bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of photoredox properties of individual kinetically labile complexes in equilibrium systems
Authors: Šimo František , Šima Jozef
Published: June 2011

The paper evaluates the possibilities and limitations in characterising photochemical properties of individual kinetically labile species being in mutual equilibrium. A model of calculating quantum yield values is elaborated and applied to azidokojic iron(III) complexes in aqueous solutions. Based on the known speciation of the complexes as a function of pH, Fe(III) and azidokojic acid concentrations, electronic absorption spectra of individual species, and the determined overall quantum yield of Fe(II) photoformation at irradiation with monochromatised radiation at 366 nm, the quantum yield of Fe(III) to Fe(II) photoreduction was obtained for each of the complexes present in the investigated systems.
Comparison and optimisation of biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil using supercritical methyl acetate and methanol
Authors: Niza Noorzalila , Tan Kok , Ahmad Zainal , Lee Keat
Published: June 2011

In this study, biodiesel has been successfully produced by transesterification using non-catalytic supercritical methanol and methyl acetate. The variables studied, such as reaction time, reaction temperature and molar ratio of methanol or methyl acetate to oil, were optimised to obtain the optimum yield of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Subsequently, the results for both reactions were analysed and compared via Response Surface Methodology (RSM) analysis. The mathematical models for both reactions were found to be adequate to predict the optimum yield of biodiesel. The results from the optimisation studies showed that a yield of 89.4 % was achieved for the reaction with supercritical methanol within the reaction time of 27 min, reaction temperature of 358°C, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 44. For the reaction in the presence of supercritical methyl acetate, the optimum conditions were found to be: reaction time of 32 min, reaction temperature of 400°C, and methyl acetate-to-oil molar ratio of 50 to achieve 71.9 % biodiesel yield. The differences in the behaviour of methanol and methyl acetate in the transesterification reaction are largely due to the difference in reactivity and mutual solubility of Jatropha curcas oil and methanol/methyl acetate.
Incorporating Quality Scores in Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ahn Soyeon , Becker Betsy Jane
Published: June 2011

This paper examines the impact of quality-score weights in meta-analysis. A simulation examines the roles of study characteristics such as population effect size (ES) and its variance on the bias and mean square errors (MSEs) of the estimators for several patterns of relationship between quality and ES, and for specific patterns of systematic deviations related to quality differences. The bias and MSEs of the estimators are large when ESs from low-quality studies deviate from the population ES in specific ways, and bias does not approach zero in these cases. Because meta-analysts can never know whether biases due to quality exist, and because quality weights lead to bias in almost every condition studied, we recommend against the use of quality weights.
Mancozeb: growing risk for agricultural communities?
Authors: Atreya Kishor , Sitaula Bishal Kumar
Published: June 2011

In a country where farmers rely on conventional wisdom to make decisions on farming practices and the government lacks clear policies based on solid research, pesticide overuse is emerging as a problem. Mancozeb, the widely applied pesticide in Nepal’s vegetable farming, has both short- and long-term health consequences to people exposed to its unsafe levels. A handful of studies in the hill regions of Nepal suggest that the pesticide is being sprayed to farms at much higher level than recommended. The widespread misuse and dangerous consequences of this pesticide suggest a need for more thorough study, better instruction, and more effective control.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjs.v6i8.1794 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.6 Issue 8 2010 pp.9-10
Malaxis biaurita (Lindley) Kuntze (Orchidaceae): a new record for Nepal
Authors: Raskoti Bhakta Bahadur , Ale Rita
Published: June 2011

Malaxis biaurita (Lindley) Kuntze (Orchidaceae) has been reported for the first time in Nepal. The species occurs in the subtropical forest at an elevation of 1400 meters. The identifying characters are purple-red flowers, apically entire, obtuse labellum. Detailed description, illustration and relevant notes are provided. Key words: orchids; taxonomy; distribution DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjs.v6i8.1804 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.6 Issue 8 2010 pp.41-42
Simulating farm income under the current soil management regime in the mid-hills of Nepal
Authors: Bhatta Gopal Datt , Neupane Nilhari
Published: June 2011

Farmers in the mid-hills of Nepal follow diverse farming systems. The peri-urban area of this region, where population density is higher, faces several problems in farming. While hills suffer from erosion because they are erodible, the peri-urban areas face the problem of decline in factor productivity, particularly in intensively cultivated farmlands. The present study is concerned with simulating farm income on a regional scale based on soil management practices. Spatial explicit simulation shows that the loss of farm income due to degradation is substantially higher in hills while it is lower in valley bottoms. Strategy formulation and testing in the spatial environment indicates that Geographic Information System is an appropriate methodological tool for simulating the consequences of particular interventions. Key words: Mid hills, Nepal, spatial modeling, soil quality index, farm income DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjs.v6i8.3243 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.6 Issue 8 2010 pp.27-34
The Role of Veterinary Medical Librarians in Teaching Information Literacy
Authors: Dinkelman Andrea L. , Viera Ann R. , Bickett-Weddle Danelle A.
Published: June 2011

