bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenomenal characteristics of memories of daily actions in checking‐prone individuals
Authors: Zermatten Ariane , Van der Linden Martial
Published: November 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate memories of daily actions in checking‐prone participants. A sample of 419 non‐clinical participants completed a questionnaire evaluating Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and a questionnaire evaluating sensory details, emotions, vividness, confidence and memory perspective of seven everyday actions such as ‘brushing one's teeth’. The main results indicated that checking was related to low levels of visual, kinaesthetic and spatial details in memories for actions, more negative emotions and anxiety when performing actions and low confidence in memory quality. In addition, checking‐prone individuals more frequently reported their memories from the perspective of an external observer than non‐checking‐prone individuals. In general, these results seem to indicate that checking is associated with impersonal memories for everyday actions, as well as low confidence in these memories. The role of anxiety is also evoked, as it was significantly related to poor memory characteristics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aqueous Lithium‐ion Battery LiTi2(PO4)3/LiMn2O4 with High Power and Energy Densities as well as Superior Cycling Stability**
Authors: Luo J.‐Y. , Xia Y.‐Y.
Published: November 2007

Porous, highly crystalline Nasicon‐type phase LiTi2(PO4)3 has been prepared by a novel poly(vinyl alcohol)‐assisted sol–gel route and coated by a uniform and continuous nanometers‐thick carbon thin film using chemical vapor deposition technology. The as‐prepared LiTi2(PO4)3 exhibits excellent electrochemical performance both in organic and aqueous electrolytes, and especially shows good cycling stability in aqueous electrolytes. An aqueous lithium‐ion battery consisting of a combination of LiMn2O4 cathode, LiTi2(PO4)3 anode, and a 1 M Li2SO4 electrolyte has been constructed. The cell delivers a capacity of 40 mA h g–1 and a specific energy of 60 W h kg–1 with an output voltage of 1.5 V based on the total weight of the active electrode materials. It also exhibits an excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 82 % over 200 charge/discharge cycles, which is much better than any aqueous lithium‐ion battery reported.
Blends of polyamide 6 with low‐density polyethylene compatibilized with ethylene–methacrylic acid based copolymer ionomers: Effect of neutralizing cations
Authors: Sinthavathavorn Wachiraphon , Nithitanakul Manit , Magaraphan Rathanawan , Grady Brian P.
Published: November 2007

Blends of polyamide 6 with low‐density polyethylene compatibilized with sodium‐, zinc‐, and lithium‐neutralized ethylene—methacrylic acid ionomers were investigated at 11, 33, and 55 wt % neutralization of the ionomers. Blends of polyamide 6 with low‐density polyethylene without a compatibilizer had poor properties characteristic of incompatible polymer–polymer blends. After the addition of a compatibilizer, tensile properties improved, the modulus drop associated with melting increased to higher temperatures, and the dispersed phase size decreased. The improvement of the mechanical properties and thermomechanical properties was less with the acid copolymer than with the ionomers. Overall, ionomers neutralized with sodium, zinc, or lithium showed little difference in their compatibilization efficiency. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Interactions of a smart cationic polyelectrolyte based on hydroxypropylcellulose with an anionic surfactant
Authors: Rosół Kamila , Szczubiałka Krzysztof , Jachimska Barbara , Zapotoczny Szczepan , Nowakowska Maria
Published: November 2007

Novel thermosensitive, cationic polyelectrolyte was obtained by grafting N‐vinylformamide onto hydroxypropylcellulose followed by the hydrolysis of the formamide groups to the amine groups. The effect of the ionic strength on the lower critical solution temperature of the polymers was studied. The interactions of the polymers with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a model anionic surfactant were studied. It was found by the measurements of the light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy that the graft copolymers obtained strongly interact with SDS with the formation of polymer‐surfactant complexes. The values of critical association concentration (cac) of these polymer‐surfactant systems were found to be of the order of 10−5 mol/dm3 at pH = 6.5 and of the order of 10−6 mol/dm3 at pH = 2.5. The polymer was shown to be potentially useful for the purification of water from anionic surfactants. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
pH‐ and temperature‐sensitive in vitro release of salicylic acid through poly(vinyl alcohol‐g‐acrylamide) membranes
Authors: Asman Gülsen , Şanlı Oya , Tuncel Didem
Published: November 2007

In this study, acrylamide (AAm) was grafted onto poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in solution with UV radiation, and membranes were prepared from the graft copolymer (PVA‐g‐AAm) for transdermal release of salicylic acid (SA) at in vitro conditions. Permeation studies were carried out using a Franz‐type diffusion cell. Release characteristics of SA through PVA and PVA‐g‐AAm membranes were studied using 2.0 mg/mL SA solutions. Effects of the presence of AAm in the copolymer, pH of donor and acceptor solution, and concentration of SA and temperature on the release of SA were investigated. Permeation of SA through the membranes was found to be pH‐dependent, and increase in pH generally increased the release percentage of SA, and the presence of AAm in the membrane positively affected the permeation. The effect of concentrations of SA on the permeation was also searched using saturated solution of SA, and permeated amount of SA was found to be less than in the case of unsaturated SA solution. Studies showed that the release of SA from PVA‐g‐AAm membranes was temperature‐sensitive and increase in temperature increased the permeation rate. 82.76% (w/w) SA was released at the end of 24 h at (39 ± 1)°C, and the overall activation energy for the permeation of SA through PVA‐g‐AAm membranes was found to be 19.65 kJ/mol. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Room temperature resistance relaxation behavior for carbon black filled conductive polymer composites
Authors: Zhou Jianfeng , Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang , Jiang Xian , Shui Bo
Published: November 2007

