bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Analysis of Cranberry Yield at Three Scales
Authors: Pozdnyakova Larisa , Giménez Daniel , Oudemans Peter V.
Published: July 2010

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is an intensively managed perennial crop. Patches of disease, local variation in soil properties, and regional changes in soil type and hydrology cause its yield to vary spatially at several scales. We evaluated the spatial variability of cranberry yield with two support sizes and covering three scales: (i) 500 contiguous 0.09‐m2 samples covering a 6 by 7.5 m area (small scale, SS), (ii) an average number of 100 variably spaced 0.09‐m2 samples from each of 21 fields (medium scale, MS), and (iii) 534 fields (16830 m2 average area) each characterized with a single value of total yield (large scale, LS). Differences in yield calculated from points separated by incremental distances h were raised to power values q (from 0 to 4 in steps of 0.1). The q = 2 data were fitted to either spherical (SS and LS) or exponential (MS) semivariogram models. The logarithm of average differences plotted vs. log h were characterized by their slope, ζ(q). Structure functions [ζ(q) vs. q] were fitted with the universal multifractal model containing three parameters (C, α, and H). Small scale and LS data had nonlinear structure functions typical of multiscale phenomena. Spatial properties of cranberry yield at MS were: (i) better defined in cranberry fields with more than 12 yr in production (small range and nugget variance), and (ii) influenced by multiscale factors (nonlinear structure functions). Younger fields had greater range and nugget variance and a linear structure function. Precision agriculture in perennial crops should consider temporal changes in the spatial structure of crop yield.
Upscaling Flux Observations from Local to Continental Scales Using Thermal Remote Sensing
Authors: Anderson Martha C. , Kustas William P. , Norman John M.
Published: July 2010

A number of recent intensive and extended field campaigns have been devoted to the collection of land‐surface fluxes from a variety of platforms, with the purpose of inferring the long‐term C, water, and energy budgets across large areas (watershed, continental, or global scales). One approach to flux upscaling is to use land–atmosphere transfer schemes (LATS) linked to remotely sensed boundary conditions as an intermediary between the sensor footprint and regional scales. In this capacity, we examined the utility of a multiscale LATS framework that uses thermal, visible and near infrared remote sensing imagery from multiple satellites to partition surface temperature and fluxes between the soil and canopy. We conducted exercises using tower and aircraft flux data collected at three experiment sites in Oklahoma and Iowa, each with a different configuration of instrumentation. Combined, the two flux‐monitoring systems were found to be complementary: the towers provided high‐spatial‐resolution, time‐continuous validation at discrete points within the modeling domain, while with the aircraft data it could be confirmed that the model was reproducing broad spatial patterns observed at specific moments in time. High‐resolution flux maps created with the LATS allowed evaluation of differences in footprint associated with turbulent, radiative, and conductive flux sensors, which may be contributing to energy budget closure problems observed with eddy correlation systems. The ability to map fluxes at multiple resolutions (1 m–10 km) with a common model framework is beneficial in providing spatial context to an experiment by bracketing the scale of interest. Multiscale flux maps can also assist in the experimental design stage, in a priori assessments of sensor representativeness in complex landscapes.
Predicting Cotton Boll Maturation Period Using Degree Days and Other Climatic Factors
Authors: Viator Ryan P. , Nuti Russell C. , Edmisten Keith L. , Wells Randy
Published: July 2010

Degree days are often used for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth monitoring and management. The objectives of this research are to determine if 15.5°C is an accurate lower‐threshold temperature to monitor the boll maturation period (BMAP) for cotton in the northern, rainfed region of the U.S. Cotton Belt, to investigate other climatic factors in this cotton region that may improve the accuracy of the current degree day system for cotton, and to evaluate degree day models that include both an upper‐ and lower‐threshold temperature. Cotton was planted at three different timings in 2001 and 2002 to provide different climatic regimes during the BMAP. On 10 typical plants per plot, all first‐position flowers were individually tagged with date of flower opening and were then harvested at full maturity. Daily weather data consisted of maximum, minimum, and average air temperature; maximum and average soil temperature; average soil moisture; maximum and average solar radiation; and maximum and average photosynthetically active radiation. The 17°C degree day model, which used 17°C as the lower threshold, provided the best adjusted r2 (0.2715) of all the single‐variable models; the degree day 15.5°C model had an adjusted r2 of 0.2276. The best model using both upper and lower temperature thresholds was DD3017, using 30 and 17°C as the thresholds, and had an adjusted r2 of 0.2452. Adding average, minimum, and maximum air temperatures to the DD15.5, DD17, and DD3017 models reduced coefficient of variation and mean square error and increased adjusted r2 values.
Spatial Variability of Soil Test Phosphorus, Potassium, and pH of Ontario Soils
Authors: Lauzon John D. , O'Halloran Ivan P. , Fallow David J. , von Bertoldi A. Peter , Aspinall Doug
Published: July 2010

