bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive effects of phosphorus, nitrogen, and thiourea on clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under rainfed conditions of the Indian arid zone
Authors: Burman Uday , Kumar Garg Balvinder , Kathju Shyam
Published: December 2007

A two‐year field study was undertaken with clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub. cv. RGC‐936) under rainfed conditions. The experiments were set up in a split‐split‐plot design with three levels of phosphorus (0, 20, and 40 kg ha–1) and two levels of nitrogen (0 and 20 kg ha–1) with and without thiourea application (seed treatment with 500 mg kg–1 followed by two foliar sprays of 1000 mg kg–1 each at 25 and 40 d after sowing). The years varied in their pattern of precipitation and, consequently, in the available soil moisture at different growth stages. Phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) application either alone or in combination with thiourea resulted in significantly higher net photosynthetic rates and concentrations of chlorophyll, starch, soluble protein, and total free amino acids as well as nitrate reductase activity compared to control plants at both vegetative and flowering stages. However, the magnitude of favorable changes varied with soil moisture due to varying rainfall, and the effects of N, P, and thiourea were generally more pronounced in the vegetative stage. Seed yield, dry‐matter production, harvest index, and water‐use efficiency were significantly enhanced by the above mentioned treatments. The favorable effects of the treatments were realized through significant improvements of metabolic efficiency and maintenance of higher photosynthesis and nitrate reductase activity for more efficient N utilization. It is concluded that the improvement of P and N status of arid‐zone soils coupled with thiourea application can significantly improve the yield of clusterbean under rainfed conditions, though the potential gains may vary with soil‐moisture availability.
Optimizing the balance between impact strength and stiffness in polypropylene/elastomer blends by incorporation of a nucleating agent
Authors: Fanegas N. , Gómez M.A. , Jiménez I. , Marco C. , Garcia‐Martínez J.M. , Ellis G.
Published: December 2007

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) blends were prepared with two different thermoplastic elastomers, a triblock copolymer styrene–ethylene butylene–styrene (SEBS) and a metallocenic ethylene‐octene copolymer (EO). The mechanical properties and morphology of blends with 0–50 wt% elastomer were studied to determine the influence of the presence of the elastomer on the improvement of toughness. The addition of a nucleating agent as a third component exerted a significant effect on the overall properties. Dynamic mechanical properties, flexural modulus, and impact strength as well as morphology were studied for nucleated and nonnucleated iPP/SEBS and iPP/EO blends. The improvement of impact properties found in binary blends was accompanied by a decrease in stiffness. However, the addition of the nucleating agent provided a good balance between impact strength and stiffness. From the results, SEBS was determined to be a better impact modifier for iPP than EO. The nucleated iPP/SEBS blends demonstrated improved mechanical properties compared with both the nucleated iPP/EO blends and the nonnucleated blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:80–87, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Evaluation of mechanical properties of epoxy–guar gum composites
Authors: Shenoy M.A. , D'Melo D.J.
Published: December 2007

Guar gum (GG) and hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) are widely used in a variety of applications ranging from foods, pharmaceutics to mining and explosives. However, there have been very few studies conducted investigating the use of these materials as fillers in polymer composites. GG and HPG were incorporated in an epoxy matrix and the mechanical properties of the resultant composites were determined. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of the composites indicate that they provide reinforcement to the composites upto 5–7.5 phr after which there is a rapid decrease in the respective properties. HPG with higher propoxy content was found to provide greater reinforcement due to its increased hydrophobic nature leading to greater polymer–filler interaction. The nature of the filler required that the water absorption and related tests be carried out. The composites showed increased water absorption and also weight loss on exposure to acid and alkali environments, with HPGs showing greater variations when compared with GG, making the composites susceptible to moisture. The study shows that these fillers make an inexpensive, eco‐friendly, and renewable addition to conventional organic and inorganic fillers where the composites do not come into immediate contact with water. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:124–132, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Diffusion dynamics of ionic liquids during the coagulation of solution spinning for acrylic fibers
Authors: Zhang Yumei , Tu Xiaoping , Liu Weiwei , Wang Huaping
Published: December 2007

The coagulation dynamics of acrylic polymer (PAN) with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM]Cl as solvent for PAN and H2O as nonsolvent was investigated in detail. On the basis of Fick's second law of diffusion, a mass‐transfer model of [BMIM]Cl from concentrated PAN/[BMIM]Cl solution was established as verified with the experimental data. The established model has a good fit with the experimental data and the diffusion coefficient D of [BMIM]Cl was calculated according to the model. The diffusion coefficient D decreased a little when the concentration of solution increased. As increasing the coagulation bath concentration, the diffusion coefficient D initially increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum of 5 wt% in the coagulation bath. The diffusion coefficient D decreased with the coagulation bath temperature. From the diffusion coefficient and the structure of the coagulated filament, it can be concluded that the diffusion rate of [BMIM]Cl from PAN concentrate solutions is relatively slow, which is prospective to prepare uniform‐structure fibers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:184–190, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Uniaxial ratchetting behavior of vulcanized natural rubber
Authors: Yu Weiwei , Chen Xu , Wang Yanping , Yan Lei , Bai Ning
Published: December 2007

