bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repeat‐pulse 13CO2 labeling of canola and field pea: implications for soil organic matter studies
Authors: Sangster Amy , Knight Diane , Farrell Richard , Bedard‐Haughn Angela
Published: September 2010

Both the quantity and quality of plant residues can impact soil properties and processes. Isotopic tracers can be used to trace plant residue decomposition if the tracer is homogeneously distributed throughout the plant. Continuous labeling will homogeneously label plants but is not widely accessible because elaborate equipment is needed. In order to determine if the more accessible repeat‐pulse labeling method could be used to trace plant residue decomposition, this labeling procedure was employed using 13CO2 to enrich field pea and canola plants in a controlled environment. Plants were exposed weekly to pulses of 33 atom% 13CO2 and grown to maturity. The distribution of the label throughout the plant parts (roots, stem, leaves, and pod) and biochemical fractions (ADF and ADL) was determined. The label was not homogeneously distributed throughout the plant; in particular, the pod fractions were less enriched than other fractions indicating the importance of continuing labeling well into plant maturity for pod‐producing plants. The ADL fraction was also less enriched than the ADF fraction. Because of the heterogeneity of the label throughout the plant, caution should be applied when using the repeat‐pulse method to trace the fate of 13C‐labeled residues in the soil. However, root contributions to below‐ground C were successfully determined from the repeat‐pulse labeled root material, as was 13C enrichment of soil within the top 15 cm. Canola contributed more above‐ and below‐ground residue C than field pea; however, canola was also higher in ADF and ADL fractions indicating a more recalcitrant residue. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous flow infrared matrix‐assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Fan , Murray Kermit K.
Published: September 2010

Continuous flow infrared matrix‐assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (CF IR MALDESI) mass spectrometry was demonstrated for the on‐line analysis of liquid samples. Samples in aqueous solution were flowed through a 50 µm i.d. fused‐silica capillary at a flow rate of 1–6 µL/min. As analyte aqueous solution flowed through the capillary, a liquid sample bead formed at the capillary tip. A pulsed infrared optical parametric oscillator (OPO) laser with wavelength of 2.94 µm and a 20 Hz repetition rate was focused onto the capillary tip for sample desorption and ablation. The plume of ejected sample was entrained in an electrospray to form ions by MALDESI. The resulting ions were sampled into an ion trap mass spectrometer for analysis. Using CF IR MALDESI, several chemical and biochemical reactions were monitored on‐line: the chelation of 1,10‐phenanthroline with iron(II), insulin denaturation with 1,4‐dithiothreitol, and tryptic digestion of cytochrome c. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermally induced intramolecular oxygen migration of N‐oxides in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Xin , Li Min , Rustum Abu M.
Published: September 2010

N‐Oxides are known to undergo three main thermal degradation reactions, namely deoxygenation, Cope elimination (for N‐oxides containing a β‐hydrogen) and Meisenheimer rearrangement, in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI‐MS). The ions corresponding to these thermal degradants observed in the ensuing APCI mass spectra have been used to identify N‐oxides as well as to determine the N‐oxidation site when the analyte contains multiple tertiary amine groups. In this paper, we report a thermally induced oxygen migration from one N‐oxide amine to another tert‐amine group present in the same molecule through a six‐membered ring transition state during APCI‐MS analysis. The observed intramolecular oxygen migration resulted in the formation of a new isomeric N‐oxide, rendering the results of the APCI‐MS analysis more difficult to interpret and potentially misleading. In addition, we observed novel degradation behavior that happened after the Meisenheimer rearrangement of the newly formed N‐oxide: a homolytic cleavage of the NO bond instead of elimination of an aldehyde or a ketone that usually follows the rearrangement. Understanding of these unusual degradation pathways, which have not been reported previously, should facilitate structural elucidation of N‐oxides using APCI‐MS analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorous derivatization combined with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: a method for the selective and sensitive determination of sialic acids in biological samples
Authors: Hayama Tadashi , Sakaguchi Yohei , Yoshida Hideyuki , Itoyama Miki , Todoroki Kenichiro , Yamaguchi Masatoshi , Nohta Hitoshi
Published: September 2010

We have developed a novel method for selective and sensitive analysis of sialic acids (N‐acetylneuraminic, N‐glycolylneuraminic, and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐D‐glycero‐D‐galactonononic acid) utilizing liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) combined with a fluorous derivatization technique. In this method, the carboxylic groups in the sialic acids are derivatized via amidation with heptadecafluoroundecylamine, a commercially available perfluoroalkylamine reagent. This reaction proceeds rapidly and readily at room temperature in the presence of a condensation reagent. Subsequently, the derivatives are retained specifically on an LC column with a perfluoroalkyl stationary phase by means of a fluorophilic or 'fluorous' interaction, and detected by positive electrospray ionization MS/MS. The detection limits of the examined sialic acids are in the range of 60–750 amol on column. We show that the proposed method can be used to analyze trace amounts of sialic acids in biological samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photochemical degradation of natural organic sulfur compounds (CHOS) from iron‐rich mine pit lake pore waters – an initial understanding from evaluation of single‐elemental formulae using ultra‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Herzsprung Peter , Hertkorn Norbert , Friese Kurt , Schmitt‐Kopplin Philippe
Published: September 2010

