bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fermented ginseng protects streptozotocin‐induced damage in rat pancreas by inhibiting nuclear factor‐κB
Authors: Yuan Hai Dan , Chung Sung Hyun
Published: December 2009

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of fermented ginseng (FG) on hyperglycemia induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in Sprague Dawley rats. FG was administered orally at dose of 250 (FGL) or 500 mg/kg (FGH) for 20 days starting one week before STZ injection. FG restored the plasma insulin levels by 266% and 334% in FGL and FGH, respectively, and resulting in reduction of plasma glucose concentration. Histological observation indicated that STZ‐induced destruction of pancreatic islets was protected by FG. Consistent with this observation, FG reduced protein and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), as determined by Western blotting and RT‐PCR, respectively. The molecular mechanism of FG's inhibition of iNOS and COX‐2 gene expressions appeared to involve the inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation via prevention of inhibitor κB (IκB) phosphorylation and degradation. The cytoprotective effects of FG were also mediated through suppression of extracelluar signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐JUN N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. Collectively, these results suggest that FG might be used to preserve functional β‐cell mass. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacology and immunological actions of a herbal medicine ASHMITM on allergic asthma
Authors: Zhang Tengfei , Srivastava Kamal , Wen Ming‐Chun , Yang Nan , Cao Jing , Busse Paula , Birmingham Neil , Goldfarb Joseph , Li Xiu‐Min
Published: December 2009

Allergic asthma is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease for which there is no satisfactory treatment. Studies reported tolerability and efficacy of an anti‐asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI) for asthma patients, developed from traditional Chinese medicine. To investigate the pharmacological actions of ASHMI on early‐ and late‐phase airway responses (EAR and LAR), Ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized mice received 6 weeks of ASHMI treatment beginning 24 h following the first intratracheal OVA challenge. EAR were determined 30 min following the fourth challenge and LAR 48 h following the last challenge. ASHMI effects on cytokine secretion, murine tracheal ring contraction and human bronchial smooth muscle cell prostaglandin (PG) production were also determined.

ASHMI abolished EAR, which was associated with significantly reduced histamine, leukotriene C4, and OVA‐specific IgE levels, as well as LAR, which was associated with significantly reduced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) eosinophils, decreased airway remodeling, and lower Th2 cytokine levels in BALF and splenocyte cultures. Furthermore, ASHMI inhibited contraction of murine tracheal rings and increased production of the potent smooth muscle relaxer PGI2. ASHMI abrogation of allergic airway responses is associated with broad effects on asthma pathological mechanisms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric analysis of bacteriophage major capsid proteins with β‐mercaptoethanol pretreatment
Authors: McAlpin Casey R. , Cox Christopher R. , Matyi Stephanie A. , Voorhees Kent J.
Published: December 2009

Bacteriophage (phage) proteins have been analyzed previously with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). However, analysis of phage major capsid proteins (MCPs) has been limited by the ability to reproducibly generate ions from MCP monomers. While the acidic conditions of MALDI‐TOF MS sample preparation have been shown to aid in disassembly of some phage capsids, many require further treatment to successfully liberate MCP monomers. The findings presented here suggest that β‐mercaptoethanol reduction of the disulfide bonds linking phage MCPs prior to mass spectrometric analysis results in significantly increased MALDI‐TOF MS sensitivity and reproducibility of Yersinia pestis‐specific phage protein profiles. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustainable development threats, inter‐sector conflicts and environmental policy requirements in the arid, mining rich, northern Chile territory
Authors: Oyarzún Jorge , Oyarzún Ricardo
Published: December 2009

Northern Chile has been an N–S arid to semiarid belt for more than 100 million years. Also, it is one of the world's most richly endowed territories in terms of Cu(Mo) porphyric deposits. Its mining output has steadily grown since the 1980s and has recently benefited from increased Asian demand and high Cu prices. The scarce water resources are allocated according to the 1981 act that emphasizes economic efficiency based on free transference between water‐right owners. As a result, water rights have attained peak market prices, at the US$200 000 level per l/s. Besides the consequences of the uneven mining–agricultural competition for water rights and the environmental effects of accelerated groundwater withdrawal, social unrest has locally attained serious levels, in particular in the Atacama Region. Therefore, the central government is considering significant changes to the present legislation, allowing a stronger participation of the state in water management issues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
SSL‐enabled trusted communication: Spoofing and protecting the non‐cautious users
Authors: Qi Fang , Tang Zhe , Wang Guojun , Wu Jie
Published: December 2009

