bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactive oxygen species and melanoma: an explanation for gender differences in survival?
Authors: Joosse Arjen , De Vries Esther , Van Eijck Casper H. , Eggermont Alexander M. M. , Nijsten Tamar , Coebergh Jan Willem W.
Published: May 2010

Epidemiological research consistently shows a female advantage in melanoma survival. So far, no definite candidate for the explanation of this phenomenon has emerged. We propose that gender differences in oxidative stress caused by radical oxygen species (ROS) underlie these survival differences. It is known that males express lower amounts of anti‐oxidant enzymes, resulting in more oxidative stress than females. The primary melanoma environment is characterized by high ROS levels, from exogenous sources as well as ROS production within melanoma cells themselves. ROS are known to be able to promote metastasis through a wide variety of mechanisms. We hypothesize that the higher levels of ROS in men enhance selection of ROS‐resistance in melanoma cells. Subsequently, ROS can stimulate the metastatic potential of melanoma cells. In addition, due to the lower anti‐oxidant defenses in men, ROS produced by melanoma cells cause more damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor, further stimulating metastasis. Therefore, ROS may explain the observed differences between males and females in melanoma survival.
Donor Schizophrenia and Aid Effectiveness: The Role of Global Funds
Authors: Isenman Paul , Shakow Alexander
Published: May 2010

This paper looks at what donors, who are at the same time funders and critics of global funds, can do to increase the coherence of their own policies and actions. The role of global funds – that is to say, global programmes with sectoral or sub‐sectoral earmarking and with substantial operations at the country level – has become increasingly prominent in the past decade as they have accounted for much of the increase in total aid and for most of the increase in aid for health. Some of the strongest criticism has come from aid donors who have supported the call in the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action for supporting overall country strategies and systems. Yet those donors are the founders and funders of global funds and have a major role in setting their mandates and policies. Why this apparent schizophrenia? This paper, based on a set of interviews as well as published sources and the personal experiences of its authors, aims to provide a dispassionate view of the considerable strengths and weaknesses of both the global fund and Paris‐Accra approaches to aid effectiveness and, taking account of the internal incentives driving the behaviour of donors and other key stakeholders, to suggest how the two models can be used more effectively together. It calls for donor agencies to see funding of country programmes and global funds as complementary instruments in aid investment portfolios and to adjust internal policies and incentives to manage competition between sectors, including through increasing coherence of their representation on the boards of global funds. It calls for more effort at ‘thinking twice’ before starting new funds, for building the principles of Paris‐Accra into new global funds, and giving stronger encouragement to the efforts of existing global funds to retrofit these principles. As part of this effort, it calls for coherent strategies, agreed with ministers, that cover broad allocations between global and country programmes, rather than treating each new initiative in health or environment one by one. And it makes recommendations on a series of selected current policy issues, including sustainability, taking a broader view of country allocations, and mutual accountability.
Clinical application of continuous spirometry with a pitot‐based flow meter during equine anaesthesia
Authors: Moens Y. P. S.
Published: May 2010

This report documents the feasibility and clinical information provided by a new method for spirometric monitoring adapted for equine anaesthesia. Monitoring of ventilatory function was done with continuous spirometry during general anaesthesia of client‐owned horses presented for various diagnostic and surgical procedures. An anaesthetic monitor with a spirometry unit for human anaesthesia was used. To allow the measurement of large tidal volumes, a remodelled larger version of the pitot tube‐ based flow sensor was used. This technology provided reliable spirometric data even during prolonged anaesthesia when water condensation accumulated in the anaesthetic circuit and the sensor. In addition to flow and volume measurement and respiratory gas analysis, the continuous display of flow‐volume and pressure‐volume loops offered visually recognisable information about compliance, airway resistance and integrity of the circuit. Continuous spirometry with this monitoring system was helpful in evaluating the efficacy of spontaneous ventilation, in adjusting intermittent positive pressure ventilation and detecting technical faults in the anaesthetic apparatus and connection with the patient. This adapted spirometry method represents a practical and reliable measuring system for use during equine anaesthesia. The variety of information provides an opportunity to optimise anaesthetic management in this species.
Facilitated ankylosis of a juvenile, flexurally deformed, open, luxated and infected metacarpophalangeal joint using an alternative approach
Authors: Brommer H. , Weisler S. , Tatz A. J.
Published: May 2010

A 4‐day‐old Arabian filly was referred for severe lameness due to a flexurally deformed, open, luxated and infected metacarpophalangeal joint. Arthrodesis was indicated as progressive cartilage destruction and osteomyelitis developed. An alternative arthrodesis technique was employed, which consisted of a loop of cerclage wire running through predrilled holes in a lateromedial direction and dorsal to the central axis of the third metacarpal bone and proximal phalanx, in combination with external coaptation using a half‐limb transfixation cast. Ankylosis was radiographically confirmed after 4 weeks. The foal was discharged from the hospital with agrade 1out of5lameness and a 6–7° valgus deviation of the ankylosed metacarpophalangeal joint. At telephone follow‐up after 18 months, the owner reported persistence of the valgus deviation, soundness at walk, and a slight gait irregularity at trot. The described cerclage wire arthrodesis technique is a relatively simple method for attaining ankylosis that could be considered in similar cases.
Intra‐articular opioid analgesia is effective in reducing pain and inflammation in an equine LPS induced synovitis model
Authors: Van LOON J. P. A. M. , De GRAUW J. C. , Van DIERENDONCK M. , L'AMI J. J. , BACK W. , Van WEEREN P. R.
Published: May 2010

Reasons for performing study: Intra‐articular administration of morphine as a local analgesic and anti‐inflammatory drug is widely used in human medicine. In equids, little is known about its clinical analgesic and anti‐inflammatory efficacy.

