bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of botulism outbreaks in gulls (Larus ridibundus) on the Watershed Management of Lake Kinneret (Israel)
Authors: Gophen M. , Cohen A. , Grinberg K. , Pokamunski S. , Nili E. , Wynne D. , Yawetz A. , Dotan A. , Zook‐Rimon Z. , Ben‐Shlomo M. , Ortenberg Z.
Published: October 2006

Lake Kinneret (Israel), which currently supplies 30% of the national water demands (of which 50% is for domestic purposes), is also utilized for commercial fishery, recreation, and tourism. The measures taken to prevent pollution include, among others, sewage and fish pond waste removal, and burial of industrial and household solid wastes at established garbage dumps. On January 13, 1985, hundreds of dead and moribund gulls (Larus ridibundus) were observed on the shoreline and water surface at the northwest part of the lake, and around the northern garbage dump site. Sick birds exhibited signs that the nervous system was involved, i.e., paralysis of the wings and of the feet, and limberneck. Routine analyses ruled out the possibility that the poisoning was due to pesticides or an infective agent. Botulism intoxication was suspected and type C‐botulism toxin was identified in the serum of moribund birds. This is the first record of a botulism outbreak in waterfowl in Israel. The total mortality was approximately 3000–4000 gulls, of which 1200 dead birds were collected and burnt. Investigations revealed that at a garbage dump situated in the vicinity of the lake, waste products of a chicken slaughter house were not buried as required by formal regulations. Examination of lake water, sediments, and vegetations for possible contamination by botulism toxin were negative. The implications of the outbreak on the environment are discussed.
Microbial enzyme activity and biomass relationships in soil ecotoxicology
Authors: Lanza Guy R. , Dougherty Joel M.
Published: October 2006

Multispecies toxicity testing is emerging as a useful tool in ecotoxicological assessments. Understanding the relationship between soil microbial biomass levels and microbial enzyme activities (MEA) is basic to clarifying ecotoxicity effects and bioremediation potential in soil systems.

Saturated subsurface soils were exposed to fluctuating concentrations of a mixture of 1‐choromethyl‐2‐methyl naphthalene, phenothiazine and 2,4,2′4′‐tetrachlorobiphenyl. An enzyme suite composed of dehydrogenase, amylase, esterase, alkaline phosphatase, and protease was monitored, along with simultaneous biomass estimates using total plate counts for facultative aerobes and anaerobes, acridine orange direct counts (AODC) for total bacteria, and endogenous protein. Results indicate that quantitative biomass levels (AODC) remained relatively constant. Mean log10 values of AODC biomass reached a plateau between 6.45 (±0.15) and 7.06 (±0.10) with coefficients of variation <3.0. AODC adjusted to biovolume carbon estimates indicated that bacterial organic carbon could represent 0.03 and 0.35% of the mean measured levels of total organic carbon depending on the number of cells and the volume of each cell in μm3. Multivariate statistical analyses identified significant correlations among some MEA, biomass measurements, and chemical pollutants. The general implications of these results to ecosystem function and bioremediation potential are discussed.
Tumor promotion and liver injury caused by oral consumption of cyanobacteria
Authors: Falconer Ian R.
Published: October 2006

Water supply reservoirs in many countries are now affected by intermittent water blooms of cyanobacteria. During 1989 a significant number of domestic supply reservoirs in the United Kingdom developed copious blankets of Microcystis, and pet and sheep deaths were reported due to swimming in or drinking the water. In Australia there are annual blooms of Anabaena and Microcystis in natural lakes and supply reservoirs, many of which are toxic. Studies of epidemics and individual cases of gastroenteritis and hepatitis due to cyanobacterial blooms have been reported from North America, Africa, and Australia. Our studies of the effect of low‐concentration oral consumption of Microcystis on mice have shown progressive liver injury with leucocyte invasion and hepatocyte death. Measurements of liver injury in a human population exposed to Microcystis in the domestic water supply indicate similar damage. Recent research has concentrated on the possible tumor‐promoting activity of oral consumption of cyanobacterial extracts. A group of mice given dilute Microcystis for one year showed more spontaneous tumors at the highest concentration of cyanobacterial extract. Mice stimulated to grow skin tumors by topical application of dimethylbenzanthracene showed a significantly greater weight of tumors in one group given a Microcystis extract to drink. A comparable group given an Anabaena extract in their drinking water showed no stimulation of tumor growth.
Estimating the toxicity of chlorinated organic compounds using A multiparameter bacterial bioassay
Authors: Pill Kenneth G. , Kupillas Gregory E. , Picardal Flynn W. , Arnold Robert G.
Published: October 2006

A battery of microbial tests that included contemporary measurement of specific growth rate, intracellular ATP level, and respiration rate proved capable of distinguishing among toxicants that acted primarily as (a) catabolic inhibitors, (b) uncouplers, and (c) inhibitors of biosynthetic processes. The concentration of chlorinated phenols and ethanes that produced a 50% reduction in specific growth rate (ECk50) provided the most useful single‐parameter indication of relative chemical toxicity generated within the test battery.

