bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sediment mobility and bedload transport conditions in an alpine stream
Authors: Mao Luca , Lenzi Mario Aristide
Published: December 2006

The mobility conditions of bedload transport in an alpine high‐gradient step–pool stream (Rio Cordon) are analysed. Since 1986, a device system at the downstream end section of the stream has been operating in order to monitor the water discharge, suspended sediment and bedload transport. Sediment distribution of bedload transported by various floods has been analysed, and equal‐mobility evidence is recognized only for the high‐magnitude flows ever recorded (RI > 50 years). The thresholds for size‐selective and equal‐mobility transport conditions are identified and quantified by using both data provided by the fractional transport rate and by length displacements of marked particles. Size‐selective bedload transport seems to dominate when the critical shear stress of the size fractions τci considered is exceeded, whereas the equal‐mobility condition is approached as levels of excess shear stress become higher (τeqi = 1·45τci). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regression‐based approach to low flow prediction in the Maryland Piedmont region under joint climate and land use change
Authors: Hejazi Mohamad I. , Moglen Glenn E.
Published: December 2006

We examine the low flow records for six urbanized watersheds in the Maryland Piedmont region and develop regression equations to predict annual minimum low flow events. The effects of both future climate (based on precipitation and temperature projections from two climate models: Hadley and the Canadian Climate Centre (CCC)) and land use change are incorporated to illustrate possible future trends in low flows. A regression modelling approach is pursued to predict the minimum annual 7‐day low flow estimates for the proposed future scenarios. A regional regression model was calibrated with between 10 and 50 years of daily precipitation, daily average temperature, annual imperviousness, and the daily observed flow time‐series across six watersheds. Future simulations based on a 55 km2 urbanizing watershed just north of Washington, DC, were performed. When land use and climate change were employed singly, the former predicted no trends in low flows and the latter predicted significant increasing trends under Hadley and no trends under CCC. When employed jointly, however, low flows were predicted to decrease significantly under CCC, whereas Hadley predicted no significant trends in low flows. Antecedent precipitation was the most influential predictor on low flows, followed by urbanization. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of regional land surface heat fluxes over a heterogeneous landscape of the Jiddah area of Saudi Arabia by using Landsat‐7 ETM data
Authors: Ma Yaoming , Tian Hui , Ishikawa Hirohiko , Ohba Ryohji , Ueda Hiromasa , Wen Jun
Published: December 2006

In this study, a parameterization method based on Landsat‐7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) data and field observations is presented and tested for deriving the regional land surface variables, vegetation variables and land surface heat fluxes over a heterogeneous landscape. As a case study, the method and two Landsat‐7 ETM images are applied to the Jiddah area of Saudi Arabia. The regional distribution maps of surface reflectance, normalized difference vegetation index, modified soil adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), vegetation coverage, leaf area index, surface temperature, net radiation flux, soil heat flux, sensible heat flux and latent heat flux have been determined over the Jiddah area. The derived results have been validated by using the ‘ground truth’. The results show that the more reasonable regional distributions of land surface variables (surface reflectance, surface temperature), vegetation variables (MSAVI and vegetation coverage), net radiation, soil heat flux and sensible heat flux can be obtained by using the method proposed in this study. Further improvement of the method is also discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of potential evapotranspiration in the mountainous Panama Canal watershed
Authors: Wang Jianzhong , Georgakakos Konstantine P.
Published: December 2006

Spatially distributed hydrometeorological and plant information within the mountainous tropical Panama Canal watershed is used to estimate parameters of the Penman–Monteith evapotranspiration formulation. Hydrometeorological data from a few surface climate stations located at low elevations in the watershed are complemented by (a) typical wet‐ and dry‐season fields of temperature, wind, water vapour and pressure produced by a mesoscale atmospheric model with a 3 × 3 km2 spatial and hourly temporal resolution, and (b) leaf area index fields estimated over the watershed during a few years using satellite data with two different spatial and temporal resolutions. The mesoscale model estimates of spatially distributed surface hydrometeorological variables provide the basis for the extrapolation of the surface climate station data to produce input for the Penman–Monteith equation. The satellite information and existing digital spatial databases of land use and land cover form the basis for the estimation of Penman–Monteith spatially distributed parameter values. Spatially distributed 3 × 3 km2 potential evapotranspiration estimates are obtained for the 3300 km2 Panama Canal watershed. Estimates for Gatun Lake within the watershed are found to reproduce well the monthly and annual lake evaporation obtained from submerged pans. Sensitivity analysis results of potential evapotranspiration estimates with respect to cloud cover, dew formation, leaf area index distribution and mesoscale model estimates of surface climate are presented and discussed. The main conclusion is that even the limited spatially distributed hydrometeorological and plant information used in this study contributes significantly toward explaining the substantial spatial variability of potential evapotranspiration in the watershed. These results also allow the determination of key locations within the watershed where additional surface stations may be profitably placed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy budget above a temperate mixed forest in northeastern China
Authors: Wu Jiabing , Guan Dexin , Han Shijie , Shi Tingting , Jin Changjie , Pei Tiefan , Yu Guirui
Published: December 2006