Objectives: To use an inflammatory orthopaedic pain model to investigate the analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects of intra‐articularly administered morphine as a new treatment modality in horses with acute arthritis.

Methods: In a crossover study design, synovitis was induced in the left or right talocrural joint by means of intra‐articular injection of 0.5 ng lipopolyssacharide (LPS). The effect of 120 mg morphine, intra‐articularly administered at 1 h after induction of synovitis, was evaluated using both physiological and behavioural pain variables. Synovial fluid was sampled at 0, 4, 8, 28 and 52 h after induction of synovitis and analysed for total protein concentration, leucocyte count and for prostaglandin E2, bradykinin and substance P concentrations by ELISA. Ranges of motion of metatarsophalangeal and talocrural joints were measured as kinematic variables with the horses walking and trotting on a treadmill under sound and lame conditions. Clinical lameness scores and several behavioural variables related to the perception of pain were obtained.

Results: LPS injection caused marked transient synovitis, resulting in increased concentrations of inflammatory synovial fluid markers, clinical lameness, joint effusion and several behavioural changes, such as increased time spent recumbent, decreased limb loading at rest and decreased time spent eating silage. Intra‐articular morphine resulted in a significant decrease in synovial white blood cell count, prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin levels and improvement in clinical lameness, kinematic and behavioural parameters, compared to placebo treatment.

Conclusions: Intra‐articular morphine offers potent analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects in horses suffering from acute synovitis.

Potential relevance: Local administration of opioids may be useful for horses with acute inflammatory joint pain and offers possibilities for multimodal analgesic therapies without opioid‐related systemic side effects.
Catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures in UK Thoroughbred races (1999–2004): Horse characteristics and racing history
Authors: KRISTOFFERSEN M. , PARKIN T. D. H. , SINGER E. R.
Published: May 2010

Reason for performing study:Catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBF) have not yet been described in detail in the UK racing population.

Objectives:To determine the incidence and relative risk (RR) of PSBF in different types of racing in the UK; and to describe horse‐level characteristics and racing histories of horses sustaining these injuries.

Methods:Distal limbs were collected from all racehorses suffering catastrophic fractures during racing at all 59 racecourses in the UK, in a prospective study from February 1999 to December 2004.Post morteminvestigation identified the anatomical location and type of fracture. Horse, racing history, race and racecourse details were obtained. Characteristics of the horses that sustained PSBF were described. The incidence and RR of PSBF in the different types of racing in the UK were calculated.

Results:Thirty‐one horses suffered PSBF during the study period. The incidence of PSBF in all types of race was 0.63 per 10,000 starts (31/494,744). The incidence was highest in flat races on all weather surfaces (1.63 per 10,000 starts: 12/73,467; RR = 4.4 when compared to turf flat racing). Affected horses had an average age of 5.6 years and had started a mean of 28 races at the time of fracture.

Conclusion and potential relevance:There is a strong association between type of racing surface and PSBF. Horses competing in flat races on all weather surfaces have an increased risk of PSBF. These fractures appear to happen in experienced horses with several starts, with few fractures occurring within the first season of racing. Further research should focus on identification of underlying pathology of these fractures. Epidemiological studies aimed at the identification of risk factors for PSBF in the UK racing population would require a large number of cases acquired over many years given the relatively low incidence of PSBF.
Geometric realizations of the multiplihedra
Authors: Ma’u S. , Woodward C.
Published: May 2010

We realize the multiplihedron geometrically as the moduli space of stable quilted disks. This generalizes the geometric realization of the associahedron as the moduli space of stable disks. We show that this moduli space is the non-negative real part of a complex moduli space of stable scaled marked curves.
Size-dependent density of gold nano-clusters and nano-layers deposited on solid surface
Authors: Kolská Zdeňka , Švorčík Václav , Siegel Jakub
Published: May 2010

The gold density enters some indirect determination of gold properties as an input parameter. Reported gold density of 19 320 kg m–3 at standard conditions is correct for gold bulk or macro-sized specimens. For nano-sized specimens (nano-clusters, nano-layers), however, this standard density value need not be applicable. This work deals with gold density as a function of the nano-structure size. The calculated density was compared with experimental one performed for gold sputtered onto glass or poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates. Calculated gold density was found to increase from 11 249 to 19 304 kg m–3 when the characteristic dimension of gold nano-structures increases from 0.7 to 82 nm. At the same time the free volume fraction in nano-structures decreases from 57 to 26%.
Coarse-grained potential for interaction with a spherical colloidal particle and planar wall
Authors: Předota Milan , Nezbeda Ivo , Pařez Stanislav
Published: May 2010

