bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simplifying the evaporation method for quantifying soil hydraulic properties
Authors: Schindler Uwe , Müller Lothar
Published: September 2006

Since about 25 years, we have measured the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function and water retention curve with the evaporation method of more than 1500 mineral and organic soils samples. From this data base, 104 representative samples of varying texture and dry bulk density were selected and the temporal dynamics of the basic measured values (mass or water loss, respectively, and tension change over time) was analyzed. With the exception of sand, water loss per time interval was constant in all other mineral and organic soils during the measuring time in the tension range between 0 and about 60 kPa. In sands, the nonlinear water loss over time by evaporation can be described by a quadratic function with high accuracy (r2 > 0.99). For all other soils, a linear function is sufficient (r2 > 0.99). The use of evaporation functions enables extending weighing intervals. This reduces costs for the measuring equipment and increases the effectiveness of the method while maintaining the same quality of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and water retention functions. It was confirmed that measuring with two tensiometers is sufficient for accurate hydraulic conductivity and water retention function. Reducing evaporation by screening the sample surface helps to decrease hydraulic gradients and keeps tension distributions approximately linear with depth. This is recommended in particular for clayey soils.
Genotypic variation in grain cadmium concentration of lowland rice
Authors: He Junyu , Zhu Cheng , Ren Yanfang , Yan Yuping , Jiang Dean
Published: September 2006

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of paddy rice soils is commonly observed in the Yangtse River Delta, China. Large Cd uptake by rice plants and its translocation into the grains can entail human‐health risks. Genotypic variations in Cd uptake and a differential Cd partitioning into grains will be the basis for developing a rice screening or breeding tool for low grain Cd. A field experiment, conducted at the experimental farm of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province from 2002 to 2004, compared 38 rice genotypes of different types (indica vs. japonica) collected from the Yangtse River Delta. The results showed large differences in Cd concentrations in straw, brown rice, and grain chaff among the rice genotypes grown on Cd‐contaminated soil. Concentrations in brown rice ranged from 0.06 to 0.99 mg Cd kg–1. The total Cd uptake in brown rice varied between 0.96 and 28.58 μg plant–1. In general, indica‐type cultivars accumulated significantly more Cd than the japonica‐type cultivars. The Cd concentration in straw was highly correlated with that in brown rice. While significant differences in the Cd‐partitioning ratio (% share of total Cd uptake found in brown rice) among rice genotypes were observed, these were not correlated with Cd concentration of brown rice. This indicates that the Cd accumulation in rice grains appears to be governed mainly by the Cd uptake by the plant and probably not by differential Cd partitioning. The large genotypic variation suggests the possibility to lower the Cd content of rice by genotype selection. The development of such breeding tools should focus on low Cd uptake rather than Cd partitioning between straw and grain.
Mist culture for mass harvesting of root border cells: aluminum effects
Authors: Yu Min , Ming Feng Ying , Goldbach Heiner E.
Published: September 2006

Root border cells, which form a cell layer around the root tip, seem to play multiple roles in the rhizosphere of the apical root. As these cells (species‐dependent dozens to several thousand per root tip) are rapidly sloughed off in water, studies in hydroponic culture fail to elucidate their role in most conventional physiological studies. The common method for harvesting these cells consists in germination of seeds in a humid atmosphere (usually a Petri dish), but labor and time constraints allow to yield only very limited amounts of uniform cells. We thus developed a low‐cost mist‐culture method, where intact border cells can be collected in the range of several grams. We applied this technique in a preliminary experiment where the influence of aluminum (Al) supply on calcium (Ca) release and viability of this cell type was studied. Purified detached border cells of pea were incubated with 0, 50, and 500 mmol m–3 AlCl3 solution (pH 4.5) for 90 min at a ratio of 3 × 105 cells (4 mL)–1. After incubation, cells contained 4.27 and 13.28 mg Al g–1 C at 50 mmol m–3 and 500 mmol m–3 AlCl3, respectively, while their total Ca content decreased correspondingly. Cell viability of border cells as tested by fluorescein diacetate‐propidium iodide (FDA‐PI) fluorescence yielded unexpected results: the test exhibited significantly lower vitality at 50, but not at 500 mmol m–3 AlCl3. Assessing mitochondrial activity by 3‐(4,5)‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl‐2,5 diphenyl‐tetrazolium‐bromide (MTT) reduction showed that viability decreased in a dose‐dependent manner with increasing Al concentrations. This apparent contradiction is attributed to the formation of dense mucilage around border cells at high Al concentrations, which likely inhibits the access of the dye PI or may chemically inactivate this compound and thus wrongly suggest higher viability. Mist culture allows harvesting selectively large amounts of homogeneous border cells quickly and to study their physiological reactions separated from the root tip.
Evaluation of arbuscular mycorrhiza with symbiotic and nonsymbiotic pea isolines at three sites in the Alentejo, Portugal
Authors: Kleikamp Bernd , Joergensen Rainer Georg
Published: September 2006