The anti‐spoofing community has been intensively proposing new methods for defending against new web‐spoofing techniques. In this paper, we analyze the problems within current anti‐spoofing mechanisms, and propose a new SSL protected trust model. Then, we describe the attacks on SSL protected trusted communication. In this paper, we also propose the new Automatic Detecting Security Indicator scheme (ADSI) to defend against spoofing attacks on SSL protected web servers. In a secure transaction, ADSI will randomly choose a picture and embed it into the current web browser at a random place. This can be triggered by any security relevant event that has occurred on the browser, and then automatic checking will be performed on the current active security status. When a mismatch of embedded pictures is detected, an alarm goes off to alert the users. Since an adversary is hard to replace or mimic the randomly embedded picture, the web‐spoofing attack cannot be mounted easily. In comparison with existing schemes, (1) the proposed scheme has the weakest security assumption, and places a very low burden on the user by automating the process of detection and recognition of web‐spoofing for SSL‐enabled trusted communication; (2) it has little intrusiveness on the browser; and (3) it can be implemented in a trusted PC at an Internet Cafe. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zu Verbundbrücken mit integralen Widerlagern
Authors: Feldmann Markus , Pak Daniel
Published: December 2009

Bei Entwurf und Planung von Brückenbauwerken stehen neben der Tragsicherheit und Gebrauchstauglichkeit auch die Fragen der Nachhaltigkeit, Wirtschaftlichkeit und Instandhaltung im Fokus. Verbundbrücken mit integrierten Widerlagern sind deswegen eine wirtschaftliche Alternative. Sie erweisen sich als günstiger im Bau und Unterhalt, da Lager und Fugen, welche einen großen Anteil an den Gesamtwartungskosten des Bauwerks ausmachen, fehlen. Jedoch konnten bisher in den meisten europäischen Ländern nur wenige Erfahrungen mit integralen Widerlagerbrücken, insbesondere in Verbundbauweise, gesammelt werden, so dass die Verbreitung dieses Brückentyps nur zögerlich erfolgt. Durch Forschungsarbeiten, über die auszugsweise in dem Aufsatz berichtet wird, können offene Punkte bei der Bemessung weiter geklärt werden, so dass die Vorteile langfristig sinkender Instandhaltungskosten besser ausgenutzt werden können.

Integral abutment bridges.

Within the design and construction of bridges, questions of sustainability, maintenance and durability become more and more important for European road administrations in addition to safety and serviceability issues. Therefore integral abutment bridges turn out to become highly attractive to designers, constructors and road administrations. The main reason for this is that they tend to be less expensive to build, easier to maintain and more economical to own over their life time. This is principally due to the non‐existence of bearings and joints, that are main sources of maintenance costs during life time. However, in most European countries only few experience with integral bridges has been gained so far. Thus road administrations often are reluctant in using types of bridges like this. Nowadays this lack is more and more filled. Therefore with further assessment the share of integral abutment bridges in the European bridge stock has the potential to increase significantly with the advantage of reduced maintenance costs.
Cyclin C Regulates Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Quiescence
Authors: Miyata Yasuhiko , Liu Yan , Jankovic Vladimir , Sashida Goro , Lee Jennifer May , Shieh Jae-Hung , Naoe Tomoki , Moore Malcolm , Nimer Stephen D.
Published: December 2009

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can remain quiescent or they can enter the cell cycle, and either self-renew or differentiate. Although cyclin C and cyclin dependent kinase (cdk3) are essential for the transition from the G0 to the G1 phase of the cell cycle in human fibroblasts, the role of cyclin C in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) is not clear. We have identified an important role of cyclin C (CCNC) in regulating human HSPC quiescence, as knocking down CCNC expression in human cord blood CD34+ cells resulted in a significant increase in quiescent cells that maintain CD34 expression. CCNC knockdown also promotes in vitro HSPC expansion and enhances their engraftment potential in sublethally irradiated immunodeficient mice. Our studies establish cyclin C as a critical regulator of the G0/G1 transition of human HSPCs and suggest that modulating cyclin C levels may be useful for HSC expansion and more efficient engraftment.
How do technology‐enhanced inquiry science units impact classroom learning?
Authors: Lee Hee‐Sun , Linn Marcia C. , Varma Keisha , Liu Ou Lydia
Published: December 2009

We investigated how student understanding of complex science topics was impacted when 27 teachers switched from typical to inquiry instruction in a delayed cohort comparison design study. For the same set of science topics, the teachers used typical methods of instruction in the first year and online, visualization rich inquiry units in the second year. Both cohorts of students were tested on knowledge integration at the end of both school years. We obtained students' knowledge integration estimates by applying an Item Response Theory analysis based on a Rasch Partial Credit Model. We used a mixed effects analysis of variance to investigate effects related to inquiry instruction, teaching context, and science course. We found significant main effects of inquiry instruction and teaching context as well as significant interaction effects between inquiry instruction and science course and between inquiry instruction and teaching context on student knowledge integration. We triangulate these findings with teacher surveys, interview transcripts and project records to explore potential factors associated with successful implementation of inquiry instruction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47: 71–90, 2010
Non‐mathematical problem solving in organic chemistry
Authors: Cartrette David P. , Bodner George M.
Published: December 2009