An effective coarse-grained interaction potential between a point particle and a spherical colloidal particle with continuously distributed inverse power-law interaction sites is derived. The potential covers all ranges of spherical particle size, from a point particle up to an infinitely large particle forming a planar surface. In the small size limit, the point-to-point interaction is recovered, while in the limit of an infinitely large sphere the potential comes over to the known particle–wall potentials as, e.g., the 9–3 potential in the case of the Lennard–Jones interaction. Correctness and usefulness of the derived potential is exemplified by its application to SPC/E water at a graphite sphere and wall.
Carex jacobi-peteri: a synonym of Carex pyrenaica ssp. micropoda in Alaska
Authors: Kelso Sylvia , Fritts Miriam Colson
Published: May 2010

The Alaskan taxon Carex jacobi-peteri Hultén (Cyperaceae: Primocarex) is shown to be a synonym of Carex pyrenaica Wahlenb. ssp. micropoda (C. A. Meyer) Hultén. The inclusive taxon is more variable and has a wider range than previously believed. It should not be considered threatened or endangered in Alaska.
Pattern of 14C assimilate distribution in a clonal herb, Aralia nudicaulis
Authors: Flanagan Lawrence B. , Moser Walter
Published: May 2010

The pattern of 14C assimilate distribution was studied in Aralia nudicaulis L. to determine the extent of physiological integration among individual shoots in a clone. The experiments showed that most of the carbon assimilated by an individual shoot remained within that shoot after 24 h. Most of the carbon exported by a shoot was translocated basipetally into the rhizome section adjacent to the shoot. While the rhizome basipetal to a shoot was a major storage organ, the roots and new rhizomes adjacent to a shoot had the highest specific activity. Changes in the normal translocation pattern were observed when one shoot was shaded before an adjacent shoot was labelled. There was an increased amount of carbohydrate translocated from an unshaded shoot to the root and rhizome components adjacent to a shaded shoot. The changed pattern of translocation after disturbance indicated the potential for physiological integration among shoots within a clone.
Seed development in Ricinus communis cv. Hale (castor bean). III. Pattern of storage protein and phytin accumulation in the endosperm
Authors: Greenwood John S. , Bewley J. Derek
Published: May 2010

The development of the endosperm of castor bean seed from its initial free nuclear state through to the end of maturation is presented. An investigation of the pattern of reserve accumulation in the endosperm at the light microscopy level revealed that the accumulation of soluble and insoluble storage proteins, and of phytin, does not occur simultaneously in all cells of the developing storage organ. Rates of reserve accumulation also vary among regions of the endosperm. Storage protein and phytin accumulation are initiated in a region midway between the periphery and central lumen of the endosperm by the early cotyledon stage of seed development. Afterwards, reserve deposition occurs more intensely in the proximal and more peripheral regions than in the distal and internal regions. A wave of reserve accumulation, or protein body maturation, proceeds from the more peripheral and the proximal regions to the more internal and distal regions as development continues. The last cells to complete reserve deposition are those in regions lying close to the endosperm lumen (into which the cotyledons have expanded) and the outermost two cell layers of the endosperm.
A multivariate approach to plant mineral nutrition: dose–response relationships and nutrient dominance in factorial experiments
Authors: Shaver G. R. , Lechowicz M. J.
Published: May 2010

Canonical variates analysis was used to compare the effects of fertilization on the concentrations of five mineral elements (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) in young shoot tissues of six tundra plant species of three different growth forms. There were two specific objectives: (i) to determine whether it was possible to describe meaningful dose–response relationships in a multivariate response to fertilization, and (ii) to determine the multivariate effect of N plus P fertilization in comparison with the effects of N or P added alone. The results showed that low levels of N–P–K fertilization caused a shift in multivariate nutrient content that was intermediate between the control values and the shift caused by high fertilization, and in the same direction as the latter. In a June harvest, the effect of N plus P fertilization was very similar to the effect of N fertilization alone. However, in August the N plus P effect was dominated by the response to P alone. In all of the analyses, the fundamental similarities and differences among unfertilized plants of each species and growth form were maintained under fertilization.
Comparative analysis of proteins of Uromyces phaseoli var. typica, U. phaseoli var. vignae, and U. viciae-fabae: polypeptide mapping by two-dimensional electrophoresis
Authors: Kim W. K. , Heath Michèle C. , Rohringer R.
Published: May 2010

Proteins were extracted from urediospores of the bean rust fungus (Uromyces phaseoli var. typica: two isolates), of the cowpea rust fungus (U. phaseoli var. vignae; two isolates), and of the faba bean rust fungus (U. viciae-fabae; one isolate) and separated by two-dimensional isoelectric focusing – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The two isolates of the cowpea rust fungus had identical polypeptide patterns; the two isolates of the bean rust fungus differed by 19 polypeptides. The polypeptide patterns of the bean rust, cowpea rust, and faba bean rust fungi differed markedly from each other. There were 277 polypeptides detected in extracts of the faba bean rust fungus, while more than 335 polypeptides were detected in extracts of each isolate of the other two fungi. While U. phaseoli var. typica and U. phaseoli var. vignae shared 183 polypeptides, U. viciae-fabae had only 149 and 146 polypeptides, respectively, in common with the other two rust fungi. This is consistent with the view that the two varieties of U. phaseoli are more closely related to each other than to U. viciae-fabae. However, when all detected polypeptides were compared, the differences between the two varieties were as extensive as those found between species. It is suggested, therefore, that the designation, by some mycologists of the cowpea rust fungus as a separate species, U. vignae, is correct.
Microsporogenesis and gametophyte maturation in cultured tassels of Zea mays
Authors: Polowick P. L. , Greyson R. I.
Published: May 2010

