bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementation with pumpkin seed oil improves plasma lipid profile and cardiovascular outcomes of female non‐ovariectomized and ovariectomized Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Gossell‐Williams M. , Lyttle K. , Clarke T. , Gardner M. , Simon O.
Published: June 2008

Pumpkin (Cucurbita species) seed oil (PSO) is a rich source of phytoestrogens and the aim of this study was to examine the effect of PSO supplementation on the total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure in non‐ovariectomized and ovariectomized Sprague‐Dawley rats. Female rats weighing 220–300 g were divided into non‐ovariectomized rats for supplementation with corn oil (control CO; n = 6) or PSO (control PSO; n = 5) and ovariectomized rats for supplementation with corn oil (OVX/CO; n = 6) or PSO (OVX/PSO; n = 5) for 5 days per week for 12 weeks (corn oil 40 mg/kg or PSO 40 mg/kg given orally). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured weekly. Blood was collected at the end of the period for plasma lipid assays. Control PSO had lower TC, LDL–C, triglycerides and higher HDL‐C than the control CO. The OVX/CO had higher TC, LDL–C, triglycerides and lower HDL‐C than the control CO and these changes were prevented in the OVX/PSO rats. PSO supplementation also resulted in lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both non‐ovariectomized and ovariectomized rats. It is concluded that PSO supplementation can prevent changes in plasma lipids and blood pressure associated with inadequate oestrogen availability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elaeocarpus sylvestris modulates gamma‐ray‐induced immunosuppression in mice: implications in radioprotection
Authors: Park Eunjin , Lee Nam Ho , Baik Jong Seok , Jee Youngheun
Published: June 2008

The study investigated the potential of Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus (E.S.), which contains 1,2,3,4,6‐penta‐O‐galloyl‐beta‐d‐glucose (PGG), to protect mice from radiation injury by single whole‐body irradiation (WBI) in vivo. The results from the present study demonstrate that the E.S. extract significantly improved the rate and duration of survival beyond that of untreated, irradiated control mice. The counts of endogenous colony forming units (CFU) increased in E.S.‐treated mice, indicating that E.S. induced the regeneration of hematopoietic cells. E.S. treatment also accelerated the proliferation and recovery of lymphocytes and granulocytes, compared with those levels in untreated, irradiated controls. These results suggest that E.S. extract increases the survival time of mammals exposed to ionizing radiation by intensifying the victims' hematopoietic repair capacities. Therefore, it is concluded that the E.S. extract may be an effective agent of protection from radiation‐induced injuries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Cisár Peter , Jány Richard , Waczulíková Iweta , Sumegová Katarína , Muchová Jana , Vojtaššák Jozef , Ďuraćková Zdenka , Lisý Miroslav , Rohdewald Peter
Published: June 2008

Objective. The safe and efficacious use of Pycnogenol® (French maritime pine bark extract) in other inflammatory diseases prompted this study of its antiinflammatory effects in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether Pycnogenol® reduces the symptoms of OA in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomly allocated trial with patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis stages I and II.

Methods. 100 patients were treated for 3 months either by 150 mg Pycnogenol® per day at meals or by placebo. Patients had to report any change of use of previously prescribed antiinflammatory medication during the study period. Patients filled the Western Ontario and Mc Masters University (WOMAC) questionnaire for osteoarthritis every 2 weeks and evaluated weekly pain symptoms using a visual analogue scale for pain intensity.

Results. Following treatment with Pycnogenol® patients reported an improvement of WOMAC index (p < 0.05), and a significant alleviation of pain by visual analogue scale (p < 0.04), the placebo had no effect. The use of analgesics diminished in the verum group but increased under the placebo. Treatment with Pycnogenol® was well tolerated.

Conclusion. Results show that Pycnogenol® in patients with mild to moderate OA improves symptoms and is able to spare NSAIDs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytotoxic effects of the Viscum album L. extract on Ehrlich tumour cells in vivo
Authors: Ćebović Tatyana , Spasić Slavica , Popović Mira
Published: June 2008

To date most pharmacological studies on mistletoe (Viscum album L.) have focused on the therapeutic properties of its polar extracts. This study examined the non‐polar constituents of Viscum album and their biological activities. Supercritical CO2 extraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to selectively extract and identify compounds in Viscum album leaves. Several non‐polar classes of compounds were identified in the extract. In addition, a volatile fraction was identified that contained several novel terpene molecules. The hypothesis was tested that the Viscum album extract exhibits cytotoxic properties in Ehrlich carcinoma (EAC) cells in vivo due to the induction of oxidative stress. A significant reduction in the incidence of cancer was observed in all groups that received the Viscum album extract compared with the EAC control group. The largest decrease was observed in mice pretreated with the Viscum album extract, although significantly reduced numbers of EAC cells were also observed in animals with developed carcinoma. The activities of antioxidative enzymes in the EAC cells suggested the absence of oxidative stress. However, changes in the antioxidative enzymes activities observed after administration of the Viscum album extract might be due to the induction of oxidative stress in the EAC cells. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of phytotherapy in dentistry
Authors: Groppo Francisco Carlos , Bergamaschi Cristiane de Cássia , Cogo Karina , Franz‐Montan Michelle , Motta Rogério Heládio Lopes , Andrade Eduardo Dias de
Published: June 2008

