bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of mammalian Notch signaling and embryonic development by the proteinO-glucosyltransferase Rumi
Authors: Fernandez-Valdivia Rodrigo , Takeuchi Hideyuki , Samarghandi Amin , Lopez Mario , Leonardi Jessica , Haltiwanger Robert S. , Jafar-Nejad Hamed
Published: April 2011

Protein O-glucosylation is a conserved post-translational modification that occurs on epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) repeats harboring the C1-X-S-X-P-C2 consensus sequence. The Drosophila protein O-glucosyltransferase (Poglut) Rumi regulates Notch signaling, but the contribution of protein O-glucosylation to mammalian Notch signaling and embryonic development is not known. Here, we show that mouse Rumi encodes a Poglut, and that Rumi−/− mouse embryos die before embryonic day 9.5 with posterior axis truncation and severe defects in neural tube development, somitogenesis, cardiogenesis and vascular remodeling. Rumi knockdown in mouse cell lines results in cellular and molecular phenotypes of loss of Notch signaling without affecting Notch ligand binding. Biochemical, cell culture and cross-species transgenic experiments indicate that a decrease in Rumi levels results in reduced O-glucosylation of Notch EGF repeats, and that the enzymatic activity of Rumi is key to its regulatory role in the Notch pathway. Genetic interaction studies show that removing one copy of Rumi in a Jag1+/− (jagged 1) background results in severe bile duct morphogenesis defects. Altogether, our data indicate that addition of O-glucose to EGF repeats is essential for mouse embryonic development and Notch signaling, and that Jag1-induced signaling is sensitive to the gene dosage of the protein O-glucosyltransferase Rumi. Given that Rumi−/− embryos show more severe phenotypes compared to those displayed by other global regulators of canonical Notch signaling, Rumi is likely to have additional important targets during mammalian development.
The Cdk4-E2f1 pathway regulates early pancreas development by targeting Pdx1+ progenitors and Ngn3+ endocrine precursors
Authors: Kim So Yoon , Rane Sushil G.
Published: April 2011

Cell division and cell differentiation are intricately regulated processes vital to organ development. Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are master regulators of the cell cycle that orchestrate the cell division and differentiation programs. Cdk1 is essential to drive cell division and is required for the first embryonic divisions, whereas Cdks 2, 4 and 6 are dispensable for organogenesis but vital for tissue-specific cell development. Here, we illustrate an important role for Cdk4 in regulating early pancreas development. Pancreatic development involves extensive morphogenesis, proliferation and differentiation of the epithelium to give rise to the distinct cell lineages of the adult pancreas. The cell cycle molecules that specify lineage commitment within the early pancreas are unknown. We show that Cdk4 and its downstream transcription factor E2f1 regulate mouse pancreas development prior to and during the secondary transition. Cdk4 deficiency reduces embryonic pancreas size owing to impaired mesenchyme development and fewer Pdx1+ pancreatic progenitor cells. Expression of activated Cdk4R24C kinase leads to increased Nkx2.2+ and Nkx6.1+ cells and a rise in the number and proliferation of Ngn3+ endocrine precursors, resulting in expansion of the β cell lineage. We show that E2f1 binds and activates the Ngn3 promoter to modulate Ngn3 expression levels in the embryonic pancreas in a Cdk4-dependent manner. These results suggest that Cdk4 promotes β cell development by directing E2f1-mediated activation of Ngn3 and increasing the pool of endocrine precursors, and identify Cdk4 as an important regulator of early pancreas development that modulates the proliferation potential of pancreatic progenitors and endocrine precursors.
Status and Outlook for Nuclear Energy in the United States
Authors: Fertel Marvin S.
Published: April 2011

The US nuclear power industry is performing well, uprating many of its 104 existing plants and planning for new capacity. Production cost is low and licence extensions promise 60-year operating lives for present plants. However, the Obama administration has derailed plans for a waste repository in Nevada, and the matter has been referred to a high-level commission which is fully reviewing waste management, including the question of closing the fuel cycle in USA. Meanwhile four new enrichment projects are moving ahead, uranium mining is reviving, and the industry is in good shape to cope with likely high uranium prices. Several factors converge to support the prospect of building as many as 20 new power reactors in the next two decades. The next generation of nuclear plants will benefit from an improved licensing process, which was completely overhauled in 1992. The new nuclear power projects will employ advanced versions of the light water reactor technology used in the 104 operating plants. Small reactors including high-temperature gas-cooled designs and fast neutron reactors are on the drawing boards. Financing new plants will require up to $2 trillion by 2030, but some stimulus, including loan guarantees, is provided by the 2005 Energy Policy Act. Both Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that substantial increases in nuclear generating capacity will be essential to meet carbon reduction goals. A substantial majority of Americans support the use of nuclear energy now, and nearly 90 percent said they view nuclear energy as important in the future.
The Mena Nuclear Renaissance
Authors: Grimmitt Melanie
Published: April 2011

The paper reviews the declared nuclear ambitions of Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, shows the importance of a coordinated legal framework, and reviews the current position.