Differences in problem‐solving ability among organic chemistry graduate students and faculty were studied within the domain of problems that involved the determination of the structure of a molecule from the molecular formula of the compound and a combination of IR and 1H NMR spectra. The participants' performance on these tasks was compared across variables that included amount of research experience, year of graduate study, and level of problem‐solving confidence. Thirteen of the 15 participants could be classified as either “more successful” or “less successful.” The participants in this study who were “more successful” adopted consistent approaches to solving the problems; were more likely to draw molecular fragments obtained during intermediate stages in the problem‐solving process; were better at mining the spectral data; and were more likely to check their final answer against the spectra upon which the answer was based. Experience from research, teaching, and course work were found to be important factors influencing the level of participants' success. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47:643–660, 2010
Inquiry‐based science instruction—what is it and does it matter? Results from a research synthesis years 1984 to 2002
Authors: Minner Daphne D. , Levy Abigail Jurist , Century Jeanne
Published: December 2009

The goal of the Inquiry Synthesis Project was to synthesize findings from research conducted between 1984 and 2002 to address the research question, What is the impact of inquiry science instruction on K–12 student outcomes? The timeframe of 1984 to 2002 was selected to continue a line of synthesis work last completed in 1983 by Bredderman [Bredderman [1983] Review of Educational Research 53: 499–518] and Shymansky, Kyle, and Alport [Shymansky et al. [1983] Journal of Research in Science Teaching 20: 387–404], and to accommodate a practicable cut‐off date given the research project timeline, which ran from 2001 to 2006. The research question for the project was addressed by developing a conceptual framework that clarifies and specifies what is meant by “inquiry‐based science instruction,” and by using a mixed‐methodology approach to analyze both numerical and text data describing the impact of instruction on K–12 student science conceptual learning. Various findings across 138 analyzed studies indicate a clear, positive trend favoring inquiry‐based instructional practices, particularly instruction that emphasizes student active thinking and drawing conclusions from data. Teaching strategies that actively engage students in the learning process through scientific investigations are more likely to increase conceptual understanding than are strategies that rely on more passive techniques, which are often necessary in the current standardized‐assessment laden educational environment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47: 474–496, 2010
System thinking skills at the elementary school level
Authors: Assaraf Orit Ben‐Zvi , Orion Nir
Published: December 2009

This study deals with the development of system thinking skills at the elementary school level. It addresses the question of whether elementary school students can deal with complex systems. The sample included 40 4th grade students from one school in a small town in Israel. The students studied an inquiry‐based earth systems curriculum that focuses on the hydro‐cycle. The program involved lab simulations and experiments, direct interaction with components and processes of the water cycle in the outdoor learning environment and knowledge integration activities. Despite the students' minimal initial system thinking abilities, most of them made significant progress with their ability to analyze the hydrological earth system to its components and processes. As a result, they recognized interconnections between components of a system. Some of the students reached higher system thinking abilities, such as identifying interrelationships among several earth systems and identifying hidden parts of the hydrological system. The direct contact with real phenomena and processes in small scale scenarios enabled these students to create a concrete local water cycle, which could later be expanded into large scale abstract global cycles. The incorporation of outdoor inquiry‐based learning with lab inquiry‐based activities and knowledge integration assignments contributed to the 4th grade students' capacity to develop basic system thinking abilities at their young age. This suggests that although system thinking is regarded as a high order thinking skill, it can be developed to a certain extent in elementary school. With a proper long‐term curriculum, these abilities can serve as the basis for the development of higher stages of system thinking at the junior–high/middle school level. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47: 540–563, 2010
Chocolate fortunes: The battle for the hearts, minds, and wallets of China's consumers
Authors: Allen Lawrence L.
Published: December 2009

The emerging China market was a level playing field for all of the Big Five chocolate companies when they arrived in the 1980s. Chinese consumers viewed chocolate as an exotic foreign product, so each of the chocolate manufacturers enjoyed the same level of prestige and credibility that China's inexperienced consumers associated with foreign goods. Retail prices were relatively high and manufacturing costs relatively low, so none found pricing and cost to be barriers to entry. Importantly, each was flying blind when it came to consumer and market information, and by the seat of their pants when dealing with China's mercurial economic and regulatory environment. How the executives of the Big Five applied the experience, management skills, and leadership capabilities they brought to China would be decisive in how each approached the emerging consumer market and whether they ultimately succeeded. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prayer life of a professor
Authors: Baesler E. James
Published: December 2009

This autoethnographic account describes interconnections among a professor's personal prayer life, teaching, and research. The contextual frame for the story includes episodes and observations from a twelve‐year span, encompassing postacademic tenure and promotion to the present.
Spiritual mentoring: Embracing the mentor‐mentee relational process
Authors: Buzzanell Patrice M.
Published: December 2009

In this chapter the author explains how spiritual mentoring is the everyday enactment of spiritual values into concrete instructional practices. It takes place in several ways: offering opportunities for student development, engaging in spontaneous mentoring, enlarging and enriching resources, and encouraging continuous self‐development.
The most exciting thing: Researcher ethics and personal ethics
Authors: Ballard Robert L.
Published: December 2009

