bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paleophytochemical Constituents from the Pliocene Fossil Wood of Pinus Armandii from Longling, Yunnan
Authors: Youxing ZHAO , Chengsen LI , Tiemei YI , Xiaodong LUO , Jun ZHOU
Published: September 2010

Abstract: Specimens of fossil wood preserved lignified in Pliocene brown coal and identified as Pinus armandii Francher come from an opencast coalmine at Longling in western Yunnan Province, China. Phytochemical investigation of the fossil wood isolated using liquid column chromatography seven compounds (1–7) including a new fluorene derivative named 11,11‐dimethyl‐11H‐benzo[b]fluorene. A further 28 volatiles were detected by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), Spectroscopic investigation methods, including MS and 1D and 2D‐NMR techniques elucidated the structure of the seven compounds. Two types of natural products, isopimara and stilbene commonly occuring in extant and Pliocene fossil P. armandii indicate phytochemical fidelity during burial under certain circumstances in sediments. Discovery of stilbenes that can inhibit the activities of wood‐destroying fungi in the Pliocene P. armandii prompts the assumption that the chemical preservation of this Pliocene fossil wood of P. armandii in brown coal might contribute to the presence of inner natural inhibitors against wood‐destroying fungi.
Stratigraphic Implications of Skeletal Microfossils from the Cambrian of Korea: A Preliminary Report
Authors: LEE Byung‐Su
Published: September 2010

Abstract: Diverse small shelly fossils and other associated fossils were recently recovered from the Cambrian Hanaeri section, southwestern Mungyeong, Korea. The fauna includes conoidal problematica, poriferans (sponge spicules), coeloscleritophorans (chancelloriids), brachiopods, monoplacophorans, trilobite (?) fragments, echinoderms, and conodonts. A preliminary assessment of faunal associations, stratigraphic implications, and the correlation of these skeletal fossils is given, based on occurrences of Actinotheca cf. mira (He), Microcornus sp., Torellela laevigata (Linnarsson), Torellela sp., Archiasterella quadratina Lee, Chancelloria sp., Lingulella sp., Prototreta sp., Phakelodus tenuis (Müller), Phakelodus elongates (An), Hertzina sp., and Furnishina sp.
Geologic Characteristics of Gas Reservoirs in West Sichuan Foreland Basin
Authors: Keming YANG
Published: September 2010

Abstract: The foreland basin in West Sichuan is a tectonic unit that has undergone multi‐periods tectonic movements of Indosinian‐Yanshanian‐Himalayan. Since late Triassic, it has been in a passive subsidence environment controlled by basin margin mountain systems and by the compression with abundant sediment sources. With the complex geologic setting, the main geologic characteristics of natural gas reservoir are listed as following: (1) Source rocks are coal‐bearing mud and shale series with high to over maturity, and long and progressive hydrocarbon generation‐displacement period. The key accumulation period is middle‐late Yanshanian epoch. (2) There are three gas‐bearing systems vertically, each of which has different reservoir mechanism, main‐controlled factors and distribution law, so the exploration thoughts and techniques are also different. (3) Undergoing multi‐period generation‐migration‐accumulation, oil and gas have encountered multi‐period modification or destruction, and gas accumulation overpass multiple tectonic periods. So the trap type is complicated and dominated by combination traps. Because the main accumulation period of natural gas is early and the reservoir encountered the modification of strong Himalayan movement, there is great difference in the fullness degree of gas reservoirs and complicated gas‐water relation. (4) Reservoir is tight to very tight, but reservoirs of relatively high quality developed under the super tight setting. (5) The key techniques for oil and gas exploration in west Sichuan foreland basin are the prediction of relatively favorable reservoirs, fractures and gas bearing; and the key techniques for oil and gas development are how to improve the penetration rate, reservoir protection and modification.
Aggregating Incomplete Lists of Journal Rankings: An Application to Academic Accounting Journals*
Authors: COOK WADE D. , RAVIV TAL , RICHARDSON ALAN J.
Published: September 2010

We introduce a branch‐and‐cut algorithm to aggregate published journal rankings based on subsets of the accounting literature in order to create a consensus ranking. The aggregate ranking allows specialist and regional journals, which may only be ranked in a limited number of studies, to be placed with respect to each other and with respect to the generalist journals that are usually included in ranking studies. The approach we develop is a significant advance over ad hoc approaches to aggregating journal rankings that have appeared in the literature and may provide a theoretically sound and replicable basis for further exploration of the concept of journal quality and the stability of journal rankings over time and ranking methods.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Indicators: Measuring Hydrophilanthropic Quality
Authors: Sternlieb Faith R. , Laituri Melinda
Published: September 2010