Over the past decade, interest in drugs derived from medicinal plants has markedly increased. This study was aimed at a literature review focusing on studies investigating herbal drugs and other natural products, as well as their therapeutic application, side effects and possible drug interactions. Few studies were found to support their rational use in dentistry. Since there is an increasing use of phytotherapeutic agents in dentistry, further studies are needed to evaluate their safety and effectiveness for clinical use. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative study of the antibacterial activity of propolis from different geographical and climatic zones
Authors: Seidel Véronique , Peyfoon Elham , Watson David G. , Fearnley James
Published: June 2008

Propolis is a natural substance produced by honeybees upon collection and transformation of resins and exudates from plants. Comparative studies on propolis collected from a wide range of countries are crucial for linking its provenance to antibacterial activity and thus ensuring that the beneficial properties of propolis are used more efficiently by the general public. This study reports the in vitro screening of ethanol extracts of propolis (n = 40), collected from a wide range of countries within the tropical, subtropical and temperate zones, and on the comparison of their activity against a range of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria using a broth microdilution assay. The results obtained revealed that propolis extracts were mostly active against Gram‐positive bacteria. The samples were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) in order to model their activity against Gram‐positive microorganisms. Three distinct clusters were distinguished in the PCA mapping based on MIC values, categorizing samples with strong (MIC range 3.9–31.25 mg/L), moderate (MIC range 31.25–≥500 mg/L) and weak antibacterial activity or inactivity (MIC ≥ 500 mg/L only). It is hypothesized that for samples of tropical provenance differences in the activity profiles may depend on the climatic characteristics of the collection sites. High antibacterial activity was observed for samples from locations characterized by a wet‐tropical rainforest‐type climate. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of Nigella sativa and a number of its antioxidant constituents towards azoxymethane‐induced genotoxic effects and colon cancer in rats
Authors: Al‐Johar Dalal , Shinwari Neptune , Arif Jamal , Al‐Sanea Nasser , Jabbar Alaa Abdul , El‐Sayed Ra'afat , Mashhour Abdullah , Billedo Grisellhi , El‐Doush Inaam , Al‐Saleh Iman
Published: June 2008

This study examined the chemopreventive effect of Nigella sativa and some of its antioxidant constituents on a number of colon cancer biomarkers in rats induced with azoxymethane (AOM). Sixty male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly assigned into ten subgroups: vehicle (1–5) and experimental (6–10). The rats in each group were fed one of the following diets: basal diet, (200 mg/kg) Nigella sativa, (0.2 mg/kg) selenium, (1.2 mg/kg) all‐trans‐retinol plus (100 mg/kg) dl‐α‐tocopherol and (10 mg/kg) thymoquinone, respectively. Only rats in subgroups 6–10 were injected with AOM (15 mg/kg) once per week for 2 weeks. Both groups were fed their respective diets for 5 weeks. Then they were killed and examined for colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). Our result showed that only vitamin supplementation was effective on ACF. Nigella sativa revealed inhibitory effects only on DNA damage (day 34) in the AOM‐treated rat group. Alternatively, selenium, thymoquinone and vitamins inhibited the MDA content in the liver. Although the exact mechanisms involved in the protective role of Nigella sativa against the initiation of colon carcinogenesis are not clearly understood, the results suggest that its inhibitory effects might depend on the combined competitive inhibition of various antioxidant constituents of this plant. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibacterial terpenes from the oleo‐resin of Commiphora molmol (Engl.)
Authors: Rahman M. Mukhlesur , Garvey Mark , Piddock Laura J.V. , Gibbons Simon
Published: June 2008

Two octanordammaranes, mansumbinone (1) and 3,4‐seco‐mansumbinoic acid (2), and two sesquiterpenes, β‐elemene (3) and T‐cadinol (4) have been isolated from the oleo‐resin of Commiphora molmol (Engl.). The structures of these compounds were established unambiguously by a series of 1D and 2D‐NMR analyses. We have also unambiguously assigned all 1H and 13C NMR resonances for 2 and revised its 13C data. The crude extract of the oleo‐resin of C. molmol displayed potentiation of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline against S. aureus, several Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains and two K. pneumoniae strains. The antibacterial activity of terpenes 1–4 was determined against a number of Staphylococcus aureus strains: SA1199B, ATCC25923, XU212, RN4220 and EMRSA15 and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were found to be in the range of 4–256 µg/ml. The highest activity was observed by the seco‐A‐ring octanordammarane 2 with an MIC of 4 µg/ml against SA1199B, a multidrug‐resistant strain which over‐expresses the NorA efflux transporter, the major characterized antibiotic pump in this species. This activity compared favorably to the antibiotic norfloxacin with an MIC of 32 µg/ml. Compound 2 also displayed weak potentiation of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline activity against strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL1344 and L10. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) flavone on immune system: an in‐vitro approach
Authors: Mishra K. P. , Chanda S. , Karan D. , Ganju L. , Sawhney R. C.
Published: June 2008

