criteria recommended in previously reported testing schemes were evaluated. Based on this comprehensive evaluation it was possible to propose (1) a base set of chemical fate and aquatic toxicity tests, (2) organisms for conducting aquatic toxicity tests, and (3) decision logic and testing scheme for developing chemical fate and aquatic toxicity test data.
A bioassessment battery for use in an industrial setting: A new management approach
Authors: Clarke S. M. , Barrick C. W. , Samoiloff M. R.
Published: October 2006

As part of the process of risk evaluation for workplace health and environmental protection, a battery of biological assays and a management presentation format for the battery have been developed for use at EG & G Rocky Flats, Inc. The battery consists of four acute (two bacterial, one human cell, one nematode) and two genetic (bacterial and nematode) assays. The nematode assay also gives information on chronic toxicity and an overall fitness factor. The battery was shown to be effective in detecting toxicity of eight metals and phenol, substances that are used at this plant and that react through a variety of toxic mechanisms. The presentation format allows management to very quickly determine where the most serious toxicity problems are located and effectively monitor progress in the cleanup of these situations. In addition, the format can be used to monitor effects of procedural changes in development and production.
Rationale for including metabolites in chemical toxicity bioassay
Authors: Liu D. , Maguire R. J. , Dutka B. J. , Pacepavicius G. J.
Published: October 2006

Toxicity and biodegradability are major factors affecting the fate and behavior of an organic contaminant in the environment. In this report, 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (DNT), an important industrial chemical, was used as a model toxicant to demonstrate that toxicity and biodegradability are intimately related in determining a chemical's effect and impact on the total ecosystem. DNT was found to be aerobically stable, but could undergo anaerobic biotransformation with the formation of three metabolites. One of the metabolites, namely 2‐nitroso‐4‐nitrotoluene, was extremely toxic to the six test bacterial isolates, while the other two aminonitro metabolites and the parent compound DNT were much less toxic or nontoxic to the bacterial cultures. It is suggested that the incorporation of some known metabolites into short‐term bioassay procedures could increase the reliability of these tests in the impact assessment of toxic chemicals on the environment. In addition, the difference between toxicity data generated from short‐term bioassay procedures and those from long‐term toxicological studies was also delineated from a biochemical viewpoint.
Intercropping tef and sunflower in semi‐arid areas of Welo, Ethiopia
Authors: Bayu Wondimu , Addisu Molla , Tadesse Besufekad , Admassu Legesse
Published: October 2006

The productivity of tef‐sunflower intercropping, with or without fertilizer, was assessed by field trials in northeast Ethiopia. Mixed planting of 10–50% of sunflower with tef had yield advantages of 20–39% and 58–77% at two different sites. The crop proportions giving the greatest yield benefit varied between the sites. The greatest net income benefits were US$515 ha−1 and US$69 ha−1 at the two sites. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Specificity of DC‐SIGN for mannose‐ and fucose‐containing glycans
Authors: van Liempt Ellis , Bank Christine M.C. , Mehta Padmaja , Garcı´a-Vallejo Juan Jesús , Kawar Ziad S. , Geyer Rudolf , Alvarez Richard A. , Cummings Richard D. , Kooyk Yvette van , van Die Irma
Published: October 2006

The dendritic cell specific C‐type lectin dendritic cell specific ICAM‐3 grabbing non‐integrin (DC‐SIGN) binds to “self” glycan ligands found on human cells and to “foreign” glycans of bacterial or parasitic pathogens. Here, we investigated the binding properties of DC‐SIGN to a large array of potential ligands in a glycan array format. Our data indicate that DC‐SIGN binds with K
d
< 2 μM to a neoglycoconjugate in which Galβ1‐4(Fucα1‐3)GlcNAc (Lex) trisaccharides are expressed multivalently. A lower selective binding was observed to oligomannose‐type N‐glycans, diantennary N‐glycans expressing Lex and GalNAcβ1‐4(Fucα1‐3)GlcNAc (LacdiNAc‐fucose), whereas no binding was observed to N‐glycans expressing core‐fucose linked either α1‐6 or α1‐3 to the Asn‐linked GlcNAc of N‐glycans. These results demonstrate that DC‐SIGN is selective in its recognition of specific types of fucosylated glycans and subsets of oligomannose‐ and complex‐type N‐glycans.
Die Bedeutung der Synoptiker für das johanneische Zeugnisthema. Mit einem Anhang zum Perfekt-Gebrauch im vierten Evangelium.
Authors: BERGMEIER ROLAND
Published: October 2006

