bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responses of intensively grazed dairy pastures to applications of fertiliser nitrogen in south-western Australia
Authors: Bolland M. D. A. , Guthridge I. F.
Published: July 2007

For the first time, we quantified pasture dry matter (DM) responses to applied fertiliser nitrogen (N) for intensively grazed, rain-fed, dairy pastures on sandy soils common in the Mediterranean-type climate of south-western Australia. The pastures are composed of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and annual and Italian ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud. and L. multiflorum Lam.). Six rates of N, as urea (46% N), were applied to 15 m by 15 m plots four times during 2002 and after each of the first 5–7 grazings in 2003 and 2004, throughout the typical April–October growing season. Total rates of N applied in the first year of the experiments were 0, 60, 120, 160, 200 and 320 kg N/ha, which were adjusted in subsequent years as detailed in the ‘Materials and methods’ section of this paper. The pastures in the experiments were rotationally grazed, by starting grazing when ryegrass plants had 2–3 leaves per tiller. The amount of pasture DM on each plot was measured before and after each grazing and was then used to estimate the amount of pasture DM consumed by the cows at each grazing for different times during the growing season. Linear increases (responses) of pasture DM to applied N occurred throughout the whole growing season when a total of up to 320 kg N/ha was applied in each year. No maximum yield plateaus were defined. Across all three experiments and years, on average in each year, a total of ~5 t/ha consumed DM was produced when no N was applied and ~7.5 t/ha was produced when a total of 200 kg N/ha was applied, giving ~2.5 t/ha increase in DM consumed and an N response efficiency of ~12.5 kg DM N/kg applied. As more fertiliser N was applied, the proportion of ryegrass in the pasture consistently increased, whereas clover content decreased. Concentrations of nitrate-N in the DM consistently increased as more N was applied, whereas concentrations of total N, and, therefore, concentration of crude protein in the DM, either increased or were unaffected by applied N. Application of N had no effect on concentrations of other mineral elements in DM and on dry matter digestibility and metabolisable energy of the DM. The results were generally consistent with findings of previous pasture N studies for perennial and annual temperate and subtropical pastures. We have shown that when pasture use for milk production has been maximised in the region, it is profitable to apply fertiliser N to grow extra DM consumed by dairy cows; conversely, it is a waste of money to apply N to undergrazed pastures to produce more unused DM.
Stimulatory effects of dual inoculation with phosphate solubilising microorganisms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on chickpea
Authors: Zaidi Almas , Khan Md. Saghir
Published: July 2007

The stimulatory effect of rhizotrophic microorganisms on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of chickpea was determined in a pot experiment using sterilised soil deficient in available phosphorus (P). Plant vigour, yield and nutrient uptake were significantly enhanced following inoculation with Mesorhizobium ciceri and the phosphate solubilising bacterium Serratia (T1) or phosphate solubilising fungus Penicillium (WF6). Composite application of Mesorhizobium ciceri with Serratia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus fasciculatum had maximum positive effect on chickpea plants (0.68 and 2.21 g/plant at 50 and 90 days after sowing, respectively). Among all the treatments, the performance of M. ciceri with Serratia and G. fasciculatum and M. ciceri with Penicillium and G. fasciculatum was superior and increased the seed yield by 41 and 23%, respectively. The interactive effects were synergistically significant following inoculation of M. ciceri with Serratia and G. fasciculatum and Serratia with Penicillium and G. fasciculatum, which improved the photosynthetic pigment by 47 and 37%, respectively, relative to the control. Protein content in seeds varied between 18 and 24% in inoculated chickpea. Number of nodules formed per plant was higher at 90 days after sowing than 55 days after sowing. Phosphorus status of soil was improved by Serratia coinoculated with M. ciceri and G. fasciculatum but N content in general did not differ appreciably. At 90 days after sowing chickpea, there was an increase in (i) populations of phosphate solubilising microorganisms in some treatments, (ii) percentage root infection and (iii) spore density of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in the soil.
Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 redundantly regulate cardiac morphogenesis, growth, and contractility
Authors: Montgomery Rusty L. , Davis Christopher A. , Potthoff Matthew J. , Haberland Michael , Fielitz Jens , Qi Xiaoxia , Hill Joseph A. , Richardson James A. , Olson Eric N.
Published: July 2007

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) tighten chromatin structure and repress gene expression through the removal of acetyl groups from histone tails. The class I HDACs, HDAC1 and HDAC2, are expressed ubiquitously, but their potential roles in tissue-specific gene expression and organogenesis have not been defined. To explore the functions of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in vivo, we generated mice with conditional null alleles of both genes. Whereas global deletion of HDAC1 results in death by embryonic day 9.5, mice lacking HDAC2 survive until the perinatal period, when they succumb to a spectrum of cardiac defects, including obliteration of the lumen of the right ventricle, excessive hyperplasia and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, and bradycardia. Cardiac-specific deletion of either HDAC1 or HDAC2 does not evoke a phenotype, whereas cardiac-specific deletion of both genes results in neonatal lethality, accompanied by cardiac arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy, and up-regulation of genes encoding skeletal muscle-specific contractile proteins and calcium channels. Our results reveal cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous functions for HDAC1 and HDAC2 in the control of myocardial growth, morphogenesis, and contractility, which reflect partially redundant roles of these enzymes in tissue-specific transcriptional repression.
Assessment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, ErbB1) and HER2 (ErbB2) protein expression levels and response to lapatinib (Tykerb®, GW572016) in an expanded panel of human normal and tumour cell lines
Authors: Rusnak D. W. , Alligood K. J. , Mullin R. J. , Spehar G. M. , Arenas‐Elliott C. , Martin A.‐M. , Degenhardt Y. , Rudolph S. K. , Jr Haws T. F. , Hudson‐Curtis B. L. , Gilmer T. M.
Published: July 2007