Most of rubber engineering components endure cyclic loading during their service, and a nonzero mean stress during cyclic loading may cause an accumulation of strain which is known as ratchetting phenomenon. In order to study the ratcheting effect of rubber, a series of uniaxial ratchetting experiments were conducted on vulcanized natural rubber (NR). The effects of cyclic stress amplitude, mean stress and their histories on ratchetting behavior were studied, respectively. The uniaxial ratchetting behavior of natural rubber depends greatly on the stress amplitude and mean stress. The ratchetting strain rate greatly increases with the stress amplitude or mean stress increased. Experimental results reveal that the rubber material exhibits a strong memory of the previous high loading history, and such memory plays a significant role on the subsequent ratchetting. The ratchetting behaviors of the rubber exhibit little sensitive to the applied cyclic stress rate except for the initial strain. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:191–197, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Syntheses, characterization, optical properties, and charge‐transfer complexation study of fluorescent poly(aryl‐ether‐urea) dendrimers
Authors: Vanjinathan Mahalingam , Nasar A. Sultan
Published: December 2007

An inexpensive and highly efficient synthesis of first example of fluorescent aromatic dendrimers having alternative ether and urea linkages without the need for protection and deprotection steps has been developed. Dendrons and dendrimers up to third generation, with amine end‐groups, were prepared by convergent growth approach in high yield. A repetitive synthetic sequence of nucleophilic addition reaction between amine and regenerated isocyanate and reduction of nitro groups into amine are adopted for the synthesis of these dendrimers. The peripheries of the dendrimers contained 6, 12, and 24 amino groups, for the first, second, and third generation, respectively. Materials were characterized by FTIR, NMR, and MALDI‐TOF MS spectrometry. These dendrimers were soluble in amide solvents, THF and acetone and displayed fluorescence maxima in the 440–500 nm range with relatively narrow peak widths indicating that they had pure and intense fluorescence. These dendrimers form charge‐transfer (CT) complexes with electron acceptor molecules such as 7,7,8,8,‐tetracyano‐quino‐dimethane and 1,1,2,2 tetracyanoethane as evidenced by UV‐visible absorption spectra. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 713–724, 2008
Nonisothermal crystallization studies on poly(4‐hydroxybutyric acid‐alt‐glycolic acid)
Authors: Martínez‐Palau Meritxell , Franco Lourdes , Puiggalí Jordi
Published: December 2007

The crystallization behavior of a new sequential polyester constituted by glycolic acid and 4‐hydroxybutyric acid has been studied under nonisothermal conditions. Nonisothermal melt crystallization has been followed by means of hot‐stage optical microscopy (HSOM), with experiments performed at different cooling rates. Two crystallization regimes have been found, which is in good agreement with previous isothermal studies and with the different spherulitic morphologies that were observed. The kinetics of both glass and melt crystallizations has also been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and considering the typical Avrami, Ozawa, and Cazé analyses. Only the last gave Avrami exponents, which were in good agreement with those measured under isothermal conditions, suggesting a spherulitic growth with a predetermined nucleation. Isoconversional data of melt and glass nonisothermal crystallizations have been combined to obtain the Hoffman and Lauritzen parameters. Results again indicate the existence of two crystallization regimes with nucleation constants close to those deduced from isothermal DSC experiments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 121–133, 2008
Resistance factor: a structural engineering approach
Authors: Hart Gary C.
Published: December 2007

A procedure is proposed for determining the value of the resistance factor for any selected limit state that is part of a building design. The approach is perhaps not new but a collection of previous disjoint publications that are based on limited mathematics and the value of the Bayesian decision‐making methods. For that reason, it is called the structural engineering approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term Results after Dissection of Positive Thoracic Lymph Nodes in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shimada Hideaki , Okazumi Shin‐ichi , Matsubara Hisahiro , Shiratori Tooru , Akutsu Yasunori , Nabeya Yoshihiro , Tanizawa Tooru , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Hayashi Hideaki , Isono Kaichi , Ochiai Takenori
Published: December 2007

Background

Although thoracic lymph node metastasis in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been reported to be a negative risk factor for long‐term survival, only a few studies have evaluated the clinicopathologic difference between the impact of metastasis to the paraesophageal lymph nodes and to the nonparaesophageal lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgical outcome after the clearance of metastatic thoracic lymph nodes.

Methods

Retrospectively reviewed were 164 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal SCC who had not had preoperative treatment and underwent surgery from 1980 to 2005 and were found to have thoracic lymph node metastases. Of these patients, 83 underwent surgery from 1980 to 1994 and 81 from 1995 to 2005. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of nonparaesophageal lymph node metastasis on survival.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed that T3/T4 tumors and the presence of nonparaesophageal node metastases were associated with only a 20% overall five‐year survival rate. The overall five‐year survival for the most recent period was significantly better than for the former period (42% vs. 13%, p < 0.01). Based on a multivariate analysis of prognostic impact of each nonparaesophageal node, the presence of metastatic subcarinal and/or posterior mediastinal nodes was an independent risk factor for reduced survival.

