bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutations of the ALS gene endowing resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in Lolium rigidum populations
Authors: Yu Qin , Han Heping , Powles Stephen B
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: In the important grass weed Lolium rigidum (Gaud.), resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides has evolved widely in Australia. The authors have previously characterised the biochemical basis of ALS herbicide resistance in a number of L. rigidum biotypes and established that resistance can be due to a resistant ALS and/or enhanced herbicide metabolism. The purpose of this study was to identify specific resistance‐endowing ALS gene mutation(s) in four resistant populations and to develop PCR‐based molecular markers.

RESULTS: Six resistance‐conferring ALS mutations were identified: Pro‐197‐Ala, Pro‐197‐Arg, Pro‐197‐Gln, Pro‐197‐Leu, Pro‐197‐Ser and Trp‐574‐Leu. All six mutations were found in one population (WLR1). Each Pro‐197 mutation conferred resistance to the sulfonylurea (SU) herbicide sulfometuron, whereas the Trp‐574‐Leu mutation conferred resistance to both sulfometuron and the imidazolinone (IMS) herbicide imazapyr. A derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (dCAPS) marker was developed for detecting resistance mutations at Pro‐197. Furthermore, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) markers were developed for detecting each of the six mutant resistant alleles. Using these markers, the authors revealed diverse ALS‐resistant alleles and genotypes in these populations and related them directly to phenotypic resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides.

CONCLUSION: This study established the existence of a diversity of ALS gene mutations endowing resistance in L. rigidum populations: 1–6 different mutations were found within single populations. At field herbicide rates, resistance profiles were determined more by the specific mutation than by whether plants were homo‐ or heterozygous for the mutation. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Switching from the unfolded to the folded state of the helix‐loop‐helix domain of the Id proteins based on the O‐acyl isopeptide method
Authors: Kiewitz Sebastian D. , Kakizawa Taeko , Kiso Yoshiaki , Cabrele Chiara
Published: July 2008

The inhibitors of DNA binding and cell differentiation Id1–4 are helix‐loop‐helix (HLH) proteins that negatively regulate DNA transcription by forming inactive dimers with ubiquitous and tissue‐specific bHLH proteins, including E47 and MyoD, respectively. Their highly conserved HLH domains are essential for heterodimerization, but can also self‐associate to highly stable, α‐helix‐rich structures at low micromolar peptide concentrations. Here, we show that the introduction of an O‐acyl isodipeptide unit involving the putative N‐cap serine residue of the C‐terminal helix completely abrogates the propensity of the Id HLH analogue for any secondary and tertiary structure, resulting in a random coil, as shown by CD measurements in nonbuffered aqueous solutions. However, the HLH fold reappears as soon as an O → N intramolecular acyl migration, which occurs spontaneously under physiological conditions, restores the native N‐cap serine residue. These results show that changes addressing the N‐terminus of the C‐terminal helix can dramatically influence the HLH structure, and suggest that local interactions at the junction between the loop and the C‐terminal helix might be crucial during the HLH folding process. Furthermore, the present study contributes to the evaluation of the O‐acyl isodipeptide unit as a powerful tool to introduce a conformational switch into peptides. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indium tin oxide thin films prepared by ion beam assisted deposition technique at different ion beam currents
Authors: Meng Lijian , Gao Jinsong , Teixeira V. , dos Santos M. P.
Published: July 2008

Indium tin oxide (ITO) films have been deposited onto glass substrates at room temperature by ion beam assisted deposition technique (IBAD) at different ion beam currents (80–120 mA). The effect of the ion beam current on films properties has been studied. The films prepared at low ion beam current (80 mA) show an almost amorphous structure. As the ion beam current is increased, films show a preferred orientation along the (222) direction. AFM measurements show that the surface RMS roughness of the film increases as the current goes up. The optical properties have been studied by measuring the transmittance. It has been found that the film prepared at 100 mA current has the highest transmittance. The optical constants of the films have been calculated by fitting the transmittance. The Hall measurements also showed that the film prepared at 100 mA current has one of the lower electrical resistivities. FTIR measurements show that the film prepared at 100 mA current has the highest infra‐red reflectance. All the measurements show the 100 mA ion beam current can produce good quality ITO films. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Patterned transparent zinc oxide films produced by sol–gel embossing
Authors: Rao J. , Winfield R. J. , Koh L. H. K. , O'Brien S. , Crean G. M.
Published: July 2008