The MENA region is famous for its fossil fuels, yet many countries in the region have declared an intention to use (or at least consider using) nuclear power for much of their future energy needs. The sense of such a policy is clear: as with many other parts of the world, a number of countries in the region face an energy shortfall, and nuclear power is seen as providing a relatively clean and cheap energy source as well as enabling the continued export of fossil fuels to other parts of the world.

First off the blocks was the UAE, with a contract award to the South Koreans at the end of 2009, site selection announced in April 2010 and licence applications submitted. Power to the grid is scheduled is for 2017. Progressing with their plans are Jordan and Egypt, and countries with a stated intention to consider nuclear include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

While technical feasibility is obviously critical, this paper considers the progress of the legal and regulatory frameworks within the region – the legal building blocks to nuclear new build. Again the UAE is leading the way, with the creation of a distinct and independent regulatory authority, but what are the proposals and progress in the other MENA countries? Have any of them evinced an intention to adopt the international conventions on liability for third party nuclear damage, and if not, can the international investment community, the supply chain and especially the public, be convinced that their interests are adequately protected?
Green's Functions in Computational Aeroacoustics
Authors: Morfey C. L. , Powles C. J. , Wright M. C. M.
Published: April 2011

The theory of Green's functions for the wave and Helmholtz equations is examined with particular attention to their use in aeroacoustics for the extrapolation of acoustic wavefields from numerical flow simulations. In a new synthesis that permits straightforward generalization of previously published results, spatial and temporal windowing functions are employed to provide equivalent-source expressions to account for both initial and boundary conditions. Detailed results describe the transformation of both source terms and Green's functions to take account of uniform subsonic mean flow, and expressions are given for free-field Green's functions, both with and without flow, in time, frequency and wavenumber domains. A worked example illustrates the non-uniqueness of the Green's function for a simple one-dimensional bounded problem.
A Primitive-Variable Boundary Integral Formulation Unifying Aeroacoustics and Aerodynamics, and a Natural Velocity Decomposition for Vortical Fields
Authors: Morino Luigi
Published: April 2011

The paper presents an integrated approach to the study of aeroacoustics and unsteady aerodynamics, which is based upon the use of the boundary integral equation approach. Accordingly, the boundary integral formulation in primitive variables is thoroughly developed, for Euler as well as Navier–Stokes equations. As a result, one obtains explicit time–domain expressions for velocity and pressure in terms of the Cauchy data of the problem (boundary integral), plus the contribution of the nonlinear terms (field integral). It is shown that the representation for the pressure is very closely related to the classical boundary integral formulations in aeroacoustics (such as the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equation and the Kirchhoff method). Similarly, the representation for the velocity is closely related to a formulation introduced by the author for unsteady viscous compressible aerodynamics. In the process, however, a new velocity decomposition of the type v = grad φ + w is uncovered. The novelty is that the vortical velocity w is not defined in terms of the vorticity ω; on the contrary, w is defined through its own governing equation. Such a decomposition (and the governing equation for w, which does not involve the pressure) arises in a very natural way from the mathematical approach used, and hence is here named the natural velocity decomposition. In addition, two innovative results are obtained. First, for all the cases addressed (incompressible and compressible, inviscid and viscous fields) there exist generalizations of the Bernoulli theorem (formally very similar to the classical Bernoulli theorems, with the potential φ of the irrotational portion of the velocity replacing the velocity potential φ). Second, it is shown that the velocity field may be obtained independently of the pressure, which may be evaluated a–posteriori in terms of the potential φ (akin to the evaluation of the pressure in a Venturi tube), through the appropriate generalized Bernoulli theorem. The paper is of theoretical nature – no numerical results are included; however, the schemes for computational implementations are presented and the advantages discussed.
Recent Developments in the Application of the Generalized Acoustic Analogy to Jet Noise Prediction
Authors: Goldstein M. E.
Published: April 2011

The Generalized Acoustic Analogy provides a logical framework for the prediction of aerodynamically generated sound. This paper reviews some recent developments in the use of this analogy for the prediction of noise from high speed air jets. Other approaches to jet noise prediction are not discussed. Recent advances in accounting for non-parallel mean flow and temperature effects are described. The results suggest that the former effect is more important than previously believed. They also suggest that previously neglected coupling between momentum flux and enthalpy flux fluctuations can be an important source of noise in high Mach number heated jets. Some recent improvements in acoustic source modeling are also summarized.
Hawker Beechcraft Uses a New Solution Approach to Balance Assembly Lines
Authors: Abdinnour Sue
Published: April 2011

In 2002, Hawker Beechcraft set out to improve the efficiency of its Hawker 800XP assembly line. The line was paced such that an aircraft was moved to the next workstation on the line on a schedule—even if work in a previous workstation had not completed. At the time, work in progress on the assembly line was high, and most work on the aircraft was completed out of station. Hawker Beechcraft's management wanted a more quantitative approach to determine how many workstations are necessary and how to best assign the tasks to the workstations; its goal was to minimize work in progress and out-of-station work. In response to a management request, we proposed a new solution approach based on assembly-line balancing principles but customized to a complex product (aircraft) in a real assembly-line setting. Hawker Beechcraft implemented our recommended solution on the Hawker 800XP product line in 2003. The company also used our new solution approach to balance two other assembly lines, saving over $30 million.
Langzeitarchivierung in der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek: Aktuelle Perspektiven
Authors: Altenhöner Reinhard
Published: April 2011