Eine Reihe von μαρτυρεω-bzw. μαρτυρια-Belegen im vierten Evangelium rufen förmlich synoptische Zeugnisse auf. Das ist nicht verwunderlich, wenn man zur Kenntnis nimmt, dass es auch sonst johanneische Befunde der unzweideutigen Kenntnis, Verwendung und Umgestaltung synoptischer Vorlagen gibt. Dabei ist sorgfältig auf subtile unterschiedliche Tempusverwendung im Johannesevangelium, zumal den Gebrauch des Perfekts zum Ausdruck schriftlicher Textreferenz zu achten. Zu der fundamentalen Täufermartyria, die die Evangelienerzählung eröffnet, bildet Joh 19.35, der ursprünglich μαρτυρεω-Beleg, eine Inklusion, indem unter dem Kreuz anstelle des Bekenntnisses des römischen Centurio (Mk 15,39) ausdrücklich an die Verkündigung des ersten Christus-Zeugen (Jon 1.29–34) erinnert wird.
The fine-tuning argument: the ‘design inference’ version
Authors: WOOD GRAHAM
Published: October 2006

William Dembski claims that the fine-tuning supports the inference that the universe was designed. His ‘design inference’ is based on the identification of two features of the fine-tuning. Dembski claims that it is a ‘specified’ event of small (a priori) probability. Specification, in this context, is the ability to describe an event without using any knowledge of the actual event itself. I argue that we currently do not have the ability to describe accurately the fine-tuning of the universe without using any knowledge of the fine-tuning itself. If we cannot generate a specification, then the fine-tuning is not a specified event, so the ‘design inference’ is not justified.
The eternity of the world and the distinction between creation and conservation
Authors: CROSS RICHARD
Published: October 2006

According to an important set of medieval arguments, it is impossible to make a distinction between creation and conservation on the assumption of a beginningless universe. The argument is that, on such an assumption, either God is never causally sufficient for the existence of the universe, or, if He is at one time causally sufficient for the existence of the universe, He is at all times causally sufficient for the universe, and occasionalism is true. I defend the claim that these arguments are successful. Since Christian theology requires a distinction between creation and conservation, arguments in favour of the possible eternity of the world fail.
Got to have soul
Authors: BALTIMORE JOSEPH A.
Published: October 2006

Kevin Corcoran offers an account of how one can be a physicalist about human persons, deny temporal gaps in the existence of persons, and hold that there is an afterlife. I argue that Corcoran's account both violates the necessity of metaphysical identity and implausibly makes an individual's existence dependent on factors wholly extrinsic to the individual. Corcoran's defence is considered, as well as Stephen Davis's suggestions on how an account like Corcoran's can defend itself against these concerns. It is shown, however, that the difficulties remain in full force and, therefore, that Corcoran's account fails to reconcile physicalism, no gappy existence, and an afterlife.
Magnetospheric convection during prolonged intervals with southward interplanetary magnetic field
Authors: Walker Raymond J. , Ashour‐Abdalla Maha , El Alaoui Mostafa , Coroniti Ferdinand V.
Published: October 2006

We have used a global magnetohydrodynamic simulation to investigate magnetospheric convection during a prolonged interval with modest southward driving. The interval simulated occurred on 13 and 14 February 2001 during a period when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) remained weakly southward for over 12 hours. Early in the simulation a near‐Earth neutral line located between 20 RE and 40 RE in the tail drove flows earthward and then around the near‐Earth obstacle to return magnetic flux to the dayside. The earthward flow led to increased ionospheric conductance and developed a modest earthward pressure gradient in the inner plasma sheet. Ionospheric line tying slowed the earthward flow. The pressure gradient caused the inner tail to become interchange unstable and lead to the tailward flow. When the tailward moving flux tube reached the near‐Earth neutral line additional reconnection occurred between the tailward moving flux tube and IMF field lines created by lobe reconnection thereby returning flux to the nightside tail lobes. Late in the event the new lobe field lines reconnected at the duskside magnetopause creating additional rapid tailward motion. The tailward flow led to a reduction in both the ionospheric conductance and near‐Earth tail pressure gradient and earthward flow was again established. This sequence repeated at least three times during the interval simulated.
Impact of biomass burning on aerosol properties over tropical urban region of Hyderabad, India
Authors: Kharol Shailesh Kumar , Badarinath K. V. S.
Published: October 2006

Biomass burning is identified as a major source of atmospheric pollution giving rise to the release of large quantities of gaseous emissions and particulate matter. The present study aims at analyzing the impacts of biomass burning on aerosol loading over urban area of Hyderabad, India using synchronous measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), solar irradiance in different wavelength bands, aerosol particle size distribution measurements and black carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentration. Temporal variation of AOD and aerosol index (AI) correlated with occurrence of forest fires as derived from DMSP‐OLS and MODIS satellite data. BC values showed good correlation with total aerosol number density and showed patterns correlating with wind direction. Radiative forcing estimated from synchronous measurements of AOD and ground reaching broadband solar irradiance suggested −12.5W/m 2 reduction per 0.1 increase in AOD. Diffuse to direct ratio of solar irradiance showed variations correlating with changes in aerosol optical depth.
Converted wave imaging of the Toba Caldera, Indonesia
Authors: Sakaguchi Koichi , Gilbert Hersh , Zandt George
Published: October 2006