Conclusion

Surgical outcome for patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and metastatic thoracic lymph nodes has improved during the last 25 years. Although postoperative chemotherapy might improve survival, the presence of T3/T4 tumors and/or metastatic nonparaesophageal nodes were unfavorable factors for survival.
CRC Surgery Trends in Kenya, 1993–2005
Authors: Saidi Hassan , Nyaim Elly O. , Githaiga Joseph W. , Karuri David
Published: December 2007

Background

CRC (CRC) rates are low but increasing in Africa. Data on detection, treatment, and outcome are scarce.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation, treatment, and outcome pattern of CRC and to compare the care processes for two time periods.

Setting

The setting was Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), a teaching and referral center.

Patients and methods

A total of 259 patients seen over two time periods (1993–1998 and 1999–2005) were analyzed for admission date, sex, subsite involvement, diagnostic process, treatment, follow‐up, and outcome. The distribution of variables between the time periods were analyzed using Student’s t‐test and χ2 as appropriate. Survival trends were generated using Kaplan Meier method; p < 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results

The average number of CRC diagnoses showed a 2.7‐fold increase during the study periods. The mean age at presentation was 49.7 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 29.6 weeks; and the commonest subsite was the rectum (55.3%). The overall resection rate was 67.7%. For rectal tumors the abdominoperineal rate was 51.4%. Mortality was higher for poorly differentiated cancer, advanced disease, age >50 years, and emergency surgery. There was no change in the age, duration of symptoms, proportion of patients <40 years, or the colon/rectal ratios of the cancer site. The second time period saw more adjuncts for diagnosis, less in‐hospital mortality, and better staging data.

Conclusion

CRC peaks during the fifth decade of life in Kenyans. The disease is characterized by late presentation, rectal preponderance, and inadequate pathology data. Improved patient follow‐up will unravel the true pattern of disease outcome.
Hereditary Non‐medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Kebebew Electron
Published: December 2007

An estimated 5% of all non‐medullary thyroid cancers are hereditary. If three or more first‐degree relatives are affected, there is a greater than 94% chance that these cases are hereditary non‐medullary thyroid cancer (HNMTC). Although, the susceptibility gene(s) for HNMTC has not been identified, there are enough epidemiologic studies and kindreds reported to suggest a hereditary predisposition to thyroid cancer. Until the susceptibility genes are identified, clinicians will have to rely on comprehensive history taking to identify at‐risk families and clinically screen at‐risk family members. When families are at risk for HNMTC, it is unclear whether neck examination and or neck ultrasound is most effective for screening. Hereditary non‐medullary thyroid cancer is associated with more aggressive disease than sporadic HNMTC, especially in index cases, with higher rates of multicentric tumors, lymph node metastasis, and extrathyroidal invasion. Aggressive screening may benefit other members of the affected kindred because the outcome for the non‐index cases is better. Although no studies have demonstrated any difference in mortality in patients with HNMTC versus sporadic disease, disease‐free survival is shorter in HNMTC. Aggressive surgical and postoperative medical therapy is warranted in patients with HNMTC. It is likely that emerging molecular approaches may help identify the gene or genes involved in HNMTC which would have important clinical ramifications.
Elastic stable intramedullary nailing for displaced proximal humeral fractures in older children
Authors: Rajan Rohan Ananda , Hawkins Keith J , Metcalfe James , Konstantoulakis Charompolis , Jones Stanley , Fernandes James
Published: December 2007

Purpose

To demonstrate the effectiveness of intramedullary fixation of severely displaced proximal humeral physeal fractures in skeletally immature children using the elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN).

Methods

Retrospective recruitment of 14 patients aged 10–15-years old with severely displaced proximal humeral physeal fractures between 1999 and 2004 in a single regional specialist paediatric orthopaedic hospital. The fractures were graded using the Neer classification; severe displacement constituted Neer II–IV or displacement >1 cm and angulation >45°. Patients were followed up and assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (DASH) and the Neer Shoulder score. Radiographs were assessed for deformity. Subjective satisfaction was assessed.

Results

Fourteen patients with mean follow-up of 30 months (12–66 m) from surgery. All fractures were radiologically united at a median time of eight weeks (7–10 weeks). At follow-up, Neer Shoulder mean score was 96.79 (range 83–100) and DASH mean score 2.26 (0–7.5). Subjectively 71% were very satisfied and 29% were satisfied.