This autoethnographic chapter explores the thoughts, feelings, desires, and ethical struggles of the author when he rode along with a patrol officer and saw a dead body. Drawing on communication ethics, the author problematizes his ethics, faith, identity, and personal desires. He learns it is important for researchers to consider their personal ethical constitution while in the field.
The spirit that strengthens me: Merging the “life of the mind” with “life in the spirit”
Authors: Hendrix Katherine Grace
Published: December 2009

Traditional Christian hymns and journal entries are intertwined to illustrate how the author's faith sustains and allows her to meet the challenges and triumphs of academia. Lyrics and excerpts from journal entries are the foundation for discussing obstacles, gratitude, and resilience as a black female in academia.
Spatial dynamics of Norwegian tetraonid populations
Authors: Kvasnes Mikkel A. J. , Storaas Torstein , Pedersen Hans Chr. , Bjørk Svein , Nilsen Erlend B.
Published: December 2009

Different species in a given site or population of a given species in different sites may fluctuate in synchrony if they are affected similarly by factors such as spatially autocorrelated climate, predation, or by dispersal between populations of one species. We used county wise time series of hunting bag records of four Norwegian tetraonid species covering 24 years to examine patterns of interspecific and intraspecific synchrony. We estimated synchrony at three spatial scales; national, regional (consisting of counties with similar climate), and county level. Ecologically related species with overlapping distributions exhibited strong synchrony across Norway, but there was much variation between the different regions and counties. Regions with a long coastline to both the North Sea and the Norwegian Ocean exhibited an overall stronger synchrony than those consisting of more continental areas. Intraspecific synchrony was generally low across all counties, but stronger synchrony between counties within regions defined by climatic conditions. Synchrony was negatively related to distance between populations in three of four species. Only the synchrony in willow ptarmigan showed a clear negative relationship with distance, while the other species had both strong positive and negative correlations at short distances. Strong interspecific synchrony between some species pairs within regions and weak intraspecific synchrony across counties within regions suggest a stronger synchronizing effect from environmental factors such as weather or predation and less effect from dispersal. Our results suggest that the complete tetraonid community is structured by environmental factors affecting the different species similarly and causes widespread interspecific synchrony. Local factors affecting the population dynamics nevertheless frequently forces neighbouring populations out of phase.
Molekulare Charakterisierung der Ichthyosen
Authors: Oji V. , Traupe H. , Hennies H.C.
Published: December 2009

Ichthyosen umfassen eine ätiologisch heterogene Gruppe von genetisch bedingten Verhornungsstörungen, die die gesamte Haut betreffen und durch Hyperkeratose und/oder sichtbare Schuppung charakterisiert sind. Die Grundlagenforschung der vergangenen Jahre führte zur genetischen Aufklärung fast aller Ichthyoseformen und verbesserte die diagnostischen Möglichkeiten enorm. Hilfreiche Anlaufstellen für Ärzte und Patienten in Deutschland bieten das Netzwerk für Ichthyosen und verwandte Keratinisierungsstörungen (NIRK, www.netzwerk-ichthyose.de) und die Selbsthilfe Ichthyose e. V. (www.ichthyose.de) an. Im August 2009 wurde die weltweit erste Ichthyosekonsensusklassifikation verabschiedet. Deren Nosologie orientiert sich am klinischen Erscheinungsbild, berücksichtigt aber gleichzeitig die pathogenetischen Aspekte. Die grundlegende Einteilung basiert auf der Unterscheidung von syndromalen und nichtsyndromalen Formen. Bislang kontroverse Krankheitsnamen wurden neu definiert: Ichthyosen, die durch Keratinmutationen bedingt sind, werden unter dem neuen Überbegriff keratinopathische Ichthyose (KPI) geführt. Hierunter fallen die epidermolytische (Mutation in Keratin 1 oder 10) und die superfizielle epidermolytische Ichthyose (Keratin 2). Die Bezeichnung autosomal-rezessive kongenitale Ichthyose (ARCI) wird als ein Überbegriff für Harlekin-Ichthyose und für die Gruppe der lamellären Ichthyose und kongenitalen ichthyosiformen Erythrodermie verwendet. Die internationale Klassifikation soll als Referenz für zukünftige Untersuchungen der Erkrankungen dienen, z. B. bei Studien zur weiteren Genotyp-Phänotyp-Korrelation.
A regularity criterion for the 3D NSE in a local version of the space of functions of bounded mean oscillations
Authors: Grujić Zoran , Guberović Rafaela
Published: December 2009

A spatio-temporal localization of the
BMO
-version of the Beale–Kato–Majda criterion for the regularity of solutions to the 3D Navier–Stokes equations obtained by Kozono and Taniuchi, i.e., the time-integrability of the
BMO
-norm of the vorticity, is presented.

