bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transport of suspended sediment under the dam‐break flow on an inclined plane bed of arbitrary slope
Authors: Bohorquez P. , Fernandez‐Feria R.
Published: November 2007

The problem of transport of suspended sediment after the break of a dam on an inclined bed is considered. To that end we use the shallow‐water approximation for arbitrary, constant slopes of the bottom, taking into consideration the effect of friction. The numerical technique and the frictional model are validated by comparison with available experimental data and asymptotic analytical solutions, with special attention to the numerical solution near the wetting front. The transport of suspended sediment down the inclined bed is obtained and discussed as a function of the slope of the bed for different values of the parameters characterizing the sediment and its transport properties. For sufficiently large times we always find the formation of roll waves near the water front, which affects the transport of sediments significantly. These strong oscillations are accurately computed with the numerical method used. The relative importance of the bed load (to the suspended load) sediment transport is also discussed as a function of the size of the sediment particles and the slope of the bed for different models on the initiation of sediment suspension from bed load. We also check the dilute sediment approach and characterize the conditions for its failure. Finally, the results of the present simplified model are intended to be used as tests of more complex numerical models. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipase‐mediated methanolysis of soybean oils for biodiesel production
Authors: Chen Xin , Du Wei , Liu Dehua , Ding Fuxin
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Biodiesel is increasingly perceived as an important component of solutions to the important current issues of fossil fuel shortages and environmental pollution. Biocatalysis of soybean oils using soluble lipase offers an alternative approach to lipase‐catalyzed biodiesel production using immobilized enzyme or whole‐cell catalysis. The central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used here to evaluate the effects of enzyme concentration, temperature, molar ratio of methanol to oil and stirring rate on the yield of fatty methyl ester.

RESULTS: Lipase NS81006 from a genetically modified Aspergillus oryzae was utilized as the catalyst for the transesterification of soybean oil for biodiesel production. The experimental data showed that enzyme concentration, molar ratio of methanol to oil and stirring rate had the most significant impact on the yield of fatty methyl ester; a quadratic polynomial equation was obtained for methyl ester yield by multiple regression analysis. The predicted biodiesel yield was 0.928 (w/w) under the optimal conditions and the subsequent verification experiments with biodiesel yield of 0.936 ± 0.014 (w/w) confirmed the validity of the predicted model.

CONCLUSION: RSM and CCD were suitable techniques to optimize the transesterification of soybean oil for biodiesel production by soluble lipase NS81006. The related lipase NS81006 reuse stability, chemical or genetic modification, and transesterification mechanism should be taken into consideration. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Start‐up and enrichment of a granular anammox SBR to treat high nitrogen load wastewaters
Authors: López Helio , Puig Sebastià , Ganigué Ramon , Ruscalleda Maël , Balaguer Maria D , Colprim Jesús
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Landfill leachate is characterized by low biodegradable organic matter that presents difficulties for the complete biological nitrogen removal usually performed by conventional biological nitrification/denitrification processes. To achieve this, the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process is a promising biological treatment. This paper presents an anammox start‐up and enrichment methodology for treating high nitrogen load wastewaters using sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology.

RESULTS: The methodology is based on the gradual increase of the nitrite‐to‐ammonium molar ratio in the influent (from 0.76 to 1.32 mole NO2−‐N mole−1NH4+‐N) and on the exponential increase of the nitrogen loading rate (NLR, from 0.01 to 1.60 kg N m−3 d−1). 60 days after start‐up, anammox organisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique as Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans. After one year of operation, NLR had reached a value of 1.60 kg N m−3 d−1 with a nitrogen (ammonium plus nitrite) removal efficiency of 99.7%. The anammox biomass activity was verified by nitrogen mass balances with 1.32 ± 0.05 mole of nitrite removed per mole of ammonium removed and 0.23 ± 0.05 mole of nitrate produced per mole of ammonium removed. Also, enrichment of anammox bacteria was quantified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis as 85.0 ± 1.8%.

CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides a methodology for the enrichment of the anammox biomass in a SBR to treat high nitrogen loaded wastewaters. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Electrochemical characteristics of titanium based biomaterials in artificial saliva
Authors: Mareci D. , Ungureanu G. , Aelenei D. M. , Rosca J. C. Mirza
Published: November 2007

In the last decade, new titanium alloys have been developed in different areas of dentistry, such as Ti6Al7Nb, Ti6Al2Nb1Ta1Nb, and Ti5Al2.5Fe. The aim of this study was to compare the Ti6Al7Nb, Ti6Al2Nb1Ta1Nb, Ti5Al2.5Fe, and Ti6Al4V alloys with the commercial titanium, regarding the corrosion resistance in artificial saliva. In the electrochemical estimations the polarization data are converted into instantaneous corrosion rate values (Icorr). The passivation properties were comparable for the four alloys. The EIS spectra are best fitted using an equivalent circuit (EC), which corresponds to the model of a two‐layer structure for the passive film. High impedance values (in the order of 106 Ω cm2) were obtained from medium to low frequencies for all materials suggesting high corrosion resistance in artificial saliva.