Components of the energy budget were measured continuously above a 300‐year‐old temperate mixed forest at the Changbaishan site, northeastern China, from 1 January to 31 December 2003, as a part of the ChinaFlux programme. The albedo values above the canopy were lower than most temperate forests, and the values for snow‐covered canopy were over 50% higher than for the snow‐free canopy. In winter, net radiation Rn was generally less than 5% of the summer value due to high albedo and low incoming solar radiation. The annual mean latent heat LE was 37·5 W m−2, accounting for 52% of Rn. The maximum daily evaporation was about 4·6 mm day−1 in summer. Over the year, the accumulated precipitation was 578 mm; this compares with 493 mm of evapotranspiration, which shows that more than 85% of water was returned to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. The LE was strongly affected by the transpiration activity and increased quickly as the broadleaved trees began to foliate. The sensible heat H dropped at that time, although Rn increased. Consequently, the seasonal variation in the Bowen ratio β was clearly U‐shaped, and the minimum value (0·1) occurred on a sunny day just after rain, when most of the available energy was used for evapotranspiration. Negative β values occurred occasionally in the non‐growing season as a result of intensive radiative cooling and the presence of water on the surface. The β was very high (up to 13·0) in snow‐covered winter, when evapotranspiration was small due to low surface temperature and available soil water. Vegetation phenology and soil moisture were the key variables controlling the available energy partitioning between H and LE. Energy budget closure averaged better than 86% on a half‐hourly basis, with slightly greater closure on a daily basis. The degree of closure showed a dependence on friction velocity u*. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating the transport and removal of chromate using pyrite and biotite columns
Authors: Chon Chul‐Min , Kim Jae Gon , Moon Hi‐Soo
Published: December 2006

To remove chromate from a wastewater, a porous permeable reactive barrier system (PRBS), using pyrite and biotite, was adapted. This study included bench‐scale column experiments to evaluate the efficiency of the PRBS and investigate the reaction process. The total chromium concentration of the effluent from the biotite and pyrite columns reached the influent concentration of 0·10 mM after passing through more than 150 pore volumes (PVs) and 27 PVs respectively, and remained constant thereafter. The CrVI concentration in the effluent from the biotite column became constant at about 0·08 mM, accounting for approximately 80% of the influent concentration, after passing through 200 PVs. Moreover, in the pyrite column, the CrVI concentration remained at about 0·01 mM, 10% of the input level, after passing through 116 PVs. This shows that both columns maintained their levels of chromate reduction once the CrVI breakthrough curves (BTCs) had reached the steady state, though the steady‐state output concentration of total chromium had reached the influent level. The variances of the iron concentration closely followed those of the chromium. The observed data for both columns were fitted to the predicted BTCs calculated by CXTFIT, a program for estimating the solute transport parameters from experimental data. The degradation coefficient µ of the total chromium BTCs for both columns was zero, suggesting the mechanisms for the removal of chromate limit the µ of the CrVI BTCs. The CrVI degradation of the pyrite column (6·60) was much greater than that of the biotite column (0·27). In addition, the CrVI retardation coefficient R of the pyrite column (253) was also larger than that of the biotite column (125). The R values for the total chromium BTCs from both columns were smaller than those of the CrVI BTC. Whereas the total chromium BTC for the pyrite column showed little retardation (1·5), the biotite column showed considerable retardation (80). The results for the 900 °C heat‐treated biotite column were analogous to those of the control column (quartz sand). This suggests that the heat‐treated biotite played no role in the retardation and removal of hexavalent chromium. The parameters of the heat‐treated biotite were calculated to an R of 1·2 and µ of 0·01, and these values confirmed quantitatively that the heated biotite had little effect on the transport of CrVI. These solute transport parameters, calculated by CXTFIT from the data obtained from the column tests, can provide quantitative information for the evaluation of bench‐ or field‐scale columns as a removal technology for CrVI in wastewater or contaminated groundwater. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Agricultural land use and hydrology affect variability of shallow groundwater nitrate concentration in South Florida
Authors: Ritter A. , Muñoz‐Carpena R. , Bosch D. D. , Schaffer B. , Potter T. L.
Published: December 2006