Grid soil sampling is typically used for establishing management zones for site‐specific application of nutrients. The geostatistical procedures used to estimate values between sample locations require samples to be taken close enough to together that they are correlated to one another. An evaluation of the scale of variability of soil test P (STP), soil test K (STK), and soil pH for Ontario soils was conducted using autocorrelation analysis of 23 Ontario farm fields, which were grid‐sampled using a 30‐m spacing. The results of the autocorrelation analysis indicated that 13 of the 23 farm fields would require a grid spacing of less than 30 m to adequately assess their spatial variability. For only one site was the commonly used 100‐m grid spacing adequate for the assessment of the spatial patterns of STP and STK. Further analysis using F tests compared the residuals from three gridding procedures (kriging, inverse distance, and nearest neighbor) using 60‐ and 90‐m grid data to that of the residuals using the field mean soil test value. In most cases, soil test variation maps based on 60‐ or 90‐m grid soil samples did not result in an increased ability to predict the soil test level at a given location in the field. It was concluded that a grid spacing of 30 m or less would be required to adequately assess the spatial variation of STP, STK, and soil pH. Sampling at this intensity would require approximately 11 times as many soil samples as the commonly used 100‐m grid, which is likely to make the cost prohibitive.
Augmented Split Block Experiment Design
Authors: Federer Walter T.
Published: July 2010

A new class of augmented experiment designs is presented. These designs are useful for experiments involving screening new treatments over a variety of conditions. The designs are also useful for screening mixtures of materials such as for intercropping experiments. At the later stages of screening material such as genotypes, herbicides, fungicides, etc., it may be desirable to screen over a variety of conditions. A class of experiment designs is presented for screening new material over conditions such as date of planting, fertilizer level, spacing, herbicide level, etc. A number of examples are presented to illustrate various versions of augmented split block experiment designs. A numerical example with computer code and output is presented in the Appendix.
Crop Residue Coverage of Soil Influenced by Crop Sequence in a No‐Till System
Authors: Krupinsky Joseph M. , Merrill Steven D. , Tanaka Donald L. , Liebig Mark A. , Lares Michael T. , Hanson Jonathan D.
Published: July 2010

Field research was conducted to determine the influence of crop and crop sequencing on crop residue coverage of soil with 10 crops [buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), canola (Brassica napus L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), oil seed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)]. Crop residue production was obtained. Crop residue coverage of the soil surface was measured with a transect technique at the time of seeding spring wheat. Crop residue coverage varied and was more clearly associated with the second‐year crop than with the first‐year crop of a 2‐yr crop sequence. Crop sequences composed of spring wheat, proso millet, and grain sorghum had higher crop residue coverage compared with sequences composed of the other crops. When these three crops and three crops that provide lower crop residue coverage of soil the subsequent year (lentil, chickpea, and sunflower) were analyzed as a subset to compare various sequences of crops providing a range of residue coverage, for example, lower (first yr)/lower (second yr), the surface residue coverage ranged from 65% for the lower/lower combination to 93% for the higher/higher combination in 2004 and from 56 to 94% in 2005, respectively. A producer operating on more fragile soil and concerned about reducing soil erosion hazards would be advised to grow crops that provide higher residue coverage in the year before crops that provide lower residue coverage.
Crop Sequence Effects on Leaf Spot Diseases of No‐Till Spring Wheat
Authors: Krupinsky Joseph M. , Tanaka Donald L. , Merrill Steven D. , Liebig Mark A. , Lares Michael T. , Hanson Jonathan D.
Published: July 2010

Crop sequence is an important management practice that may lower the risk for leaf spot diseases of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Field research was conducted near Mandan, ND, to determine the impact of crop sequences on leaf spot diseases of hard red spring wheat early in the growing season. Spring wheat was evaluated for disease severity following crop sequence combinations of 10 crops [buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), canola (Brassica napus L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), oil seed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and hard red spring wheat). Spring wheat leaves with distinct lesions were collected for determination of lesion number and percentage necrosis data, which were used to estimate leaf spot disease severity. Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Died.) Drechs., the cause of tan spot, and Phaeosphaeria nodorum (E. Müller) Hedjaroude, the cause of Stagonospora nodorum blotch, were the major leaf spot diseases and consistently present throughout the growing season. The frequency of isolation following alternative crops was generally lower compared with spring wheat following wheat. Leaf spot diseases on spring wheat were impacted by crop sequencing. Spring wheat following crop sequences with alternative crops for 1 or 2 yr had lower levels of disease severity compared with a continuous spring wheat treatment early in the growing season. Disease severity was apparently not related to the percentage of crop residue coverage on the soil surface associated with various crop sequence combinations. New alternative crops preceding spring wheat reduce levels of leaf spot diseases.
Winter Triticale Response to Nitrogen Fertilization when Grown after Corn or Soybean
Authors: Gibson Lance R. , Nance Carasella D. , Karlen Douglas L.
Published: July 2010