Among the chlorinated ethanes tested, toxicity resulted from nonspecific chemical interactions with bacterial membranes, as indicated by correlation between toxicity (ECk50) and measures of lipophilicity. The ECk50 value for 1,2‐dichloroethane was 8.5 × 10−3M as compared to 1.7 × 10−4M for the more hydrophobic pentachloroethane. Intermediate ECk50 values were obtained for 1,1,1‐trichloroethane and 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane. For a comparable degree of lipophilicity, the chlorinated phenols were about an order of magnitude more toxic than chlorinated ethanes. ECk50 values for Spirochaeta aurantia at pH 7 ranged from 1.3 × 10−3M for 2‐chlorophenol to 9.4 × 10−6M for penta‐chlorophenol. There was indirect evidence that the toxicity of chlorinated phenols arises from both specific and nonspecific chemical interactions with bacterial membranes.

The test battery proved capable of distinguishing among the relative toxicities of the chemicals tested at least as well as other bioassay procedures including Microtox and Daphnia‐based tests. However, ECk50 was less sensitive than parametric measures of chemical toxicity generated via other procedures.
The evaluation of bacterial biosensors for screening of water pollutants
Authors: van Hoof François M. , de Jonghe Els G. , Briers Michael G. , Hansen Peter D. , Pluta Hans J. , Rawson David M. , Wilmer Allison J.
Published: October 2006

Bacterial biosensors incorporating the cyanobacterium Synechoccus as the biocatalyst have been evaluated by three laboratories as potential biomonitors for detecting water pollutants. The biosensors were capable of detecting at low concentrations herbicides that interact with photosynthetic electron transfer chains. Statistical evaluation of the interlaboratory comparison results for linuron and atrazine indicated that these compounds can be detected rapidly at 50 μg/L concentrations.
Comparative assessment of herbicide phytotoxicity to Selenastrum capricornutum using microplate and flask bioassay procedures
Authors: St‐Laurent D. , Blaise C. , Macquarrie P. , Scroggins R. , Trottier B.
Published: October 2006

Four reference toxicants (Cr6+, Cu2+, Zn2+, phenol) and 9 herbicides (imazamethabenz, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, picloram, glyphosate, bromoxynil, metolachlor, diquat dibromide, hexazinone, cyanazine) were appraised using both the microplate and flask assay Ninety‐six hour EC50s determined with Selenastrum capricornutum as the indicator species essentially demonstrated good intermethodological data concordance for all chemicals, with the exception of diquat dibromide, whose phytotoxicity in the microplate assay (EC50 = 4.9 μg · L−1) was nearly 7 times that of the flask assay (EC50 = 34.2 μg · L−1). Comparisons with other data in the scientific literature relating to similar herbicides with the same or different green algal indicator species appeared to corroborate the overall data obtained in our study. More than 4 orders of magnitude separated the most toxic (cyanazine, flask, and microplate EC50s of 17.6 and 16.9 μg · L−1, respectively) and the least toxic (imazamethabenz, flask, and microplate EC50s of 89.1 and 91.1 mg · L−1, respectively) herbicides. The biprocedural phytotoxicity comparison described in this work suggests that the simpler algal microplate assay can be an appropriate alternative to the flask technique to evaluate the algal growth inhibition effects of herbicides.
The effects of bayluscide and malathion on the mortality and infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae
Authors: Tchounwou P. B. , Englande A. J. , Malek E. A. , Greer G. J. , Anderson A. C.
Published: October 2006

Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of bayluscide and malathion on the mortality and infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Mortality of cercariae varied with time of exposure and concentration of tested chemicals. The LC5, LC50, and LC95 for bayluscide were 0.04, 0.07, and 0.10 ppm after 2 h of exposure; 0.03, 0.04, and 0.06 ppm after 4 h of exposure; and 0.02, 0.03, and 0.05 ppm after 6 h of exposure, respectively. Malathion gave LC5, LC50, and LC95 values of 59.16, 107.07, and 193.78 ppm after 2 h of exposure; and 39.79, 69.36, and 120.89 ppm after 4 h of exposure, respectively. Sublethal concentrations of bayluscide and malathion significantly reduced the rate of infection of laboratory mice by S. mansoni cercariae (p < 0.01). Approximately 1.50 and 0.00% of adult worms were recovered by autopsy of mice whose cercariae were preexposed for only 1 h to 0.04 ppm of bayluscide and 50.00 ppm of malathion, respectively. These results clearly show that bayluscide is much more toxic to cercariae than to snail intermediate hosts cited in the literature, and that malathion possesses some cercaricidal properties at concentrations expected to be achieved in the field.
Precision of the nitocra spinipes acute toxicity test and the effect of salinity on toxicity of the reference toxicant potassium bichromate
Authors: Dave GÖRan , Björnestad Estelle , Efraimsen Harry , Tarkpea Maria
Published: October 2006