The electrochemical and corrosion behavior of Ti6Al4V is not affected on substituting vanadium with niobium, iron, molybdenum, and tantalum.
Degradation processes in Al/SiCp/MgAl2O4 composites prepared from recycled aluminum with fly ash and rice hull ash
Authors: Pech‐Canul M. I. , Escalera‐Lozano R. , Pech‐Canul M. A. , Rendón‐Angeles J. C. , López‐Cuevas J.
Published: November 2007

The degradation characteristics of Al/SiCp/spinel composites prepared with fly ash (FA) and rice hull ash (RHA) under environmental conditions were investigated. Composite specimens were prepared with recycled aluminum via reactive infiltration in the temperature range 1050–1150 °C for 50–70 min and, in argon atmosphere at a pressure slightly above that of the atmospheric pressure. Results reveal that although both FA and RHA help in preventing SiCp dissolution and the subsequent chemical degradation of the composites, due to the interaction of native carbon in FA with liquid aluminum, FA‐composites are susceptible to corrosion via Al4C3. Moreover, this phase accelerates the degradation process and increases the damage severity. The primary corrosion mechanism in both types of composites is attributed to microgalvanic coupling between the intermetallic Mg2Si and the matrix. Accordingly, an appropriate control of the Si/(Si + Mg) molar ratio in the aluminum alloy hinders the Mg2Si corrosion mechanism in both types of composites and a proper FA calcination prevents chemical degradation in FA composites.
Synthesis and magnetic properties of novel polymeric complexes containing bithiazole rings
Authors: Lin Weihong , Sun Weilin , Shen Zhiquan
Published: November 2007

A novel linear polymer (PFABT) containing bithiazole rings was synthesized by polycondensation of 2,2′‐diamino‐4,4′‐bithiazole (DABT) and formaldehyde. The complexes of PFABT with two transition metal ions (Fe2+, Cu2+) were prepared for the first time. The polymer was determined through FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR and elemental analysis (EA), and the complexes were characterized by FT‐IR. The magnetic behaviors of these complexes were measured as a function of magnetic field strength (0–50 kOe) at 4 K and as a function of temperature (4–300 K) under an applied magnetic field of 30 kOe. The results show that PFABT‐Cu2+ is a ferromagnet while PFABT‐Fe2+ is an anti‐ferromagnet. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical observation of discrete well width fluctuations in wide band gap III‐nitride quantum wells [phys. stat. sol. (b) 244, No. 5, 1727–1734 (2007)]
Authors: Haratizadeh H. , Monemar B. , Paskov Plamen P. , Holtz Per Olof , Valcheva E. , Iwaya M. , Kamiyama S. , Amano H. , Akasaki I.
Published: November 2007

The following author has to be removed from the list of authors in phys. stat. sol. (b) 244, 1727 (2007): Per Person, Linköping University, Sweden. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Today's Copernican flip: how putting collaborative learning at the hub of human evolution improves our chances of survival
Authors: Goerner Sally J.
Published: November 2007

Civilization is reinventing itself, much as it did 500 years ago in the shift from medieval to modern patterns of society. This time, the modern, mechanistic, imperialistic approach to life is failing and a new, ‘collaborative learning species’ vision of humanity and ‘ecosystem’ view of Global Integral Civilization is rising to take its place. Systems science stands at the heart of a new, integral stage of science that supports this new stage of civilization, not only with empirical and methodological detail, but also with a solid foundation for the new cultural and economic understandings. The result is a Copernican flip in our scientific view of the world and a new Enlightenment movement beginning to gather force throughout the world. Yet, though the ideas, the technologies, the ennobling inspiration and even the popular desire for this new era already exist, so far they remain diffuse and disjoint—obscured, suffocated and intimidated beneath the powerful pressures of business as usual. Today's challenge is to use the new scientific framework to build the intellectual clarity, common‐cause unity and social infrastructure needed to achieve the next stage in human development by channelling these positive forces into a self‐sustaining, actively learning whole. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fostering a sustainable learning society through knowledge‐based development
Authors: Laszlo Kathia Castro , Laszlo Alexander
Published: November 2007

According to convention, there appears to be two main purposes of knowledge‐based development: economic prosperity and human development. This paper emphasizes the importance of the balance between these two purposes and suggests that they need to be complemented with an axiological framework grounded in a systemic and evolutionary perspective. Such a contextualization of development brings sustainability into focus and gives direction and meaning to related knowledge strategies. The notion of the knowledge economy has long been embraced as an attractive next stage of post‐industrial society. However, it remains grounded in an economic model that treats society and the biosphere as externalities. As a result, the knowledge economy appears as an improved but essentially unchanged paradigm of value exchange that continues to increase the gap between rich and poor, ignores the intrinsic value of living and life‐supporting systems and undermines the viability of the biosphere—as if human systems could live without it. A new framework for understanding development in a systemic and interconnected way—evolutionary development—is presented as the larger container within which knowledge strategies could make a significant difference in terms of the creation of value—not only financial, but also human, social and ecosystemic. The case of Monterrey, Mexico, as the host of the Universal Forum of Cultures in 2007 and as a place with the intention of becoming a knowledge city, is used to highlight the concrete opportunities to link the economic and human dimensions of knowledge‐based development for the creation of a sustainable learning society. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reflexivity in social systems: the theories of George Soros
Authors: Umpleby Stuart
Published: November 2007