A low cost zinc oxide embossing technique is reported as a method of fabricating structures relevant to a variety of applications. A zinc based sol–gel material was prepared from zinc acetate [Zn(C2H3O2)2], monoethanolamine [H2NC2H4OH] and isopropanol. The sol–gel was cast into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mould a track design, placed in contact with the substrate and dried under vacuum at 70 °C for 3 hours. The formed track pattern was further densified to provide a stable conductor film that retained the embossed shape. An optimum Zn sol–gel content of 0.6 M was identified. The embossed films had a transparency of greater than 83% in the visible region. The optical bandgap energy was evaluated to be 3.306 eV. The influence of ZnO sol–gel film synthesis and embossing parameters on the microstructure, morphology and optical transparency of fabricated structures is described. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Studies of structural and optical properties of Cu–In–O thin films
Authors: Khemiri N. , Chaffar Akkari F. , Kanzari M. , Rezig B.
Published: July 2008

We report in this paper the preparation and characterization of Cu–In–O films. The samples were prepared by an annealing at 200 °C for 2 h in vacuum followed by an annealing at 400 °C for 3 h in air atmosphere (sample A) and directly by an annealing at 400 °C for 3 h in air atmosphere (sample B). The films were characterized for their structural, surface morphological, compositional, electrical and optical properties by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, electrical conductivity and optical measurement techniques (transmittance and reflectance). The XRD patterns revealed the presence of CuO and In2O3 phases. The absorption coefficients of Cu–In–O thin films in both cases are in the range (104–105) cm–1 and the direct optical band gaps are 3 eV and 3.55 eV for the samples B and A, respectively. The electrical measurements show a conversion from a metallic phase to a semiconductor phase. n‐type conductivity was found for the sample B, whereas the sample A was highly resistive. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of surface pretreatment on growth of ZnO on glass substrate
Authors: Makino Hisao , Kishimoto Seiichi , Yamada Takahiro , Miyake Aki , Yamamoto Naoki , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: July 2008

Polycrystalline undoped ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrates by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Effects of surface pretreatments prior to the ALD growth have been investigated. In the relationship between grown film thickness and number of ALD cycles, an incubation period in which film growth is strongly suppressed up to the initial several tens of ALD cycles was observed. Such an incubation period was longer for the hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) pretreated case compared to the others. Surface morphology and in‐plane crystalline size were also affected by the surface pretreatment. Rough surface morphology and larger crystalline size were observed in the films grown on the HMDS treated substrates. All of the films studied here were polycrystalline with nearly random orientations, but the thin films showed a weak preferential orientation of the c‐axis perpendicular to the substrate surface. Evolution of the orientation with the film thickness was also affected by the surface pretreatments. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hydrogen gas sensors based on PLD grown NiO thin film structures
Authors: Stamataki M. , Tsamakis D. , Brilis N. , Fasaki I. , Giannoudakos A. , Kompitsas M.
Published: July 2008

NiO thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on (100)Si substrates at 200 °C temperature. The effect of the O2 pressure during the deposition process on the morphological, electrical and sensing properties of the films has been investigated. AFM images showed that the surface morphology of NiO films can be modified by the oxygen pressure during deposition. Electrical measurements showed that the well‐known native p‐type conductivity exhibits a conversion from p‐type to n‐type when the O2 pressure is reduced. Resistance responses of NiO‐thin films towards hydrogen (H2) flow in air ambient have been measured. NiO thin film p–n homojuctions were then fabricated to investigate the electrical properties of such structures. The p–n homojunctions exhibited the distinct rectifying current–voltage (I –V) characteristics. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analysis and simulation of a‐Si:H/a‐SiC:H PINIP structures for color image detection
Authors: Fantoni A. , Fernandes M. , Vygranenko Y. , Vieira M.
Published: July 2008

It is presented in this paper a study on the photo‐electronic properties of multilayer a‐Si:H/a‐SiC:H p–i–n–i–p structures. This study is aimed to give an insight into the internal electrical characteristics of such a structure in thermal equilibrium, under applied bias and under different illumination condition. Taking advantage of this insight it is possible to establish a relation among the electrical behavior of the structure, the structure geometry (i.e. thickness of the light absorbing intrinsic layers and of the internal n‐layer) and the composition of the layers (i.e. optical bandgap controlled through percentage of carbon dilution in the a‐Si1–x Cx:H layers).