South Florida's Miami‐Dade agricultural area is located between two protected natural areas, the Biscayne and Everglades National Parks, subject to the costliest environmental restoration project in history. Agriculture, an important economic activity in the region, competes for land and water resources with the restoration efforts and Miami's urban sprawl. The objective of this study, understanding water quality interactions between agricultural land use and the shallow regional aquifer, is critical to the reduction of agriculture's potentially negative impacts. A study was conducted in a 4‐ha square field containing 0·9 ha of corn surrounded by fallow land. The crop rows were oriented NW–SE along the dominant groundwater flow in the area. A network of 18 monitoring wells was distributed across the field. Shallow groundwater nitrate–nitrogen concentration [N‐NO3−] was analyzed on samples collected from the wells biweekly for 3 years. Detailed hydrological (water table elevation [WTE] at each well, groundwater flow direction [GwFD], rainfall) and crop (irrigation, fertilization, calendar) data were also recordedin situ. Flow direction is locally affected by seasonal regional drainage through canal management exercised by the local water authority. The data set was analyzed by dynamic factor analysis (DFA), a specialized time series statistical technique only recently applied in hydrology. In a first step, the observed nitrate variation was successfully described by five common trends representing the unexplained variability. By including the measured hydrological series as explanatory variables the trends were reduced to only three. The analysis yields a quantification of the effects of hydrological factors over local groundwater nitrate concentration. Furthermore, a spatial structure across the field, matching land use, was found in the five remaining common trends whereby the groundwater [N‐NO3−] in wells within the corn rows could be generally separated from those in fallow land NW and SE of the crop strip. Fertilization, masked by soil/water/plant‐delayed processes, had no discernible effect on groundwater nitrate levels. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydroclimatic controls on dissolved organic matter (DOM) characteristics and implications for trace metal transport in Hwangryong River Watershed, Korea, during a summer monsoon period
Authors: Park Ji‐Hyung , Lee Ji‐Ho , Kang Seo‐Young , Kim Sei‐Young
Published: December 2006

Frequent heavy rainfalls during the East Asian summer monsoon drastically increase water flow and chemical loadings to surface waters. A solid understanding of hydroclimatic controls on watershed biogeochemical processes is crucial for water quality control during the monsoon period. We investigated spatio‐temporal variations in the concentrations and spectroscopic properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and the concentrations of trace metals in Hwangryong River, Korea, during a summer period from the relatively dry month of June through the following months with heavy rainfall. DOM and its spectroscopic properties differed spatially along the river, and also depended on storm and flow characteristics around each sampling time. At a headwater stream draining a forested watershed, the concentrations (measured as dissolved organic carbon (DOC)), aromaticity (measured as specific UV absorbance at 254 nm), and fulvic acid‐ and protein‐like fluorescence of DOM were higher in stormflow than in baseflow waters. DOC concentrations and fluorescence intensities increased along the downstream rural and urban sites, in which DOC and fluorescence were not higher in stormflow waters, except for the ‘first flush’ at the urban site. The response of DOM in reservoir waters to monsoon rainfalls differed from that of stream and river waters, as illustrated by storm‐induced increases in DOM aromaticity and fulvic‐like fluorescence, and no significant changes in protein‐like fluorescence. The results suggest that surface water DOM and its spectroscopic properties differentially respond to changes in hydroclimatic conditions, depending on watershed characteristics and the influence of anthropogenic organic matter loadings. DOC concentrations and intensities of spectroscopic parameters were positively correlated with some of the measured trace metals (As, Co, and Fe). Further research will be needed to obtain a better understanding of climate effects on the interaction between DOM and trace metals. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selected excitation for CAS‐SDCI calculations
Authors: Bories Benoît , Maynau Daniel , Bonnet Marie‐Laure
Published: December 2006

A new selected‐configuration interaction method is proposed, based on the use of local orbitals. A corresponding code has been written, which is devoted to CI calculations of rather large systems (about 50–100 carbon‐like atoms). Taking advantage of the locality, and then of the fact that interactions vanish when the distance is large, the dimension of the CI space is largely reduced. The determinants that would be created by long range excitations are expected to have a small weight in the wave function and are therefore eliminated. This selected excitation CI space is particularly suited for large molecules. It is tested on large polyene chains and on a transition metal complex. For large enough systems, the CPU time saving is important and, what is more noticeable, calculations that were impossible to perform without selection are feasible in this approach. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 28: 632–643, 2007
Postcircumcision necrosis of the glans penis: Gray‐scale and color doppler sonographic findings
Authors: Barnes Sophie , Ben Chaim Jacob , Kessler Ada
Published: December 2006

We report the case of a 2‐week‐old male infant who developed necrosis of the glans penis as a result of circumcision. Based on the clinical absence of impairment of micturition on gray‐scale and color Doppler sonographic findings, which showed the relatively superficial necrosis of the skin layers without underlying damage to the corpora cavernosa or urethra, a conservative approach was chosen with a good prognosis. A 4‐month follow‐up sonograpic examination revealed evidence of glans healing with superficial skin epithelization. These findings may lead to mild cosmetic damage, but no future functional complications are expected. To our knowledge, this is the first report of gray‐scale and color Doppler sonographic evaluation of the ischemic process of the glans in a neonate with this rare complication of circumcision. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007.
Impact of enzymatic treatment on chemical composition, physicochemical properties and radical scavenging activity of goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) juice
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed Fawzy , Moersel Joerg Thomas
Published: December 2006