This qualitative study seeks to determine the nature of the instruction librarians provide to veterinary medical students at all 28 United States veterinary colleges. A secondary goal of the study was to determine in what ways and to what extent librarians participated in other instructional activities at their colleges. Over half of the librarians formally taught in one or more courses, predominantly in the first two years of the veterinary curriculum. One presentation per course was most common. Over half of the librarians interviewed stated that evidence-based veterinary medicine was taught at their colleges, and about half of these librarians collaborated with veterinary faculty in this instruction. Many librarians participated in orientation for first-year veterinary students. The librarians also taught instructional sessions for residents, interns, faculty, graduate students, and practicing veterinarians. This study found that librarians teach information literacy skills both formally and informally, but, in general, instruction by librarians was not well integrated into the curriculum. This study advances several recommendations to help veterinary students develop information literacy skills. These include: encourage veterinary faculty and administrators to collaborate more closely with librarians, incorporate a broader array of information literacy skills into assignments, and add a literature evaluation course to the curriculum.
The Role of Assessment in the Student Learning Process
Authors: Fuentealba Carmen
Published: June 2011

Assessment is a powerful learning tool that can enhance learning and education. The process of student assessment should align with curricular goals and educational objectives. Identifying the assessment strategies necessary for the proper evaluation of students' progress within individual programs is as important as establishing curricular content and delivery methods. The purpose of this paper is to discuss elements to be considered in assessment design and implementation as well as common challenges encountered during this process. Elements to be considered during assessment design include purpose of assessment, domains to be tested, and characteristics of the assessment tools to be employed. Assessment tools are evaluated according to four main characteristics: relevance, feasibility, validity, and reliability. Based on the evidence presented in the literature, the use of a variety of assessment tools is recommended to match diverse domains and learning styles. The assessment cycle concludes with the evaluation of the results and, based on these, the institution, program, or course can make changes to improve the quality of education. If assessment design aligns with educational outcomes and instructional methods, it improves the quality of education and supports student learning.
Hybrid Moulds with Epoxy-based Composites – Effects of Materials and Processing on Shrinkage and Warpage
Authors: Martinho P. G. , Netto A. Sabino , Ahrens C. H. , Salmoria G. V. , Pouzada A. S.
Published: June 2011

This paper contributes with the analysis of the case of a complex three-dimensional shape that was moulded in a standard steel mould and an alternative hybrid mould with steel cavity and epoxy-based composites cores. The mouldings were produced in semicrystalline and amorphous polymers. Pressure and temperature were recorded at two locations in the cavity. The processing conditions were simulated. The effect of the processing was observed on some dimensions of the part that were used for assessment of the shrinkage and warpage. The results suggest the importance of predicting the regime mould temperature when low thermal conductivity materials are used in moulding blocks. Results also evidenced that in hybrid moulds with resin blocks the shrinkage of the mouldings is a consequence of the specific polymer shrinkage and the deformation of the non-metallic core deformed by the processing pressure. The warpage occurring on these parts is also larger in comparison with conventional steel moulds.
Establishment of Gas Counter Pressure Technology and Its Application to Improve the Surface Quality of Microcellular Injection Molded Parts
Authors: Chen S. C. , Hsu P. S. , Lin Y. W.
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this study is to establish the Gas Counter Pressure (GCP) technology in combined with microcellular injection molding process. The application of gas into the mold cavity during the melt injection period provides a counter force against the melt front advancement, restricting the foaming process during the melt filling stage. Various gas counter pressures from 0 bar up to 300 bar and gas holding times of 0 to 10 s after filling completion were employed for investigating their relevant effect. It was found that when gas counter pressure is greater than 100 bar, foaming does not appear in the skin layer if no holding time is applied after melt-filling. As gas counter pressure increases, thickness of the solid skin layer without foaming also increases. Employment of holding time after melt-filling also assists foaming restriction in the melt core area. If a holding time of 10 s is applied combined with a counter pressure greater than 100 bar, foaming is completely restricted resulting in a transparent PS sample part. The part surface of those subjected to foaming-restriction in the skin layer also appears to be smooth and glossy. For the black PS parts molded via microcellular injection combined with gas counter pressure, it appears the same gloss quality as that achieved by conventional injection molding.
Work and High-Risk Alcohol Consumption in the Canadian Workforce
Authors: Marchand Alain , Parent-Lamarche Annick , Blanc Marie-Ève
Published: June 2011

This study examined the associations between occupational groups; work-organization conditions based on task design; demands, social relations, and gratifications; and weekly high-risk alcohol consumption among Canadian workers. A secondary data analysis was performed on Cycle 2.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2003. The sample consisted of 76,136 employees 15 years of age and older nested in 2,451 neighbourhoods. High-risk alcohol consumption is defined in accordance with Canadian guidelines for weekly low-risk alcohol consumption. The prevalence of weekly high-risk alcohol consumption is estimated to be 8.1% among workers. The results obtained using multilevel logistic regression analysis suggest that increased work hours and job insecurity are associated with elevated odds of high-risk alcohol consumption. Gender female, older age, being in couple and living with children associated with lower odds of high-risk drinking, while increased education, smoking, physical activities, and, and economic status were associated with higher odds. High-risk drinking varied between neighbourhoods, and gender moderates the contribution of physical demands. The results suggest that work made a limited contribution and non-work factors a greater contribution to weekly high-risk alcohol consumption. Limits and implications of these results are discussed.
Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Novel Functionalized Hydantoin Derivatives and Their Conversion to 5-(Z) Arylidene-4H-imidazoles
Authors: Kamila Sukanta , Ankati Haribabu , Biehl Edward R.
Published: June 2011