Providing an appropriate negative control for the experimental factor arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is a fundamental methodological problem. Therefore, the nonmycorrhizal (myc –) and nonnodulating (nod –) pea (Pisum sativum L.) mutant P2 was studied together with the parental symbiotic isogenetic variety Frisson in three experiments: (1) growth response to water supply in a climate chamber under nonsymbiotic growth conditions, (2) field evaluation at three sites in the Alentejo, South Portugal, and (3) growth response to P supply in a soil low in available P in a greenhouse‐chamber experiment. In the climate chamber at high NPK levels, mutant P2 achieved the same biomass as Frisson at 80% and 40% water‐holding capacity, respectively. For the field evaluation, three sites were chosen with normal arable use (Évora), extensive use as Montado (Portel), and intensive horticultural use (Mitra). The colonization of pea roots with AM fungi ranged from 4% (Mitra) to more than 90% (Portel), probably caused by differences in P availability. The plant density of mutant P2 was generally 25% lower than that of Frisson. Yield indices were all lowest at Portel, despite the same NPK fertilization. Grain and shoot yield of mutant P2 did not reach the level of Frisson at any site. Differences in N and P concentrations between the two isolines were insignificant in most cases. Differences in the amount of shoot P per plant consistently mirrored the mycorrhizal status of the three sites. Roughly 50% of the yield depression per m2 could be attributed to the lower plant density of mutant P2, the remaining 50% must be caused by AM‐fungal colonization or other factors. In the final pot experiment using the soil with low P availability from Portel, the main benefit of AM for peas was enhanced P uptake. Central questions could not be answered using a nonmycorrhizal control. However, mutants remain one interesting tool, best be used in combination with other approaches to estimate the effects of mycorrhization.
Natural wetland restoration and the use of municipal wastewater
Authors: Velty Silke , Behrendt Axel , Zeitz Jutta
Published: September 2006

The paper deals with the rewetting of minerotrophic peat soils in lysimeters by means of purified municipal wastewater in different quantities as well as the ability of Phragmites australis to remove nutrients and to enhance wastewater “treatment”. The use of purified municipal wastewater could be an alternative solution for water supply required during rewetting of peat soils. The inputs and outputs at the lysimetric systems in the Havelländisches Luch (Brandenburg) were sampled over a period of 45 months (2001–2004) in order to determine nutrient balances. The aim was to examine potential environmental risks when using municipal wastewater for minerotrophic peat‐soil rewetting as alternative for water shortage in NE Germany since addition of both N and P contribute to eutrophication but not exclusively to evaluate the purification capacity of the peat soil. Even for highest input loadings, there was no discernible discharge water–quality impact over operation time. Summary results showed high percentages of removal by plants for inorganic N, P, and micronutrients. Highest removal in soil and belowground biomass was supposed for inorganic N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Cu.
Mineralogical budgeting of potassium in soil: A basis for understanding standard measures of reserve potassium
Authors: Andrist‐Rangel Ylva , Simonsson Magnus , Andersson Stefan , Öborn Ingrid , Hillier Stephen
Published: September 2006

The study was conducted to investigate the relationship between some standard measures of soil reserve potassium (K) and soil mineralogy. Eight different agricultural soils from the N temperate and S boreal regions were studied and analyzed both by standard methods (exchangeable K, 2 M HCl‐ and aqua regia–extractable K) and by quantitative mineralogical methods based on X‐ray powder diffraction analysis of spray‐dried bulk soils. Linear regression and multivariate methods were used to assess the relationships between standard measures of soil reserve K and a number of soil chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties. A mineralogical budgeting approach, to estimate total K and its speciation between different mineral phases, is shown to be accurate after validation against total K analyzed geochemically. This approach enabled us to determine that both HCl‐ and aqua regia–extractable K were highly correlated with K in dioctahedral phyllosilicates and extracted 1%–17% and 5%–45% of total K, respectively. Neither extraction showed any obvious relationship to K in feldspar, which is frequently a larger reservoir of K in the soils examined.
Pleistocene landscapes in central Iberia inferred from pollen analysis of hyena coprolites
Authors: Carrión J. S. , Scott L. , Arribas A. , Fuentes N. , Gil‐Romera G. , Montoya E.
Published: September 2006

New pollen data from hyena coprolites from central Spain are presented. The fossil faecal material has been recovered from two karstic systems in different localities, Villacastín and Los Torrejones, which are both around 1000 m a.s.l. The combined findings of bone remains and coprolites in both locations suggest the following chronology: late Middle Pleistocene for Villacastín and early Upper Pleistocene for Los Torrejones. The environments inferred from pollen are broadly in keeping with evidence from associated vertebrate fossil remains, and include a shifting mosaic of open and wooded habitats with abundant pine and juniper species, steppe‐grassland areas with composites and chenopods, and enclaves with mixed oak forests. However, Los Torrejones appears to have been less forested than Villacastín. The abundance of oaks in Villacastín may imply the presence of refugia within an interconnected network of several enclaves during the glacial stages in the Upper Pleistocene. A possible explanation for the patchiness of the landscape may be in the role of herbivores, although the long distances and variety of habitats that hyenas had to roam through could be another explanation for the heterogeneous pollen contents in their dung. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Study of the Use of Oscillatory Flow to Characterize Isotactic and Syndiotactic Poly(propylene)s
Authors: Rojo Elena , Peña Begoña , Muñoz Maria Eugenia , Santamaría Anton
Published: September 2006

Summary: A rheological characterization of poly(propylene)s (PP) of different tacticity, monomodal and bimodal molecular distribution and long chain branching (LCB), is presented. Loss factor δ plotted as a function of the complex modulus G* allows to discriminate syndiotactic from isotactic PPs, as well as syndiotactic monomodal from bimodal samples. However, using such rheological plots is not effective to investigate the broadness of the molecular weight distribution and other rheological techniques are proposed. Isotactic and syndiotactic PPs submitted to electro beam irradiation give rise to thermorheological complexity, associated to LCB. The degree of LCB is estimated using complex viscosity results. Syndiotactic poly(propylene)s are more prone to give long branches than isotactic samples.