The precision of the 96‐h LC50 test with the eurohaline copepod Nitocra spinipes was evaluated from a data set containing 85 tests with the reference toxicant potassium bichromate conducted at 12 laboratories during a 12‐year period. The overall mean was 30 mg/L as K2Cr2O7 with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 47% (N = 85). Since salinity differed between tests (7–33 o/oo), it explained part of the variation (ca. 25%; Pearson two‐tailed test r = 0.49; p = 0.0000; N = 85). The effect of salinity on Cr(VI) toxicity was confirmed in an experiment with 4 salinities (3.4, 6.8, 14.6, and 27 o/oo) and was explained to 99% by the equation 96‐h LC50 (mg/L) = 2.58 + 1.79 × salinity (o/oo). Intralaboratory CVs for corresponding salinities ranged from 8 to 35% (repeatability). Interlaboratory CVs at two salinities were 42% (N = 11) at 7–9 o/oo and 47% (N = 4) at 15–16 o/oo. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Toxicity potential of a textile dye toward the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum ISU
Authors: Shukla S. P. , Gupta G. S.
Published: October 2006

The impact of graded concentrations (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg L−1) of Omega Chrome Red ME, a common dye used in woollen, carpet, and textile industries, on protein production, pigment content, and photosynthetic oxygen evolution in a diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum ISU, was studied. All concentrations were found to be inhibitory, with lower concentrations (5 mg L−1) producing a negligible effect, while higher concentrations produced a dramatic decrease in the parameters observed. The highest concentration of dye tested (20 mg L−1) resulted in a decrease in protein, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, and carotenoid content of 82.20, 82.69, 46.20 and 41% of control, respectively. Photosynthetic oxygen evolution was decreased by 83.50% of control at the highest dye concentration. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
Comparative studies on cytotoxicity of micropollutants in water: Principle of cytotoxicity matrix
Authors: Utsumi Hideo , Kiyoshige Koji , Shimbara Satoko , Hamada Akira
Published: October 2006

Cytotoxicities were investigated with chemicals including pesticides, industrial materials, and chlorination by‐products using colony formation inhibition of L‐929 cells and membrane damage of “liposomes” to develop the simple bioassays for estimation of human hazardous micropollutants in water. Some chemicals including pesticides and chlorination by‐products strongly inhibited colony formation of L‐929 cells, and the inhibition was dose dependent. But most cytotoxic substances did not increase membrane permeability of liposomes, suggesting that Cytotoxicity of these chemicals does not arise from direct damage of cell membranes. The IC10 and IC50,10 and 50% inhibition concentrations, were obtained from the dose‐response curve of colony formation. The IC10 showed good correlation (r = 0.75) to LD50 of rat by intraperitoneal administration but not to those by oral administration.

The results were compared to those with viability of HL‐60 cells, phagocytic activity of mice peritoneal macrophages, glycogenolysis, and LDH release of rat liver hepatocytes. The susceptibilities were largely different among these Cytotoxicity tests, and the colony formation inhibition test gave similar results to the viability of HL‐60 cells. The principle of “cytotcxicity matrix” was developed from the comparison of cytotoxicities for each chemical. The characteristic relation was found between the chemical structure and the pattern of the Cytotoxicity matrix, indicating that the Cytotoxicity matrix may be useful for predicting the origin and nature of micropollutants. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
Persistence of cyclic peptide toxins in dried Microcystis aeruginosa crusts from lake Mokoan, Australia
Authors: Jones Gary J. , Falconer Ian R. , Wilkins Richard M.
Published: October 2006

Dried Microcystis aeruginosa Kuetzing emend. Elenkin crusts estimated to be 5–6 months old from the shore of Lake Mokoan were toxic by mouse bioassay (LD100 100–140 mg dry wt/kg mouse). Fresh bloom material from the lake was also highly toxic (LD100 25–35 mg dry wt/kg mouse). Microcystin high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles of the crust and fresh material were very similar, with 24 compounds having UV spectra consistent with microcystin LR. Five of the major microcystins were purified and analysed by electrospray/mass spectrometry. The molecular weights of these microcystins [910, 924, 982, 982 (two compounds), and 986] do not correspond with known microcystins. All five compounds were hepatotoxic to mice with LD100 values ranging from 85 to 140 μg microcystin/kg mouse). Total microcystin contents (expressed as microcystin LR aquivalents) determined by HPLC correlated with the mouse bioassay analyses (crust 2.1 μg microcystin/mg dry wt; fresh 4.1 μg microcystin/mg dry wt). These results suggest that microcystin is protected from degradation while encapsulated within the dried Microcystis crusts. Leaching experiments demonstrated that re‐wetting of the crust material leads to rapid release of microcystins into the surrounding water. These observations have important management implications for lakes and reservoirs where crusts of cyanobacterial material form on the shoreline. © by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comparison of gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains cloned with different types of luciferase genes in bioluminescence cytotoxicity tests
Authors: Lampinen Jorma , Virta Marko , Karp Matti
Published: October 2006

The bacterial bioluminescence assay is widely used to estimate chemical cytotoxicity. This assay is performed most often by using luminescent bacteria Vibrio fisheri NRRL‐B‐11177 (earlier cited as Photobacterium phosphoreum NRRL‐B‐11177) as a test organism. In this work we have used cloned gram(+) and gram(−) bacterial strains for the evaluation of chemical toxicity. Two types of luciferase genes were used as reporter genes, one of which was ATP‐dependent eukaryotic luciferase from Pyrophorus plagiophthalamus and the other was FMN‐dependent bacterial luciferase from Vibrio harveyi. These cloned strains were used to evaluate the effects of differences in cell wall structures in the bioluminescence cytotoxicity test using small molecular weight toxic chemicals as model compounds. The strains were found to have remarkably similar behavior and sensitivity toward test toxicants regardless of rather different kinds of membrane structure. However, the eukaryotic luciferase was found in every aspect more useful in toxicity tests than bacterial luciferase mainly because of increased sensitivity and ease of operation. The general behavior of the light emission is described and several aspects affecting the usefulness of the strains are discussed. © by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Assessment of water quality problems due to microbial growth in drinking water distribution systems
Authors: Augoustinos M. T. , Venter S. N. , Kfir R.
Published: October 2006