2-(Alkyl-1-yl)-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-ones 5a–n were synthesized via nucleophilic substitution of the methylsulfanyl group of the corresponding 2-(methylthio)-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-ones 3a–c with suitably substituted secondary amines. The starting 2-thioxo- imidazolidin-4-ones 2a,2b were prepared by condensation of thiohydantoin and benzo[b]-thiophene-3-carbaldehyde or benzofuran-3-carbaldehyde under microwave irracdiation (MW) conditions. 2-Methylthio derivatives 3a–c were prepared by treatment of 2a–b with methyl iodide in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide.
A Comprehensive Ubiquitous Healthcare Solution on an Android™ Mobile Device
Authors: Hii Pei-Cheng , Chung Wan-Young
Published: June 2011

Provision of ubiquitous healthcare solutions which provide healthcare services at anytime anywhere has become more favorable nowadays due to the emphasis on healthcare awareness and also the growth of mobile wireless technologies. Following this approach, an Android™ smart phone device is proposed as a mobile monitoring terminal to observe and analyze ECG (electrocardiography) waveforms from wearable ECG devices in real time under the coverage of a wireless sensor network (WSN). The exploitation of WSN in healthcare is able to substitute the complicated wired technology, moving healthcare away from a fixed location setting. As an extension to the monitoring scheme, medicine care is taken into consideration by utilizing the mobile phone as a barcode decoder, to verify and assist out-patients in the medication administration process, providing a better and more comprehensive healthcare service.
Transcriptional Profiles Uncover Aspergillus flavus-Induced Resistance in Maize Kernels
Authors: Luo Meng , Brown Robert L. , Chen Zhi-Yuan , Menkir Abebe , Yu Jiujiang , Bhatnagar Deepak
Published: June 2011

Aflatoxin contamination caused by the opportunistic pathogen A. flavus is a major concern in maize production prior to harvest and through storage. Previous studies have highlighted the constitutive production of proteins involved in maize kernel resistance against A. flavus’ infection. However, little is known about induced resistance nor about defense gene expression and regulation in kernels. In this study, maize oligonucleotide arrays and a pair of closely-related maize lines varying in aflatoxin accumulation were used to reveal the gene expression network in imbibed mature kernels in response to A. flavus’ challenge. Inoculated kernels were incubated 72 h via the laboratory-based Kernel Screening Assay (KSA), which highlights kernel responses to fungal challenge. Gene expression profiling detected 6955 genes in resistant and 6565 genes in susceptible controls; 214 genes induced in resistant and 2159 genes induced in susceptible inoculated kernels. Defense related and regulation related genes were identified in both treatments. Comparisons between the resistant and susceptible lines indicate differences in the gene expression network which may enhance our understanding of the maize-A. flavus interaction.
Photosynthetic Mediterranean meadow orchids feature partial mycoheterotrophy and specific mycorrhizal associations
Authors: Girlanda Mariangela , Segreto Rossana , Cafasso Donata , Liebel Heiko Tobias , Rodda Michele , Ercole Enrico , Cozzolino Salvatore , Gebauer Gerhard , Perotto Silvia
Published: June 2011

• Premise of the study: We investigated whether four widespread, photosynthetic Mediterranean meadow orchids (Ophrys fuciflora, Anacamptis laxiflora, Orchis purpurea, and Serapias vomeracea) had either nutritional dependency on mycobionts or mycorrhizal fungal specificity. Nonphotosynthetic orchids generally engage in highly specific interactions with fungal symbionts that provide them with organic carbon. By contrast, fully photosynthetic orchids in sunny, meadow habitats have been considered to lack mycorrhizal specificity.

• Methods: We performed both culture‐dependent and culture‐independent ITS sequence analysis to identify fungi from orchid roots. By analyzing stable isotope (13C and 15N) natural abundances, we also determined the degree of autotrophy and mycoheterotrophy in the four orchid species.

• Key results: Phylogenetic and multivariate comparisons indicated that Or. purpurea and Oph. fuciflora featured lower fungal diversity and more specific mycobiont spectra than A. laxiflora and S. vomeracea. All orchid species were significantly enriched in 15N compared with neighboring non‐orchid plants. Orchis purpurea had the most pronounced N gain from fungi and differed from the other orchids in also obtaining C from fungi.