Room temperature resistance relaxation was studied with respect to carbon black (CB) volume fraction, the type of polymer matrix, and the environment. It was found that resistance of CB filled poly(methylvinylsiloxane) and polypropylene (PP) conductive composites changed at room temperature with different directions and amplitudes, depending on the filler volume fraction and the environment. The room temperature resistance relaxation was ascribed to the local Joule heat at the tunneling junction or the swelling effect of the solvents. On the other hand, CB filled immiscible PP/Nylon 1212 blends exhibited a stable electrical conduction due to the selective distribution of CB aggregates along the interface between polymer matrices. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of thermal treatment on the tensile and in‐plane shear behavior of carbon fiber‐reinforced poly(phenylene sulfide) composite specimens
Authors: Pantelakis Sp. G. , Katsiropoulos Ch. V. , Lefebure Patrice
Published: November 2007

The effect of PPS matrix evolution occurring during thermal treatment of carbon fiber‐reinforced PPS plies prior to their consolidation to laminates on the mechanical behavior of the composite material has been investigated. The thermal treatments were performed at temperatures and times, which are relevant for processing PPS composites. All thermal treatments were carried out in an oven in air to facilitate the presence of oxygen, while the subsequent consolidation was performed in an autoclave. The tensile and in‐plane shear behavior of both, thermal‐treated and untreated materials, was investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry and microscopy analyses were made to evaluate the effect of the performed thermal treatments on degree of crystallinity and porosity of the laminates. The mechanical tests carried out have shown an appreciable degradation of the mechanical properties investigated. The observed degradation increases with increasing thermal treatment temperature and time when thermal treatments were carried out on each single composite ply prior to the consolidation. On the other hand, when, prior to the consolidation, the whole set of plies was subjected to thermal treatment, improved mechanical properties were observed. The results were discussed under the viewpoint of PPS matrix evolution during processing of the composite plies in the presence of oxygen. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Development of sorafenib and other molecularly targeted agents in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Andrew X.
Published: November 2007

It is well appreciated that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the most challenging malignancies of worldwide importance. In fact, HCC is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer‐related death globally. The incidence rates for HCC in the U.S. and Western Europe have been rising. Unresectable or metastatic HCC carries a poor prognosis, and systemic therapy with cytotoxic agents provides marginal benefit. Because of the poor track record of systemic therapy in HCC, there has been a sense of nihilism for this disease in the oncology community for decades. However, with the arrival of newly developed, molecularly targeted agents and the success of some of these agents in other traditionally challenging cancers, such as renal cell carcinoma, there has been renewed interest in developing novel systemic therapy in HCC. At the recent Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, results of a phase 3, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial were presented in which sorafenib demonstrated improved survival in patients with advanced HCC. This landmark study represents the first agent that has demonstrated an improved overall survival benefit in this disease and sets the new standard for first‐line treatment of advanced HCC. For this review, the author concisely summarized the current status of molecularly targeted agents that are under clinical development in advanced HCC. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
High‐throughput mutational screening for beta‐thalassemia by single‐nucleotide extension
Authors: Galbiati Silvia , Chiari Marcella , Macellari Micol , Ferrari Maurizio , Cremonesi Laura , Cretich Marina
Published: November 2007

In this work a high‐throughput method based on the single‐nucleotide extension (SNE) reaction and multicolour detection in a DNA sequencer was developed to screen for eight mutations in the human beta‐globin gene: IVSI.110, cd39, IVSI.1, IVSI.6, IVSII.745, HbC, HbS and cd6. The method has been validated on a large number of samples for the two most common mutations causing beta‐thalassemia in the Mediterranean area (IVSI.110 and cd39). The development of a high‐throughput, fast and reliable method to assay beta‐thalassemia mutations represents a significant improvement in molecular diagnosis of this disease. The multicolour detection and the use of multiple injections further enhances the throughput of mutational screening by the DNA sequencer and facilitates automated genotyping for routine molecular diagnostics.
Porous silicon surfaces – A candidate substrate for reverse protein arrays in cancer biomarker detection
Authors: Ressine Anton , Corin Irina , Järås Kerstin , Guanti Ginevra , Simone Cristiano , Marko‐Varga György , Laurell Thomas
Published: November 2007