Normal meiosis and pollen maturation occurred in vitro in anthers of cultured tassels of Zea mays L. (cv. Seneca-60). The meiotic figures observed in propiocarmine squashes of these anthers were comparable to those of anthers which developed in situ, not only in terms of the end product, pollen, but also in the intermediate stages. Meiotic prophase stages, quartets and microspores, and binucleate pollen regularly appeared within 7, 10, and 14 days of culture, respectively. This timing was 3–4 days behind that found in situ. Cytoplasmic and nucleolar staining, chromosomal configurations, and cell size were similar to that found in situ.
Callus induction from barley microspores. The role of sucrose and auxin in a barley anther culture medium
Authors: Marsolais A. A. , Kasha K. J.
Published: May 2010

A medium and replenishment technique for the production of large numbers of calli from anthers of the barley cultivar Elrose is described. The barley anther culture basal medium supplemented with 8 mg/L 2,4-D and 9% sucrose and replenished at 10-day intervals with basal medium containing 1 mg/L indole acetic acid and 3% sucrose was optimal for anther response (21.0%) and productivity (67 calli per 100 anthers plated).
Range extensions of grassland species in southern interior British Columbia
Authors: Wikeem Brian M. , Newman Reg F.
Published: May 2010

Field studies and herbarium searches during 1983 and 1984 have revealed range extensions of three grassland plant species in the southern interior of British Columbia. These species include Allium geyeri Wats. var. tenerum Jones, Gaura coccinea (Nutt.) Pursh, and Sidalcea oregana (Nutt.) Gray ssp. oregana var. procera C. L. Hitchc. All three taxa were previously unknown to the Kamloops area and Sidalcea oregana is new to the province and Canada.
Population structure of Heterobasidion annosum as determined by somatic incompatibility, sexual incompatibility, and isoenzyme patterns
Authors: Stenlid Jan
Published: May 2010

Pure cultures of Heterobasidion annosum were isolated from diseased trees in a 120-year-old Norway spruce stand. Clones of the fungus were identified by three different methods: studies of somatic incompatibility, identification of mating factors, and comparative studies of isoenzyme patterns. All of these methods yielded similar results. The study of somatic incompatibility was found to be the easiest and most reliable method for future investigations of population structures of Heterobasidion annosum. Nine clones were identified within a 60 × 60 m area. The number of trees infected by one clone varied from 1 to 13. The largest area occupied by one single clone was 30 m in diameter. Altogether, 10 different mating alleles were found, of which 2 occurred in four different clones and 2 occurred in two different clones. The vegetative spread of H. annosum between trees within the area occupied by a particular clone was confirmed by excavating root systems.
The fine structure of the cystosorus of Spongospora subterranea, the cause of powdery scab of potato
Authors: Lahert H. , Kavanagh J. A.
Published: May 2010

Cystosori of Spongospora subterranea (Wallr.) Lagerh., with cysts at different stages in development, were found on the surface of a potato powdery scab lesion in situ at harvest time and are described using light and transmission electron microscopy. The resting cyst cytoplasm has a five-layered envelope separating it from periplasmic space and is contained within a wall consisting of three layers (W1, W2, and W3). Protuberances on the outer surface of the cysts are outgrowths of the outermost (W1) wall layer. The differentiation of a primary zoospore within each cyst is marked by a reorganisation of the cytoplasmic envelope, the appearance of multivesicular bodies in the cytoplasm, and a germ pore with a thickened W3 wall rim. The ultrastructure of the cysts is compared with the resting spore and encysted primary zoospore of Plasmodiophora brassicae.
Sugar beet petiole structure: vascular anastomoses and phloem ultrastructure
Authors: Oross John W. , Lucas William J.
Published: May 2010

The vascular anatomy and phloem ultrastructure of the sugar beet petiole were studied in an attempt to evaluate the potential of petiolar phloem anastomoses to accommodate lateral movement of translocates across this structure. Clearings revealed that six of the eight interveinal regions between the nine major, axially oriented veins were connected by many anastomoses. The two interveinal areas characterized by the fewest anastomoses were located near the margin of the petiole. It was concluded that lateral translocation via anastomoses would be most efficient in the central part of the petiole. A light microscope study of the structure of the junction between anastomosing and continuous veins revealed that the sieve elements of each of the merging veins were separated from each other, for distances of up to 6 mm beyond the point of initial contact, by phloem parenchyma cells. The presence of phloem parenchyma cells in this position, and between the clusters of sieve elements that occur across the phloem of the large bundles, was taken as an indication that the parenchyma cells may have an important role in lateral translocation. An ultrastructural study of the petiolar phloem revealed that the phloem parenchyma and companion cells could be easily distinguished on the basis of the structure of the chloroplasts, dictyosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum. Microfilament bundles and spine-coated tubules and (or) vesicles were uniquely present in the parenchyma cells. The ultrastructure of the phloem parenchyma cells is discussed relative to their possible role in mediating the movement of sugars through the anastomoses.
Concentration, standing state, and cycling of nitrogen in soil–vegetation components of sand and dune herbaceous vegetation around Pilani, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Singh Room , Joshi M. C.
Published: May 2010