Conclusions

We commend stabilisation using ESIN in the management of the displaced proximal humeral physeal fracture in older children, once reduction of the fracture has been achieved by either closed or open means. ESIN is safe and allows early return to pre-injury function.
The Baikalian and Vendian sequences in the Lower Angara area (southwestern Siberian Platform)
Authors: Kochnev B.B. , Nagovitsin K.E. , Faizullin M.Sh.
Published: December 2007

In the section of Agaleevskaya BH-4 drilled in the lower reaches of the Angara River, Vendian and Baikalian sediment sequences have been recognized within Neoproterozoic strata. The Vendian sequence is formed by terrigenous-carbonate deposits of the Tetere, Soba, and Katanga Formations of the Danilovo Horizon, referred to as the Upper Vendian Nemakit-Daldyn Stage, as well as by terrigenous deposits of the Taseeva Group. The Baikalian Horizon is composed of the Brus Formation, earlier recognized only on the Chadobets uplift, and is separated from the Vendian deposits by a stratigraphic gap. In the Brus Formation, a microfossil complex similar to earlier described biotas of the Siberian Baikalian strata was found. The underlying deposits of the Terina Formation contain microfossils lacking below the basement of the Lakhanda Horizon (Neoproterozoic).
Lower Cretaceous biostratigraphy of Northern Siberia: palynological units and their correlation significance
Authors: Pestchevitskaya E.B.
Published: December 2007

The Berriasian-Barremian biostratigraphy based on spores and pollen of terrestrial plants found in sections from northern Siberia shows a succession of eight units. The ages of the units are proved by calibration against the Boreal zonal standard and their stratigraphic position is controlled by faunal and dinocyst records. The sections of the study are depth-stacked over one another, with partial overlap, and include several isochronous levels marked by the same palynological features. The levels are defined by changes in the taxonomic composition of spore-pollen assemblages found in the sections and recognized using published evidence from northern Siberia. Most of the identified boundaries of the palynostratigraphic units provide a good potential for northern Siberian regional correlation.
Dietary flaxseed lignan extract lowers plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Xiaobing , Liu Yi , Tian Haimei , Flickinger Brent , Empie Mark W. , Sun Sam Z.
Published: December 2007

Lignans, derived from flaxseed, are phyto-oestrogens being increasingly studied for their health benefits. An 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in fifty-five hypercholesterolaemic subjects, using treatments of 0 (placebo), 300 or 600 mg/d of dietary secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) from flaxseed extract to determine the effect on plasma lipids and fasting glucose levels. Significant treatment effects were achieved (P < 0·05 to < 0·001) for the decrease of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucose concentrations, as well as their percentage decrease from baseline. At weeks 6 and 8 in the 600 mg SDG group, the decreases of TC and LDL-C concentrations were in the range from 22·0 to 24·38 % respectively (allP < 0·005 compared with placebo). For the 300 mg SDG group, only significant differences from baseline were observed for decreases of TC and LDL-C. A substantial effect on lowering concentrations of fasting plasma glucose was also noted in the 600 mg SDG group at weeks 6 and 8, especially in the subjects with baseline glucose concentrations ≥ 5·83 mmol/l (lowered 25·56 and 24·96 %;P = 0·015 andP = 0·012 compared with placebo, respectively). Plasma concentrations of secoisolariciresinol (SECO), enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone were all significantly raised in the groups supplemented with flaxseed lignan. The observed cholesterol-lowering values were correlated with the concentrations of plasma SECO and ED (r0·128–0·302;P < 0·05 to < 0·001). In conclusion, dietary flaxseed lignan extract decreased plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations in a dose-dependent manner.
Diet restriction and ageing in the dog: major observations over two decades
Authors: Lawler Dennis F. , Larson Brian T. , Ballam Joan M. , Smith Gail K. , Biery Darryl N. , Evans Richard H. , Greeley Elizabeth H. , Segre Mariangela , Stowe Howard D. , Kealy Richard D.
Published: December 2007

This report reviews decade two of the lifetime diet restriction study of the dog. Labrador retrievers (n48) were paired at age 6 weeks by sex and weight within each of seven litters, and assigned randomly within the pair to control-feeding (CF) or 25 % diet restriction (DR). Feeding began at age 8 weeks. The same diet was fed to all dogs; only the quantity differed. Major lifetime observations included 1·8 years longer median lifespan among diet-restricted dogs, with delayed onset of late life diseases, especially osteoarthritis. Long-term DR did not negatively affect skeletal maturation, structure or metabolism. Among all dogs, high static fat mass and declining lean body mass predicted death, most strongly at 1 year prior. Fat mass above 25 % was associated with increasing insulin resistance, which independently predicted lifespan and chronic diseases. Metabolizable energy requirement/lean body mass most accurately explained energy metabolism due to diet restriction; diet-restricted dogs required 17 % less energy to maintain each lean kilogram. Metabonomics-based urine metabolite trajectories reflected DR-related differences, suggesting that signals from gut microbiota may be involved in the DR longevity and health responses. Independent of feeding group, increased hazard of earlier death was associated with lower lymphoproliferative responses to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen; lower total lymphocytes, T-cells, CD4 and CD8 cells; lower CD8 percentages and higher B-cell percentages. When diet group was taken into account, PWM responses and cell counts and percentages remained predictive of earlier death.
Kinetic disposition of albendazole in goats subclinically infected with gastrointestinal nematodes vis-à-vis naive animals following oral and intraruminal administration
Authors: Dubey A.K. , Sanyal P.K. , Koley K.M. , Chaudhary P.L. , Mukherjee K. , Mandal S.C. , Pal S.
Published: December 2007

