bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diosgenin biosynthesis pathway and its regulation in Dioscorea cirrhosa L.
Authors: Lin Yan , Hu Qiuyan , Ye Qiang , Zhang Haohua , Bao Ziyu , Li Yongping , Mo Luo Jian
Published: January 2024

Dioscorea cirrhosa L. (D. cirrhosa) tuber is a traditional medicinal plant that is abundant in various pharmacological substances. Although diosgenin is commonly found in many Dioscoreaceae plants, its presence in D. cirrhosa remained uncertain. To address this, HPLC-MS/MS analysis was conducted and 13 diosgenin metabolites were identified in D. cirrhosa tuber. Furthermore, we utilized transcriptome data to identify 21 key enzymes and 43 unigenes that are involved in diosgenin biosynthesis, leading to a proposed pathway for diosgenin biosynthesis in D. cirrhosa. A total of 3,365 unigenes belonging to 82 transcription factor (TF) families were annotated, including MYB, AP2/ERF, bZIP, bHLH, WRKY, NAC, C2H2, C3H, SNF2 and Aux/IAA. Correlation analysis revealed that 22 TFs are strongly associated with diosgenin biosynthesis genes (—r2— > 0.9, P < 0.05). Moreover, our analysis of the CYP450 gene family identified 206 CYP450 genes (CYP450s), with 40 being potential CYP450s. Gene phylogenetic analysis revealed that these CYP450s were associated with sterol C-22 hydroxylase, sterol-14-demethylase and amyrin oxidase in diosgenin biosynthesis. Our findings lay a foundation for future genetic engineering studies aimed at improving the biosynthesis of diosgenin compounds in plants.
Comparison design and evaluation power in cohort and self-controlled case series designs for post-authorization vaccine safety studies
Authors: Sato Shuntaro , Kawazoe Yurika , Katsuta Tomohiro , Fukuda Haruhisa
Published: January 2024

Background

Post-authorization safety studies (PASSs) of vaccines are important. PASSs enable the evaluation of association between vaccination and adverse events following immunization through common study designs. Clinical trials during vaccine development typically include a few thousand to 10,000 participants while a PASS might aim to detect a few adverse events per 100,000 vaccine recipients. While all available data may be utilized, prior consideration of power analyses are nonetheless crucial for interpretation in cases where statistically significant differences are not found.

Methods

This research primarily examined cohort study design and self-controlled case series (SCCS) design, estimating the power of a PASS under plausible conditions.

Results

Both the cohort study and SCCS designs necessitated large sample sizes or high event counts to guarantee adequate power. The SCCS design is particularly suited to evaluating rare adverse events. However, extremely rare events may not yield sufficient occurrences, thereby resulting in low power. Although the SCCS design can more efficiently control for time-invariant confounding in principle, it solely estimates relative measures. A cohort study design might be preferred if confounding can be adequately managed as it also estimates absolute measures. It may be an easy decision to use all the data at hand for either design. We found it necessary to estimate the sample size and number of events to be used in the study based on a priori information and anticipated results.
Zambian Protestant Ecumenism and the Quest for Eco-Justice: A Case Study of the Council of Churches in Zambia
Authors: Sakupapa Teddy Chalwe
Published: January 2024

This paper maps the trajectory of eco-justice discourse in Zambia with specific reference to the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) as one of the most significant ecumenical structures in the country. Foregrounding the notion of eco-justice, this paper seeks to answer the question, namely, in what ways do religious resources (read: institutions) engender ecological ethos? Such a question is explored in light of the widely recognised inextricable link between environmental degradation and justice as expressed in the concept of eco-justice. Therefore, through documentary analysis, the paper delineates the theological basis of CCZ’s advocacy for eco-justice and underscores the potential of ecumenical institutions as sources of religious social capital. While underlining the role of religious resources in shaping people’s attitudes and behaviour towards the environment, the paper offers a critique of ‘prophetic voice’ by drawing attention to the need for clarity on the distinctive contribution of Christian resources in addressing ecological degradation. Keywords: Eco-Justice, Council of Churches in Zambia, Religious Social Capital, Prophetic Voice, Ecotheology, Stewardship, Environmental Impact of Mining in Zambia
The Cross, African(ness), and Identity in Mark's Passion Narrative
Authors: Hombana Mphumezi
Published: January 2024

In this article, the Markan Passion Narrative has been juxtaposed with Africanness, shedding light on vital aspects of Jesus' identity and the significance of his sacrifice within an African context. While existing scholarship has explored African characters in the New Testament, little attention has been paid to how the Markan Passion Narrative engages with African(ness), especially concerning Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This article aims to delve into this relationship by conducting a literary analysis of symbols, themes, and narrative techniques employed in the Passion Narrative, considering the historical and cultural backdrop of its composition. The study seeks to uncover how these elements resonate with Mark's account and African(ness), contributing to discussions on social identity and ethical issues confronting contemporary African societies.
Assessing the Competitiveness and Trends of Indian Sugar in Global Market: A 1999- 2018 Analysis
Authors: Gaware Utkarsha Pramod , Baviskar P. P. , Kumari Kalpana , Lakshmipriya Patibandla
Published: January 2024