The driving institutional mechanisms behind solutions for increasing access to water, sanitation and hygiene for the poor are driven by hydrophilanthropy, monies donated by non‐government organizations to create solutions to problems caused by water poverty. Water poverty is the stress and/or scarcity of water resources (institutional, social, economic, political and/or physical constraints) that exceed an individual's basic needs for health, prosperity and a secure livelihood. Hydrophilanthropic organizations have emerged from the institutional landscape as water advocates and are responsible for contributing unequivocal resources towards ameliorating social, environmental, cultural and economic consequences resulting from water poverty, however, results from their contributions have been overlooked by policy makers. Questions for future research on the role of the hydro‐philanthropic community include: what is the rationale for hydro‐philanthropy to fund programs aimed at increasing access to water? And, does funding from hydrophilanthropy determine policy or does policy determine what is funded?
International Cooperation and Water Resources Management: Hydrophilanthropy, Sustainable Development, and Sustainable co‐Development
Authors: Fried Jean
Published: September 2010

The paradigm of sustainable development as a strategy of dialogue and communication is of growing interest in the context of international cooperation, in a world of economic, environmental, and societal and demographic interdependence. After a brief discussion of the complexity of the concept of sustainable development, contributing to the difficulty of an operational definition, we introduce sustainable co‐development as an operational set of principles and tools for the practical implementation of sustainable development policies in international cooperation, based on mutual trust, shared responsibilities and mutual benefits. Taking history and culture of all partners into account as a facilitator of mutual trust and promoting the role of civil society to increase the sense of responsibility of the partners, sustainable co‐development introduces ethical values in economic relationships, combining the generosity of hydro‐humanity and hydro‐philanthropy and the search for mutual benefits, which is a good condition of sound international cooperation.
Rethinking Hydrophilanthropy: Smart Money for Transformative Impact
Authors: Breslin Edward D.
Published: September 2010

The water sector is dominated by a handful of images – poor people collecting water from unprotected sources, or the converse of a happy child lapping fresh water from a newly provided water source. While compelling, this imagery is not entirely accurate. Sadly, the water sector does not have a particularly good track record of transformative success, despite the rhetoric and imagery to the contrary. A better picture might be one of a woman walking past a broken water point, on her way back to the polluted water source she had hoped was abandoned forever. The water sector needs to be held accountable for previous investments in new ways. Two ideas are offered – shifting from 100 percent grants that can absolve communities and local governments of their responsibilities for financing water supplies over time, and rethinking beneficiaries as the only real impact indicator in the sector.
The Impact of Information Sharing and Advance Order Information on a Supply Chain with Balanced Ordering
Authors: Zhang Sheng Hao , Cheung Ki Ling
Published: September 2010

This paper considers a supply chain with one supplier and multiple retailers that face exogenous heterogeneous end‐customer demands, where all parties utilize base‐stock policies. Each retailer is restricted to order once in every order cycle and their orders are replenished in a balanced manner within the cycle. Our study investigates the impact of information sharing and advance order information (AOI) on the supply chain. We find that the supplier benefits from the two mechanisms via two important factors, the information about observed end‐customer demands and the decision on re‐establishing the replenishment sequence. We derive the supplier's optimal sequence for stochastically comparable end‐customer demands with AOI and propose a sequencing rule for the setting with information sharing. Our numerical study examines the cost impacts of two proposed mechanisms on the entire supply chain.
China and Vietnam: Managing an Asymmetric Relationship in an Era of Economic Uncertainty
Authors: Womack Brantly
Published: September 2010

The financial crisis of 2008 has ushered in an era of uncertainty that is redefining the post–Cold War world. While the United States, as a global actor, focuses on systemic effects, every international relationship is affected by the need for caution and by changes in relative position. China and Vietnam have always had an asymmetric relationship, but the gap has grown with China's strong recovery and increased regional and global presence. Both countries are interested in improving cooperation, but for Vietnam the risks as well as the opportunities are more immediate. New strength in regional cooperation as well as the continued global presence of the United States provides important contexts of reassurance to bilateral normalcy.
Affect of Regime Changes on Nonstate Actors in Taiwan–Hong Kong Relations (1997–2010): Publicly and Privately Affiliated Think Tanks As Case Studies
Authors: Shen Simon Xuhui
Published: September 2010

The article reviews the roles of nonstate actors (NSAs) in general in Taiwan–Hong Kong relations during the administration of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's first Chief Executive, Tung Chee‐hwa (1997–2003), in order to explore the contributions and limitations of these agencies in constructing political spaces between Hong Kong and Taiwan. The first part of the article explains the reasons behind the short appearance of NSAs in Taiwan–Hong Kong relations after 1997. The second part, the case studies, looks at two selected NSAs: the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute in Hong Kong and the Friends of Hong Kong and Macau Association based in Taipei. The reasons for the setbacks they faced after 2003 and their possible roles following leadership changes in Hong Kong and Taiwan in the run‐up to 2010 will be analyzed in the last section.
Teachers' Pedagogical Beliefs and the Standards for Foreign Language Learning
Authors: Allen Linda Quinn
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT: This study examined Midwestern foreign language teachers‘ (n = 613) responses to the Foreign Language Education Questionnaire (FLEQ) in order to determine the extent to which their beliefs are consistent with major constructs underlying the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. Additionally, respondents rated their familiarity with the standards and provided background information that was used to identify factors that influence their beliefs. The purpose of this study was to provide direction for teacher education, in‐service professional development, and future research. Analysis of the data suggests that the teachers believe that foreign language instruction should be delivered in the target language, available to all students, consonant with the “Weave of Curricular Elements,” included in early elementary school curriculum, and within the coverage model. Generally, the teachers felt somewhat familiar with the standards. Factors that have an impact on their beliefs include urban versus rural location, membership in professional organizations, gender, percentage of teaching assignment in a foreign language, highest educational degree earned, and private versus public school.
Vertical dimensions of suspended horses
Authors: CLUTTON R. E. , CHASE‐TOPPING M. , SQUIRES R. , LAWSON H. , MINARD H. , ROSE S.
Published: September 2010

Reasons for study: The dimensions of anaesthetised hobbled horses during suspension and transfer onto the operating table are unknown. These data are required for the cost‐effective construction of equine surgical facilities.