Abstract.  Objective: Lapatinib (Tykerb®, GW572016), a potent inhibitor of the catalytic activities of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) (ErbB2), inhibits population growth of selected EGFR and HER2 overexpressing cell lines. Previous studies with a small number of cell lines suggest a correlation between overexpression of EGFR and/or HER2 and sensitivity to growth inhibition by lapatinib; however, the precise determinants of lapatinib selectivity for tumour and/or other cells remain unclear. Materials and methods: To clarify the determinants of its selectivity in cultured cells, lapatinib‐induced cell population growth inhibition and relative EGFR and HER2 protein expression were quantified in 61 different human tumour cell lines from 12 tumour types, two oncogene transformed human cell lines and two normal human cell cultures. Using statistical tools to analyse the data, a model describing the relationship between lapatinib IC50 (the response variable) and EGFR and HER2 expression and tissue type (explanatory variables) was derived. Conclusion: The results suggest that simultaneous consideration of EGFR and HER2 expression, as well as tissue type yields the best determinant of lapatinib selectivity in cultured cells.
Effects of nutrient enrichment on boreal streams: invertebrates, fungi and leaf‐litter breakdown
Authors: BERGFUR JENNY , JOHNSON RICHARD K. , SANDIN LEONARD , GOEDKOOP WILLEM , NYGREN KRISTIINA
Published: July 2007

1. The effect of nutrient enrichment on structural (invertebrate indices) and functional (leaf‐litter breakdown rates) characteristics of stream integrity was studied in nine boreal streams.

2. The results showed predicted changes in biotic indices and leaf‐litter breakdown along a complex (principal component) nutrient gradient. Biotic indices were better correlated with nutrient effects than leaf‐litter breakdown.

3. Fungal biomass and invertebrate densities in the litter bags were positively correlated with leaf‐litter breakdown, and both were also positively related to the nutrient gradient.

4. Invertebrate community composition influenced breakdown rate. High breakdown rates at one site were associated with the high abundance of the detritivoreAsellus aquaticus.

5. This study lends support to the importance of invertebrate and fungi as mediators of leaf‐litter decomposition. However, our study also shows that study design (length of incubation) can confound the interpretation of nutrient‐induced effects on decomposition.
A highly conserved transcriptional repressor controls a large regulon involved in lipid degradation inMycobacterium smegmatisandMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Kendall Sharon L. , Withers Mike , Soffair Catherine N. , Moreland Nicole J. , Gurcha Sudagar , Sidders Ben , Frita Rosangela , Ten Bokum Annemieke , Besra Gurdyal S. , Lott J. Shaun , Stoker Neil G.
Published: July 2007

TheMycobacterium tuberculosisTetR‐type regulatorRv3574has been implicated in pathogenesis as it is inducedin vivo, and genome‐wide essentiality studies show it is required for infection. As the gene is highly conserved in the mycobacteria, we deleted theRv3574orthologue inMycobacterium smegmatis(MSMEG_6042) and used real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and microarray analyses to show that it represses the transcription both of itself and of a large number of genes involved in lipid metabolism. We identified a conserved motif within its own promoter (TnnAACnnGTTnnA) and showed that it binds as a dimer to 29 bp probes containing the motif. We found 16 and 31 other instances of the motif in intergenic regions ofM. tuberculosisandM. smegmatisrespectively. Combining the results of the microarray studies with the motif analyses, we predict thatRv3574directly controls the expression of 83 genes inM. smegmatis, and 74 inM. tuberculosis. Many of these genes are known to be induced by growth on cholesterol in rhodococci, and palmitate inM. tuberculosis. We conclude that this regulator, designated elsewhere askstR, controls the expression of genes used for utilizing diverse lipids as energy sources, possibly imported through themce4system.
Autoimmune Prostatitis: State of the Art
Authors: Motrich R. D. , Maccioni M. , Riera C. M. , Rivero V. E.
Published: July 2007