This paper introduces a new substrate for reverse‐phase protein microarray applications based on macroporous silicon. A key feature of the microarray substrate is the vastly surface enlarging properties of the porous silicon, which simultaneously offers highly confined microarray spots. The proof of principle of the reverse array concept was demonstrated in the detection of different levels of cyclin E, a possible cancer biomarker candidate which regulates G1‐S transition and correlates with poor prognosis in different types of human cancers. The substrate properties were studied performing analysis of total cyclin E expression in human colon cancer cell lines Hct116 and SW480. The absence of unspecific binding and good microarray quality was demonstrated. In order to verify the performance of the 3‐D textured macroporous surface for complex biological samples, lysates of the human tissue spiked to different levels with cell extract overproducing cyclin E (Hct116) were arrayed on the chip surface. The samples were spotted in a noncontact mode in 100 pL droplets with spots sizes ranged between 50 and 70 μm and spot‐to‐spot center distances 100 μm, allowing microarray spot densities up to 14 000 spots per cm2. The different sample types of increasing complexities did not have any impact on the spot intensities recorded and the protein spots showed good homogeneity and reproducibility over the recorded microarrays. The data demonstrate the potential use of macroporous silicon as a substrate for quantitative determination of a cancer biomarker cyclin E in tissue lysates.
Advances in CE‐mediated microanalysis: An update
Authors: Zhang Jie , Hoogmartens Jos , Van Schepdael Ann
Published: November 2007

This review, as a continuation of two earlier reports, gives an overview of the recent developments, over the period from 2005 until now, in the use of electrophoretically mediated microanalysis (EMMA) methodology for the on‐line study of enzymatic reaction and derivatization. The article is divided into two parts: (i) on‐line enzymatic reaction by EMMA and (ii) on‐line derivatization by EMMA. Following a brief introduction, a literature overview on enzymatic reaction is provided. The second part starts with an introduction of the purpose of derivatization and the nomenclature used in the area of in‐capillary derivatization based on EMMA. The development of more integrated analytical platform that combines in‐capillary derivatization and sample preconcentration is discussed. Reported derivatization procedures are summarized.
A space‐time model for joint modeling of ocean temperature and salinity levels as measured by Argo floats
Authors: Sahu Sujit K. , Challenor Peter
Published: November 2007

The world's climate is to a large extent driven by the transport of heat and fresh water in the oceans. Regular monitoring, studying, understanding and forecasting of temperature and salinity at different depths of the oceans are a great scientific challenge. Temperature at the ocean surface can be measured from space. However salinity cannot yet be measured by satellites, and space‐based measurements can only ever give us values at the surface. Until recently temperature and salinity measurements within the oceans have had to come from expensive research ships. The Argo float program has been funded by various nations to collect actual measurements and rectify this problem.

A Bayesian hierarchical model is proposed in this paper describing the spatio‐temporal behavior of the joint distribution of temperature and salinity levels. The model is obtained as a kernel‐convolution effect of a single latent spatio‐temporal process. Additional terms in the mean describe non‐stationarity arising in time and space. Predictive Bayesian model selection criteria have been used to validate the models using data for the year 2003. Illustrative annual prediction maps along with their uncertainty maps are also obtained. The Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are used throughout in the implementation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel anti‐dengue monoclonal antibody recognizing conformational structure of the prM‐E heterodimeric complex of dengue virus
Authors: Puttikhunt Chunya , Keelapang Poonsook , Khemnu Nuanpan , Sittisombut Nopporn , Kasinrerk Watchara , Malasit Prida
Published: November 2007

An interaction between the premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) glycoproteins as prM‐E heterodimer is required for proper folding and transport of E during the formation and release of new flaviviral progeny. More evidence, however, is needed to confirm this interaction of prM and E during dengue virus replication. In this study, 2E11, a mouse monoclonal antibody (Mab) that specifically recognizes dengue prM‐E heterodimeric complex in either intracellular or secreted dengue virions, was generated and characterized. In immunofluorescence and immuno‐pull down assays, the Mab 2E11 recognized an epitope present in 293T transfectants that co‐expressed prM and the full‐length form of E in cis and in trans, but it failed to react with prM or E protein expressed individually. The reactivity of Mab 2E11 was diminished in transfected cells that co‐express prM together with a truncated form of E lacking the 84‐residue stretch at the C‐terminal transmembrane region, presumably essential for prM and E interaction. The Mab 2E11 described in this study is a novel Mab with a unique capability in detecting the conformational structure of prM‐E heterodimeric complex of dengue virus. It will be a new biological tool for identification and characterization of dengue prM‐E heterodimer as well as virus maturation and export. J. Med. Virol. 80:125–133, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recent accumulation variability and change on the Antarctic Peninsula from the ERA40 reanalysis
Authors: Miles Georgina M. , Marshall Gareth J. , McConnell Joseph R. , Aristarain Alberto J.
Published: November 2007

The Antarctic Peninsula has displayed significant climate change over recent decades. Understanding contemporaneous changes in accumulation is made difficult because the region's complex orography means that ice‐core data are not necessarily representative of a wider area. In this paper, the patterns of regional spatial accumulation variability across the Antarctic Peninsula region are presented, based on an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of European Centre for Medium Range Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA40) data over the 23‐year period from 1979 through 2001. Annual and seasonal trends in the sign and strength of these patterns are identified, as is their relationship with mean sea level pressure, temperature and indices of large‐scale circulation variability.

