bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biases in the Atlantic ITCZ in Seasonal–Interannual Variations for a Coarse- and a High-Resolution Coupled Climate Model
Authors: Doi Takeshi , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Rosati Anthony J. , Delworth Thomas L.
Published: April 2012

Using two fully coupled ocean–atmosphere models—Climate Model version 2.1 (CM2.1), developed at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, and Climate Model version 2.5 (CM2.5), a new high-resolution climate model based on CM2.1—the characteristics and sources of SST and precipitation biases associated with the Atlantic ITCZ have been investigated.

CM2.5 has an improved simulation of the annual mean and the annual cycle of the rainfall over the Sahel and northern South America, while CM2.1 shows excessive Sahel rainfall and lack of northern South America rainfall in boreal summer. This marked improvement in CM2.5 is due to not only high-resolved orography but also a significant reduction of biases in the seasonal meridional migration of the ITCZ. In particular, the seasonal northward migration of the ITCZ in boreal summer is coupled to the seasonal variation of SST and a subsurface doming of the thermocline in the northeastern tropical Atlantic, known as the Guinea Dome. Improvements in the ITCZ allow for better representation of the coupled processes that are important for an abrupt seasonally phase-locked decay of the interannual SST anomaly in the northern tropical Atlantic.

Nevertheless, the differences between CM2.5 and CM2.1 were not sufficient to reduce the warm SST biases in the eastern equatorial region and Angola–Benguela area. The weak bias of southerly winds along the southwestern African coast associated with the excessive southward migration bias of the ITCZ may be a key to improve the warm SST biases there.
Dry and Moist Idealized Experiments with a Two-Dimensional Spectral Element Model
Authors: Gaberšek Saša , Giraldo Francis X. , Doyle James D.
Published: April 2012

A nonhydrostatic, fully compressible spectral element (SE) model is evaluated in a series of two-dimensional idealized simulations. A dry formulation of the model is evaluated for a linear hydrostatic mountain-wave case, and a version with moisture is tested for a squall line. In the SE method, two setup parameters control the spatial resolution: the number of elements (h) and the polynomial order (p) of the basis functions. In this paper, the h−p parameter space is systematically explored, with the average horizontal resolution (Δx) varying from 0.2 to 10 km in 91 simulations.

The dry experiments are evaluated using an analytic solution. The ratio of Δx/a < 0.2, where a is the mountain half-width, is sufficient to accurately resolve the mountain wave. Accuracy, computational cost, and convergence to the analytic solution are evaluated and compared to a second-order finite-difference (FD) model. The increase in computational cost by refining the spatial resolution yields a significant accuracy gain for the SE, with only a marginal improvement for the FD model.

The squall line is evaluated across the control parameter space by assessing three integrated quantities: total precipitation accumulation, maximum vertical velocity, and maximum precipitation rate. The squall line is adequately resolved with Δx < 2 km and p > 5. There is little variation in metrics due to the varying nodal spacing within an element at the same average Δx. When the spatial resolution is refined, the analyzed metrics no longer converge. The nonlinear nature of moist convection is responsible for this resolution dependence as a result of localized buoyancy sources, evident in the vertical velocity spectrum.
Phenomenological Description of Tropical Clouds Using CloudSat Cloud Classification
Authors: Behrangi Ali , Kubar Terry , Lambrigtsen Bjorn
Published: April 2012

Two years of tropical oceanic cloud observations are analyzed using the operational CloudSat cloud classification product and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) lidar. Relationships are examined between cloud types, sea surface temperature (SST), and location during the CloudSat early morning and afternoon overpasses. Based on CloudSat and combined lidar–radar products, the maximum and minimum cloud fractions occur at SSTs near 303 and 299 K, respectively, corresponding to deep convective/detrained cloud populations and the transition from shallow to deep convection. For SSTs below approximately 301 K, low clouds (stratiform and stratocumulus) are dominant (cloud fraction between 0.15 and 0.37) whereas high clouds are dominant for SSTs greater than about 301 K (cloud fraction between 0.18 and 0.28). Consistent with previous studies, most tropical low clouds are associated with lower SSTs, with a strong inverse linear relationship between low cloud frequency and SST. For all cloud types except nimbostratus, stratus, and stratocumulus, a sharp increase in frequency of occurrence is observed for SSTs between 299 and 300.5 K, deduced as the onset of deeper convection. Peak fractions of high, deep convective, altostratus, and altocumulus clouds occur at SSTs close to 303 K, while cumulus clouds, which have lower tops, show a smooth cloud fractional peak about 2° cooler. Deep convective and other high cloud types decrease sharply above SSTs of 303 K, in accordance with previous work suggesting a narrow window of tropical deep convection. Finally, significant cloud frequency differences exist between CloudSat early morning and afternoon overpasses, suggesting a diurnal cycle of some cloud types, particularly stratocumulus, high, and deep convective clouds.
The Collision of Marxism and Derrida's Deconstruction in China
Authors: Xiaoping Wei
Published: April 2012