Receiver functions calculated from data recorded by the 1995 PASSCAL Toba Seismic Experiment in northern Sumatra, Indonesia and the permanent station PSI reveal the presence of a low seismic velocity zone at between 8 and 14 km depth, which is interpreted to be the top of a magma reservoir. The Moho under the Toba caldera lies near 30 km with a localized thickened region that reaches 39 km beneath the eastern edge of the caldera with an abrupt shallowing to the northeast. This thickened crust may be where hot gabbroic material underplates the base of the crust to serve as the heat source for shallower volcanism. Alternatively, the thickened crust and Moho offset may be due to localized crustal thickening when this region was situated in a sharp restraining bend of a now extinct segment of the Sumatran fault.
Improved input to the empirical coronal mass ejection (CME) driven shock arrival model from CME cone models
Authors: Xie H. , Gopalswamy N. , Ofman L. , St. Cyr O. C. , Michalek G. , Lara A. , Yashiro S.
Published: October 2006

We study the Sun‐Earth travel time of interplanetary shocks driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) using empirical cone models. Three different cone models have been used to obtain the radial speeds of the CMEs, which are then used as input to the empirical shock arrival (ESA) model to obtain the Sun to Earth travel time of the shocks. We compare the predicted and observed shock transit times and find that the accuracy of the ESA model is improved by applying CME radial speeds from the cone models. There are two ways of calculating the shock travel time: using the ESA model or using the simplified ESA formula obtained by an exponential fit to the ESA model. The average mean error in the travel time with the cone model speeds is 7.8 hours compared to 14.6 hours with the sky plane speed, which amounts to an improvement of 46%. With the ESA formula, the corresponding mean errors are 9.5 and 11.7 hours, respectively, representing an improvement of 19%. The cone models minimize projection effects and hence can be used to obtain CME radial speeds. When input to the ESA model, the large scatter in the shock travel time is reduced, thus improving CME‐related space weather predictions.
Sustainable conjunctive water management in irrigated agriculture: Model formulation and application to the Yaqui Valley, Mexico
Authors: Schoups Gerrit , Addams C. Lee , Minjares José Luis , Gorelick Steven M.
Published: October 2006

This paper investigates strategies to alleviate the effects of droughts on the profitability and sustainability of irrigated agriculture. These strategies include conjunctive management of surface water and groundwater resources, and engineered improvements such as lining of irrigation canals and addition of regional pumping well capacity. A spatially distributed simulation‐optimization model was developed for an irrigated system consisting of multiple surface water reservoirs and an alluvial aquifer. The simulation model consists of an agronomic component and simulators describing the hydrologic system. The physical models account for storage and flow through the reservoirs, routing through the irrigation canals, and regional groundwater flow. The agronomic model describes crop productivity as a function of irrigation quantity and salinity, and determines agricultural profit. A profit maximization problem was formulated and solved using large‐scale constrained gradient‐based optimization. The model was applied to a real‐world conjunctive surface water/groundwater management problem in the Yaqui Valley, an irrigated agricultural region in Sonora, Mexico. The model reproduces recorded reductions in agricultural production during a historical drought. These reductions were caused by a decline in surface water availability and limited installed pumping capacity. Results indicate that the impact of the historical 8‐year drought could have been significantly reduced without affecting profit in wet years by better managing surface water and groundwater resources. Namely, groundwater could have been more heavily relied upon and surface water allocation capped at a sustainable level as an operating rule. Lining the irrigation canals would have resulted in water savings of 30% of historical reservoir releases during wet years, which could have been used in subsequent drier years to increase agricultural production. The benefits of a greater reliance on groundwater pumping by installing additional wells are limited due to pumping restrictions near the coast to avoid seawater intrusion and due to increased pumping costs.
Iron Kα measurement of LHD plasmas using a wide band and compact x-ray crystal spectrometer
Authors: Sakurai I. , Tawara Y. , Matsumoto C. , Furuzawa A. , Morita S. , Goto M.
Published: October 2006

X-ray spectra of FeKα transitions have been obtained on the Large Helical Device (LHD) using a wide band and compact x-ray spectrometer. The spectrometer consists of a Johann-type LiF(220) crystal with a curvature of 430mm and a back-illuminated charge-coupled device (CCD) detector with a size of 26.6×6.7mm2. A wide energy range of 6.4–7.0keV can be observed with high brightness and high temporal resolution, which enables us the measurement of Kα transitions from all charge states of Fe ions. An energy resolution of the spectrometer was 10eV at full width at half maximum. Time-developed Kα spectra after injection of Fe-coated impurity pellet were also measured with a time interval of 10ms in the full binning mode of CCD in order to analyze the impurity transport at the central column of LHD plasmas. The system can be modified to have better time response up to 1ms to analyze the ionization and recombination processes after the pellet injection.
Density functional perturbational orbital theory of spin polarization in electronic systems. I. Formalism
Authors: Seo Dong-Kyun
Published: October 2006