The microbiological quality of water in the potable water distribution system of a major South African metropolitan area was studied. Water samples were collected from private houses, apartment buildings, and public institutions over a period of two years. Total coliform bacteria were isolated from 33% of the water samples, of which 10% exceeded the South African recommended guidelines. Fecal coliform bacteria were isolated from 10% of the samples tested. Twenty‐five different fungal cultures were isolated. The dominant bacteria found were of the genus Bacillus. Other organisms were Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, Aeromonas, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, and Escherichia coli. Legionella bacteria were isolated occasionally. Higher bacterial counts were found in apartment buildings than in private houses. The age of the plumbing system was also found to result in potable water of a poorer microbial quality. © by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Assessment of genotoxic potential of pulp mill effluent and an effluent fraction using ames mutagenicity and Umu‐C genotoxicity assays
Authors: Rao Salem S. , Burnison B. Kent , Efler S. , Wittekindt Elisabeth , Hansen Peter D. , Rokosh David A.
Published: October 2006

The Ames Mutagenicity Fluctuation and the Umu‐C genotoxicity bioassays were applied to assess the genotoxic potential in pulp mill effluents and their fractions. Mutagenicity was measured in the filtered effluents and the methanol extract of the diethyl‐amino‐ethyl cellulose. (DEAE) adsorbed materials by the Ames Fluctuation assay. The Umu‐C genotoxicity assay was applied only to the methanol extract of the DEAE adsorbed materials. Data indicate that the majority of the mutagenic substances from the filtered effluent were adsorbed by the DEAE cellulose and were effectively recovered with methanol. Approximately 1/3n to 1/6 of the materials in the effluent passed through the DEAE cellulose. The responses of the test organisms to genotoxic substances in the methanol extract fractions were comparable, suggesting that either one of these two bioassays could be used in screening pulp and paper effluents for genotoxicity. © by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas from German mineral waters
Authors: Rosenberg F. A. , Duquino H. Hernandez
Published: October 2006

Eighty‐seven different mineral waters available for purchase in the Federal Republic of Germany were tested for the presence of heterotrophic bacteria and, specifically, antibiotic‐resistant Pseudomonas species. Waters lacking carbon dioxide and Heilwasser (waters often prescribed for a variety of ailments) tended to show the highest numbers of bacteria. Eighty‐one isolates of Pseudomonas were obtained from 39 samples of mineral water. Of the 9 species found, P. cepacia and P. maltophilia, most commonly associated with nosocomial infections, made up 13. 6% of the isolates. These 2 species also showed the highest resistance to the ten antibiotics used in the study. A comparison of antibiotic resistance patterns between mineral water and clinical isolates from the Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover, shows a higher similarity than that between mineral water and Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) isolates. With the exception of P. pseudoalcaligenes, all mineral water isolates showed basically 100% resistance to cefoxitin and were highly resistant to ampicillin. Only 1 of 81 isolates (1. 2%) was resistant to tobramycin, although 2 isolates of P. cepacia showed intermediate resistance to this drug. Though no P. aeruginosa were found in any of the samples, the presence of species associated with nosocomial infections and highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics suggests that careful thought be given to the routine ingestion of mineral water by compromised individuals and those with underlying disease.
Kinetics and effect of moisture content and preincubation on the decomposition of 14C‐labeled herbicides in soil
Authors: Stenström John
Published: October 2006

The kinetics and the influence of soil moisture content (MC) on the mineralization of 14C‐labeled linuron were investigated at 15 different MCs in the range from air‐dried soil to 100% of the water‐holding capacity (WHC). For all MCs used, the data on the liberated amount of 14C (x) were initially described by Eq. (1) x = k1t + a—after which the data were described by Eq. (2) x = k2t1/2 + b—where t is time, k1 and k2 are rate constants, and a and b are constants. The rate constants k1 and k2 for MCs < 100% of WHC were mathematically described by the equation k = l + m. MC12, where k is either of the rate constants, l is a constant that can account for a threshold value of MC below which no decomposition occurs, and m is a constant. The validity of this equation for first‐order rate constants was tested by using data from the literature. The kinetics of mineralization of 14C‐labeled glyphosate were investigated by adding glyphosate after different times of preincubation (tp) of a previously frozen soil. An initial phase of 11 days linear with t [Eq. (1)] was obtained when the herbicide was added immediately after the thawing, after which a phase linear with t1/2 [Eq. (2)] ensued. The length of the initial phase decreased and k1 increased with increasing tp, and for tp ≥ 8 days the initial phase could not be confirmed. The following phase was almost unaffected by the preincubation. Thus, the phases represented by Eqs. (1) and (2) are separate, since they can be affected independently of each other. It is suggested that the initial phase is an induction phase, or lag phase, which reflects the disturbances introduced by handling the soil, and that the second phase is the steady state.
Use of Escherichia coli cloned with genes encoding bacterial luciferase for evaluation of chemical toxicity
Authors: Lampinen Jorma , Korpela Matti , Saviranta Petri , Kroneld Rolf , Karp Matti
Published: October 2006