Objectives: To measure the distance from the toe to dependent back margin (Bsusp) and poll (Psusp) of anaesthetised suspended horses and correlate them with readily obtained measures from standing animals.

Methods: Digital photographs of suspended horses were taken in the anaesthesia induction box at a fixed position that allowed trigonometric determination of Bsusp and Psusp. These values were linked with body mass, height at the withers (Wstand), the length of the crest from the poll to the withers (crest) and of the back (back) from the withers to the crop, by deriving an equine morphological index (EMI) using principal component analysis. The EMI and other linear variables were then subjected to single variable regression analysis.

Results: EMI was 0.531mass(kg)+ 0.528Wstand(cm)+ 0.469crest(cm)+ 0.468back(cm). Bsusp was most accurately estimated using the expression Bsusp= 118.71 + 0.128EMI while Psusp was most strongly associated with Wstand, i.e. Psusp= 46.9 + 1.01Wstand(cm).

Conclusions: The height of suspended horses at the most ventral margin of the back and the poll can be estimated from measures taken from the standing animal.

Potential relevance: The data will allow the more informed planning and construction of equine surgical facilities in which mechanical hoists are used.
GaN epitaxial films grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy on polycrystalline chemical vapor deposition diamond substrates using surface nanostructuring with TiN or anodic Al oxide
Authors: Polyakov A. Y. , Markov A. V. , Duhnovsky M. P. , Mezhennyi M. V. , Donskov A. A. , Malakhov S. S. , Govorkov A. V. , Kozlova Yu. P. , Pavlov V. F. , Smirnov N. B. , Yugova T. G. , Belogorokhov A. I. , Belogorokhov I. A. , Ratnikova A. K. , Fyodorov Yu. Yu. , Kudryashov O. Yu. , Leontyev I. A. , Ratushnyi V. I. , Pearton S. J.
Published: September 2010

Growth of GaN on polycrystalline chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond prepared on Si was achieved by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). If the polycrystalline CVD diamond is separated from the Si substrate and the side turned to Si is covered by either TiN or anodic Al oxide, this is found to facilitate deposition of good crystalline quality GaN films. Porous TiN in these experiments was formed by Ti evaporation and subsequent in situ nitridation in the HVPE reactor during pregrowth heating. The films showed double crystal x-ray (0002) rocking curve half width of 245 in. and a strong bandedge luminescence. Thick films self-separated from the substrate. When growing GaN on the Si side of the diamond substrate is covered with porous Al anodic oxide, the authors observed the formation of well defined (0001) GaN texture with the maximum angle between the c-axes of various grains lower than 6.5°, a very low (120 in.) half-width of the (0002) rocking curves of individual grains and an intense bandedge luminescence.
Opposing Inflammation and Thereby Diabetes
Authors: Adler Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2010

ω-3 fatty acids signal through GPR120 to reduce inflammation and promote insulin sensitivity.
Amplifying Stem Cells
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: September 2010

A purine derivative promotes expansion of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells by suppressing differentiation.
Form and Function
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: September 2010

A gene involved in morphogenesis and ciliogenesis is mutated in patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome.
Signals: Tinkering with Domains
Authors: Bornberg-Bauer Erich
Published: September 2010

Binding domains in signaling proteins can tolerate sequence variation but still bind ligands and be structurally stable.
A Derivate of the Antibiotic Doxorubicin Is a Selective Inhibitor of Dengue and Yellow Fever Virus Replication
In Vitro
Authors: Kaptein Suzanne J. F. , De Burghgraeve Tine , Froeyen Mathy , Pastorino Boris , Alen Marijke M. F. , Mondotte Juan A. , Herdewijn Piet , Jacobs Michael , de Lamballerie Xavier , Schols Dominique , Gamarnik Andrea V. , Sztaricskai Ferenc , Neyts Johan
Published: September 2010