Der Beitrag blickt auf rund 10 Jahre Aktivitäten der Nationalbibliothek zur Langzeitarchivierung zurück, würdigt das Initiierungsprojekt kopal und reflektiert Konsequenzen, die sich aus diesem Projekt und der praktischen Überführung der Langzeitarchivierung in betriebliche Abläufe ergeben. Basierend auf diesen Überlegungen werden Ableitungen und Perspektiven für weitere institutionelle und kooperative Aktivitäten der Nationalbibliothek jetzt und in der Zukunft vorgenommen.
Mapping Information Requirements for Police Patrol and Response to Informational Displays
Authors: Branaghan Russell J. , Takamura John , Palmer Mark T. , Hildebrand Emily A. , Sevier Daniel C.
Published: April 2011

Police officers frequently use mobile display terminals (MDTs) in their cruisers to gather information about calls. Unfortunately, MDT design often fails to indicate which information is important for each call. This limitation increases cognitive load and violates the principle of proximity compatibility (Wickens & Carswell, 1995). To improve MDT design, it is important to present appropriate information at the appropriate time, enabling officers to make sense of situations. The present research compiled the 23 types of calls and 25 items of information that officers considered most important. Fifty-nine officers rated the importance of each piece of information by call type, yielding a prioritized list. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Pathfinder networks identified call clusters that rely on similar information, as well as information needed for the same types of call. Using these results, officers then helped design a mock-up that applies to a complex call. The results and mock-up provide guidance for designing MDTs, indicating which calls are most information intensive and what information should be presented simultaneously and in close proximity.
Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on the coronary artery disease in apparently healthy subjects
Authors: Park Young Joo , Lee You Jin , Choi Sang-Il , Chun Eun-Ju , Jang Hak Chul , Chang Hyuk-Jae
Published: April 2011

Objective

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurs frequently and may progress more rapidly in overt hypothyroidism (OVH). However, the role of mild thyroid failure as a risk factor for CVD is not clear. This study is aimed at exploring the association between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and coronary artery disease (CAD), as detected by cardiac computed tomography (CT), in apparently healthy subjects.

Subjects and methods

We retrospectively enrolled 2404 asymptomatic subjects who underwent cardiac CT with an intermediate to high risk (Framingham 10-year risk ≥10%) of developing CAD but with no known CAD or thyroid disease. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was assessed by calcium scan, and the presence of the plaques (CAD), with ≥50% stenosis being indicative of obstructive CAD, was assessed by coronary CT angiography.

Results

Of the 2404 subjects, 2355 subjects were euthyroid (Eu; 53±9 years, 83 females) and 49 had SCH (58±12 years, seven females). CAD and CACS >100 were more prevalent in SCH subjects than in Eu subjects (Eu vs SCH: CAD, 948 (40.6%) vs 31 (63.3%), P=0.002; CACS >100, 239 (10.3%) vs 10 (20.4%), P=0.031). SCH was also an independent risk factor for CAD after a multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 2.125, 95% confidence interval: 1.049–4.307, P=0.036).

Conclusions

SCH subjects who were at an intermediate-to-high risk of developing CAD were significantly more likely to exhibit occult CAD than Eu subjects, especially in men with SCH. These findings suggest that mild thyroid failure also independently contributes to the development of CAD.
Subtyping of primary aldosteronism by adrenal vein sampling: effect of acute D2 receptor dopaminergic blockade on adrenal vein cortisol and chromogranin A levels
Authors: Seccia Teresa M , Miotto Diego , De Toni Renzo , Gallina Valentina , Vincenzi Matteo , Pessina Achille C , Rossi Gian Paolo
Published: April 2011

Background

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is the gold standard for identifying the surgically curable forms of primary aldosteronism. Dopamine modulates adrenocortical steroidogenesis and tonically inhibits aldosterone secretion via D2 receptor. However, whether it could also affect the release of cortisol and chromogranin A (ChA), which can be used to assess the selectivity of AVS, is unknown.

Objective

To investigate whether metoclopramide increased the release of cortisol and ChA and could thereby improve assessment of the selectivity at AVS.

Design and methods

We investigated the effect of acute D2 antagonism with metoclopramide on cortisol and ChA release from the adrenal gland by comparing the adrenal vein and infrarenal inferior vena cava (IVC) hormone levels at baseline and after metoclopramide administration in 34 consecutive patients undergoing AVS.

Results

Metoclopramide increased plasma aldosterone in the IVC (P<0.00001) and in the adrenal vein blood (P<0.002) but failed to increase plasma cortisol concentration or ChA levels. Therefore, it did not increase the selectivity index based on the measurement of either hormone.