George Soros's reflexivity theory is quite compatible with second order cybernetics. Indeed his work shows how to apply ideas in second order cybernetics to economics, finance and political science. This paper briefly reviews three theories of reflexivity in cybernetics. It provides an introduction to Soros's version of reflexivity theory and reviews applications in economics and finance. Soros's approach to economics is based on different assumptions about information and about human behaviour. His approach to finance is more holistic than most current work in finance. He does not emphasize mathematical models but rather sees finance as a human player game with himself as a participant. The paper concludes that Soros's work is a very important contribution to and expansion of contemporary social science. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing friction and wear of the tribosystem piston ring and cylinder liner outside of engines
Authors: Woydt Mathias , Ebrecht Johannes
Published: November 2007

An OEM‐driven working group started in January 2004 to elaborate the philosophies, concepts and test procedures for testing piston ring and cylinder liner materials as well as engine oils outside of engines using the SRV (abbreviation for German: ‘Schwingung, Reibung, Verschleiß’; in English: ‘Oscillation, Friction, Wear’) test equipment. The different SRV test philosophies in use by OEMs are compiled. The working group focuses on (i) ASTM fuel economy sequence by ageing oils; (ii) friction and wear in the top‐dead‐centre region under mixed/boundary lubrication; (iii) extreme pressure load under mixed/boundary lubrication; and (iv) hydrodynamic friction. Tribological test results and precision data are presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental manipulation of the timing of reproduction in the California vole
Authors: Lidicker William Z.
Published: November 2007

The potential role of food and water in determining 1) the timing of the normal breeding season in the California vole, and 2) two frequently occurring exceptions to this normal pattern, are explored by using experimentally manipulated enclosed populations. Hypotheses derived from field observations were tested in the enclosed populations by the manipulation of green food, dry food, water, and vole density. The results of three experiments involving five populations are reported. In all populations densities were maintained at near‐normal levels (475 to 1750 per ha).

In all three experiments, it was shown that breeding was possible in the summer if sufficient food and water were available, although perhaps with reduced litter sizes and rates of growth and reproductive maturation of young. In two cases, severe weight losses and high mortality were induced by insufficient water. When water was provided, survivors recovered weight and reproductive competency in between five weeks and eight months. In three populations, starvation induced weight losses and mortality. In these cases recovery of the voles took only one month or less. In two of these last, the inadequate food situation was produced during the normally wet season by outbreaks of a European slug.

It is concluded that available moisture is the most important factor in triggering both the end and beginning of the normal breeding season. Of course, inadequately fed mice do not breed at any season. Summer (dry season) breeding can occur when food and water conditions are adequate due to locally favorable conditions or very low population densities. Prolonged delays in growth and reproduction following the return of favorable conditions are most likely the consequence of chronic and severe water deprivation.
Effects of contagious distributions of parasitoid eggs per host and of sampling vagaries on Nicholson's area of discovery
Authors: Stinner R. E. , Lucas H. L.
Published: November 2007

Hassell andVarley described a negative relationship between the Nicholsonian area of discovery and parasitoid density that permits coexistence of two or more parasitoid species and yields stability. They ascribed the relationship to “mutual interference” among searching parasitoid adults, leading to a “decreased efficiency”. This matter has recently been studied in more detail byHassell and coworkers. Negative relationships can occur for several reasons. In the present paper it is shown that the negative relation occurs under certain assumptions about the way parasitoid eggs are distributed among hosts. Several “contagious” (or “clustered”) distributions were studied. Those assuming variation in host susceptibility or accessibility (negative binomial and added zeros distributions) yielded negative relations. Those assuming variation in parasitoid aggressiveness and fecundity (Neyman Type A distributions) yielded variable results depending on how the distributions of parasitoids per host and of eggs per parasitoid were combined. It was found that, when analyzing actual data, sampling fluctuations can introduce strong negative relations either with or without “contagion”. In all instances, the relation between area of discovery and parasitoid density is affected by host density and is, in general, not linear. The foregoing findings raise serious questions about the area of discovery concept. An alternative approach is suggested.
Dispersal distances of the Caribbean fruit fly, corn planthopper and Cuban May beetle
Authors: Wolfenbarger D. O. , Samol H. H. , Habeck D. H.
Published: November 2007

Adults of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), and Cuban May beetle, Phyllophaga bruneriChapin, were recovered at various distances from release sites. Corn planthopper, Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead), adults were numerous and more dead corn plants were found beside the grassy areas indicating that incidence of the disease was related to the insect abundance. Regression curves showed that rates of dispersion of insects or incidence of dead corn plants were related to distance.
Population dynamics of Malacosoma neustria testacea (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae): Stabilizing process in a field population
Authors: Shiga Masakazu
Published: November 2007

Stabilizing mechanism in population of Malacosoma neustria testacea was investigated in a central part of Japan based on eight year survey.