The prostate is one of the main male sex accessory glands and the target of many pathological conditions affecting men of all ages. Pathological conditions of the prostate gland range from infections, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) of a still unknown aetiology to benign hyperplasia and cancer. CP/CPPS is one of the most prevalent diseases in the urologic clinic and affects men younger than 50 years old. A significant advance in the understanding of CP/CPPS was made when an autoimmune response against prostate antigens was revealed in a considerable number of patients. During the last 30 years, extensive work has been done regarding the development and characterization of different rodent models of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP). It has been demonstrated that tolerance to prostate antigens can be disrupted in some strains of rats and mice and cellular and humoral responses to prostate antigens are elicited. A Th1 pattern has been described and the cellular response seems to be the major pathogenic mechanism involved. Immune cells infiltrate the gland and induce prostate lesions. The genetic background and hormonal imbalance are factors that could contribute to the onset of the disease in susceptible young males. Moreover, spontaneous autoimmune prostatitis could also occur with advanced age in susceptible strains. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding rodent models of EAP and the immunological alterations present in CP/CPPS patients. We also discuss the reliability of these experimental approaches as genuine tools for the study of human disease.
An Emerging Role for Galectins in Tuning the Immune Response: Lessons from Experimental Models of Inflammatory Disease, Autoimmunity and Cancer
Authors: Rabinovich G. A. , Liu F.‐T. , Hirashima M. , Anderson A.
Published: July 2007

Inflammation is a critical process for eliminating pathogens, but can lead to serious deleterious effects if left unchecked. Identifying the endogenous factors that control immune tolerance and inflammation is a key goal in the field of immunology. Galectins, a family of endogenous lectins with affinity for β‐galactoside‐containing oligosaccharides, are expressed by several cells of the immune system and tissue‐resident stromal cells. According to their architecture, this family of glycan‐binding proteins is classified in those containing one‐carbohydrate‐recognition domain (CRD) (proto‐type), those containing two‐CRD joined by a linker non‐lectin domain (tandem‐repeat) and those that have one‐CRD attached to an N‐terminal peptide (chimera‐type). Accumulating evidence indicates that galectins play critical regulatory roles in immune cell response and homeostasis. In this review, we summarize recent developments in our understanding of the galectins’ roles within different immune cell compartments, and in the broader context of the inflammatory microenvironments. In particular we illustrate the immunoregulatory role of three representative members of each galectin subfamily: galectin‐1, ‐3 and ‐9. This body of knowledge, documenting the coming of age of galectins as potential immunosuppressive agents or targets for anti‐inflammatory drugs, represents a sound basis to further explore their potential as novel therapies for autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation and cancer.
Impact of the intubation model on the efficacy of rocuronium during rapid sequence intubation: systematic review of randomized trials
Authors: Lysakowski C. , Suppan L. , Czarnetzki C. , Tassonyi E. , Tramèr M. R.
Published: July 2007

Background:  Propofol–rocuronium is thought to be superior to thiopental–rocuronium for rapid sequence intubation (RSI). The role of the intubation model per se has never been investigated.

Methods:  Randomized comparisons of rocuronium with succinylcholine for true RSI (administration of muscle relaxant immediately after the hypnotic, intubation within 60 s) or modified RSI (delay between administration of the hypnotic and the muscle relaxant, intubation within 60 s) were sought. Good or excellent intubation conditions were expressed as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:  Twelve trials (1471 patients) used a true RSI. With propofol for induction, RR for good or excellent intubation conditions with conventional rocuronium doses (0.6–0.7 mg/kg) was 0.95 (95%CI, 0.90–1.00), with high doses (0.9–1.2 mg/kg) was 0.96 (0.92–1.01) compared with succinylcholine. With thiopental for induction, RR with conventional rocuronium doses was 0.69 (0.61–0.78) and with high doses was 0.99 (0.95–1.03). Nine trials (340 patients) used a modified RSI. With propofol for induction, RR with conventional rocuronium doses was 0.98 (0.91–1.06); data on high rocuronium doses were lacking. With thiopental for induction, RR with conventional rocuronium doses was 0.97 (0.92–1.02) and with high doses was 1.0. There was no evidence that concomitantly used opioids or the dose of the induction agent had an impact on intubation conditions, independent of the intubation model.

Conclusion:  The efficacy of rocuronium for RSI is influenced by both, the induction agent and the intubation model. To test the clinical usefulness of alternatives to succinylcholine for RSI, a true RSI model should be used.
Twin troubles – rickets causing myelofibrosis
Authors: Kamien Benjamin , Harris Linda
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Myelofibrosis is an uncommon condition that causes anaemia, failure to thrive and massive splenomegaly. This case report describes migrant Sudanese twins who developed myelofibrosis secondary to severe rickets from a combination of poor diet, inadequate sun exposure, and a breastfeeding mother who wore hijab and was also vitamin D deficient.
Letter from America — September 1993 The Rise of Clinton, the Fall of the Democrats, the Scandal of the Media
Authors: Barber Benjamin R.
Published: July 2007

THE NEWS FROM AMERICA IS (WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?) BILL Clinton – America's first first-name-only-please President, informality and accessibility being hallmarks of democratic populism in the 1990s. It might seem as if this is the roller-coaster presidency: if you do not like Clinton's bad (good) reputation today, just wait a month and you can be sure that things will have turned upside down. When I started this piece in the spring, he was way, way down; today just a few months later, following a successful Japanese trip (his weak rivals in the G-7 group made him look good), his two successful judicial appointments (Ruth Bader Ginsberg to the Supreme Court and Louis J. Freeh to the FBI), his paper-thin but indispensable budget victory in the Congress, and his shepherding of the historic Israeli-Palestinian peace protocol, he's looking good. By the time you read this, however, he's likely to be down again, or perhaps down but once again up. His political career has been on a rollercoaster from the start and the media seem determined to keep him and the country rocking — and rolling.
Japanese Politics in Transition: A Theoretical Review
Authors: Inoguchi Takashi
Published: July 2007