Winter triticale (×TriticosecaleWittmack) could be more widely grown as a forage, grain, or cover crop in the US Corn and Soybean Belt, but research needed to establish best management practices is limited. This study was conducted to determine the amount of N fertilizer needed to optimize triticale productivity and to quantify the amount of N taken up following either corn (Zea maysL.) silage or soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.]. The response of winter triticale grown near Ames and Lewis, IA, to four N fertilization rates (0, 33, 66, 99 kg N ha−1) applied in mid‐March was evaluated for the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 growing seasons. Maximum dry matter and grain yields were produced with 33 kg N ha−1at Ames and no N fertilization at Lewis. Maximum N concentrations of triticale dry matter were generally produced with 99 kg N ha−1. Nitrogen uptake by winter triticale was mostly complete by early May and was 39 to 133 kg ha−1without N fertilization. Nitrogen uptake increased with each 33 kg ha−1increment of additional N fertilizer, totaling 98 to 192 kg ha−1for 99 kg N ha−1. The results of this study suggest forage and grain yields of winter triticale grown after corn silage or soybean in the midwestern USA can be maximized by applying 33 kg ha−1. N fertilizer. For N rates of 0 to 99 kg ha−1, winter triticale captured 47 to 82 kg N ha−1beyond that supplied as fertilizer.
Nitric Acid Oxidation of Danish Illuvial Organic Matter
Authors: Hansen E. H. , Schnitzer M.
Published: July 2010

Organic matter extracted from the Bh horizon of a Danish Podzol was oxidized with 2N and with 7.5N HNO3. Oxidation with 2N HNO3 produced 2.10% nitro phenols and nitro benzoic acids, 0.60% hydroxy benzoic and 3.23% benzene carboxylic acids. The products resulting from oxidation with 7.5N HNO3 contained 5.50% picric acid, 0.20% hydroxy benzoic and 3.78% benzene carboxylic acids. The yields are expressed on the basis of the original dry ash‐free organic matter.

From the results of this and earlier investigations it appears that Danish illuvial organic matter consists primarily of isolated aromatic rings—heavily substituted with oxygen‐containing functional groups—that are linked to each other via aliphatic chains or saturated cyclic or hydroaromatic structures. The occurrence in this organic matter of substantial numbers of condensed aromatic ring systems is unlikely.
Soil Concretions: I. X‐Ray Spectrograph and Electron Microprobe Analyses
Authors: Gallaher R. N. , Perkins H. F. , Radcliffe D.
Published: July 2010

X‐ray spectrographic analyses of soil concretions collected in Georgia and Tennessee from different soil parent material and moisture regimes indicated wide variation in chemical composition. Analyses showed higher concentrations of Mn and Ba in the inner core than in the outer layer of Fe‐Mn concretions from Henry and Iredell soils. A larger concentration of Fe and Ti was found in the outer layer as compared to the inner core. Distribution of Mn, Ba, Fe, and Ti indicated that they were accumulated by a similar mechanism in Henry and Iredell Fe‐Mn concretions. Concretions from the Tifton soil were composed of randomly distributed quartz grains cemented by Fe, Al, and Si oxides; whereas, those from the Decatur soil consisted of a homogenous mixture of Mn and Ba oxides. Electron probe micrographs supported the indication that elemental distribution within concretions differed as a result of weathering conditions at different geographic locations.
Organic Compound Effects on Swelling and Flocculation of Upton Montmorillonite
Authors: Chen Shizheng , Low Philip F. , Cushman John H. , Roth Charles B.
Published: July 2010

The swelling and shrinking and flocculation and deflocculation of clays is of fundamental importance in the transport of solutes through a porous medium because these processes affect the permeability of the medium. Since organic solutes frequently occur in toxic wastes, we conducted an investigation of the effect of eight soluble organic compounds, representing different kinds of structures and functional groups, on the swelling and flocculation of sodium saturated Upton montmorillonite. These compounds were ethanol, 1,4‐dioxane, phenol, urea, benzamide, ethylamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, and sodium acetate. In general, we found that increases in the concentration of the compounds that ionize in water decreased swelling and increased flocculation to a greater extent than those that remained un‐ionized, i.e., electrically neutral. However, 1,4‐dioxane was exceptional in that, despite its electrical neutrality, it reduced swelling and increased flocculation significantly. Possible reasons for the effects of the different compounds on swelling and flocculation were advanced.
Centrifugation: A Solution to the Problems Posed by Ammonium and Nitrate Contamination of Filters in Soil Extract Analysis
Authors: Scharf Peter , Alley M. M.
Published: July 2010

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid and effective method of removing particulate matter from 2 M KCl soil extracts without contaminating the extracts with NH+4 and/or NO−3. Seven types of filters were first tested by eluting them with 2 M KCl solution and analyzing the eluents. All filters tested eluted unacceptable levels of NH+4, NO−3, or both, and are thus unsuitable for filtration of 2 M KCl soil extracts which are to be analyzed for both NH+4 and NO−3. Subsequently, soil extracts were centrifuged at varying speeds and for varying times in an attempt to remove particulate matter from the extracts without filtration. Particulate matter content of the resulting supernatants was measured with a Coulter counter. Centrifuging the soil extracts at 1800 rpm for 10 min reduced particulate contamination to levels comparable to those in filtered extracts.
Ponded Infiltration From a Single Ring: I. Analysis of Steady Flow
Authors: Reynolds W. D. , Elrick D. E.
Published: July 2010