Sugar is one of the most produced and traded commodities in the world. India is the second-largest producer and largest consumer of sugar in the world. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess the position of Indian sugar in the international market. The study was based on Time series data of years 1999-2018. To assess the trend, trend analysis was done and, for appraising the competitiveness, export performance ratio and nominal protection coefficient was computed. The cubic model was found best fit for all the particulars considered in the models. Results revealed that production, import quantity and value of sugar had increasing trend while export quantity, value, unit price of export and import of sugar exhibited fluctuating trend. The trade of Indian sugar was found inconsistent in the decadal analysis but overall had a relative advantage in the international market with an EPR vale of 1.11. The higher NPC value of 1.02 pointed out a matter of concern as the Indian sugar was non-competitive in the international market.
Panchagavya: A Novel Approach for the Sustainable Production of Crops
Authors: Singh Kanwar Aditya , Singh Bhavna , Pavithran Nanditha , Fayaz Asma , Kaundal Munish
Published: January 2024

Panchagavya, a traditional organic formulation derived from cow products, has gained recognition for its potential agricultural benefits. This review paper focuses on the influence of panchagavya application on ecosystem dynamics, focusing on soil health, plant growth, and microbial communities. Panchagavya, an ancient agricultural practice rooted in Indian traditions, has garnered increasing attention in recent years for its potential to revolutionize modern farming. Comprising five key ingredients sourced from cows-milk, curd, ghee, cow urine, and cow dung- panchagavya is hailed as a holistic approach to agriculture that not only enhances crop yields but also promotes environmental sustainability and animal welfare. The composition of panchagavya is simple yet potent. The five ingredients are carefully mixed and allowed to ferment, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms are a key component of panchagavya's efficacy, as they play a pivotal role in soil enrichment and plant health. Panchagavya  has many health benefits also as all elements used in it responds individually in various diseases. This review provides an information on effect of panchagavya on plant growth and soil fertility in different crops.
Prospecting of Bioagents and Screening of Varieties against Anthracnose of Green Gram
Authors: Purushotham Pooja , Rakholiya K. B. , Vanani K. D.
Published: January 2024

Aims: Anthracnose poses a significant threat to green gram cultivation in India. This study focused on evaluating various bioagents and cultivars efficacy in combating Collectotrichum lindemuthianum through in vitro bioassays and glasshouse investigations.

Study Design:  Dual culture technique and screening of varieties

Place and Duration of Study: The laboratory studies were conducted in the Department of Plant Pathology, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India during 2020–2021.

Methodology: The dual culture method was employed to gauge the potency of biocontrol agents, while variety screening helped to identify resistant and susceptible green gram varieties against C. lindemuthianum.

Results: In vitro assessments revealed that among the five biocontrol agents tested, Trichoderma virens (87.63%) and T. viride (85.41%) exhibited significant suppression of mycelial growth compared to the untreated control. However, in greenhouse pot culture experiments involving eight different genotypes, none were found to be immune to green gram anthracnose. Nevertheless, Pusa 1431, KM-2328, TARM-18, and GM 6 exhibited a resistant response against anthracnose, while BPMR-145 and Vaibhav proved susceptible to the disease.

Conclusion: Biocontrol agents are cost-effective and safe for disease management, while integrating resistant varieties is a solid strategy. These high-yielding, environmentally safe, and economically viable methods benefit farmers. Recognizing resistant genotypes is crucial for breeding disease-resistant varieties, as they limit field spread and reduce conidia production of C. lindemuthianum causing green gram anthracnose.
Assessment of Foliar Spraying of Thiourea Bioregulator on Soil Parameters of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) cv. Chandra
Authors: Tippannavar Ajit , Singh Jitendra , Bhatnagar Prerak , Chopra Rahul , Singh Bhuri , Kumari Nikita
Published: January 2024

A field experiment was conducted from June, 2022 to March, 2023 at the Instructional Farm, Department of Fruit Science and Department of Natural Resources Management (NRM), College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalrapatan, Jhalawar in the newly established orchard of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) cv. Chandra. The experiment consisted of 9 treatments with varying concentration of thiourea (0.25% to 2.00%) laid out in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with 3 replications. The plants were planted at a spacing of 8 m x 8m. The analysis of variance showed non-significant differences for all of the recorded soil parameters which were pH, EC (dS m-1), N (kg ha-1), P (kg ha-1), K (kg ha-1) and OC (%).
Effect of Micronutrients on Flowering and Yield Attributes of Chrysanthemum (Dendrathemum grandiflora Tzeuleu) cv.CO 1
Authors: Annasamy K. , Karuppapiah P.
Published: January 2024