There are several reports, which suggest that the consumption of foods rich in flavonoids is associated with a lower incidence of certain degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Flavones, of Seabuckthorn (SBT) (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruit berry can modulate the production and level of several signaling molecules associated with immune function and inflammation in vitro, including several cytokines. We have evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic solution of SBT flavone (FLV) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The SBT flavone was found to stimulate production of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in PBMCs. However, increased expressions of p‐IκB, NF‐κB, and p‐p38 were found in flavone‐treated human PBMCs with significantly suppressed expression of CD25 (IL‐2R). There was no alteration found in the nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. These observations suggest that stimulation of IL‐6 and TNF‐alpha secretion may contribute to the putative beneficial effects of dietary flavone against microbial infection. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal structure and theoretical study of IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectra of cordatin, a natural product with antiulcerogenic activity
Authors: Brasil Davi S. B. , Alves Cláudio N. , Guilhon Giselle M. S. P. , Muller Adolfo H. , de S. Secco Ricardo , Peris Gabriel , Llusar Rosa
Published: June 2008

Cordatin is a furan diterpenoid with a clerodane skeleton isolated from Croton palanostigma Klotzsch (Euphorbiaceae). This natural product shows significant antiulcerogenic activity, similar to cimetidine (Tagamet®), a compound used for the treatment of peptic ulcers. The crystal structure of cordatin was obtained by X‐ray diffraction and its geometrical parameters were compared with theoretical calculations at the B3LYP theory level. The IR and NMR (1H and 13C chemical shifts and coupling constants) spectra were obtained and compared with the theoretical calculations. The B3LYP theory level, with the 6‐31G(d,p) and 6‐311G(d,p) basis set, provided IR absorption values close to the experimental data. Moreover, theoretical NMR parameters obtained in both gas phase and chloroform solvent at the B3PW91/DGDZVP, B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p), and B3PW91/6‐311+G(2d,p) levels showed good correlations with the experimental results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Potential energy function from differential cross‐section data: An inverse quantum scattering theory approach
Authors: Lemes N. H. T. , Borges E. , Sousa R. V. , Braga J. P.
Published: June 2008

Important physical and chemical information can be extracted from scattering experiments data. This kind of problem is usually ill‐posed in the sense that one of the three conditions, existence, uniqueness, and continuity, is not satisfied. For example, the inversion of intermolecular potential functions from scattering data, such as experimental cross section, is an ill‐posed problem which can be modeled as a Fredholm integral equation. In this work, an inversion method based on recursive neural networks is proposed to solve this inverse quantum scattering problem within the Born approximation. As physical example, the repulsive component of the potential function for the interaction Ar–Ar is obtained from differential cross‐section data. The sensitivity of the potential energy function to be inverted, in relation to the differential cross‐section data, is also analyzed. The present approach is simple, general, and numerically stable. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Electronic structure of CuXy (X = B, C, N, O, F; y = 0, +1, −1)
Authors: Ferrão Luiz Fernando A. , Roberto‐Neto Orlando , Machado Francisco B. C.
Published: June 2008

In this work, a comparative study of the ground electronic state spectroscopic properties of diatomic molecules formed by the cooper (Cu) atom with the second period elements (B, C, N, O, and F) was performed. The CCSD(T) approach and DFT using GGA (BP86 and BPW91) and H‐GGA (B3LYP) methods have been applied, using Wachters + f basis sets for the cooper atom and aug‐cc‐pVTZ for the second period elements. The results are in good agreement with available theoretical and experimental data available. The GGA functionals have good performance to describe bond lengths and harmonic vibrational frequencies, whereas B3LYP method presents better performance to describe dissociation energies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Habitat diversity and fish assemblage structure in local river widenings: A case study on a swiss river
Authors: Weber Christine , Schager Eva , Peter Armin
Published: June 2008

We investigated habitat availability and fish assemblage structure in three local river widenings, completed 3–14 years ago, and five adjacent canalized reaches on the river Thur, a seventh‐order river in Switzerland. To account for seasonal variability, surveys were repeated in winter and summer 2005. Results were compared with historical pre‐disturbance data to evaluate whether the current abiotic and biotic conditions in the study reaches have attained historic near‐natural levels.

Hydro‐physical habitat diversity (depth, flow velocity, cover availability) was considerably greater in the two longer widenings (>900 m length) than in the canalized reaches and in the shortest widening (300 m length), with higher proportions of shallow or deep areas of different flow velocities. However, the comparison of current and historical near‐natural shoreline lengths indicated that the current geomorphological complexity is still considerably impaired in all reaches.