A new analysis of steady, ponded infiltration from within a single ring takes soil hydraulic properties, ring radius, depth of ring insertion, and depth of ponding into account. It also provides a means for determining the field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) and the matric flux potential (φm). The analysis employs numerically determined shape factors (G) that are found to depend significantly on ring radius (a) and depth of ring insertion (d), but only slightly on depth of ponding (H) and soil hydraulic properties. As a consequence, averaged G values (Ge) can be developed for specified d and a that apply to a wide range of ponded heads and soil types. Procedures for calculating Kfs and φm are based on G or Ge, and on the ponding of one, two, or multiple H levels in the ring. Test calculations based on Ge suggest that Kfs can be obtained with an accuracy of about ±20% for H = 0.05 to 0.25 m and α = 1 to 36 m−1, where α is the soil parameter of the exponential hydraulic conductivity‐pressure head relationship. A similar level of accuracy (using Ge) is obtained for φm when α is small (α ≤ 4 m−1), and when both α and H are large (α > 4 m−1, H ≥ 0.20 m). Significant errors in φm can occur, however, when α is large but H is small. Potentially important features of this single ring method include low sensitivity of the Kfs calculation to errors in Ge, reduced measurement errors resulting from small‐scale soil variability, and the ability to pond large heads in order to increase flow rates in low‐permeability materials.
Fuzzy‐c‐Means and Kriging for Mapping Soil as a Continuous System
Authors: Odeh Inakwu O. A. , Chittleborough David J. , McBratney Alex B.
Published: July 2010

Even though soil has long been recognized as a continous system in both the geographical and taxonomic context, there has been no practical approach to mapping soil as a continuum. Fuzzy set theory and the regionalized variable theory provide for such an approach. A predetermined optimal sampling scheme was used for sampling of pedons in an area of 627 by 375 m. The fuzzy‐c‐means (FCM) algorithm was first used to quantify the pedons into intragrade and extragrade classes by minimization of the fuzzy objective function. The resulting matrix of membership coefficients was used to determine membership semivariograms for the c + 1 continuous soil classes. The resulting semivariogram parameters were further used for kriging of the membership coefficients, yielding an isarithmic map for each of the c + 1 fuzzy soil classes. A composite map that presents the core areas of the continuous classification units was produced by overlaying of the isarithmic maps of the c + 1 classes. The significance of this approach to geographical (or soil) information systems is the associated minimum loss of information if fuzzy logic and operations are integrated into the systems.
Andisols from Four Different Regions of Iceland
Authors: Arnalds Olafur , Hallmark C. T. , Wilding L. P.
Published: July 2010

Limited information has been published on Andisols in Iceland, but such data are important for understanding the erosional and periglacial processes that are intense in Iceland. The objectives of this research were to investigate Andisols that developed in tephra and eolian materials and that are highly susceptible to soil erosion, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the recently established Andisol order for providing meaningful classes in Iceland. Four soils that formed in 1‐ to 3‐m‐thick tephra and eolian materials of various origins were studied. The soils have low bulk density (<0.8 g cm−3), high −0.033 and −1.5 MPa water retention (0.27–1.18 and 0.17–0.85 kg kg−1, respectively, excluding tephra horizons), and Atterberg limits characteristic of field‐moist Andisols (plastic limits of 0.49–0.95 kg kg−1 and liquid limits of 0.54–0.97 kg kg−1). Soil reaction (H2O) ranges between pH 5.6 and 6.7. Organic C contents are high but erratic; they range from 21 to 90 g kg−1, excluding thick tephra horizons that are characteristically low in C. Soil color was not related to organic C content. The cation‐exchange capacity is generally high (22–46 cmolc kg−1) and is highly related to organic C, oxalate‐extractable Al + Fe, and precipitation (R2 = 0.92). The <0.002‐mm fraction is dominated by allophone and ferrihydrite represented by high oxalate‐extractable Al, Fe, and Si. High organic C content was not found to inhibit allophone formation in surface horizons. These Andisols developed from sediments of complex history consisting of tephra layers deposited during episodic volcanic events that are interstratified with eolian polycycled materials of glacial‐fluvial and andic origin. Assigning buried horizons and lithological discontinuities was difficult and often arbitrary and was not done for the eolian and tephra materials. All the pedons were classified as Haplocryands. More than 60 000 km2 of Andisols may occur in Iceland, which would constitute 5 to 6% of all Andisols in the world.
Release of Intracellular Solutes by Four Soil Bacteria Exposed to Dilution Stress
Authors: Halverson Larry J. , Jones Thomas M. , Firestone Mary K.
Published: July 2010