Showing an optical gain for low incident light power con‐ trollable by means of externally applied bias or structure composition, these structures are quite attractive for photo‐sensing device applications, like color sensors and large area color image detector.

An analysis based on numerical ASCA simulations is presented for describing the behavior of different configurations of the device and compared with experimental measurements (spectral response and current–voltage characteristic). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The fall speeds of sub‐100 µm ice crystals
Authors: Westbrook C. D.
Published: July 2008

Estimates for the sedimentation rate of realistic ice crystals at sizes smaller than 100 µm are presented. These calculations, which exploit new results for the capacitance of ice crystals, are compared with laboratory studies and found to be in good agreement. The results highlight a weakness in contemporary ice particle fall speed parametrizations for very small crystals, which can lead to sedimentation rates being overestimated by a factor of two. The theoretical approach applied here may also be useful for calculating the sedimentation rate and mobility of non‐spherical aerosol particles. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Periodic Cuscore charts to detect step shifts in autocorrelated processes
Authors: Changpetch Pannapa , Nembhard Harriet Black
Published: July 2008

Among statistical control charts, the Cuscore control chart has been designed specifically for particular types of signals and process models. The synchronization between the residuals of the process and the detectors of the Cuscore makes this control chart more sensitive for detecting a signal than the Shewhart, cusum and other standard control charts. However, this synchronization happens only when the time of the occurrence of the signal is known. In this paper, we develop two approaches for applying the Cuscore chart when the time of the signal is unknown. The first approach is to reinitialize the Cuscore statistic with a prescribed cycle. The second approach considers only the most recent time periods to calculate the Cuscore statistic. We apply these two approaches to construct what we call periodic Cuscore control charts to detect step shifts in seasonal time series processes. Simulation results show that the performance of periodic Cuscore charts, in terms of average run length to signal a special cause, is better than that of cusum charts in most cases even when faced with a long mismatch period between the time of resetting the charts and the time of the occurrence of the signal. These results indicate that the two approaches are practical and effective when the time of the signal is unknown. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isotope fractionation of molecular oxygen during adsorption/desorption by molecular sieve zeolite
Authors: Abe Osamu
Published: July 2008

The isotope fractionation of O2 gas during adsorption onto, and desorption from, molecular sieve zeolite (MSZ) has been confirmed. It has been found that the magnitude of fractionation during gas adsorption for the determination of isotope ratio measurements by dual inlet mass spectrometry is significant during desorption but not during adsorption. The isotope shift will take place during insufficient desorption from MSZ and its magnitude varies with the amount of MSZ and its identity. In order to obtain complete desorption and to remove isotope shifts, the use of the minimum amount of 5A MSZ and additional heating at a temperature of 60°C for a period of 10 min just before gas admission into the mass spectrometer are recommended. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model for ion injection into a quadrupole ion trap to assess the distribution of initial conditions of confinement
Authors: Janulyte A. , Zerega Y. , Carette M. , Reynard C. , Andre J.
Published: July 2008

A pulsed ion‐injection mode for a quadrupole ion trap is described. Switched direct current (d.c.) potentials are applied to the source and trap electrodes to inject the ions into the trap and slow them down. The injection time is sufficient to ensure a steady distribution of the injected ions at the beginning of the confinement.

An elementary uni‐dimensional model is detailed giving the axial positions and velocities of the ions injected into the trap. The ion distribution in phase space, the number of injected ions and the number of injected ions that will be trapped are also given. These expressions depend on ion position and velocity at the creation, applied potentials and spatial location of the source and trap electrodes.

This model is validated by comparing simulation and experimental results. For this purpose the number of confined ions is plotted versus the slowing‐down potentials applied on the ring and the upper end‐cap of the trap. The size of the area of removable ions in the source is deduced from these results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Case‐based curve behaviour prediction
Authors: Kurbalija Vladimir , Ivanović Mirjana , Budimac Zoran
Published: July 2008

Case‐based reasoning (CBR) is the area of artificial intelligence where problems are solved by adapting solutions that worked for similar problems from the past. This technique can be applied in different domains and with different problem representations. In this paper, a system curve base generator (CuBaGe) is presented. This framework is designed to be a domain‐independent prediction system for the analysis and prediction of curves and time‐series trends, based on the CBR technology.CuBaGeemploys a novel curve representation method based on splines and a corresponding similarity function based on definite integrals. This combination of curve representation and similarity measure showed excellent results with sparse and non‐equidistant time series, which is demonstrated through a set of experiments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A text pattern‐matching tool based on Parsing Expression Grammars
Authors: Ierusalimschy Roberto
Published: July 2008