Micronutrients are essential for crop growth and are equally important as primary and secondary nutrients. The Present study was carried out at orchard, Department of Horticulture Faculty of Agriculture, in the year 2010. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with seventeen treatments and three replications. The treatment comprised of various combination of micronutrients viz., Zinc sulphate 0.5%, Ferrous sulphate 0.5%, Borax 0.5%, Manganese sulphate 0.5%, Copper sulphate 0.5%, Mixture of all micronutrients 0.5% and micronutrients mixture at 12.5 kg ha-1, two different concentrations with recommended dose 25 t FYM ha-1 + RDF of N, P, K and a control at 5 different interval on flowering and yield attributes of chrysanthemum. The results revealed that soil application of micronutrients mixture @ 12.5 kg ha-1 in split as basal, 25, 50 and 75 DAT were found superior on number of flowers per plant (89.91), flower stalk length (8.92 cm) and flower yield per hectare (21.14 t ha-1).
Reference Evapotranspiration Evaluation Using Solar Radiation Estimated by ANN and Empirical Models
Authors: Antonopoulos Vassilis Z. , Antonopoulos Athanasios V.
Published: January 2024

Aims: The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) estimation with Penman-Monteith or Priestley-Taylor methods requires measurements of temperature, radiation, humidity, and wind velocity. In this study, we evaluated the estimations of ETo by Penman-Monteith (ETo-PM) and Priestley-Taylor (ETo-PrT) methods using indirect methods of calculating solar radiation (Rs).
Place and Duration of Study: Daily meteorological measurements from two stations in northern Greece were used for the development of solar radiation models and ETo calculation.
Methodology: The indirect methods of calculating solar radiation (Rs) are based on Artificial Neural networks (ANN) technology and models using the multi-linear regression method (MLR). Three different ANN and MLR models were derived. The Hargreaves method is also used. The evaluation of the indirect Rs derived models and the ETo estimation by the two methods was performed with the use of correlation coefficients (r), root mean square error (RMSE), and efficiency (EF) indexes.
Results: The statistics of ETo estimation at the two stations showed that the r and EF values, between the estimated ETo using the indirect Rs models and estimated ETo using Rs measured, were greater than 0.963 and 0.918, respectively, while the RMSE values were lower than 0.646 mm d-1. The statistics of Rs models, showed that the r and EF values were greater than 0.860 and 0.605, respectively, while the RMSE values were lower than 4.47 MJ m-2d-1.
Conclusion: The results of ANN models in comparison to MLR models, when using the same input variables, are consistent between them.  These findings indicate that the Penman-Monteith and Priestley-Taylor methods can accurately predict ETo using Rs values estimated indirectly through the examined methods and models.
Scleral Buckling VS Pars Plana Vitrectomy: World's Perspective
Authors: Khaqan Hussain Ahmad , Haider Muhammad Ali , Buksh Hasnain Muhammad , Rehman Hafiz Ateeq ur , Naz Raheela , Hassan Laraib
Published: January 2024

Objective: The objective is to find out the preferred surgical approach of retinal surgeons from different part of the world for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Materials and Methods: We did a survey via a questionnaire regarding the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment whether retinal surgeons prefer scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This survey included 109 retinal surgeons from 18 different countries across the world.

Results: Out of 109 surgeons, 91.7% surgeons perform scleral buckling. The monthly number of buckling surgeries was 5 or less than 5 for 68.8% retinal surgeons while 22% said that they do more than 5 scleral buckling. Scleral buckling was the procedure of choice for 85.3% surgeons if a detachment fits in for the criteria of buckling. In comparison of buckling, vitrectomy was preferred by 66% retinal surgeons while 41.3% surgeons said that they would perform scleral buckling. The number of vitrectomies was 5 or less than 5 for 28.4% retinal surgeons, 17.4% do more than 5 while 33% do not perform vitrectomy. The number of vitrectomies per month for all sort of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was 5 or less than 5 by 75.2% surgeons while more than 5 vitrectomies was done by 7.3% surgeons.

Conclusion: In this study we concluded that most of the retinal surgeons prefer scleral buckling as the procedure of choice for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment than vitrectomy as it gives a higher anatomical success rate with less pre- and post-operative complications.
Purification of bioethanol effluent in an UASB reactor system with simultaneous biogas formation
Authors: Torry‐Smith M. , Sommer P. , Ahring B. K.
Published: August 2003