Une localisation spatio-temporelle de la version
BMO
du critère de Beale–Kato–Majda pour la régularité des solutions des équations de Navier–Stokes obtenue par Kozono et Taniuchi, c.-à-d., l'intégrabilité en temps de la norme
BMO
de la vorticité, est présentée.
An abstract Nash–Moser theorem with parameters and applications to PDEs
Authors: Berti M. , Bolle P. , Procesi M.
Published: December 2009

We prove an abstract Nash–Moser implicit function theorem with parameters which covers the applications to the existence of finite dimensional, differentiable, invariant tori of Hamiltonian PDEs with merely differentiable nonlinearities. The main new feature of the abstract iterative scheme is that the linearized operators, in a neighborhood of the expected solution, are invertible, and satisfy the “tame” estimates, only for proper subsets of the parameters. As an application we show the existence of periodic solutions of nonlinear wave equations on Riemannian Zoll manifolds. A point of interest is that, in presence of possibly very large “clusters of small divisors”, due to resonance phenomena, it is more natural to expect solutions with only Sobolev regularity.
On the Schrödinger–Maxwell equations under the effect of a general nonlinear term
Authors: Pomponio A. , Azzollini A. , d'Avenia P.
Published: December 2009

In this paper we prove the existence of a nontrivial solution to the nonlinear Schrödinger–Maxwell equations in

\mathbb{R}^{3}

, assuming on the nonlinearity the general hypotheses introduced by Berestycki and Lions.

Dans cet article on démontre l'existence d'une solution non-banale et positive pour les équations non-linéaires de Schrödinger–Maxwell dans

\mathbb{R}^{3}

en supposant que le terme non-linéaire satisfait les hypothèses introduites par Berestycki et Lions.
Gallic acid induces GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake activity in 3T3‐L1 cells
Authors: Vishnu Prasad C.N. , Anjana T. , Banerji Asoke , Gopalakrishnapillai Anilkumar
Published: December 2009

GLUT4, a 12 transmembrane protein, plays a major role in insulin mediated glucose transport in muscle and adipocytes. For glucose transport, the GLUT4 protein needs to be translocated to the plasma membrane from the intracellular pool and it is possible that certain compounds may be able to enhance this process. In the present work, we have shown that gallic acid can increase GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake activity in an Akt‐independent but wortmannin‐sensitive manner. Further analysis suggested the role of atypical protein kinase Cζ/λ in gallic acid mediated GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake.
Lifestyle and genetic determinants of folate and vitamin B12 levels in a general adult population
Authors: Thuesen Betina H. , Husemoen Lise Lotte N. , Ovesen Lars , Jørgensen Torben , Fenger Mogens , Linneberg Allan
Published: December 2009

Danish legislation regarding food fortification has been very restrictive resulting in few fortified food items on the Danish market. Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency is thought to be common due to inadequate intakes but little is known about the actual prevalence of low serum folate and vitamin B12 in the general population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the folate and vitamin B12 status of Danish adults and to investigate associations between vitamin status and distinct lifestyle and genetic factors. The study included a random sample of 6784 individuals aged 30–60 years. Information on lifestyle factors was obtained by questionnaires and blood samples were analysed for serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations and several genetic polymorphisms. The overall prevalence of low serum folate ( < 6·8 nmol/l) was 31·4 %. Low serum folate was more common among men than women and the prevalence was lower with increasing age. Low serum folate was associated with smoking, low alcohol intake, high coffee intake, unhealthy diet, and the TT genotype of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)-C677T polymorphism. The overall prevalence of low serum vitamin B12 ( < 148 pmol/l) was 4·7 %. Low serum vitamin B12 was significantly associated with female sex, high coffee intake, low folate status, and the TT genotype of the MTHFR-C677T polymorphism. In conclusion, low serum folate was present in almost a third of the adult population in the present study and was associated with several lifestyle factors whereas low serum concentrations of vitamin B12 were less common and only found to be associated with a few lifestyle factors.
Tectonic significance of synextensional ductile shear zones within the Early Miocene Alaçamdağ granites, northwestern Turkey
Authors: ERKÜL FUAT
Published: December 2009

Synextensional granitoids may have significant structural features leading to the understanding of the evolution of extended orogenic belts. One of the highly extended regions, the Aegean region, includes a number of metamorphic core complexes and synextensional granitoids that developed following the Alpine collisional events. The Alaçamdağ area in northwestern Turkey is one of the key areas where Miocene granites crop out along the boundary of various tectonic units. Structural data from the Early Miocene Alaçamdağ granites demonstrated two different deformation patterns that may provide insights into the development of granitic intrusions and metamorphic core complexes. (1) Steeply dipping ductile shear zones caused emplacement of syn-tectonic granite stocks; they include kinematic indicators of a sinistral top-to-the-SW displacement. This zone has also juxtaposed the İzmir–Ankara Zone and the Menderes Massif in the west and east, respectively. (2) Gently dipping ductile shear zones have developed within the granitic stocks that intruded the schists of the Menderes Massif on the structurally lower parts. Kinematic data from the foliated granites indicate a top-to-the-NE displacement, which can be correlated with the direction of the hanging-wall movement documented from the Simav and Kazdağ metamorphic core complexes. The gently dipping shear zones indicate the presence of a detachment fault between the Menderes Massif and the structurally overlying İzmir–Ankara Zone. Mesoscopic- to map-scale folds in the shallow-dipping shear zones of the Alaçamdağ area were interpreted to have been caused by coupling between NE–SW stretching and the accompanying NW–SE shortening of ductilely deformed crust during Early Miocene times. One of the NE-trending shear zones fed by granitic magmas was interpreted to form the northeastern part of a sinistral wrench corridor which caused differential stretching between the Cycladic and the Menderes massifs. This crustal-scale wrench corridor, the İzmir–Balıkesir transfer zone, may have controlled the asymmetrical and symmetrical extensions in the orogenic domains. The combination of the retreat of the Aegean subduction zone and the lateral slab segmentation leading to the sinistral oblique-slip tearing within the Eurasian upper plate appears to be a plausible mechanism for the development of such extensive NE-trending shear zones in the Aegean region.
ON ANNIHILATOR IDEALS OF SKEW MONOID RINGS
Authors: ZHONGKUI LIU , XIAOYAN YANG
Published: December 2009