The physiological mechanisms utilized by soil bacteria for acclimation to sudden increases in soil water potential are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the physiological responses of soil isolates of Pseudomonas chlororaphis, P. fluorescens, Bacillus pumulis, and Streptomyces griseus to a sudden increase in solution water potential (dilution). Bacterial isolates were cultured at a low solute water potential (−3.0 MPa) and subjected to rapid water potential increases of 0.5 to 2.0 MPa. The small amount of protein and DNA released by a 2.0 MPa dilution suggests that water potential increases up to 2.0 MPa did not cause significant cell lysis. In response to dilution, intracellular solutes were released into the extracellular environment rather than polymerized into osmotically less‐active compounds or catabolized to CO2 In general, the Gram‐positive isolates B. pumulis and S. griseus were more tolerant to dilution than the Pseudomonas spp., since dilution had no effect on culturability, and the amount of solutes released was small (<10% of the intracellular solute pool). The Pseudomonas spp. released a maximum of 22 to 26% of their amino acid pool and 54 to 60% of their low molecular weight neutral sugar pool. The amounts of amino acids and low molecular weight carbohydrates released and the reduction in culturability was, in general, proportional to the magnitude of dilution. Pseudomonas fluorescens tolerated a 0.5 MPa water potential increase, but water potential shocks of greater magnitude resulted in a large reduction in culturability and an increase in the amount of solutes released. These results suggest that a potential source of mineralizable C following the wetting of dry soils is the release of organic compatible solutes from the microbial community.
Municipal water demand and efficiency analysis: Case studies in Turkey
Authors: Burak Selmin , Mat Hakan
Published: July 2010

The growing demand for municipal water due to population increase and urbanization impels water managers to reconsider the existing traditional supply-sided management approach. Strengthening of water demand management (WDM) policies by improving water use efficiency has been adopted as a key target in arid regions, in particular. Indeed, increasing the added value per m3 of water used is gaining importance, since it is a more environmentally-friendly strategy with regard to water resource management than expanding water infrastructure assets. Monitoring the water use efficiency index is the commonly applied method for assessing the performance of municipal water management that depends on physical (real) losses and non-physical (apparent) losses constituting non-revenue water (NRW).

In this paper, the results of the study conducted in three medium-size urban settlements, namely Ordu, Çarşamba and Ceyhan, are presented. Field surveys and evaluation of the data relating to municipal customer service have been carried out. In the light of the findings covering a four-year period between 2004–2007, the origin and reasons for NRW, and the means and tools for reducing it in order to improve water use efficiency are discussed.
Perspective actionnelle et approche par les tâches en classe de langue
Authors: Rosen Évelyne
Published: July 2010

Résumé

Cet article, introduction du numéro 45 du Français dans le monde / Recherches et applications, se propose tout d'abord de situer la perspective actionnelle et l'approche par les tâches tant du point de vue de l'actualité des réalisations que des perspectives pour la classe de FLE. L'organisation du numéro, ainsi que les articles qui le composent, sont ensuite présentés.
Charles Rathouis's painting (1889) of Augustine Henry's goral from the Yichang gorges, China
Authors: NELSON E. CHARLES
Published: July 2010

An original watercolour by the French Jesuit Père Charles Rathouis (1834–1890) of a goral from central China, named Kemas henryanus by Père Pierre Heude (now Naemorhedus caudatus griseus Milne-Edwards 1872), is described; the history of the animal depicted is recounted from Dr Augustine Henry's manuscript diaries and other sources.
Master molluscs: “Pan-Germanism” and J.W. Taylor's biogeographical thought
Authors: CAMERON R.A.D.
Published: July 2010

In his Monograph of the land and fresh water Mollusca and elsewhere, J.W. Taylor developed an original hypothesis to explain the evolution and geographical distribution of living organisms. He claimed that all major evolutionary innovations originated in North Central Europe, and that the new, dominant forms arising there drove earlier evolved forms outwards. While many elements of his hypothesis derive from his reading of Darwin and Wallace, its more specific features appear to derive from his reading of Semper and Pilsbry, and, in particular from Pilsbry's reclassification of the Helicidae. He extended his conclusions to evolution generally, and drew explicitly racist conclusions for humans. His ideas gained some respect amongst contemporary amateur conchologists, but were largely ignored by professionals. His often tortuous efforts to gain wider acceptance of his views were ultimately unsuccessful, and a later generation of conchologists rejected and even concealed them.
Henry Edward Crampton and Mendelian evolution
Authors: MURRAY JAMES
Published: July 2010

H.E. Crampton was something of a polymath in biology. He discovered the embryological basis of sinistrality in the development of Physella heterostropha and carried out early parabiotic experiments with the large saturniid moths. He demonstrated stabilizing selection on the body measurements of Philosamia cynthia, and he participated in collecting along a biological transect from Georgetown, Guyana to the slopes of Mount Roraima. It is, however, on his “Studies on the variation, distribution, and evolution of the genus Partula” that his reputation rests. The conclusions of these studies and their impact on the modern synthesis of evolutionary biology are discussed.
Some new perspectives on the life of William Speirs Bruce (1867–1921), with a preliminary catalogue of the Bruce collection of manuscripts in the University of Edinburgh
Authors: SWINNEY G. N.
Published: July 2010

Recent rearrangement of material within the William Speirs Bruce collection in Edinburgh University Library has revealed a wealth of manuscripts, photographs and press-cuttings relating to Bruce's expeditions and those of his contemporaries. The fact that it was uncatalogued resulted in its existence being overlooked by researchers. A brief outline of the scope of the collection is presented with a preliminary shelf-catalogue of the contents.
Nursing’s Role in Disclosure and Apology
Authors: Pfrimmer Dale M.
Published: July 2010