Population fluctuation in each developmental stage in the experimental field was rather small, i.e., 5.9 times in egg and 85.0 times in female adult. Pupal weight negatively correlated with the densities of 5th instar larvae and prepupae (cocoons) and correlation coefficient was highly significant in females. Population density was stabilized by density‐dependent dispersal of female moths in preovipositional period. Comparison between fecundity of emerged moths and that of actually oviposited ones in the experimental field suggested that density‐dependent dispersal took place as the result of density‐dependent size variation, i. e., small‐sized female moths have higher flying ability. This hypothesis was supported by the experiment in which flying ability of newly emerged female moth was measured. Similar stabilizing mechanism is expected to occur in semelparous or pro‐ovigenic insects.
Nutritional management of patients with urea cycle disorders
Authors: Singh R. H.
Published: November 2007

The nutritional management of patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) involves restriction of dietary protein along with provision of adequate protein‐free energy, essential amino acid supplements, and vitamins and minerals in combination with nitrogen‐scavenging drugs. The present paper discusses nutrition therapy for a range of circumstances: during an acute hyperammonaemic episode and at hospital discharge; before, during, and after surgery; and for lifelong chronic management of UCDs.
THE MUSIC OF NICOLAUS A. HUBER
Authors: Warnaby John
Published: November 2007

There is a school of thought in Britain which suggests that the rigours of modernist composition resulted in sterility and uniformity. Yet in the German-speaking world, composers have explored a wide range of expressive possibilities within a modernist sensibility. They have proved that the discipline of modernism is capable of stimulating genuine individuality, and over the past 30 years, Nicolaus A. Huber has emerged as one of the most distinctively radical, yet equally recognizable personalities on the German contemporary music scene. In contrast to Lachenmann, Rihm, or Höller, Huber has not attempted anything on the largest scale, but in the spheres of orchestral, chamber and instrumental music, he has produced a substantial body of work of considerable originality and dramatic power, frequently involving theatrical elements.
PETERASSI AND THE CONCERTO PRINCIPLE (II)
Authors: MacDonald Calum
Published: November 2007

The first part of this article was published in Tempo No.194 (October 1995), pp. 2–11, and dealt with Goffredo Petrassi's first two Concertos for Orchestra as well as other works, notably the major choral compositions Coro di Morti and Noche Oscura. At the time Petrassi was 91 years of age and it was intended to complete the article within a few issues' time. Other commitments supervened, however; but the composer's death has given added urgency to the need to publish a second instalment concentrating on his concertos of the 1950s. A third and final instalment, covering Concertos 7 and 8 and some of the remarkable compositions of Petrassi's final period, is planned for 2004.
London, Royal Opera House: ‘Sophie's Choice’
Authors: Service Tom
Published: November 2007

Few contemporary operas achieve the newsworthiness of Nicholas Maw's Sophie's Choice. Even before its 7 December première at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the piece dented public consciousness thanks to a barrage of press coverage surrounding the production, the cast, and the subject matter. The irony is that it was the other names associated with the opera – conductor Simon Rattle, director Trevor Nunn, and William Styron, author of the 1979 novel – that made Sophie's Choice a news story, rather than the fame of its composer. Yet Maw's was the ultimate responsibility for the creation of this ambitious, large-scale work.
A Response to Just and Unjust Criticism – and an Appeal
Authors: Mitchell John Ceander
Published: November 2007

In Volume 57/223 of Tempo, my book, A Comprehensive Biography of Gustav Holst, was critiqued by Raymond Head. Not being adverse to justifiable criticism, I can accept much of what he has to say. There are indeed some editorial problems. The index, in particular, was originally perfect, but had to be hastily reconstructed at the last minute due to a publication design change. It is also true that there are a number of misspellings—largely due to some faulty guesswork from partially legible manuscripts – but not nearly as many as implied by the critique, especially when one considers the length of the work. And yes, I admit that I unintentionally included a misrepresentation of the physical Egdon Heath in Wareham. These items will, hopefully, be addressed and corrected in later editions.
Michael Berkeley: recent world premières and CD releases
Authors: Conway Paul
Published: November 2007

Michael Berkeley's choral and operatic successes have tended to obscure his accomplishments in the field of chamber music, which include a serialist String Trio (1978), two String Quartets and a Clarinet Quintet from the 1980s and the string quartet Torque and Velocity (1997). His latest essay in the genre, Abstract Mirror, for string quintet, was premièred on 11 February 2003 at Bishopsgate Hall by the Chilingirian Quartet, with cellist Stephen Orton. The work was a joint commission by the players and the City Music Society.
Stefan Wolpe Appeal
Authors: Silverman Julian
Published: November 2007