• Conclusions: These results indicated that even in sunny Mediterranean meadows, orchids may be mycoheterotrophic, with correlated mycorrhizal fungal specificity.
Gold(I)-catalyzed formation of furans by a Claisen-type rearrangement of ynenyl allyl ethers
Authors: Istrate Florin M , Gagosz Fabien
Published: June 2011

A series of ynenyl allyl ethers were rearranged into polysubstituted furans in the presence of a gold(I) catalyst. It is proposed that the transformation involves a Claisen-type rearrangement that allows the efficient creation of quaternary centers under mild experimental conditions.
Mechanical Intervention for Maintenance of Cartilage and Bone
Authors: Sun Hui B. , Cardoso Luis , Yokota Hiroki
Published: June 2011

Mechanical loading provides indispensible stimuli for growth and development of the articular cartilage and bone. Interestingly, depending on loading conditions loads applied to the joint can be beneficial as well as harmful to skeletal maintenance and remodeling. Moderate loads to the synovial joint, for instance, suppress the expression levels of matrix metallproteinases (MMPs), while loads above a threshold tend to increase their destructive activities. This report focuses on two recently developed loading modalities from animal studies, joint motion and joint loading. Their unique characteristics and potential usages for maintenance of the articular cartilage and stimulation of bone remodeling are reviewed. Also described are biophysical and molecular mechanisms which likely are responsible for the load-driven maintenance of cartilage and bone, and a possibility of developing load-mediated treatments of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Effect of isoprene emissions from major forests on ozone formation in the city of Shanghai, China
Authors: Geng F. , Tie X. , Guenther A. , Li G. , Cao J. , Harley P.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Ambient surface level concentrations of isoprene (C5H8) were measured in the major forest regions located south of Shanghai, China. Because there is a large coverage of broad-leaved trees in this region, high concentrations of isoprene were measured, ranging from 1 to 6 ppbv. A regional dynamical/chemical model (WRF-Chem) is applied for studying the effect of such high concentrations of isoprene on the ozone production in the city of Shanghai. The evaluation of the model shows that the calculated isoprene concentrations agree with the measured concentrations when the measured isoprene concentrations are lower than 3 ppb, but underestimate the measurements when the measured values are higher than 3 ppb. Isoprene was underestimated only at sampling sites near large bamboo plantations, a high isoprene source, indicating the need to include geospatially resolved bamboo distributions in the biogenic emission model. The assessment of the impact of isoprene on ozone formation suggests that the concentrations of peroxy radicals (RO2) are significantly enhanced due to the oxidation of isoprene, with a maximum of 30 ppt. However, the enhancement of RO2 is confined to the forested regions. Because the concentrations of NOx were low in the forest regions, the ozone production due to the oxidation of isoprene (C5H8 + OH →→ RO2 + NO →→ O3) is low (less than 2–3 ppb/h). The calculation further suggests that the oxidation of isoprene leads to the enhancement of carbonyls (such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) in the regions downwind of the forests, due to continuous oxidation of isoprene in the forest air. As a result, the concentrations of HO2 radical are enhanced, resulting from the photo-disassociation of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Because the enhancement of HO2 radical occurs in regions downwind of the forests, the enhancement of ozone production (6–8 ppb/h) is higher than in the forest region, causing by higher anthropogenic emissions of NOx. This study suggests that the biogenic emissions in the major forests to the south of Shanghai have important impacts on the levels of ozone in the city, mainly due to the carbonyls produced by the continuous oxidation of isoprene in the forest air.
Inter-comparison of lidar and ceilometer retrievals for aerosol and Planetary Boundary Layer profiling over Athens, Greece
Authors: Tsaknakis G. , Papayannis A. , Kokkalis P. , Amiridis V. , Kambezidis H. D. , Mamouri R. E. , Georgoussis G. , Avdikos G.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. This study presents an inter-comparison of two active remote sensors (lidar and ceilometer) to determine the mixing layer height and structure of the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) and to retrieve tropospheric aerosol vertical profiles over Athens, Greece. This inter-comparison was performed under various strongly different aerosol loads/types (urban air pollution, biomass burning and Saharan dust event), implementing two different lidar systems (one portable Raymetrics S.A. lidar system running at 355 nm and one multi-wavelength Raman lidar system running at 355 nm, 532 nm and 1064 nm) and one CL31 Vaisala S.A. ceilometer (running at 910 nm). Spectral conversions of the ceilometer's data were performed using the Ångström exponent estimated by ultraviolet multi-filter radiometer (UV-MFR) measurements. The inter-comparison was based on two parameters: the mixing layer height determined by the presence of the suspended aerosols and the attenuated backscatter coefficient. Additionally, radiosonde data were used to derive the PBL height. In general, a good agreement was found between the ceilometer and the lidar techniques in both inter-compared parameters in the height range from 500 m to 5000 m, while the limitations of each instrument are also examined.
Eddy covariance measurements with high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometry: a new approach to chemically resolved aerosol fluxes