The concentration and standing state of nitrogen in sand dunes at Pilani, Rajasthan, fluctuated among sites and months of the year. Only a small fraction (1–3%) of the total nitrogen was found in biological circulation. The rest was retained in the soil. The maximum nitrogen uptake by plants was recorded during the rainy season. The maximum release of nitrogen occurred during the winter through root and litter decomposition. Annual nitrogen absorption by vegetation ranged from 1.8 to 5.2 g/m2, 72–78% of which was contained in aboveground live shoots and the rest was in the roots. In all five sites, about 57–89% of the nitrogen absorbed by herbaceous vegetation was returned to the soil through root and litter decay.
Mucilaginous film production by plant cells immobilised in a polyurethane or nylon matrix
Authors: Rhodes M. J. C. , Robins R. J. , Turner R. J. , Smith J. I.
Published: May 2010

The surface features of plant cells immobilised in a matrix of either reticulated polyurethane foam or nylon fibre have been examined with the scanning electron microscope. It has been found that both cells and matrix are enveloped in a thin film, the appearance of which is very dependent on the method by which material is prepared for scanning electron microscopy. The structure is severely damaged by fixation and dehydration. Only in specimens examined in the frozen hydrated state is a structure seen compatible with that observed with the light microscope. From the way the appearance of the film is affected by different methods of preparation for the scanning electron microscope, it is suggested that the film is a hydrated mucilage. The importance of this film for the retention of cells within the matrix is discussed.
Factors determining the distribution of Opuntia fragilis in the boreal forest of southeastern Manitoba
Authors: Frego K. A. , Staniforth R. J.
Published: May 2010

Opuntia fragilis (Nutt.) Haw. is restricted to south-facing rock outcrops on the shores of certain rivers and lakes in the boreal forest of southeastern Manitoba. Limitations in propagule dispersal, establishment, and maintenance were studied at Bird River (50°25′ N, 95°41′ W) between October 1979 and October 1982. Propagules studied were stem units (pads) because this cactus propagates entirely by vegetative means in this region. Mature terminal pads broke off most easily in the late spring while turgid and rolled downhill (geochory), thus establishing new plants locally. Some pads fell into the river and could float long distances (hydrochory) before being washed ashore. Perhaps less frequently, pads were dispersed over long distances on animals (epizoochory). Marked pads placed in potential habitats showed significantly greater establishment (α = 0.05) on south-facing outcrops than on north-facing or forest sites. Censuses (1979–1982) of an established colony indicated that pad number was increasing by 51% per year. Approximately 6% of the pads were dispersed from the outcrop. The present distribution of O. fragilis appears to be both habitat and dispersal limited.
Rachis vascularization and leaflet venation in developing leaves of Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Authors: Larson Philip R.
Published: May 2010

Leaves of Fraxinus pennsylvanica are served by a double trace that exits the stem vasculature through a single gap. During embryonic leaf development, the leaf traces subdivide in the node to produce subsidiary bundles that differentiate acropetally in the leaf base and basipetally in the stem. The acropetal bundles converge distally in the node to form a rachis vasculature consisting of a semicircular arc joined by a ventral chord. Each lateral leaflet is vascularized by bundles contributed by both the semicircular arc and the ventral chord of the rachis. One rachis ridge bundle divides to form two leaflet ridge bundles and a new rachis ridge bundle diverges from the ventral chord. The leaflet ridge bundles diverge as basal veins and subsequent secondary veins diverge from the midvein in an approximate right–left sequence. Green ash has odd pinnate leaves; the terminal leaflet is vascularized by the rachis residual following departure of the last leaflet pair. Secondary veins extend to the lamina margins and then curve upward to initiate the marginal loops of the brochidodromous venation. Periclinal divisions occur in close association with secondary veins in the prospective plate meristem region. Anticlinal divisions occur in subepidermal layers of the internal ridge points in the prospective palisade mesophyll region.The latter divisions probably contribute both to lamina extension and to spreading of the conduplicately folded lamina wings.
Distribution de quelques oligo-éléments dans des cristaux de graines de Raphanus
Authors: Genevès Louis , Rutin Jacques , Halpern Sylvain
Published: May 2010