In this study, the prospect of using an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor for detoxification of process water derived from bioethanol production has been investigated. The bioethanol effluent (BEE) originated from wet oxidized wheat straw fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Thermoanaerobacter mathranii A3M4 to produce ethanol from glucose and xylose, respectively. In batch experiments the methane potential of BEE was determined to 529 mL‐CH4/g‐VS. In batch degradation experiments it was shown that the presence of BEE had a positive influence on the removal of the inhibitors 2‐furoic acid, 4‐hydroxyacetophenone, and acetovanillone as compared to conversion of the inhibitors as sole substrate in synthetic media. Furthermore, experiments were carried out treating BEE in a laboratory‐scale UASB reactor. The results showed a Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal of 80% (w/w) at an organic loading rate of 29 g‐COD/(L · d). GC analysis of the lignocellulosic related potentially inhibitory compounds 2‐furoic acid, vanillic acid, homovanillic acid, acetovanillone, syringic acid, acetosyringone, syringol, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, and 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde showed that all of these compounds were removed from the BEE in the reactor. Implementation of a UASB purification step was found to be a promising approach to detoxify process water from bioethanol production allowing for recirculation of the process water and reduced production costs. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 7–12, 2003.
Environmental management systems and company performance: assessing the case for extending risk‐based regulation
Authors: Dahlström Kristina , Howes Chris , Leinster Paul , Skea Jim
Published: August 2003

Across Europe, there is considerable interest in establishing stronger links between environmental regulation and standards for environmental management systems (EMSs) such as ISO 14001. If it can be demonstrated that possession of an EMS results in improved environmental or regulatory performance, then there is a case for granting ‘regulatory relief’ in the form of, for example, reduced inspection frequencies. This paper describes the analysis of information on almost 800 sites regulated under the UK's Integrated Pollution Control regime. It demonstrates that having an EMS improves certain procedural aspects of environmental management but does not appear to reduce the likelihood of breaching permit conditions. Interviews with certification bodies revealed the factors, such as differentiation of services in the market for certification, that underlie this finding. It is concluded that some limited recognition of EMS in regulation is warranted, because there is overlap between some regulatory and certification procedures, and because having an EMS facilitates the supply of information necessary for regulation. The broader implications for regulated industry, certification bodies, regulators and wider environmental policymaking are considered. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Sensitivity of Kelani streamflow in Sri Lanka to ENSO
Authors: Zubair Lareef
Published: August 2003

As part of an effort to demonstrate the use of climate predictions for water resources management, the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences on stream flow in the Kelani River in Sri Lanka were investigated using correlation analysis, composite analysis and contingency tables. El Niño (warm phase of ENSO) was associated with decreased annual stream flow and La Niña (cold phase of ENSO) with increased annual flows. The annual stream flow had a negative correlation with the simultaneous ENSO index of NINO3·4 that was significant at the 95% level. This negative correlation is enhanced to a 99% level if the aggregate January to September or the April to September stream flow alone were considered. Although, there is little correlation between ENSO indices and stream flow during the October to December period, there is a high correlation between rainfall and NINO3·4 (r = 0·51, significant at the 99% level). Therefore ENSO based rainfall predictions can be used along with a hydrological model to predict the October to December stream flow. This study demonstrates the viability of using ENSO based predictors for January to September or April to September stream flow predictions in the Kelani River. The October to December stream flow may be predicted by exploiting the strong relationship between ENSO and rainfall during that period. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of season and man‐made changes on baseflow and flow recession: case studies
Authors: Wittenberg Hartmut
Published: August 2003

Discharge hydrographs of rivers carry the cumulated information on the various hydrological processes in catchments and the influences imposed on them. From the analysis of observed baseflow recessions, direct and groundwater flow can be separated and time series of the main components of the underlying groundwater balance, namely discharge, evapotranspiration losses, abstractions, storage and recharge, can be derived. This inverse, or downward, approach was applied to daily streamflow data of rivers in different climate zones (Germany, Western Australia, Turkey) under different influences. The mostly shallow, unconfined aquifers were found to react as nonlinear reservoirs and an appropriate recession function was used instead of the traditional exponential function of the linear reservoir. However, though the actual storage–discharge relationships of aquifers will hardly change, flow recession properties are subject to seasonal variation and changes due to evapotranspiration and other fluxes and abstractions from the groundwater. As demonstrated in the case studies, recession analysis and baseflow separation permits the detection and quantification of these changes. In a separate application, the method is used to identify groundwater flow intruded into leaky sewer lines. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sub‐grid representation of groundwater discharge using a one‐dimensional groundwater model
Authors: Petheram Cuan , Dawes Warrick , Grayson Rodger , Bradford Andrew , Walker Glen
Published: August 2003

Simple models of groundwater flow have limited capability of representing spatial waterlogging/salinization due to the mismatch in scale between model cell size/process conceptualization and actual process scale. This paper presents a method for utilizing increasingly available high‐resolution digital elevation data to develop a sub‐grid parameterization for groundwater discharge and surface waterlogging. This enables simple groundwater models to represent the actual area of waterlogging/salinization better. The approach utilizes a ‘zero‐piezometric surface’ (i.e. a planar surface that passes through the lowest point of each element in a groundwater model). The difference in elevation between the zero‐piezometric surface and a high‐resolution digital elevation model (DEM) provides a distribution of depth to the zero‐piezometric surface (at the DEM scale) for each element in the model. Traditional methods for evaluating surface discharge can then be applied at the DEM cell scale to the distribution of depth to zero‐piezometric surface to derive a relationship between depth to piezometric surface and net recharge/discharge, for each element in the model. A simple one dimensional groundwater flow model, FLOWTUBE, is used to demonstrate the approach. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Downward approach to hydrological prediction
Authors: Sivapalan Murugesu , Blöschl Günter , Zhang Lu , Vertessy Rob
Published: August 2003