The results reveal that the first pattern of accumulation variability on the Peninsula is primarily related to pressure in the circumpolar trough and the second pattern to temperature: together the two EOFs explain ∼45–65% of the annual/seasonal accumulation. The strongest positive trend in an EOF occurs with EOF2 in the austral autumn March‐April‐May (MAM). This is highly correlated with the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) in this season, suggesting stronger westerly winds have caused an increase in orographic precipitation along the west Antarctic Peninsula. A significant correlation with ENSO occurs only in the winter EOF1, associated with blocking in the Bellingshausen Sea.

Inter‐annual ERA40 accumulation is shown to compare favourably with an ice core in the south of the Peninsula, but, for a variety of reasons, correlates poorly with accumulation as measured in an ice core from the northern tip. Opposite trends in accumulation at these two sites can be explained by the spatial pattern and trend of EOF2 in MAM and thus by recent changes in the SAM. The results of this study will aid in the understanding of temporal accumulation changes observed in the regional ice‐core record. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Raman and infrared spectral studies of [C(NH2)3]2MII(H2O)4(SO4)2, MII = Mn, Cd and VO
Authors: Bushiri M. Junaid , Antony C. J. , Fleck Michel
Published: November 2007

The Raman and FTIR spectra of three metal guanidinium sulfates, [C(NH2)3]2MII(H2O)4(SO4)2, (MII = Mn, Cd and VO), are recorded. The observed spectral bands are assigned in terms of the fundamental modes of vibration of the guanidinium ions, sulfate groups and water molecules. The appearance of the sulfate tetrahedra's ν1 and ν2 modes in the IR spectra and the partial lifting of the ν4 mode in the Raman spectra indicate the distortion of the SO42− tetrahedra in the structure, so that its symmetry is lowered from Td to C1. The geometry of the sulfate group in guanidinium vanadyl sulfate does not deviate much from that of the average sulfate group. The distortion of the SO4 tetrahedra is stronger in GuCds than in GuMnS. The CN3 group in the guanidinium ion is planar (D3h point group) in GuCdS and GuMnS, whereas it is lowered in the vanadyl compound. Furthermore, the spectral analyses show the presence of weak hydrogen bonds in the structures. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of biaxial load on stress and strain concentrations in a finite thickness elastic plate containing a circular hole
Authors: Yang Zheng , Cho Chongdu , Kim Chang‐Boo , Beom Hyeon Gyu
Published: November 2007

The elastic stress and strain fields of a finite thickness plate containing a circular hole subjected to a biaxial load are systematically investigated using the finite element method. It is found that the stress and strain concentration factors of the finite thickness plate are different even if the plate is in elasticity state. The maximum stress and strain concentration factors do not always occur on the mid plane of the plate. The maximum stress and strain concentration factors of the notch root increase from their plane stress value to their peak values, then decrease gradually with increasing thickness and tend to constant values related to the load biaxiality ratio, respectively. The stress and strain concentration factors at the notch root of free surface are the monotonic descent functions of thickness. Their values decrease rapidly and tend to lower the limit values related to the load biaxiality ratio with increasing plate thickness. The differences of stress and strain concentration factors between maximum and surface value increase rapidly and tend to constant values related to the load biaxiality ratio with increasing plate thickness. The smaller the load biaxiality ratio, the larger these differences. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exact solutions of axial vibration problems of elastic bars
Authors: Ma Haitao
Published: November 2007

While exact solutions for linear static analysis of most frame structures can be obtained by the finite element method, it is very difficult to obtain exact solutions for free vibration and harmonic analyses for non‐trivial cases. This paper presents a study on new finite element formulation and algorithms for exact solutions of undamped axial vibration problems of elastic bars. Appropriate shape functions are constructed by using the homogeneous governing equations, and based on the new shape functions, a novel element is formulated. An iterative procedure is proposed for determining both the exact natural frequency values and the corresponding vibration mode shapes. Exact solutions can also be obtained for undamped harmonic response analyses by using the new element, as its stiffness and mass matrices are exact for a specified frequency. Illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed element and algorithm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytoplasmic proteome reference map for a glutamic acid‐producing Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 14067
Authors: Li Liyuan , Wada Masaru , Yokota Atsushi
Published: November 2007

We constructed a cytoplasmic proteome reference map for a glutamic acid producing Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 14067 by 2‐DE and protein identification by MALDI‐TOF‐MS and PMF using genome database of the type strain ATCC 13032. The map allowed us to identify 166 protein spots representing 139 different proteins. A considerable strain difference was observed in the proteomic images between strains ATCC 14067 and ATCC 13032 grown under the glutamic acid production conditions, suggesting the importance of strain‐specific reference map for proteomic analysis.
Friction studies on surface grinding of granite with a vitrified CBN wheel
Authors: Xu Xipeng , Du Cunji
Published: November 2007