A ring R is called a left APP-ring if the left annihilator lR(Ra) is pure as a left ideal of R for every a ∈ R; R is called (left principally) quasi-Baer if the left annihilator of every (principal) left ideal of R is generated by an idempotent. Let R be a ring and M an ordered monoid. Assume that there is a monoid homomorphism φ: M ⟶ Aut(R). We give a necessary and sufficient condition for the skew monoid ring (induced by φ) to be left APP (left principally quasi-Baer, quasi-Baer, respectively).
Stability of the flow of a Bingham fluid in a channel: eigenvalue sensitivity, minimal defects and scaling laws of transition
Authors: NOUAR CHERIF , BOTTARO ALESSANDRO
Published: December 2009

It has been recently shown that the flow of a Bingham fluid in a channel is always linearly stable (Nouar et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 577, 2007, p. 211). To identify possible paths of transition we revisit the problem for the case in which the idealized base flow is slightly perturbed. No attempt is made to reproduce or model the perturbations arising in experimental environments – which may be due to the improper alignment of the channel walls or to imperfect inflow conditions – rather a general formulation is given which yields the transfer function (the sensitivity) for each eigenmode of the spectrum to arbitrary defects in the base flow. It is first established that such a function, for the case of the most sensitive eigenmode, displays a very weak selectivity to variations in the spanwise wavenumber of the disturbance mode. This justifies a further look into the class of spanwise homogeneous modes. A variational procedure is set up to identify the base flow defect of minimal norm capable of optimally destabilizing an otherwise stable flow; it is found that very weak defects are indeed capable to excite exponentially amplified streamwise travelling waves. The associated variations in viscosity are situated mostly near the critical layer of the inviscid problem. Neutrally stable conditions are found as function of the Reynolds number and the Bingham number, providing scalings of critical values with the amplitude of the defect consistent with previous experimental and numerical studies. Finally, a structured pseudospectrum analysis is performed; it is argued that such a class of pseudospectra provides information well suited to hydrodynamic stability purposes.
Symposium on ‘Geographical and geological influences on nutrition’ Factors controlling the distribution of selenium in the environment and their impact on health and nutrition
Authors: Johnson Christopher C. , Fordyce Fiona M. , Rayman Margaret P.
Published: December 2009

Se is essential to human and animal health but can be toxic in excess. An interest in its geochemistry has developed alongside a greater understanding of its function in a number of health conditions. Geology exerts a strong control on the Se status of the surface environment; low-Se rock-types (0·05–0·09 mg Se/kg) make up the majority of rocks occurring at the Earth's surface, which in turn account for the generally low levels of Se in most soils. However, there are exceptions such as associations with sulfide mineralisation and in some types of sedimentary rocks (e.g. black shales) in which contents of Se can be much higher. Baseline geochemical data now enable a comparison to be made between environmental and human Se status, although a direct link is only likely to be seen if the population is dependent on the local environment for sustenance. This situation is demonstrated with an example from the work of the British Geological Survey in the Se-deficiency belt of China. The recent fall in the daily dietary Se intake in the UK is discussed in the context of human Se status and declining use of North American wheat in bread making. Generally, US wheat has ten times more Se than UK wheat, attributed to the fact that soils from the wheat-growing belt of America are more enriched in Se to a similar order of magnitude. In agriculture effective biofortification of crops with Se-rich fertilisers must be demonstrably safe to the environment and monitored appropriately and baseline geochemical data will enable this process to be done with confidence.
The history of the discovery of emperor penguin colonies, 1902–2004
Authors: Wienecke Barbara
Published: December 2009

This article summarises the history of the discovery of emperor penguinAptenodytes forstericolonies. Emperor penguins were probably first seen on James Cook's second voyage (1773–1775) but were not recorded as a separate species until 1844. The first breeding colony of these birds was found in 1902 and a further 32 were sighted over the next century. The total number of colonies is still unknown but today satellite technology is aiding the process of discovery.
The practicality and relevance of second language critical pedagogy
Authors: Crookes Graham
Published: December 2009