A doxorubicin derivate, SA-17, that carries a squaric acid amide ester moiety at the carbohydrate (α-
l
-daunosaminyl) group was identified as a selective inhibitor of
in vitro
dengue virus (DENV) serotype 2 replication (50% effective concentration [EC
50
] = 0.34 ± 0.20 μg/ml [0.52 ± 0.31 μM]). SA-17 is markedly less cytostatic than the parent compound, resulting in a selectivity index value of ∼100. SA-17 also inhibits yellow fever virus 17D (YFV-17D) replication (EC
50
= 3.1 ± 1.0 μg/ml [4.8 ± 1.5 μM]), although less efficiently than DENV replication, but proved inactive against a variety of enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. SA-17 inhibits
in vitro
flavivirus replication in a dose-dependent manner, as was assessed by virus yield reduction assays and quantification of viral RNA by means of real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) (∼2 to 3 log reduction). The anti-DENV activity was confirmed using a
Renilla
luciferase-expressing dengue reporter virus. Time-of-drug-addition studies revealed that SA-17 acts at the very early stages of the viral replication cycle (i.e., virus attachment and/or virus entry). This observation was corroborated by the observation that SA-17, unlike the nucleoside analogue ribavirin, does not inhibit the replication of DENV subgenomic replicons. Preincubation of high-titer stocks of DENV or YFV-17D with ≥5 μg/ml SA-17 resulted in 100% inhibition of viral infectivity (≥3 log reduction). SA-17, however, did not prove virucidal.
Suitable Disk Antimicrobial Susceptibility Breakpoints Defining
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhi Isolates with Reduced Susceptibility to Fluoroquinolones
Authors: Parry Christopher M. , Thuy Chau Tran , Dongol Sabina , Karkey Abhilasha , Vinh Ha , Chinh Nguyen Tran , Duy Pham Thanh , Thieu Nga Tran Vu , Campbell James I. , Van Minh Hoang Nguyen , Arjyal Amit , Bhutta Zulfiqar A. , Bhattacharya Sujit K. , Agtini Magdarina D. , Dong Baiqing , Canh Do Gia , Naheed Aliya , Wain John , Tinh Hien Tran , Basnyat Buddha , Ochiai Leon , Clemens John , Farrar Jeremy J. , Dolecek Christiane , Baker Stephen
Published: September 2010

Infections with
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi isolates that have reduced susceptibility to ofloxacin (MIC ≥ 0.25 μg/ml) or ciprofloxacin (MIC ≥ 0.125 μg/ml) have been associated with a delayed response or clinical failure following treatment with these antimicrobials. These isolates are not detected as resistant using current disk susceptibility breakpoints. We examined 816 isolates of
S.
Typhi from seven Asian countries. Screening for nalidixic acid resistance (MIC ≥ 16 μg/ml) identified isolates with an ofloxacin MIC of ≥0.25 μg/ml with a sensitivity of 97.3% (253/260) and specificity of 99.3% (552/556). For isolates with a ciprofloxacin MIC of ≥0.125 μg/ml, the sensitivity was 92.9% (248/267) and specificity was 98.4% (540/549). A zone of inhibition of ≤28 mm around a 5-μg ofloxacin disc detected strains with an ofloxacin MIC of ≥0.25 μg/ml with a sensitivity of 94.6% (246/260) and specificity of 94.2% (524/556). A zone of inhibition of ≤30 mm detected isolates with a ciprofloxacin MIC of ≥0.125 μg/ml with a sensitivity of 94.0% (251/267) and specificity of 94.2% (517/549). An ofloxacin MIC of ≥0.25 μg/ml and a ciprofloxacin MIC of ≥0.125 μg/ml detected 74.5% (341/460) of isolates with an identified quinolone resistance-inducing mutation and 81.5% (331/406) of the most common mutant (carrying a serine-to-phenylalanine mutation at codon 83 in the
gyrA
gene). Screening for nalidixic acid resistance or ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin disk inhibition zone are suitable for detecting
S.
Typhi isolates with reduced fluoroquinolone susceptibility.
Role of MyD88 and Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 in the Sensing ofParachlamydia acanthamoebae
Authors: Roger Thierry , Casson Nicola , Croxatto Antony , Entenza José Manuel , Pusztaszeri Marc , Akira Shizuo , Reymond Marlies Knaup , Le Roy Didier , Calandra Thierry , Greub Gilbert
Published: September 2010

Parachlamydia acanthamoebaeis aChlamydia-related organism whose pathogenic role in pneumonia is supported by serological and molecular clinical studies and an experimental mouse model of lung infection. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a seminal role in sensing microbial products and initiating innate immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of MyD88, TLR2, and TLR4 in the interaction ofParachlamydiawith macrophages. Here, we showed thatParachlamydiaentered bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) in a TLR-independent manner but did not multiply intracellularly. Interestingly, compared to live bacteria, heat-inactivatedParachlamydiainduced the production of substantial amounts of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-12p40 by BMDMs and of TNF and IL-6 by peritoneal macrophages as well as RAW 264.7 and J774 macrophage cell lines. Cytokine production by BMDMs, which was partially inhibited upon trypsin treatment ofParachlamydia, was dependent on MyD88, TLR4, and, to a lesser extent, TLR2. Finally, MyD88−/−, TLR4−/−, and TLR2−/−mice were as resistant as wild-type mice to lung infection following the intratracheal instillation ofParachlamydia. Thus, in contrast toChlamydia pneumoniae,Parachlamydia acanthamoebaeweakly stimulates macrophages, potentially compensating for its low replication capacity in macrophages by escaping the innate immune surveillance.
Leaf Variability in Yellow Birch (Betulaalleghaniensis) in Relation to Environment
Authors: Dancik Bruce P. , Barnes Burton V.
Published: September 2010