THE END OF ONE-PARTY DOMINANCE BY THE LIBERAL Democratic Party of Japan came as abruptly as the fall of the Berlin wall four years before. It started with the debate on electoral system change, ostensibly as an attempt to curb corruption. The LDP has been plagued by a series of large-scale corruption scandals since the Recruit scandal of 1989. The latest concerned former vice-president Shin Kanemaru's alleged violation of the political money regulation law and the income tax law in 1992–93. The Prime Minister, Kiichi Miyazawa, accepting a fair degree of compromise with opposition parties, wanted to pass a bill to change the current electoral system. The LDP initially wanted to change from the system of choosing a few persons in each district by one vote to the Anglo-American type system of selecting one person in each district by one vote. The opposition wanted to change to the continental European system of proportional representation. A compromise was made by the LDP's proposal to combine the latter two systems. Then two dissenting groups emerged suddenly in the LDP. One took the exit option by forming new political parties. The other took the voice option by backing away from the Miyazawa compromise plan. Miyazawa was humiliated by his failure to have the bill enacted and a motion of no confidence was passed. He then called for a general election, which took place on 18 July 1993. The outcome did not give a majority to the LDP and subsequently a non-LDP coalition was formed to produce a non-LDP government for the first time since the foundation of the LDP in 1955
Czech and Slovak Society
Authors: Musil Jiří
Published: July 2007

THIS STUDY IS ONE OF COMPARATIVE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS deliberately avoiding a sociological definition of the situation. It is assumed that two societies had existed in Czechoslovakia for some time and the difference between them, and possible analogies, are examined. There is also an assumption that the division of Czechoslovakia occurred especially because ‘Czechoslovak society’ as such had not yet been established; this was in spite of the fact that the two societies, at the time of the split, had substantially more in common than they had had at the time of Czechoslovakia's formation. There exists the view, which we want to verify, that during the decline of the federation the following factors were significant:

1. The differences in economic, social, cultural and dispositional structures;

2. The asynchronous and differing processes of modernization in both societies;

3. The different consequences of the formation of societies of Soviet type in the Czech Lands in Slovakia;

4. The differing processes for rectification of political, economic and cultural institutions in both republics after November 1989.
A CELLULAR AUTOMATON TO MODEL THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY SHOOT MERISTEMS OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA
Authors: AKBERDIN ILYA R. , OZONOV EVGENIY A. , MIRONOVA VICTORIA V. , OMELYANCHUK NADEZDA A. , LIKHOSHVAI VITALY A. , GORPINCHENKO DMYTRY N. , KOLCHANOV NIKOLAI A.
Published: July 2007

Development of organisms is a very complex process in which a lot of gene networks of different cell types are integrated. Development of a cellular automaton (Ermentrout and Edelshtein-Keshet, J Theor Biol160:97–133, 1993) that models the morphodynamics of different cell types is the first step in understanding and analysis of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the functioning of developmental gene networks. A model of a cellular automaton has been developed, which simulates the embryonic development of shoot meristem in Arabidopsis thaliana. The model adequately describes the basic stages in development of this organ in wild and mutant types.
The Southern Urals: deep subduction, soft collision and weak erosion
Authors: Matte Philippe
Published: July 2007

The Urals are a linear north-south-trending belt (2500 km in length, from Novaya Zemlya to the Aral Sea). Their apparent narrowness (100-150 km) in the polar and cispolar parts is mainly due to the Siberian Meso-Cenozoic post-tectonic cover. In the southern, broadest part that crops out, the width of the Urals is close to 500 km. The Urals are very different from the other European Palaeozoic belts, the Caledonides and Variscides: despite subduction that built volcanic arcs in Silurian-Devonian times and pushed continental crust to great depth, where it underwent UHP metamorphism, the global shortening is relatively small, without great nappes, and the level of erosion very high, mainly east of the oceanic suture, where high-grade Uralian metamorphism is scarce. Another unusual feature is the preservation of an orogenic root in the centre of the orogen. These characteristics are due to the plate tectonic history that led to the orogeny: eastward subduction of the European passive margin stopped quickly after the Devonian because it was difficult for a so large a continent to sink further. Orogeny continued by westward subduction, east of the volcanic arc, closure of oceanic basins and accretion of small continental blocks and arcs without large underthrusting, and thus with little metamorphism or erosion (soft collision) but with large strike-slip motion. Preservation of the root is thought to be due to the high density of the central volcanic arc at depth (mantle and probably mafic granulites), which precluded strong uplift and erosion.
The Vendian-Early Palaeozoic sedimentary basins of the East European Craton
Authors: Sliaupa Saulius , Fokin Pavel , Lazauskiene Jurga , Stephenson Randell A.
Published: July 2007