Conclusions

This study shows that the release of cortisol and ChA is not subjected to tonic D2 dopaminergic inhibition. Therefore, these findings lend no evidence for the usefulness of acute metoclopramide administration for enhancing the assessment of the selectivity of blood sampling during AVS with the use of either cortisol or ChA assay.
The Microstructure and Electromigration Performance of Damascene-Fabricated Aluminum Interconnects
Authors: Besser Paul R. , Sanchez John E. , Fields David P. , Pramanick Shekhar , Sahota Kashmir
Published: April 2011

Novel metal deposition stack and damascene processing methods have been used to fabricate electrically isolated parallel arrays of 1.0 μm deep aluminum-alloy interconnect trenches varying in width from 0.5 μm to 16 μm. The grain size and crystallographic texture of the Al in these trenches has been characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and local electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), respectively. Narrow lines (0.5 and 1.0 μm wide) have a bamboo microstructure, intermediate widths (2.0 μm wide) are nearly bamboo, and wide lines (4.0 μ and wider) are polycrystalline. The <111> texture of the lines degrades with decreasing linewidth. A secondary <100> component is demonstrated and its origin proposed. The electromigration reliability of the narrow damascene Al lines was measured, and the observed enhancement of damascene Al interconnects compared to conventionally-fabricated Al interconnects is correlated with the microstructure.
Monitoring the effects of exposure to lead and cadmium in working and living environment through standard biochemical blood parameters and liver endonucleases activity
Authors: Nikolic Ruzica , Jovanovic Jasmina , Kocic Gordana , Cvetkovic Tatjana , Stojanovic Svetlana , Andjelkovic Tatjana , Krstic Nenad
Published: April 2011

Heavy metals as pollutants in the working and living environment are a
serious health and environmental problem because they are toxic,
non-biodegradable, accumulate in living systems and have a long half-life in
soil. Sources of lead contamination are combustion products in the chemical
industry and metallurgy, industrial waste water, landfills, traffic etc. Lead
enters into the body via the food chain and drinking water. In the body lead
is deposited in the liver, kidneys, brain and mineral tissues. Excretion of
lead causes damage to the epithelial cells of certain organs. High level
exposure to cadmium is usually the result of environmental pollution by human
activities. Exposure to cadmium can lead to acute and chronic tissue damage
of various organs, including liver and kidneys in humans and in animals. In
this paper we analyzed the effects of lead and cadmium exposure, in working
and living environment, on the model system of experimental animals,
particularly the activity of certain liver enzymes, acid and alkaline DNase,
and standard biochemical blood parameters. The study showed that lead and
cadmium significantly affect the protein content, red blood cells, hemoglobin
and hematocrit, and the activity of liver enzymes. This harmful effect of
this toxic metal can be reduced by the supplements.
Removal of ethylene oxide from waste gases by absorption
Authors: Arsenijevic Zorana , Grbavcic Zeljko , Grbic Bosko , Radic Nenad , Garic-Grulovic Radmila , Djuris Mihal
Published: April 2011

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is an organic compound, which is used as starting
material in the production of polymers and as sterilizing agent for
thermolabile materials. Although ethylene oxide is not common as an organic
pollutant, its removal from numerous emission sources (e.g. ethylene oxide
production plants or food and pharmaceutical sterilizing units) is of the
crucial importance because of its mutagenic, teratogenic and cancerogenic
effect on human health. The objective of this paper is the experimental
investigation of ethylene oxide (EtO) absorption in diluted aqueous solution
of sulfuric acid in order to evaluate the applicability of this procedure as
well as to obtain project parameters for industrial plant realization. It was
found that absorption is suitable as the fist step in the purification
treatment of high EtO concentrations in the emission gases. According to the
literature data, the basic parameter that defines the scrubber efficiency is
the contact time, i.e. the ratio of packing height in scrubber and velocity
of gas mixture. To investigate the characteristics of wet treatment in a
broad range of contact time, part of experimental studies were conducted in
the system with two and with three scrubbers in series. The obtained
experimental results show that the high degree of EtO removal can be achieved
(>98%) when the contact time is sufficiently long (about 25 s). The process
is effective until the concentration of formed glycol in the solution reaches
value of about 20%. The process is safe and there is no danger of ignition
and explosion of air and EtO mixture, although at the entrance to the
scrubber EtO concentrations are significantly above the lower explosive
limit.
Unemployment and Goverment's Subsidizing
Authors: Dimovski Vlado , Marič Miha , Žnidaršič Jasmina , Ferjan Marko , Uhan Miha
Published: April 2011

Unemployment and Goverment's Subsidizing

Unemployment has become more and more pressing matter nowadays. Governments all across the world are implementing policies to increase the employment rates back to the levels before the economic downturn. One of the most important policies implemented by countries governments were employment subsidies, which means that companies got government funding when employing and also that private citizens had the possibility for entrepreneurship stimulus packages. The scope of our study was to determine how the gross domestic product and the government's subsidizing on a country's level affect the number of unemployed on a country level. We have conducted the empirical part of our study on the case of Slovenia and found out that gross domestic product has a bigger effect on the number of unemployed than government's subsidies.
Electromyographic activity during maximal isometric contraction combined with local sinusoidal vibration
Authors: Ferreira Jacielle , Resende Bruno , Soldati João , de Oliveira Claudino João , Ribeiro Rafael , Couto Bruno , Szmuchrowski Leszek
Published: April 2011

Electromyographic activity during maximal isometric contraction combined with local sinusoidal vibration

Study aim: To compare the electromyographic activity during maximal isometric contraction alone or combined with local sinusoidal vibration.