No overall significant relationship was found between the reach type (canalized or rehabilitated) and the number of species or the total fish abundance which were strongly correlated with the availability of suitable cover and moderate flow velocity. However, highest winter abundances were observed in deep, well‐structured backwaters of the rehabilitated reaches, documenting their significance as wintering habitats. Assemblage structure and composition were similar in canalized and rehabilitated reaches. Compared to the historical data, however, fewer and different dominant species were found, and guild composition changed towards a higher representation of generalists and tolerant species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of fetal Sylvian fissure operculization between 22 and 32 weeks: a subjective approach
Authors: Quarello E. , Stirnemann J. , Ville Y. , Guibaud L.
Published: June 2008

Objective

Sylvian fissure operculization (SFO) is a dynamic process throughout gestation and is a reliable feature of fetal cortex gyration that is amenable to prenatal ultrasound examination. This study aimed to define a subjective and reproducible method for SFO assessment.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of the sonographic anatomy of SFO conducted over a 9‐month period in 200 fetuses with normal anatomical ultrasound examination at 22–32 weeks of gestation. We used a standardized view in an axial cerebral plane. SFO was scored according to a pre‐defined scoring sheet based on the degree of overriding of the insula by the temporal lobe across gestational age. Because of the nested nature of the dataset, linear mixed effects models were used for concurrent assessment of inter‐ and intraobserver agreement of this scoring method. Subject‐specific variance of the score was derived for each week of gestation from the whole repeated‐measures dataset and the 5th and 95th percentiles of the score (mean scoreweek ± 1.645 SDsubject, week) were determined.

Results

The inter‐ and intraobserver agreement correlation coefficients were 0.91 (0.89–1.00) and 0.95 (0.93–1.00), respectively, with a standard error of measurement < 1 scoring unit, which corresponds to an accuracy of within 1 week. A reference chart was fitted, showing the increase of the SFO score between 22 and 32 weeks, along with age‐specific 5th and 95th percentiles.

Conclusion

A simple scoring evaluation of the SFO is a reliable method for its assessment at between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic value of intraoperative ultrasonography to assess para‐aortic lymph nodes in women with ovarian and uterine corpus malignancy
Authors: Ryo E.
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To examine the ability of intraoperative ultrasonography to detect enlarged para‐aortic lymph nodes, and to assess its potential use in reducing the number of unnecessary para‐aortic lymphadenectomies performed in women with ovarian and uterine corpus malignancies.

Methods

Computed tomography (CT), palpation during surgery, and intraoperative ultrasonography were used to assess whether para‐aortic lymph nodes were enlarged in 163 women with ovarian and uterine corpus malignancy. All the women underwent para‐aortic lymphadenectomy, and nodes were assessed for metastasis.

Results

Thirty‐five women had pathological para‐aortic node metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of CT for the diagnosis of metastasis were 42.9, 96.1, 75.0 and 86.0%, respectively. These values were 60.0, 82.0, 47.7 and 88.2% for palpation, and 91.4, 69.5, 45.1 and 96.7% for intraoperative ultrasonography, respectively. If para‐aortic lymphadenectomy had been performed only when enlarged lymph nodes were detected on CT then the number performed would have been reduced from 163 to 20 (12.3%); however, node metastasis would have been missed in 20 out of 35 women. On the same basis, the number of lymphadenectomies performed would have been 44 (27.0%) and metastasis would have been missed in 14 women on palpation during surgery, and 71 lymphadenectomies (43.6%) would have been performed and metastasis would have been missed in three women on intraoperative ultrasonography.

Conclusions

Intraoperative ultrasonography is a highly sensitive tool with which to diagnose lymph node metastasis. Its high negative predictive value allows avoidance of unnecessary para‐aortic lymphadenectomy in women with ovarian and uterine corpus malignancy. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interobserver variability in the measurement of fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity in a tertiary fetal medicine unit
Authors: Thomas J. T. , Muller P. , Baghurst P. , Wilkinson C.
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To investigate the interobserver variability of fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) Doppler measurements in a tertiary fetal medicine unit.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of pregnant women between 22 and 34 weeks of gestation who underwent fetal MCA‐PSV Doppler velocimetry by a paired combination of operators. A set protocol was followed; ease of scanning was recorded and three quality assurance parameters were analyzed. The interobserver variability was determined. In addition, individual operator characteristics were determined by analyzing the variation of each operator relative to all his/her paired colleagues, and their quality assurance parameters.

Results

Two hundred and eighty‐five women had completed paired fetal MCA‐PSV Doppler measurements. Eighty‐three (29%) of the ultrasound examinations requested were for suspected fetal anemia and 202 (71%) were for other obstetric indications. The interobserver variation was less than 10% in 78% of the paired MCA‐PSV Doppler measurements whereas 99% had less than 15% variation. The intraclass correlation coefficient of each operator when compared with all his/her colleagues ranged from 0.82 to 0.95. The overall mean variability of the MCA‐PSV recorded by a given operator, relative to all his/her paired colleagues, ranged from + 5.26% to − 6.47% in all but one operator whose value was + 13.5% (standard deviation factor, 1.13–1.22). Logistic regression analysis, using a 10% or greater variation in MCA‐PSV as a binary outcome variable, showed a significant difference when inappropriate angle correction was detected (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Clinically acceptable interobserver variability was obtained in fetal MCA‐PSV Doppler measurements. Inappropriate angle correction was found to be a significant predictive factor for increased interobserver variability. Analysis of mean variation identified operators who were outliers enabling quality assurance within the unit. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SEEDLING CHARACTERISTICS AND THE EARLY GROWTH OF TRANSPLANTED RICE UNDER DIFFERENT WATER REGIMES
Authors: MISHRA ABHA , SALOKHE V. M.
Published: June 2008