A symptom of long chain branching is detected in irradiated syndiotactic PPs.

magnified image

A symptom of long chain branching is detected in irradiated syndiotactic PPs.
Flash‐Heating‐Enhanced Ring‐Opening Polymerizations of ε‐Caprolactone under Conventional Conditions
Authors: Li Hao , Liao Liqiong , Wang Qingrong , Liu Lijian
Published: September 2006

Summary: Flash conventional heating (FCH) and microwave heating (MH) were matched in their effects on the ROP of ε‐CL catalyzed by Sn(Oct)2. The temperature of the ROP, heated by a hot salt bath, increased from room temperature to 215 °C within 3 min, which rose a little faster than that by MH (213 °C at 6 min), and the way of heating was considered as FCH. The kinetic results indicate that the chain propagation of PCL was significantly accelerated under FCH conditions and the ratio of the chain propagation rate constant by FCH to that by MH (k/k) was 4.48, if the concentrations of their propagating species were the same. The largest number‐average molar mass ($\overline M _{\rm n}$) of PCL obtained by FCH was 13.0 × 104 g · mol−1 at 6 min, but that by MH was 4.1 × 104 g · mol−1 at 15 min. The ratio of the concentrations of propagating species under the two conditions $([{\rm P}_n^* ]^{{\rm FCH}} /[{\rm P}_n^* ]^{{\rm MH}} )$ was around one‐fifth at 4, 6, and 8 min.

Thermal and kinetic behavior of the ROP of ε‐CL.

magnified image

Thermal and kinetic behavior of the ROP of ε‐CL.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Chem. Phys. 19/2006
Authors: Gao Haifeng , Min Ke , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: September 2006

Cover: 2D liquid chromatograms, a combination of LCCC and SEC, provide information on both chemical composition and molecular weight of the copolymers. PolyMA‐polySt linear and 3‐arm star block copolymers had elution peaks in 2D chromatography clearly different from their polyMA‐Br macroinitiators, indicating high initiation efficiency. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by H. Gao, K. Min, K. Matyjaszewski* on page 1709.
High‐affinity triplex‐forming oligonucleotide target sequences in mammalian genomes
Authors: Wu Qi , Gaddis Sara S. , MacLeod Michael C. , Walborg Earl F. , Thames Howard D. , DiGiovanni John , Vasquez Karen M.
Published: September 2006

Site‐specific recognition of duplex DNA by triplex‐forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) provides a promising approach to manipulate mammalian genomes. A prerequisite for successful gene targeting using this approach is that the targeted gene must contain specific, high‐affinity TFO target sequences (TTS). To date, TTS have been identified and characterized in only ∼37 human or rodent genes, limiting the application of triplex‐directed gene targeting. We searched the complete human and mouse genomes using an algorithm designed to identify high‐affinity TTS. The resulting data set contains 1.9 million potential TTS for each species. We found that 97.8% of known human and 95.2% of known mouse genes have at least one potential high‐affinity TTS in the promoter and/or transcribed gene regions. Importantly, 86.5% of known human and 83% of the known mouse genes have at least one TTS that is unique to that gene. Thus, it is possible to target the majority of human and mouse genes with specific TFOs. We found substantially more potential TTS in the promoter sequences than in the transcribed gene sequences or intergenic sequences in both genomes. We selected 12 mouse genes and 2 human genes critical for cell signaling, proliferation, and/or carcinogenesis, identified potential TTS in each, and determined TFO binding affinities to these sites in vitro. We identified at least one high‐affinity, specific TFO binding site within each of these genes. Using this information, many genes involved in mammalian cell proliferation and carcinogenesis can now be targeted. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combined effects of p73 and MDM2 polymorphisms on the risk of lung cancer
Authors: Jun Hee Jung , Park Sun Ha , Lee Won Kee , Choi Jin Eun , Jang Jin Sung , Kim Eun Jin , Cha Sung Ick , Kim Dong Sun , Kam Sin , Kim Chang Ho , Kang Young Mo , Jung Tae Hoon , Park Jae Yong
Published: September 2006