Material and methods: A group of 6 men aged 23 - 29 years performed 3 maximal voluntary contractions of the dominant elbow flexors lasting 10 s each and separated by 5-min intermissions. One repetition was without vibration, one was associated with 15-Hz and the other one with 20-Hz vibrations of 5-mm amplitude, the sequence of repetitions being random. A new system to generate local vibration was applied, the parameters of the vibratory stimulus being measured using an accelerometer. Force and EMG activity were also measured. The subjects performed the task in sitting position in a Scott Bench-type device.

Results: Mean acceleration RMS significantly (p<0.01) differed between vibration frequencies for the X, Y, Z-axes. No significant differences were found, however, for EMG RMS. Vibration frequencies coincided with the machine-predicted ones; acceleration frequencies around 5 Hz were present in all situations, even without vibration, most likely brought about by tremor.

Conclusion: The local vibration applied was not enough to generate different responses in EMG activity. The features of vibratory stimulus confirmed the expected frequency range and revealed frequencies around 5 Hz, that could be attributed to muscle tremor.
The Migration of High School Graduates to College
Authors: Cooke Thomas J. , Boyle Paul
Published: April 2011

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that over 250,000 high school graduates moved across state lines to enroll in college in 2008. The choices made by these high ability individuals may have long-lasting implications for state economies; not only do they contribute to state and local economies through their tuition and daily living costs while studying, but many of them will be retained in the workforce in the state in which they graduate. This paper argues that inadequate attention has been paid to the spatial processes that underpin such migrations. Specifically, models are required that simultaneously consider the characteristics of both migration origins and destinations and their relative spatial arrangements. Thus, the purpose of this research is to present an alternative, explicitly spatial, approach to modeling the migration of high school graduates to college. Our results provide new insights into the factors that determine such flows and have direct relevance to policy-making in this sphere.
Registration of FC1018, FC1019, FC1020, and FC1022 Multigerm Sugarbeet Pollinator Germplasms with Disease Resistance
Authors: Panella L. , Lewellen R. T. , Webb K. M.
Published: April 2011

FC1018 (Reg. No. GP‐273, PI 658059), FC1019 (Reg. No. GP‐274, PI 658060), FC1020 (Reg. No. GP‐275, PI 658061), and FC1022 (Reg. No. GP‐276, PI 658062) sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) germplasms were released in 2009 from seed lots 05‐FC1018; 05‐FC1019; 07‐, 08‐, or 09‐FC1020; and 05‐FC1022, respectively, and tested under those designations. They were developed by the USDA‐ARS at Fort Collins, CO and Salinas, CA in cooperation with the Beet Sugar Development Foundation, Denver, CO. All four germplasms are populations in fertile cytoplasm and segregate for self‐sterility, multigermity, hypocotyl color, and the Rz1 gene, which confers resistance to some strains of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus, the causal agent of rhizomania. FC1018, FC1019, and FC1020 have moderate tolerance to root‐rotting strains (AG‐2–2) of Rhizoctonia solani Kühn (the causal agent of Rhizoctonia root and crown rot), Cercospora beticola Sacc. (the causal agent of Cercospora leaf spot), Beet curly top virus (BCTV), and Aphanomyces cochlioides Drechsl., which causes Aphanomyces root rot (Aphanomyces black root). They are populations that can be used to select disease‐resistant, multigerm pollinator parents. FC1022 has a moderate tolerance to BCTV and had a relatively high sucrose concentration at Salinas when tested in a field infested with rhizomania. Because of a large percentage of monogerm seedballs (45%) and O‐type parentage, it should be possible to select monogerm, O‐type lines from FC1022.
Registration of EL54 and EL55 Sugarbeet Germplasms
Authors: McGrath J. Mitchell
Published: April 2011

Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) germplasms EL54 (Reg. No. GP‐277, PI 654357) and EL55 (Reg. No. GP‐278, PI 655304) were released to increase the available germplasm base of sugarbeet and were developed by the USDA‐ARS, at East Lansing, MI in cooperation with the Beet Sugar Development Foundation, Denver, CO and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. EL54 is being released in the interest of broadening the genetic base of sugarbeet; the specific goal of this release was to improve root traits, via mother‐root selection, relative to the wild species [B. vulgaris L. subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.] to the point of commercial potential. The progenitors of EL54 were WB879, a wild species reported with exceptional resistance to diseases caused by Aphanomyces cochlioides Drechs., and sugarbeet germplasms SP6822 and C869, each with good agronomic performance for eastern and western U.S. growing areas, respectively. EL55 is being released for its potential seed storability; it was selected via mother‐root selection from legacy USDA‐ARS (East Lansing, MI) seed lots that were grown in the field directly after long‐term (>15 yr) seed storage under high ambient humidity. EL55 may provide traits that contribute to long‐term viability of hybrid and nonhybrid sugarbeet seed.
Registration of ‘Select’ Wheat
Authors: Glover K. D. , Rudd J. C. , Devkota R. N. , Hall R. G. , Jin Y. , Osborne L. E. , Ingemansen J. A. , Rickertsen J. R. , Hareland G. A.
Published: April 2011