Derrida perhaps most interests Chinese Marxist scholars through his way of separating the spirit of Marx from the ‘‘specter’’ of Marx. All those things interpreted by Derrida as ‘‘specters’’ are mainly practiced in China after 1949. Since China’s historical transition began in 1978 those ‘‘specters’’ considered by Derrida include the challenge of economic reform, and economic globalization, and could also include public ownership which has been replaced by multiple owner-ship or stock ownership, as well as allocation according to contribution which has been replaced by allocation according to contribution combined with allocation according to capital investment. The predictable result is that income equality in theory or in practice has now given way to great income difference. These phenomena are opposite to those ‘‘specters’’ of Marx, and they are the targets of the critical spirit of Marx. When Derrida name those things as ‘‘specters’’ presumably this means they could never be actualized. So when those things actually disappeared again, people would like to accept the supposition that they are only ‘‘specters’’ and could not be objectified, while what actually could be practiced is the critical spirit of Marx. It is just the paradox of the ‘‘specters’’ and the spirit of Marx in the actual situation of China that brings it about that Derrida’s deconstructive method interests some Chinese Marxist scholars, especially the younger ones. In order to understand Derrida’s appeal in China better, we need to look at the general situation of Western Marxism in China.
UNESCO, Philosophy, and Human Rights
Authors: Puglisi Giovanni
Published: April 2012

Giovanni Puglisi presents here the theoretical and concrete context in which the Unesco Day of Philosophy took place in 2008 in Palermo, Italy. He insists on the importance for Unesco to publicly discuss issues that constitute the dialogical essence of our time, and argues that Unesco would not survive a loss of its capacity to carry out public reflection. Rights and Power, the general theme of the Palermo Day of Philosophy, appears as a very central issue for a global world, where the dynamic between formal law and social and cultural constraints need to be permanently redefined. Unesco is and must be committed to bringing together scholars, intellectuals, and other public actors of this crucial reflection.
A Thorough QT Study of Teduglutide in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Hartmann Manfred , Timmer Wolfgang , Schultz Armin , Nave Rüdiger , Luehmann Reinhold , Krause Stephan , Lahu Gezim , Scholpp Joachim
Published: April 2012

Teduglutide, an analog of the endogenous hormone glucagon‐like peptide‐2, is currently being developed for the treatment of short bowel syndrome. This study investigated the potential effects of teduglutide on cardiac conduction and repolarization. Seventy‐two healthy volunteers underwent 4 treatment periods in randomized order with a single subcutaneous injection of placebo, 5 and 20 mg teduglutide, and a single oral 400‐mg dose of moxifloxacin. The primary variable to investigate the effect on cardiac repolarization was the difference between QTcF after administration versus predose. The observed upper bounds of the 95% one‐sided confidence intervals were 3.0 ms (5 mg) and 4.5 ms (20 mg). Arithmetic mean curves of QTcF intervals over time of both doses of teduglutide and of placebo were almost superposable. Assay sensitivity for the positive control moxifloxacin was shown. In conclusion, teduglutide at intended therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses had no effect on cardiac repolarization. No safety concerns were identified. Treatment with teduglutide was well tolerated.
Frequent somatic mosaicism of NEMO in T cells of patients with X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency
Authors: Kawai Tomoki , Nishikomori Ryuta , Izawa Kazushi , Murata Yuuki , Tanaka Naoko , Sakai Hidemasa , Saito Megumu , Yasumi Takahiro , Takaoka Yuki , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Mizukami Tomoyuki , Nunoi Hiroyuki , Kiyohara Yuki , Yoden Atsushi , Murata Takuji , Sasaki Shinya , Ito Etsuro , Akutagawa Hiroshi , Kawai Toshinao , Imai Chihaya , Okada Satoshi , Kobayashi Masao , Heike Toshio
Published: April 2012

Somatic mosaicism has been described in several primary immunodeficiency diseases and causes modified phenotypes in affected patients. X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency (XL-EDA-ID) is caused by hypomorphic mutations in the NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) gene and manifests clinically in various ways. We have previously reported a case of XL-EDA-ID with somatic mosaicism caused by a duplication mutation of the NEMO gene, but the frequency of somatic mosaicism of NEMO and its clinical impact on XL-EDA-ID is not fully understood. In this study, somatic mosaicism of NEMO was evaluated in XL-EDA-ID patients in Japan. Cells expressing wild-type NEMO, most of which were derived from the T-cell lineage, were detected in 9 of 10 XL-EDA-ID patients. These data indicate that the frequency of somatic mosaicism of NEMO is high in XL-ED-ID patients and that the presence of somatic mosaicism of NEMO could have an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of XL-ED-ID patients.
Effective enhancement of Pseudomonas stutzeri D-phenylglycine aminotransferase functional expression in Pichia pastoris by co-expressing Escherichia coli GroEL-GroES
Authors: Jariyachawalid Kanidtha , Laowanapiban Poramaet , Meevootisom Vithaya , Wiyakrutta Suthep
Published: April 2012

Background

D-phenylglycine aminotransferase (D-PhgAT) of Pseudomonas stutzeri ST-201 catalyzes the reversible stereo-inverting transamination potentially useful in the application for synthesis of D-phenylglycine and D-4-hydroxyphenylglycine using L-glutamate as a low cost amino donor substrate in one single step. The enzyme is a relatively hydrophobic homodimeric intracellular protein difficult to express in the soluble functionally active form. Over-expression of the dpgA gene in E. coli resulted in the majority of the D-PhgAT aggregated into insoluble inclusion bodies that failed to be re-natured. Expression in Pichia pastoris was explored as an alternative route for high level production of the D-PhgAT.