Globoid crystals were studied in the cotyledonary parenchyma of anhydrous seeds of radish (Raphanus sativus L., Brassicaceae) in ultrathin sections after aldehydic fixation. Crystals derived from the same seeds were also isolated, by print techniques without fixation or aqueous phase. Eleven elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) were looked for using transmission electron probe microanalysis and a wave length dispersive X-ray spectrometry (Camebax microprobe). Crystals of various sizes, rich in P, Mg, and Ca, could contain some micro-elements (Mn, Fe, Zn … ) which could be included in the phytine. Other small crystals, stable under radiation and rich in Fe, were low in P. These two sorts were characterized in globoids, in sections and in prints. Other crystals, isolated from dry seeds, rich in Ca, K, and Mg, were poor in P. Finally, long or angular very stable crystals, rich in Al, lacking P, and hence without phytine, could contain other metals (Fe, Cu, Zn … ) which could be included in nonphytinic molecules. A given metal (Fe or Mn … ) can be found in several types of crystals. Several groups of crystals with similar characters (morphology, composition) were defined, either in protein bodies, in ultrathin sections, or in prints.
Impact of ozone on field-corn yield
Authors: Kress L. W. , Miller J. E.
Published: May 2010

Field corn (Zea mays L.) is the most important agricultural crop in the United States, and the major production areas are subjected to potentially damaging concentrations of ozone (O3). Since no information was available regarding the sensitivity of field-corn hybrids grown in the Midwest, plants of two hybrids ('Pioneer 3780' and 'PAG 397') were field grown in open-top chambers and exposed to O3 (7 h/day seasonal means of 0.015, 0.044, 0.073, 0.100, 0.129, and 0.156 ppm) for 83 days to determine the impact of O3 on grain yield. The air in the chambers was either charcoal filtered or nonfiltered with various constant amounts of O3 added to the ambient air (mean of 0.044 ppm) from 0900 to 1600 Central Standard Time. Also included was a nonchambered plot. A randomized complete block design incorporated three replicates of seven treatments. Foliar injury was noted on some plants at the elevated O3 concentrations but was never more than 5% on an individual leaf. Analysis of variance of the data indicated significant ozone effects on overall grain yield, 100-seed weight, seeds per cob, cob weight, and cob length, for both hybrids. Small reductions in overall yield were due to reduced individual seed weight. Larger overall yield reductions were due to reductions in seed weight and number. Three nonlinear models were tested to describe the responses of the hybrids to O3 and the models were not statistically different from each other. The Weibull survival function was used to test for heterogeneity of hybrid responses, and the responses were found homogeneous. The Weibull model predicted yield losses of 2.6% at 0.06 ppm and 16.3% at 0.10 ppm relative to 0.025 ppm O3. A comparison of the open plots with the nonfiltered air-chamber plots provided with the same O3 concentration revealed no significant chamber effects for any of the seed yield parameters.
The transition from vegetative to reproductive growth of shoot apices of holoheterophyadic species of Equisetum: phenology, morphology, and anatomy
Authors: Hauke Richard L.
Published: May 2010

Rhizomes of Equisetum arvense and E. telmateia were excavated to determine the time course of strobiliferous bud development. Cone initiation occurs during July, August, and September. The vegetative apex has a single, pyramidal apical initial cell which produces derivatives (merophytes) that by further division form the nodes and internodes. At transition of the apex to the reproductive state, the apical initial and its most recent derivatives cease division activity. Cells lower on the flanks of the apical dome appear to increase mitotic activity, resulting in an increase in the size of the apical dome and in the number of flank cells and a change in form. The vegetative nodal sheath plastochron becomes interrupted at the initiation of a whorl of leaves that does not grow upward but forms the annulus. After the dome enlarges, rapid initiation of successive whorls of sporophylls occurs. These differ from leaves in being mound shaped, rather than upwardly pointed. Thus Equisetum is like the seed plants in that the transition of its shoot apex from vegetative to reproductive growth is accompanied by increased division activity, increased size, change in zonation, and change in plastochron.
Aphysiostroma, a new nonostiolate hypocrealean fungus
Authors: Barrasa J. M. , Martínez A. T. , Moreno G.
Published: May 2010

The monotypic genus Aphysiostroma is described based on Aphysiostroma stercorarium sp. nov. This eoprophilous fungus is distinguished by cylindrical 16-spored asci formed in closed ascomata, which are immersed in mycelium that forms pulvinate, nonstromatic aggregates, and by the presence of a Verticillium anamorph.
Allozyme and mating-system variation in balsam fir (Abies balsamea) across a continuous elevational transect
Authors: Neale D. B. , Adams W. T.
Published: May 2010

Genetic structure and the mating system of a continuous balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) population spanning a 610-m elevational gradient on the southeast slope of Mt. Moosilauke, New Hampshire, were investigated by assaying eight polymorphic isozyme loci. In contrast to steep elevational clines for seedling quantitative traits found in an earlier study on the same slope, no significant differences (P > 0.05) in allelic frequencies were found among four subpopulations sampled at 854, 1159, 1312, and 1464 m above sea level. Estimates of the proportion of progeny due to outcrossing [Formula: see text] ranged from 0.78 to 0.99 (mean = 0.89) and were significantly different (P < 0.05) from [Formula: see text] in three of the four subpopulations. At timberline (1464 m), [Formula: see text] was lowest, yet the mean fixation index among adult trees was −0.149, suggesting that selection favors heterozygotes in this marginal environment. Despite the potential for extensive pollen dispersion along the slope, gene flow appears somewhat restricted because of substantial self-fertilization in some subpopulations, localized outcrossing within stands, and asynchrony of flower production among adjacent stands.
Aphid-induced changes in growth indices of three leguminous plants: unrestricted infestation
Authors: Hawkins C. D. B. , Aston M. J. , Whitecross M. I.
Published: May 2010