abstract

Vendian-Early Palaeozoic sedimentation on the East European Craton (EEC) was confined to the cratonic margins with limited intracratonic subsidence. Generally, there are two geodynamic stages involved: in stage 1, basins formed in response to continental break-up processes; in stage 2, basins formed in response to the reassembly of continental lithosphere fragments and associated continental accretionary processes. The establishment of the Peri-Tornquist passive margin was a polyphase process that commenced in the Early Vendian in the SW and ended in the Cambrian in the NW. Neoproterozoic rifting along the Scandinavian margin was essentially a long process (250 Ma), whereas the fragmentation of the continent along the earlier Timanian orogen in the east and establishment of Peri-Uralian basins took place in a rather short time span. A similar scenario is suggested for the basement of the Peri-Caspian Basin. The rift-to-drift transition is expressed differently on the various EEC margins and this could be a reflection of the relative strengths of the underlying lithosphere. The change to a convergent margin setting is recorded in Peri-Tornquist basins in the Late Ordovician, climaxing with high rates of subsidence during Late Silurian time. Subsidence rates on the cratonic margins were governed by the emplacement of orogenic loads. Where there was a short time span between Stages 1 and 2, continuing thermal subsidence from the former was superimposed onto the flexural subsidence of the latter, such as on the Dnestr margin. Other processes, such as dynamic loading related to mantle flow, are implied for the anomalously broad Stage 2 Baltic Basin. Peri-Uralian basins developed as passive continental margin basins throughout the Early Palaeozoic. Stress regime changes generated at the craton margins are reflected in the structure and subsidence patterns recorded in the intracratonic Moscow Basin.
Monitoring the Corrosion Behavior of Coated Reinforcement for Concrete
Authors: Wheat Harovel G. , Liu Guangjuan
Published: July 2007

Since its introduction in the 1970s, epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR) has become of the most widely used alternatives to black steel. Because of its premature deterioration in Florida soon after its introduction into large-scale bridge projects, other types of coatings are now being investigated. Some of those include new formulations of epoxy as well as other coatings that have not been used in concrete applications. This investigation is an examination of the corrosion behavior of epoxy-coated rebar, nylon-coated rebar, and PVC-coated rebar in simulated concrete solutions and in salt-contaminated concrete. The corrosion behavior is being examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Concrete macrocells have been exposed to salt water ponding for almost four years. EIS results indicate that, in general, the corrosion behavior of the coated reinforcement in the concrete is better than the corrosion behavior based on exposure in the simulated concrete solutions.
Coating Condition Evaluation of Epoxy Coated Rebar
Authors: Lau Kingsley , Sagüés Alberto A.
Published: July 2007

The initial results of ongoing research on the corrosion condition of epoxy coated steel reinforcement (ECR) from a low permeability concrete marine structure with thin preexisting structural cracks after ~20 years of service are presented. Coating autopsies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were conducted on ECR samples extracted from the field. No preferential coating deterioration was observed on ECR zones intersected by a crack compared to the rest of the ECR segment. Results from EIS measurements show a high frequency (hf) loop in disbonded ECR samples. Larger hf loops in cracked concrete samples are indicative of larger electrolyte conductance. The low frequency impedance response behavior is characteristic of current and interfacial capacitance distribution in a transmission line configuration. Further tests are in progress.
Corrosion of MA956 by Flowing Coal-Biomass Slags
Authors: Hurley John P. , Kadrmas Nathan J.
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we summarize the results of the laboratory scale tests of the corrosion rates of Special Metals MA956 during exposure to flowing coal/biomass slags at metal surface temperatures up to 1200{degree sign}C. The tests were performed in a bench- scale system for 100 hours each. The slag was heated to 1500 {degree sign}C before being poured onto the surface of the alloy which was cooled internally with flowing air. The results presented in the paper include measurements of surface recession and elemental diffusion both within the alloys and between the alloys and the slag. The data demonstrates that as long as the surface temperature of the alloy is kept below the solidus temperature of the slag, corrosion rates are very low and the slag creates a barrier to reduce the oxidation rate of the alloy.
Study of Adsorption and Oxidation of Thiocyanate in the Interface Metal / Solution by EQCM and EIS
Authors: González Peña Omar I. , Antaño López René , Meas Vong Yunny
Published: July 2007

Thiocyanate (SCN-) is widely used in industrial and scientific areas; nevertheless, few studies have been made to understand the mechanism of adsorption and electrochemical oxidation of SCN-. This work shows the results of a study of the adsorption and oxidation of SCN- at different concentrations on a Pt electrode in a 0.1M HClO4 electrolyte solution. In the behavior of this system, studied with an Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM) coupled with Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), we observed an irregular tendency of anodic current with respect to the concentration of the additive. To understand this, we used Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), testing four different reaction mechanisms that involve the adsorption and oxidation of thiocyanate. For each one of the tested mechanisms a transfer function was proposed and fitted to the experimental data. According to the pattern recognition method, the best fitted mechanism involves the formation of (SCN)2 as an intermediate.
Comparison of KP and BBM-KP Models
Authors: Daspan Gideon P. , Tom Michael M.
Published: July 2007