Results

Intracellular expression of the codon-optimized synthetic dpgA gene under the P

AOX1
promoter in P. pastoris resulted in inactive D-PhgAT associated with insoluble cellular fraction and very low level of D-PhgAT activity in the soluble fraction. Manipulation of culture conditions such as addition of sorbitol to induce intracellular accumulation of osmolytes, addition of benzyl alcohol to induce chaperone expression, or lowering incubation temperature to slow down protein expression and folding rates all failed to increase the active D-PhgAT yield. Co-expression of E. coli chaperonins GroEL-GroES with the D-PhgAT dramatically improved the soluble active enzyme production. Increasing gene dosage of both the dpgA and those of the chaperones further increased functional D-PhgAT yield up to 14400-fold higher than when the dpgA was expressed alone. Optimization of cultivation condition further increased D-PhgAT activity yield from the best co-expressing strain by 1.2-fold.

Conclusions

This is the first report on the use of bacterial chaperones co-expressions to enhance functional intracellular expression of bacterial enzyme in P. pastoris. Only two bacterial chaperone genes groEL and groES were sufficient for dramatic enhancement of functionally active D-PhgAT expression in this yeast. With the optimized gene dosage and chaperone combinations, P. pastoris can be attractive for intracellular expression of bacterial proteins since it can grow to a very high cell density which is translated into the higher volumetric product yield than the E. coli or other bacterial systems.
Bioinformatic identification of proteins with tissue-specific expression for biomarker discovery
Authors: Prassas Ioannis , Chrystoja Caitlin C , Makawita Shalini , Diamandis Eleftherios P
Published: April 2012

Background

There is an important need for the identification of novel serological biomarkers for the early detection of cancer. Current biomarkers suffer from a lack of tissue specificity, rendering them vulnerable to non-disease-specific increases. The present study details a strategy to rapidly identify tissue-specific proteins using bioinformatics.

Methods

Previous studies have focused on either gene or protein expression databases for the identification of candidates. We developed a strategy that mines six publicly available gene and protein databases for tissue-specific proteins, selects proteins likely to enter the circulation, and integrates proteomic datasets enriched for the cancer secretome to prioritize candidates for further verification and validation studies.

Results

Using colon, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer as case examples, we identified 48 candidate tissue-specific biomarkers, of which 14 have been previously studied as biomarkers of cancer or benign disease. Twenty-six candidate biomarkers for these four cancer types are proposed.

Conclusions

We present a novel strategy using bioinformatics to identify tissue-specific proteins that are potential cancer serum biomarkers. Investigation of the 26 candidates in disease states of the organs is warranted.
A highly efficient β-glucosidase from the buffalo rumen fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum W5
Authors: Chen Hsin-Liang , Chen Yo-Chia , Lu Mei-Yeh Jade , Chang Jui-Jen , Wang Hiaow-Ting Christine , Ke Huei-Mien , Wang Tzi-Yuan , Ruan Sz-Kai , Wang Tao-Yuan , Hung Kuo-Yen , Cho Hsing-Yi , Lin Wan-Ting , Shih Ming-Che , Li Wen-Hsiung
Published: April 2012

Background

Cellulose, which is the most abundant renewable biomass on earth, is a potential bio-resource of alternative energy. The hydrolysis of plant polysaccharides is catalyzed by microbial cellulases, including endo-β-1,4-glucanases, cellobiohydrolases, cellodextrinases, and β-glucosidases. Converting cellobiose by β-glucosidases is the key factor for reducing cellobiose inhibition and enhancing the efficiency of cellulolytic enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production.

Results

In this study, a cDNA encoding β-glucosidase was isolated from the buffalo rumen fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum W5 and is named NpaBGS. It has a length of 2,331 bp with an open reading frame coding for a protein of 776 amino acid residues, corresponding to a theoretical molecular mass of 85.1 kDa and isoelectric point of 4.4. Two GH3 catalytic domains were found at the N and C terminals of NpaBGS by sequence analysis. The cDNA was expressed in Pichia pastoris and after protein purification, the enzyme displayed a specific activity of 34.5 U/mg against cellobiose as the substrate. Enzymatic assays showed that NpaBGS was active on short cello-oligosaccharides from various substrates. A weak activity in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) digestion indicated that the enzyme might also have the function of an endoglucanase. The optimal activity was detected at 40°C and pH 5 ~ 6, showing that the enzyme prefers a weak acid condition. Moreover, its activity could be enhanced at 50°C by adding Mg2+ or Mn2+ ions. Interestingly, in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) experiments using Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741 or Kluyveromyces marxianus KY3 as the fermentation yeast, NpaBGS showed advantages in cell growth, glucose production, and ethanol production over the commercial enzyme Novo 188. Moreover, we showed that the KY3 strain engineered with the NpaNGS gene can utilize 2 % dry napiergrass as the sole carbon source to produce 3.32 mg/ml ethanol when Celluclast 1.5 L was added to the SSF system.