A series of experiments was conducted on rice seedlings in a nursery seedbed and after transplanting in order to understand root and shoot characteristics, and their contribution to the production of tillers and dry matter. At the nursery stage, the seedlings' were studied at varying densities (high and low) and fertilizer treatments (with and without nitrogen) at 12 and 24 days after sowing (DAS) in wet or dry seedbeds. After transplanting, the effects of seedling age at the time of transplanting (12 and 30 days), method of raising seedlings (dry or wet seedbed) and water regimes (flooded or non-flooded) were studied. The overall aim was to understand the benefits, if any, of this system of rice intensification (SRI) management practices over conventional methods. The study revealed that in a nursery at 12 DAS, rice seedlings raised in a dry seedbed, irrespective of seeding density and fertilizer application, showed accelerated growth with better shoot and root characteristics in terms of greater leaf number, plant height, lateral root formation and elongation, and dry mass compared to seedlings grown in a wet seedbed. At 24 DAS, a significant interaction between seeding density and fertilizer application was found for dry-seedbed plants compared to those grown in a wet seedbed. Poor shoot and root growth was seen in older seedlings grown without fertilizer. Seedling age was found to be the most important factor affecting both shoot characteristics after transplanting (number of tillers, plant height, dry matter production) and root characteristics (root length density, root weight density). Younger seedlings performed better than older seedlings transplanted into either flooded or non-flooded soils with greater uptake of nitrogen and manganese than older seedlings. These results indicate that many of the constraints previously associated with non-flooded rice cultivation may be alleviated by transplanting younger seedlings that have been raised by SRI methods.
IMPROVING THE FOOD SECURITY OF LOW-RESOURCE FARMERS: INTRODUCING HORSEGRAM INTO MAIZE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS
Authors: WITCOMBE J. R. , BILLORE M. , SINGHAL H. C. , PATEL N. B. , TIKKA S. B. S. , SAINI D. P. , SHARMA L. K. , SHARMA R. , YADAV S. K. , YADAVENDRA J. P.
Published: June 2008

In the hilly areas of eastern Gujarat, western Madhya Pradesh and southern Rajasthan, in western India, farmers are very resource-poor and cultivate small and fragmented land holdings. Maize is their main rainy season (kharif) cereal and it is grown as a rainfed crop in low-fertility fields, often on sloping land that is vulnerable to soil erosion. Its productivity is very low, averaging below 1 t ha−1. New farm technologies to increase this productivity have to be low cost to be attractive to farmers who have limited access to purchased inputs and few means to purchase them. From observations of local farming practices, intercropping of maize with legumes was identified as an attractive option because the only additional input needed is seed of the legume crop. Participatory research was conducted on intercropping of maize with improved varieties of horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum). Many farmers who tried this intercropping adopted it in subsequent years, while others preferred to grow the new horsegram varieties as a sole crop. Farmers reported that less weeding was required in the intercrop as the horsegram smothered weeds. All farmers used the dry stover from the horsegram as a fodder for their animals. Farmers used the whole seed as dal, which provided additional protein in their diet. Farmers also sold the grain, but it fetched a low price in the poorly developed market for horsegram. Previously intercropping had been tried with local landraces, but the acceptance of intercropping was higher with new varieties such as AK-42 that yielded over 60% more grain. Participatory trials in which only one entry was compared with the local variety did not show a difference between AK-21 and AK-42 as in all cases both were preferred over the local variety. When they were directly compared with each other, farmers' perceptions showed a significant preference for AK-42. Variety IVH-2 was found to be better than AK-42: it matured 15 days earlier, better matching the maturity of the maize, had superior grain quality and yielded about the same. The greater uptake of improved horsegram varieties for sole and intercropping is likely to be limited by the lack of seed supply.
Emotion and emotion-laden words in the bilingual lexicon
Authors: PAVLENKO ANETA
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this paper is to draw on recent studies of bilingualism and emotions to argue for three types of modifications to the current models of the bilingual lexicon. The first modification involves word categories: I will show that emotion words need to be considered as a separate class of words in the mental lexicon, represented and processed differently from abstract and concrete words. The second modification involves conceptual representations: I will demonstrate that emotion concepts vary across languages and that bilinguals' concepts may, in some cases, be distinct from those of monolingual speakers. The third modification involves emotionality: I will argue that emotionality is an important feature of the bilingual lexicon, where different languages and word types display different levels of emotionality. I will also show how differential emotionality affects code-switching and language choice in bi- and multilinguals.
A conceptual basis for research into emotions and bilingualism
Authors: WIERZBICKA ANNA
Published: June 2008