In order to better understand the chemical diversity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in iron‐rich mine waters, a variety of sediment pore waters was analysed by means of ultra‐high‐resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS). A considerable number of the DOM elemental formulae were found to contain sulfur. In a rather simplified experiment, DOM was exposed to sunlight in the presence of dissolved ferric iron, which is common in the oxygenated acidified epilimnetic waters of mine pit lakes. The photochemical alteration of the CHOS (carbon‐, hydrogen‐, oxygen‐ and sulfur‐containing) compounds was then categorised by following the changes in signal intensity of mass peaks. Nearly 20 000 elemental compositions were identified and sorted into the following categories: totally degraded, partially degraded, not significantly degraded, minor new photoproducts, and newly formed photoproducts. A large proportion of the CHOS compounds were found to be entirely degraded; the degradation ratios exceeded those of the CHO compounds. The pools of totally degraded compounds and those of newly formed products were contrasted with respect to photochemically relevant mass differences. These results indicate that photochemical loss of sulfur‐containing low molecular weight compounds can be considered likely. One feasible explanation is the photodegradation of sulfonic acids within the CHOS pool eventually leading to the release of sulfate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ability of N‐acetylcarnosine to protect lens crystallins from oxidation and oxidative damage by radical probe mass spectrometry (RP‐MS)
Authors: Ha Ji‐won , Schwahn Alexander B. , Downard Kevin M.
Published: September 2010

The application of Radical Probe Mass Spectrometry based on protein footprinting studies is described to investigate the effectiveness of the antioxidant N‐acetylcarnosine (NAC) in preventing oxidative damage to lens crystallins present in the eye of mammals. Despite separate clinical trials which have reported the benefit of administering NAC to the eye as a 1% topical solution for the treatment of human cataract, no evidence was found to suggest that the antioxidant had any significant direct effect on reducing the levels of oxidation within the most abundant lens crystallins, α and β‐crystallin, at the molecular level at increasing concentrations of NAC. The results of this laboratory study suggest that the therapeutic benefit demonstrated in clinical trials is associated with the nature or formulation of the topical solution and/or that the mode of action of NAC as an antioxidant is not a direct one. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Legacies of flood reduction on a Dryland river
Authors: Stromberg J. C. , Shafroth P. B. , Hazelton A. F.
Published: September 2010

The Bill Williams (Arizona) is a regulated dryland river that is being managed, in part, for biodiversity via flow management. To inform management, we contrasted riparian plant communities between the Bill Williams and an upstream free‐flowing tributary (Santa Maria). Goals of a first study (1996–1997) were to identify environmental controls on herbaceous species richness and compare richness among forest types. Analyses revealed that herbaceous species richness was negatively related to woody stem density, basal area and litter cover and positively related to light levels. Introduced Tamarix spp. was more frequent at the Bill Williams, but all three main forest types (Tamarix, Salix/Populus, Prosopis) had low understory richness, as well as high stem density and low light, on the Bill Williams as compared to the Santa Maria. The few edaphic differences between rivers (higher salinity at Bill Williams) had only weak connections with richness. A second study (2006–2007) focused on floristic richness at larger spatial scales. It revealed that during spring, and for the study cumulatively (spring and fall samplings combined), the riparian zone of the unregulated river had considerably more plant species. Annuals (vs. herbaceous perennials and woody species) showed the largest between‐river difference. Relative richness of exotic (vs. native) species did not differ. We conclude that: (1) The legacy of reduced scouring frequency and extent at the Bill Williams has reduced the open space available for colonization by annuals; and (2) Change in forest biomass structure, more so than change in forest composition, is the major driver of changes in plant species richness along this flow‐altered river. Our study informs dryland river management options by revealing trade‐offs that exist between forest biomass structure and plant species richness. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring and assessment of a river restoration project in central New York
Authors: Buchanan B. P. , Walter M. T. , Nagle G. N. , Schneider R. L.
Published: September 2010

A widespread lack of post‐project appraisals (PPAs) not only hinders progress in the field of river restoration but also limits the application of adaptive management – a powerful heuristic tool particularly well suited to dynamic fluvial environments. In an effort to contribute to the limited body of scientific literature pertaining to PPAs, we evaluated a stream restoration project completed in the fall of 2005 in central New York. Using a variety of evaluation approaches, we documented both successes (e.g. enhanced in‐stream habitat) and short‐comings (e.g. channel avulsions). Overall, we concluded that the project was marginally successful in achieving its stated goals and that future prospects remain uncertain based on current trajectory. Lessons learned from this monitoring study include: (i) protect vulnerable banks and floodplains until vegetation is established, e.g. via integrated bio‐ and geo‐technical methods, (ii) perform scour depth analyses and excavate scour pools associated with hydraulic structures to design depth to prevent clogging of the channel during post‐construction floods, (iii) orient bank vanes such that cross‐stream flows are not deflected towards the bank, (iv) cross‐validate restoration designs via multiple methods, including process‐based sediment transport relations, especially in unstable gravel‐bed rivers, (v) anticipate and fund for fixing natural channel design (NCD) projects for 3–5 years after completion to account for uncertainties and (vi) identify measurable, goal‐specific success criteria that account for watershed scale stressors and site constraints prior to construction to facilitate successful project design and ensure effective outcomes appraisal. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing highway maintenance operations: dynamic considerations
Authors: Fallah‐Fini Saeideh , Rahmandad Hazhir , Triantis Konstantinos , de la Garza Jesus M.
Published: September 2010