A method for evaluation of toxicity of aqueous solutions is described based on the use of genetically engineered Escherichia coli. The genes encoding bacterial luciferase have been cloned from Vibrio harveyi to a deep rough mutant of E. coli under the control of the lac promoter. Light production by this strain has been stabilized by optimizing several parameters having an effect on the gene expression. Toxicity measurements were performed for selected metals and organic solvents to determine the sensitivity of the test strain. Effective concentrations calculated from these measurements show that this method has a sensitivity equal to other normally used methods. The test can be performed using buffers with low ionic strength without any significant change in the stability of the light emitted. Moreover, the method does not necessitate the use of special equipment or skills.
Combination of single‐species laboratory tests for the assessment of the ecotoxicity of p‐Benzoquinone
Authors: Devillers J. , Steiman R. , Seigle‐Murandi F. , Prévot P. , André C. , Benoit‐Guyod J. L.
Published: October 2006

The combination of 15 single‐species laboratory tests (6 bacteria, 1 Dinoflagellate, 5 yeasts, 2 Crustacea, and 1 fish) was used for the assessment of the ecotoxicological effects of p‐benzoquinone. Marked differences were observed in the susceptibility among the species since the toxicity values were ranged between 0.020 mg/L (Photobacterium phosphoreum) and >700 mg/L (Candida parapsilosis). These results support the philosophy that for assessing toxicity more thoroughly, a battery of several tests carried out with organisms occupying different trophic levels in the environment is required.
Conservation of water cycle on land via restoration of natural closed‐canopy forests: implications for regional landscape planning
Authors: Makarieva Anastassia M. , Gorshkov Victor G. , Li Bai‐Lian
Published: October 2006

Investigating the role of forests for maintenance of the water cycle on land is critically important in the current situation of rapid global elimination of the natural vegetation cover. In this paper we contribute to the on‐going discussion of the issue with two aspects. (1) Theoretical consideration of the water cycle on land reveals the importance of correct identification of independent and dependent terms in the water budget with respect to changing vegetation cover for understanding possible scenarios of water cycle change under anthropogenic impact. An important controlling influence of the vegetation cover is imposed on the outgoing fluxes of atmospheric moisture A− from land to the ocean, which is maximized in deserts and minimized in forested areas, while the dependencies for runoff and precipitation are the reverse. (2) Physical mechanisms allowing for efficient water retention and minimization of A− in forest ecosystems are investigated. Atmospheric water vapor is in aerostatic equilibrium when the temperature lapse rate is less than G = 1.9 K km−1 and out of aerostatic equilibrium when G > 1.9 K km−1. In the former case there are no vertical upward fluxes of the evaporated water. It is shown that the temperature profiles developed under the closed canopies of natural forests keep water vapor in aerostatic equilibrium preventing soil moisture loss to A−, in contrast to the situation in open ecosystems like grasslands. The analyzed evidence allows one to conclude that an intensive water cycle on land can be restored after recovery of natural, self‐sustained closed canopy ecosystems on continent‐wide areas.
Identification and functional analysis of bifunctional ent‐kaurene synthase from the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Hayashi Ken-ichiro , Kawaide Hiroshi , Notomi Miho , Sakigi Yuka , Matsuo Akihiko , Nozaki Hiroshi
Published: October 2006

ent‐Kaurene is the key intermediate in biosynthesis of gibberellins (GAs), plant hormones. In higher plants, ent‐kaurene is synthesized successively by copalyl diphosphate synthase (CPS) and ent‐kaurene synthase (KS) from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGDP). On the other hand, fungal ent‐kaurene synthases are bifunctional cyclases with both CPS and KS activity in a single polypeptide. The moss Physcomitrella patens is a model organism for the study of genetics and development in an early land plant. We identified ent‐kaurene synthase (PpCPS/KS) from P. patens and analyzed its function. PpCPS/KS cDNA encodes a 101‐kDa polypeptide, and shows high similarity with CPSs and abietadiene synthase from higher plants. PpCPS/KS is a bifunctional cyclase and, like fungal CPS/KS, directly synthesizes the ent‐kaurene skeleton from GGDP. PpCPS/KS has two aspartate‐rich DVDD and DDYFD motifs observed in CPS and KS, respectively. The mutational analysis of two conserved motifs in PpCPS/KS indicated that the DVDD motif is responsible for CPS activity (GGDP to CDP) and the DDYFD motif for KS activity (CDP to ent‐kaurene and ent‐16α‐hydroxykaurene).
Delayed Rupture of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon Following Intramedullary Nailing of a Radial Fracture in a Child
Authors: STAHL S. , CALIF E. , EIDELMAN M.
Published: October 2006

This case reports another cause of delayed rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon in children following radial fracture management, due to attrition over a protruding nail end after elastic stable intramedullary nailing using the technique recommended to allow nail removal.
God and counterpossibles
Authors: DAVIS RICHARD BRIAN
Published: October 2006