An investigation was undertaken to elucidate the interactions at the wheel–workpiece interface in the surface grinding of natural granite with a vitrified cubic boron nitride (CBN) wheel. During grinding, the spindle power and temperature responses were measured. Wear of the CBN wheel after grinding was followed using a digital imaging system. Specific energy was calculated according to the net grinding power and was found to increase with the depth of cut, indicating the action of sliding friction prevailing in the grinding. The ratio of the length of grinding zone to maximum undeformed chip thickness was proposed to include the effects of both size effect and sliding friction. Coupled with the grinding power and temperature responses, energy partitions to the workpiece were obtained and the grit tip temperature was estimated. Wear flats were found to dominate the wear of CBN in the grinding. In some cases, grit tip temperatures were found to be above the temperature of thermal stabilization of CBN. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Far from equilibrium steady states of 1D-Schrödinger–Poisson systems with quantum wells I
Authors: Patel Y. , Bonnaillie-Noël V. , Nier F.
Published: November 2007

We describe the asymptotics of the steady states of the out-of-equilibrium Schrödinger–Poisson system, in the regime of quantum wells in a semiclassical island. After establishing uniform estimates on the nonlinearity, we show that the nonlinear steady states lie asymptotically in a finite-dimensional subspace of functions and that the involved spectral quantities are reduced to a finite number of so-called asymptotic resonant energies. The asymptotic finite dimensional nonlinear system is written in a general setting with only a partial information on its coefficients. After this first part, a complete derivation of the asymptotic nonlinear system will be done for some specific cases in a forthcoming article [V. Bonnaillie–Noël, F. Nier, M. Patel, Far from equilibrium steady states of 1D-Schrödinger–Poisson systems with quantum wells II, Prépublications IRMAR, 2007].
A variational approach to the local character of G-closure: the convex case
Authors: Babadjian Jean-François , Barchiesi Marco
Published: November 2007

This article is devoted to characterize all possible effective behaviors of composite materials by means of periodic homogenization. This is known as a

G

-closure problem. Under convexity and

p

-growth conditions (

p > 1

), it is proved that all such possible effective energy densities obtained by a

Γ

-convergence analysis, can be locally recovered by the pointwise limit of a sequence of periodic homogenized energy densities with prescribed volume fractions. A weaker locality result is also provided without any kind of convexity assumption and the zero level set of effective energy densities is characterized in terms of Young measures. A similar result is given for cell integrands which enables to propose new counter-examples to the validity of the cell formula in the nonconvex case and to the continuity of the determinant with respect to the two-scale convergence.

Cet article est consacré à la caractérisation de toutes les limites effectives possibles de matériaux composites en terme d'homogénéisation périodique. Ce problème est connu sous le nom de

G

-fermeture. Il est démontré, sous des hypothèses de convexité et de croissance

p > 1

, que toutes ces densités d'énergies effectives, obtenues lors d'une analyse par

Γ

-convergence, peuvent être localement vues comme la limite ponctuelle d'une suite de densités d'énergies périodiquement homogénéisées avec une fraction de volume fixée. Un résultat plus faible est obtenu sans aucune hypothèse de convexité et l'ensemble des zéros de ce type de densités d'énergies effectives est caractérisé en terme de mesures d'Young. Un résultat similaire est donné pour des intégrandes cellulaires, permettant ainsi de proposer de nouveaux contre-exemples quant à la validité de la formule de cellule dans le cas non convexe, ainsi qu'à la continuité du déterminant par rapport à la convergence à double échelle.
Light fluence rate and chloroplasts are sources of signals controlling mesophyll cell morphogenesis and division
Authors: Tan Wesley , Bögre Laszlo , López‐Juez Enrique
Published: November 2007

As part of the acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus to high fluence rates of light, mesophyll (photosynthetic) leaf cells change in morphology (they elongate anticlinally or perpendicular to the leaf surface) and undergo extra cell divisions. This results in increased leaf thickness and internal, protective shading among chloroplasts. Here we have examined whether the chloroplasts themselves are sources of intracellular signals that trigger these changes, by monitoring the Arabidopsis thaliana chm1 variegated mutant, in which albino (chloroplast‐defective) and green (with functional chloroplasts) sectors coexist in one leaf. Our results have uncovered two separable responses. The increase in mesophyll cell elongation was substantially reduced but still observable in albino sectors, indicating that chloroplasts contribute to the cell morphogenesis response, but a chloroplast‐independent light sensory mechanism must exist. In contrast the change in number of mesophyll cell layers was completely abolished when plastids were dysfunctional, indicating that plastids are sole sources of signals for the cell division response. These data highlight the importance of plastid‐derived signals in the cellular responses associated with photosynthetic acclimation.
Screening for left ventricular systolic dysfunction in high‐risk patients in primary‐care: A cost‐benefit analysis
Authors: Goode Kevin M. , Clark Andrew L. , Bristow Janet A. , Sykes Kim B. , Cleland John G.F.
Published: November 2007

Background

Appropriate screening strategies are needed to cost effectively identify patients with undiagnosed and untreated left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).