Four multivariate techniques were used to analyze 13 characteristics of standard leaves of 809 yellow birches in 112 populations on selected site types in the western upper Great Lakes region to determine the variability in leaf morphology of yellow birch and to elucidate patterns of leaf variation related to differences in the sites on which the birches grew. There were significant among-population differences for each of the leaf characters, but there were no consistent groupings of the populations based on several single-character analyses. There was a significant canonical correlation between leaf morphology and the site conditions of the populations. Principal components and Prim network analysis indicated groupings of the populations that were related to ecological conditions of the sites. Of all methods used, canonical variates were the most biologically meaningful and revealed the strongest relationship between morphology and environment. The populations were arranged on canonical variate axes along natural gradients of soil pH, relative drainage, or climatic conditions of the site. The phenotypic characters may be under genetic control and probably have evolved in response to complex environmental factors. Mass collections of standard leaves of yellow birch growing over a wide range of sites appear to be useful in determining patterns of genetic differentiation in the species.
Effects of Temperature on Root Morphology and Ectendomycorrhizal Development in Pinusresinosa Ait.
Authors: Wilcox Hugh E. , Ganmore-Neumann Ruth
Published: September 2010

Seedlings of Pinusresinosa were grown at root temperatures of 16, 21 and 27 °C, both aseptically and after inoculation with the ectendomycorrhizal fungus BDG-58. Growth after 3 months was significantly influenced by the presence of the fungus at all 3 temperatures. The influence of the fungus on root growth was obscured by the effects of root temperature on morphology. The root system at 16 and at 21 °C possessed many first-order laterals with numerous, well developed second-order branches, but those at 27 °C had only a few, relatively long, unbranched first-order laterals. Although the root systems of infected seedlings were larger, the fungus increased root growth in the same pattern as determined by the temperature.
Dormancy and Root Regeneration of Northern Red Oak
Authors: Farmer Jr R. E.
Published: September 2010

In a greenhouse forcing study, root regeneration was correlated with shoot growth, which began with increasing rapidity as chilling requirements were met. Root growth was stimulated by factors originating in the stem of both dormant and growing plants, though root regeneration during physiological dormancy was limited. Auxins applied to decapitated plants stimulated root regeneration while inhibiting shoot growth; gibberellic acid, kinetin, ethylene, and abscisic acid had no direct effect upon root regeneration. The starch content of roots averaged 41% during dormancy, and major hydrolysis of starch was dependent upon initiation of shoot elongation.
Field Performance of Container-grown and Bareroot Trees in Coastal British Columbia
Authors: Arnott J. T.
Published: September 2010

A series of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) experimental plantations was established over three planting seasons at two representative areas on southern Vancouver Island to assess and compare the field performance of a) 6-cm and b) 11-cm Walters' bullets, c) 11-cm bullet-plugs, d) tubelings, and e) 2-0 bareroot stock.Five years after planting, the average survival rate of Douglas-fir seedlings was a) 67, b) 65, c) 81, d) 70, and e) 79%. For western hemlock, these respective figures were a) 50, b) 53, c) 65, d) 45, and e) 29%. Removing the container before planting greatly increased survival rate of the bullet-plug seedling (c). There was relatively little significant variation in survival of container-grown seedlings among the three planting seasons selected. The most important single cause of mortality among all planting categories was drought. Smothering by competing vegetation and soil erosion on steep slopes was also a significant factor contributing to seedling failure.
A Preliminary Analysis of Short-rotation Aspen Management
Authors: Ek Alan R. , Brodie J. D.
Published: September 2010

Stand-yield models were developed for stem and branch wood, stem wood and conventional utilization standards for various sites and initial densities. A model of sucker reproduction following harvesting is also presented. These models were then subjected to conventional economic analyses and long-term simulation comparisons. Results indicate that aspen rotations may be moderately shortened, with substantial increases in yields if utilization standards are increased. Greatest potential lies with the best sites, but more complete utilization standards may also allow operations on sites currently considered marginal. Rotations based on the usual soil-expectation value criteria could be reduced from the current 35 to 45-year range (at 5% discount rate) down to 20–30 years. Extremely short rotations (e.g., < 15 years) appear undesirable due to sustained rapid volume and value growth rates well into the third decade.
Propagation of American Elm via Cell Suspension Cultures
Authors: Durzan D. J. , Lopushanski S. M.
Published: September 2010

American elm was propagated from callus derived from cell suspension cultures. Suspensions, established from callus, were plated onto agar where, after transfer to a simpler defined medium over 18 months, shoots were produced. Maintenance of high auxin levels yielded roots but no shoots. Shoots were removed from the callus, were treated briefly with indole-3-butyric acid, and transferred to a sphagnum moss – sand mixture for rooting. Other than the absence of cotyledons, plants from callus were comparable to elm seedlings.
Yields of Four 40-year-old Conifers and Aspen in Adjacent Stands
Authors: Schlaegel Bryce E.
Published: September 2010