Current text pattern‐matching tools are based on regular expressions. However, pure regular expressions have proven too weak a formalism for the task: many interesting patterns either are difficult to describe or cannot be described by regular expressions. Moreover, the inherent non‐determinism of regular expressions does not fit the need to capture specific parts of a match. Motivated by these reasons, most scripting languages nowadays use pattern‐matching tools that extend the original regular‐expression formalism with a set of ad hoc features, such as greedy repetitions, lazy repetitions, possessive repetitions, ‘longest‐match rule,’ lookahead, etc. These ad hoc extensions bring their own set of problems, such as lack of a formal foundation and complex implementations. In this paper, we propose the use of Parsing Expression Grammars (PEGs) as a basis for pattern matching. Following this proposal, we present LPEG, a pattern‐matching tool based on PEGs for the Lua scripting language. LPEG unifies the ease of use of pattern‐matching tools with the full expressive power of PEGs. Because of this expressive power, it can avoid the myriad of ad hoc constructions present in several current pattern‐matching tools. We also present a Parsing Machine that allows a small and efficient implementation of PEGs for pattern matching. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic Analysis of Glycoprotein–Lectin Interactions by Label-Free Internal Reflection Ellipsometry
Authors: Ralin David W. , Dultz Shane C. , Silver Judd E. , Travis Jeffrey C. , Kullolli Majlinda , Hancock William S. , Hincapie Marina
Published: July 2008

Introduction

Glycoproteomics is undergoing rapid development, largely as a result of advances in technologies for isolating glycoproteins and analyzing glycan structures. However, given the number and diversity of glycans, there is need for new technologies that can more rapidly provide differential carbohydrate–protein structural information on a large scale. We describe a new microarray platform based on a label-free imaging ellipsometry technique, which permits simultaneous detection of multiple glycoprotein–lectin interactions without the need for reporter labels, while still providing high throughput kinetic information at much lower cost. Our results demonstrate the utility of LFIRE™ (Label-Free Internal Reflection Ellipsometry) for the rapid kinetic screening of carbohydrate–lectin recognition. The technology was also used to evaluate the benefits of the lectin immobilization format using multi-lectin affinity chromatography (M-LAC) to capture glycoproteins (with enhanced binding strength or avidity) from biological samples. Using a printed panel of lectins, singly or in combination, we examined the binding characteristics of standard glycoproteins.

Results and Discussion

Using kinetic measurements, it was observed that the binding strength of lectins to carbohydrates is enhanced using a multi-lectin strategy, suggesting that improved selectivity and specificity can lead to increased functional avidity. The data presented confirm that this label-free technology can be used to effectively screen single or combinations of lectins. Furthermore, the combination of LFIRE™ and M-LAC may permit more rapid and sensitive identification of novel biomarkers based on carbohydrate changes in glycoproteins, and lead to a better understanding of the connections of glycan function in cellular mechanisms of health and disease.
Influence of age and sex on the spontaneous DNA damage detected by Micronucleus test and Comet assay in mice peripheral blood cells
Authors: Heuser Vanina Dahlström , De Andrade Vanessa Moraes , Peres Alessandra , de Braga Luisa Maria Gomes Macedo , Chies José Arthur Bogo
Published: July 2008

We have investigated the normal variations in basal DNA damage detected by Comet assay in leukocytes and micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) using the Micronucleus test (MN) in peripheral blood cells from 45 female and male mice from different age groups (newborns, 3.5, 12, and 104 weeks) to clarify age and sex‐related changes. Comparison of basal DNA damage detected by Comet assay showed significantly increased values in 104 weeks old mice in relation to the other ages (P ≤ 0.01), and newborn mice showed higher values in MNE frequency when compared to all the other groups (P ≤ 0.01). A positive correlation was observed between Damage Frequency (r = 0.382, P = 0.010) and Damage Index (r = 0.640, P < 0.001) and age. Age was also correlated with the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes/normachromatic erythrocytes (PCE/NCE) (r = − 0.473, P = 0.001), and the MNE frequency was positively correlated with the ratio of PCE/NCE (r = 0.454, P = 0.002). These results suggest an age‐related slow down of DNA repair efficiency of DNA damage and/or DNA damage accumulation. Furthermore, data on the spontaneous MNE frequency indicate that the reticuloendothelial system matures with age, and there is a close relationship between erythropoiesis and micronucleus induction in erythrocytes. The influence of sex in the parameters analyzed was less clear. In conclusion, age seems to influence in basal DNA damage and should be considered in genotoxicity studies using mice. Finally, comparisons between assays must be made with care when different cells are compared (e.g. leukocytes and erythrocytes), as found with the Comet assay and MN test.
IGF2‐driven PI3 kinase and TGFβ signaling pathways in chondrogenesis
Authors: Hamamura Kazunori , Zhang Ping , Yokota Hiroki
Published: July 2008