In this paper I critically examine Brian Leftow's attempt to construct a theistic semantics for counterpossibles, one that can be used to make sense of the fact that propositions, which exist necessarily, nevertheless depend on God as their cause. I argue that the impressive theoretical framework erected by Leftow cannot guarantee an asymmetrical dependence of propositions on God, and ultimately leads to a semantic collapse in which every counterpossible comes out false. I end by defending an alternative account of God and propositions – what I call ‘theistic existentialism’. It is shown how this account underwrites a semantics for counterpossibles that conveniently avoids the problems attending Leftow's theory.
I'm no soul, man: a response to Baltimore
Authors: CORCORAN KEVIN
Published: October 2006

Joseph Baltimore argues that the account of postmortem survival I offered five years ago fails, based on the plausible assertion that identity is a relation that each thing necessarily stands in to itself. I believe that Baltimore is mistaken when he claims that the account I offer violates the necessity of identity, and also mistaken when he asserts that the account I offer cannot satisfy Noonan's ‘only x and y principle’.
The lady was al demonyak: historical aspects of Adverb all
Authors: BUCHSTALLER ISABELLE , TRAUGOTT ELIZABETH CLOSS
Published: October 2006

In this diachronic study, we shed light on the development of the functions and structural properties of Adverb all, and suggest that degree modifiers in general should be analyzed in similar terms. We show that the harmonic relationship between Adverb all and its head is best accounted for in terms of boundedness rather than gradability (see Kennedy & McNally, 2005; Paradis, 2001). The stability over a millennium of indeterminacy between bounded and unbounded readings of Adverb all + head sequences, and of the ambiguity in many contexts between Adverb and Quantifier-floated all, shows that a division of labor over time between ambiguous meanings is not necessary (Geeraerts, 1997). Despite its long history, Adverb all has been treated as conversational or an innovation (Bäcklund, 1973; Waksler, 2001). We address the question why certain items like all come to be stereotyped as ‘new’ when in fact they are not.
Global thermosphere‐ionosphere response to onset of 20 November 2003 magnetic storm
Authors: Crowley G. , Hackert C. L. , Meier R. R. , Strickland D. J. , Paxton L. J. , Pi X. , Mannucci A. , Christensen A. B. , Morrison D. , Bust G. S. , Roble R. G. , Curtis N. , Wene G.
Published: October 2006

There is great interest in understanding how the thermosphere‐ionosphere system responds to geomagnetic storms. New insights are possible using the new generation of fully coupled three‐dimensional models, together with extensive ionospheric databases. The period of postsolar maximum geomagnetic storms in October and November 2003 were some of the largest storms ever recorded. In this paper, we explore how the thermosphere‐ionosphere system responded to the onset of the 20 November 2003 geomagnetic storm, using the NCAR TIMEGCM. The model simulates dramatic changes in the thermospheric equatorward winds, O/N2, and corresponding ionospheric electron densities. The model is used as a framework to interpret an increase in the observed ionospheric total electron content, and F region electron density, in the European and North African sector, in terms of changes in the neutral gas. Corresponding compositional effects observed by the GUVI instrument on the TIMED satellite lend credence to the model results. We describe some of the important physical processes that will affect planning for the utilization of measurements from the Geospace investigations in NASA's Living With a Star Program. The study illustrates the value of measuring both the neutral and ionized gases, of obtaining quasi‐global views from imaging instruments, and the synergy between satellite data, ground‐based measurements, and models.
Statistical study of effect of solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements on dawn‐to‐dusk ring current asymmetry
Authors: Shi Y. , Zesta E. , Lyons L. R. , Yumoto K. , Kitamura K.
Published: October 2006

In this paper, we statistically investigate the effect of solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements on the dawn‐to‐dusk ring current asymmetry by examining disturbances of the ASY‐H index and low‐latitude and midlatitude ground asymmetric perturbations in the north‐south (H) component of the geomagnetic field during 186 events occurring from 1 June 2003 to 30 September 2004. Both storm time and nonstorm time events are included. It is found that a pressure enhancement further intensifies the ring current asymmetry provided that the ring current is already asymmetric at the time of the onset of the pressure enhancement. This effect strongly depends on the IMF Bz conditions prior to the pressure enhancement. Generally, for negative IMF Bz, pressure enhancements further increase the ring current asymmetry. This effect also depends on the strength of the pressure enhancement. Under the same IMF Bz conditions, the stronger the pressure enhancement is, the stronger the intensification of the asymmetric ring current is. The IMF Bz conditions during a pressure enhancement play a similar role to that of the IMF Bz preconditioning. The results further show that midlatitude H perturbations around the local noon or midnight region as well as the ASY‐H index often include significant contribution from field‐aligned currents, e.g., the region 1 (R1) or region 2 (R2) currents or the substorm current wedge.
Simulation of wind‐blown sand movement and probability density function of liftoff velocities of sand particles
Authors: Huang Ning , Zheng Xiao Jing , Zhou You‐He , Van Pelt R. Scott
Published: October 2006