This paper presents an overview of the ‘downward approach’ to hydrologic prediction and attempts to provide a context for the papers appearing in this special issue. The downward approach is seen as a necessary counterpoint to the mechanistic ‘reductionist’ approach that dominates current hydrological model development. It provides a systematic framework to learning from data, including the testing of hypotheses at every step of analysis. It can also be applied in a hierarchical manner: starting from exploring first‐order controls in the modelling of catchment response, the model complexity can then be increased in response to deficiencies in reproducing observations at different levels. The remaining contributions of this special issue present a number of applications of the downward approach, including development of parsimonious water balance models with changing time scales by learning from signatures extracted from observed streamflow data at different time scales, regionalization of model parameters, parameterization of effects of sub‐grid variability, and standardized statistical approaches to analyse data and to develop model structures. This review demonstrates that the downward approach is not a rigid methodology, but represents a generic framework. It needs to play an increasing role in the future in the development of hydrological models at the catchment scale. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is Foster's reactance theorem satisfied in double‐negative and single‐negative media?
Authors: Engheta Nader
Published: August 2003

In this paper, we address the issue of Foster's reactance theorem for the material media in which one or both of the material parameters ε and μ may possess negative real parts. We demonstrate that this theorem is indeed satisfied for a one‐port termination filled with a lossless metamaterial with negative real permittivity and permeability, known as a double‐negative (DNG) medium, or with a lossless metamaterial with either negative real permittivity or negative real permeability, which can be called a single‐negative (SNG) medium. However, in the case of DNG media when the reactive input impedance of such a termination is compared with that of its counterpart filled with a conventional lossless double‐positive (DPS) material, it is found that the two reactances have opposite signs. Similar conclusions can be made for a termination filled with a lossless epsilon‐negative (ENG) material when it is compared with that of its mu‐negative (MNG) counterpart. Therefore, if a one‐port termination filled with a lossless DPS or ENG material possesses inductive input reactance, when the same termination is filled instead with a lossless DNG or MNG material, its input reactance may be capacitive. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 11–14, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11111
Dielectric spherical lens antenna for wireless millimeter‐wave communications
Authors: Shavit Reuven
Published: August 2003

A simplified theoretical model based on geometrical optics (GO) in combination with physical optics (PO) in its vector form is used to analyze the performance of a homogeneous dielectric‐sphere lens fed by a feed horn. The proposed model provides physical insight and sufficient accuracy for the initial design cycle. The computed results are also compared to measured data acquired from a prototype model and the agreement is satisfactory. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 28–33, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11117
Multipole theory analysis of the capacitance matrix of circular rod arrays
Authors: Zheng Qinhong , Zeng Hua , Jiang Shaoquan , Li Manyi , Song Ming
Published: August 2003

The multipole theory (MT) method is exploited as a simple, accurate, and efficient tool for determining the capacitance matrix of circular rods located inside various grounded structures. The solution of the boundary‐value problem associated with circular rod arrays is represented by the generalized MT formula, and the procedure to obtain the capacitance matrix of circular rod arrays is described. Representative computational examples, including the novel circular coaxial coupler, three circular rod arrays in a rectangular trough, and the cable consisting of nine circular inner conductors, are given to validate the theory, and to demonstrate the accuracy and flexibility of the MT method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 49–52, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11123
Enhanced radiation efficiency of electrically small microstrip antennas
Authors: Tseng Kuo‐Hua , Lee Choon Sae
Published: August 2003

By inserting width discontinuities in the middle of a rectangular microstrip patch, the length of a microstrip antenna can be significantly reduced at a given operating frequency. However, as the antenna size is reduced, the radiation efficiency becomes degraded. In this paper, it is shown that the radiation efficiency is improved substantially when the single junction at each width discontinuity is replaced by multiple junctions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 62–64, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11127
Temperature compensation package for fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Huang Yonglin , Li Jie , Kai Guiyun , Yuan Shuzhong , Dong Xiaoyi
Published: August 2003

A new compact package for compensating the temperature dependence of fiber Bragg grating (FBG), based on the use of two materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, has been demonstrated. The dependence of the Bragg wavelength over a temperature range of −18°C to 50°C is only 0.028 nm, which is 1/23 of that of an uncompensated FBG. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 70–72, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11130
Improved protein–ligand docking using GOLD
Authors: Verdonk Marcel L. , Cole Jason C. , Hartshorn Michael J. , Murray Christopher W. , Taylor Richard D.
Published: August 2003