Effective highway maintenance depends on several activities, including the understanding of current and the prediction of future pavement conditions and deciding how to best allocate limited resources for maintenance operations. In this paper, a dynamic micro‐level simulation model of highway deterioration and renewal processes is presented. This model is calibrated with data from eight road sections in Virginia and is coupled with an optimization module that optimizes maintenance operations. The analysis offers alternative priority setting schemes that improves current maintenance practices at the project and network levels. This approach provides a blueprint for designing optimal highway maintenance practices. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A system dynamics approach to land use transport interaction modelling: the strategic model MARS and its application
Authors: Pfaffenbichler Paul , Emberger Günter , Shepherd Simon
Published: September 2010

Land use transport interaction models have been developed in various forms dating back to the early 1960s. They have moved from spatial interaction models or statistical models through econometric models to micro‐simulation, cell‐based automata and agent‐based models. There has been a move towards more detail in representing space and individual behaviour. This paper presents an alternative approach which uses an intentionally developed strategic high‐level model. Nevertheless this model still delivers comparable levels of statistical fit in terms of validation but is easy to present to decision makers and planners. The paper introduces the concepts behind the MARS model, deals with validation and transferability between cities and provides example applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin‐Directed Assembly of Gold Nanocrystals: Tailoring the Plasmon Coupling Through Controllable Gap Distances
Authors: Zhang Li , Chen Huanjun , Wang Jianfang , Li Yuan Fang , Wang Jian , Sang You , Xiao Sai Jin , Zhan Lei , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: September 2010

It is known that universality and controllability over nanocrystal orientation must be accomplished to facilitate the potential applications of metal nanocrystals in the areas of photonics, electronics, and optics. The facile fabrication of linear chains of Au nanorods and bifurcated junctions of nanorods/nanospheres is achieved via the crosslinking of H‐type tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin aggregates in solution. The tuning of the plasmon coupling between the Au nanocrystals is demonstrated by varying the porphyrin concentration and thus the interparticle gap distances. Finite‐difference time‐domain calculations show that the red shift of the plasmon band exhibits a nearly exponential decay with increasing interparticle gap distances, thus giving rise to a “plasmon ruler equation.” The gap distances determined according to this equation agree well with the experimental observations and further confirm the porphyrin‐directed assembly process. The interaction mechanism between the Au nanorods and porphyrins is further investigated by a biological procedure using the dark‐field light scattering technique.
Physicochemical characteristics of starch from bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) with “yellow berry”
Authors: López‐Ahumada Guadalupe A. , Ramírez‐Wong Benjamín , Torres‐Chávez Patricia I. , Bello‐Pérez Luis A. , de Dios Figueroa‐Cárdenas Juan , Garzón‐Tiznado José A. , Gomez‐Aldapa Carlos A.
Published: September 2010

The physiological disorder of yellow berry (YB) in wheat is characterized by starchy or mealy spots in the grains, and it is present mainly in irrigated wheat crops. YB grains have characteristic low protein content. This disorder is a problem that has been increasing in bread and durum wheat in the northern part of Mexico. Limited availability of nitrogen is considered to be the main cause. Starch of normal and yellow berry wheat grains were analyzed and properties were compared. Starch of YB wheat grains had higher percent crystallinity, as demonstrated by X‐ray diffraction and DSC studies. Differences in pasting behavior were also observed. Starch from YB wheat grains had higher peak and set back viscosities. Starch granule size distribution as well as physicochemical properties indicates changes in composition or microstructure of starch granules of YB wheat grains.
Effect of heating rate at different moisture contents on starch retrogradation and starch–water interactions during gelatinization
Authors: Patel Bhavesh. K. , Seetharaman Koushik
Published: September 2010