Authors: Farmer D. K. , Kimmel J. R. , Phillips G. , Docherty K. S. , Worsnop D. R. , Sueper D. , Nemitz E. , Jimenez J. L.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Although laboratory studies show that biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) yield substantial secondary organic aerosol (SOA), production of biogenic SOA as indicated by upward fluxes has not been conclusively observed over forests. Further, while aerosols are known to deposit to surfaces, few techniques exist to provide chemically-resolved particle deposition fluxes. To better constrain aerosol sources and sinks, we have developed a new technique to directly measure fluxes of chemically-resolved submicron aerosols using the high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-AMS) in a new, fast eddy covariance mode. This approach takes advantage of the instrument's ability to quantitatively identify both organic and inorganic components, including ammonium, sulphate and nitrate, at a temporal resolution of several Hz. The new approach has been successfully deployed over a temperate ponderosa pine plantation in California during the BEARPEX-2007 campaign, providing both total and chemically resolved non-refractory (NR) PM1 fluxes. Average deposition velocities for total NR-PM1 aerosol at noon were 2.05 ± 0.04 mm s−1. Using a high resolution measurement of the NH2+ and NH3+ fragments, we demonstrate the first eddy covariance flux measurements of particulate ammonium, which show a noon-time deposition velocity of 1.9 ± 0.7 mm s−1 and are dominated by deposition of ammonium sulphate.
A relaxed eddy accumulation system for measuring vertical fluxes of nitrous acid
Authors: Ren X. , Sanders J. E. , Rajendran A. , Weber R. J. , Goldstein A. H. , Pusede S. E. , Browne E. C. , Min K.-E. , Cohen R. C.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. A relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) system combined with a nitrous acid (HONO) analyzer was developed to measure atmosperhic HONO vertical fluxes. The system consists of three major components: (1) a fast-response sonic anemometer measuring vertical wind velocity and air temperature, (2) a fast-response controlling unit separating air motions into updraft and downdraft samplers by the sign of vertical wind velocity, and (3) a highly sensitive HONO analyzer based on aqueous long path absorption photometry measuring HONO concentations in these updrafts and downdrafts. A dynamic velocity threshold (±0.5σw, where σw is a standard deviation of the vertical wind velocity) was used for valve switching determined by the running means and standard deviations of the vertical wind velocity. Using measured temperature as a tracer and the average values from two field deployments, the flux proportionality coefficient, β, was determined to be 0.42 ± 0.02, in good agreement with the theoretical estimation. The REA system was deployed in two ground-based field studies. In the California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change (CalNex) study in Bakersfield, California in summer 2010, measured HONO fluxes appeared to be upward during the day and were close to zero at night. The upward HONO flux was highly correlated to the product of NO2 and solar radiation. During the Biosphere Effects on Aerosols and Photochemistry Experiment (BEARPEX 2009) at Blodgett Forest, California in July 2009, the overall HONO fluxes were small in magnitude and were close to zero. Causes for the differences in HONO fluxes in the two different environments are briefly discussed.
Importance of crop varieties and management practices: evaluation of a process-based model for simulating CO2 and H2O fluxes at five European maize (Zea mays L.) sites
Authors: Li L. , Vuichard N. , Viovy N. , Ciais P. , Wang T. , Ceschia E. , Jans W. , Wattenbach M. , Béziat P. , Gruenwald T. , Lehuger S. , Bernhofer C.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. This paper is a modelling study of crop management impacts on carbon and water fluxes at a range of European sites. The model is a crop growth model (STICS) coupled with a process-based land surface model (ORCHIDEE). The data are online eddy-covariance observations of CO2 and H2O fluxes at five European maize cultivation sites. The results show that the ORCHIDEE-STICS model explains up to 75 % of the observed daily net CO2 ecosystem exchange (NEE) variance, and up to 79 % of the latent heat flux (LE) variance at five sites. The model is better able to reproduce gross primary production (GPP) variations than terrestrial ecosystem respiration (TER) variations. We conclude that structural deficiencies in the model parameterizations of leaf area index (LAI) and TER are the main sources of error in simulating CO2 and H2O fluxes. A number of sensitivity tests, with variable crop variety, nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and planting date, indicate that any of these management factors is able to change NEE by more than 15 %, but that the response of NEE to management parameters is highly site-dependent. Changes in management parameters are found to impact not only the daily values of NEE and LE, but also the cumulative yearly values. In addition, LE is shown to be less sensitive to management parameters than NEE. Multi-site model evaluations, coupled with sensitivity analysis to management parameters, thus provide important information about model errors, which helps to improve the simulation of CO2 and H2O fluxes across European croplands.
Agricultural induced impacts on soil carbon cycling and sequestration in a seasonally saturated wetland
Authors: Maynard J. J. , O'Geen A. T. , Dahlgren R. A.