It is shown that the solutions of the pure initial-value problem for the KP and regularized KP equations are the same, within the order of accuracy attributable to either, on the time scale0≤t≤ε−3/2, during which nonlinear and dispersive effects may accumulate to make an order-one relative difference to the wave profiles.
Developing a Formulation Based upon Curvature for Analysis of Nonprismatic Curved Beams
Authors: Saffari H. , Fadaee M. J. , Tabatabaei R.
Published: July 2007

A new element with three nodal curvatures has been considered for analysis of the nonprismatic curved beams by finite element method. In the formulation developed, the force-curvature relationships in polar coordinate system have been obtained first, then the curvature of the element has been assumed to have a second-order polynomial function form and the radial, tangential displacements, and rotation of the cross section have been found as a function of the curvature accounting for the effects of the cross section variation. Moreover, the relationship between nodal curvatures and nodal deformations has been calculated and used for determining the deformations in terms of curvature at an arbitrary point. The total potential energy has been calculated accounting for bending, shear, and tangential deformations. Invoking the stationary condition of the system, the force-deformation relationship for the element has been obtained. Using this relationship, the stiffness matrix and the equivalent fixed loads applying at the nodes have been computed. The results obtained have been compared with the results of some other references through several numerical examples. The comparison indicates that the present formulation has enough accuracy in analysis of thin and thick nonprismatic curved beams.
Formation of Star-Like and Core-Shell AuAg Nanoparticles during Two- and Three-Step Preparation in Batch and in Microfluidic Systems
Authors: Köhler J. Michael , Romanus H. , Hübner U. , Wagner J.
Published: July 2007

Regular dendrit-like metal nanoparticles and core-shell nanoparticles were formed by the reduction of mixtures of tetrachloroaurate and silver nitrate solutions with ascorbic acid at room temperature in two- and three-step procedures. The formation of these particles was found in batch experiments as well as in micro flow-through processes using static micromixers. The characteristic diameters of 4-branched star particles were in the range between 60 and 100 nm. The typical particles consist of four metal cores which are embedded in a common shell. Additionally, particles with five and more metallic cores were formed, to some extent, and aggregates of the 4-branched particles also were formed. Larger aggregates and network-like structures of connected star particles were formed after sedimentation. The properties of the formed particles are dependent on the educt concentrations as well as on the order of mixing steps and on the time interval between them. Obviously, the relation of nucleation and particle growth in relation to the concentrations of metal ions determines the composition and the properties of formed nanoparticles. So, star-like particles are observed in case of nucleation of Au in absence of silver ions but with silver deposition after short nucleation time. Spherical core shell particles are formed in case of silver salt addition after complete reduction of tetrachloroaurate in flow-through experiments with sufficient residence time between both mixing steps. Polymer layers are always found in the form of a second outer shell even if the polymer solutions are added in an early stage of particle formation.
A novel synthetic compound that interrupts androgen receptor signaling in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Lu Shan , Wang Amy , Lu Shan , Dong Zhongyun
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 6-amino-2-[2-(4-tert-butyl-phenoxy)-ethylsulfonyl]-1H-pyrimidine-4-one (DL3), a novel synthetic compound with small-molecule drug properties, on androgen-regulated gene expression and cell growth in human prostate cancer cells. LNCaP, 22Rv1, and LAPC-4 cells were used in the studies. Expression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and androgen receptor (AR) was determined by ELISA, Western blotting, real-time reverse transcription-PCR, nuclear run-on, and/or promoter luciferase reporter assays. Effects of DL3 on cell growth were determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide staining. DL3 inhibited dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PSA expression in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibitory effects of DL3 were more potent than those of flutamide, nilutamide, and bicalutamide. Moreover, DL3 blocked the stimulatory effects of nilutamide on PSA expression in LNCaP cells. Unlike the three classic antiandrogens, DL3 did not show intrinsic AR agonist activity. Nuclear run-on and PSA promoter reporter assays revealed that DL3 blocked DHT-induced PSA gene transcription. Consistent with its effects on PSA expression, DL3 inhibited DHT-stimulated cell growth with a potency significantly superior to flutamide, nilutamide, or bicalutamide. Furthermore, cells resistant to flutamide or nilutamide were as susceptible as their parental counterparts to the inhibitory effects of DL3 on both PSA expression and cell growth. DL3 did not inhibit AR nuclear localization and the NH2- and COOH-terminal interaction of AR induced by DHT. These data show that DL3 is a novel inhibitor of the AR signaling axis and a potentially potent therapeutic agent for the management of advanced human prostate cancer. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(7):2057–64]
Track Two Diplomacy from a Track One Perspective: Comparing the Perceptions of Turkish and American Diplomats
Authors: Gürkaynak C. Esra Çuhadar
Published: July 2007