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of heating rate at different moisture contents on starch retrogradation and gelatinization process. Starch retrogradation was not influenced by either moisture content (water/starch ratio of 0.7 or 2.0) or heating rate (5°C/min, 20°C/min, or 40°C/min). In order to further understand the effects of heating rate on starch–water interactions, starch suspensions at a water/starch ratio ranging from 0.7 to 3.0 were heated at 5, 15, or 25°C/min by using a DSC to different final temperatures and rescanned. The deconvoluted G and M1 endotherms and the corresponding additional unfrozen water (AUW) were determined. The results showed that the G and M1 endotherms merged at higher heating rates and at higher moisture contents as expected. A significant interaction was observed between moisture content and heating rate. The results suggest that the gelatinization process is governed by moisture content at the lower heating rate (5°C/min) and by heating rate at the higher heating rates (15 or 25°C/min). Results from the AUW data suggest that the M1 component of gelatinization dominated at moisture content below water/starch ratio of 1.5 and at 5°C/min heating rate. However, at moisture contents above water/starch ratio 1.0, an interaction was observed between moisture content and heating rate. The data suggest that at higher moisture content (>1.5 water/starch ratio) and at higher heating rate (≥15°C/min), there is still a kinetic limitation to the complete melting of the M1 endotherm.
BIdirectional Regulation of Neurogenesis by Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Derived from Neurons and Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Luo Chun-Xia , Jin Xing , Cao Chang-Chun , Zhu Ming-Mei , Wang Bin , Chang Lei , Zhou Qi-Gang , Wu Hai-Yin , Zhu Dong-Ya
Published: September 2010

It has been demonstrated that neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) negatively regulates adult neurogenesis. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying are poorly understood. Here, we show that nNOS from neural stem cells (NSCs) and from neurons play opposite role in regulating neurogenesis. The NSCs treated with nNOS inhibitor N5-(1-imino-3-butenyl)-L- ornithine (L-VNIO) or nNOS gene deletion exhibited significantly decreased proliferation and neuronal differentiation, indicating that NSCs-derived nNOS is essential for neurogenesis. The NSCs cocultured with neurons displayed a significantly decreased proliferation, and deleting nNOS gene in neurons or scavenging extracellular nitric oxide (NO) abolished the effects of coculture, suggesting that neurons-derived nNOS, a source of exogenous NO for NSCs, exerts a negative control on neurogenesis. Indeed, the NSCs exposed to NO donor DETA/NONOate displayed decreased proliferation and neuronal differentiation. The bidirectional regulation of neurogenesis by NSCs- and neurons-derived nNOS is probably related to their distinct subcellular localizations, mainly in nuclei for NSCs and in cytoplasm for neurons. Both L-VNIO and DETA/NONOate inhibited telomerase activity and proliferation in wild-type (WT) but not in nNOS−/− NSCs, suggesting a nNOS-telomerase signaling in neurogenesis. The NSCs exposed to DETA/NONOate exhibited reduced cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, nNOS expression, and proliferation. The effects of DETA/NONOate were reversed by forskolin, an activator of CREB signaling. Moreover, disrupting CREB phosphorylation by H-89 or LV-CREB133-GFP simulated the effects of DETA/NONOate, and inhibited telomerase activity. Thus, we conclude that NSCs-derived nNOS stimulates neurogenesis via activating telomerase, whereas neurons-derived nNOS represses neurogenesis by supplying exogenous NO that hinders CREB activation, in turn, reduces nNOS expression in NSCs.
Adipose Tissue as a Dedicated Reservoir of Functional Mast Cell Progenitors
Authors: Poglio Sandrine , De Toni-Costes Fabienne , Arnaud Emmanuelle , Laharrague Patrick , Espinosa Eric , Casteilla Louis , Cousin Béatrice
Published: September 2010

White adipose tissue (WAT) is a heterogeneous tissue, found in various locations throughout the body, containing mature adipocytes and the stroma-vascular fraction (SVF). The SVF includes a large proportion of immune hematopoietic cells, among which, mast cells that contribute to diet-induced obesity. In this study, we asked whether mast cells present in mice adipose tissue could derive from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) identified in the tissue. We therefore performed both in vitro and in vivo experiments dedicated to monitoring the progeny of WAT-derived HSPC. The entire study was conducted in parallel with bone marrow-derived cells, considered the gold standard for hematopoietic-lineage studies. Here, we demonstrate that adipose-derived HSPC contain a precursor-cell population committed to the mast cell lineage, and able to efficiently home to peripheral organs such as intestine and skin, where it acquires properties of functional tissue mast cells. Additionally, WAT contains a significant mast cell progenitor population, suggesting that the entire mast cell lineage process take place in WAT. Considering the quantitative importance of WAT in the adult organism and the increasing roles recently assigned to mast cells in physiopathology, WAT may represent an important source of mast cells in physiological and pathological situations.
Community‐based adaptation: enhancing community adaptive capacity in Druadrua Island, Fiji
Authors: Dumaru Patrina
Published: September 2010

This article describes the process and outcomes of a pilot community‐based adaptation (CBA) project implemented on Druadrua Island in Fiji. Although many people promote the use of CBA, written material about the topic is limited and poorly informed by theory or evidence. This article aims to contribute to the literature on CBA by describing the theory and process used to implement a CBA project and the changes that resulted in a small island community in the northeastern part of Fiji. The project outcomes include a renewed focus on community adaptive management of natural resources, increased awareness of climate change, and an increase in the community's access to resources from external organizations. The article concludes with a summary of lessons learned and recommendations for future CBA projects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies
Visual imagery
Authors: Ganis Giorgio , Schendan Haline E.
Published: September 2010