Conclusion

Our characterizations of the novel β-glucosidase NpaBGS revealed that it has a preference of weak acidity for optimal yeast fermentation and an optimal temperature of ~40°C. Since NpaBGS performs better than Novo 188 under the living conditions of fermentation yeasts, it has the potential to be a suitable enzyme for SSF.
Sex and age-level differences of walking time in preschool children on an obstacle frame
Authors: Kasuga Kosho , Demura Shin-ichi , Aoki Hiroki , Shin Sohee , Sugiura Hiroki , Uchida Yu
Published: April 2012

Background

Stepping over an obstacle is a kind of compound movement that makes walking more difficult, especially for preschool children. This study examines sex and age-level differences in walking time in preschool children on an obstacle frame.

Methods

The participants included 324 healthy preschool children: four-year-old boys (51) and girls (51), five-year-old boys (50) and girls (60), and six-year-old boys (62) and girls (50). A 5 cm- or 10 cm-high obstacle (depth 11.5 cm, width 23.5 cm) was set at the halfway point of a 200 cm × 10 cm walking course.

Results

The participants walked to the end of the course and back as fast as possible under three conditions: no obstacle, low obstacle and high obstacle. Walking time showed age-level differences in all conditions, but there were no differences in sex. Age levels were divided into two groups, with one group within the first six months of their birthday, and the second group within the last six months of that year. Walking time for children in the first half of their fourth year was longer than that of the five- and six-year-old children. In addition, for children in the last half of their fourth year, walking time was longer than both sexes in the last half of their fifth and sixth years. The children in the latter half of their fifth year had a longer walking time in the high obstacle condition than those in the last half of their sixth year. In the four-year-old participants, walking time was shorter with no obstacles than with a high obstacle frame.

Conclusions

In the above data, obstacle course walking time does not show a gender difference, except that the four-year-old participants needed longer than the five- and six-year-old children. Setting the obstacle 10 cm high also produced a different walking time in the five- and six-year-old participants. The high obstacle step test (10 cm) best evaluated the dynamic balance of preschool children.
Naïve adult stem cells from patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome express low levels of progerin in vivo
Authors: Wenzel Vera , Roedl Daniela , Gabriel Diana , Gordon Leslie B. , Herlyn Meenhard , Schneider Reinhard , Ring Johannes , Djabali Karima
Published: April 2012

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS, OMIM 176670) is a rare disorder characterized by segmental accelerated aging and early death from coronary artery disease or stroke. Nearly 90% of HGPS sufferers carry a G608G mutation within exon 11 of LMNA, producing a truncated form of prelamin A, referred to as “progerin”. Here, we report the isolation of naïve multipotent skin-derived precursor (SKP) cells from dermal fibroblast cultures from HGPS donors. These cells form spheres and express the neural crest marker, nestin, in addition to the multipotent markers, OCT4, Sox2, Nanog and TG30; these cells can self-renew and differentiate into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and fibroblasts. The SMCs derived from the HGPS-SKPs accumulate nuclear progerin with increasing passages. A subset of the HGPS-naïve SKPs express progerin in vitro and in situ in HGPS skin sections. This is the first in vivo evidence that progerin is produced in adult stem cells, and implies that this protein could induce stem cells exhaustion as a mechanism contributing to aging. Our study provides a basis on which to explore therapeutic applications for HGPS stem cells and opens avenues for investigating the pathogenesis of other genetic diseases.
Adoption and Impacts of Interorganizational Business Process Standards: Role of Partnering Synergy
Authors: Venkatesh Viswanath , Bala Hillol
Published: April 2012

Notwithstanding potential benefits, such as quality of interorganizational relationships and operational and strategic gains, adoption of information technology (IT)-enabled interorganizational business process standards (IBPS) is still limited. Given that these standards are designed for interorganizational business processes, we suggest that adoption of these standards depends not only on the factors pertinent to a focal firm but also on factors that represent synergies between a focal firm and its trading partners. In this paper, building on the technological, organizational, and environmental (TOE) framework and interorganizational theories, we propose a model that postulates that a set of TOE factors will have synergistic effects (i.e., interactions between a focal firm's and its partner's factors) on IBPS adoption. We tested our model in a study of 248 firms (124 dyads) in the high-tech industry implementing RosettaNet-based IBPS and found that three TOE factors (i.e., process compatibility, standards uncertainty, and technology readiness) had synergistic effects and two factors (i.e., expected benefits and relational trust) had direct effects on IBPS adoption. We also found that IBPS adoption led to greater relationship quality (i.e., partnering satisfaction) and operational efficiency (i.e., cycle time). Further, we found that IBPS adoption mediated the effect of TOE factors on partnering satisfaction and cycle time.
Longitudinal Assessment of Intellectual Abilities of Children With Williams Syndrome: Multilevel Modeling of Performance on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test—Second Edition
Authors: Mervis Carolyn B. , Kistler Doris J. , John Angela E. , Morris Colleen A.
Published: April 2012

Multilevel modeling was used to address the longitudinal stability of standard scores (SSs) measuring intellectual ability for children with Williams syndrome (WS). Participants were 40 children with genetically confirmed WS who completed the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test—Second Edition (KBIT-2; A. S. Kaufman & N. L. Kaufman, 2004) 4–7 times over a mean of 5.06 years. Mean age at first assessment was 7.44 years (range  =  4.00–13.97 years). On average, KBIT-2 Composite IQ, Verbal SS, and Nonverbal SS were stable from 4 to 17 years, although there were significant individual differences in intercept (Composite IQ, Verbal SS, Nonverbal SS) and slope (Composite IQ, Nonverbal SS). Maternal education was significantly related to Verbal SS intercept. No significant sex differences were found. Implications for studies of genotype/phenotype correlations in WS are discussed.
Arkanum der Macht
Authors: Jedlitschka Karsten
Published: April 2012