p73, a structural and functional homologue of p53, plays an important role in modulating cell‐cycle control and apoptosis. MDM2 represses the transcriptional activity of p73 and thus attenuates its activity. Based on the interaction between p73 and MDM2 in cell‐cycle control and apoptosis, we investigated the association between p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 and MDM2 309T > G polymorphisms, alone and in combination, on the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The p73 and MDM2 genotypes were determined in 582 lung cancer patients and in 582 healthy control subjects who were frequency‐matched for age and gender. The p73 AT/AT and MDM2 309 GG genotypes were associated with a nonsignificant increased risk of lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83–2.24; and adjusted OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.92–1.80, respectively), compared with their wild‐type genotypes, respectively. When the p73 and MDM2 polymorphisms were combined, the risk of lung cancer increased in a dose‐dependent manner as the number of variant alleles increased (Ptrend = 0.01). Subjects with three or four variant alleles were at a significantly increased risk of lung cancer (adjusted OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.11–2.74, P = 0.02) compared to subjects with zero variant allele. These results suggest an additive effect of the p73 and MDM2 variant alleles on an increased risk of lung cancer. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phenotypic spectrum of PINK1‐associated parkinsonism in 15 mutation carriers from 1 family
Authors: Hiller Anja , Hagenah Johann M. , Djarmati Ana , Hedrich Katja , Reetz Kathrin , Schneider‐Gold Christiane , Kress Wolfgang , Münchau Alexander , Klein Christine
Published: September 2006

The phenotypic spectrum of PINK1‐associated Parkinsonism was studied in a family with homozygous (n = 4) or heterozygous (n = 3) PINK1 mutations. All homozygous mutation carriers were definitely affected; the heterozygous carriers were asymptomatic but displayed unequivocal signs of probable or possible Parkinsonism. This finding suggests a role not only of homozygous but also of heterozygous PINK1 mutations in the development of parkinsonian signs and underlines the necessity to carefully investigate family members of affected mutation carriers. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Progressive motor syndrome in a welder with pallidal T1 hyperintensity on MRI: A two‐year follow‐up
Authors: Kenangil Gülay , Ertan Sibel , Sayilir Idris , Özekmekçi Sibel
Published: September 2006

Chronic exposure to manganese (Mn) fume during welding may lead to mainly extrapyramidal syndrome that is resistant to treatment. We present a 32‐year‐old patient who developed severe postural instability, Parkinsonism, dystonia, and pyramidal signs in the 10th year of welding. The neurological condition of the patient worsened markedly in the following 3 years, resulting in severe disability rendering him to be assisted in all his daily activities and he did not benefit from any dopaminergic agent. T1 sequences of the MRI of the brain showed pallidal hyperintensity symmetrically. Welders in our country often protect their eyes but ignore to use tools that protect them from inhalation of the fume. Since chronic Mn toxicity may cause serious disability and irreversible neurological disturbances, we strongly believe that it is necessary to inform welders and their employers about this potential hazard. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Novel mutation in the ceruloplasmin gene causing a cognitive and movement disorder with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shang Hui‐Fang , Jiang Xiao‐Feng , Burgunder Jean‐Marc , Chen Qin , Zhou Dong
Published: September 2006

In a Chinese woman who had diabetes mellitus, undetectable ceruloplasmin, hand tremor, neck dystonia, and cognitive disturbances, genetic analyses revealed a novel homozygous mutation (848G>C or W283S) in exon 5 in the ceruloplasmin gene. Another member with a milder phenotype was also affected by this mutation. The healthy sister was heterozygous at the same position. Aceruloplasminemia has not yet been reported in China. This case suggests that increased awareness should be paid to this disorder in the presence of the typical symptoms. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
The evolution of progesterone receptor ligands
Authors: Madauss Kevin P. , Stewart Eugene L. , Williams Shawn P.
Published: September 2006

Progesterone is one of the first nuclear receptor hormones to be described functionally and subsequently approached as a drug target. Because progesterone (1) affects both menstruation and gestation via the progesterone receptor (PR), research aimed at modulating its activity is usually surrounded by controversy. However, ligands for PR were developed into drugs, and their evolution can be crudely divided into three periods: (1) drug‐like steroids that mimic the gestational properties of progesterone; (2) drug‐like steroids with different properties from progesterone and expanded therapeutic applications; and (3) non‐steroidal PR ligands with improved selectivity and modulator properties and further expanded therapeutic applications. Although the latter have yet to see widespread clinical applications, their development is founded on a half century of research, and they represent the future for this drug target. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 27, No. 3, 374–400, 2007
Muscle activation assessment: Effects of method, stimulus number, and joint angle
Authors: Bampouras Theodoros M. , Reeves Neil D. , Baltzopoulos Vasilios , Maganaris Constantinos N.
Published: September 2006

Activation capacity has traditionally been assessed using the interpolated twitch technique (ITT) and central activation ratio (CAR). However, the quantitative agreement of the two methods and the physiological mechanisms underpinning any possible differences have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare and assess the sensitivity of the ITT and CAR to potential errors introduced by (1) evoking inadequate force, by manipulating the number of stimuli, and (2) neglecting differences in series elasticity between conditions, by manipulating joint angle. Ten subjects performed knee extension contractions at 30° and 90° knee‐joint angles during which the ITT and CAR methods were applied using 1, 2, 4, and 8 electrical stimuli. Joint angle influenced the ITT outcome with higher values taken at 90° (P < 0.05), while the number of stimuli influenced the CAR outcome with a higher number of stimuli yielding lower values (P < 0.05). For any given joint angle and stimulus number, the CAR method produced higher activation values than the ITT method by 8%–16%. Therefore, in the quantification of voluntary drive with the ITT and CAR methods consideration should be given not only to the number of stimuli applied but also to the effect of series elasticity due to joint‐angle differences, since these factors may differently affect the outcome of the calculation, depending on the approach followed. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Dietary treatment of gluten neuropathy
Authors: Hadjivassiliou Marios , Kandler Rosalind H. , Chattopadhyay Arup K. , Davies‐Jones Aelwyn G. B. , Jarratt John A. , Sanders David S. , Sharrack Basil , Grünewald Richard A.
Published: September 2006