Fusarium head blight (FHB) (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [telomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch]), is a major constraint on the production of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The objective of this research was to release a hard red spring wheat (HRSW) cultivar with enhanced levels of FHB resistance. ‘Select’ (Reg. No. CV‐1056, PI 659554) HRSW was developed at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and released by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (SDAES) in February 2010. The cross ‘Briggs’ (PI 632970)/FN1500–118 was made during spring 2001. Briggs (BW114/‘Bergen’ (PI 538768)//SD3097) was released by SDAES in fall 2001. FN1500–118 is an unreleased experimental breeding line developed by the SDSU‐HRSW breeding program. The population was advanced via an early‐generation bulk‐testing program where F4:7 seed was included in the 2005 preliminary yield trial, and the line was designated SD3948. SD3948 also was tested in the advanced yield trial from 2006 through 2009. Select was released for its high level of resistance to FHB when compared with most other HRSW cultivars developed by the SDSU‐HRSW breeding program as well as for its high yield potential and grain volume weight in South Dakota and the northern Great Plains. Additionally, Select is moderately resistant to leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks.) and has an early heading date compared with many HRSW cultivars currently in production.
Toxic Potentials of Some Plant Powders on Survival and Development of Callosobuchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobuchus chinensis L.
Authors: Khalequzzaman M , Goni SHM Osman
Published: April 2011

Leaves of Vitex negundo L., Annona squamosa L., Nicotiana tabacum L., Polygonum hydropiper L. and leaf, bark and seed kernel of Azadirachta indica A. juss. were powdered and admixture at the rate of 1-, 2- and 3g per 50g cowpea seeds. Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and C. chinensis L. adults of both sexes were released in the treated and control cowpea seeds. The mean numbers of eggs laid by both bruchids was significantly decreased in A. indica seed kernel treated cowpea seeds. The toxic effect of the plant parts were observed up to seven days. Between 26.66% ± 12.01 to 100% mortality rates were recorded for C. maculatus and 86.66% ± 6.66 to 100% for C. chinensis in all the trials. The mortality rates in the untreated control ranges between 10-26%. Very few adults were emerged at A. indica seed kernel treatments. The adult emergence was 5.33% ± 0.88, 4.33% ± 0.88 and 1.66% ± 0.88 for C. maculatus; and 5.33% ± 0.88, 3.66% ± 0.66 and 2.00% ± 0.57 for C. chinensis at the doses of 1 -, 2 and 3g per 50g cowpea seed respectively. No significant weight loss was obtained in tobacco leaf powder and A. indica seed kernel treated seeds for both bruchid species. Among the plant materials highest percentage of weight loss was found in P. hydropiper leaf powder followed by A. indica bark, A. squamosa leaf and V. negundo leaf powder. Key words: Azadirachta indica; Annona squamosa; Nicotiana tabacum; Polygonum hydropiper; Vitex negundo; cowpea weevil; pulse beetle; Vigna unguiculata DOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7437 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 1-6, 2009
Antibacterial Effects of Some Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Authors: Saha AK , Haque MF , Karmaker S , Mohanta MK
Published: April 2011

Antimicrobial effects of six antiseptics and disinfectants were studied against five pathogenic bacteria. Different pathogens responded differently to different antiseptics and disinfectants. Antibacterial effects of the antiseptics and disinfectants were also concentration dependent. Formalin and hydrogen peroxide were highly effective against all the pathogens used while phenyl and iodine were least effective. Dettol and Savlon showed moderate antibacterial effects. Key words: Antiseptics; disinfectants; pathogen; sensitivity. DOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7440 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 19-21, 2009
A New Record for Bangladesh: Nitella polycarpa Pal
Authors: Naz Sabrina , Diba Nasrin Jahan , Azam Shah MGG
Published: April 2011

Key words: Nitella polycarpa; Characeae; new record; BangladeshDOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7446 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 47-50, 2009
Legacies of the Victorian Age: The Nation's Favo(u)rite Poems
Authors: Robson Catherine
Published: April 2011