The Chemscore function was implemented as a scoring function for the protein–ligand docking program GOLD, and its performance compared to the original Goldscore function and two consensus docking protocols, “Goldscore‐CS” and “Chemscore‐GS,” in terms of docking accuracy, prediction of binding affinities, and speed. In the “Goldscore‐CS” protocol, dockings produced with the Goldscore function are scored and ranked with the Chemscore function; in the “Chemscore‐GS” protocol, dockings produced with the Chemscore function are scored and ranked with the Goldscore function. Comparisons were made for a “clean” set of 224 protein–ligand complexes, and for two subsets of this set, one for which the ligands are “drug‐like,” the other for which they are “fragment‐like.” For “drug‐like” and “fragment‐like” ligands, the docking accuracies obtained with Chemscore and Goldscore functions are similar. For larger ligands, Goldscore gives superior results. Docking with the Chemscore function is up to three times faster than docking with the Goldscore function. Both combined docking protocols give significant improvements in docking accuracy over the use of the Goldscore or Chemscore function alone. “Goldscore‐CS” gives success rates of up to 81% (top‐ranked GOLD solution within 2.0 Å of the experimental binding mode) for the “clean list,” but at the cost of long search times. For most virtual screening applications, “Chemscore‐GS” seems optimal; search settings that give docking speeds of around 0.25–1.3 min/compound have success rates of about 78% for “drug‐like” compounds and 85% for “fragment‐like” compounds. In terms of producing binding energy estimates, the Goldscore function appears to perform better than the Chemscore function and the two consensus protocols, particularly for faster search settings. Even at docking speeds of around 1–2 min/compound, the Goldscore function predicts binding energies with a standard deviation of ∼10.5 kJ/mol. Proteins 2003;52:609–623. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of a rice WUSCHEL‐type homeobox gene that is specifically expressed in the central cells of a quiescent center in the root apical meristem
Authors: Kamiya Noriko , Nagasaki Hiroshi , Morikami Atsushi , Sato Yutaka , Matsuoka Makoto
Published: August 2003

The Arabidopsis WUSCHEL (WUS) protein, which plays an important role in the specification of the stem cells in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), contains an ‘atypical’ homeodomain (HD) with extra residues in its loop and turn regions. We speculated that a WUS‐type atypical HD protein might also be involved in the specification and maintenance of the root apical meristem (RAM) stem cells of rice. To investigate this possibility, we isolated and characterized a rice WUS‐type homeobox gene designated quiescent‐center‐specific homeobox (QHB) gene. Using transformants carrying the QHB promoter‐GUS and in situ hybridization, we found that QHB was specifically expressed in the central cells of a quiescent center (QC) of the root. During embryogenesis and crown root formation, QHB expression was observed prior to the morphological differentiation of the root. However, we detected different QHB expression patterns in the process of the RAM development, specifically between radicle and crown root formation, suggesting that the cell‐fate determination of the QC may be controlled by different mechanisms. We also produced transformants that overexpress QHB or Arabidopsis WUS. These transformants did not form crown roots, but developed multiple shoots from ectopic SAMs with malformed leaves. On the basis of these observations, we propose that the WUS‐type homeobox gene is involved in the specification and maintenance of the stem cells (QC cells) in the RAM, by a mechanism similar to that for WUS in the SAM.
fur-independent regulation of the Pasteurella multocida hbpA gene encoding a haemin-binding protein
Authors: Garrido M. Elena , Bosch Montserrat , Medina Ricardo , Bigas Anna , Llagostera Montserrat , Pérez de Rozas Ana M. , Badiola Ignacio , Barbé Jordi
Published: August 2003

Treatment of bacterial cultures with chelating agents such as 2,2′-dipyridyl (DPD) induces expression of iron-regulated genes. It is known that in theγ-Proteobacteria, the Fur protein is the major regulator of genes encoding haem- or haemoglobin-binding proteins. Electrophoretic analysis of outer-membrane proteins of theγ-proteobacteriumPasteurella multocidahas revealed the induction of two proteins of 60 and 40 kDa in DPD-treated cultures in both wild-type andfur-defective strains. These two proteins have the same N-terminal amino acid sequence, which identifies this protein as the product of the PM0592 ORF. Analysis of the sequence of this ORF, which encodes a protein of 60 kDa, revealed the presence of a hexanucleotide (AAAAAA) at which a programmed translational frameshift can occur giving rise to a 40 kDa protein. Analyses conducted inEscherichia coli, using the complete PM0592 ORF and a derivative truncated at the hexanucleotide position, have shown that both polypeptides bind haemin. For this reason, the PM0592 ORF product has been designated HbpA (forhaemin-bindingprotein). Expression studies using both RT-PCR andlacZfusions, as well as electrophoretic profiles of outer-membrane protein composition, have demonstrated that thehbpAgene is negatively regulated by iron, manganese and haemin through afur-independent pathway. Despite the fact that serum of mice infected withP. multocidacontained antibodies that reacted with both the 60 and 40 kDa products of thehbpAgene, these proteins did not offer protection when used in immunization assays against this micro-organism.
The consumer as “transient employee”
Authors: Namasivayam Karthik
Published: August 2003