Although it is often implicitly assumed by track two practitioners that track two efforts are complementary to official negotiations and are welcomed by official actors, little is known about the actual perceptions of these efforts by official parties, especially in the context of non-Western countries. Turkey, as one of these countries, was exposed to numerous track two efforts in the last decade. A survey of Turkish diplomats was conducted to explore how interventions by American- and European-based track two actors are perceived by the track one community in a developing and non-Western country. The Turkish diplomats' perceptions are organized around four categories: who are the track two actors, contributions of track two diplomacy, problems caused by track two diplomacy, and ideas concerning track two-track one cooperation. Then, the perceptions of Turkish and American diplomats are compared to assess whether their perceptions of track two diplomacy differ and, if so, in what particular ways they differ. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed and ideas for future research proposed.
Summer Camp Experiences
Authors: Henderson Karla A. , Whitaker Leslie Scheuler , Bialeschki M. Deborah , Scanlin Margery M. , Thurber Christopher
Published: July 2007

Every summer more than 10 million children attend day or resident (sleep-over) camps sponsored by churches, not-for-profit youth agencies, and independent operators. This study explored the outcomes of a 1-week or longer camp experience from the perspective of parents. A national sample of almost 2,300 parents responded to pre-, post-, and follow-up surveys about their children's growth experiences at camp. Parents perceived statistically significant gains from precamp to postcamp in 10 youth development constructs with the highest effect sizes related to adventure/exploration, independence, making friends, positive identity, and peer relationships. Additional gains from the precamp to the 6-month follow-up were noted for leadership. Parents also described what their children learned at camp and what changes they perceived occurred as a result of their child's camp experience.
Analysis of machine elements in shape of helicoidal shell on cylindrical shell
Authors: Savicevic S , Zekovic S
Published: July 2007

A procedure for the automated determination of the geometric parameters of a helicoidal shell on a cylindrical one that is applied to machines for special purposes is presented in this paper. A differential equation for the bending of a helicoidal shell subjected to a uniform pressure and a differential equation for the cylindrical shell loaded by a uniformly distributed moment along the helix are used to define the boundary conditions along the cross-section of these shells. The finite difference method is used to solve the differential equation for the bending of a helicoidal shell in MATLAB software. The values of the shell thickness are determined for different parameters using a strength criterion. Different models of the helicoidal shell are analysed.
Effect of Electrification Conditions on the Freezing of Supercooled Water Droplets on a Hydrophobic Coating
Authors: Nakajima Akira , Imase Akihito , Suzuki Shunsuke , Yoshida Naoya , Sakai Munetoshi , Hashimoto Ayako , Kameshima Yoshikazu , Toshiyoshi Hiroshi , Okada Kiyoshi
Published: July 2007

The effects of electrification processes on ice nucleation on an octadecanethiol (ODT) coating were investigated under two different conditions. Electrification provides the driving force of the movement to the three-phase contact line. This change promotes ice nucleation on the supercooled water droplet. In contrast, electrification before cooling inhibits freezing, probably because of the limitation of orientational freedom by the interaction between the surface charge and the dipole moment of water molecules.
Long-term blood-sampling technique in piglets
Authors: Takahashi H.
Published: July 2007

A technique to enable long-term blood sampling from piglets aged 2-3 months is described. Piglets were housed individually in expandable cages and a heparinized polyurethane catheter was inserted into the external jugular vein. A technique was used which prevented the catheter from pulling out of the vein with growth of the animals. Blood samples could be obtained for more than 1 month, and levels of cortisol, glucose, white blood cell count, haematocrit, rectal temperature and heart rate were compared for samples obtained from simulated conventional venepunctures and from the cannula using this technique. It was shown that restraint and needle pricks raised these levels considerably.
Microsurgical approach to the cerebellomedullar region in rat
Authors: Renella R. R. , Hussein S.
Published: July 2007

A microsurgical study was carried out on 20 randomized rats in order to delineate a safe technique for cerebellobulbar approaches. The procedure takes 20-30 min and can be performed with minimum blood loss if anatomical landmarks, particularly the m. obliquus capitis cranialis, are respected.
Intestinal accumulation of urea in germ-free animals - a factor in caecal enlargement
Authors: Juhr N.-C. , Ladeburg M.
Published: July 2007

To examine the connection between caecal size and urea concentration in the caecal contents urease inhibition was tested in conventional animals and urea and urease were administered to germ-free rats and mice. Administration of alloxan and barbituric acid and immunization with urease led to slightly larger caeca in conventional animals. Neomycin treatment caused a clear enlargement of the caecum. In germ-free animals urease administration led to a reduction in the caecal size, whereas urea in the drinking water caused enlargement. The urea concentration and the urease activity in the caecal contents correlated well with the caecal weights.
Aversion to side effects in preventive medical treatment decisions
Authors: Waters Erika A. , Weinstein Neil D. , Colditz Graham A. , Emmons Karen M.
Published: July 2007

Objectives. Individuals may be overly sensitive to the side effects of treatments aimed at preventing illness, in part because they have difficulty in evaluating situations with several possible outcomes that differ in probability. This study tested willingness to undergo a hypothetical preventive treatment and accuracy in determining the probability of harm from the treatment as a function of the presence of a side effect, the initial probability of harm, the format in which probabilities were presented (percentages or frequencies), and the presence or absence of a graphic.