A perturbational approach is presented for the general analysis of spin-polarization effect on electronic structures and energies within spin-density functional formalism. Explicit expressions for the changes in Kohn-Sham [Phys. Rev. 140, 1133 (1965)] orbital energies and coefficients as well as for the change in total electronic energy are derived upon using the local spin density and self-interaction-corrected exchange-correlation functionals. The application of the method for atoms provides analytical expressions for the exchange splitting energy and spin-polarization energy. The atomic exchange parameters are obtained from the expressions for the elements with Z=1–92 and they match well with Stoner exchange parameters for 3d metal elements.
Size dependence, stability, and the transition to buckling in model reverse bilayers
Authors: Stecki J.
Published: October 2006

Molecular dynamics simulations of a model bilayer made of surfactant dimers in a Lennard-Jones solvent are reported for three sizes of the systems up to an area of 100σ×100σ and for a large interval of the specific areas: from hole formation under tension deep into the floppy state of a buckling compressed bilayer. The transition to the floppy state appears quite abrupt and discontinuous; in the floppy state the lateral tension is negative and scales with size while vanishing from below. The structure factor was also determined for all three sizes and all areas; for most part the apparent tension is larger than the lateral tension whereas the apparent rigidity constant—always positive—is low in the floppy state and increasing in the tensioned state. Both do not scale visibly with size. The replacement of the 1∕q2 capillary-wave divergence by another pole is accounted for and explained.
Propagation velocities of chemical reaction fronts advected by Poiseuille flow
Authors: Edwards Boyd F.
Published: October 2006

Poiseuille flow between parallel plates advects chemical reaction fronts, distorting them and altering their propagation velocities. Analytical solutions of the cubic reaction-diffusion-advection equation resolve the chemical concentration for narrow gaps, wide gaps, and small-amplitude flow. Numerical solutions supply a general description for fluid flow in the direction of propagation of the chemical reaction front, and for flow in the opposite direction. Empirical relations for the velocity agree with numerical solutions to within a few percent, and agree exactly with the analytical limits. Applications to nonlinear fingering are discussed.
Evolution of magnetospheric current wedge by the spontaneous fast reconnection model
Authors: Ugai M. , Kondoh K.
Published: October 2006

On the basis of the spontaneous fast reconnection model, the underlying physical mechanism of magnetospheric current wedge evolution is studied by magnetohydrodynamic simulations. It is demonstrated that when a three-dimensional magnetic loop top is compressed by the fast reconnection jet, field-aligned currents are suddenly generated by the resulting sheared fields inside the loop; simultaneously, a large-scale current wedge evolves to link, through the field-aligned currents, the sheet current ahead of the magnetic loop to the current in the local loop footpoint of reconnected field lines. In accordance with the current-wedge evolution, the sheet current, which initially flows ahead of the loop top in the middle of the system, is abruptly bifurcated and turns its direction toward the local loop footpoint, where strong currents are concentrated and intensified. Therefore, once the channel for the current wedge is realized, effective energy dissipation occurs, through the channel, in the local region of the loop footpoint connected to the separatrix, which bounds the reconnected field lines and the ambient (prereconnection) field lines.
Multiple eigenmodes of geodesic acoustic mode in collisionless plasmas
Authors: Gao Zhe , Itoh K. , Sanuki H. , Dong J. Q.
Published: October 2006

We report a series of eigenmodes of the geodesic acoustic mode (GAM), which includes the standard GAM, a branch of low-frequency mode, and a series of ion sound wave-like modes. The case of Ti≫Te is investigated, and eigenfrequencies of these modes are obtained analytically from a linear gyrokinetic model in collisionless plasmas with a rigid constant electrostatic potential around a magnetic surface.
Flow of a thin liquid film on an unsteady stretching sheet
Authors: Dandapat B. S. , Maity S.
Published: October 2006

The stretching surface is assumed to be stretched impulsively from rest and the effect of inertia of the liquid is considered. Equations describing the laminar flow on the stretching surface are solved analytically by using the singular perturbation technique and the method of characteristics is used to obtain an analytic expression for film thickness. The results show that the final film thickness is independent of the amount of liquid distributed initially and on the initial film thickness be it uniform or nonuniform. It is also shown that the forceful stretching produces quicker thinning of the film on the stretching surface.
Improved memory window for Ge nanocrystals embedded in SiON layer
Authors: Tu Chun-Hao , Chang Ting-Chang , Liu Po-Tsun , Liu Hsin-Chou , Sze Simon M. , Chang Chun-Yen
Published: October 2006

The formation of germanium (Ge) nanocrystals embedded in silicon oxygen nitride (SiON) is proposed for charge storage elements in this work. The Ge nanocrystals can be nucleated after the oxidation process of silicon germanium nitride (SiGeN) layer at high temperatures. Compared to the control samples of Ge nanocrystals/SiO2∕Si structure and SiON∕Si stack memory, the proposed Ge nanocrystals/SiON∕Si memory obtained superior memory window, even larger than the typical sum of both. It is considered that the extra interface trap states between Ge and SiON film were generated as Ge nanocrystals were embedded in SiON layer.
Quantitative analysis of ferroelectric domain imaging with piezoresponse force microscopy
Authors: Jungk Tobias , Hoffmann Ákos , Soergel Elisabeth
Published: October 2006