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The fate of organic carbon (C) lost by erosion is not well understood in agricultural settings. Recent models suggest that wetlands and other small water bodies may serve as important long-term sinks of eroded C, receiving ~30 % of all eroded material in the US. To better understand the role of seasonally-saturated wetlands in sequestering eroded C, we examined the spatial and temporal dynamics of C and sediment accumulation in a 13-yr-old constructed wetland used to treat agricultural runoff. The fate of C sequestered within deposited sediment was modeled using point-sampling, remote sensing, and geostatistics. Using a spatially-explicit sampling design, annual net rates of sedimentation and above ground biomass were measured during two contrasting years (vegetated, 2004 vs. non-vegetated, 2005), followed by collection of sediment cores to the antecedent soil layer, representing 13 yr of sediment and C accumulation. We documented high annual variation in the relative contribution of endogenous and exogenous C sources, as well as absolute rates of sediment and C deposition. This annual variation, however, was muted in the long-term (13-yr) sediment record, which showed consistent vertical patterns of uniform C distribution (~14 g kg−1) and δ13C signatures in high depositional environments. This was in contrast to low depositional environments which had high levels of surface C enrichment (20–35 g kg−1) underlain by C depleted (5–10 g kg−1) sediments and an increasing δ13C signature with depth indicating increasing decomposition. These results highlight the importance of sedimentation in physically protecting soil organic carbon and its role in controlling the long-term C concentration of seasonally-saturated wetland soils. While significant enrichment of surface sediments with endogenous C occurred in newly deposited sediment (i.e., 125 kg m2 in 2004), fluctuating cycles of flooding and drying maintained the long-term C concentration at the same level as inflowing sediment (i.e., 14 g kg−1), indicating no additional long-term storage of endogenous C. These results demonstrate that constructed flow-through wetlands can serve as important sinks for eroded C and sediment in agricultural landscapes, however, additional C sequestration via enrichment from endogenous sources may be limited in seasonally-saturated wetlands due to rapid decomposition during drying cycles.
Assessing the impact of climate variability on catchment water balance and vegetation cover
Authors: Xu X. , Yang D. , Sivapalan M.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Understanding the interactions among climate, vegetation cover and the water cycle lies at the heart of the study of watershed ecohydrology. Recently, considerable attention is being paid to the effect of climate variability (e.g., precipitation and temperature) on catchment water balance and also associated vegetation cover. In this paper, we investigate the general pattern of long-term water balance and vegetation cover (as reflected in fPAR) among 193 study catchments in Australia through statistical analysis. We then employ the elasticity analysis approach for quantifying the effects of climate variability on hydrologic partitioning (including total runoff, surface and subsurface runoff) and on vegetation cover (including total, woody and non-woody vegetation cover). Based on the results of statistical analysis, we conclude that annual runoff (R), evapotranspiration (E) and runoff coefficient (R/P) all increase with vegetation cover for catchments in which woody vegetation is dominant and annual precipitation is relatively high. Annual evapotranspiration (E) is mainly controlled by water availability rather than energy availability for catchments in relatively dry climates in which non-woody vegetation is dominant. The ratio of subsurface runoff to total runoff (Rg/R) also increases with woody vegetation cover. Through the elasticity analysis of catchment runoff, it is shown that precipitation (P) in the current year is the most important factor affecting the change in annual total runoff (R), surface runoff (Rs) and subsurface runoff (Rg). The significance of other controlling factors is in the order of the annual precipitation in the previous year (P−1 and P−2), which represent the net effect of soil moisture, and the annual mean temperature (T) in the current year. Change of P by +1 % causes a +3.35 % change of R, a +3.47 % change of Rs and a +2.89 % change of Rg, on average. Likewise a change of temperature of +1° causes a −0.05 % change of R, a −0.07 % change of Rs and a −0.10 % change of Rg, on average. Results of elasticity analysis on the maximum monthly vegetation cover indicate that incoming shortwave radiation during the growing season (Rsd,grow) is the most important factor affecting the change in vegetation cover. Change of Rsd,grow by +1 % produces a −1.08 % change of total vegetation cover (Ft) on average. The significance of other causative factors is in the order of the precipitation during growing season, mean temperature during growing season and precipitation during non-growing season. The growing season precipitation is more significant than the non-growing season precipitation to non-woody vegetation cover, but the both have equivalent effects to woody vegetation cover.
Dynamics of a seismogenic fault subject to variable strain rate
Authors: Dragoni M. , Piombo A.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The behaviour of seismogenic faults is generally investigated under the assumption that they are subject to a constant strain rate. We consider the effect of a slowly variable strain rate on the recurrence times of earthquakes generated by a single fault. To this aim a spring-block system is employed as a low-order analog of the fault. Two cases are considered: a sinusoidal oscillation in the driver velocity and a monotonic change from one velocity value to another. In the first case, a study of the orbit of the system in the state space suggests that the seismic activity of the equivalent fault is organized into cycles that include several earthquakes and repeat periodically. Within each cycle the recurrence times oscillate about an average value equal to the recurrence period for constant strain rate. In the second case, the recurrence time changes gradually from the value before the transition to the value following it. Asymptotic solutions are also given, approximating the case when the amplitude of the oscillation or of the monotonic change is much smaller than the average driver velocity and the period of oscillation or the duration of the transition is much longer than the recurrence times of block motions. If the system is not isolated but is subject to perturbations in stress, the perturbation anticipates or delays the subsequent earthquake. The effects of stress perturbations in the two cases of strain rate oscillations and monotonic change are considered.
Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of the RTVue Fourier-Domain OCT and the GDx-VCC/ECC Polarimeter to Detect Glaucoma
Authors: Garas Anita , Vargha Péter , Holló Gábor
Published: June 2011