The effects of various densities of cowpea aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch) and pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris), both Homoptera: Aphididae, on the growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. Caloona), broad bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Aquadulce), and garden pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Victory Freezer) seedlings were investigated. Within 10 days of infestation, aphid feeding significantly reduced plant dry weights and mean relative growth rates for the six plant–aphid combinations. In all cases except one, the mean unit leaf or net assimilation rate was also significantly reduced within 10 days. The mean leaf area ratio was the same for infested and control plants. The aphid-induced changes in host plants appear to be due to changes in photosynthesis, respiration, and translocate removal from the phloem over the 10-day period. Changes in the growth patterns of the host plant within this period are similar, but the underlying physiological effects could vary among particular plant–aphid combinations.
The growth of Drosera intermedia in nutrient-rich habitats: the role of insectivory and interspecific competition
Authors: Wilson Scott D.
Published: May 2010

This study used field experiments to test whether insectivory confers any benefit on Drosera intermedia Hayne growing on lakeshores characterized by high sediment organic content and dense vegetation. Ramets were grown in pots containing organic shoreline sediment for one summer at Axe Lake, Ontario. Insect availability was controlled by nylon mesh. Biomass accumulated by D. intermedia was not affected by insect availability. In a second experiment, when D. intermedia was grown with ramets of Lysimachia terrestris (L.) BSP., the exclusion of insects significantly reduced the biomass accumulated by D. intermedia. These results suggest that insectivory may be important in reducing the effect of interspecific competition on D. intermedia growing in nutrient-rich habitats.
COULOMB ENERGY OF SPHERICAL NUCLEUS
Authors: YU XUEXIN , LIU MIN , WANG NING
Published: May 2010

The analytical formula for calculating the Coulomb energy of spherical nucleus with Woods–Saxon charge distribution is refined by taking into account the higher-order terms of surface diffuseness. The obtained relative deviations are smaller than 0.05% from the results with numerical integration for almost all calculated nuclei.
ENTROPY OF THE FRW UNIVERSE BASED ON THE GENERALIZED UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE
Authors: KIM WONTAE , PARK YOUNG-JAI , YOON MYUNGSEOK
Published: May 2010

The statistical entropy of the FRW universe described by time-dependent metric is newly calculated using the brick wall method based on the general uncertainty principle with the minimal length. We can determine the minimal length with the Planck scale to obtain the entropy proportional to the area of the cosmological apparent horizon.
LIGHT-CONE GAUGE HAMILTONIAN FOR AdS4 × ℂℙ3 SUPERSTRING
Authors: UVAROV D. V.
Published: May 2010

We develop the phase-space formulation for the Type IIA superstring on the AdS4 × ℂℙ3 background in the κ-symmetry light-cone gauge for which the light-like directions are taken from the D = 3 Minkowski boundary of AdS4. After fixing bosonic light-cone gauge, the superstring Hamiltonian is expressed as a function of the transverse physical variables and in the quadratic approximation corresponds to the light-cone gauge-fixed IIA superstring in flat space.
CASIMIR PHYSICS: GEOMETRY, SHAPE AND MATERIAL
Authors: EMIG T.
Published: May 2010

The properties of fluctuation induced interactions like van der Waals and Casimir-Lifshitz forces are of interest in a plethora of fields ranging from biophysics to nanotechnology. Here we describe a general approach to compute these interactions. It is based on a combination of methods from statistical physics and scattering theory. We showcase how it is exquisitely suited to analyze a variety of previously unexplored phenomena. Examples are given to show how the interplay of geometry and material properties helps to understand and control these forces.
SEMITRANSPARENT PISTONS
Authors: MORALES P. , KIRSTEN K.
Published: May 2010

We consider semitransparent pistons in the presence of extra dimensions. It is shown that the piston is always attracted to the closest wall irrespective of details of the geometry and topology of the extra dimensions and of the cross section of the piston. Furthermore, we evaluate the zeta regularized determinant for this configuration.
CASIMIR FORCE EXPERIMENTS IN AIR: TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE
Authors: DE MAN S. , HEECK K. , SMITH K. , WIJNGAARDEN R. J. , IANNUZZI D.
Published: May 2010

We present a short overview of the recent efforts of our group in the design of high precision Casimir force setups. We first describe our Atomic Force Microscope based technique that allows one to simultaneously and continuously calibrate the instrument, compensate for a residual electrostatic potential, measure the Casimir force, and, in the presence of a fluid in the gap between the interacting surfaces, measure the hydrodynamic force. Then we briefly discuss a new force sensor that adapts well to Casimir force measurements in critical environments.
EXPERIMENTAL FEATURES OF THE RECENT LATERAL CASIMIR FORCE MEASUREMENT
Authors: CHIU HSIANG-CHIH , MOHIDEEN U.
Published: May 2010