Insulin‐like growth factor‐2 (IGF2) is essential for fetal development as well as maintenance of adult organs such as brain and liver. Although genetic polymorphisms of IGF2 are linked to cytoskeletal variations little is known about the mechanisms of IGF2 action in proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes for skeletal growth. A genome‐wide mRNA expression analysis using C28/I2 chondrocyte cells studied potential signaling pathways underlying the responses to IGF2. Microarray data predicted involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathways. Protein analyses revealed IGF2 administration activated phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3β in the PI3K pathway. LY294002 (selective inhibitor of PI3K) blocked Akt phosphorylation and abolished IGF2‐driven elevation of the mRNA levels of the proteoglycans, Aggrecan and Versican. LY294002 did not suppress upregulation of TGFβ mRNA induced by IGF2, so IGF2 activates PI3K and TGFβ pathways. IGF2‐driven transcriptional activation of proteoglycan genes such as Aggrecan and Versican is mediated by the PI3K pathway.
Protein phosphatase 4 negatively regulates LPS cascade by inhibiting ubiquitination of TRAF6
Authors: Chen Lu , Dong Wei , Zou Tingting , Ouyang Lu , He Guoqing , Liu Yingle , Qi Yipeng
Published: July 2008

TRAF6 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that transduces signals from members of the TLR/IL‐1R family. Multiple molecules have been found to associate with TRAF6 and exert their functions in this pathway. Herein, by yeast two‐hybrid screen using TRAF6 as bait, we identified PP4 as a potential TRAF6‐interacting protein. PP4 physically interacted with TRAF6 and was recruited to TLR4 complex upon LPS stimulation. PP4 negatively regulated LPS‐induced and TRAF6‐mediated NF‐κB activation by inhibiting the ubiquitination of TRAF6. LPS stimulation also induced the expression of PP4. Taken together, our findings suggest that PP4 is a negative feedback regulator of LPS/TLR4 pathway.
Pulse methotrexate versus pulse actinomycin D in the treatment of low‐risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Authors: Yarandi Fariba , Eftekhar Zahra , Shojaei Hadi , Kanani Soheyla , Sharifi Ali , Hanjani Parviz
Published: July 2008

Objective

To compare the efficacy of methotrexate and actinomycin D as single agents in first‐line chemotherapy for women with low‐risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (LR‐GTN).

Methods

A total of 131 women with LR‐GTN were randomized to receive a weekly pulsed dose of 30 mg/m2 of methotrexate intramuscularly (n = 81) or a pulsed intravenous bolus of 1.25 mg/m2 of actinomycin D every 2 weeks (n = 50). An additional cycle was administered as consolidation treatment following normalization of the serum level of β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (< 5 IU/L).

Results

Complete remission was achieved in 48.14% of patients in the methotrexate group and 90.00% in the actinomycin D group (P < 0.001). The mean number of treatment cycles needed to achieve response was lower in the actinomycin D group (4.8 vs 6.8). The risk of treatment failure was 26.4 greater with methotrexate than with actinomycin D (95% confidence interval, 5.7–22.6; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Actinomycin D may be a better option than methotrexate as a first‐line chemotherapy agent for patients with LR‐GTN.
The effect of exogenous cholesterol and lipid-modulating agents on enterocytic amyloid-β abundance
Authors: Pallebage-Gamarallage Menuka M. , Galloway Susan , Johnsen Russell , Jian Le , Dhaliwal Satvinder , Mamo John C. L.
Published: July 2008