Purpose

To compare sensitivity and specificity of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) measurements made using RTVue-100 Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (RTVue-OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry with variable (GDx-VCC) or enhanced compensation (GDx-ECC).

Methods

One eye of each of 177 consecutive patients was imaged. Healthy (n=50) and ocular hypertensive (n=28) eyes were defined as structurally undamaged, preperimetric (n=33) and perimetric (n=66) glaucoma eyes as diseased.

Results

For average RNFLT, sensitivity was higher (χ2 test, p=0.002) with RTVue-OCT (65.7%) than with GDx-VCC (49.5%). For superior and inferior RNFLT, sensitivity was similar with all methods. For the different nerve fiber bundle parameters, sensitivity of RTVue-OCT (64.6% to 84.8%) was consistently up to 35% higher (p<0.001) than that of GDx-VCC/ECC (28.3% to 72.7%). Specificity ranged from 84.6% to 98.7% with RTVue-OCT, 92.3% to 100% with GDx-VCC, and 94.9% to 100% with GDx-ECC, with no significant difference between the methods except for one nerve fiber bundle parameter, for which RTVue-OCT was less specific than either GDx method (p≤0.004). Diagnostic accuracy of the GDx-VCC/ECC nerve fiber indicator (NFI) and RTVue-OCT average RNFLT were similar. Of the detected glaucoma cases, 87.7% were identified both by GDx-VCC/ECC NFI and average RNFLT of RTVue-OCT.

Conclusions

In this clinical setting, all methods were similarly highly specific, but for localized RNFLT damage RTVue-OCT was statistically and clinically significantly more sensitive than GDx-VCC and GDx-ECC. Most detected glaucoma cases were identified with all 3 methods.
Platelet Activation in Heart Failure Patients Supported by the HeartMate II Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Slaughter Mark S. , Sobieski Michael A. , Graham Joel D. , Pappas Patroklos S. , Tatooles Antone J. , Koenig Steven C.
Published: June 2011

Objective

Thromboembolic events have been observed in heart failure (HF) patients supported by long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. It has been hypothesized that these adverse events may be the result of platelet activation associated with high rotational speeds common to axial flow pumps. In this study, markers of platelet activation were investigated in HF patients supported by a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Methods

The study group consisted of 34 HF patients supported by a HeartMate II axial flow LVAD implanted for destination therapy (DT). This patient population was 94% male (31 M, 3 F), supported by LVAD for 30 to 723 days (average 268 days), and with an anticoagulation regimen of Coumadin (0-8 mg daily dose) and aspirin (0-325 mg daily dose). Platelet adhesion markers (soluble P-selectin and solube CD40 ligand), platelet count (PC), hematocrit (Hct), and creatinine (Cr) were measured.

Results

The soluble P-selectin marker was within normal platelet activity limits for all end points. The soluble CD40 ligand marker indicated platelet inactivity for all end points. Despite high shear stresses associated with a high-speed axial flow pump, the HeartMate II had no discernable effect on platelet activation. Current clinical doses of aspirin also appear to have little effect on platelet activation. Platelet count, hematocrit, and creatinine were normal in these patients over duration of support.

Conclusions

There were no discernable changes in platelet activation markers soluble P-selectin and soluble CD40 ligand in HF patients support by HeartMate II LVAD independently of length of support, anti-platelet, and anti-coagulation regimens.
“It's junk food and chicken nuggets”: Children's perspectives on ‘kids' food’ and the question of food classification
Authors: Elliott Charlene
Published: June 2011

Given the expansive nature of children's food, banning the advertising of poorly nutritious products to children only deals with part of the problem. What is missing is an understanding of how child‐oriented food marketing has reconfigured children's broader perceptions of what food means and the kinds of foods that are ‘for them’. Drawing from focus groups conducted across Canada, this article examines the perspectives of 225 children who discussed both ‘kids' food’ and ‘adult food’. The research reveals the broader implications of particular food marketing strategies. When children think of ‘kids' food’, they generally think of junk food, sugar, sugary cereals and the fun shapes and unusual colours characterizing much of contemporary child‐oriented packaged food. When children think of ‘adult food’, they think of fruits, vegetables and meat. In short, ‘adult foods’ are generally the unprocessed fruits, vegetables and meats that all North Americans should be consuming more of, whereas ‘kids' foods’ are associated with processed, high‐sugar, low‐nutrient edibles. The paper further reveals how ‘kids' food’ functions as an object or technology of identification for children enacted through a set of characteristics that the edibles share. Children's classification of food also reveals their savvy awareness that both ‘kids' food’ and ‘adult food’ can contain transgressive elements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of a parallel permutation testing function for the SPRINT R package
Authors: Petrou Savvas , Sloan Terence M. , Mewissen Muriel , Forster Thorsten , Piotrowski Michal , Dobrzelecki Bartosz , Ghazal Peter , Trew Arthur , Hill Jon
Published: June 2011