The centenary year of one of the giants of 20th-century music has been and gone. It was all but ignored, so far as the UK is concerned, by his publishers, the musical establishment, the BBC etc. There had been vague plans to mount a number of relatively large-scale performances and broadcasts, to stage his two short operas for the first time and so on. They vanished. Music is a business like any other. Under the auspices of the Stefan Wolpe Society (USA), his daughter, the pianist Katharina Wolpe, managed to put together a short series of concerts in London recently, in which a few of his works received staggering performances before a very few people. The last of these, which would have seen the first performance for 2–3 decades of Wolpe's enormous Enactments for 3 pianos – had to be abandoned at the last minute for sudden lack of funds!
Glasgow: Sally Beamish (a round-up of recent premières and CDs)
Authors: Conway Paul
Published: November 2007

Sally Beamish has developed a fresh and individual voice by progressively extending her musical language whilst staying true to her own values. The range of her compositions over the last decade has encompassed two symphonies, a series of concertos for an impressive array of solo instruments, chamber music, an oratorio and an opera. The starting-point for many of these scores for widely differing forces is strongly personal, based on a relationship or friendship, a feeling or an event. Such intensely private inspiration can lend even the most extravagantly orchestrated piece a chamber-like intimacy.
Vilnius: The Gaida Festival, October 2002 (plus recent CD releases of Lithuanian Music)
Authors: Anderson Martin
Published: November 2007

There's a heartening number of contemporary music festivals in the former Soviet-bloc countries, and in the three Baltic republics in particular: it's as if, after decades of the suppression of modern music – even though less severe there than elsewhere in the USSR – they're all desperate to make up for lost time. The Gaida Festival, founded in 1991 and an annual event in Vilnius in mid-October, is one of the most ambitious: ten concerts in as many days, presenting contemporary Lithuanian composers, usually in first performances, in conjunction with others from further afield (among them this year Saariaho, Tan Dun, Cage, Jan Sandström – with Christian Lindberg astride the ubiquitous Motorbike Concerto – and Gubaidulina). Naturally, such occasions are ragbags, with failures among the successes – but young composers have to be able to hear their miscalculations, and Gaida is commendably generous with its time.
St. Albans Cathedral: Judith Bingham's ‘Uppon First Sight of New-England’
Authors: Barlow Jill
Published: November 2007

Opus Anglicanum, a group of five unaccompanied male voices and a reader, are described by South West Arts as: ‘most thought provoking, very professional and exuding enthusiasm’. Having already premièred Judith Bingham's ‘necklace of light’ at York Minster two years ago (2000) and established it in their repertoire to such critical acclaim, the group commissioned a further work from the composer to be a focal point in their new themed programme for 2003, ‘Sacred Journey’.
Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] core collection defined by geographical, agronomical and botanical descriptors
Authors: Mahalakshmi V. , Ng Q. , Lawson M. , Ortiz R.
Published: November 2007

Cowpea is a drought-tolerant food legume grown in the savannah regions of the tropics and subtropics. The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) holds the world collection of 15,003 cultivated cowpea from 89 countries in its genebank. In excess of 12,000 accessions were characterized for 28 agrobotanical descriptors. The entire collection was first stratified by country of origin and biological status. Land race accessions (10,227) with information on origin and characterization data were grouped using clustering procedures. The clustering analysis was based on Euclidean distances between and among accessions. Accessions within each country were then grouped hierarchically, according to their similarity. The number of clusters selected for countries varied from 2 to 20, depending on the size of collection for that country. A percentage number of accessions (5–25%) was chosen from each country, based on the size of the collection and its proximity to the centre of diversity. The number of accessions from each cluster in a country was then chosen randomly, based on the predetermined percentage. In countries where the numbers of accessions were few ( < 10), the percentage chosen from those countries would be higher and may go up to 100% to ensure that at least one accession was chosen from every country. Accessions with no characterization information were treated as a group, and accessions were chosen randomly, based on their geographical distribution. In the process of selection, 200 accessions that are known to be resistant to pests and diseases and not originally chosen through the selection processes were, nevertheless, kept as part of the core collection. Following these procedures, a total of 1701 accessions of landraces were chosen from the entire collection. Using the same procedures, a subset of 225 accessions was chosen from 1422 advanced cultivars and breeding or research lines. A third subset of 130 accessions was chosen from 838 accessions that either lack information on origin or biological status, and six accessions of wild and weedy forms from the available 64 wild and weed accessions were added. Thus a core collection of 2062 accessions of cowpea was constituted. The diversity in the core collection was similar to that of the entire collection and correlated traits that may be linked were also preserved in the core collection. This core collection of cowpea provides an opportunity for further exploitation of the cowpea germplasm for improvement of this crop.
Variation in rice landraces adapted to the lowlands and hills in Nepal
Authors: Sharma R. C. , Chaudhary N. K. , Ojha B. , Yadav L. , Pandey M. P. , Shrestha S. M.
Published: November 2007