Visual mental imagery is our ability to reactivate and manipulate visual representations in the absence of the corresponding visual stimuli, giving rise to the experience of ‘seeing with the mind's eye’. Until relatively recently, visual mental imagery had been investigated by philosophy and cognitive psychology. However, these disciplines did not have the tools required to address empirically some of the important questions they had raised, for instance the extent to which visual mental images rely on some of the same representations that support visual perception. During the last two decades, cognitive neuroscience has leveraged the vast amount of knowledge about the neural basis of primate vision to provide new insights into visual mental imagery processes. Such insights enabled the empirical test of key questions about visual mental imagery using the armamentarium of tools provided by cognitive neuroscience, including electrophysiology and neuroimaging. Using a similar logic, we propose that information about the neural basis of memory systems should be used to further enhance understanding of the neural mechanisms of visual mental imagery. WIREs Cogni Sci 2011 2 239–252 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.103

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics
Qualitative modeling
Authors: Forbus Kenneth D.
Published: September 2010

Qualitative modeling concerns the representations and reasoning that people use to understand continuous aspects of the world. Qualitative models formalize everyday notions of causality and provide accounts of how to ground symbolic, relational representations in perceptual processes. This article surveys the basic ideas of qualitative modeling and their applications from a cognitive science perspective. It describes the basic principles of qualitative modeling, and a variety of qualitative representations that have been developed for quantities and for relationships between them, providing a kind ofqualitative mathematics. Three ontological frameworks for organizing modeling knowledge (processes,components, andfield) are summarized, along with research on automatically assembling models for particular tasks from such knowledge.Qualitative simulationand how it carves up time into meaningful units is discussed. We discuss several accounts ofcausal reasoningabout dynamical systems, based on different choices of qualitative mathematics and ontology. Qualitative spatial reasoning is explored, both in terms of relational systems and visual reasoning. Applications of qualitative models of particular interest to cognitive scientists are described, including how they have been used to capture the expertise of scientists and engineers and how they have been used in education. Open questions and frontiers are also discussed, focusing on relationships between ideas developed in the qualitative modeling community and other areas of cognitive science.WIREs Cogni Sci2011 2 374–391 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.115

This article is categorized under:

Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence

Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
Efficient Performance of Electrostatic Spray-Deposited TiO2 Blocking Layers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells after Swift Heavy Ion Beam Irradiation
Authors: Sudhagar P , Asokan K , Jung June Hyuk , Lee Yong-Gun , Park Suil , Kang Yong Soo
Published: September 2010

A compact TiO2 layer (~1.1 μm) prepared by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) and swift heavy ion beam (SHI) irradiation using oxygen ions onto a fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) conducting substrate showed enhancement of photovoltaic performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The short circuit current density (Jsc = 12.2 mA cm-2) of DSSCs was found to increase significantly when an ESD technique was applied for fabrication of the TiO2 blocking layer, compared to a conventional spin-coated layer (Jsc = 8.9 mA cm-2). When SHI irradiation of oxygen ions of fluence 1 × 1013 ions/cm2 was carried out on the ESD TiO2, it was found that the energy conversion efficiency improved mainly due to the increase in open circuit voltage of DSSCs. This increased energy conversion efficiency seems to be associated with improved electronic energy transfer by increasing the densification of the blocking layer and improving the adhesion between the blocking layer and the FTO substrate. The adhesion results from instantaneous local melting of the TiO2 particles. An increase in the electron transport from the blocking layer may also retard the electron recombination process due to the oxidized species present in the electrolyte. These findings from novel treatments using ESD and SHI irradiation techniques may provide a new tool to improve the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs.
Current Status of Brown Planthopper (BPH) Resistance and Genetics
Authors: Jena Kshirod K. , Kim Suk-Man
Published: September 2010

Among the planthoppers of rice, the brown planthopper (BPH) is a major threat to rice production and causes significant yield loss annually. Host-plant resistance is an important strategy to reduce the damage caused by BPH and increase rice productivity. Twenty-one major genes for BPH resistance have been identified by using standard evaluation methods developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to distinguish resistance or susceptibility of rice genotypes to BPH biotypes/populations. These genes are from diverse genetic resources such as land race cultivars and wild species ofOryza. Of the 21 resistance genes, 18 genes have been localized on specific region of six rice chromosomes using molecular genetic analysis and genomics tools. Some of these resistance genes are clustered together such asBph1,bph2,Bph9,Bph10,Bph18, andBph21on the long arm of chromosome 12;Bph12,Bph15,Bph17andBph20on the short arm of chromosome 4;bph11andBph14on the long arm of chromosome 3 andBph13(t) andbph19on the short arm of chromosome 3. Six genes (Bph11,bph11,Bph12,bph12,Bph13andBph13) originated from wildOryzaspecies have either duplicate chromosome locations or wrong nomenclature. The discrepancy should be confirmed by allelism tests. Besides identification of major resistance genes, some quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with BPH resistance have also been identified on eight chromosomes. Most of the rice cultivars developed at IRRI possess one or two of the major resistance genes and the variety IR64 has many QTLs and confers strong resistance to BPH. More BPH resistance genes need to be identified from the wealth of gene pool available in the wild species ofOryza. Two BPH resistance genes (Bph14andBph18) have been cloned, and a snow drop lectin gene (GNA) has been identified and used in the development of BPH-resistant transgenic plants. Efficient introgression of resistance genes (Bph1,bph2,Bph3,Bph14,Bph15,Bph18,Bph20, andBph21) into elite rice cultivars by marker-assisted selection together with strategic deployment of these genes can be an important approach to develop stable resistance to BPH and sustain rice production in the tropical and temperate rice growing regions.
Market Dynamics and Momentum Profits
Authors: Asem Ebenezer , Tian Gloria Y.
Published: September 2010