The statistical language R and its Bioconductor package are favoured by many biostatisticians for processing microarray data. The amount of data produced by some analyses has reached the limits of many common bioinformatics computing infrastructures. High Performance Computing systems offer a solution to this issue. The Simple Parallel R Interface (SPRINT) is a package that provides biostatisticians with easy access to High Performance Computing systems and allows the addition of parallelized functions to R. Previous work has established that the SPRINT implementation of an R permutation testing function has close to optimal scaling on up to 512 processors on a supercomputer. Access to supercomputers, however, is not always possible, and so the work presented here compares the performance of the SPRINT implementation on a supercomputer with benchmarks on a range of platforms including cloud resources and a common desktop machine with multiprocessing capabilities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Innovative Short‐term, Intensive, Family‐based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: Case Series
Authors: Rockwell Roxanne E. , Boutelle Kerri , Trunko Mary Ellen , Jacobs M. Joy , Kaye Walter H.
Published: June 2011

Objective

In order to improve the dissemination of new expert‐based treatments for adolescents with anorexia nervosa, we have developed an innovative 1‐week intensive family‐based evaluation and treatment programme. Ages of the adolescents in the programme ranged from 10 to 18 years (mean = 15.0, SD = 2.1). We report the outcomes of the first 19 cases.

Method

Data were obtained from a retrospective chart review and a follow‐up of cases at 52 to 738 days (mean = 278.4, SD = 193.8) post‐treatment. The primary outcome measure was ideal body weight (IBW) percentage.

Results

At admission, the duration of illness ranged from less than 1 to 8 years (mean 2.1, SD = 1.7). Admission IBW ranged from 69.3 to 99.1% (mean = 84.3%, SD = 8.7). Follow‐up IBW ranged from 84.4 to 134.6% (mean = 99.3%, SD = 11.8). All but one patient reported a sustained gain in weight post‐treatment (mean = 15.0, SD = 14.5).

Discussion

These data provide further support for the notion that short‐term family‐based therapy may be useful for weight restoration and maintenance in some adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Inductance profile calculation of step winding structure in tubular linear reluctance motor using three‐dimensional finite element method
Authors: Mosallanejad Ali , Shoulaie Abbas
Published: June 2011

In this paper, a novel design for a tubular linear reluctance motor (TLRM) has been developed. This paper presents a novel structure to enhance magnetic force and velocity in TLRM. The new structure is accomplished through some changes in TLRM, which result in a step winding structure. For dynamic modeling of the proposed TLRM and obtaining the motor output characteristics, it is necessary that the inductance profile is calculated with a good accuracy. This paper represents a study of step winding inductance in every plunger positions in TLRMs with open‐type magnetic circuits. Electromagnetic finite element analysis is used for proposed motor simulation and coil inductance calculation. Moreover, inductance of a prototype novel TLRM was measured with experimental methods. Simulation results of coil inductance calculation using three‐dimensional finite element method with coil current excitation are compared with theoretical and experimental results. The comparison yields a good agreement. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phosphorylation of vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein Ser239 suppresses filopodia and invadopodia in colon cancer
Authors: Zuzga David S. , Pelta‐Heller Joshua , Li Peng , Bombonati Alessandro , Waldman Scott A. , Pitari Giovanni M.
Published: June 2011

In colorectal cancer, the antitumorigenic guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) signalome is defective reflecting ligand deprivation from downregulation of endogenous hormone expression. Although the proximal intracellular mediators of that signal transduction system, including cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKG), are well characterized, the functional significance of its distal effectors remain vague. Dysregulation of ligand‐dependent GCC signaling through vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), an actin‐binding protein implicated in membrane protrusion dynamics, drastically reduced cGMP‐dependent VASP phosphorylation levels in colorectal tumors from patients. Restoration of cGMP‐dependent VASP phosphorylation by GCC agonists suppressed the number and length of locomotory (filopodia) and invasive (invadopodia) actin‐based organelles in human colon cancer cells. Membrane organelle disassembly reflected specific phosphorylation of VASP Ser239, the cGMP/PKG preferred site, and rapid VASP removal from tumor cell protrusions. Importantly, VASP Ser239 phosphorylation inhibited the proteolytic function of invadopodia, reflected by suppression of the cancer cell ability to digest DQ‐collagen IV embedded in Matrigel. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for VASP Ser239 phosphorylation, a single intracellular biochemical reaction, as an effective mechanism which opposes tumor cell shape promoting colon cancer invasion and metastasis. Reconstitution of physiological cGMP circuitry through VASP, in turn, represents an attractive targeted approach for patients with colorectal cancer.
Kinetics of malachite green fading in water–ethanol–2‐propanol ternary mixtures
Authors: Samiey Babak , Motamedi Laila
Published: June 2011

The rate constant of malachite green (MG+) alkaline fading was measured in water–ethanol–2‐propanol ternary mixtures. This reaction was studied under pseudo‐first‐order conditions at 283–303 K. It was observed that the observed reaction rate constants, kobs, were increased in the presence of different weight percentages of ethanol and 2‐propanol. The fundamental rate constants of MG+ fading in these solutions were obtained by using the SESMORTAC model. In each series of experiments, the concentration of one alcohol was kept constant and the concentration of the second one was changed. It was observed that at the constant concentration of one alcohol and variable concentrations of the second one, with an increase in temperature, k2 values decrease according to the trend of hydroxide ion nucleophilic parameter values and k1 values increase. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 441–453, 2011