The landraces of rice (Oryza sativaL.) possess wide diversity, which needs to be properly characterized for their use in genetic improvement. Replicated field studies were conducted in 1998, 1999 and 2000 at two sites in Nepal to determine diversity in 183 landraces of rice adapted to the lowlands and the hills in Nepal. Fourteen improved genotypes were also used for comparison. Thirteen agronomic traits were investigated. Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H) and Simpson's index of diversity (D) were estimated to determine the level of genetic richness among the landraces. The landraces differed significantly for all traits. Except for plant height and maturity, at least one of the landraces compared well with the performance of improved cultivars. A principal component analysis separated the lowland- and hill-adapted landraces into two broad groups.
Therapeutic angiogenesis for peripheral artery disease: Cytokine therapy
Authors: Kuhlmann  , Klocke  , Nikol
Published: November 2007

In recent years the importance of circulating bone marrow-derived cells in angiogenesis and collateral growth has been demonstrated in peripheral artery disease (PAD) and other ischaemic diseases. Although the mechanisms by which these cells exert their angiogenetic/arteriogenetic effects are not completely understood, improving the accumulation of bone marrow-derived cells at the site of vascular growth using cytokines has become one aim in some of the regenerative therapies. Interestingly, recent data indicate that in addition to effects attributed to such accumulated cells there are also direct effects of cytokines used via their receptors. Several investigations in animal hind limb models of ischaemia have demonstrated the beneficial effect of bone marrow mobilisation using colony-stimulating factors (CSF) on collateral growth and perfusion recovery. Clinical studies in PAD patients, however, are still rare and led to inconsistent data, in part due to different application protocols, choice of cytokine and low patient numbers with strong placebo effects. Moreover, the aetiology of the disease in humans differs markedly from the artificial occlusion of the femoral artery in a mostly healthy animal in the preclinical setting. Another approach to enhance arteriogenesis, which has been successful in animal models of hind limb ischaemia, is the local injection of the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1). This treatment stimulated the invasion of monocytes leading to improved collateral growth and restoration of limb perfusion. Recent reports from animal experiments, in which both treatment strategies were combined (i.e. bone marrow mobilisation and enhancement of cell migration to the site of vascular growth), have shown strong synergistic effects, pointing at the importance to orchestrate the different processes involved in vascular repair in order to achieve maximal therapeutic effects.
Erfolgreiche Bergung eines in die Pulmonalarterie dislozierten Portkatheters
Authors: Bovenschulte  , Krug  , Lackner
Published: November 2007

Wir berichten über einen 66-jährigen Patienten in onkologischer Behandlung mit einer spontanen Dislokation eines Portkatheters in die Pulmonalarterie. Das Katheterfragment zeigte eine Schlaufenbildung mit Lage der beiden Enden in den Abgangsbereichen von zwei Segmentarterien. Der initiale Versuch einer Verlagerung des Katheters über das rechte Herz in die Vena cava inferior mittels eines eingehängten Pulmonaliskatheters schlug fehl. Mittels eines Fangkatheters mit ausfahrbarer Schlinge (goose-neck) gelang dann die Fixierung eines der Enden des Katheters und die Entfernung aus der Pulmonalarterie in die Vena cava inferior. Das gesamte System konnte dann komplikationslos zusammen mit der einliegenden Schleuse unter sanftem Zug aus der Vena femoris communis entfernt werden. Das perkutane angiographische Vorgehen erscheint uns analog zu der vorliegenden Literatur das Mittel der Wahl in Fällen wie diesen zu sein.
Effects of temperature on the diversity and community structure of known methanogenic groups and other archaea in high Arctic peat
Authors: Høj Lone , Olsen Rolf A , Torsvik Vigdis L
Published: November 2007

Archaeal populations are abundant in cold and temperate environments, but little is known about their potential response to climate change-induced temperature changes. The effects of temperature on archaeal communities in unamended slurries of weakly acidic peat from Spitsbergen were studied using a combination of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A high relative abundance of active archaeal cells (11–12% of total count) was seen at low temperatures (1 and 5 °C), and this community was dominated by Group 1.3b Crenarchaeota and the euryarchaeal clusters rice cluster V (RC-V), and Lake Dagow sediment (LDS). Increasing temperature reduced the diversity and relative abundance of these clusters. The methanogenic community in the slurries was diverse and included representatives of Methanomicrobiales, Methanobacterium, Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta. The overall relative abundance and diversity of the methanogenic archaea increased with increasing temperature, in accordance with a strong stimulation of methane production rates. However, DGGE profiling showed that the structure of this community changed with temperature and time. While the relative abundance of some populations was affected directly by temperature, the relative abundance of other populations was controlled by indirect effects or did not respond to temperature.
Antiinflammatory glucocorticoid receptor ligand with reduced side effects exhibits an altered protein–protein interaction profile
Authors: Miner Jeffrey N. , Ardecky Bob , Benbatoul Khalid , Griffiths Kimberly , Larson Christopher J. , Mais Dale E. , Marschke Keith , Rosen Jon , Vajda Eric , Zhi Lin , Negro-Vilar Andres
Published: November 2007