Vorspann

Geheimdienste verwahren ihre Dokumente an besonders sicheren Orten. Die Staatssicherheit der DDR schuf sich dafür die „Geheime Ablage“, die mit etwa 13.000 Aktenbänden ein eigenes Archiv im Zentralarchiv war. Wie brisant waren die Dokumente wirklich, die dort abgelegt wurden und größter Geheimhaltung unter-lagen? Karsten Jedlitschka, als Mitarbeiter der Stasi Unterlagen Behörde ein Insider, weiß wovon er spricht: Die „Geheime Ablage“ enthält heute frei zugängliche Akten über besonders wichtige Operative Vorgänge, vor allem aber Unterlagen über mora¬lisches oder strafrechtlich relevantes Fehlverhalten von Stasi Mitarbeitern und SED Genossen.
“The Continuity of Married Companionship”
Authors: Weber Cara
Published: April 2012

Victorian writers often focus questions of ethics through scenes of sympathetic encounters that have been conceptualized, both by Victorian thinkers and by their recent critics, as a theater of identification in which an onlooking spectator identifies with a sufferer. George Eliot's Middlemarch (1871–72) critiques this paradigm, revealing its negation of otherness and its corresponding fixation of the self as an identity, and offers an alternative conception of relationship that foregrounds the presence and distinctness of the other and the open-endedness of relationship. The novel develops its critique through an analysis of women's experience of courtship and marriage, insisting upon the appropriateness ofmarriage as a site for the investigation of contemporary ethical questions. In her depiction of Rosamond, Eliot explores the identity-based paradigm of the spectacle of others, and shows how its conception of selfhood leaves the other isolated, precluding relationship. Rosamond's trajectory in the novel enacts the identity paradigm's relation to skeptical anxieties about self-knowledge and knowledge of others, and reveals such anxieties to occur with particular insistence around images of femininity. By contrast, Dorothea's development in ethical self-awareness presents an alternative to Rosamond's participation in the identity paradigm. In Dorothea's experience the self emerges as a process, an ongoing practice of expression. The focus on expression in the sympathetic or conflictual encounter, rather than on identity, enables the overcoming of the identity paradigm's denial of otherness, and grounds a productive sympathy capable of informing ethical action.
Corrosion Rates of Zircaloy-4 by Hydrogen Measurement under High pH, Low Oxygen and Low Temperature Conditions
Authors: SAKURAGI Tomofumi , MIYAKAWA Hideaki , NISHIMURA Tsutomu , TATEISHI Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2012

Corrosion tests of Zircaloy-4 were performed in a dilute NaOH solution (pH =12.5) at 303 K for 90 days using the gas flow system (oxygen; < 1 ppb) and a batch method (oxygen; < 0.1 ppm). The corrosion rate was determined by measuring gaseous hydrogen and the hydrogen absorbed into Zircaloy-4 assuming the following reaction:

where x represents the Zircaloy-4 hydrogen absorption ratio. The initial hydrogen content in the Zircaloy-4 specimen was controlled to be below 10 ppm. The corrosion rate decreased with time (90-day values: 2.46×10-3 and 2.37×10-3 μm/y for the gas flow method and 6.72×10-2 μm/y for the batch test). The Zircaloy-4 hydrogen absorption ratio during corrosion was over 90%. The large amount of hydrogen absorbed in Zircaloy-4 will play an important role in the long-term safety for the disposal of irradiated Zircaloy materials.
Herbicide Applied to Imidazolinone Resistant-Maize Seed as aStrigaControl Option for Small-Scale African Farmers
Authors: Ransom Joel , Kanampiu Fred , Gressel Jonathan , De Groote Hugo , Burnet Michael , Odhiambo George
Published: April 2012

Strigais a major constraint to food production in Africa. Most technologies developed for the eradication ofStriga asiaticafrom the United States are not adaptable to Africa. Imazapyr and pyrithiobac coated imidazolinone-resistant (IR)-resistant maize seed prior to planting at rates of 30 to 45 g ha−1provide near season long control ofStrigaand can increase maize yields three- to fourfold if supplied with fertilizer. Slow release seed coatings reduce maize injury when post-planting rains are sparse and improveStrigacontrol when there is excessive rainfall early in the season. Models suggest that herbicide resistance may not be a significant threat in short season maize, but vigilance in removing floweringStrigaplants that are not controlled is recommended due to the known risk of evolution of resistance to these herbicides. Stacking the IR gene with glyphosate resistance and using imazapyr treated seed and applying glyphosate mid-season would provide season longStrigacontrol and delay the evolution of resistance to both herbicides. To date, adoption of this technology has been limited by a number of factors. However, it should be included as one component of a multi-factor approach to increasing maize productivity in areas of Africa whereStrigais problematic.
Impact of Spring Wheat Planting Density, Row Spacing, and Mechanical Weed Control on Yield, Grain Protein, and Economic Return in Maine
Authors: Kolb Lauren N. , Gallandt Eric R. , Mallory Ellen B.
Published: April 2012