We studied the effect of a gluten‐free diet in patients with idiopathic sensorimotor axonal neuropathy and circulating antigliadin antibodies. Consecutive patients underwent baseline neurophysiological assessment and were offered a gluten‐free diet. Those who went on the diet formed the intention‐to‐treat group and those who did not were the control group. Repeat neurophysiological assessment and subjective evaluation of neuropathy symptoms were performed at 1 year. A total of 35 patients participated in the study, with 25 patients going on the diet and 10 not doing so. There was a significant difference in the change of sural sensory action potentials (pre‐defined primary endpoint), with evidence of improvement in the intention‐to‐treat group and deterioration in the control group. Subjective change in neuropathy symptoms also showed significant differences, with patients in the intention‐to‐treat group reporting improvement and those in the control group reporting deterioration. Gluten‐free diet may thus be a useful therapeutic intervention for patients with gluten neuropathy. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Measurement of coping and stress responses in women with breast cancer
Authors: Compas Bruce E. , Beckjord Ellen , Agocha Bede , Sherman Marne L. , Langrock Adela , Grossman Cynthia I. , Dausch Barbara , Glinder Judith , Kaiser Cheryl , Anderson‐Hanley Cay , Luecken Linda
Published: September 2006

The development of the Responses to Stress Questionnaire‐cancer version (RSQ‐CV) to assess coping with and responses to the stress of breast cancer is described. The RSQ‐CV was completed by 232 women with breast cancer near the time of their diagnosis. Confirmatory factor analyses verified a model that includes three voluntary coping factors (primary control engagement coping, secondary control engagement coping, disengagement coping) and two involuntary stress response factors (involuntary engagement, involuntary disengagement). Internal consistency reliability, and stability over 12 weeks for the five factors were adequate to excellent. Convergent and discriminant validity was examined through correlations with measures of intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and dimensions of perceived control. Significant correlations with symptoms of anxiety and depression are also reported. Applications of the RSQ‐CV for research with breast cancer patients are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compton profile study of gold: Theory and experiment
Authors: Ahuja B. L. , Sharma M. , Bross H.
Published: September 2006

We present momentum densities and Compton profiles for gold calculated in the local‐density approximation (LDA) by use of the modified augmented plane wave (MAPW) self‐consistent scheme. Our theoretical calculations have been compared with our experimental Compton profile, measured at an intermediate resolution (0.40 a.u.) using 661.65 keV gamma‐rays. We have also compared our measurements with the APW calculations of Papanicolaou et al. It is seen that our LDA‐MAPW calculations with e––e– correlation correction are in better agreement with our experimental data. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Geometric and electronic structure of carbon nanotube junctions obtained by intersection of cylinders
Authors: László I.
Published: September 2006

In this work the local electronic densities of states are calculated for four carbon nanotube junctions. The junctions are constructed with geometric intersection of cylinders. It was found that for any two nanotubes various junctions and thus various electronic structures can be constructed depending on the number of pentagons heptagons and other non‐hexagonal polygons. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Combining ability analysis of blackpod disease incidence in cocoa genotypes in Ghana
Authors: Adomako B
Published: September 2006

There were significant differences between cocoa genotypes in the levels of blackpod disease in two field trials. Additive (genetic) effects were predominant. The genotypes Pa 150, Alph. B36 and Pound 7 were identified as the best parents for breeding for enhanced resistance to the disease. The performance of cocoa progenies in terms of blackpod disease incidence cannot always be reliably predicted from the genetic potential of their parents. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Effects of supplementing different forms of Acacia saligna leaves to grass hay on feed intake and growth of lambs
Authors: Asefa Getachew , Tamir Berhan
Published: September 2006

Supplementation with Acacia saligna leaves in fresh, wilted and sun‐dried forms to grass hay improved (p < 0.05) the organic matter and crude protein intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency by lambs. The sun‐dried leaves gave a greater reduction in fibre components and condensed tannins than the wilted and fresh forms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Effect of supplementing different levels of leftover of khat (Catha edulis) to sorghum stover on nutrient intake and digestibility by goats
Authors: Tamir Berhan , Ismail Mohammed
Published: September 2006

Supplementation with the leftover of khat (Catha edulis) of sorghum stover at 45–60% dry matter improved the intake and apparent digestibility of the dry matter and nutrients of the total diet by goats. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The influence of pruning on sex expression and yield of the fluted pumpkin, Telfairia occidentalis
Authors: Akpan GA , Odejimi RAO
Published: September 2006