Some experimental features of the recent lateral Casimir force measurement are discussed. A brief experimental overview, along with the related analysis to obtain calibration constants is presented. The data show the diffraction like coherent scattering from the corrugated surfaces.
ELECTROMAGNETIC CASIMIR EFFECT IN WEDGE GEOMETRY AND THE ENERGY-MOMENTUM TENSOR IN MEDIA
Authors: BREVIK I. , ELLINGSEN S. Å. , MILTON K. A.
Published: May 2010

The wedge geometry closed by a circular-cylindrical arc is a nontrivial generalization of the cylinder, which may have various applications. If the radial boundaries are not perfect conductors, the angular eigenvalues are only implicitly determined. When the speed of light is the same on both sides of the wedge, the Casimir energy is finite, unlike the case of a perfect conductor, where there is a divergence associated with the corners where the radial planes meet the circular arc. We advance the study of this system by reporting results on the temperature dependence for the conducting situation. We also discuss the appropriate choice of the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor.
CASIMIR-LIFSHITZ FORCES AND ENTROPY
Authors: PITAEVSKII L. P.
Published: May 2010

It is shown that the violation of the positiveness of the entropy due to the Casimir-Lifshitz interaction claimed in several papers is an artifact related to an improper interpretation of the "Casimir entropy", which actually is a difference of two positive terms. It is explained that at definite condition this "Casimir entropy" must be negative. A direct derivation of the low temperature behavior of the "Casimir entropy" of a metallic surface in conditions of the anomalous skin effect is given and singular temperature dependency of this quantity is discussed. In conclusion a hydrodynamic example of the entropy of a liquid film is considered. It occurs that the entropy of a film of finite thickness and a liquid half-space behave differently at T → 0.
EXACT FORMFACTORS IN THE ONE-LOOP CURVED-SPACE QED AND THE NONLOCAL MULTIPLICATIVE ANOMALY
Authors: GonÇALVES BRUNO , DE BERREDO-PEIXOTO GUILHERME , SHAPIRO ILYA L.
Published: May 2010

The well-known formula det (A · B) = det A · det B can be easily proved for finite dimensional matrices but it may be incorrect for the functional determinants of differential operators, including the ones which are relevant for Quantum Field Theory applications. Considerable work has been done to prove that this equality can be violated, but in all previously known cases the difference could be reduced to renormalization ambiguity. We present the first example, where the difference between the two functional determinants is a nonlocal expression and therefore can not be explained by the renormalization ambiguity. Moreover, through the use of other even dimensions we explain the origin of this difference at qualitative level.
IDENTIFICATION OF AFFINE TERM STRUCTURES FROM YIELD CURVE DATA
Authors: AIHARA SHIN ICHI , BAGCHI ARUNABHA
Published: May 2010

We consider a slight perturbation of the Hull-White short rate model and the resulting modified forward rate equation. We identify the model coefficients by using the martingale property of the normalized bond price. The forward rate and the system parameters are then estimated by using the maximum likelihood method.
ELECTRICITY PRICES: A NONPARAMETRIC APPROACH
Authors: PIRINO DAVIDE , RENÒ ROBERTO
Published: May 2010

We propose a simple univariate model for the dynamics of spot electricity prices. The model is nonparametric in the sense that it is free from parametric model assumptions and flexible in capturing the dynamics of the data. The estimation is performed in two steps. Preliminarily, spikes are identified by means of an iterative filtering technique. The series of spikes is used to estimate a seasonal spike intensity function and fitted with an exponential law. We then implement Nadaraya-Watson estimators for the drift and the diffusion coefficients on the filtered series. Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate estimation errors.

We fit the model on European and American time series of spot day-ahead electricity prices; in spite of the simplicity of the proposed model, our specification tests indicate successful goodness-of-fit. We provide evidence for mean-reversion, nonlinear volatility and seasonal spike intensity; moreover we find that American markets show a very low level of mean reversion and a lower volatility with respect to their European counterparts.
ASSESSMENT OF MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDER REQUIREMENTS IN NORTH SCOTLAND
Authors: COLEBY ALASTOR
Published: May 2010

This paper describes two marine renewable energy stakeholder workshops in North Scotland that were held in March 2009 to discuss industry requirements for developing the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters between Scotland's north coast and the northern isles. This is an area of considerable interest for the development of renewable energy in Scotland. If the area is developed (mainly with wave and tidal power) it could make a significant contribution to both meeting government renewable energy targets and to the local economy. However, following accelerated applications by developers for site leasing, development of the area was delayed by uncertainty in environmental data shortages and subsequent slow progress in government formulation of marine spatial planning policy. In order to proceed, the marine renewable energy industry in Scotland required timely investment in regional infrastructure and a clear policy direction from government. Energy industry stakeholders who attended the workshops called for a single authority to take responsibility for both regulation and direct investment from government so that national renewable energy targets could be met in the required timeframe. Ultimately, government and policy makers were expected by industry to take responsibility for this with a central authority to decide and importantly communicate where and when marine turbines could be built. This required by government a proper understanding of the resources and not just the constraints in identifying the most suitable areas. Local knowledge in the community offered to dispel some of the uncertainty regarding the physical environment in a way that could also guide policy and perhaps accelerate marine spatial planning in designating workable areas for wave and tidal power.