This paper responds to the call for increased attention to the consumer's point of view in modeling the service exchange. A novel conceptualization of a service product is presented. Further, extending extant research that conceptualizes consumers as “partial employees”, this paper treats consumers as “transient” employees. Next, drawing on the literatures in human resources, specifically Karasek's job demand‐control model, a theoretical model of consumer satisfaction is developed and presented. Attention is also drawn to a typology of services based on the level of consumer participation. Managerial recommendations are developed and presented on the basis of these arguments.
Service failures away from home: benefits in intercultural service encounters
Authors: Warden Clyde A. , Liu Tsung‐Chi , Huang Chi‐Tsun , Lee Chi‐Hsun
Published: August 2003

Consumer travel and multinational service corporations have increased the opportunity for service failures where consumers from one culture experience service problems in another cultural setting. This study extended the Stauss and Mang model, which proposed the possibility that intercultural service failures exhibit lower seriousness ratings due to the customer's attributing errors to cultural distance. Such a possible outcome has important implications for service providers whose customers are from different cultures, such as tourist or visiting businesspeople. A pretest, employing the critical incident technique, established descriptions of common service failures and recovery strategies for the sample frame. Domestic (in Taiwan) and foreign (outside Taiwan) service encounters were then compared in both failure and recovery stages, reported in an online survey employing a modified critical incident technique. Results showed that the apparent reduction in intercultural failure seriousness can be attributed not to the error itself, but to increased acceptance of the recovery strategy. These findings broaden the Stauss and Mang model by including the importance of recovery strategies, and the benefit gained by any recovery attempt within an intercultural service setting.
Race and Environmental Voting in the U.S. Congress
Authors: Mohai Paul , Kershner David
Published: August 2003

Objective. This article examines long‐term trends in the environmental voting behavior in Congress and attempts to identify the factors that account for racial differences in voting patterns. Methods. Hypotheses about the various possible influences on environmental voting behavior are tested using longitudinal analyses and path analysis techniques. Results. Findings indicate African American members of Congress have been consistently more supportive of proenvironment legislation than either Republican or Democrat colleagues from 1981 to 1998. The data further suggest that much of these overall differences are explained by an especially large racial gap in proenvironmental voting among members from the South. Although such a gap among members from outside the South is eliminated by controlling for ideology and other variables, it remains substantial among Southern members. Conclusions. Based on the strong and consistent support for environmental legislation by African American members of Congress in the past, we expect significant racial differences in environmental voting to endure. Although results suggest that ideology plays a partial role in explaining such differences, future research will be needed to identify the reasons for the especially large racial gap in proenvironmental voting among members from the South. Given the growth in their numbers, their relatively safe seats, and their potential to chair important committees as they gain seniority, we expect African American legislators to play an increasingly important role in shaping and deciding the fate of national environmental policy in the future.
Units of Analysis and the Environmental Justice Hypothesis: The Case of Industrial Hog Farms
Authors: Taquino Michael , Parisi Domenico , Gill Duane A.
Published: August 2003

Objective. In environmental justice research, different‐sized units of analysis have generated mixed results, begging the question of what constitutes the most appropriate unit of analysis. Grappling with this question raises both conceptual and methodological issues. In this article, it is argued that, conceptually, community should be the most important unit of analysis and that, methodologically, units should be selected through an appropriate sampling procedure. These issues are addressed through an investigation of the locations of industrial hog farms in Mississippi. Methods. A geographic information system procedure was used to identify community areas and to select the sample of units. The identified community areas were compared to counties, ZIP code areas, census tracts, and census block groups through a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results. Race was the only variable that was consistently not found to be significant across all units. For the remaining variables—income, education, and industry—results were mixed across units. Conclusions. This research confirms that units of different size generate different results. We argue that the decision about the most appropriate unit of analysis should be conceptually rather than statistically determined and that community is the most important unit of analysis because it holds both legal and social authority to raise concern about environmentally controversial facilities.
Gender, Values, and Environmentalism
Authors: Dietz Thomas , Kalof Linda , Stern Paul C.
Published: August 2003