The paper reviews eight topics in the area of second language critical pedagogy: (i) historical inheritances and lines of development associated with critical pedagogies; (ii) advocacy (and the need for critical language teachers to engage in it); (iii) the diverse institutional contexts that could be explored for critical language pedagogy; (iv) the range of languages within which critical approaches have been explored; (v) EFL critical pedagogy; (vi) the broad range of categories of oppression addressed by critical language pedagogy; (vii) materials for critical language pedagogy, and (viii) the role of the ‘imaginary’ in encouraging critical language pedagogy. I suggest that these constitute matters which, if given attention by critical language pedagogy specialists, could enhance the perceived practicality and/or relevance of the area.
Scaling stellar jets to the laboratory: The power of simulations
Authors: Stehlé C. , Ciardi A. , Colombier J.-P. , González M. , Lanz T. , Marocchino A. , Kozlova M. , Rus B.
Published: December 2009

Advances in laser and Z-pinch technology, coupled with the development of plasma diagnostics, and the availability of high-performance computers, have recently stimulated the growth of high-energy density laboratory astrophysics. In particular, a number of experiments have been designed to study radiative shocks and jets with the aim of shedding new light on physical processes linked to the ejection and accretion of mass by newly born stars. Although general scaling laws are powerful tools to link laboratory experiments with astrophysical plasmas, the phenomena modeled are often too complicated for simple scaling to remain relevant. Nevertheless, the experiments can still give important insights into the physics of astrophysical systems and can be used to provide the basic experimental validation of numerical simulations in regimes of interest to astrophysics. We will illustrate the possible links between laboratory experiments, numerical simulations, and astrophysics in the context of stellar jets. First we will discuss the propagation of stellar jets in a cross-moving interstellar medium and the scaling to Z-pinch produced jets. Our second example focuses on slab-jets produced at the Prague Asterix Laser System laser installation and their practical applications to astrophysics. Finally, we illustrate the limitations of scaling for radiative shocks, which are found at the head of the most rapid stellar jets.
Laser-produced plasma-wall interaction
Authors: Renner O. , Liska R. , Rosmej F.B.
Published: December 2009

Jets of laser–generated plasma represent a flexible and well-defined model environment for investigation of plasma interactions with solid surfaces (walls). The pilot experiments carried out on the iodine laser system (5–200 J, 0.44 µm, 0.25–0.3 ns, <1×1016 W/cm2) at the PALS Research Centre in Prague are reported. Modification of macroscopic characteristics of the Al plasma jets produced at laser-irradiated double-foil Al/Mg targets is studied by high-resolution, high-dispersion X-ray spectroscopy. The spatially variable, complex satellite structure observed in emission spectra of the Al Lyα group proves a formation of rather cold dense plasma at the laser-exploded Al foil, an occurrence of the hot plasma between both foils and subsequent thermalization, deceleration and trapping of Al ions in the colliding plasma close to the Mg foil surface. The spectra interpretation based on the collisional-radiative code is complemented by 1D and 2D hydrodynamic modeling of the plasma expansion and interaction of counter-propagating Al/Mg plasmas. The obtained results demonstrate a potential of high resolution X-ray diagnostics in investigation of the laser-produced plasma–wall interactions.
Estimation of seed dispersal distance by the bonobo, Pan paniscus, in a tropical forest in Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Tsuji Yamato , Yangozene Kumugo , Sakamaki Tetsuya
Published: December 2009

Great apes are considered to be important seed dispersers in palaeotropical habitats due to their large body size (this would be reflected in the amount of foods consumed) and large home ranges (Poulsen et al. 2001, Wrangham et al. 1994). Furthermore, the great apes might process seeds in a way that maintains their viability (Lambert 1999). Previous studies of seed dispersal by great apes have generally taken the form of lists of seeds found in their faeces (Voysey et al. 1999a, Wrangham et al. 1994), effects of passage through their guts on seed germination (Idani 1986, Wrangham et al. 1994), and effects of dispersal location on germination/seedling survival (Gross-Camp & Kaplin 2005, Rogers et al. 1998, Voysey et al. 1999b). In contrast with the richness of reports about aspects of seeds after their dispersal, few studies have investigated the dispersal pattern of seeds. In this study, we report on the estimated distances of seed dispersal by the wild bonobo (Pan paniscus Schwartz), a species of great ape.
Abundance of Panamanian dry-forest birds along gradients of forest cover at multiple scales
Authors: Lasky Jesse R. , Keitt Timothy H.
Published: December 2009

Community structure and species’ abundances may be strongly correlated to patterns of forest cover, although such patterns are poorly known for tropical dry-forest birds, especially for those in Panamanian dry forests. Birds were distance-sampled during point counts in five dry-forest fragments in Panama. Distance from point count to forest edge and forest coverage at three spatial scales (500, 1000 and 2000-m radius) were compared as covariate predictors of the abundance of avian species and guilds. Each covariate was selected in at least two models of species or guild abundance. Abundance patterns were consistent with previously reported habitat associations for only two of seven open-habitat or forest-preferring species that showed forest cover-abundance relationships. Null models best described the abundance of all forest species and the subset of uncommon forest species. Thus many of these species appear insensitive to the forest-cover gradients studied. Total abundance of open-habitat-preferring species increased in dry forests with increasing forest coverage within 500 m, suggesting that the relationship between their abundance and vegetation structure are spatial-scale and habitat dependent. Nectarivores had lower abundance as forest cover within 1000 m increased, supporting previous claims that this group is tolerant of forest edges.
Ungulate biomass across a rainfall gradient: a comparison of data from neotropical and palaeotropical forests and local analyses in Mexico
Authors: Mandujano Salvador , Naranjo Eduardo J.
Published: December 2009