Aim

To investigate the cost‐benefit of screening high‐risk patients in primary‐care for LVSD (EF<40%) using various screening strategies.

Methods

Patients considered at high‐risk of developing LVSD were recruited from three primary‐care practices. Patients with known LVSD were excluded. Echocardiography, electrocardiography and blood tests were performed blinded to an NT‐proBNP result. Logistic regression (LR) and receiver‐operating characteristic analysis were used to assess the univariate and multivariable utility of NT‐proBNP, QRS duration, symptoms and evidence of myocardial infarction (MI) to detect LVSD.

Results

427 patients were assessed. 7.5% had undiagnosed LVSD. NT‐proBNP, QRS, symptoms and MI were independent predictors of LVSD (p<0.014) and the resultant LR‐model had an area‐under‐the‐curve of 0.89 (0.84–0.94) and specificity of 54% (51–79%) at a sensitivity of 100%. The LR‐model avoided 24.1% (18.1– 48.3%) of the cost and 50.1% (44.1–74.3%) of the echocardiograms compared to screening using echocardiography alone.

Conclusions

Screening high‐risk groups in primary‐care increases the pick‐up rate for undiagnosed LVSD and using an LR‐model combining NT‐proBNP, QRS, symptoms and evidence of MI has significant cost benefits.
Estradiol suppresses NMU mRNA expression during sexual maturation in the female rat pituitary
Authors: Shimizu Fumi , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Iwasa Takeshi , Minakuchi Masahiro , Kuwahara Akira , Yasui Toshiyuki , Irahara Minoru
Published: November 2007

Neuromedin U (NMU) suppresses food intake and gonadotropin secretion. However, the developmental transition of NMU expression in the pituitary gland and the regulation of NMU expression are unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the transition of the expression of NMU mRNA in the pituitary glands of female rats from the juvenile period to the mature period of development. Furthermore, factors such as estradiol, insulin, leptin, and inhibin A, whose expressions change throughout puberty and which affect gonadotropin secretion in pituitary cell culture, were examined. In the pituitary gland, the expression of NMU mRNA was significantly lower in 8‐week‐old rats than in 4‐ and 6‐week‐old rats. In the pituitary cell culture, the expressions of NMU mRNA in the estradiol‐ and insulin‐treated groups were significantly lower than in the control group. These results suggest that the expression of NMU mRNA in the female rat pituitary is reduced as the rats develop from the pubertal to the mature period. Additionally, the reduction of NMU expression in the pituitary may be related to the increases in serum estradiol and insulin levels that occur during the pubertal period, which may negate NMU suppression of gonadotropin secretion.
Optically stimulated luminescence age controls on late Pleistocene and Holocene coastal lithosomes, North Carolina, USA
Authors: Mallinson David , Burdette Kevin , Mahan Shannon , Brook George
Published: November 2007

Luminescence ages from a variety of coastal features on the North Carolina Coastal Plain provide age control for shoreline formation and relative sea-level position during the late Pleistocene. A series of paleoshoreline ridges, dating to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5a and MIS 3 have been defined. The Kitty Hawk beach ridges, on the modern Outer Banks, yield ages of 3 to 2 ka. Oxygen-isotope data are used to place these deposits in the context of global climate and sea-level change. The occurrence of MIS 5a and MIS 3 shorelines suggests that glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA) of the study area is large (ca. 22 to 26 m), as suggested and modeled by other workers, and/or MIS 3 sea level was briefly higher than suggested by some coral reef studies. Correcting the shoreline elevations for GIA brings their elevation in line with other sea-level indicators. The age of the Kitty Hawk beach ridges places the Holocene shoreline well west of its present location at ca. 3 to 2 ka. The age of shoreline progradation is consistent with the ages of other beach ridge complexes in the southeast USA, suggesting some regionally contemporaneous forcing mechanism.
On Scale Insects (Coccidæ) &c. from the Uganda Protectorate
Authors: Newstead Robert
Published: November 2007

The following notes are based on a small collection of Coccidæ recently received by the Entomological Research Committee from Mr. C. C. Gowdey, the Government Entomologist in Uganda.
Sex pheromones of Callosobruchus subinnotatus and C. maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae): congeneric responses and role of air movement
Authors: Mbata G.N. , Shu S. , Ramaswamy S.B.
Published: November 2007