Design. The study was a factorial experiment involving 5,251 participants.

Methods. Participants recruited from a health‐oriented internet site read about a hypothetical cancer prevention treatment situation and were asked to indicate their willingness to accept this treatment and whether it would increase or decrease their overall risk of cancer. The net benefit of the treatment was the same in all conditions, whether or not it was associated with a small side effect.

Results. The presence of information about a side effect dramatically decreased willingness to undergo preventive treatment and accuracy in evaluating the treatment's effects. Willingness and accuracy were not influenced by the initial probability of harm, whether the risk probability information was presented as frequencies (N in 100) or as percentages, or whether the initial risk was presented with a bar graph or an array of asterisks or stick figures.

Conclusion. Individuals are highly averse to preventive treatments with even small side effects and have difficulty combining the likelihood of positive and negative outcomes to determine the treatment's overall benefits.
A longitudinal analysis of emotional impact, coping strategies and post‐traumatic psychological growth following spinal cord injury: A 10‐year review
Authors: Pollard Clair , Kennedy Paul
Published: July 2007

Objectives. To review emotional impact, psychological growth and coping strategies in a sample of traumatic spinal cord injured people from 12 weeks post‐injury to 10 years post‐hospital discharge.

Design. Longitudinal, multiple wave panel design.

Methods. Eighty‐seven people with traumatically acquired spinal cord injuries were assessed at 12 weeks post‐injury and followed up 10 years later (43% of the original sample responded). The Beck Depression Inventory, the State Anxiety Inventory, the COPE Scale, the Functional Independence Measure and the Social Support Inventory were completed on both occasions.

Results. Rates of anxiety and depression had changed little over the 10‐year period. Two‐thirds of the sample showed no signs or symptoms of depression. Coping strategies remained relatively stable over time, statistically significant regression models (coping strategies at week 12 post‐injury) predicted one‐third of the variance in depression at year 10. Rates of post‐traumatic psychological growth were associated with higher levels of psychological distress.

Conclusion. These results suggest that many people living with spinal cord injury manage the consequences of their disability without significant levels of psychopathology. However, the coping strategies they employ remain critical in accounting for this adjustment. The relationship between post‐traumatic growth and psychological well‐being was found to be complex, raising many questions for future research.
IQ and the health of nations: Some critical comments on Kanazawa (2006)
Authors: Der Geoff
Published: July 2007

Cognitive epidemiology aims to explain health differentials in terms of cognitive functions, including intelligence. Kanazawa has proposed extending this to the explanation of health differences between nations. He concludes that ‘wealthier and more egalitarian societies live longer and stay healthier … because they are more intelligent’. The result does not apply to sub‐Saharan Africa, but this exception is explained by reference to his theory of evolutionary psychology, ‘The Savanna Principle’. We reanalyse the data, taking into account non‐linearity in the relationship of GDP to life expectancy and find that the results no longer support his conclusions. We also argue that HIV prevalence rates are a more parsimonious explanation for differences between sub‐Saharan Africa and elsewhere.
Regulation of Osteoclast Differentiation and Function by Phosphate: Potential Role of Osteoclasts in the Skeletal Abnormalities in Hypophosphatemic Conditions
Authors: Hayashibara Tetsuyuki , Hiraga Toru , Sugita Atsushi , Wang Liyang , Hata Kenji , Ooshima Takashi , Yoneda Toshiyuki
Published: July 2007

Mice fed with a low Pi diet exhibited decreased osteoclast number. Hyp mice also showed decreased osteoclasts, and high Pi reversed it. Low Pi reduced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro. Hypophosphatemia may suppress osteoclast differentiation/function, leading to skeletal abnormalities.

Introduction: Skeletal abnormalities seen in hypophosphatemic disorders indicate a critical role of phosphate (Pi) in skeletogenesis. However, the role of osteoclasts in the pathogenesis of the disturbed skeletogenesis is unclear.

Materials and Methods: Mice fed with a low-Pi diet and Hyp mice that are characterized by hypophosphatemia and impaired osteogenesis were studied. Effects of Pi on osteoclast formation and bone resorption were also examined in vitro.

Results: Histomorphometric examination showed that mice on a low-Pi diet exhibited decreased osteoclast number. Furthermore, osteoclast number in Hyp mice was also decreased compared with wildtype (WT) mice. Of note, feeding of Hyp mice with high-Pi diet significantly reversed hypophosphatemia, improved disturbed osteogenesis, and increased osteoclast number. Osteoclast-like cell (OLC) formation and bone resorption in Hyp bone marrow cells was not different from WT bone marrow cells. On the other hand, OLC formation and bone resorption were decreased in conjunction with reduced mRNA expression of RANKL in WT bone marrow cells cultured in the medium containing low Pi (0.5 mM). Recombinant human matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE), a candidate for phosphatonin, also decreased osteoclast formation, whereas fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), another phosphatonin candidate, showed no effects.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that Pi controls the differentiation and function of osteoclasts. These actions of Pi on osteoclasts may be associated with the pathogenesis of the skeletal abnormalities in hypophosphatemic disorders.