The contrast mechanism for ferroelectric domain imaging via piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is investigated. A vectorial description of PFM measurements is presented which takes into account the background caused by the experimental setup. This allows a quantitative, frequency independent analysis of the domain contrast which is in good agreement with the expected values for the piezoelectric deformation of the sample and satisfies the generally required features of PFM imaging.
Magnetic glassy phase in Zn0.85Fe0.15O diluted magnetic semiconducting nanoparticles
Authors: Mandal S. K. , Nath T. K. , Das A. , Kremer R. K.
Published: October 2006

The authors have investigated the ground state magnetic phase and the optical band gap of chemically synthesized Zn0.85Fe0.15O diluted magnetic semiconducting nanoparticles (∼7.5nm). The temperature dependent magnetization study shows strong irreversibility along with a cusplike anomaly, which is ascribed to a freezing to a cluster glasslike magnetic ground state. This assignment is further established by Arrott-Belov-Kouvel plots along with S-like nonsaturating magnetization versus field curves. The finite size ferromagnetic clusters which are formed due to an enhanced grain surface effect in the system undergo random dipolar intercluster interactions, giving rise to strong competitive ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions, finally leading to the freezing of those clusters.
Nanopatterning of multiferroic BiFeO3 using “soft” electron beam lithography
Authors: Sun Tao , Pan Zixiao , Dravid Vinayak P. , Wang Zhaoyu , Yu Min-Feng , Wang Jin
Published: October 2006

The authors report fabrication of multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) by the soft electron beam lithography technique. BiFeO3 nanopatterns with less than 100nm characteristic dimension are fabricated from its liquid-phase precursor on diverse substrates. The chemical constituents and phase purity are characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The ferroelectric behavior is confirmed by piezoresponse force microscopy. A saturation magnetization of about 10emu∕cm3 is observed, demonstrating the multiferroic characteristic of the BFO nanopatterns. Furthermore, the BFO nanolines pattened on SrTiO3 substrate exhibit a bamboolike structure, which can serve as an excellent model system for investigating the contribution of grain boundaries to the leakage current.
Stacking faults in YBa2Cu3O7−x: Measurement using x-ray diffraction and effects on critical current
Authors: Specht E. D. , Goyal A. , Li J. , Martin P. M. , Li X. , Rupich M. W.
Published: October 2006

The density n of stacking faults (SFs) in epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−x (Y123) films, consisting of extra CuO planes, is measured by fitting x-ray diffraction patterns using a random stacking model. The SF density is n=0.068nm−1 in films grown by metal-organic deposition on textured templates and optimized for high Ic. The presence of SF is correlated with pinning of magnetic field (H) applied in the Y123 ab plane. SF can be nearly eliminated by a high temperature anneal, or by adding excess Dy, resulting in Ic which is nearly independent of the orientation of H.
Sodium Flux in Necturus Proximal Tubule under Voltage Clamp
Authors: Spring Kenneth R. , Paganelli Charles V.
Published: October 2006

Na transport and electrical properties of Necturus renal proximal tubules were analyzed, in vivo, by a voltage clamp method which utilizes an axial electrode in the tubule lumen for passage of current and simultaneous determination of net fluid (or Na) flux by the split droplet method. When the average spontaneous transepithelial potential difference of –8 mv (lumen negative) was reduced to zero by current passage, net Na flux doubled from a mean of 107 to 227 pmoles/cm2 per sec. The relationship between flux and potential over the range –25 to +10 mv was nonlinear, with flux equilibrium at –15 mv and droplet expansion at more negative values. Calculated Na permeability at flux equilibrium was 7.0 x 10–6 cm/sec. Voltage transients, similar to those caused by intraepithelial unstirred layers, were observed at the end of clamping periods. Tubular electrical resistance measured by brief square or triangle wave pulses (<100 msec) averaged 43 ohm cm2. The epithelial current-voltage relationship was linear over the range –100 to +100 mv, but displayed marked hysteresis during low frequency (<0.04 Hz) triangle wave clamps. The low transepithelial resistance and large opposing unidirectional ion fluxes suggest that passive ionic movements occur across extracellular shunt pathways, while the voltage transients and current-voltage hysteresis are consistent with the development of a local osmotic gradient within epithelium.
Possible role of the bulge region in the pathogenesis of inflammatory scarring alopecia: lichen planopilaris as the prototype
Authors: Mobini Narciss , Tam Sam , Kamino Hideko
Published: October 2006

Background:  Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is the prototype of scarring alopecias that mainly target the infundibuloisthmic (bulge) region of hair follicle. Hair follicle stem cells have been shown to reside in the bulge.