Accurately describing the probability density function (PDF) of liftoff or initial velocities of wind‐blown sand ejecting from a sand bed is fundamental to understanding the mechanisms of wind‐blown sand movement. Our objective was to investigate the efficacy of developing the PDF of liftoff velocities based on wind tunnel measurements of sand flux and wind speed profile. On the basis of experimental results an optimization algorithm to numerically search for the PDF was developed by multiobjective optimization associated with the saltation model. Through fitting all sets of the PDF numerical results of optimization with the least squares method an empirical formula of the PDF was obtained. To show the efficacy and accuracy of the formula of the PDF obtained using this approach, simulations of the sand flux and wind speed profile using selected PDFs of liftoff velocities were performed with the developed function and functions previously proposed by other researchers. By comparing the suite of predicted PDFs with the experimental measurements we found that although all the predictions agree reasonably well with the measured data, the method proposed herein for obtaining the PDF in this paper results in a more accurate PDF for predicting sand flux and wind speed profile than other tested functions. These results validate the approach of obtaining the PDF of liftoff velocities based on wind tunnel measurements.
Quasi‐biennial oscillation and tracer distributions in a coupled chemistry‐climate model
Authors: Tian Wenshou , Chipperfield Martyn P. , Gray Lesley J. , Zawodny Joseph M.
Published: October 2006

We have used a fully coupled chemistry‐climate model (CCM), which generates its own wind and temperature quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO), to study the effect of coupling on the QBO and to examine the QBO signals in stratospheric trace gases, particularly ozone. Radiative coupling of the interactive chemistry to the underlying general circulation model tends to prolong the QBO period and to increase the QBO amplitude in the equatorial zonal wind in the lower and middle stratosphere. The model ozone QBO agrees well with Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II and Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer satellite observations in terms of vertical and latitudinal structure. The model captures the ozone QBO phase change near 28 km over the equator and the column phase change near ±15° latitude. Diagnosis of the model chemical terms shows that variations in NOx are the main chemical driver of the O3 QBO around 35 km, i.e., above the O3 phase change.
Travel cost demand model based river recreation benefit estimates with on‐site and household surveys: Comparative results and a correction procedure—Reevaluation
Authors: Martínez‐Espiñeira Roberto , Amoako‐Tuffour Joe , Hilbe Joseph M.
Published: October 2006

Loomis (2003) reported to have measured the effect of endogenous stratification on benefit estimates resulting from using on‐site data. He compared corrected and uncorrected benefit estimates of water‐based recreation using on‐site sample data and estimates based on data from a household survey. We clarify his analysis and show that his comparison was actually between uncorrected estimates and estimates that corrected for both endogenous stratification and zero truncation. Our reanalysis of Loomis's (2003) on‐site sample data confirms that zero truncation accounts for most of the on‐site sample bias. The properly isolated effect of correcting for endogenous stratification only is much less substantial than reported by Loomis.
Effect of plasmaspheric drainage plumes on solar‐wind/magnetosphere coupling
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E. , Denton Michael H.
Published: October 2006

Evidence is uncovered that plasmaspheric drainage plumes flowing into the dayside reconnection site mass load the reconnection rate and thereby reduce the coupling of the solar wind to the Earth's magnetosphere. Solar‐wind/magnetosphere coupling is statistically analyzed with the 1963–2003 OMNI2 data set matched up with the AE, AU, and PCI geomagnetic indices. Times when plasmaspheric drainage plumes are flowing are discerned using multiple spacecraft with plasma detectors in geosynchronous orbit. It is found that for a given value of −vBz of the solar wind, the geomagnetic indices AE, AU, and PCI are statistically lower when plasmaspheric drainage plumes are present than when plumes are not present. This is taken as a measure of a weakened coupling of the solar wind to the Earth's magnetosphere caused by the plumes. An Addendum examines the effects of polar‐cap saturation on the auroral electrojet index.
Does convectively‐detrained cloud ice enhance water vapor feedback?
Authors: John V. O. , Soden B. J.
Published: October 2006

We demonstrate that coupled Global Climate Models (GCMs) can reproduce observed correlations among ice water path (IWP), upper tropospheric water vapor (UTWV), and sea surface temperature (SST), and that the presence/strength of this correlation has no direct bearing on the strength of water vapor feedback in the model. The models can accurately reproduce a strong positive correlation between IWP and UTWV, a rapid increase of IWP with increasing SST and a 2–3 times increase in the slope of UTWV versus SST for SSTs warmer than ∼300 K. We argue that the relative concentrations of IWP to UTWV in both observations and models is too small to significantly influence the observed moistening of the upper troposphere (UT).
Is there a unique signature in the ULF response to sprite‐associated lightning flashes?
Authors: Bösinger Tilmann , Mika Ágnes , Shalimov Sergei L. , Haldoupis Christos , Neubert Torsten
Published: October 2006

Using observations made by the Finnish chain of pulsation magnetometers, we select typical properties of the ULF response to sprite‐associated lightning events taken from the EuroSprite 2003 summer campaign. We concentrate on frequencies below the Schumann resonance and compare the obtained results with properties obtained from positive cloud‐to‐ground lightning discharges which are not associated with sprites. The latter we take from listings of the Météorage Lightning Detection Network, which correlate with strong impulsive events seen in the Finnish chain. The evidence shows no unique and identifiable ULF signature relating to the sprite causative discharges.
Automatic evaluation of edge profile characteristics in ASDEX Upgrade H-mode density limit discharges with FM-CW reflectometry
Authors: Varela P. , Manso M. E. , Silva A. , Conway G. D. , Horton L. , Suttrop W. ,   the ASDEX Upgrade Team
Published: October 2006