The influence of subclinical nematodosis on the kinetic disposition of albendazole was evaluated in goats following oral and intraruminal administration. The disposition curves of its metabolites indicated increased uptake of the drug in parasitized goats following intraruminal compared to oral dosing (P < 0.05). The midpoint for the pharmacologically active metabolite, albendazole sulphoxide, in the circulatory compartment was around 0.6 μg ml− 1both in parasitized and naïve goats. The period of exposure to this concentration was around 14 h (oral route), 18 h (intraruminal route) and 16 h (oral route), 17 h (intraruminal route) in parasitized and naïve goats, respectively. As the duration of exposure of parasites to the toxic concentration of the anthelmintically active metabolite was prolonged, it could be assumed that intraruminal delivery of the drug would improve the efficacy of albendazole in parasitized goats.
Development ofFasciola hepaticainLymnaea columellainfected with miracidia derived from cattle and marmoset infections
Authors: Mendes E.A. , Lima W.S. , de Melo A.L.
Published: December 2007

The development ofFasciola hepaticafrom two species of definitive hosts, i.e. cattle (Bos taurus) and a marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) in the snailLymnaea columellawas determined based on the production of rediae and cercariae and snail survival rate. More rediae and cercariae at 60–74 days post-infection were produced by snails infected by cattle-derived miracidia (cattle group) than by those infected by marmoset-derived miracidia (marmoset group). Among theL. columellaparasitized by the marmoset group, the survival rate and the percentage of positive snails were higher than among those parasitized by the cattle group. Eggs ofF. hepaticareleased in cattle faeces were significantly bigger than those released in marmoset faeces. Miracidia originating from parasites that completed their development in cattle were more efficient in infecting the intermediate host. These results suggest that vertebrate-host origin influences the eggs produced by the parasite and the infection rates in the snail hostL. columella.
Epidemiology of intestinal helminth parasites of dogs in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Sowemimo O.A. , Asaolu S.O.
Published: December 2007

An epidemiological study of gastrointestinal helminths of dogs (Canis familiaris) in two veterinary clinics in Ibadan, Nigeria, was conducted between January 2001 and December 2002. Faecal samples collected from 959 dogs were processed by modified Kato–Katz technique and then examined for helminth eggs. The results of the study showed that 237 (24.7%) of the dogs examined were infected with different types of helminths. The prevalences for the various helminth eggs observed were:Toxocara canis9.0%,Ancylostomaspp. 17.9%,Toxascaris leonina0.6%,Trichuris vulpis0.5%,Uncinaria stenocephala0.4% andDipylidium caninum0.2%. The faecal egg intensities, determined as mean egg count/gram of faeces ( ± SEM), were:T. canis462.0 ± 100.5,Ancylostomaspp. 54.1 ± 8.6,T. leonina0.8 ± 0.4,T. vulpis0.1 ± 0.0,U. stenocephala1.0 ± 0.7 andD. caninum0.2 ± 0.1. Host age was found to be a significant factor with respect to the prevalence and intensity ofT. canisandAncylostomaspp. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites between male (27.0%) and female (22.5%) dogs (P>0.05). The prevalence of helminth parasites was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the local breed (African shepherd) (41.2%) than in Alsatian dogs (16.2%) or in other exotic breeds (21.0%). Single parasite infections (85.7%) were more common than mixed infections (3.5%).
Effects of water flow on the infection dynamics ofMyxobolus cerebralis
Authors: HALLETT S. L. , BARTHOLOMEW J. L.
Published: December 2007

Myxobolus cerebralis, the myxozoan parasite responsible for whirling disease in salmonid fishes, has a complex life-cycle involving an invertebrate host and 2 spore stages. Water flow rate is an environmental variable thought to affect the establishment and propagation ofM. cerebralis; however, experimental data that separates flow effects from those of other variables are scarce. To compare how this parameter affected parasite infection dynamics and the invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, dead, infected fish were introduced into a naïve habitat with susceptible hosts under 2 experimental flow regimes: slow (0·02 cm/s) and fast (2·0 cm/s). Throughout the 1-year study, uninfected fry were held in both systems, the outflows were screened weekly for spores and the annelid populations were monitored. We found clear differences in prevalence of infection in the worms, prevalence and severity of infection in the fish, and host survival. Both flows provided environments in whichM. cerebraliscould complete its life-cycle; however, both the parasite and its invertebrate host proliferated to a greater extent in the slow flow environment over the 1-year study period. This finding is of significance for aquatic systems where the flow rate can be manipulated, and should be incorporated into risk analysis assessments.
Automatic generation of weather forecast texts using comprehensive probabilistic generation-space models
Authors: BELZ ANJA
Published: December 2007

Two important recent trends in natural language generation are (i) probabilistic techniques and (ii) comprehensive approaches that move away from traditional strictly modular and sequential models. This paper reports experiments in whichpcru– a generation framework that combines probabilistic generation methodology with a comprehensive model of the generation space – was used to semi-automatically create five different versions of a weather forecast generator. The generators were evaluated in terms of output quality, development time and computational efficiency against (i) human forecasters, (ii) a traditional handcrafted pipelinednlgsystem and (iii) ahalogen-style statistical generator. The most striking result is that despite acquiring all decision-making abilities automatically, the bestpcrugenerators produce outputs of high enough quality to be scored more highly by human judges than forecasts written by experts.
The Burton Book
Authors: ALDERMAN GEOFFREY , HOLMES COLIN
Published: December 2007