Females of Callosobruchus spp. are known to produce sex pheromones that attract males. These sex pheromones cannot be adopted for use in pest management without first investigating the responses of the males in the windless conditions of storage environments. Consequently, behavioural bioassays of Callosobruchus subinnotatus Pic males were conducted in an olfactometer in the absence of air-flow. Under these conditions males were found to be able to follow odour trails to the source. However, the latency period was longer in diffusional bioassays than for insects in a Y-tube olfactometer that provided directional wind cues. The highest percentage of males reached the pheromone source when components of the pheromones, (E)-3-methyl-2-heptenoic acid (E32A) and (Z)-3-methyl-2-heptenoic acid (Z32A), were formulated in a 50:50 or 25:75 ratio. Males of C. maculatus (Fabricius) responded to sex pheromone of C. subinnotatus, but males of C. subinnotatus did not respond to that of C. maculatus. The two sex pheromone components of C. subinnotatus are also constituents of C. maculatus sex pheromone. These two components may be potentially useful in monitoring the populations of both species in stored beans. It is postulated that (Z)-3-methyl-3-heptenoic acid (Z33A), the major component of the sex pheromone of C. maculatus, must have acted as an antagonist inhibiting response of C. subinnotatus to the sex pheromone of C. maculatus.
Field evaluation of a slow release pheromone formulation to control the American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Pakistan
Authors: Chamberlain D.J. , Brown N.J. , Jones O.T. , Casagrande E.
Published: November 2007

Trials to control the American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) by the technique of mating disruption were carried out in the Pakistan Province of Punjab during the 1996 cotton season. A slow release PVC resin formulation, Selibate®HA, containing a 97:3 mixture of the major (9Z-hexadecenal) and minor (11Z-hexadecenal) components of the female sex pheromone of H. armigera was applied at a rate of 40 g active ingredient ha−1 during August 1996. The formulation was applied around the terminal portion of the cotton plant by hand using local labour at a rate of c. 250 pieces per hectare. The efficacy of the formulation was compared to conventional insecticide regimes to control H. armigera on four farmer practice fields situated at least 1 km to the north, south, east and west of the pheromone treated area. A high degree of trap catch shutdown (indicating mating suppression) was observed throughout the pheromone treated area during the whole of the season compared to non-pheromone treated farmer practice fields. Night observations confirmed that mating disruption occurred in the pheromone treated area as a smaller percentage of mated females were collected from this area compared to farmer practice fields. A majority of mated females collected from the pheromone treated area mated only once, whereas females in farmer practice fields had undergone multiple matings. A greater percentage of tethered female H. armigera moths retrieved from farmer practice fields had successfully mated compared to tethered females retrieved from the pheromone treated area. Release rate data of H. armigera pheromone from the formulation show that c. 70% was released during the two month trial period. However, the highly dispersive pre-oviposition flight behaviour of females meant that the area treated was not sufficient to eliminate the problem of gravid females migrating in from surrounding areas, and ovipositing therein. The implications of using the technique of mating disruption to control large strong flying insects like H. armigera are discussed.
Variation in the Bemisia tabaci s. 1. species complex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and its natural enemies leading to successful biological control of Bemisia biotype B in the USA
Authors: Kirk A.A. , Lacey L.A. , Brown J.K. , Ciomperlik M.A. , Goolsby J.A. , Vacek D.C. , Wendel L.E. , Napompeth B.
Published: November 2007

Parasitoids of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) species complex collected in Spain and Thailand were evaluated as biological control agents of B. tabacibiotype B in cole crops in Texas, USA. Parasitoids were identified by morphological and RAPD–PCR analyses. The most abundant parasitoid from Spain was Eretmocerus mundus Mercet with apparent field parasitism of 39–44%. In Thailand, Encarsia formosa Gahan, E. transvena Timberlake, E. adrianaeLopez-Avila, Eretmocerus sp. 1 and sp. 2 emerged, with apparent field parasitism of 1–65%. Identification and molecular classification of B. tabaciassociated with parasitoid collections and in the release site in Texas were accomplished using morphological traits and nucleotide sequence comparison of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) (700–720 bp). Collections of B. tabacifrom Thailand grouped separately from B types from Arizona and Florida and the target B type from Texas, USA, a cluster from India, and other New World B. tabaci. The Spanish B. tabaci host of E. mundus which was laboratory and field-tested to achieve biological control of the B type was most closely related to non-B type B. tabaci populations from Spain and Sudan, the latter which formed a second group within the larger clade that also contained the B type cluster. Laboratory tests indicated that E. mundus from Spain parasitized more B. tabaci type B than did Eretmocerus spp. native to Texas and other exotic parasitoids evaluated. Eretmocerus mundus from Spain also successfully parasitized B. tabaci type B when field-released in a 0.94 million ha test area in Texas, and has significantly enhanced control of B. tabaci type B in California, USA. In contrast, parasitoids from Thailand failed to establish in the field in Texas, collectively suggesting a positive correlation between the centres of diversity of compatible parasitoid–host complexes.
Population genetics ofGlossina morsitans submorsitans(Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Krafsur E.S. , Madsen M. , Wohlford D.L. , Mihok S. , Griffiths N.T.
Published: November 2007