Volume and dry-weight yield comparisons of 40-year-old planted red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.), jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.), white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench.) Voss), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) BSP), and a naturally regenerated aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.) sucker stand show that red pine has the highest yields and black spruce the lowest. Volume yields of aspen, jack pine, and white spruce are similar, but weight yields of white spruce are much less than weight yields of either aspen or jack pine. It is recommended that yield comparisons within and between species should be done on a weight as well as a volume basis because large differences in densities can occur.
Soil Disturbance Associated with Timber Harvesting in Southwestern British Columbia
Authors: Bockheim J. G. , Ballard T. M. , Wellington R. P.
Published: September 2010

Soil disturbance associated with timber harvesting was evaluated in five localities in southwestern British Columbia, along transects located away from main haul roads and associated sidecast soil material. Small skid trails and associated sidecast material were included in the evaluation. Of the several disturbance indices evaluated, the percentage of area occupied by exposed mineral soil (EMS) appears to be most useful. For 13 high-lead logged sites, EMS averaged 29% and ranged from 5 to 56%. Low EMS (9%) was associated with a high-lead site logged over snow. High EMS was associated with steep slopes (greater than 70%) and shale-rich soils. Less disturbance occurred on soils derived from granitic parent materials. On two tractor-logged sites with 25 to 60% slopes, EMS was 71 and 68%, respectively. On a helicopter-logged site, EMS was only 5%. These data are compared to estimates of soil disturbance caused by logging in other regions of western North America.
Late Palaeozoic-Early Cenozoic tectonic development of the Eastern Pontides (Artvin area), Turkey: stages of closure of Tethys along the southern margin of Eurasia
Authors: Ustaömer Ti̇mur , Robertson Alastair H. F.
Published: September 2010

Early Carboniferous–Eocene units exposed in the Arvin area document the development of the southerly, active continental margin of Eurasia. The oldest rocks exposed in the area are Early Carboniferous granites that regionally intrude schists and gneisses. The continental terrane rifted along the entire length of the Pontides (>1000 km east–west) during the Early–Middle Jurassic. Subsidence of the rift basin in the Artvin area was accompanied by terrigenous debris flows, turbidites and deep-sea radiolarian muds, and was associated with local extrusion of chemically ‘enriched’ basalts. Swarms of subduction-influenced basic, intermediate, to locally silicic dykes, intruded high-grade metamorphic basement within the rift. A basement horst within the rift was covered by condensed pink ammonite-bearing pelagic facies. Large volumes of subduction-influenced basalts erupted during the later stages of extensional basin development (Mid-Jurassic), associated with volcaniclastic sedimentation. The Artvin Basin is interpreted as a supra-subduction rift associated with incipient arc magmatism. The basin was stratigraphically inverted in response to Late Middle Jurassic ‘Neo-Cimmerian’ deformation. It was then partially eroded and covered by Upper Jurassic continental, to shallow-marine sediments, together with localized eruption of ‘enriched’ (non-subduction-influenced) basalts. The margin collapsed during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, initiating deposition of pelagic carbonates and mixed terrigenous, biogenic and volcaniclastic gravity flows. Subduction during the Late Cretaceous then constructed the east Pontide magmatic arc and a thick volcaniclastic fore-arc apron to the south. Supra-subduction-type ophiolites and accretionary melange formed within Neotethys to the south during the Late Cretaceous and were emplaced regionally northwards onto the leading edge of the Pontide active continental margin during the latest Cretaceous. Continental collision during the Mid-Eocene telescoped the distal part of the active margin which was emplaced northwards onto the east Pontide continental basement. The geological evolution of Artvin area correlates with the Pontides further west and with the southern and northern Transcaucasus to the east. Our favoured tectonic model involves long-lived, episodic, northward subduction of Tethys. Finally, there is no evidence of ‘Palaeotethyan’ ophiolites in the eastern Pontides region.
Recent tectonic stress evolution in the Lesser Caucasus and adjacent regions
Authors: Avagyan Ara , Sosson Marc , Karakhanian Arkadi , Philip Hervé , Rebai Samira , Rolland Yann , Melkonyan Rafael , Davtyan Vahan
Published: September 2010

The stress indicators describing the recent (provided by active tectonics framework) and palaeo-stress (provided by micro-fault kinematics and volcanic cluster) patterns show the scale and temporal changes in stress states since the beginning of Arabian–Eurasian collision. The recent stress derived from the active fault kinematics in the Lesser Caucasus and adjacent area corresponds to a strike–slip regime with both transtension and transpression characteristics. The kinematics of active structures of various scale are conditioned by tectonic stress field with general north–south compression and east–west extension. The distribution of Neogene to Quaternary volcanic cluster geometries and micro-fault kinematic data evidence the time and orientation variability of the stress field since the beginning of the Arabian–Eurasian collision. In addition to the general north–south compression orientation, two other – NW–SE and NE–SW – secondary orientations are observed. The first one was dominant between the Palaeogene and the late Early Miocene and the second one has prevailed between the Late Miocene and the Quaternary. Since the continental collision of Arabia with Eurasia the tectonic stress regime in the Lesser Caucasus and adjacent area changed from compression (thrusting and reverse faulting) to transtension-transpression (strike–slip faulting with various vertical components).
Influence of Physical Activity Participation on the Associations between Eating Behaviour Traits and Body Mass Index in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Riou Marie-Ève , Doucet Éric , Provencher Véronique , Weisnagel S. John , Piché Marie-Ève , Dubé Marie-Christine , Bergeron Jean , Lemieux Simone
Published: September 2010