Tropical pulpy juices play an important role in nutrition as an excellent base for low‐calorie and dietetic products. Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is one of the most promising exotic fruits and many interesting functional products could be developed from these berries. In this work we are reporting, for the first time, on the chemical composition and some physicochemical parameters of the goldenberry fruit juice. We have also investigated how some of these properties are affected by enzymatic treatment and pasteurisation. By enzymation, not only is the yield of juice increased, but also the macro‐ and micro‐components. Application of enzymes, moreover, leads to juices with higher pulp content, higher acidity and higher total soluble solids. On the other side, enzyme‐treated juices were characterised by lower alcohol‐soluble solids and pH values. Water‐ and fat‐soluble bioactives were estimated in appreciable amounts in the juice. The antioxidative potential of different processed juices was assessed by means of bleaching of the stable 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radicals and the resulting values were correlated with each of the antioxidant compounds. The results obtained can be considered very satisfactory and the juice could be widely appreciated when compared with other products commonly available on the market. The data are helpful for the optimisation of goldenberry juice production. It was the purpose to present a comprehensive assessment of the goldenberry juice and to address the potential for its delivery in functional drinks. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Early Histologic Changes in Fibrosing Cholestatic Hepatitis C
Authors: Dixon Lisa R. , Crawford James M.
Published: January 2007

Recurrent hepatitis C (RHCV) after liver transplantation is almost universal, and occasional patients will have an aggressive course characterized histologically by pericellular/sinusoidal fibrosis and cholestasis, known as fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH). The early stages and evolution of this disease have not been well characterized. A total of 77 liver biopsies performed for indication (nonprotocol) were evaluated for necroinflammation, rejection, cholestasis, and fibrosis. Control groups were composed of protocol biopsies from HCV transplant patients (10 biopsies) as well as non–HCV transplant patients (6 biopsies). Scoring for necroinflammation, rejection, and fibrosis were compiled using standard criteria (hepatic activity index, Banff, Ishak, METAVIR). Pericellular fibrosis was staged with a novel “sinusoidal” system. A cholestasis scoring system was developed to quantitate parenchymal and portal features of cholestasis. Biopsies were categorized as rejection, RHCV, FCH, and stable based on histology and clinical information. FCH was found to have a higher fibrosis stage overall when compared to most diagnostic groups, regardless of the staging system used. Additionally, sinusoidal fibrosis was significantly higher in the FCH diagnosis group. Cholestasis was more prominent in biopsies of FCH in all comparisons. In conclusion, the presence of cholestasis and fibrosis with mild to moderate RHCV should raise the suspicion of FCH. When studying the evolution of these cases, the first abnormality to appear is RHCV and cholestasis, fibrosis develops soon after, and both continue to worsen until the point of allograft failure or patient death. Liver Transpl, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Uremic neuropathy: Clinical features and new pathophysiological insights
Authors: Krishnan Arun V. , Kiernan Matthew C.
Published: December 2006

Neuropathy is a common complication of end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), typically presenting as a distal symmetrical process with greater lower‐limb than upper‐limb involvement. The condition is of insidious onset, progressing over months. and has been estimated to be present in 60%–100% of patients on dialysis. Neuropathy generally only develops at glomerular filtration rates of less than 12 ml/min. The most frequent clinical features reflect large‐fiber involvement, with paresthesias, reduction in deep tendon reflexes, impaired vibration sense, muscle wasting, and weakness. Nerve conduction studies demonstrate findings consistent with a generalized neuropathy of the axonal type. Patients may also develop autonomic features, with postural hypotension, impaired sweating, diarrhea, constipation, or impotence. The development of uremic neuropathy has been related previously to the retention of neurotoxic molecules in the middle molecular range, although this hypothesis lacked formal proof. Studies utilizing novel axonal excitability techniques have recently shed further light on the pathophysiology of this condition. Nerves of uremic patients have been shown to exist in a chronically depolarized state prior to dialysis, with subsequent improvement and normalization of resting membrane potential after dialysis. The degree of depolarization correlates with serum K+, suggesting that chronic hyperkalemic depolarization plays an important role in the development of nerve dysfunction in ESKD. These recent findings suggest that maintenance of serum K+ within normal limits between periods of dialysis, rather than simple avoidance of hyperkalemia, is likely to reduce the incidence and severity of uremic neuropathy. Muscle Nerve, 2006
A contact mechanics model for quasi‐continua
Authors: Sauer Roger A. , Li Shaofan
Published: January 2007

A computational multiscale contact mechanics model is proposed to describe the interaction between deformable solids based on the interaction of individual atoms or molecules belonging to the solids. The contact model, formulated in the framework of large deformation continuum mechanics, is derived from coarsening the molecular dynamics (MD) description of a large assembly of individual atoms, and it thus bears some of the characteristics of the underlying atomic structure. The multiscale contact model distinguishes between atoms interacting within a small neighbourhood within the solids and atoms interacting over large distances between remote regions of the solids. The former furnishes a constitutive relation for the continuum, like the Cauchy–Born Rule, while the latter is used to model the interaction between distinct bodies. The proposed contact model is formulated as a variational weak form and implemented within an updated Lagrangian finite element method. It is shown that, as the problem size increases, the description of the model can be simplified to yield more efficient computational algorithms. In this respect, the proposed multiscale formulation leads to a smooth transition from MD to continuum contact mechanics. The general behaviour of the contact model is studied, and some numerical examples are given. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐tuning control of electrical machines using gradient descent optimization
Authors: Liu Ziqian
Published: December 2006