Pruning increased the number of edible shoots, fruits set and harvested, pistillate flowers and also the percentage of of pistillate flowers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
A RANS 3D model with unbounded eddy viscosities
Authors: Lederer J. , Lewandowski R.
Published: September 2006

We consider the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) model of order one

(\mathbf{u},p,k)

set in

\mathbb{R}^{3}

which couples the Stokes Problem to the equation for the turbulent kinetic energy by

k

-dependent eddy viscosities in both equations and a quadratic term in the

k

-equation. We study the case where the velocity and the pressure satisfy periodic boundary conditions while the turbulent kinetic energy is defined on a cell with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The corresponding eddy viscosity in the fluid equation is extended to

\mathbb{R}^{3}

by periodicity. Our contribution is to prove that this system has a solution when the eddy viscosities are nondecreasing, smooth, unbounded functions of

k

, and the eddy viscosity in the fluid equation is a concave function.

On considère le modèle de turbulence moyenné d'ordre 1 issu des équations de Navier–Stokes (modèle RANS) satisfait par la vitesse moyenne

u

, la pression moyenne

p

et l'énergie cinétique turbulente

k

(ECT), le problème étant posé dans

\mathbb{R}^{3}

. On ne considère pas les termes de convection dans ce problème. Les équations pour la vitesse et la pression sont couplées avec l'équation pour l'ECT par des viscosités turbulentes fonctions de l'ECT et un terme quadratique dans le second membre de l'équation pour l'ECT. On considère le cas de conditions aux limites périodiques pour la vitesse et la pression, l'ECT étant définie dans une cellule avec des conditions de Dirichlet homogènes sur le bord et étendue à

\mathbb{R}^{3}

par périodicité. Les viscosités turbulentes correspondantes sont également étendues à

\mathbb{R}^{3}

par périodicité. Notre contribution dans ce travail est la preuve de l'existence d'une solution faible assez régulière à ce système, à savoir

H^{2}

, quand les viscosités turbulentes sont des fonctions croissantes de l'ECT, de classe

C^{2}

, non bornées et de plus la viscosité dans l'équation du fluide est une fonction concave.
Antigen receptor regulation of phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase 1 pathways during thymocyte development
Authors: Hinton Heather J. , Clarke Rosemary G. , Cantrell Doreen A.
Published: September 2006

Phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) is essential for T cell development but little is know about the stimuli that regulate PDK1 signaling in vivo. The thymus contains a heterogeneous mixture of cells at different stages of development making it difficult to use biochemical techniques to examine the activity of PDK1 pathways as thymocytes develop in situ. Herein, we use a single cell assay to quantify activation of the PDK1 target kinase ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) in different murine thymocyte subsets immediately ex vivo. This technique allows an assessment of S6K1 activation as thymocytes respond to developmental stimuli in vivo. These studies reveal that only a small percentage of thymocytes show evidence for activation of PDK1 mediated signaling in situ. The thymic subpopulations that contain active PDK1/S6K1 are those known to be responding to signaling by the pre T cell receptor and the mature alpha/beta T cell antigen receptor (TCR). Moreover, loss of antigen receptor signaling in T cell progenitors that cannot rearrange their TCR beta locus prevents in vivo activation of S6K1. The present data identifying antigen receptor signaling as a key activator of PDK1 mediated signaling afford a molecular explanation for the important role of this molecule in T cells.
Prospective study of the microbiological flora of hearing aid moulds and the efficacy of current cleaning techniques
Authors: Ahmad N , Etheridge C , Farrington M , Baguley D M
Published: September 2006

Introduction: Wearing hearing aid earmoulds has been implicated as a predisposing factor in the development of chronic otitis externa. Audiologists come into contact with a large number of hearing aid earmoulds and these could potentially harbour pathogenic micro-organisms, with the risk of subsequent cross infection. Cleaning with dilute alcohol is widely used in an attempt to break the chain of infection.

Objective: To determine the presence and nature of microbial flora on hearing aid earmoulds and the efficacy of cleaning methods used to prevent cross infection.

Setting: Secondary health care within the audiology department of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

Design: A prospective, observational study.

Methods: Hearing aid earmoulds were swabbed before and after cleaning. Samples were cultured to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the microbiological flora present before and after cleaning.

Results: Twenty out of 21 (95 per cent) earmoulds had microbes present and, of these, 19/20 (95 per cent) had a polymicrobial profile. Coagulase negative staphylococci and diphtheroids were the most frequent microbial isolates, but pathogenic bacteria and fungi were also demonstrated on earmoulds both before and after cleaning.