Available data reveals inconsistent relationships between eating behaviour traits and markers of adiposity level. It is thus relevant to investigate whether other factors also need to be considered when interpreting the relationship between eating behaviour traits and adiposity. The objective of this cross-sectional study was thus to examine whether the associations between variables of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) and adiposity are influenced by the level of physical activity participation. Information from the TFEQ and physical activity was obtained from 113 postmenopausal women (56.7±4.2years;28.5±5.9 kg/m2). BMI was compared between four groups formed on the basis of the physical activity participation and eating behaviour traits medians. In groups of women with higher physical activity participation, BMI was significantly lower in women who presented higher dietary restraint when compared to women who had lower dietary restraint (25.5±0.5versus30.3±1.7 kg/m2,P<.05). In addition, among women with lower physical activity participation, BMI was significantly lower in women presenting a lower external hunger than in those with a higher external hunger (27.5±0.8versus32.4±1.1 kg/m2,P<.001). Our results suggest that physical activity participation should also be taken into account when interpreting the relationship between adiposity and eating behaviour traits.
Telomerase Inhibition Potentiates the Effects of Genotoxic Agents in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Cells in a Cell Cycle–Specific Manner
Authors: Tamakawa Raina A. , Fleisig Helen B. , Wong Judy M.Y.
Published: September 2010

Previous studies have shown that telomerase facilitates DNA-damage repair and cell survival following stress. It is not clear how telomerase promotes DNA repair, or whether short-term telomerase inhibition, combined with genotoxic stress, can be exploited for cancer therapy. Here, we show that transient inhibition of telomerase activity by the specific inhibitor, GRN163L, increases the cytotoxicity of some, but not all, DNA-damaging agents. Such synergistic inhibition of growth requires the use of DNA-damaging agents that are toxic in the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle. Notably, inhibition of Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) kinase, together with telomerase inhibition, synergistically increases the cytotoxicity induced by the G2-specific topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide. By varying the timing of telomerase inhibition, relative to the timing of DNA damage, it is apparent that the prosurvival functions of telomerase occur at early stages of DNA damage recognition and repair. Our results suggest that the protective role of telomerase in cell cycle–restricted DNA damage repair could be exploited for combined anticancer chemotherapy. Cancer Res; 70(21); 8684–94. ©2010 AACR.
In Vivo Measurement of Mitral Leaflet Surface Area and Subvalvular Geometry in Patients With Asymmetrical Septal Hypertrophy
Authors: Kim Dae-Hee , Handschumacher Mark D. , Levine Robert A. , Choi Yun-Sil , Kim Yun Jeong , Yun Sung-Cheol , Song Jong-Min , Kang Duk-Hyun , Song Jae-Kwan
Published: September 2010

Background—

Analyzing the determinants of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and consequent left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in patients with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy requires a comprehensive 3-dimensional analysis of mitral leaflet (ML) area, papillary muscle (PM) geometry, and the distribution of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Methods and Results—

Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography was performed in 47 patients with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy and 32 normal controls. Patients included 20 with resting LVOT obstruction (group I) and 27 without (group II). Customized software (Omni 4D) provided a validated measure of ML surface area, LVOT area, mitral annular area and nonplanarity, LVOT hypertrophy index by topography (percent area with wall thickness >16 mm), and 3-dimensional PM positions relative to annulus. ML area was more than twice as large in group I than normal and 1.4 times normal in group II (
P
<0.001). Group I patients were also characterized by higher LVOT hypertrophy index and medial and anterior displacements of both PMs, resulting in a shorter inter-PM distance. Independent determinants of LVOT obstruction were indexed total ML area (adjusted odds ratio, 5.651; 95% confidence interval, 1.573 to 20.304;
P
=0.008) and inter-PM distance (adjusted odds ratio, 0.416; 95% confidence interval, 0.203 to 0.854;
P
=0.0169). Minimal LVOT area during systole correlated well with peak LVOT pressure gradient (
R
2
=0.83,
P
<0.001); its independent determinants were left ventricular end-systolic volume (
P
=0.0183), indexed total ML area (
P
=0.0108), inter-PM distance (
P
=0.0378), annular height (
P
=0.0047), and LVOT hypertrophy index (
P
=0.0098).

Conclusions—

Myocardium is not the only tissue affected in patients with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, and primary changes of the mitral apparatus, including ML area increase and PM displacement, are independent determinants of LVOT obstruction and provide a comprehensive mechanism that determines leaflet slack and anteriorly directed motion. Abnormal PM–mitral valve geometry assessed by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography can provide reasonable new targets for individualized intervention.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Gurvitch R. , Wood D.A. , Tay E.L. , Leipsic J. , Ye J. , Lichtenstein S.V. , Thompson C.R. , Carere R.G. , Wijesinghe N. , Nietlispach F. , Boone R.H. , Lauck S. , Cheung A. , Webb J.G.
Published: September 2010

Background—

Although short- and medium-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation are encouraging, long-term data on valve function and clinical outcomes are limited.