Although there is general agreement regarding disclosing adverse events to patients and their families, much of the focus in the literature has been on the physician-patient relationship. Nurses are intimately involved in the day-to-day care of patients and their families. This column explores the role of nurses in disclosure and apology.
Evaluation of Erythrocytes, Platelets, and Serum Iron Profile in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy
Authors: Marchetti Veronica , Lubas George , Lombardo Andrea , Corazza Michele , Guidi Grazia , Cardini Giovanni
Published: July 2010

The aim of this study is to evaluate iron status, erythrocyte, and platelet modifications in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE). Dogs were grouped as food-responsive diarrhea (FRD, ), antibiotic-responsive diarrhea (ARD, ), and steroid-responsive diarrhea (SRD, ) relating to therapeutic-response. Clinical and haematological findings, evidence of gastrointestinal blood loss, and iron metabolism were evaluated before and after treatment. A mild normocytic or microcytic anemia and thrombocytosis were identified, respectively in 18.0% and 31.8% of CE dogs. No significant differences between pre- and posttreatment of hematocrit, haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular volume, platelet count and mean platelet volume were found. Statistical analysis pointed out significant differences between pre- and posttreatment in serum iron () and unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) (). No significant correlations were found between these parameters and canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease activity index and pattern of CE as well.
Diagnostic Methods for Feline Coronavirus: A Review
Authors: Sharif Saeed , Arshad Siti Suri , Hair-Bejo Mohd , Omar Abdul Rahman , Zeenathul Nazariah Allaudin , Alazawy Amer
Published: July 2010

Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are found throughout the world. Infection with FCoV can result in a diverse range of signs from clinically inapparent infections to a highly fatal disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP is one of the most serious viral diseases of cats. While there is neither an effective vaccine, nor a curative treatment for FIP, a diagnostic protocol for FCoV would greatly assist in the management and control of the virus. Clinical findings in FIP are non-specific and not helpful in making a differential diagnosis. Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in FIP cases are also non-specific. The currently available serological tests have low specificity and sensitivity for detection of active infection and cross-react with FCoV strains of low pathogenicity, the feline enteric coronaviruses (FECV). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to detect FCoV and is rapid and sensitive, but results must be interpreted in the context of clinical findings. At present, a definitive diagnosis of FIP can be established only by histopathological examination of biopsies. This paper describes and compares diagnostic methods for FCoVs and includes a brief account of the virus biology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis.
Facial Emotion Recognition Impairment in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Isolated Apathy
Authors: Martínez-Corral Mercè , Pagonabarraga Javier , Llebaria Gisela , Pascual-Sedano Berta , García-Sánchez Carmen , Gironell Alexandre , Kulisevsky Jaime
Published: July 2010

Apathy is a frequent feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), usually related with executive dysfunction. However, in a subgroup of PD patients apathy may represent the only or predominant neuropsychiatric feature. To understand the mechanisms underlying apathy in PD, we investigated emotional processing in PD patients with and without apathy and in healthy controls (HC), assessed by a facial emotion recognition task (FERT). We excluded PD patients with cognitive impairment, depression, other affective disturbances and previous surgery for PD. PD patients with apathy scored significantly worse in the FERT, performing worse in fear, anger, and sadness recognition. No differences, however, were found between nonapathetic PD patients and HC. These findings suggest the existence of a disruption of emotional-affective processing in cognitive preserved PD patients with apathy. To identify specific dysfunction of limbic structures in PD, patients with isolated apathy may have therapeutic and prognostic implications.
DNA as a Versatile Chemical Component for Catalysis, Encoding, and Stereocontrol
Authors: Silverman Scott K.
Published: July 2010

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material common to all of Earth’s organisms. Our biological understanding of DNA is extensive and well‐exploited. In recent years, chemists have begun to develop DNA for nonbiological applications in catalysis, encoding, and stereochemical control. This Review summarizes key advances in these three exciting research areas, each of which takes advantage of a different subset of DNA’s useful chemical properties.
Dendronizing and Metalating trans‐2 C60 Tetraaryl Porphyrins—A Versatile Approach Toward Water‐Soluble Donor–Acceptor Conjugates
Authors: Ruppert Michaela , Spänig Fabian , Wielopolski Mateusz , Jäger Christof M. , Bauer Walter , Clark Timothy , Hirsch Andreas , Guldi Dirk M.
Published: July 2010

We have realized for the first time a series of truly water‐soluble and tightly coupled porphyrin/C60 electron‐donor–acceptor conjugates in which the charge separation and charge recombination dynamics are controlled by modifying the nature of the dendrimer and/or the choice of the central metal atom.
Utility of oncotype DX risk estimates in clinically intermediate risk hormone receptor‐positive, HER2‐normal, grade II, lymph node‐negative breast cancers
Authors: Kelly Catherine M. , Krishnamurthy Savitri , Bianchini Giampaolo , Litton Jennifer K. , Gonzalez‐Angulo Ana M. , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Pusztai Lajos
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND:

Oncotype DX breast cancer assay (Genomic Health, Redwood City, Calif) stratifies patients with early breast cancer according to risk of distant recurrence. The authors hypothesized that the test is ordered when clinicopathological variables yield equivocal risk estimates. The current study also showed how often the test clarifies clinically ambiguous risk status.