Recent evidence indicates that momentum profits are sensitive to market conditions. We find that the profits are higher when the markets continue in the same state than when they transition to a different state. These findings support Daniel, Hirshleifer, and Subrahmanyam (1998), who suggest that investor overconfidence is higher when the markets continue in the same state (UP or DOWN) than when they reverse, predicting higher momentum profits in the former. In contrast, our evidence following DOWN markets is not consistent with the other competing models for the market-state conditional momentum profits.
Darwin's Doubt, Non-deterministic Darwinism and the Cognitive Science of Religion
Authors: Attfield Robin
Published: September 2010

Alvin Plantinga, echoing a worry of Charles Darwin which he calls ‘Darwin's doubt’, argues that given Darwinian evolutionary theory our beliefs are unreliable, since they are determined to be what they are by evolutionary pressures and could have had no other content. This papers surveys in turn deterministic and non-deterministic interpretations of Darwinism, and concludes that Plantinga's argument poses a problem for the former alone and not for the latter. Some parallel problems arise for the Cognitive Science of Religion, and in particular for the hypothesis that many of our beliefs, including religious beliefs, are due to a Hypersensitive Agency-Detection Device, at least if this hypothesis is held in a deterministic form. In a non-deterministic form, however, its operation need not cast doubt on the rationality or reliability of the relevant beliefs.
Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureuscolonization in HIV-infected outpatients is common and detection is enhanced by groin culture
Authors: PETERS P. J. , BROOKS J. T. , LIMBAGO B. , LOWERY H. K. , McALLISTER S. K. , MINDLEY R. , FOSHEIM G. , GORWITZ R. J. , GUEST J. L. , HAGEMAN J. , FRIDGE J. , RIMLAND D.
Published: September 2010

Although high rates of clinical infection with methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) have been reported in HIV-infected adults, data on MRSA colonization are limited. We enrolled HIV-infected adults receiving care at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. Swabs from each participant's nares and groin were cultured with broth enrichment forS. aureus. Of 600 HIV-infected adults, 79 (13%) were colonized with MRSA and 180 (30%) with methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus. MRSA pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types USA300 (n=44, 54%) and USA500/Iberian (n=29, 35%) predominated. Inclusion of groin swabs increased MRSA detection by 24% and USA300 detection by 38%. In multivariate analysis, MRSA colonization compared to no MRSA colonization was associated with a history of MRSA clinical infection, rarely or never using condoms, and contact with prisons and jails. In summary, the prevalence of MRSA colonization was high in this study of HIV-infected adults and detection of USA300 was enhanced by groin culture.
Microarray-based detection of virulence genes in verotoxigenicEscherichia coliO157:H7 strains from Swedish cattle
Authors: SÖDERLUND R. , ASPÁN A. , RAGIONE R. M. LA , ERIKSSON E. , BOQVIST S.
Published: September 2010

VerotoxigenicEscherichia coli(VTEC) serotype O157:H7 strains from a Swedish cattle prevalence study (n=32), and livestock-derived strains linked to human disease (n=13), were characterized by microarray and PCR detection of virulence genes. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of known virulence determinants and determine which genes are linked to increased pathogenicity in humans. A core set of 18 genes or gene variants were found in all strains, while seven genes were variably present. This suggests that the majority of VTEC O157:H7 found in Swedish cattle carry a broad repertoire of virulence genes and should be considered potentially harmful to humans. A single virulence gene type was significantly associated with strains linked to human disease cases (P=0·012), but no genetic trait to explain the increased virulence of this genotype could be found.
An extensive gastroenteritis outbreak after drinking-water contamination by sewage effluent, Finland
Authors: LAINE J. , HUOVINEN E. , VIRTANEN M. J. , SNELLMAN M. , LUMIO J. , RUUTU P. , KUJANSUU E. , VUENTO R. , PITKÄNEN T. , MIETTINEN I. , HERRALA J. , LEPISTÖ O. , ANTONEN J. , HELENIUS J. , HÄNNINEN M.-L. , MAUNULA L. , MUSTONEN J. , KUUSI M. ,   Pirkanmaa Waterborne Outbreak Study Group
Published: September 2010