In the summer of 2001 a major controversy erupted following a Jewish Chronicle report (18 May 2001) that the Honorary Officers and Executive Committee of the Board of Deputies of British Jews had decided to offer for sale, at Messrs Christie's auction rooms in London, a hitherto unpublished work by the nineteenth-century explorer, writer and diplomat Sir Richard Francis Burton. In the event, and in the glare of worldwide media attention, the reserve price of £150,000 was not reached (6 June 2001). The lot – one of the very few Burton manuscripts still in private hands – was therefore withdrawn and returned, amidst yet further controversy, to the safe-keeping of the Board. In this article we trace the history of this work from its creation in the early 1870s, and offer some thoughts on its contemporary significance.
Searching for excellence: Ballingdon Bridge
Authors: Stacey Michael
Published: December 2007

The act of making links hand and eye, and connects the intellect to physical change. A sculptor carving stone requires precision of thought before deploying manual dexterity. The challenge for an architect until the recent past has been to communicate such thoughtfulness, embodied in a design, to the people who will make the building and its component parts. Making architecture and the pursuit of excellence in the physical delivery of quality in built projects is a challenging and collaborative process [2]. It is not possible to legislate for excellence, however it is possible to create contexts in which high-quality architecture is probable. By comparison, John Ruskin in The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849) set his aspirations low: ‘We may not be able to command good, or beautiful, or inventive architecture, but we can command an honest architecture’.
Urban strolling as the measure of quality
Authors: Fontana-Giusti Gordana Korolija
Published: December 2007

‘Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road. Healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path before leading wherever I choose.’

(Walt Whitman)
The architecture of gigantic drapery: the Richard B. Fisher Center for the
Performing Arts, Bard College
Authors: Allmer Açalya
Published: December 2007

‘The power of architecture (the potential of architecture) is integral to the spirit that orders the grouping of the elements that make up the house; – because architecture emanates, and does not clad; it is more an odour than a drapery, a state of aggregations, more than an enveloping surface.’ (Le Corbusier)
Communicating quality: words and images
Authors: Schreurs Jan
Published: December 2007

Enhancing the urban ‘quality of life’ has become a major task for actors in the public realm. The now ‘undisputed objective’ of ‘sustainable city development’ is meaningless unless we can turn our cities, towns and urban neighbourhoods into places where people actively want to live, work and play. The spatial quality of neighbourhoods is crucial in this respect. Besides housing typology and access, ‘quality of life’ is primarily defined by the nature of available open space. Public space is one of the most important and strategic instruments of local government. Thus a basic issue for those in planning practice is how to help realise public spaces which contribute to the appropriate level of quality. Although much progress has been made to assess quality of life at the larger level of scale, for example that of a city or a region, much less progress has been made at a smaller and more concrete area level. More than 25 years after Kevin Lynch's opus magnum Good City Form, an operational approach on the level of urban design is still much in need.
Dietary intake and different types of physical activity: full-day
energy expenditure, occupational and leisure-time
Authors: Camões Miguel , Lopes Carla
Published: December 2007

Objective

To describe the relationship between dietary intake and different levels and
types of physical activity (PA).

Design

Cross-sectional evaluation of the EPIPorto study. Energy expenditure
(metabolic energy equivalent tasks) and dietary intake during the past year
were assessed using a PA questionnaire and a semi-quantitative
food-frequency questionnaire, respectively.

Setting

Representative sample of adults in Porto, Portugal.

Subjects

Data were analysed for 2404 Portuguese Caucasian adults, aged between 18 and
92 years.

Results

For total PA, males who were active had significantly higher mean intake of
energy (10·76 (2570·7) vs. 9·78
(2336·9) MJ/d (kcal/d), P
< 0·001) and lower level of protein consumption
(16·9 vs. 17·6 % of energy, P < 0·001) compared with sedentary males.
In males, the association between total PA and energy intake remained after
adjustment for age, education and body mass index. Similar results were
observed when occupational activity was analysed. Concerning the energy
expended in leisure time, in both genders, after adjustment for the
previously described variables, a significant positive association was found
between PA and intake of vitamin C (g/d): β = 0·12, 99 % confidence interval
(CI) 0·02, 0·21 for females and β = 0·13, 99 % CI
0·03, 0·22 for males. Leisure-time activity in females
was also positively associated with intakes of fibre, vitamin E, folate,
calcium and magnesium, and negatively associated with saturated fat.