Methods:  We carried out this study to better define the possible pathogenetic role of the bulge in LPP. Thirty‐five cases of LPP were studied. Multiple serial sections of biopsy specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff‐diastase, and Elastic van Gieson. The following immunostains were applied: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD1a, and Ki‐67. Uninvolved follicles and normal scalp biopsy specimens served as normal controls.

Results:  All cases showed a lichenoid lymphocytic infiltrate at the bulge region. The bulb area was spared. CD8+ T cells were increased compared with CD4+ T‐cell population. Langerhans' cells were decreased. Proliferating stem cells, highlighted by Ki‐67, showed a marked decrease in the bulge compared with uninvolved follicles.

Conclusion:  Our study supports the finding that in LPP, the inflammatory infiltrate mainly involves the bulge region, where the stem cells reside. Once this area is damaged, the hair loses its potential of regrowth with resulting scarring alopecia. This is in contrast with inflammatory non‐scarring alopecias such as alopecia areata, where the bulb region is targeted, sparing the stem cells.
Cancer research with non‐coding RNA
Authors: Tomaru Yasuhiro , Hayashizaki Yoshihide
Published: October 2006

Cancer research is not limited to medical research; it expands over several disciplines, incorporating molecular bioscience at both the macro and micro levels. All stages and aspects of cells, from development and differentiation, apoptosis, cell adhesion and many more, are research fields with a connection to cancer. Cancer research in itself is the research of cancer cures. Recently, not only cancer but also bioscience research has surfed on the new wave of RNA knowledge. Most of those RNAs are non‐protein‐coding RNAs and are connected to cell development and differentiation, and thereby with cancer differentiation and treatment. Here we would like to introduce the latest in cancer research that has emerged from the field of molecular biology research. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 1285–1290)
Present role and future prospects of positron emission tomography in clinical oncology
Authors: Oriuchi Noboru , Higuchi Tetsuya , Ishikita Tomohiro , Miyakubo Mitsuyuki , Hanaoka Hirofumi , Iida Yasuhiko , Endo Keigo
Published: October 2006

Positron emission tomography (PET) has emerged as a significant molecular imaging technique in clinical oncology and cancer research. PET with 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) demonstrates elevated glucose consumption by tumor cells, and is used clinically for the accurate staging and restaging of cancer, planning of radiotherapy, and predicting response or lack of response in the early stages of treatment. Combined PET and computed tomography (PET‐CT) provides both functional and morphological information of the disease to allow accurate diagnosis of cancer. PET with new radiotracers such as protein synthesis markers and proliferation markers, as well as hypoxia and receptor‐binding agents, will offer patient‐specific images in order to yield tailored diagnostic and prognostic information. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 1291–1297)
Clinical usefulness of serum telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA as a novel tumor marker for lung cancer
Authors: Miura Norimasa , Nakamura Hiroshige , Sato Reina , Tsukamoto Tomoe , Harada Tomomi , Takahashi Shunsaku , Adachi Youshin , Shomori Kohei , Sano Akiko , Kishimoto Yosuke , Ito Hisao , Hasegawa Junichi , Shiota Goshi
Published: October 2006

Using a newly developed assay of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in serum by real‐time RT‐PCR, we previously reported this assay to be superior to other tumor markers for hepatoma. In this study, we aimed to clarify its clinical significance as a biomarker for lung cancer. In 112 patients with lung tumor and 80 individuals without cancer, we measured serum hTERT mRNA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA levels, using a quantitative one‐step real‐time RT‐PCR assay. We examined its sensitivity and specificity in lung cancer diagnosis, its clinical significance in comparison with other tumor markers, and its correlation with the clinical parameters using multivariate analyses and correlation relative tests. The copy number of serum hTERT mRNA was independently correlated with tumor size, tumor number, presence of metastasis and recurrence, and smoking (all P < 0.05). EGFR mRNA correlated with tumor number and clinical stage (both P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity in lung cancer diagnosis were 89.0% and 72.7% for hTERT mRNA, and 71.3% and 80.0% for EGFR mRNA, respectively. hTERT mRNA was superior to other tumor markers in lung cancer diagnosis. For both mRNAs, serum levels were significantly correlated with levels in lung cancer tissues (both P < 0.05). The copy number of hTERT mRNA significantly decreased after the surgical treatment. The data suggest that hTERT mRNA, especially when combined with EGFR mRNA, is a novel and excellent biomarker for pulmonary malignancies to diagnose and assess the clinical stage. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 1366–1373)
Diagnostic significance of HLA‐DQ typing in patients with previous coeliac disease diagnosis based on histology alone
Authors: KAPITÁNY A. , TÓTH L. , TUMPEK J. , CSÍP? I. , SIPOS E. , WOOLLEY N. , PARTANEN J. , SZEGEDI G. , OLÁH É. , SIPKA S. , KORPONAY‐SZABÓ I. R.
Published: October 2006

Background

Coeliac disease is strongly associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQ2 or DQ8 genotypes. The diagnosis is based on demonstrating crypt‐hyperplastic villous atrophy, endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies and correlation of disease activity with gluten intake.