Aneta Pavlenko (henceforth A.P.) is a pioneer in the study of “languages and emotion” in general and “emotions and bilingualism” in particular. If I voice in this commentary some disagreements, I do so in order to engage in a constructive discussion, conscious of how much she has done in this area, and also, of how much we share in our respective perspectives on emotion, languages, and bilingual lives.
Morphologically complex words in L1 and L2 processing: Evidence from masked priming experiments in English
Authors: SILVA RENITA , CLAHSEN HARALD
Published: June 2008

This paper reports results from masked priming experiments investigating regular past-tense forms and deadjectival nominalizations with -ness and -ity in adult native (L1) speakers of English and in different groups of advanced adult second language (L2) learners of English. While the L1 group showed efficient priming for both inflected and derived word forms, the L2 learners demonstrated repetition-priming effects (like the L1 group), but no priming for inflected and reduced priming for derived word forms. We argue that this striking contrast between L1 and L2 processing supports the view that adult L2 learners rely more on lexical storage and less on combinatorial processing of morphologically complex words than native speakers.
Therapeutic immunomodulators from nematode parasites
Authors: Harnett William , Harnett Margaret M.
Published: June 2008

There has been an alarming increase in the incidence of autoimmune and allergic diseases in Western countries in the past few decades. However, in countries endemic for parasitic helminth infections, such diseases remain relatively rare. Hence, it has been hypothesised that helminths may protect against the development of autoimmunity and allergy. This article reviews the evidence supporting this idea with respect to helminths of the phylum Nematoda (nematodes), considering data from human studies and animal models of inflammatory disease. The nature and mode of action of nematode-derived molecules with immunomodulatory properties are considered, and their therapeutic efficacy in models of autoimmunity and allergy described. The recent and future use of nematodes and their products in treating human disease are also discussed.
Entwicklungsbezogene Selbstwirksamkeit als Mediator für den Zusammenhang von Feedback und Ideenimplementierung
Authors: Noefer Katrin , Stegmaier Ralf , Molter Beate , Sonntag Karlheinz
Published: June 2008

Technologische und organisationale Veränderungen erfordern verstärkt Ideenimplementierung von Mitarbeitern. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht, welche Rolle Feedback von Vorgesetzten und Kollegen und entwicklungsbezogene Selbstwirksamkeit spielen, damit Mitarbeiter eigene Ideen implementieren. Die Untersuchung wurde als Fragebogenerhebung mit 463 Mitarbeitern (18 – 70 Jahre) branchenübergreifend durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse konnten zeigen, dass Feedback von Vorgesetzten und Kollegen positiv mit der Ideenimplementierung zusammenhängen. Diese positiven Zusammenhänge werden partiell durch die entwicklungsbezogene Selbstwirksamkeit vermittelt. Weitere Analysen zeigten, dass diese Effekte unabhängig vom Alter der Mitarbeiter auftreten.
Entwicklung und erste Validierung zweier Instrumente zur Erfassung von Führungskräfte-Kategorisierung im deutschsprachigen Raum
Authors: van Quaquebeke Niels , Brodbeck Felix C.
Published: June 2008

Der kognitionspsychologisch geprägte Ansatz der Führungskraft-Kategorisierung geht davon aus, dass Mitarbeiter umso positiver auf ihre Führungskräfte reagieren, je stärker diese ihren impliziten Vorstellungen über Führung (Führungsprototypen) entsprechen – also eine hohe Passung mit diesen aufweisen. Da Führungsprototypen stark kulturgeprägt sind, erscheinen die vorhandenen, vorwiegend aus dem englischsprachigen Raum stammenden Instrumente für Forschung im deutschsprachigen Raum jedoch wenig geeignet. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden deshalb zwei neu entwickelte Maße vorgestellt. Zum einen wurde der deutsche GLOBE-Datensatz in Hinblick auf zentrale Führungsattribute in Deutschland reanalysiert, um eine Erhebung der Passung mit einem sozial geteilten Führungsprototyp möglich zu machen. Zum anderen wurde ein piktorales Maß zur Erhebung der Passung mit einem idiosynkratischen Führungsprototyp entwickelt. Während der Vorteil des ersten Instruments die inhaltliche Auswertbarkeit des Passungsprofils ist, liegt der Vorteil des piktoralen Instrumentes in seiner hohen Effizienz und Kulturunabhängigkeit. Auch wenn eine erste Untersuchung in einem Unternehmen (N = 104) die konvergente und Kriteriumsvalidität beider Instrumente bestätigt, so schränkt das Studiendesign (Querschnitt mit Common Source Data) eine Einschätzung der psychometrischen Qualität beider Instrumente ein. Notwendig erscheinende Folgestudien werden daher abschließend beschrieben.
The Interplay Between Student Evaluation and Instruction
Authors: Rakoczy Katrin , Klieme Eckhard , Bürgermeister Anika , Harks Birgit
Published: June 2008