Breeding structure ofGlossina morsitans submorsitansNewstead was evaluated by using genetic markers in mitochondrial DNA where diversity was scored at two loci in five natural populations from The Gambia and two populations in Ethiopia (formugandensisVanderplank), countries separated byc. 5450 km. Twenty six haplotype combinations were found, of which 17 were shared among two or more populations. Nine haplotypes were found in The Gambia and 23 haplotypes in Ethiopia. There were 12 unique haplotypes. Only six haplotypes were shared between the two countries. Populations in The Gambia (he= 0.26 ± 0.04) showed less than a third of the diversity of populations in Ethiopia (he= 0.84 ± 0.03). This suggests recovery from an earlier reduction in population. In a nested analysis of molecular variance of haplotype frequencies, 65%of the variance was due to differences within populations, 34% to differences between populations grouped by country, and only 1% was due to differences among populations within countries. In terms of gene flow, the fixation indexFST= 0.35, which leads to an estimate by Wright’s island model of less than one reproducing migrant per generation exchanged between the eastern and westernsubmorsitanspopulations. Nei’s genetic similarity measure showed a deep division between Gambian and Ethiopian populations.
Diapause initiation and incidence in the millet stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): the role of the host plant
Authors: Tanzubil P.B. , Mensah G.W.K. , McCaffery A.R.
Published: November 2007

The role of the host plant in the development of larval diapause in the millet stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson) was investigated in northern Ghana in 1996 and 1997. Surveys conducted in farmers' fields in the Guinea and Sudan savannah revealed that of all the upland cereals grown, the insect survived the dry season only in stalks and stubble of pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum and late sorghum, Sorghum bicolor. This observation was confirmed by results from field trials conducted at the Manga Research Station. In these studies, C. ignefusalis larvae entered diapause only in late millet and late sorghum, with a higher incidence in the former. The insect neither attacked nor entered diapause in maize planted during the same period as the other crops. Results from controlled experiments showed that diapause incidence in the preferred host, millet, was higher in older than in younger plants, suggesting that host plant maturation is a key factor influencing the development of larval diapause in C. ignefusalis.
Control ofGlossina longipennis(Diptera: Glossinidae) by insecticide-treated targets at Galana Ranch, Kenya, and confirmation of the role ofG.longipennisas a vector of cattle trypanosomiasis
Authors: Makumi J.N. , Stevenson P. , Green C.H.
Published: November 2007

Glossina longipennisCorti was studied in Galana Ranch, Kenya over a four year period, in two areas (Tank E and Lali) where the species was abundant and other species were absent or scarce. There was active transmission of trypanosomiasis to cattle in both areas, the parasite species beingTrypanosoma vivaxZiemann andT. congolenseBroden. Mean infection rates of theG. longipenniswere 1.1% and 0.55% forT. vivaxandT. congolenserespectively at Tank E, and 0.88% and 0.15% at Lali. Experimental transmission studies showed that cattle in fly-proof enclosures challenged with wildG. longipenniscollected from Galana became infected with both trypanosome species. A tsetse control operation in one area (Tank E) using targets impregnated with deltamethrin in an oil formulation reduced the population ofG. longipennisby 98% over one year, despite evidence of re-invasion. Populations ofG. longipennisin the other area (Lali) were relatively stable over the whole study period. The effect of tsetse control on the incidence of cattle trypanosomiasis at Tank E was less clear than that on tsetse numbers, probably due to the lack of a sustained reduction in tsetse numbers. However, a significant relationship was demonstrated between fortnightly incidence measurements and electric net catches ofG. longipennisat Tank E. A further significant predictor of incidence was rainfall in the previous four to seven weeks. This study confirms the importance ofG. longipennisas a vector of bovine trypanosomiasis in areas where it is the predominant tsetse present.
Biological control ofBemisia argentifolii(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia with inundative releases ofEretmocerus eremicus(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): does varying the weekly release rate affect control?
Authors: Hoddle M.S. , Sanderson J.P. , Van Driesche R.G.
Published: November 2007

The effectiveness of varying weekly release rates of the parasitoidEretmocerus eremicusRose & Zolnerowich for control ofBemisia argentifoliiBellows & Perring on poinsettias was determined. Two variable release rate strategies forE. eremicuswere evaluated: a low–high and a high–low release regimen. In the low–high treatment, one female parasitoid was released per plant per week for seven weeks, then the release rate was increased to five female parasitoids per plant per week for the remaining seven weeks of the trial. In the high–low treatment, five female parasitoids per plant per week were released for the first seven weeks, then the release rate was reduced to one female parasitoid per plant per week for the final seven weeks of the trial. Both release rates averaged three female parasitoids per plant per week. Life-tables were made forB. argentifoliiin the presence and absence of parasitoids. In the absence ofE. eremicus, egg to adult survivorship forB. argentifoliiwas 65%. In low–high release greenhouses, average egg to adult survivorship forB. argentifoliiwas 6% and parasitism was 28%. In high–low greenhouses, average egg to adult survivorship forB. argentifoliiwas 5% and parasitism was 16%. Average net reproductive rates forB. argentifoliiin the absence of parasitoids was 17 indicating a rapidly increasing population. Net reproductive rates were 1.46 and 1.24 for low–high and high–low release greenhouses, respectively, indicating substantially reducedB. argentifoliipopulation growth. At week 14 of the trial, densities of live nymphs and pupae were lower in high–low greenhouses when compared to low–high greenhouses. Better whitefly control is achieved with inundative releases ofE. eremicuswhen this natural enemy acts as a predator as opposed to a parasitoid.