Conclusions: The polymicrobial flora, including recognized pathogens, that colonizes earmoulds may lead to chronic otitis externa. Cleaning with 70 per cent alcohol solution was ineffective, in particular for pathogenic fungi on earmoulds.
The Phenomenon of Suicide Bombing
Authors: Grimland Meytal , Apter Alan , Kerkhof Ad
Published: September 2006

This article reviews the literature on the phenomenon of suicide bombing. It addresses the question of just how much a psychological understanding of the individuals involved can aid in prevention. The article looks at historical, epidemiological, and cultural perspectives and compares the nonpsychological and psychological approaches to suicide bombing. On the basis of the material available it seems that social processes such as group-dynamic indoctrination and political factors are decisive in analyzing this problem. Cultural, nationalistic, and religious factors are important. The conclusion is that in suicidal bombing, suicide is instrumental in the context of war, not in the context of psychopathology. Suicide bombing is instrumental in realizing fatalities, and it is only one of many weapons. The act of killing in warfare is more important to understanding suicidal terrorism than the act of suicide. This explains why psychological profiling of suicidal terrorists has to date not been successful.
One-Hundred Cases of Suicide in Budapest
Authors: Zonda Tamás
Published: September 2006

The authors performed a case-controlled psychological autopsy study of 100 successive suicides in Budapest, examining the presence of major depression, alcohol, and drug and/or medicament dependency/ abuse according to DSM-IV. The presence of somatic diseases, psychosocial stress, oppressive experiences, and interpersonal relationship disorders within the period of 1 month previous to death was also examined. The control group of 100 people who died of natural causes was identical with the suicide group in respect of number, sex, and age. Results: Among those committing suicide, psychosocial stress, oppressive experiences, and interpersonal relationship disorders were much more frequent and behavioral changes occurred more often in the weeks preceding death compared to the control group. A single suicide attempt during one's life span did not prove to be predictive for a later fatal action, but multiple attempts did. Major depression was diagnosed in 36% of the cases in the suicide group and 17% in the control group. Half of major-depressed suicides (18 persons) and almost all in the control group (16 persons) suffered from reactive (secondary) major depression as a result of somatic disease. Severe alcoholism was found in 33% of the suicide cases and in 44% of the control group. Drug and/or medicament consumption (misuse and/or abuse) occurred in 14% and 8% of the cases, respectively. The data emphasize again that alcoholism seems to be one of the most serious problems in Hungary both in psychological and somatic illnesses.
Suicide and Other External-Cause Mortality Statistics in Ireland
Authors: Corcoran Paul , Arensman Ella , O'Mahony Desmond
Published: September 2006

There are two sets of annual mortality statistics released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in Ireland, one based on deaths registered in the particular year and the other based on the deaths that occurred in that year. We compared the registration and occurrence figures for suicide and for other deaths by an external cause for the years 1987-2003. The occurrence figures were, on average, 6% higher than the registration figures. There was evidence that the extent of the discrepancy increased over the study period, reaching almost 20% in recent years. The findings suggest that caution needs to be taken in the media reporting of registration figures for suicide and other external causes of death in Ireland and in the interpretation of these figures by health professionals.
Thermal and kinematic modeling of bedrock and detrital cooling ages in the central Himalaya
Authors: Brewer I. D. , Burbank D. W.
Published: September 2006

We introduce a new method that convolves detrital mineral cooling ages with digital elevation models to test numerical models of erosion in collisional orogens. Along a Trans‐Himalayan transect in central Nepal, we develop a kinematic and thermal model to predict variations in bedrock cooling ages in modern Himalayan topography. The model assumes a thermal steady state and utilizes a simple ramp‐and‐flat‐style decollement, representing the Main Himalayan Thrust. The model also assumes a topographic steady state, such that overthrusting is balanced by erosion to maintain a constant topographic profile. Erosion rates display strong spatial variations as a function of the angle between the slope of the topographic surface and the trajectories of rock particles approaching the surface. To predict the detrital cooling‐age signal, we combine the distribution of bedrock cooling ages within a catchment with the rate of erosion and distribution of muscovite. Predicted cooling‐age distributions are compared with detrital 40Ar/39Ar muscovite data to assess varying tectonic and erosion scenarios. Such cooling‐age distributions are very sensitive to how much of the total plate convergence is expressed as erosion of the overthrusting plate. The best fit model assigns 4–6 km Myr−1 of overthrusting (equivalent to as much as 1.5–2 km Myr−1 of vertical erosion) to the Asian plate. Although a trade‐off exists between ramp geometry along the decollement and the best fit rate, only a narrow range of ramp dips, decollement depths, and erosionally compensated overthrusting rates are compatible with the observed detrital ages.
Somali Current rings in the eastern Gulf of Aden
Authors: Fratantoni David M. , Bower Amy S. , Johns William E. , Peters Hartmut
Published: September 2006

New satellite‐based observations reveal that westward translating anticyclonic rings are generated as a portion of the Somali Current accelerates northward through the Socotra Passage near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. Rings thus formed exhibit azimuthal geostrophic velocities exceeding 50 cm/s, are comparable in overall diameter to the width of the Gulf of Aden (250 km), and translate westward into the gulf at 5–8 cm/s. Ring generation is most notable in satellite ocean color imagery in November immediately following the transition between southwest (boreal summer) and northeast (winter) monsoon regimes. The observed rings contain anomalous fluid within their core which reflects their origin in the equator‐crossing Somali Current system. Estimates of Socotra Passage flow variability derived from satellite altimetry provide evidence for a similar ring generation process in May following the winter‐to‐summer monsoon transition. Cyclonic recirculation eddies are observed to spin up on the eastern flank of newly formed rings with the resulting vortex pair translating westward together. Recent shipboard and Lagrangian observations indicate that vortices of both sign have substantial vertical extent and may dominate the lateral circulation at all depths in the eastern Gulf of Aden.
Indian Ocean zonal mode activity in a multicentury integration of a coupled AOGCM consistent with climate proxy data
Authors: Mölg Thomas , Renold Manuel , Vuille Mathias , Cullen Nicolas J. , Stocker Thomas F. , Kaser Georg
Published: September 2006