An inappropriate cross-connection between sewage- and drinking-water pipelines contaminated tap water in a Finnish town, resulting in an extensive waterborne gastroenteritis outbreak in this developed country. According to a database and a line-list, altogether 1222 subjects sought medical care as a result of this exposure. Seven pathogens were found in patient samples of those who sought treatment. To establish the true disease burden from this exposure, we undertook a population-based questionnaire investigation with a control population, infrequently used to study waterborne outbreaks. The study covered three areas, contaminated and uncontaminated parts of the town and a control town. An estimated 8453 residents fell ill during the outbreak, the excess number of illnesses being 6501. Attack rates were 53% [95% confidence interval (CI) 49·5–56·4] in the contaminated area, 15·6% (95% CI 13·1–18·5) in the uncontaminated area and 6·5% (95% CI 4·8–8·8) in the control population. Using a control population allowed us to differentiate baseline morbidity from the observed morbidity caused by the water contamination, thus enabling a more accurate estimate of the disease burden of this outbreak.
Salmonella prevalence in commercial raw shell eggs in Japan: a survey
Authors: SASAKI Y. , TSUJIYAMA Y. , ASAI T. , NODA Y. , KATAYAMA S. , YAMADA Y.
Published: September 2010

We examined 20 300 raw shell chicken eggs sold at retail stores in Japan for Salmonella outside and inside eggs. The eggs were purchased at 220 retail stores throughout Japan between August 2007 and January 2008. Of 2030 pooled egg samples (10 eggs/sample), Salmonella was isolated from five shell samples (0·25%), but not from any of egg-content samples. The serovars of the isolates were Salmonella Enteritidis (2), S. Derby, S. Livingstone and S. Cerro. The samples positive for Salmonella originated from five different egg grading and packaging (GP) centres. All the GP centres washed their egg shells according to government guidelines for hygienic practice in GP centres. Thus, practical control measures at GP centres need to be reviewed and implemented to diminish Salmonella prevalence of egg shells because Salmonella contamination on eggs is a potential hazard for foodborne salmonellosis in Japan.
Stably compact spaces
Authors: LAWSON JIMMIE
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this paper is to develop the basic theory of stably compact spaces (viz. compact, locally compact, coherent sober spaces) and introduce in an accessible manner and with a minimum of prerequisites some significant new lines of investigation and application arising from recent research, which has arisen primarily in the theoretical computer science community. Three primary themes have developed:

(i)

the property of stable compactness is preserved under a large variety of constructions involving powerdomains, hyperspaces and function spaces;

(ii)

the underlying de Groot duality of stably compact spaces, which finds varied expression, is reflected by duality theorems involving the just mentioned constructions; and

(iii)

the notion of inner and outer pavings is a useful and natural tool for such studies of stably compact spaces.
Socio-economic circumstances and food habits in Eastern, Central and Western European populations
Authors: Boylan Sinéad , Lallukka Tea , Lahelma Eero , Pikhart Hynek , Malyutina Sofia , Pajak Andrzej , Kubinova Ruzena , Bragina Oksana , Stepaniak Urszula , Gillis-Januszewska Aleksandra , Simonova Galina , Peasey Anne , Bobak Martin
Published: September 2010

Objective

To assess the relationship between several socio-economic indicators and frequency of consumption of seven predefined healthy foods (consumption of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain bread, vegetable-fat spread, vegetable cooking fat, low-fat milk and low-fat cheese) in populations from Eastern, Central and Western Europe.

Design

Analysis of baseline data collected in two cross-sectional cohort studies between 2000 and 2005: the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study and the Finnish Helsinki Health Study (HHS).

Setting

Urban populations in the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland and Finland.

Subjects

In the HAPIEE study, random samples of men and women aged 45–69 years were drawn from population registers and electoral lists of selected cities. In the HHS, men and women aged 40–60 years employed by the City of Helsinki were recruited. Data on 21 326 working subjects from both cohorts were analysed.

Results

Healthy food habits were, in general, positively associated with higher education, occupational position and fewer economic difficulties, but there were differences in the strength of the gradient by food and country. Fruit consumption showed the most consistent gradients, especially in relation to socio-economic status among men (country-specific relative index of inequality (RII) = 2·02–5·17) and women (RII = 2·09–3·57).

Conclusions

The associations between socio-economic indicators and healthy food habits showed heterogeneity between countries. Future studies of dietary behaviours should consider multiple measures of socio-economic position.
Aspects of simulator cone-beam CT for radiotherapy treatment planning
Authors: Irvine Denise , McJury Mark
Published: September 2010

Background and purpose: Following a recent major upgrade in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) software and functionality, we have reassessed aspects of our Varian Acuity simulator performance for use in treatment planning. The feasibility of using CBCT for treatment planning has been assessed and here we report specifically on Hounsfield number (HN) accuracy and related dose errors, and digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) image quality.

Methods: Using a Catphan® 600 CT phantom, HN accuracy and uniformity were investigated for a range of CBCT imaging modes. This included the variation in HNs with scan length and phantom position. Results were compared with those acquired from conventional CT. Treatment plans for three sites were generated using the Rando phantom, and results from CBCT-based data were compared to that from CT-based data using a gamma analysis. Image quality of DRRs based on CBCT data were compared with those from CT data both quantitatively, by calculating the modulation transfer function (MTF) and qualitatively, by counting the number of line pairs visible on a phantom.