Methods and Results—

Consecutive high-risk patients who had been declined as surgical candidates because of comorbidities but who underwent successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation with a balloon-expandable valve between January 2005 and December 2006 and survived past 30 days were assessed. Clinical, echocardiographic, and computed tomographic follow-up examinations were performed. Seventy patients who underwent successful procedures and survived longer than 30 days were evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 3 years. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years (interquartile range 3.4 to 4.3 years), survival was 57%. Survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 81%, 74%, and 61%, respectively. Freedom from reoperation was 98.5% (1 patient with endocarditis). During this early procedural experience, 11 patients died within 30 days, and 8 procedures were unsuccessful. When these patients were included, overall survival was 51%. Transaortic pressure gradients increased from 10.0 mm Hg (interquartile range 8.0 to 12.0 mm Hg) immediately after the procedure to 12.1 mm Hg (interquartile range 8.6 to 16.0 mm Hg) after 3 years (
P
=0.03). Bioprosthetic valve area decreased from a mean of 1.7±0.4 cm
2
after the procedure to 1.4±0.3 cm
2
after 3 years (
P
<0.01). Aortic incompetence after implantation was trivial or mild in 84% of cases and remained unchanged or improved over time. There were no cases of structural valvular deterioration, stent fracture, deformation, or valve migration.

Conclusions—

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation demonstrates good medium- to long-term durability and preserved hemodynamic function, with no evidence of structural failure. The procedure appears to offer an adequate and lasting resolution of aortic stenosis in selected patients.
MicroRNA-494 Targeting Both Proapoptotic and Antiapoptotic Proteins Protects Against Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Cardiac Injury
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Zhang Xiaowei , Ren Xiao-Ping , Chen Jing , Liu Hongzhu , Yang Junqi , Medvedovic Mario , Hu Zhuowei , Fan Guo-Chang
Published: September 2010

Background—

MicroRNAs (miRs) participate in many cardiac pathophysiological processes, including ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced cardiac injury. Recently, we and others observed that miR-494 was downregulated in murine I/R-injured and human infarcted hearts. However, the functional consequence of miR-494 in response to I/R remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

We generated a mouse model with cardiac-specific overexpression of miR-494. Transgenic hearts and wild-type hearts from multiple lines were subjected to global no-flow I/R with the Langendorff system. Transgenic hearts exhibited improved recovery of contractile performance over the reperfusion period. This improvement was accompanied by remarkable decreases in both lactate dehydrogenase release and the extent of apoptosis in transgenic hearts compared with wild-type hearts. In addition, myocardial infarction size was significantly reduced in transgenic hearts on I/R in vivo compared with wild-type hearts. Similarly, short-term overexpression of miR-494 in cultured adult cardiomyocytes demonstrated an inhibition of caspase-3 activity and reduced cell death on simulated I/R. In vivo treatment with antisense oligonucleotide miR-494 increased I/R-triggered cardiac injury relative to the administration of mutant antisense oligonucleotide miR-494 and saline controls. We further identified that 3 proapoptotic proteins (PTEN, ROCK1, and CaMKIIδ) and 2 antiapoptotic proteins (FGFR2 and LIF) were authentic targets for miR-494. Importantly, the Akt-mitochondrial signaling pathway was activated in miR-494–overexpressing myocytes.

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that although miR-494 targets both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic proteins, the ultimate consequence is activation of the Akt pathway, leading to cardioprotective effects against I/R-induced injury. Thus, miR-494 may constitute a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
Childhood Hypertension in Autosomal-Dominant Hypertension With Brachydactyly
Authors: Toka Okan , Maass Philipp G. , Aydin Atakan , Toka Hakan , Hübner Norbert , Rüschendorf Franz , Gong Maolian , Luft Friedrich C. , Bähring Sylvia
Published: September 2010

Affected individuals with autosomal-dominant hypertension with brachydactyly syndrome develop severe progressive hypertension and, if left untreated, develop stroke by age <50 years. In 1996 we described hypertension and brachydactyly and presented data on adults. We recently revisited this family and performed further studies, focusing particularly on the children in this family. We performed a genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping linkage analysis and confirmed our earlier linkage results. We accrued interesting ancillary data that we attribute to the rearrangements that we described earlier. We performed additional analysis focused on providing clinical criteria for the diagnosis in children and particularly to monitor the onset and to display the age-dependent development of hypertension and brachydactyly. We investigated 30 children; 12 were affected, whereas 18 were not. Brachydactyly with short stature presented as a maturing phenotype, becoming obvious during the prepubertal growth spurt. Stage 2 hypertension was already present in toddlers and increased with age. Thus, blood pressure measurement, rather than brachydactyly, was the most reliable phenotype for the very early diagnosis in children. Importantly, hypertension with brachydactyly occurs worldwide. Once the diagnosis is made, we recommend treatment of all individuals with stage 2 hypertension according to the current European and US guidelines on hypertension in children and adolescents.