The coupled atmosphere‐ocean system over the Indian Ocean (termed Indian Ocean Zonal Mode, IOZM) and its activity over the past 200 years is analyzed in a paleoclimate simulation from a coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation model (AOGCM). Validation shows that the AOGCM captures spatio‐temporal patterns of sea surface temperature anomalies as well as the seasonal phase‐locking feature of the IOZM. The period 1820–1880 exhibits a high frequency of climatically significant IOZM events, compared to a relatively low frequency in the 20th century. This shift in frequency provides a climate dynamics background for the interpretation of proxy data from East Africa, a region subjected to anomalously strong October–December precipitation during IOZM events. In the late 19th century, East African lakes had highstands (e.g., Lake Victoria) and its glaciers stable extents (e.g., Kilimanjaro), consistent with a wetter climate due to the higher frequency of IOZM events.
Evidence of Holocene uplift in east New Britain, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Riker‐Coleman K. E. , Gallup C. D. , Wallace L. M. , Webster J. M. , Cheng H. , Edwards R. L.
Published: September 2006

We present the first published evidence of uplift along the eastern coast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea based upon 230Th dating of uplifted Holocene coral reefs. Although uplift rates of the nearby Huon Peninsula are well constrained (∼2–3 m/ka), little is known about vertical motion along the eastern margin of New Britain. Based upon relative sea‐level curves for Papua New Guinea, present sample elevations, and estimates of paleowater depth of four in‐situ Holocene corals we calculate an average uplift rate of 1.6 ± 0.4 m/ka for the southeast coast of New Britain. We suggest underplating of subducted sediment as a possible mechanism for uplift of the reefs.
Abrupt decline in the Arctic winter sea ice cover
Authors: Comiso Josefino C.
Published: September 2006

Although the Arctic perennial ice cover has been on a rapid decline, the winter ice cover had been unexpectedly stable. We report and provide insights into a remarkable turn of events, with the observation of record low ice extent and area during the winters of 2005 and 2006. Negative ice anomalies in these years are prevalent in the peripheral seas but are most dominant in the eastern Arctic basin where the perennial ice becomes even more vulnerable to further decline. Overall, the winter ice anomalies correlate well with surface temperature anomalies and wind circulation patterns. Since historical satellite data indicate a positive trend in winter temperatures and a negative trend in the length of seasonal ice growth period, it is likely that the winter ice cover will continue to retreat in the near future. Results suggest that the expected warming impact of greenhouse gases is becoming apparent in the Arctic during the dark winter months.
High‐latitude eruptions cast shadow over the African monsoon and the flow of the Nile
Authors: Oman Luke , Robock Alan , Stenchikov Georgiy L. , Thordarson Thorvaldur
Published: September 2006

Nile River records indicate very low flow following the 1783–1784 Laki volcanic eruption, as well as after other high‐latitude volcanic eruptions. As shown by climate model simulations of the Laki eruption, significant cooling (−1° to −3°C) of the Northern Hemisphere land masses during the boreal summer of 1783 resulted in a strong dynamical effect of weakening the African and Indian monsoon circulations, with precipitation anomalies of −1 to −3 mm/day over the Sahel of Africa, thus producing the low Nile flow. Future high‐latitude eruptions would significantly impact the food and water supplies in these areas. Using observations of the flow of the Nile River, this new understanding is used to support a date of 939 for the beginning of the eruption of the Eldgjá volcano in Iceland, the largest high‐latitude eruption of the past 1500 years.
Single‐particle mass spectrometry of tropospheric aerosol particles
Authors: Murphy D. M. , Cziczo D. J. , Froyd K. D. , Hudson P. K. , Matthew B. M. , Middlebrook A. M. , Peltier R. E. , Sullivan A. , Thomson D. S. , Weber R. J.
Published: September 2006

The Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) instrument has measured the composition of single particles during a number of airborne and ground‐based campaigns. In the regions studied, 30% to over 80% of the aerosol mass in the free troposphere was carbonaceous material. Most of this carbonaceous material was probably organic. Although there were variations in their amounts, over 90% of accumulation mode particles away from local sources were internal mixtures of sulfates and carbonaceous material. Within this internal mixing, there was variation in the pattern of carbonaceous peaks in the spectra, especially in peaks related to organic acids. Particles with a biomass burning signature were a significant fraction of accumulation mode particles even far from fires. The accumulation mode near the ocean surface off the coasts of California and New England had significant numbers of carbonaceous‐sulfate particles whereas at Cape Grim, Tasmania, the organic‐sulfate particles were apparently all smaller than 160 nm. Three kinds of nitrate were evident: on mineral particles, on carbonaceous‐sulfate particles when the sulfate was fully neutralized, and at temperatures below about 198 K. Most mineral particles showed evidence of the uptake of nitrates and chloride. A peak that probably represents protonated pyridine appears in some spectra in the free troposphere.