Effective in-season weed management options are limited for organic cereal farmers. Two alternatives to current farmer practices are improving efficacy of physical weed control through use of interrow cultivation or increasing the competitive ability of the crop through elevated seeding rates and more uniform spatial planting patterns. It is unknown how these two methods affect yield, quality, and economic returns. Field experiments were conducted in the northeast United States to determine whether the yield gain from increased weed control from these contrasting weed management strategies resulted in increased net returns and how these different systems affected grain quality. Wheat was planted at two seeding rates (400 and 600 plants m−2), in three row spacings (11, 18, and 23 cm). A fourth crop arrangement that approaches a more uniform spatial distribution through a combination of drilling and broadcasting seed was included. For weed control, treatments received tine harrowing. Wheat sown in wide rows also received interrow cultivation. Each system was sown in the presence and absence of condiment mustard, which was sown as a surrogate weed. Increased seeding rate reduced weed density 64% compared to a crop-free check and 30% compared to regional farmers' practices of 18-cm rows and 400 plants m−2. Increased seeding rates lowered grain protein 5% compared to standard seeding rates. Wide rows, in combination with interrow cultivation, reduced weed density 62%, increased yield 16%, and net returns 19% compared to regional organic practices. Significant increases in grain N were limited to weed-free plots. While increased seeding rates improved weed suppression, the high input cost of organic seed make this an unsatisfactory alternative to interrow cultivation and current farmer practices, as yield would need to be. 15 t ha−1higher at elevated density to offset the extra cost of seed.
Technologies for Smart Chemical Control of Broomrape (Orobanchespp. andPhelipanchespp.)
Authors: Eizenberg Hanan , Aly Radi , Cohen Yafit
Published: April 2012

Broomrapes (OrobancheandPhelipanchespp.) are obligate root parasites that spend most of their life cycle in the soil subsurface, making them hard to detect. In these underground developmental stages, broomrapes are highly sensitive to herbicides, and therefore knowledge of the dynamics of their parasitism is essential to precisely apply herbicide for their control. To address these complexities, two approaches have been proposed: (1) estimating the temporal variation in parasitism dynamics and predicting broomrape parasitism on its host by thermal time; (2) characterizing the spatial variation in infestation within and between fields by using a geographical information system and a global positioning system. In addition, the use of molecular markers to identify broomrape infestation (species and amount) in the field can contribute to determining its spatial distribution, which can then be used for site-specific weed management. In this paper, we discuss how technology can be optimized for control of the root-parasitic broomrapes. Special attention is given to the development of integrative approaches. An example of a decision support system for the rational management of Egyptian broomrape in processing tomato is given.
Competition of Transgenic Volunteer Corn with Soybean and the Effect on Western Corn Rootworm Emergence
Authors: Marquardt P. , Krupke C. , Johnson W. G.
Published: April 2012

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) volunteer corn has emerged as a problematic weed in corn:soybean rotational systems, partly because of the rapid increase in adoption of corn hybrids that contain traits for both glyphosate and insect resistance. Volunteer GR corn can decrease soybean yields. The objectives of this study were to quantify the impact of volunteer corn on soybean growth and yield and determine how volunteer corn densities affect western corn rootworm (WCR) emergence. Volunteer corn seed was hand-planted at targeted densities of 0.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 seeds m−2at soybean planting and 21 d after planting to evaluate both early- and late-emerging cohorts. WCR emergence was assessed with the use of field emergence traps placed over individual corn plants in the 0.5- and 16-plants-m−2plots in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, WCR emergence traps were also placed over individual and clumped volunteer corn plants at densities of two and eight plants m−2. Soybean yield reductions ranged from 10 to 41% where early-emerging volunteer corn densities ranged from 0.5 to 16 plants m−2. No soybean yield loss occurred with the late-emerging cohort of volunteer corn. Twice as many adult WCRs emerged from a single volunteer corn plant growing at densities of 8 and 16 plants m−2, compared with plots containing 0.5 and 2 plants m−2. These results demonstrate that controlling volunteer corn will not only prevent soybean yield loss, but also may reduce the risk of WCR larval survival after exposure to Bt (Bacillus thuringiensisBerliner derived) corn.
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Suppression by Sudangrass Interference and Defoliation
Authors: Bicksler Abram J. , Masiunas John B. , Davis Adam
Published: April 2012

Canada thistle is difficult to manage in organic farming systems and others with reduced reliance on herbicides. Previous field studies found that defoliation or sudangrass interference suppressed Canada thistle. Our objective was to understand the factors causing suppression of Canada thistle observed in the field. Three greenhouse studies were conducted utilizing frequency of defoliation, sudangrass interference and defoliation, and interspecific phytotoxicity to discern mechanisms of Canada thistle suppression. Increased defoliation frequency (up to four defoliations) decreased Canada thistle shoot height, shoot and root mass, and root-to-shoot ratio. Plants with larger root mass had greater shoot mass and number (r= 0.87 and 0.73, respectively), indicating a probable interdependence of root size (carbohydrate reserves), bud density, and subsequent shoot growth. In the sudangrass interference and defoliation study, Canada thistle shoot dry mass was 38.7, 2.76, and 0.39 g pot−1in the defoliation only, sudangrass interference only, and defoliation + interference + surface mulch treatments, respectively. Sudangrass interference by itself was effective in suppressing thistle growth; combining interference with defoliation did not further reduce growth (2.76 and 2.83 g pot−1, respectively). In the experiment minimizing interspecific competition, we found no evidence of sudangrass having a phytotoxic effect on Canada thistle. Overall results indicate that sudangrass competition or frequent shoot removal suppresses growth of Canada thistle.
Molecular Basis of Resistance to Herbicides Inhibiting Acetolactate Synthase in Two Rigid Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) Populations from Australia
Authors: Kaundun Shiv S. , Dale Richard P. , Bailly Géraldine C.
Published: April 2012