Teachers practices of student evaluation can be considered crucial to the implementation of embedded assessment systems. This article reports on two studies investigating these practices in detail. The first study examines teacher judgments about student achievement in terms of the grades awarded. It examines whether the grades awarded reflect two dimensions of students achievement as well as learning behavior. It also explores whether teachers grading is aligned with their instruction. In the second study, we analyze how teacher evaluation affects students subsequent learning processes. This study utilizes feedback given to students by the teacher within classroom interaction as an indicator for student evaluation, and investigates the impact of two types of feedback, evaluative and informational, on student learning and motivation. The results of Study 1 show that both the dimensions of student achievement as well as involvement were found to contribute substantially to students grades. Moreover, these contributions depended on teacher beliefs and instructional quality. The findings of Study 2 show that positive evaluative feedback in the classroom was associated with increased intrinsic motivation, whereas negative evaluative feedback was not related to motivation. Informational feedback was shown to foster motivation via emotional experience and cognitive processing. None of the feedback types examined had a significant impact on students achievement development. Finally, implications of the two studies for the implementation of embedded classroom assessment and the investigation of its effects are discussed.
Representation of Competencies in Multidimensional IRT Models with Within-Item and Between-Item Multidimensionality
Authors: Hartig Johannes , Höhler Jana
Published: June 2008

Multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) holds considerable promise for the development of psychometric models of competence. It provides an ideal foundation for modeling performance in complex domains, simultaneously taking into account multiple basic abilities. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the relations between a two-dimensional IRT model with between-item multidimensionality and a nested-factor model with within-item multidimensionality, and the different substantive meanings of the ability dimensions in the two models. Both models are applied to empirical data from a large-scale assessment of reading and listening comprehension in a foreign language. In the between-item model, performance in the reading and listening items is modeled by two separate dimensions. In the within-item model, one dimension represents the abilities common to both tests, and a second dimension represents abilities specific to listening comprehension. Distinct relations of external variables, such as gender and cognitive abilities, with ability scores demonstrate that the alternative models have substantively different implications.
On the source of Gulf Stream nutrients
Authors: Palter Jaime B. , Lozier M. Susan
Published: June 2008

Along density surfaces, nutrient concentrations in the Gulf Stream are elevated relative to concentrations to either side of the current. We assess the source of these elevated nutrient concentrations in the western boundary current using historical hydrographic data. The analysis is extended to the separated Gulf Stream with four hydrographic sections recently occupied as part of the Climate Variability and Predictability Program (CLIVAR) Mode Water Dynamics Experiment. The results of this analysis suggest that imported, extrasubtropical waters are the primary source of the elevated nutrient concentrations. Because the high nutrient signature is likely imported, diapycnal mixing need not be invoked to explain the Gulf Stream's high nutrient concentrations, as had been proposed in the past. Moreover, nutrients do not increase along the length of the stream, further suggesting that the stream's high nutrient signature is imported rather than manufactured by processes within the current. The imported nutrients are likely advected into the North Atlantic within the low‐salinity water masses that contribute to the shallow limb of the meridional overturning circulation. Thus the availability of nutrients in the North Atlantic may be linked to upstream processes in the tropics and possibly the Southern Hemisphere as well as to variability in the volume of imported water and its distribution in density space.
Production of cosmogenic 7Be isotope in the atmosphere: Full 3‐D modeling
Authors: Usoskin Ilya G. , Kovaltsov Gennady A.
Published: June 2008

We present a physical model to calculate production of cosmogenic isotope 7Be in the atmosphere. The model is based on a full Monte Carlo simulation of an electromagnetic‐muon‐nucleonic cascade in the atmosphere, using CORSIKA and FLUKA packages. The present results are in broad agreement with earlier empirical and semiempirical models but predict higher production rate than some recent theoretical models. A comparison to direct and indirect measurements of the 7Be production rate in the atmosphere confirms the validity of the model in the whole range of geographical latitudes and altitudes. Results of the full Monte Carlo simulation are tabulated in a form of the yield function. These tables are given together with a detailed recipe, which allows a user to compute easily the isotope production for given location, altitude, and the spectrum of cosmic rays. An effect of a severe solar energetic particle event of January 2005 is estimated, providing a new tool for tracing of mass transport.
Flat subduction dynamics and deformation of the South American plate: Insights from analog modeling
Authors: Espurt Nicolas , Funiciello Francesca , Martinod Joseph , Guillaume Benjamin , Regard Vincent , Faccenna Claudio , Brusset Stéphane
Published: June 2008

We present lithospheric‐scale analog models, investigating how the absolute plates' motion and subduction of buoyant oceanic plateaus can affect both the kinematics and the geometry of subduction, possibly resulting in the appearance of flat slab segments, and how it changes the overriding plate tectonic regime. Experiments suggest that flat subductions only occur if a large amount of a buoyant slab segment is forced into subduction by kinematic boundary conditions, part of the buoyant plateau being incorporated in the steep part of the slab to balance the negative buoyancy of the dense oceanic slab. Slab flattening is a long‐term process (∼10 Ma), which requires the subduction of hundreds of kilometers of buoyant plateau. The overriding plate shortening rate increases if the oceanic plateau is large enough to decrease the slab pull effect. Slab flattening increases the interplate friction force and results in migration of the shortening zone within the interior of the overriding plate. The increase of the overriding plate topography close to the trench results from (1) the buoyancy of the plate subducting at trench and (2) the overriding plate shortening. Experiments are compared to the South American active margin, where two major horizontal slab segments had formed since the Pliocene. Along the South American subduction zone, flat slab segments below Peru and central Chile/NW Argentina appeared at ∼7 Ma following the beginning of buoyant slab segments' subduction. In northern Ecuador and northern Chile, the process of slab flattening resulting from the Carnegie and Iquique ridges' subductions, respectively, seems to be active but not completed. The formation of flat slab segments below South America from the Pliocene may explain the deceleration of the Nazca plate trenchward velocity.
Dynamic triggering of high‐frequency bursts by strong motions during the 2004 Parkfield earthquake sequence
Authors: Fischer Adam D. , Peng Zhigang , Sammis Charles G.
Published: June 2008