This paper presents a new approach toward the design of a self‐tuning proportional‐integral (PI) control for induction motors. By using the method of gradient descent optimization to the parameter space, the controller gains developed in this study are adjusted automatically online. Therefore, the proposed PI control is robust to the changes of induction motor parameters and achieves the performance of global asymptotic speed tracking. Theoretical analysis and simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the approach. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moleküle eiskalt geordnet
Authors: Rempe Gerhard
Published: December 2006

Moleküle könnten die Informationsträger der Zukunft sein. Allerdings muss man sie hierfür exakt kontrollieren können. Unserer Gruppe am Max‐Planck‐Institut für Quantenoptik ist es jetzt erstmals gelungen, ein Gas ultrakalter Moleküle periodisch anzuordnen. Als “Handwerkszeug” diente ein Gitter aus Licht.
Photosynthese in neuem Licht
Authors: Becker Klaus , Lupton John M. , Feldmann Jochen
Published: December 2006

Die Photosynthese, bei der aus Kohlendioxid, Wasser und Licht der Energielieferant Glukose entsteht, ist die Grundlage allen Lebens. Hierbei spielt der Energietransfer zwischen einzelnen Molekülen eine Schlüsselrolle. Münchner Forschern an der LMU ist es nun gelungen, einen solchen Energietransfer elektrisch zu kontrollieren – ein neuartiger Zugang zu optoelektronischen Nanobauelementen.
Proteomic profiling identifies breast tumor metastasis‐associated factors in an isogenic model
Authors: Kreunin Paweena , Yoo Chul , Urquidi Virginia , Lubman David M. , Goodison Steve
Published: January 2007

A combination of LC and MS was applied to an isogenic breast tumor metastasis model to identify proteins associated with a cellular phenotype. Chromatofocusing followed by nonporous‐RP‐HPLC/ESI‐TOF MS was applied to cell lysates of a pair of monoclonal cell lines from the human breast carcinoma cell line MDA‐MB‐435 that have different metastatic phenotypes in immune‐compromised mice. This method was developed to separate proteins based on pI and hydrophobicity. The high resolution and mass accuracy of ESI‐TOF measurements provided a good correlation of theoretical MW and experimental Mr values of intact proteins measured in mass maps obtained in the pH range 3.8–6.4. The isolated proteins were digested by trypsin and analyzed by MALDI‐TOF MS, MALDI‐QIT‐TOF MS, and monolith‐based HPLC/MS/MS. The unique combination of the techniques provided valuable information including quantitation and modification of proteins. We identified 89 selected proteins, of which 43 were confirmed as differentially expressed. Metastasis‐associated proteins included galectin‐1, whereas annexin I and annexin II were associated with the nonmetastatic phenotype. In this study, we demonstrate that combining a variety of MS tools with a multidimensional liquid‐phase separation provides the ability to map cellular protein content, to search for modified proteins, and to correlate protein expression with cellular phenotype.
Conifer defense against insects: Proteome analysis of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) bark induced by mechanical wounding or feeding by white pine weevils (Pissodes strobi)
Authors: Lippert Dustin , Chowrira Sunita , Ralph Steven Gregory , Zhuang Jun , Aeschliman Dana , Ritland Carol , Ritland Kermit , Bohlmann Jörg
Published: January 2007

Feeding insects can have major ecological and economic impacts on both natural and planted forests. Understanding the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which conifers defend themselves from insect pests is a major goal of ongoing research in forest health genomics. In previous work, we demonstrated a complex system of anatomical, chemical, and transcriptome responses in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) upon feeding by the economically significant insect pest, the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi). In this study, changes to the proteome of Sitka spruce bark tissue were examined subsequent to feeding by white pine weevils or mechanical wounding. 2‐D PAGE and high‐throughput MS/MS were used to examine induced changes in protein abundance and protein modification. Significant changes were observed as early as 2 h following the onset of insect feeding. Among the insect‐induced proteins are a series of related small heat shock proteins, other stress response proteins, proteins involved in secondary metabolism, oxidoreductases, and a novel spruce protein. Comparison of protein expression and cDNA microarray profiles of induced spruce stem tissues reveals the complementary nature of transcriptome and proteome analyses and the need to apply a multifaceted approach to the large‐scale analysis of plant defense systems.
Prediction of side‐chain conformations on protein surfaces
Authors: Xiang Zhexin , Steinbach Peter J. , Jacobson Matthew P. , Friesner Richard A. , Honig Barry
Published: January 2007