Acetolactate Synthase- (ALS) inhibiting herbicides are important components for the control of ryegrass species infesting cereal-cropping systems worldwide. Although resistance to ALS herbicides in ryegrasses has evolved more than 25 yr ago, few studies have been dedicated to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved. To this end, we have investigated the molecular basis of chlorsulfuron, sulfometuron-methyl, and imazapyr resistance in AUS5 and AUS23, two ryegrass populations from Australia. Comparison between whole-plant herbicide assays and DNA sequencing results showed that resistance to the nonmetabolizable herbicide sulfometuron-methyl was associated with four different proline mutations at ALS codon position 197 (P197) in AUS23. In addition to three P197 amino acid changes impacting on the efficacies of the two sulfonylurea herbicides, the tryptophan to leucine target-site mutation at ALS codon position 574 (W574L) was present in AUS5, conferring resistance to both sulfometuron-methyl and imazapyr. The samples were also characterized by non target-site-based resistance impacting on the metabolizable herbicide chlorsulfuron only. Interestingly, compound mutant heterozygotes threonine/serine at ALS position 197, and plants with double mutations at positions 197 and 574 were detected, thus reflecting the ability of this outcrossing species to accumulate mutant alleles. Whole-plant dose-response assays conducted on predetermined wild-type and mutant genotypes originating from the same populations allowed for a more precise estimation of the dominant and very high levels of resistance associated with the proline to serine target-site mutation at ALS codon position 197 (P197S) and W574L mutations. The two highly efficient polymerase chain reaction- (PCR) based derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS) markers developed here will allow for quick confirmation of 197 and 574 ALS target-site resistance in ryegrass species field samples and also contribute to identify populations characterized by other likely resistance mechanisms in this important weed species.
Tabanone, a New Phytotoxic Constituent of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)
Authors: Cerdeira Antonio L. , Cantrell Charles L. , Dayan Franck E. , Byrd John D. , Duke Stephen O.
Published: April 2012

Cogongrass is a troublesome, invasive weedy species with reported allelopathic properties. The phytotoxicity of different constituents isolated from roots and aerial parts of this species was evaluated on garden lettuce and creeping bentgrass. No significant phytotoxic activity was detected in the methylene chloride, methanol, or water extracts when tested at 1.0 mg ml−1. However, the total essential oil extract of cogongrass aerial parts was active. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of this extract using silica gel column chromatography led to the identification of megastigmatrienone, 4-(2-butenylidene)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (also called tabanone), as a mixture of four stereoisomers responsible for most of the activity. Tabanone inhibited growth of frond area of lesser duckweed, root growth of garden onion, and fresh weight gain of garden lettuce with 50% inhibition values of 0.094, 3.6, and 6.5 mM, respectively. The target site of tabanone is not known, but its mode of action results in rapid loss of membrane integrity and subsequent reduction in the rate of photosynthetic electron flow.
A study on the retrofit method of a shear wall by new openings
Authors: Choi Yun-Cheul , Choi Hyun-Ki , Lee Moon-Sung , Choi Chang-Sik
Published: April 2012

Remodelling is an environmentally friendly approach that reduces the amount of waste on a construction site. Remodelling can sometimes include partial destruction of the structural members of a building. The objective of this paper is to present the test results and structural behaviour of reinforced concrete walls that are perforated and to introduce effective retrofitting methods by evaluating the efficacy of passive and active retrofit, using carbon fibre sheets, steel plates and wire that are widely used for strengthening the main members of existing buildings. A series of five shear wall specimens were tested under constant axial stress and reversed cyclic lateral loading to evaluate the seismic retrofit that had been proposed for the shear wall with the opening. The test results showed that the failed specimens had shear fractures and that two different types of retrofit method had different effects on the strengths of each specimen.
Shear behaviour of prestressed beams with high-workability concrete
Authors: Lin Chien-Hung , Chen Sung-Tang , Lin Wei-Chieh
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the shear behaviour of prestressed beams made with high-workability concrete and normal concrete under static load. A total of 18 prestressed beam specimens were made in this study; nine were prestressed high-workability concrete beams, and the rest were normal concrete beams. The specimens were all 400 mm deep T-sections, tested with two concentrated loads. The test parameters included concrete strength, amount of prestress, shear span-to-depth ratio and spacing of transverse reinforcement. The results show that prestressed high-workability concrete beams have better structural behaviour than prestressed normal concrete beams. The diagonal cracking strengths and ultimate strengths of high-workability concrete beams were 1·20 and 1·17 times those of normal concrete beams respectively. Prestressed high-workability concrete beams have better crack control ability than prestressed normal concrete beams. With the same crack width, high-workability concrete beams can reach greater loads which are approximately 1·21 times those of normal concrete beams. In addition, prestressed high-workability concrete beams have greater stiffness than prestressed normal concrete beams.
Short‐term effects of elevated precipitation and nitrogen on soil fertility and plant growth in a Neotropical savanna
Authors: Copeland Stella M. , Bruna Emilio M. , Silva Laura V. Barbosa , Mack Michelle C. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L.
Published: April 2012