High‐pass filtering (>20 Hz) of acceleration records from the USGS Parkfield Dense Seismograph Array (UPSAR) reveals a series of bursts that occur only during strong shaking from the 2004 Mw6 Parkfield, California, earthquake and its immediate aftershocks. Because there is no correlation between these high frequency bursts observed at closely spaced stations, we hypothesize that they are associated with dynamically triggered events occurring within 20 meters of the stations in the highly fractured shallow crust. The triggering threshold was found to be ∼0.02 MPa, consistent with a previous estimate based on a similar analysis of high‐frequency bursts observed in strong motion data from the 1999 Chi‐Chi earthquake in Taiwan (Fischer et al., 2008). The consistent observation of high‐frequency bursts at both Parkfield and Taiwan suggest that they may be a common phenomenon associated with strong motion in the very shallow crust.
An image‐based method for shoreline mapping on complex coasts
Authors: Shaw John B. , Wolinsky Matthew A. , Paola Chris , Voller Vaughan R.
Published: June 2008

The ready availability of satellite and other images of the Earth together with increasing societal interest in coastal processes and morphology make it desirable to have a consistent way of defining and mapping shorelines from images. The obvious choice, the land‐water interface, is inadequate because it includes the back sides of islands and the edges of river and tidal channels that are not directly exposed to open water. On complex coasts, inclusion of these portions of the land‐water interface would significantly affect quantitative measures of shoreline geometry. Here we propose a method to map shorelines consistently while accounting for ambiguity. The Opening AngleMethod (OAM) uses a visibility criterion to define the shoreline. First a region of unambiguous open water is defined. Next, the shoreline is defined as the locus of points for which the sum of viewing angles extending to open water, unobstructed by land, exceeds a specified critical value. Shorelines defined by the OAM follow the land‐water interface where the shoreline is unambiguous, and in more complex cases OAM shorelines are consistent with the idea that the shoreline is that part of the land‐water interface that is directly exposed to open water.
Connections between morphological and mechanical evolution during galvanic corrosion of micromachined polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon
Authors: Miller David C. , Boyce Brad L. , Kotula Paul G. , Stoldt Conrad R.
Published: June 2008

Many microsystems fabrication technologies currently employ a metallic overlayer, such as gold, in electrical contact with silicon structural layers. During postprocessing in hydrofluoric-based acid solutions, a galvanic cell is created between the silicon and the metallic layer. Micromachined tensile specimens reveal that such etching in the presence of a galvanic cell can cause a catastrophic reduction in the tensile strength and apparent modulus of silicon. Detailed failure analysis was also used to compare fractured corroded Si to otherwise identical reference specimens via surface based (electron and scanning probe) microscopy as well as cross-section based structural- and composition-characterization techniques. For both polycrystalline and single-crystal silicon, galvanic corrosion can result in a thick corroded surface layer created via porous silicon formation, and/or generalized material removal depending on the etch chemistry and conditions. Under certain etching conditions, the porous silicon formation process results in cavity formation as well as preferential grain-boundary attack leading to intergranular fracture. The nature and severity of corrosion damage are shown to be influenced by the surface wetting characteristics of the etch chemistry, with poor wetting resulting in localized attack facilitated by the microstructure and good wetting resulting in generalized attack. The measured stiffness of the tensile specimens can be used to determine the effective modulus and porosity of the corroded surface layer. Extending beyond previous investigations, the present work examines the quantitative connection between the choice of chemical etchant, the corresponding damage morphology, and the resulting degradation in strength and apparent modulus. The present work also uniquely identifies important differences in polycrystalline and single-crystal Si based on their disparate damage evolution and related mechanical performance.
A model for vortical plumes in rotating convection
Authors: Portegies J. W. , Kunnen R. P. J. , van Heijst G. J. F. , Molenaar J.
Published: June 2008

In turbulent rotating convection a typical flow structuring in columnar vortices is observed. In the internal structure of these vortices several symmetries are approximately satisfied. A model for these columnar vortices is derived by prescribing these symmetries. The symmetry constraints are applied to the Navier–Stokes equations with rotation in the Boussinesq approximation. It is found that the application of the symmetries results in a set of linearized equations. An investigation of the linearized equations leads to a model for the columnar vortices and a prediction for the heat flux (Nusselt number) that is very appropriate compared to the results from direct numerical simulations of the full governing equations.