Aim

To evaluate the clinical utility of HLA‐DQ typing, when coeliac disease diagnosis had previously been established solely by histology.

Methods

HLA‐DQ alleles, endomysial and transglutaminase antibodies were investigated and histology slides reviewed in 70 patients diagnosed 2–25 years earlier by small‐intestinal biopsy but without measuring endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies. Patients without DQ2 or DQ8 or without unequivocal villous atrophy were followed‐up on free diet by using serology and biopsies.

Results

All 40 endomysial/transglutaminase antibodies positive patients carried DQ2 or DQ8, and 39 of them had severe villous atrophy. Only 56% of patients without endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies positivity had DQ2 or DQ8 (P < 0.001). Seropositivity and relapse developed in 4 of 11 DQ2 positive but in none of 15 DQ2 and DQ8 negative patients on long‐term gluten exposure.

Conclusions

Coeliac disease diagnosis based solely on histology is not always reliable. HLA‐DQ typing is important in identifying DQ2 and DQ8 negative subjects who need revision of their diagnosis, but it does not have additive diagnostic value if endomysial positivity is already known.
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends improve the understanding of oxygen delivery and the pathophysiology of hypoxaemia*
Authors: Cosgrove J. F. , Fordy K. , Hunter I. , Nesbitt I. D.
Published: October 2006

Understanding basic pathophysiological principles underpins the practice of many healthcare workers, particularly in a critical care setting. Undergraduate curricula have the potential to separate physiology teaching from clinical contexts, making understanding difficult. We therefore assessed the use of analogous imagery as an aid to understanding. Two groups of first year physiotherapy students were randomly assigned to receive either a control lecture (oxygen delivery and hypoxaemia) or a study lecture (control lecture plus images of a train set delivering rocks: an analogy to oxygen delivery.) Qualitative assessment of the lectures showed a significant (p < 0.001) improvement in understanding by the study group, and increased the proportion of students that found the lecture ‘interesting and stimulating’ (p = 0.01). Quantitative assessment demonstrated a significant increase in the multiple choice questionnaire marks of the study group (p = 0.03). In conclusion, analogous imagery can significantly increase the understanding of this physiological concept.
Gene expression profiling reveals consistent differences between clinical samples of human leukaemias and their model cell lines
Authors: Leupin Nicolas , Kuhn Alexandre , Hügli Barbara , Grob Tobias J. , Jaggi Rolf , Tobler Andreas , Delorenzi Mauro , Fey Martin F.
Published: October 2006

Microarray gene expression profiles of fresh clinical samples of chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase, acute promyelocytic leukaemia and acute monocytic leukaemia were compared with profiles from cell lines representing the corresponding types of leukaemia (K562, NB4, HL60). In a hierarchical clustering analysis, all clinical samples clustered separately from the cell lines, regardless of leukaemic subtype. Gene ontology analysis showed that cell lines chiefly overexpressed genes related to macromolecular metabolism, whereas in clinical samples genes related to the immune response were abundantly expressed. These findings must be taken into consideration when conclusions from cell line‐based studies are extrapolated to patients.
Impaired interferon-γ production in response to live bacteria and Toll-like receptor agonists in patients with ataxia telangiectasia
Authors: Reichenbach J , Schubert R , Feinberg J , Beck O , Rosewich M , Rose M A , Zielen S
Published: October 2006

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a pleiotropic autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder with associated immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition, caused by mutational inactivation of the ATM gene. Early death usually results from lymphoreticular malignancy or recurrent, chronic respiratory infections. Immune deficiency of AT patients is heterogeneous and involves both humoral and cellular responses. Reports on the number and integrity of immunocompetent cells in AT are conflicting. In the early phase of infection, the interleukin (IL)-12/interferon (IFN)-γ axis plays a crucial role in first-line defence against pathogens. In a whole blood assay we studied the IL-12/IFN-γ axis in the immune response of AT cells to the Toll-like receptor agonists lipopolysaccharide and heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus, as well as whole live M. bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG). The function of AT antigen-presenting cells was normal in terms of IL-12 production, while IFN-γ production by T and natural killer (NK) cells was severely impaired, even in the presence of adequate co-stimulation by exogenous IL-12.
Neutrophils and monocytes as potentially important sources of proinflammatory cytokines in diabetes
Authors: Hatanaka E , Monteagudo P T , Marrocos M S M , Campa A
Published: October 2006