Objective. The social psychological values altruism, self‐interest, traditionalism, and openness to change are key correlates of environmental concern and proenvironmental behavior. We investigate the relationship between gender and these values to better understand gender differences in environmentalism. We consider both gender differences in value priorities (differences in mean response on value scales) and differences in the meaning of values (differences in the factor structure of values) as well. Methods. Our analysis is based on data from a random‐digit dialed national telephone survey of U.S. adults conducted in 1994. We examine differences in factor structure of values for a group of 145 white men and 200 white women using confirmatory factor analysis and differences in mean value scores using multivariate analysis of variance. Results. We find no substantial differences in value factor structure, but differences in value priorities, with women ranking altruism as more important than men. Conclusions. Our analysis supports work that focuses on mean differences in environmentalism across genders without examining gender differences in factor structure, although further examination of gender differences in factor structure is warranted. Our results also highlight the importance of gender differences in altruism as a basis for gender differences in environmentalism.
The Impact of Social Capital on Labor Force Participation: Evidence from the 2000 Social Capital Benchmark Survey
Authors: Aguilera Michael Bernabé
Published: August 2003

Objectives. Few studies apply the concept of social capital to labor force participation. In this research, I study the relationship between friendship networks and labor force participation as represented by employment and hours worked. Methods. I test five hypotheses representing social capital with network structure, network quality, and network diversity using nationally representative data from the 2000 Social Capital Benchmark Survey. Since this survey enables comparisons across racial/ethnic and gender groups, I am also able to specify how social capital interacts with race/ethnicity and gender to influence labor force participation, while controlling for other prominent theoretical concerns such as human capital theory. Results. I find that friendship networks are generally positively related with increased labor force participation. Further, I find significant social capital differences based on race/ethnicity and gender. Conclusions. I illustrate that social capital can be applied across a broader racial/ethnic/gender spectrum. The findings suggest that programs that attempt to bring valuable labor market information to individuals and communities lacking employment–related information are likely to be effective in reducing inequality, especially if combined with programs for developing human capital.
Typing of Nonencapsulated
Haemophilus
Strains by Repetitive-Element Sequence-Based PCR Using Intergenic Dyad Sequences
Authors: Bruant Guillaume , Watt Stephane , Quentin Roland , Rosenau Agnes
Published: August 2003

Intergenic dyad sequences (IDS) are short repeated elements that have been described for several
Haemophilus
genomes and for only two other bacterial genera. We developed a repetitive-element sequence-based PCR using an IDS-specific primer as a typing method (IDS-PCR) for nonencapsulated
Haemophilus
strains and compared this technique with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA restricted with
Sma
I. IDS-PCR was rapid, easy to perform, and reproducible, with a high discriminatory capacity for nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHI) strains. The 69 NTHI strains tested generated 65 different banding patterns. Epidemiologically related strains gave similar or identical fingerprints, and all of the unrelated strains except two showed different patterns. These results were in agreement with those obtained by PFGE. For 20 genital strains usually identified as being biotype IV NTHI and belonging to a cryptic genospecies of
Haemophilus
with remarkable genetic homogeneity, four bands were significantly present and six bands were significantly absent from the fingerprints. The 20 strains were gathered in 11 closely related profiles, whereas PFGE provided no band when DNA was treated with
Sma
I. IDS-PCR improved the differentiation previously obtained within this species by ribotyping and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. Our findings suggest that IDS-PCR is a rapid, reliable, and discriminatory method for typing NTHI strains and is currently the most efficient method for distinguishing strains within the cryptic genospecies of
Haemophilus
.
Outbreak of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase VEB-1-Producing Isolates of
Acinetobacter baumannii
in a French Hospital
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Menuteau Olivier , Agoli Nathalie , Cattoen Christian , Nordmann Patrice
Published: August 2003

Twelve clonally related and multidrug-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolates were recovered during a 4-month period from 12 patients hospitalized at the Valenciennes Hospital in France. Antibiograms determined by the double-disk diffusion technique on cloxacillin-containing plates detected a clavulanic acid-inhibited extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). PCR and sequencing identified the gene encoding the Ambler class A ESBL VEB-1. This gene was located on the chromosome and was part of a class 1 integron identical to that previously identified in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates from Thailand. Additionally, seven clonally related
bla
VEB-1
-positive
A. baumannii
strains were identified in the immediate environment of the hospitalized patients. This is the first report of the ESBL VEB-1 in
Acinetobacter
spp. and the first description of VEB-1-producing strains as a source of an outbreak occurring outside Southeast Asia. This report underlines the difficulty of the identification of ESBLs in
A. baumannii.
Virus Detection Protocols for West Nile Virus in Vertebrate and Mosquito Specimens
Authors: Kauffman Elizabeth B. , Jones Susan A. , Dupuis Alan P. , Ngo Kiet A. , Bernard Kristen A. , Kramer Laura D.
Published: August 2003

The recent outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the northeastern United States and other regions of the world have made it essential to develop efficient, sensitive, and rapid protocols for virus surveillance. Laboratory testing is the backbone of any surveillance program. Protocols to detect the presence of WNV have been refined since 1999 for sensitivity, speed, efficiency, and specificity. This paper presents the protocols currently used by the New York State Department of Health to handle vertebrate and mosquito specimens that have been submitted for WNV testing to the Arbovirus Laboratories of the Wadsworth Center.