Using a data set from 36 studies, we evaluated variation in ungulate biomass across a rainfall gradient using polynomial models, aiming to: (1) compare neotropical and palaeotropical dry and wet forests as well as African savannas; and (2) evaluate the usefulness of polynomial models to predict ungulate biomass at neotropical sites using data from a dry forest (Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, CCBR) and a wet forest (Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, MABR) in Mexico. Our results showed that an overestimation of expected ungulate biomass can be obtained for some tropical forests if data from African savannas are included in the model. This overestimation was particularly high for predicted ungulate biomass in neotropical dry forests. These ecosystems sustain different ungulate biomass values even when rainfall is similar. This was particularly true for some tropical dry forests and savannas. Rainfall predicted the expected ungulate biomass in neotropical ecosystems relative to that of palaeotropical ones under similar precipitation regimes, but did not correctly predict the observed ungulate biomass at local level if data outside the Neotropics are included in the model. This was more evident when we compared observed biomass against predicted biomass in the tropical dry forest of CCBR, while some polynomial models successfully predicted the observed biomass for the tropical wet forest of MABR. Factors such as Pleistocene extinctions and the absence of large, native grazers (i.e. Bovidae) that have kept ungulate richness and standing biomass relatively low in neotropical forests should be accounted for when comparing data sets from different regions.
Forest fragmentation reduces recruitment of large-seeded tree species in a semi-deciduous tropical forest of southern Mexico
Authors: Melo Felipe P. L. , Martínez-Salas Esteban , Benítez-Malvido Julieta , Ceballos Gerardo
Published: December 2009

This study tested whether the reduction in the number of large-bodied seed dispersers is correlated with shifts in the taxonomic and functional (e.g. dispersal mode and seed size) traits of the seeding communities within small fragments of semi-deciduous forest, southern Mexico. In five fragments (2.3–640 ha) and one continuous forest site we sampled tree and seedling species in 40 (20 × 20 m) and 120 (3 × 3 m) plots respectively, and recorded the incidence (presence/absence) of the disperser fauna (three common large-birds and >500-g mammals). Tree and seedling species were categorized according to dispersal mode, seed size and whether they originated from local (i.e. from dropped) or immigrant (i.e. from actively dispersed) seeds. Fragment size negatively correlated with number of species of medium to large vertebrate seed-dispersers and number of seedlings of large-seeded species, but had no influence on functional traits of the adult-tree community. Between 41% and 61% of all seedlings were considered as immigrants and the proportion of immigrant seedlings of large-seeded tree species was negatively correlated with forest size. The results suggest that biased defaunation in small forest fragments may seriously reduce recruitment of large-seeded tree species (>1.4 cm length) dispersed by vertebrates, negatively affecting successional trajectories of small forest fragments.
Growth and survival of Tillandsia flexuosa on electrical cables in Panama
Authors: Wester Stefan , Zotz Gerhard
Published: December 2009

Almost 50% of the estimated 2500 species in the Bromeliaceae grow epiphytically in a remarkably wide range of habitats from inhospitable deserts to tropical rain forests (Benzing 2000). The degree of dependence on the host varies (Benzing 1990, Laube & Zotz 2006), and in some cases, epiphytic bromeliads may dispense completely with living hosts, and may thrive on artificial substrates such as electrical cables. This is not entirely surprising because this family provides examples of particularly remarkable adaptations to the epiphytic habitat like water-impounding leaf bases and water- and nutrient-absorbing scales (Benzing 2000). The so-called atmospheric forms in this family (e.g. Tillandsia recurvata) possess a dense covering of these scales, and use roots entirely as holdfasts, while leaves perform photosynthesis and take up water and nutrients. Although quite regularly mentioned in the literature (Benzing 1990, 2000; Brighigna et al. 1997, Lüttge 1989), we are not aware of any study investigating the vigour of plants growing on cables compared with plants growing on trees. The only functional aspects that have already been studied are related to nutrients, i.e. presence of nitrogen-fixing endophytes in Tillandsia recurvata plants from natural hosts and from electrical cables in Mexico (Puente & Bashan 1994) and differences in chemical composition of plant tissues and nutrient retention by leaves in Tillandsia capillaris growing on cables and trees in Argentina (Abril & Bucher 2009). Intermittent water supply, but also low nutrient supply, play an important role in epiphyte ecology (Zotz & Hietz 2001), which leads to the following alternative hypotheses: (1) Plants on electrical cables are usually close to roads.