Glucocorticoids are commonly used antiinflammatory agents whose use is limited by side effects. We have developed a series of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands that retain the strong antiinflammatory activity of conventional glucocorticoids with reduced side effects. We present a compound, LGD5552, that binds the receptor efficiently and strongly represses inflammatory gene expression. LGD5552 bound to GR activates gene expression somewhat differently than glucocorticoids. It activates some genes with an efficacy similar to that of the glucocorticoids. However, other glucocorticoid-activated genes are not regulated by LGD5552. These differences may be because of the more efficient binding of corepressor in the presence of LGD5552, compared with glucocorticoid agonists. This class of nonsteroidal, GR-dependent antiinflammatory drugs may offer a safer alternative to steroidal glucocorticoids in the treatment of inflammatory disease.
Substrate binding by a bacterial ABC transporter involved in polysaccharide export
Authors: Cuthbertson Leslie , Kimber Matthew S. , Whitfield Chris
Published: November 2007

ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporters are responsible for the export of a wide variety of cell-surface glycoconjugates in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These include the O-antigenic polysaccharide (O-PS) portion of lipopolysaccharide, a crucial virulence determinant in Gram-negative pathogens. O-PSs are synthesized by one of two fundamentally different pathways.
Escherichia coli
O serotypes O8 and O9a provide the prototype systems for studying O-PS export via ABC transporters. The transporter is composed of the transmembrane component Wzm and the nucleotide-binding component Wzt. Although the N-terminal domain of Wzt is a conventional ABC protein, the C-terminal domain of Wzt (C-Wzt) is a unique structural element that determines the specificity of the transporter for either the O8 or O9a O-PS. We show here that the two domains of Wzt can function when expressed as separate polypeptides; both are essential for export.
In vitro
, C-Wzt binds its cognate O-PS by recognizing a residue located at the nonreducing end of the polymer. The crystal structure of C-Wzt
O9a
is reported here and reveals a β sandwich with an immunoglobulin-like topology that contains the O-PS-binding pocket. Substrate interactions with nucleotide-binding domains have been demonstrated in an ABC exporter previously. However, to our knowledge substrate binding by a discrete, cytoplasmic accessory domain in an extended nucleotide-binding domain polypeptide has not previously been demonstrated. Elucidation of the substrate-recognition system involved in O-PS export provides insight into the mechanism that coordinates polymer biosynthesis, termination, and export.
A Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein Antagonist Is Down-Regulated in Renal Cancer
Authors: Blish Kimberly Rose , Wang Wei , Willingham Mark C. , Du Wei , Birse Charles E. , Krishnan Surekha R. , Brown Julie C. , Hawkins Gregory A. , Garvin A. Julian , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Torti Frank M. , Torti Suzy V.
Published: November 2007

We analyzed expression of candidate genes encoding cell surface or secreted proteins in normal kidney and kidney cancer. This screen identified a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist, SOSTDC1 (sclerostin domain–containing-1) as down-regulated in kidney tumors. To confirm screening results, we probed cDNA dot blots with SOSTDC1. The SOSTDC1 message was decreased in 20/20 kidney tumors compared with normal kidney tissue. Immunohistochemistry confirmed significant decrease of SOSTDC1 protein in clear cell renal carcinomas relative to normal proximal renal tubule cells (p < 0.001). Expression of SOSTDC1 was not decreased in papillary and chromophobe kidney tumors. SOSTDC1 was abundantly expressed in podocytes, distal tubules, and transitional epithelia of the normal kidney. Transfection experiments demonstrated that SOSTDC1 is secreted and binds to neighboring cells and/or the extracellular matrix. SOSTDC1 suppresses both BMP-7–induced phosphorylation of R-Smads-1, -5, and -8 and Wnt-3a signaling. Restoration of SOSTDC1 in renal clear carcinoma cells profoundly suppresses proliferation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that SOSTDC1 is expressed in the human kidney and decreased in renal clear cell carcinoma. Because SOSTDC1 suppresses proliferation of renal carcinoma cells, restoration of SOSTDC1 signaling may represent a novel target in treatment of renal clear cell carcinoma.
Cleavage of Stalled Forks by Fission Yeast Mus81/Eme1 in Absence of DNA Replication Checkpoint
Authors: Froget Benoît , Blaisonneau Joël , Lambert Sarah , Baldacci Giuseppe
Published: November 2007

During replication arrest, the DNA replication checkpoint plays a crucial role in the stabilization of the replisome at stalled forks, thus preventing the collapse of active forks and the formation of aberrant DNA structures. How this checkpoint acts to preserve the integrity of replication structures at stalled fork is poorly understood. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the DNA replication checkpoint kinase Cds1 negatively regulates the structure-specific endonuclease Mus81/Eme1 to preserve genomic integrity when replication is perturbed. Here, we report that, in response to hydroxyurea (HU) treatment, the replication checkpoint prevents S-phase–specific DNA breakage resulting from Mus81 nuclease activity. However, loss of Mus81 regulation by Cds1 is not sufficient to produce HU-induced DNA breaks. Our results suggest that unscheduled cleavage of stalled forks by Mus81 is permitted when the replisome is not stabilized by the replication checkpoint. We also show that HU-induced DNA breaks are partially dependent on the Rqh1 helicase, the fission yeast homologue of BLM, but are independent of its helicase activity. This suggests that efficient cleavage of stalled forks by Mus81 requires Rqh1. Finally, we identified an interplay between Mus81 activity at stalled forks and the Chk1-dependent DNA damage checkpoint during S-phase when replication forks have collapsed.
Rebuilding viable spawner patches of the overfished Spisula solida (Mollusca: Bivalvia): a preliminary contribution to fishery sustainability
Authors: Joaquim Sandra , Gaspar Miguel B. , Matias Domitília , Ben-Hamadou Radhouan , Arnold William S.
Published: November 2007