Dietary cholesterol may influence Alzheimer's disease risk, because it regulates the synthesis of amyloid-β. It was recently demonstrated in enterocytes of wild-type mice that intracellular amyloid-β expression is enhanced in response to a high-fat diet made up of SFA and cholesterol. Intestinally derived amyloid-β may be associated with postprandial lipoproteins in response to dietary fats and could be a key regulator in chylomicron metabolism. The present study was designed to investigate the role of cholesterol in modulating amyloid-β abundance in enterocytes. Wild-type mice were fed a low-fat diet supplemented with 2 % (w/w) cholesterol. The effects of cholesterol absorption inhibition and cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition utilising ezetimibe and atorvastatin, respectively, were also studied. Quantitative immunohistochemistry was utilised to determine enterocytic amyloid-β homeostasis. We found that enterocytic amyloid-β concentration was significantly attenuated in mice fed the 2 % (w/w) cholesterol diet. However, blocking cholesterol absorption reversed the cholesterol-feeding effect. Consistent with a suppressive effect of cholesterol on enterocytic amyloid-β abundance, atorvastatin, an inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis, enhanced amyloid-β. However, providing exogenous cholesterol abolished the atorvastatin-induced effect. In contrast to the suppression of enterocytic amyloid-β by dietary cholesterol, mice fed a diet enriched in SFA had markedly greater abundance. Collectively, the findings suggest that exogenous and endogenous cholesterol reduce amyloid-β concentration in enterocytes by suppressing production, or enhancing secretion associated with postprandial lipoproteins. Intestinally derived amyloid-β will contribute to the pool of plasma protein and may influence cerebral amyloid homeostasis by altering the bi-directional transfer across the blood–brain barrier.
Maternal fatty acid intake and fetal growth: evidence for an association in overweight women. The ‘EDEN mother–child’ cohort (study of pre- and early postnatal determinants of the child's development and health)
Authors: Drouillet Peggy , Forhan Anne , De Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Thiébaugeorges Olivier , Goua Valérie , Magnin Guillaume , Schweitzer Michel , Kaminski Monique , Ducimetière Pierre , Charles Marie-Aline
Published: July 2008

Recent studies suggest a benefit of seafood andn-3 fatty acid intake on fetal growth and infant development. The objective was to study the association between fatty acid intake and fetal growth in pregnant French women. Pregnant women included in the EDEN mother–child cohort study completed FFQ on their usual diet: (1) in the year before pregnancy and (2) during the last 3 months of pregnancy (n1439). Conversion into nutrient intakes was performed using data on portion size and a French food composition table. Associations between maternal fatty acid intakes and several neonatal anthropometric measurements were studied using linear regressions adjusted for centre, mother's age, smoking habits, height, parity, gestational age and newborn's sex. Due to significant interaction, analyses were stratified according to maternal pre-pregnancy overweight status. Neither total lipid nor SFA, MUFA or PUFA intake was significantly associated with newborn size. In overweight women only (n366), a high pre-pregnancyn-3 fatty acid intake (% PUFA) was positively associated with the newborn's birth weight (P = 0·01), head, arm and wrist circumferences and sum of skinfolds (P < 0·04). A substitution of 1 % ofn-3 fatty acids per d before pregnancy by other PUFA was related to an average decrease in birth weight of 60 g (P = 0·01). Relationships withn-3 fatty acid intake at the end of pregnancy were weaker and not significant. We concluded that a high pre-pregnancyn-3 fatty acid:PUFA ratio may sustain fetal growth in overweight women. Follow-up of the children may help determine whether this has beneficial consequences for the child's health and development.
Molecular markers to discriminate among four pest species ofHelicoverpa(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Behere G.T. , Tay W.T. , Russell D.A. , Batterham P.
Published: July 2008

The four significant pest species in theHelicoverpagenus (H. armigera, H. assulta,H. punctigeraandH. zea) are morphologically similar and can only be reliably distinguished through dissection of adult genitalia. Two partial regions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and the cytochromeb(Cytb) genes were amplified by PCR and digested with restriction endonucleases. The restriction patterns, generated by the endonucleasesBstZ17I andHphI, demonstrated reliable differentiation of the fourHelicoverpapest species. This technique is fast, reliable and effective at distinguishing specimens irrespective of their life stages and offers support to conventional taxonomic differentiation based on morphological characters.
Skills, Trust, and Changing Consumer Preferences: The Decline of Antwerp's Craft Guilds from the Perspective of the Product Market, c.1500–c.1800
Authors: De Munck Bert
Published: July 2008