METHODS:

The authors examined clinical/pathological characteristics and calculated risk of recurrence with Adjuvant! for 309 consecutive patients who underwent Oncotype DX testing at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

RESULTS:

Of the patients comprising this study, most had stage I/II (n = 306, 99%) and grade I/II tumors (n = 236, 76%). The median risk of recurrence by Adjuvant! was 16% (IQR 11.2 to 20.4). Oncotype DX stratified 52% (n = 160), 40% (n = 122) and 9% (n = 27) of this clinically intermediate risk population into low, intermediate, and high risk groups, respectively. Correlation between projected risk of recurrence by Adjuvant! (Adjuvant!, online software and website) and Oncotype DX was minimal (r = 0.13). Recurrence score (P < .0001), but not age or tumor size, was higher in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. In all 3 grade subsets, recurrence score was higher in those who received chemotherapy compared with those who did not (P = .02, P < .0001, and P = .0009, respectively). All lobular carcinomas (n = 40) were classified as low/intermediate risk.

CONCLUSIONS:

Oncotype DX yielded potentially informative risk assignments in patients considered indeterminate risk by routine clinical variables. However, 40% of the time test results reflected intermediate risk, with widely used recurrence score thresholds. This proportion increased to 66% using revised thresholds implemented by National Cancer Institute's Trial Assigning IndividuaLized Options for Treatment (Rx), or TAILORx. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Cerebral hyporesponsiveness and cognitive impairment 10 years after chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: de Ruiter Michiel B. , Reneman Liesbeth , Boogerd Willem , Veltman Dick J. , van Dam Frits S.A.M. , Nederveen Aart J. , Boven Epie , Schagen Sanne B.
Published: July 2010

Chemotherapy is associated with cognitive impairment in a subgroup of breast cancer survivors, but the neural circuitry underlying this side effect is largely unknown. Moreover, long‐term impairment has not been studied well. In the present study, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological testing were performed in breast cancer survivors almost 10 years after high‐dose adjuvant chemotherapy (chemo group, n = 19) and in breast cancer survivors for whom chemotherapy had not been indicated (control group, n = 15). BOLD activation and performance were measured during an executive function task involving planning abilities (Tower of London) and a paired associates task for assessment of episodic memory. For the chemo group versus the control group, we found hyporesponsiveness of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the Tower of London, and of parahippocampal gyrus in the paired associates task. Also, the chemo group showed significantly impaired planning performance and borderline significantly impaired recognition memory as compared to findings in the control group. Whole‐brain analyses demonstrated hyporesponsiveness of the chemo versus the control group in very similar regions of bilateral posterior parietal cortex during both the Tower of London and the paired associates task. Neuropsychological testing showed a relatively stable pattern of cognitive impairment in the chemo group over time. These results indicate that high‐dose adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with long‐term cognitive impairments. These impairments are underpinned by (a) task‐specific hyporesponsiveness of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus, and (b) a generalized hyporesponsiveness of lateral posterior parietal cortex encompassing attentional processing. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sunbed use during adolescence and early adulthood is associated with increased risk of early‐onset melanoma
Authors: Cust Anne E. , Armstrong Bruce K. , Goumas Chris , Jenkins Mark A. , Schmid Helen , Hopper John L. , Kefford Richard F. , Giles Graham G. , Aitken Joanne F. , Mann Graham J.
Published: July 2010

Sunbed use is associated with increased risk of melanoma. Younger people might be more susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of ultraviolet radiation. We investigated the association between sunbed use and risk of early‐onset cutaneous malignant melanoma. From the Australian Melanoma Family Study, a multicentre, population‐based, case‐control‐family study, we analysed data for 604 cases diagnosed between ages 18 and 39 years and 479 controls. Data were collected by interview. Associations were estimated as odds ratios (ORs) using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, city, education, family history, skin color, usual skin response to sunlight and sun exposure. Compared with having never used a sunbed, the OR for melanoma associated with ever‐use was 1.41 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.96), and 2.01 (95% CI 1.22–3.31) for more than 10 lifetime sessions (Ptrend 0.01 with cumulative use). The association was stronger for earlier age at first use (Ptrend 0.02). The association was also stronger for melanoma diagnosed when aged 18–29 years (OR for more than 10 lifetime sessions = 6.57, 95% CI 1.41–30.49) than for melanoma diagnosed when 30–39 years (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.92–2.77; Pinteraction 0.01). Among those who had ever used a sunbed and were diagnosed between 18 and 29 years of age, three quarters (76%) of melanomas were attributable to sunbed use. Sunbed use is associated with increased risk of early‐onset melanoma, with risk increasing with greater use, an earlier age at first use and for earlier onset disease.
A population‐based assessment of mortality and morbidity patterns among patients with thymoma
Authors: Gadalla Shahinaz M. , Rajan Arun , Pfeiffer Ruth , Kristinsson Sigurdur Y. , Björkholm Magnus , Landgren Ola , Giaccone Giuseppe
Published: July 2010