An approach is described that improves the prediction of the conformations of surface side chains in crystal structures, given the main‐chain conformation of a protein. A key element of the methodology involves the use of the colony energy. This phenomenological term favors conformations found in frequently sampled regions, thereby approximating entropic effects and serving to smooth the potential energy surface. Use of the colony energy significantly improves prediction accuracy for surface side chains with little additional computational cost. Prediction accuracy was quantified as the percentage of side‐chain dihedral angles predicted to be within 40° of the angles measured by X‐ray diffraction. Use of the colony energy in predictions for single side chains improved the prediction accuracy for χ1 and χ1+2 from 65 and 40% to 74 and 59%, respectively. Several other factors that affect prediction of surface side‐chain conformations were also analyzed, including the extent of conformational sampling, details of the rotamer library employed, and accounting for the crystallographic environment. The prediction of conformations for polar residues on the surface was generally found to be more difficult than those for hydrophobic residues, except for polar residues participating in hydrogen bonds with other protein groups. For surface residues with hydrogen‐bonded side chains, the prediction accuracy of χ1 and χ1+2 was 79 and 63%, respectively. For surface polar residues, in general (all side‐chain prediction), the accuracy of χ1 and χ1+2 was only 73 and 56%, respectively. The most accurate results were obtained using the colony energy and an all‐atom description that includes neighboring molecules in the crystal (protein chains and hetero atoms). Here, the accuracy of χ1 and χ1+2 predictions for surface side chains was 82 and 73%, respectively. The root mean square deviations obtained for hydrogen‐bonding surface side chains were 1.64 and 1.81 Å, with and without consideration of crystal packing effects, respectively. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contact patterns between helices and strands of sheet define protein folding patterns
Authors: Kamat Akhil P. , Lesk Arthur M.
Published: January 2007

Comparing and classifying protein folding patterns allows organizing the known structures and enumerating possible protein structural patterns including those not yet observed. We capture the essence of protein folding patterns in a concise tableau representation based on the order and contact patterns of secondary structures: helices and strands of sheet. The tableaux are intelligible to both humans and computers. They provide a database, derived from the Protein Data Bank, mineable in studies of protein architecture. Using this database, we have: (i) determined statistical properties of secondary structure contacts in an unbiased set of protein domains from ASTRAL, (ii) observed that in 98% of cases, the tableau is a faithful representation of the folding pattern as classified in SCOP, (iii) demonstrated that to a large extent the local structure of proteins indicates their complete folding topology, and (iv) studied the use of the representation for fold identification. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Image interpolation using BPLP method on the eigenspace
Authors: Amano Toshiyuki , Sato Yukio
Published: December 2006

In this paper the authors propose a method to use interpolation to eliminate characters in only one image with telops or other text through an image interpolation method that uses the eigenspace method. Background scenes and other images have a fractal character, and often the self‐correlation in the image can be assumed to be high. The authors focus on this point and represent rules for describing the image based on an eigenspace consisting of only one image that has defects. The eigenspace generated in this manner reflects the features of the image, and by using this eigenspace, image interpolation can be achieved. Although this interpolation method does not restore the original image, the authors confirmed through experimental results that it can provide interpolation without a feeling of oddness for images which have a high level of self‐correlation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(1): 87– 96, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10319.
Development and evaluation of a certificate validation system in mobile environments
Authors: Umezawa Katsuyuki , Susaki Seiichi , Tezuka Satoru , Hirasawa Shigeichi
Published: December 2006

We have developed a public key certificate validation system considering the restrictions peculiar to the mobile environment, such as processing the speed and memory capacity of a cellular‐phone terminal, and the network transmission speed. In this paper we derive a theoretical formula showing the performance of a validity check of the public key certificate of the conventional system and of the proposed system, and compare and examine a theoretical value in a mobile environment. Moreover, we evaluate the actual measurement that uses the server and cellular‐phone terminal that we developed. We show that our proposed system based on the certificate validation server (CVS) system is better than the conventional system from the viewpoint of processing speed and transmission speed. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Measurement of the size distribution of fat crystals using a laser particle counter
Authors: Chawla P. , deMan J. M.
Published: January 2007

A new method that uses a laser particle counter has been developed to measure the size of fat crystals. The fat crystals were suspended in isobutanol in the ratio of 1∶25,000. The solid and liquid fat recovery after being in contact with isobutanol for 24 hr, fatty acid composition of the solid and liquid fractions, DSC melting behavior and polarized light microscopy proved that isobutanol did not affect the structural integrity of the fat crystals. The mean crystal size of commercial shortenings ranged from 5 to 9 μm. The isobutanol suspension method makes it possible to quantitatively separate the solid and liquid components of a fat. It also provides a convenient way of preparing fat crystals for scanning electron microscopy.
Studies on the pigments of some citrus, prune and cucurbit seed oils when processed with or without cottonseed oil
Authors: Helmy Hany Eisa
Published: January 2007