The main reason for the decline of craft guilds in Antwerp should not be sought in the labour market but rather in the product market. Apprenticeship systems, master pieces, and trademarks were conducive to a labour market monopsony but at the same time to the representation of product quality. On the one hand, product quality was legitimized through the superior manual skills of masters; on the other, it was objectified through the attribution of quality marks to the characteristics of the raw material used. This strategy was successful for the sale of the durable, expensive, luxury products Antwerp was renowned for until the first half of the seventeenth century, but economic elites and customers stopped favouring corporative regulations when demand shifted towards less expensive and more fashionable products. As guild-based skills were not necessarily superior in reality, and consumer loyalty ultimately depended upon the masters' trustworthiness, the craft guilds were bound to lose credibility.
The 1911 Waterfront Strikes in Glasgow: Trade Unions and Rank-and-File Militancy in the Labour Unrest of 1910–1914
Authors: Wilson Matt Vaughan
Published: July 2008

This article examines one of several massive industrial conflicts experienced in Britain and elsewhere during 1910–1914, paying particular attention to organization and the dynamics of the strikes at a local level. It takes as a case study the port of Glasgow, which has until recently received little attention from historians of waterfront labour, despite its status as a major port and an important area for labour activity. Much literature on the waterfront strike wave emphasizes spontaneity and rank-and-file initiative. These were important in Glasgow as elsewhere, but experiences varied markedly between the major ports. Moreover, prior organization and individual initiative should not be overlooked. Officials of the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union played a significant role at national and international levels, while Glasgow Trades Council and activists associated with it provided a critical lead locally. The strongly local character of the strike movement and its leadership in Glasgow shaped both the strikes themselves – which were appreciably more unified and coherent in Glasgow than in some other centres – and the subsequent development of waterfront organization on the Clyde, marked as it was by the emergence of independent locally-based unions among both dockers and seamen.
Urban DDR-processes: paramilitaries and criminal networks in Medellín, Colombia
Authors: ROZEMA RALPH
Published: July 2008

While most scientific studies on disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of former combatants focus on the countryside, the case of the paramilitaries in Medellín, Colombia, provides an exceptional opportunity to study such a process in a metropolitan environment. Analysis reveals how an urban DDR-process may lead to highly contradictory results: a strong decrease in the number of homicides and at the same time a consolidation of networks of criminal groups. Extralegal combatants, especially in an urban environment, are able to form extensive networks with criminal organisations. Although DDR-approaches warn of the risk that ex-combatants may resort to violence, scholars tend to disregard existing networks of groups of combatants and powerful criminal organisations in their analyses. Taking theories on DDR as a starting point and reflecting on earlier local peace initiatives, this article analyses the process with paramilitaries in Medellín. It argues that although, the local peace process has led to some significant results, it has to date failed to address the wider network of criminal organisations within which former paramilitaries were and continue to be involved.
Conservation of grassland patches failed to enhance colonization of ground-active beetles on formerly cultivated plots
Authors: FADDA SYLVAIN , ORGEAS JEROME , PONEL PHILIPPE , BUISSON ELISE , DUTOIT THIERRY
Published: July 2008

The dry grasslands of the Mediterranean Basin have been traditionally managed since ancient times, but have been drastically degraded by recent human activities such as cultivation. Cultivated plots in a dry grassland of Southern France were abandoned more than 20 years ago, but their vegetation and ground-active beetle community structure and composition differ considerably from neighbouring uncultivated grassland plots. Because these formerly cultivated plots are adjacent to an uncultivated grassland area, they constitute a model system for examining beetle recolonization patterns on field margins. No edge effect or ecotone was identified on the margins between two of the formerly cultivated plots and the uncultivated dry grassland; there was no significant peak of beetles species richness in this area. All the most common dry grassland beetle species (mainly saprophagous and predatory species, which are less habitat-specialist than phytophagous species) had already recolonized the formerly cultivated plots. However, although uncultivated dry grassland was adjacent to the formerly cultivated plots it was insufficient for complete regeneration of dry grassland beetle communities on formerly cultivated plots, indicating habitat quality remained lower even after 20 years. Understanding the causes of spatial variation in active-ground beetles at the species level is important before the ecological restoration of habitat quality to its prior state, using the adjacent steppe as a reference.
A clinical prediction rule for urinary tract infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care
Authors: VENMANS L. M. A. J. , GORTER K. J. , RUTTEN G. E. H. M. , SCHELLEVIS F. G. , HOEPELMAN A. I. M. , HAK E.
Published: July 2008