This article responds to the question ‘Whither Victorian Studies?’ by suggesting four profitable areas and modes for further research: (i) reception history; (ii) transnational studies; (iii) education studies; and (iv) poetry studies. By way of an exemplum, the essay then conducts a wide-ranging investigation of W. E. Henley's ‘Invictus’ (1888) and Rudyard Kipling's ‘If –’ (1910), prime instances of poems that have been widely memorised and awarded the status of national favourites in the United States and Great Britain. Employing both traditional close-reading strategies and historical analyses of the circumstances of their composition, publication, and reception, the essay argues that such a study yields at least two important benefits. In the first place, it throws light upon the nationally distinct after-effects of one of the Victorian period's most remarkable literary formations, the cultures of mass poetry recitation that were formally consolidated in the last quarter of the nineteenth century within British and American public education. In the second, it focuses attention upon the poems’ relation to national difference itself, gesturing towards the divergent attitudes to the nation's educational history, to the operation of class, and to the ideology of individualism that prevail within Great Britain and the United States.
Contradictions in adult education structures and policies in Austria
Authors: Lassnigg Lorenz
Published: April 2011

This article analyses the structural influences on the professional development of adult educators and their relation to education policy using Austria as a fairly average example of the diversity in European adult education. The position of adult education is first analysed in the course of the development of a lifelong learning strategy, showing a set of basic contradictions that are institutionally embedded in educational practices and policies. The consequences of these constellations for professional development in adult education are then examined, and a policy analysis undertaken based on institutional theory and using literature, documents and secondary data. This analysis shows that the contradictions in the institutional structures and policies inhibit both the development of a lifelong learning strategy as well as the professional development of adult educators. The competence development and quality assurance approaches adopted in Europe contribute only very modestly to the development of adult education in Austria.
Professionalisation and quality management
Authors: Egetenmeyer Regina , Käpplinger Bernd
Published: April 2011

The quality of adult educators is on the agenda of European educational policy and the scientific community in Europe. In these contexts, professionalisation and quality management are often conflated. This paper is based on the hypothesis that quality management and professionalisation follow two different approaches. The paper outlines the two approaches with a focus on their two different logics. After a brief comparison of the two approaches, the paper examines the conflation of these two approaches in the expertise Key competences for adult learning professionals (Research voor Beleid, 2010). The paper ends with a plea for acknowledging the boundaries between professionalisation and quality management, and shows ways of building bridges between them without neglecting their essential differences.
Diversity Patterns of Benthic Macrofauna Caused by Marine Fish Farming
Authors: Sanz-Lázaro Carlos , Marín Arnaldo
Published: April 2011

This paper reviews the patterns observed in the diversity and structure of the macrofauna benthic community under the influence of fish farming. First, we explain the effects of organic enrichment on the sediment and the consequences for the inhabiting communities. We describe the diversity trends in spatial and temporal gradients affected by fish farming and compare them with those described by the Pearson and Rosenberg model. We found that in general terms, the trends of diversity and other community parameters followed the Pearson and Rosenberg model but they can vary to some extent due to sediment local characteristics or to secondary disturbances. We also show the different mechanisms by which wild fish can affect macrofauna diversity patterns under fish farming influence. In addition, we comment the importance of the macrofauna diversity in the ecosystem functions and propose some guidelines to measure functional diversity related to relevant processes at ecosystem level. We propose more research efforts in the main topics commented in this review to improve management strategies to guarantee a good status of the diversity and ecosystem functioning of sediments influenced by fish farming.
Open-Cellular Co-Base and Ni-Base Superalloys Fabricated by Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Murr Lawrence , Li Shujun , Tian Yuxing , Amato Krista , Martinez Edwin , Medina Frank
Published: April 2011

Reticulated mesh samples of Co-29Cr-6Mo alloy and Ni-21Cr-9Mo-4Nb alloy (625) and stochastic foam samples of Co-29Cr-6Mo alloy fabricated by electron beam melting were characterized by optical metallography, and the dynamic stiffness (Young’s modulus) was measured by resonant frequency analysis. The relative stiffness (E/Es) versus relative density (ρ/ρs) plotted on a log-log basis resulted in a fitted straight line with a slope n ≅ 2, consistent with that for ideal open cellular materials.
Boosting-Based On-Road Obstacle Sensing Using Discriminative Weak Classifiers
Authors: Adhikari Shyam Prasad , Yoo Hyeon-Joong , Kim Hyongsuk
Published: April 2011

This paper proposes an extension of the weak classifiers derived from the Haar-like features for their use in the Viola-Jones object detection system. These weak classifiers differ from the traditional single threshold ones, in that no specific threshold is needed and these classifiers give a more general solution to the non-trivial task of finding thresholds for the Haar-like features. The proposed quadratic discriminant analysis based extension prominently improves the ability of the weak classifiers to discriminate objects and non-objects. The proposed weak classifiers were evaluated by boosting a single stage classifier to detect rear of car. The experiments demonstrate that the object detector based on the proposed weak classifiers yields higher classification performance with less number of weak classifiers than the detector built with traditional single threshold weak classifiers.
Clinical Management of HIV Drug Resistance
Authors: Cortez Karoll J. , Maldarelli Frank
Published: April 2011

Combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection has resulted in profound reductions in viremia and is associated with marked improvements in morbidity and mortality. Therapy is not curative, however, and prolonged therapy is complicated by drug toxicity and the emergence of drug resistance. Management of clinical drug resistance requires in depth evaluation, and includes extensive history, physical examination and laboratory studies. Appropriate use of resistance testing provides valuable information useful in constructing regimens for treatment-experienced individuals with viremia during therapy. This review outlines the emergence of drug resistance in vivo, and describes clinical evaluation and therapeutic options of the individual with rebound viremia during therapy.
Evaluation of Nonlinear Frequency Compression for School-Age Children with Moderate to Moderately Severe Hearing Loss
Authors: Wolfe Jace , John Andrew , Schafer Erin , Nyffeler Myriel , Boretzki Michael , Caraway Teresa
Published: April 2011

Background:Previous research has indicated that children with moderate hearing loss experience difficulty with recognition of high-frequency speech sounds, such as fricatives and affricates. Conventional behind-the-ear (BTE) amplification typically does not provide ample output
in the high frequencies (4000 Hz and beyond) to ensure optimal audibility for these sounds.Purpose:To evaluate nonlinear frequency compression (NLFC) as a means to improve speech recognition for children with moderate to moderately severe hearing loss.Research Design:Within subject,
crossover design with repeated measures across test conditions.Study Sample:Fifteen children, aged 5‐13 yr, with moderate to moderately severe high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss were fitted with Phonak Nios, microsized, BTE hearing aids. These children were previous users
of digital hearing aids and communicated via spoken language. Their speech and language abilities were age-appropriate.Data Collection and Analysis:Aided thresholds and speech recognition in quiet and in noise were assessed after 6 wk of use with NLFC and 6 wk of use without NLFC. Participants
were randomly assigned to counter-balanced groups so that eight participants began the first 6 wk trial with NLFC enabled and the other seven participants started with NLFC disabled. Then, the provision of NLFC was switched for the second 6 wk trial. Speech recognition in quiet was assessed
via word recognition assessments with the University of Western Ontario (UWO) Plural Test and recognition of vowel-consonant-vowel nonsense syllables with the Phonak Logatome test. Speech recognition in noise was assessed by evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio in dB for 50% correct performance
on the Bamford-Kowal-Bench Speech-in-Noise (BKB-SIN) test, an adaptive test of speech perception in a multitalker babble background.Results:Aided thresholds for high-frequency stimuli were significantly better when NLFC was enabled, and use of NLFC resulted in significantly better speech
recognition in quiet for the UWO Plural Test and for the phonemes /d/ and /s/ on the Phonak Logatome test. There was not a statistically significant difference in performance on the BKB-SIN test between the NLFC enabled and disabled conditions.Conclusions:These results indicate that
NLFC improves audibility for and recognition of high-frequency speech sounds for children with moderate to moderately severe hearing loss in quiet listening situations.
The Effect of Reducing the Number of Electrodes on Spatial Hearing Tasks for Bilateral Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: Perreau Ann , Tyler Richard S. , Witt Shelley A.
Published: April 2011

Background:Many studies have documented the effect of reducing spectral information for speech perception in listeners with normal hearing and hearing impairment. While it is understood that more spectral bands are needed for unilateral cochlear implant listeners to perform well
on more challenging listening tasks such as speech perception in noise, it is unclear how reducing the number of spectral bands or electrodes in cochlear implants influences the ability to localize sound or understand speech with spatially separate noise sources.Purpose:The purpose
of this study was to measure the effect of reducing the number of electrodes for patients with bilateral cochlear implants on spatial hearing tasks.Research Design:Performance on spatial hearing tasks was examined as the number of bilateral electrodes in the speech processor was deactivated
equally across ears and the full frequency spectrum was reallocated to a reduced number of active electrodes. Program parameters (i.e., pulse width, stimulation rate) were held constant among the programs and set identically between the right and left cochlear implants so that only the number
of electrodes varied.Study Sample:Nine subjects had used bilateral Nucleus or Advanced Bionics cochlear implants for at least 12 mo prior to beginning the study. Only those subjects with full insertion of the electrode arrays with all electrodes active in both ears were eligible
to participate.Data Collection and Analysis:Two test measures were utilized to evaluate the effect of reducing the number of electrodes, including a speech-perception-in-noise test with spatially separated sources and a sound source localization test.Results:Reducing the number
of electrodes had different effects across individuals. Three patterns emerged: (1) no effect on localization (two of nine subjects), (2) at least two to four bilateral electrodes were required for maximal performance (five of nine subjects), and (3) performance gradually decreased across
conditions as electrode number was reduced (two of nine subjects). For the test of speech perception in spatially separated noise, performance was affected as the number of electrodes was reduced for all subjects. Two categories of performance were found: (1) at least three or four bilateral
electrodes were needed for maximum performance (five of seven subjects) and (2) as the number of electrodes were reduced, performance gradually decreased across conditions (two of seven subjects).Conclusion:Large individual differences exist in determining maximum performance using
bilateral electrodes for localization and speech perception in noise. For some bilateral cochlear implant users, as few as three to four electrodes can be used to obtain maximal performance on localization and speech-in-noise tests. However, other listeners show a gradual decrement in performance
on both tasks when the number of electrodes is reduced.