Increasing nitrogen (N) deposition and changing precipitation patterns in Neotropical savannas could alter plant growth, reproduction, and nutrients by altering soil nutrient and water availability. We examined the potential for simulated N deposition and increased dry season precipitation to have interactive effects on reproduction and growth of two abundant native Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) grasses—Loudetiopsis chrysothrix and Tristachya leiostachya—via feedbacks with soil nutrient status. Plant growth and reproduction responses consistently varied by species. Water addition led to more consistent increases in both growth and reproduction than nitrogen addition and the two treatments did have significant interactive effects. We expected that both treatments would affect plant growth and reproduction via positive effects on soil and plant N. Instead, we found that plant responses were linked to species‐specific treatment effects on soil and foliar phosphorus (P). Structural equation models (SEM) confirmed that changes in soil P—rather than changes in soil N or increasing soil acidity—explained plant response to treatments. Our results imply that N deposition and precipitation change could impact Cerrado plant growth and reproduction via subtle effects on plant and soil phosphorus.
Implementing Rapid HIV Testing With or Without Risk-Reduction Counseling in Drug Treatment Centers: Results of a Randomized Trial
Authors: Metsch Lisa R. , Feaster Daniel J. , Gooden Lauren , Matheson Tim , Mandler Raul N. , Haynes Louise , Tross Susan , Kyle Tiffany , Gallup Dianne , Kosinski Andrzej S. , Douaihy Antoine , Schackman Bruce R. , Das Moupali , Lindblad Robert , Erickson Sarah , Korthuis P. Todd , Martino Steve , Sorensen James L. , Szapocznik José , Walensky Rochelle , Branson Bernard , Colfax Grant N.
Published: April 2012

Objectives. We examined the effectiveness of risk reduction counseling and the role of on-site HIV testing in drug treatment.

Methods. Between January and May 2009, we randomized 1281 HIV-negative (or status unknown) adults who reported no past-year HIV testing to (1) referral for off-site HIV testing, (2) HIV risk-reduction counseling with on-site rapid HIV testing, or (3) verbal information about testing only with on-site rapid HIV testing.

Results. We defined 2 primary self-reported outcomes a priori: receipt of HIV test results and unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse episodes at 6-month follow-up. The combined on-site rapid testing participants received more HIV test results than off-site testing referral participants (P < .001; Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio = 4.52; 97.5% confidence interval [CI] = 3.57, 5.72). At 6 months, there were no significant differences in unprotected intercourse episodes between the combined on-site testing arms and the referral arm (P = .39; incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.04; 97.5% CI = 0.95, 1.14) or the 2 on-site testing arms (P = .81; IRR = 1.03; 97.5% CI = 0.84, 1.26).

Conclusions. This study demonstrated on-site rapid HIV testing’s value in drug treatment centers and found no additional benefit from HIV sexual risk-reduction counseling.
Supporting the Integration of HIV Testing Into Primary Care Settings
Authors: Myers Janet J. , Bradley-Springer Lucy , Kang Dufour Mi-Suk , Koester Kimberly A. , Beane Stephanie , Warren Nancy , Beal Jeffrey , Frank Linda Rose
Published: April 2012

Objectives. We examined the efforts of the US network of AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) to increase HIV testing capacity across a variety of clinical settings.

Methods. We used quantitative process data from 8 regional AETCs for July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, and qualitative program descriptions to demonstrate how AETC education helped providers integrate HIV testing into routine clinical care with the goals of early diagnosis and treatment.

Results. Compared with other AETC training, HIV testing training was longer and used a broader variety of strategies to educate more providers per training. During education, providers were able to understand their primary care responsibility to address public health concerns through HIV testing.

Conclusions. AETC efforts illustrate how integration of the principles of primary care and public health can be promoted through professional training.
Strength of connections in precast concrete structures
Authors: Folic Radomir , Zenunovic Damir , Residbegovic Nesib
Published: April 2012

The available experimental and numerical results of many studies of behavior
of reinforced concrete connections for different stages of loading, up to
fracture loading, are presented and analyzed in this paper. The problem of
beam-column connection (or plate-wall connection) in prefabricated monolithic
structures is emphasized. Fracture mechanisms of RC structures, the
theoretical basis for their analysis, and the use of fracture mechanics in RC
structures were also considered, as well as the mathematical models of
prefabricated connections. In order to formulate an adequate mathematical
model for calculating the connections, the dominant parameters influencing
the behaviour of these connections were analyzed. A failure model for the
prefabricated wall - monolithic RC plate connection was formulated. In
building the model, the results of implemented experimental and numerical
research of prefabricated connection in the MMS system from 2007 were used.
Experiences with the implementation of the aforementioned construction system
in structures in Tuzla, in the 1980's last century, were additionally used.
The proposed mathematical models provide a sufficiently accurate failure
assessment of prefabricated reinforced concrete connections.