Conclusions

Higher levels of PA in leisure time were associated with higher intakes of
micronutrients and lower intakes of saturated fat, particularly in females.
For total and occupational PA, similar nutrient intake was observed between
active and sedentary individuals.
The cost and value of UK defined benefit pension provision
Authors: SWEETING PAUL
Published: December 2007

The purposes of this paper are to consider the effect on remuneration of defined benefit pension accrual and the factors that have resulted in changes to the cost and value of this accrual. In this paper, I look at the effect of the change in the cost to an employer of providing a defined benefit pension on the overall cost of remunerating an employee and compare that with the cost of remunerating an employee with no such pension benefits. I allow for the additional cost to the employer of national insurance contributions (‘NICs’). I also look at the change in value of an employee's remuneration, taking into account the value of defined benefit pension accrual and compare this with the change in remuneration for an employee with no such benefits. Here, I allow for employee national insurance contributions and income tax. These assessments look at the cost and value of pension accrual rather than any surplus or deficit relating to previously accrued pension entitlements. I find that costs of employment have risen significantly more for members of defined benefit pension schemes compared with other employees, and that this has largely been as a result of falling long-term interest rates and their effect on the cost of defined benefit pension accrual. The increase in the value of remuneration to employees has shown a similar pattern.
Lifecycle derivatives and retirement income assurance using long-term debt
Authors: BOWDEN ROGER J.
Published: December 2007

As life tables continue to lengthen, a world-wide paradigm shift to defined contribution – but undefined rewards – has left pensioners exposed to performance, credit, and longevity risk. However, relatively risk-free defined benefit schemes can be designed off the back of high-grade debt issuance programmes by public long-term asset vehicles, as an infrastructure–retirement double play. Derivatives can be used to enhance coupons and to correctly align risk preferences as between income while still alive and bequests. Variable lifetime reinvested coupon options and annuity swaps utilize market pricing to provide unambiguous pricing benchmarks and a necessary underpinning of lifecycle planning certainty. The result is a flexible mix of private and public provision of old age income assurance, one that exploits the externalities of a well-designed system of public debt.
The importance of asset allocation in Spanish equity pension plans
Authors: ANDREU LAURA , FERRUZ LUIS , VICENTE LUIS
Published: December 2007

Following the methodological approach taken by Ibbotson and Kaplan (2000), we provide evidence of a major contribution of strategic asset allocation to Spanish equity personal pension plan performance, finding that on average more than 90% of variability of returns over time, and about 70% of the variation of returns among plans, are explained by strategic policy.

Furthermore, we also have evidence that survivor and look-ahead bias detected in previous research have very little impact on the conclusions about the importance of asset allocation on the variability of returns over time.

The importance of asset allocation to explain the variability of returns over time is quite similar for the different investment vocations considered in our study, Euro zone and global equity. Very similar results are also found when we consider the size of the Spanish plans as an explanatory factor for the contribution of asset allocation to performance.

Finally, the value that active management adds to the mere passive tracking of the strategic policy is not statistically different to the management costs of the plans.
Asthmamanagement: Überblick und neue Aspekte
Authors: Steurer-Stey
Published: December 2007

Asthma ist eine häufige Erkrankung mit erheblichen gesundheitlichen und gesundheitsökonomischen Konsequenzen. Regelmässige, aktuelle Information ist für Grundversorger die Voraussetzung um ihrer Rolle und Verantwortung als Erstbetreuer eines Grossteils der Asthmapatienten gerecht werden zu können. In den Richtlinien wurde Asthma bisher nach dem Schweregrad basierend auf Symptomen, Ausmass der Obstruktion und Variabilität in vier Subgruppen (intermittierend, chronisch leicht, chronisch mittelschwer und chronisch schwer) eingeteilt. In den neuen GINA- Richtlinien (Global Initiative for Asthma) wird statt des Schweregrades das periodische Erheben der Asthmakontrolle als relevanter und nützlicher empfohlen und das Mass der Asthmakontrolle in «kontrolliert», «teilweise kontrolliert» oder «unkontrolliert» eingeteilt. Das klinische Spektrum von Asthma ist sehr variabel mit verschiedenen sich überlappenden Phänotypen deren Klassifikation und besseres Verständnis in Zukunft eine wichtige Rolle für ein effizienteres Management und Erreichen einer besseren Asthmakontrolle spielen werden. Diese Übersicht zeigt wichtige Fragen hinsichtlich Definition und Erreichen einer Asthmakontrolle bei Erwachsenen auf, und bietet einen Überblick über die Pharmakotherapie und Implikationen für Behandlungsstrategien und Managementpläne.
Application of TopoFlow, a spatially distributed hydrological model, to the Imnavait Creek watershed, Alaska
Authors: Schramm Imke , Boike Julia , Bolton W. Robert , Hinzman Larry D.
Published: December 2007

This study presents the application of the hydrological model TopoFlow to the Imnavait Creek watershed, Alaska, United States. It summarizes the hydrologically important processes in this arctic basin, and focuses on the modeling of the hydrological processes in 2001. The model is evaluated for its capability to reproduce the different components of the hydrological cycle. Model simulations are done for different climate change scenarios to evaluate the impacts on the hydrology. Imnavait Creek (∼2 km2) is underlain by continuous permafrost, and two features characterize the channel network: The stream is beaded, and numerous water tracks are distributed along the hillslopes. These facts, together with the constraint of the subsurface system to the shallow active layer, strongly influence the runoff response to rain or snowmelt. Climatic conditions vary greatly during the course of the year, providing a good testing of model capabilities. Simulation results indicate that the model performs quantitatively well. The different components of the water cycle are represented in the model, with refinements possible in the small‐scale, short‐term reproduction of storage‐related processes, such as the beaded stream system, the spatial variability of the active layer depth, and the complex soil moisture distribution. The simulation of snow melt discharge could be improved by incorporating an algorithm for the snow‐damming process.
Suspended particulate matter dynamics in coastal waters from ocean color: Application to the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: D'Sa Eurico J. , Miller Richard L. , McKee Brent A.
Published: December 2007