Neutrophils and monocytes play a central role in host defence. The invading leucocytes are capable of synthesizing and releasing a variety of proinflammatory mediators including cytokines. Given the importance of cytokines in the progression of chronic and acute inflammatory processes, we aimed to ascertain whether the release of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1ra of neutrophils and monocytes was modified in diabetes. To this end, we measured the release of cytokines in suspensions of cell culture in basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated conditions. In basal conditions, neutrophils of diabetics release 1·6, 3·2, 1·9 and 1·9-fold higher amounts of IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-1ra, respectively, than do healthy controls. Under our experimental conditions, this effect was more evident for neutrophils than for monocytes. Incremental cytokine production was also found to occur when neutrophils were stimulated with LPS. IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α increased, respectively, by 4·0, 1·7 and 2·8-fold. Although the effect was more marked for neutrophils, monocytes showed a tendency for increased cytokine production. The discovery of this increase in cytokines released by the neutrophils of diabetics contributes towards a clearer understanding of other deficiencies described for neutrophils in diabetes, such as the migration of neutrophils to inflammatory sites, phagocytes, release of lytic proteases, production of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis. The excessive production of cytokines may lead to inappropriate activation and tissue injury and even to increased susceptibility to invasive microorganisms. Thus, the increased responsiveness of neutrophils of diabetics demonstrated in this study may be considered part of the scenario of diabetes physiopathology.
Effects of wildfire and permafrost on soil organic matter and soil climate in interior Alaska
Authors: HARDEN JENNIFER W. , MANIES KRISTEN L. , TURETSKY MERRITT R. , NEFF JASON C.
Published: October 2006

The influence of discontinuous permafrost on ground‐fuel storage, combustion losses, and postfire soil climates was examined after a wildfire near Delta Junction, AK in July 1999. At this site, we sampled soils from a four‐way site comparison of burning (burned and unburned) and permafrost (permafrost and nonpermafrost). Soil organic layers (which comprise ground‐fuel storage) were thicker in permafrost than nonpermafrost soils both in burned and unburned sites. While we expected fire severity to be greater in the drier site (without permafrost), combustion losses were not significantly different between the two burned sites. Overall, permafrost and burning had significant effects on physical soil variables. Most notably, unburned permafrost sites with the thickest organic mats consistently had the coldest temperatures and wettest mineral soil, while soils in the burned nonpermafrost sites were warmer and drier than the other soils. For every centimeter of organic mat thickness, temperature at 5 cm depth was about 0.5°C cooler during summer months. We propose that organic soil layers determine to a large extent the physical and thermal setting for variations in vegetation, decomposition, and carbon balance across these landscapes. In particular, the deep organic layers maintain the legacies of thermal and nutrient cycling governed by fire and revegetation. We further propose that the thermal influence of deep organic soil layers may be an underlying mechanism responsible for large regional patterns of burning and regrowth, detected in fractal analyses of burn frequency and area. Thus, fractal geometry can potentially be used to analyze changes in state of these fire prone systems.
Storage stability of acerola tropical fruit juice obtained by hot fill method
Authors: Freitas Claisa Andréa Silva De , Maia Geraldo Arraes , Sousa Paulo Henrique Machado De , Brasil Isabella Montenegro , Pinheiro Anália Maria
Published: October 2006

The present work aimed to evaluate the chemical, physicochemical, sensorial and microbiological changes of non‐sweetened glass‐bottled acerola tropical fruit juice processed by hot fill method stored for 350 days in the same conditions as market (28 ± 2 °C). At the end of the storage period, the juice presented good microbiological stability showing a reduction of the overall acceptance and appearance maintaining, however, the same initial acceptance concerning colour and flavour. The total soluble solid and SO2 were retained throughout the storage. The juice underwent a soft browning and an increase in pH was observed, while total carotenoids, anthocyanins and ascorbic acid suffered a slight decrease.
Recognizing and reporting child physical abuse: a survey of primary healthcare professionals
Authors: Lazenbatt Anne , Freeman Ruth
Published: October 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study of the self‐reported ability and behaviours of primary healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland to recognise child physical abuse. A secondary aim was to assess the educational and training needs of these professionals.

Background.  In the United Kingdom, 7% of children suffer serious physical abuse by a parent or carer, and two children aged under 15 years die from abuse each week. Recognizing child physical abuse depends on the knowledge and skills of a variety of healthcare professionals.

Methods.  A stratified random sample of 979 nurses, doctors, and dentists working in primary care in Northern Ireland were sent a postal questionnaire; 419 responded, giving a 43% response rate. The data were collected in 2002–2003.

Findings.  In their working lives 60% (251) said that they had seen a suspicious child physical abuse case; however, only 47% (201) had reported a suspicious case to the authorities, leaving a 13% gap in reporting. Although 74% (310) of respondents were aware of some of the mechanisms for reporting child physical abuse, 79% (332) requested further education on this topic. Ability to recognize and willingness to report abuse cases discriminated between the three professional groups. Compared with doctors or dentists, community nurses were statistically significantly more likely to recognize and report suspicions of child physical abuse, and were the group most aware of child abuse issues and the most willing to become involved in abuse cases.

Conclusions.  The findings suggest that professional fears and anxieties and lack of knowledge act as barriers to recognizing and reporting abuse and that more specific education and support for primary care professionals is required.