Joaquim, S., Gaspar, M. B., Matias, D., Ben-Hamadou, R., and Arnold, W. S. 2008. Rebuilding viable spawner patches of the overfished Spisula solida (Mollusca: Bivalvia): a preliminary contribution to fishery sustainability. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 60–64. Populations of commercially important bivalves along the coast of Portugal are depleted as a consequence of natural and anthropogenic causes. A pilot experiment was designed to determine the feasibility of transplanting individuals from natural clam beds to a closed fishing area in an effort to rebuild relatively high-density patches of Spisula solida. For this purpose, clams were equally partitioned into two groups (undersize and legal clams) and transplanted at a density of 40 clams m−2 into two areas 50 m2. Transplanted and control clams were sampled to estimate survival, condition index, biochemical composition, and reproductive condition. Generally, the physiological condition of clams was not affected by the method of transplanting. One year after transplanting, survival was 45%. The increase in local abundance of mature clams should facilitate successful fertilization and increase the residual reproductive value of each clam relative to its pre-transplant value. Transplanting undersize clams may be more advantageous because they are more likely to spawn at least once before harvest. The experiments demonstrate that spawner transplants may strengthen S. solida populations and can be used in stock-enhancement programmes which, in conjunction with effective management measures, can contribute to the sustainability of the S. solida fishery.
A molecular analysis of the bacteria present within oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Hooper Samuel J. , Crean St-John , Fardy Michael J. , Lewis Michael A. O. , Spratt David A. , Wade William G. , Wilson Melanie J.
Published: November 2007

In order to characterize the bacterial microbiota present within oral cancerous lesions, tumorous and non-tumorous mucosal tissue specimens (approx. 1 cm3) were harvested from ten oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients at the time of surgery. Any microbial contamination on the surface of the specimens was eliminated by immersion in Betadine and washing with PBS. Bacteria were visualized within sections of the OSCC by performing fluorescent in situ hybridization with the universal oligonucleotide probe, EUB338. DNA was extracted from each aseptically macerated tissue specimen using a commercial kit. This was then used as template for PCR with three sets of primers, targeting the 16S rRNA genes of Spirochaetes, Bacteroidetes and the domain Bacteria. PCR products were differentiated by TA cloning and bacterial species were identified by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene fragments. A total of 70 distinct taxa was detected: 52 different phylotypes isolated from the tumorous tissues, and 37 taxa from within the non-tumorous specimens. Differences between the composition of the microbiotas within the tumorous and non-tumorous mucosae were apparent, possibly indicating selective growth of bacteria within carcinoma tissue. Most taxa isolated from within the tumour tissue represented saccharolytic and aciduric species. Whether the presence of these bacteria within the mucosa has any bearing on the carcinogenic process is a concept worthy of further investigation.
Clinical features of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in adults admitted to an intensive care unit
Authors: Miyashita Naoyuki , Obase Yasushi , Ouchi Kazunobu , Kawasaki Kozo , Kawai Yasuhiro , Kobashi Yoshihiro , Oka Mikio
Published: November 2007

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is usually mild, but some cases develop a severe life-threatening pneumonia. To investigate the clinical features of severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia in adults admitted to an intensive care unit, a multi-centre CAP surveillance study was performed. Among all hospitalized CAP cases between January 2000 and December 2004, there were 227 cases with M. pneumoniae pneumonia without the complication of other pathogens. A total of 13 of the cases required admission to an intensive care unit because of acute respiratory failure (ARF), and the remaining 214 cases (non-ARF) were low to moderately severe. The clinical features of ARF cases were compared with those of non-ARF cases. The underlying conditions in both types of case were identical, whereas clinical findings on admission clearly differed between the two groups. A regimen of an antibiotic effective against M. pneumoniae was begun on average at 9.3 days after the onset of symptoms in ARF cases, which was significantly later than for non-ARF cases (P<0.0001). However, two of the ARF cases progressed to respiratory failure despite the fact that adequate antibiotics were initially administered within 3 days after the onset of symptoms. All ARF cases received corticosteroids with adequate antibiotics, and their condition improved promptly. These results indicate that the clinical features, excluding underlying conditions, clearly differed between severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia and low to moderately severe pneumonia. The delayed administration of adequate antibiotics may contribute to the severity of M. pneumoniae pneumonia. Early corticosteroid therapy with adequate antibiotics should be considered.