Thymomas are rare tumors of the mediastinum; a limited number of small studies have evaluated the outcomes in these patients. We identified 668 patients with thymoma from the Swedish Cancer Registry, and 2,719 population‐based matched controls. We obtained information on autoimmunity from the nationwide inpatient/outpatient hospital discharge Registry. We constructed Kaplan‐Meier curves for survival analysis, conditional regression and Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association between thymoma and autoimmune diseases, and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) to evaluate the risk for second cancers following thymoma. Compared with controls, patients with benign or malignant thymoma had a poorer (p < 0.001) 5‐year (79%, 53% vs. 91%), 10‐year (65%, 39% vs. 78%) and 20‐year (43%, 18% vs. 55%) overall survival. For thymoma patients, younger age at diagnosis and being diagnosed in recent years were associated with a better survival. Compared with controls, thymoma patients were more likely to have an autoimmune disease at some point during their lives (32.7% vs. 2.4%, respectively, p < 0.001), most frequently myasthenia gravis (24.5%), systemic lupus erythematosus (2.4%) and red cell aplasia (1.2%). Thymoma patients had twofold excess risk for second cancers compared with the general population, most notably: non‐melanoma skin cancer (SIR = 10.6, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 6.0–17.3), non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR = 6.8, 95% CI = 3.00–13.0), and cervical (SIR = 6.9, 95% CI = 1.4–20.1), endocrine (SIR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.3–12.0), and prostate cancer (SIR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.7–4.8). Despite the improved survival for thymoma patients over time, they have worse survival than controls. Thymoma patients are in need for follow‐up to detect and manage autoimmune diseases and cancer.
The multifaceted effects of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor in immunomodulation and potential roles in intestinal immune homeostasis
Authors: Martins Andrew , Han Jiahuai , Kim Sung O.
Published: July 2010

The three colony‐stimulating factors, granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF), and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), have been regarded as immunostimulators because of their role in granulocyte and myeloid hematopoiesis and immune function. However, unlike GM‐CSF and M‐CSF, G‐CSF possesses immunosuppressive effects on other immune cells including monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, and T lymphocytes when exogenously administered. Given the immunomodulatory effects of exogenous G‐CSF, endogenous G‐CSF may also play an important role in maintaining local immune homeostasis in tissue in which it is highly and constitutively produced. This review highlights the potential role of G‐CSF in immunomodulation and intestinal immune homeostasis. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(8): 611–617, 2010.
Bisphenol‐A can bind to human glucocorticoid receptor as an agonist: an in silico study
Authors: Prasanth G. K. , Divya L. M. , Sadasivan C.
Published: July 2010

Bisphenol‐A (BPA) is a primary monomer in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA may be released into the environment following its formation via hydrolysis of ester bonds of the polymers. It has been detected in human plasma, placenta, amniotic fluid, amniotic chord, urine and saliva. BPA disrupts normal cell function by acting as an estrogen agonist as well as an androgen antagonist. The present study was carried out to investigate whether BPA can bind to human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and elucidate its mode of interaction. BPA has been successfully docked in silico into the ligand binding site of GR using the program Discovery Studio 2.0. The structure has been compared with other agonist and antagonist bound structures of GR. It is found that the mode of interactions and binding energy of BPA were similar to that of DEXA and cortisol, two known agonists of GR. This reveals that BPA can bind to GR as an agonist. Hence, BPA may produce biological effects similar to that produced by glucocorticoids. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olfactory impairment in Parkinson's disease and white matter abnormalities in central olfactory areas: A voxel‐based diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Ibarretxe‐Bilbao Naroa , Junque Carme , Marti Maria‐Jose , Valldeoriola Francesc , Vendrell Pere , Bargallo Nuria , Zarei Mojtaba , Tolosa Eduardo
Published: July 2010

Olfactory dysfunction is known to occur before the appearance of the classical motor signs in Parkinson's disease (PD) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies in PD have reported fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions in the early disease stages. We aimed to investigate the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and white matter (WM) FA of central olfactory areas in early PD. Twenty‐four patients at Hoehn and Yahr stages I and II and 24 healthy controls matched by age, gender and years of education participated in this study. DTI was acquired at a 3 Tesla scanner and odor identification was assessed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). We performed FA voxelwise group comparisons in the central olfactory structures using tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS) and correlation analyses between FA values in these central olfactory areas and UPSIT scores. Patients with severe microsmia (UPSIT between 19 and 25) and anosmia (UPSIT lower or equal to 18) had lower FA values than PD patients with mild/moderate or no olfactory dysfunction (UPSIT between 26 and 40) and healthy controls in the WM adjacent to gyrus rectus. In addition, patients with anosmia had reduced FA in the WM surrounding primary olfactory areas in comparison with healthy controls. FA values in the WM adjacent to primary olfactory cortex and right gyrus rectus correlated with UPSIT scores in the PD group. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that microstructural WM reductions are present in the central olfactory system of early stage PD patients and that these reductions are associated with reduced ability to smell. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society