Results and conclusions: Catphan data showed that for certain cases, the HN calibration of the Acuity CBCT was out of tolerance and could lead to errors in dose calculation of >2%. HNs were only acceptable for scan lengths >10 cm. In multi-scan mode, geometric shifts and differences in HNs were seen on CT slices on either side of the interface between the two acquisitions. However, comparisons between treatment plans calculated using CBCT data and conventional CT data from Rando phantoms showed that head, pelvis and thorax plans were acceptable. CBCT DRR image quality compared favourably with a conventional CT scanner in some respects; however, image uniformity and low contrast resolution were poorer due to the ‘cupping’ artefact obtained with CBCT scans.
Training needs of radiographers for implementing Tomotherapy in NHS practice
Authors: Dean June C. , Routsis Donna S.
Published: September 2010

Background: Addenbrooke’s was awarded Department of Health funding for Tomotherapy in 2006, to evaluate the functionality and application of the image guidance element of Tomotherapy. No Tomotherapy unit had been implemented into a National Health Service (NHS) working environment before, so there was no model to follow. An education and training program needed to be created to ensure accurate and efficient delivery of radiotherapy using Tomotherapy.

Method: The educational needs of radiographers had to be derived from first principles. An assessment of Tomotherapy treatment delivery process was made, identifying the tasks within the process and then the skills and knowledge required to achieve each task. The process was derived from site visits to non-NHS centres using Tomotherapy, nationally and internationally. This was supplemented by educational courses for specific aspects of Tomotherapy Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT).

Results: The core skills and knowledge required were identified and an in-house educational programme created. Competencies for Tomotherapy delivery were assessed against image matching accuracy and speed. All radiographers were able to meet these standards so that Tomotherapy IGRT on the treatment unit required no input from clinical oncologists, making effective and efficient use of staff resources.

Conclusion: The educational and training needs of radiographer staff were identified and a Tomotherapy training program was devised to enable image registration to be radiographer driven.
De-ghosting of tomographic images in a radar network with sparse angular sampling
Authors: Fasoula Angie , Driessen Hans , van Genderen Piet
Published: September 2010

Taking into account sparsity of the reflectivity function of several radar targets of interest, efficient low-complexity automatic target recognition (ATR) systems can be designed. Such ATR systems would be based on two-dimensional (2D) spatial target models of low dimensionality, where critical information on the radar target signature is summarized. Discrete 2D radar target models can be estimated using high range resolution (HRR) data, measured at a sparse system of view angles. This being the main objective, incoherent tomographic processing of HRR data from a distributed surveillance system, made up of several radar nodes, is studied in this paper. A sparse angular sampling scheme is proposed, which exploits diversity due to both the distributed radar system and the target motion. The novelty is in the exploitation of this locally dense, but otherwise sparse set of viewing angles of the targets, obtained using a sparse network of radars. The de-ghosting efficiency of such a sampling scheme is demonstrated geometrically. This results in identification of minimal information resources for unambiguous estimation of a 2D target model, useful for radar target classification.
Precipitable water vapor characterization in the Gulf of Cadiz region (southwestern Spain) based on Sun photometer, GPS, and radiosonde data
Authors: Torres B. , Cachorro V. E. , Toledano C. , Ortiz de Galisteo J. P. , Berjón A. , de Frutos A. M. , Bennouna Y. , Laulainen N.
Published: September 2010

Total precipitable water vapor (PWV) is characterized for the first time over southwestern Europe by means of ground‐based measurements during the period 2001–2005. Existing data from three sites located in the Cadiz Gulf region, El Arenosillo, San Fernando, and Gibraltar, using three different techniques, Sun photometer (SP), GPS, and radiosondes, are used for the analysis. The 5 year data series gives a mean value of about 2 cm (SD = 0.7 cm) and a clear seasonal pattern. In the multiannual monthly means basis, the highest values are reached in August–September, with a mean value of 2.5–2.6 cm, whereas the lowest are obtained in January–February, with an average of 1.4–1.5 cm. The data in the three sites have been compared in order to assess regional variability. Differences could be due to real local variability but also could arise from the differences in the measurement techniques. From daily to monthly bases, water vapor behavior is similar in the three sites, with the largest differences ranging from 3% in summer to 14% in winter. Outstanding results from these analyses are the observed local minimum in July, occurring during the maximum of desert dust intrusions in the southern Iberian Peninsula, and the significant differences found between the El Arenosillo (SP) and San Fernando (GPS) measurements, related to the periodical replacement of the SP instrument at El Arenosillo. The observed differences highlight the importance of drift in each SP because of filter aging or other calibration problems. Finally, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) near‐infrared water vapor product has been compared to the data from the GPS station (San Fernando). MODIS retrieval slightly overestimates PWV in summer (5%–8%) and significantly underestimates in winter (−23%).