The set of data processing techniques used on ASDEX Upgrade to automatically evaluate edge density profile characteristics from broadband data, obtained with the frequency-modulated continuous-wave reflectometer, has recently been upgraded to include (i) an adaptive algorithm that automatically optimizes the length of the window used in the spectrogram analysis of broadband signals and (ii) a new method to estimate the edge pedestal density based on the evolution of the local derivative of the group delay curve, removing the need for user supplied parameters. These tools are especially important in cases where the group delay of the reflected signals varies significantly in a short probing frequency range, such as when the profile exhibits a density shoulder at the edge. The application of these techniques in ASDEX Upgrade H-mode density limit discharges, to automatically obtain the time evolution of the edge pedestal parameters, namely, its density, position, and width, shows a clear improvement both on the time-frequency resolution of the group delay characteristic and on the detection of the density shoulder.
Multiobjective method for fitting pinhole image intensity profiles of implosion cores driven by a Pareto genetic algorithm
Authors: Nagayama T. , Mancini R. C. , Welser L. A. , Louis S. , Golovkin I. E. , Tommasini R. , Koch J. A. , Izumi N. , Delettrez J. , Marshall F. J. , Regan S. P. , Smalyuk V. , Haynes D. , Kyrala G.
Published: October 2006

We discuss a method for the simultaneous and self-consistent fitting of a set of intensity or emissivity spatial profiles from several narrow-band x-ray pinhole images from argon-doped inertial confinement fusion implosion cores, and the space-integrated line spectrum. A Pareto genetic algorithm (PGA) combines the search and optimization capabilities of a single-objective genetic algorithm with the Pareto domination technique of multiobjective optimization. Further, the PGA search is followed up by a fine-tuning step based on a nonlinear least-squares-minimization procedure. The result is a robust search and reconstruction method that finds the optimal core spatial structure subject to multiple constraints. This method is independent of geometry inversions and could take advantage of not only optically thin but also optically thick image data. Results are shown for two combinations of three-objectives based on gated argon Heβ and Lyβ image data and the line spectrum.
Novel concept of time-of-flight neutron spectrometer for measurement of the D/T burning ratio in the ITER
Authors: Asai K. , Naoi N. , Iguchi T. , Watanabe K. , Kawarabayashi J. , Nishitani T.
Published: October 2006

A time-of-flight (TOF) neutron spectrometer is a candidate for the measurement of the D/T burning ratio in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). In ITER high-power experiments, the TOF system suffers from a high event rate or accidental counts due to high radiation intensities, which is one of several background sources in DD neutron measurement. We herein propose a new neutron spectrometer to apply to the measurement of the D/T burning ratio in the ITER high-power operation region. This system is based on the conventional double-crystal TOF method and consists of a water cell and several pairs of scintillators. A water cell is inserted before the first scintillator of the TOF system and acts as a radiator or neutron scattering material. Because DD neutrons have a larger cross section of elastic scattering with hydrogen than DT neutrons, the elastic scattering in the radiator enhances the relative ratio of DD/DT intensity by approximately three times before entering the TOF system. The enhancement of the relative intensity of DD neutrons makes the detection of DD neutrons easier. The feasibility of this method as a neutron spectrometer has been verified through a preliminary experiment using a DT neutron beam (20mm ϕ) at the Fusion Neutronics Source, Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The present article describes the basic performance of the prototype system.
A note on the infimum problem of Hilbert space effects
Authors: Yuan Li , Du Hong-Ke
Published: October 2006

The quantum effects for a physical system can be described by the set E(H) of positive operators on a complex Hilbert space H that are bounded above by the identity operator I. The infimum problem of Hilbert space effects is to find under what condition the infimum A∧B exists for two quantum effects A and B∊E(H). The problem has been studied in different contexts by Kadison, Gudder, Moreland, and Ando. In this Note, using the method of the spectral theory of operators, we give a affirmative answer of a conjecture of [S. Gudder, J. Math. Phys. 37, 2637–2642 (1996)]. In addition, some properties of generalized infimum A⨅B were considered.
The extension of the fragment molecular orbital method with the many-particle Green’s function
Authors: Yasuda Koji , Yamaki Daisuke
Published: October 2006

By using the many-particle Green’s function (GF) the extension of the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) method by Kitaura et al. [Chem. Phys. Lett. 313, 701 (1999)] is proposed. It is shown that the partial summation of the cluster expansion of GF reproduces the same extrapolation formula as that of FMO. Therefore we can determine the excitation energy, the transition moment, and the linear response of a molecule from GF approximated with the FMO procedure. It is also shown that no wave function exists which is consistent to the FMO results. The perturbation expansion in which the self-consistent charge approximation defines the unperturbed state is reported. By using it the three-body effects missing in the pair approximation of FMO are analyzed and the corrections to the energy and the reduced density matrices are proposed. In contrast to the previous works these new corrections are not expressed as the addition or the subtraction of the energies of fragments. They are size extensive and require only the quantities available by the FMO calculation. The accuracy of these corrections is validated with the extended Hubbard model and the several test molecules.