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) plays an important role in primary production, pollutant transport, and other biogeochemical processes in coastal marine environments. We present an empirical two‐band ocean color remote sensing reflectance algorithm (Rrs670/Rrs555) for SPM concentrations developed using field measurements obtained in coastal waters influenced by the Mississippi River in 2000, 2002, and 2004. The ratio algorithm was also found to be highly correlated to backscattering coefficient (bbp(555), r2 = 0.96), the backscattering ratio (bbp(555)/bp(555), r2 = 0.82) and the spectral backscattering slope (γ, r2 = 0.72) in March 2002, a period with large hydrographic variability in the study area. Strong correlations between water column bbp(555), SPM and nonalgal absorption anap(443) suggest the dominant influence of nonalgal particles on bbp. SeaWiFS derived SPM and γ distributions indicated event‐based variability linked to energetic disturbances such as frontal passages, resuspension, and river discharge that with bbp/bp could reveal refractive index and particle size characteristics in the coastal environment.
Simulation of auroral electron acceleration by inertial Alfvén waves
Authors: Swift Daniel W.
Published: December 2007

A two‐dimensional particle code, similar to that used in the work of Swift (2007), is used to model the acceleration of auroral electrons by inertial Alfvén waves. The simulation domain is 20,000 km parallel to the magnetic field and some tens of kilometers across. Effects of a variable magnetic field and magnetic mirror force are included. The Alfvén wave is launched by a moving bipolar potential waveform with peak amplitudes of ±200 V imposed at the top of the simulation domain. Electrons are accelerated to 3 keV energy. Two types of acceleration processes are seen: one is impulsive acceleration from shock structures, and the other is from weaker parallel electric fields extending over several thousand kilometers. The shock structures are very small, and electrons accelerated by these structures can produce auroral forms with thicknesses considerably smaller than an electron inertial length. Electrons also tend to undergo multiple acceleration events. Electrons are more strongly accelerated upward. Half of these are destined to precipitate in the opposite hemisphere, and half are destined to become trapped. This implies that much of the aurora seen in the Northern Hemisphere is due to electrons accelerated in the Southern Hemisphere. The simulations also suggest that auroral acceleration processes provide a likely source for radiation belt particles.
Presence of two Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains in the neonatal ileum
Authors: Wall Rebecca , Hussey Seamus Gerard , Ryan C Anthony , O'Neill Martin , Fitzgerald Gerald , Stanton Catherine , Ross R Paul
Published: December 2007

The overall purpose of this study was to examine the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria microbiota in the human ileum at a very early stage of life. Ileostomy effluents from two infants, taken at different time points, were plated on Lactobacillus selective agar and cys-MRS containing mupirocin to select for bifidobacteria. In one case, a stool sample following ileostomy reversal was subsequently analyzed microbiologically. Pulse-field gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA sequencing was used to investigate the cultivable population of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to examine the non-cultivable population. The probiotic strain, Lactobacillus paracasei NFBC 338, was recovered at both time points from one of the infants and dominated in the small intestine for a period of over 3 weeks. Moreover, the probiotic strain, B. animalis subsp. lactis Bb12, was obtained from the other infant. This study shows the presence of two known probiotic strains in the upper intestinal tract at an early stage of human life and thus provides some evidence for their ability to colonize the infant small intestine.
Linear and nonlinear dust ion acoustic waves using the two-fluid quantum hydrodynamic model
Authors: Masood W. , Mushtaq A. , Khan R.
Published: December 2007

The linear and nonlinear properties of a dust ion acoustic wave (DIAW) propagating in an electron-dust-ion plasma are investigated from both analytical and numerical perspectives by employing the two-fluid quantum hydrodynamic model. Ions and dust are assumed to be mobile while electrons are considered to be inertialess. Furthermore, quantum effects (diffraction as well as statistic) due to ions and electrons are incorporated. It is emphasized that the linear dispersion characteristics of the DIAW depend on the quantum diffraction effects of both ions and electrons as well as on the dust concentration. The one-dimensional Korteweg–deVries equation is derived for the quantum DIAW using the reductive perturbative technique. It is observed that the quantum electron diffraction term shrinks the width while the dust concentration enhances both the amplitude and width of the soliton.
Phase diagram of vertically shaken granular matter
Authors: Eshuis Peter , van der Weele Ko , van der Meer Devaraj , Bos Robert , Lohse Detlef
Published: December 2007

A shallow, vertically shaken granular bed in a quasi-two-dimensional container is explored experimentally yielding a wider variety of phenomena than in any previous study: (1) bouncing bed, (2) undulations, (3) granular Leidenfrost effect, (4) convection rolls, and (5) granular gas. These phenomena and the transitions among them are characterized by dimensionless control parameters and combined in a full experimental phase diagram.