Pigments of citrus, prune and cucurbit fruit seed oils were studied spectrophotometrically. The citrus fruits used were: orange (O), mandarin (M), bitter orange (BO) and lemon (L). The prunes used were apricot (A), peach (P) and plum (PL); while melon (M), watermelon (WM) and Winter squash (S) were the cucurbits. Absorption spectra and Lovibond color were studied for crude, refined and bleached oils. Cottonseed oil (CSO) was mixed with some of the previous oils in the crude state, then refined and bleached. Absorption spectra of the crude fruit seed oils revealed carotenoid pigments at 400, 425, 455 and 480 nm, chlorophyll at 610 and 670 nm and unknown pigments at 525, 570 and 595 nm. Refining did not remove these pigments, whereas bleaching eliminated them completely. In oil mixtures of CSO+A, CSO+M and CSO+S, interference occurred between gossypol ‘360 nm’ from CSO and the pigments of A, M and S seed oils. Refining the oil mixtures removed gossypol, but its effect on carotenoids, chlorophyll and unknown pigments was limited. Bleaching completely removed all these residual pigments. Lovibond color for all bleached oils was very low (0.2–2 yellow). The refined oils, except those containing Winter squash seed oil, were found to have an acceptable color (0.8–15 yellow). Results of the proposed process reveals the possibility of mixing crude edible oil with crude fruit seed oils, then processing the oil mixture by the conventional methods of refining and bleaching.
Skin lipids. III. Fatty chains in skin lipids. The use ofvernix caseosa to differentiate between endogenous and exogenous components in human skin surface lipid
Authors: Nicolaides N. , Ray Thomas
Published: January 2007

The literature on the types of fatty chains that occur in skin lipids is reviewed and new data are presented.

To ascertain whether certain unusual fatty acids found in human skin surface lipids are truly products of the human skin or are due to some type of external contamination (possibly bacterial), the fatty acids ofvernix caseosa, (the lipoidal material covering the human fetus) were analyzed and compared to those found in human skin surface lipid. The same unusual fatty acids were found invernix caseosa. This indicates that these acids are products of human skin.

These acids consist of five classes of saturated branched chain acids and of three classes of monoenes: straight chain,iso andanteiso. All the monoenes are ख6 or derivable from this position by addition of an integral number of 2 carbon units to the carboxyl group. On the polar phase diethylene glycol succinate polyester, the saturated branched chain methyl esters have fractional carbon numbers (by gas chromatography) of 0.15, 0.23, 0.45, 0.63 and 0.75. The series at 0.63 and 0.75 areiso andanteiso, respectively. The series at 0.15 and 0.23 appear to be two newly identified classes of branched chain fatty acids.
Content of chlorophylls and carotenes in rapeseed oil
Authors: Niewiadomski H. , Bratkowska I. , Mossakowska E.
Published: January 2007

The content of the green components in crude rapeseed oil, namely chlorophylls A and B, as well as the products of their decomposition pheophytins A and B, were determined by means of the spectrophotometric method of analysis.

No chlorophyll A was found in any of the analyzed samples but the content of pheophytin A was quite high and amounted to from 17.99 to 25.65 ppm. Because of the fact that the oils were investigated 5 to 6 months after their extraction, the results obtained are not unexpected, bearing in mind that chlorophyll contained in oil easily changes into pheophytin.

No chlorophyll B was found in some of the samples, investigated and in the remaining samples from 0.14 to 1.79 ppm was found. This can be explained by the hypothesis of slower change of chlorophyll B into pheophytin B.

The content of pheophytin B in the investigated samples was between 0.52 and 6.15 ppm. This confirms the results obtained by Mingot (3). With old oils, the results of determining such components, whose content approaches nil in the sample, are less precise because of the influence of the oil which was used as a blank.

The content of carotenes in crude rapeseed oils was also determined by the spectrophotometric method after isolating them by means of the column chromatography on Al2O3.

In spite of the small amount of carotenes determined in rapeseed oils, a correlation can be observed between the quantity of chlorophylls and carotenes. It has been found that the higher the chlorophyll content, the higher also the carotene content, even if very slight in some cases, in all the investigated oils either extracted or pressed.
Minor components ofLesquerella fendleri seed oil
Authors: Chaudhry A. , Kleiman R. , Carlson K. D.
Published: January 2007

Routine analysis of fatty ester fractions ofLesquerella fendleri oil suggested the presence of epoxy compounds and other minor components. By a combination of open silica column and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractionations of the methyl esters prepared from the oil, these constitutents were isolated and then characterized by thin‐layer chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS—electron ionization, EI, and chemical ionization, CI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR—1H and13C). Three epoxy acids, 15,16‐epoxy‐9,12‐octadecadienoic, 9,10‐epoxy‐12‐octadecenoic and 9,10‐epoxy‐octadecanoic, were found. Hydroxy acids present included a C‐22 homologue of lesquerolic acid (16‐hydroxy‐12‐docosenoic acid) and 14,15‐dihydroxy‐tricosanoic acid. Other minor ocmponents included four sterols, brassicasterol, campesterol, β‐sitosterol and stigmasterol, and a series of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids up to C30.
Effect of lipid unsaturation on the antioxidative activity of some phenolic acids
Authors: Marinova Emma M. , Yanishlieva Nedjalka V.
Published: January 2007

Antioxidative properties ofp‐hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic,p‐coumaric, ferulic, sinapic and caffeic acids were studied in the concentration range 0.02–0.20 wt% during autoxidation at 100°C of lard and sunflower oil methyl esters (MEL and MESO, respectively). In both lipid systems, the derivatives of benzoic acid had weaker inhibiting properties than did the corresponding analogues of cinnamic acid. The effectiveness and strength of the antioxidative action were considerably lower in the lipid system MESO, which was rich in linoleic acid and was more easily oxidized. Thep‐hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic andp‐coumaric acids in this system exercised no inhibiting effect. We established that the molecules of the investigated phenolic acids initiated the chain radical process of autoxidation, and the formed antioxidant radicals propagated the chains as a result of the reaction with the lipid substrate. These reactions proceeded at a higher rate in MESO than in MEL.
Continual conversion of free fatty acid in rice bran oil to triacylglycerol by immobilized lipase
Authors: Kosugi Yoshitsugu , Kunieda Tsutomu , Azuma Naoki
Published: January 2007

Rice bran oil containing 30–50% free fatty acid was continually converted to an oil containing more than 75% of triacylglycerol (TG) by means of immobilized lipase. The reaction was carried out at 60°C for 24 h with dehydration and reactant mixing by dry nitrogen flow under a positive nitrogen atmosphere. Enzymatic TG synthesis with evaporation by heating was not suitable because of the increasing peroxide value of the oil.
Characteristics and composition of guava (Psidium guajava L.) seed and oil
Authors: Prasad N. B. L. , Azeemoddin G.
Published: January 2007

The proximate composition of guava seed and the physicochemical characteristics of the solvent‐extracted oil are reported. The fatty acid profile of the oil indicates the presence of linoleic acid (C18∶2) to the extent of 76.4% and resembles that of safflower oil in composition. The oil is easily refined and bleached on laboratory scale.
Antioxidant activities of selected oriental herb extracts
Authors: Kim S. Y. , Kim J. H. , Kim S. K. , Oh M. J. , Jung M. Y.
Published: January 2007

Antioxidant activities of methanol extracts of 180 Oriental herbs were studied by determining the peroxide values of linoleic acid during storage at 50°C. Among the herb extracts tested, 44 species showed strong antioxidant activities on the oxidation of linoleic acid. The antioxidative effects of these 44 selected herb extracts were studied further in a methyl linoleate system during storage for 35 d. Among the 44 species tested, 11 species had particularly high antioxidative effects. The effects of type of extraction solvent (methanol, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate) on the antioxidant activities of the 11 species were studied. Antioxidant activities of most herb extracts were greatly dependent on the extraction solvent used; however, some of the extracts showed strong antioxidant activities regardless of the solvents used for the extraction. Among the 11 herbs selected, based on the antioxidant activity of their methanol extracts, two (i.e.,Psoralea corylifolia L. andSorphora angustifolia Sieb. & Zucc.) were selected for further study in lard held at 75°C for 7 d. The methanol extracts ofP. corylifolia L. andS. angustifolia Sieb. & Zucc. greatly decreased the peroxide formation of lard during storage. Treatment with 0.20% methanolic extract ofP. corylifolia L. exhibited significantly stronger antioxidant effect on the oxidation of lard than treatment with 0.02% butylated hydroxyanisole (P<0.05).
Determination of oil content of seeds by NIR: Influence of fatty acid composition on wavelength selection
Authors: Panford J. A. , deMan J. M.
Published: January 2007

The oil content of nine different types of oilseeds has been determined by near‐infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. A Northstar computer was used to select the wavelengths that best represent the oil content in these seeds. Selected wavelengths were often in the same area of the spectrum, but calibrations differed with respect to the number of wavelength points required and their order of selection. Wavelength assignments for typical functional groups in fatty acids are discussed. The fatty acid composition and the predominant fatty acid component appeared to influence the wavelengths used for the estimation of oil content in each seed type. The mathematical treatments used appeared to affect absorption maxima of all seed types. Spectra of seed oils and their fatty acids indicated variation and closeness of absorption maxima.
Efficacy of tertiary butylhydroquinone on the storage and heat stability of liquid canola shortening
Authors: Hawrysh Z. J. , Shand P. J. , Lin C. , Tokarska B. , Hardin R. T.
Published: January 2007

The sensory (odor and flavor) and physicochemical characteristics of tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) treated and butylated hydroxyanisole/toluene (BHA/BHT) treated liquid canola shortenings, subjected to accelerated storage (Schaal oven test at 65°C) and deep fat heating (at 185°C), were determined. Data for the Schaal oven test indicate that TBHQ was effective in retarding oxidative rancidity in liquid canola shortenings. However, addition of the commonly used mixture of BHA/BHT to canola shortenings resulted in only a slight decrease in oxidation during schaal oven storage. The results obtained from deep fat heating of canola liquid shortening show that neither TBHQ nor BHA/BHT was effective in enhancing oxidative and thermal stability of this product.