We aimed to develop a prediction rule for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). A 12-month prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with DM2 aged ⩾45 years to predict the occurrence of recurrent UTIs in women and lower UTIs in men. Predictors for recurrent UTI in women (n=81, 2%) and lower UTIs in men (n=93, 3%) were age, number of general practitioner (GP) visits, urinary incontinence, cerebrovascular disease or dementia. In women, renal disease was an additional predictor. The optimum corrected area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) was 0·79 (95% CI 0·74–0·83) for women and 0·75 (95% CI 0·70–0·80) for men. Using a cut-off score of 4, women with a lower risk assignment had a probability of 0·3% for the outcome. For a cut-off score of 6, women with a higher risk assignment had a probability of 5·8%. For men these figures were 0·8 and 7·1 for a cut-off score of 2 and 4, respectively. Simple variables can be used for the risk stratification of patients.
Correlated Matroids
Authors: COCKS CLIFFORD C.
Published: July 2008

Semple and Welsh [5] introduced the concept of correlated matroids, which relate to conjectures by Grimmett and Winkler [2], and Pemantle [4], respectively, that the uniformly random forest and the uniformly random connected subgraph of a finite graph have the edge-negative-association property. In this paper, we extend results of Semple and Welsh, and show that the Grimmett and Winkler, and Pemantle conjectures are equivalent to statements about correlated graphic matroids. We also answer some open questions raised in [5] regarding correlated matroids, and in particular show that the 2-sum of correlated matroids is correlated.
A legal field in action: the case of divorce arrangements in Israel
Authors: Hacker Daphna
Published: July 2008

This paper suggests a theoretical and methodological framework that integrates Bourdieu’s conception of the juridical field with Mnookin and Kornhauser’s claim of the centrality of the action occurring in the shadow of the law. This framework is constructed based on a study of the Israeli legal field governing divorce that included the analysis of 360 divorce files and in-depth interviews with more than 40 divorcees and legal and therapeutic professionals. The study allows a rare exploration of a legal field in action, including the main positions within the field and the power relations between them, as well as the field’s boundaries and game rules. The findings illustrate the importance of Bourdieu’s fields theory if and when opened up to the informal dimensions of law and demonstrate the potential of the suggested framework to the sociological understanding of law in action.
The illusory nature of ontological status and its implications for legal, moral and social organisation - RETRACTED
Authors: Amatrudo Dr Anthony
Published: July 2008

This paper sets out the work of Parfit, in terms of Hume and Locke, in terms of the treatment of the person. It considers how ontological status is often a chimerical notion. It sets out the non-bindingness of promises thesis and develops this in terms of intentional action to show how intentional action itself may be impossible. The paper also raises questions about how we define groups, such as criminal groups, in terms of intentionality.
Characteristics of electron cyclotron harmonic waves observed in an active two‐point propagation experiment in the ionosphere
Authors: James H. G. , Wallis D. D.
Published: July 2008

Electrostatic electron cyclotron waves (ECWs), also‐called electron Bernstein waves, observed at harmonics nfc of the electron cyclotron frequency fc were transmitted over field‐aligned emitter‐receiver separations of hundreds of meters in the active rocket experiment OEDIPUS‐C. Although the 300‐μs rectangular current pulses into the emitting antenna were smoothly maintained during the experiment, the resulting ECW pulses at the receiver exhibited considerable variety in both the time and frequency domains. A full hot‐plasma dispersion relation has been applied to ray‐tracing investigations to identify the rays that could connect the emitter and receiver in a smoothly varying model of the auroral ionospheric magnetoplasma. Theoretical connecting rays were limited to frequencies extending from 1 to a few kilohertz above 2fc, which was about 2.6 MHz. But the observed pulse spectra extended over a much broader bandwidth, from several kilohertz below nfc to several kilohertz above, for n = 2, 3, and 4. The broadening is interpreted as a consequence of Doppler effect caused by payload motion and backscatter of the ECWs. Field‐aligned density irregularities typical of the auroral topside ionosphere or waves nonlinearly induced by the intense near fields of the HEX antenna may act as the scatterers.
Air‐sea CO2 fluxes on the U.S. South Atlantic Bight: Spatial and seasonal variability
Authors: Jiang Li‐Qing , Cai Wei‐Jun , Wanninkhof Rik , Wang Yongchen , Lüger Heike
Published: July 2008

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in surface seawater on the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) of the United States was measured during six cruises from January 2005 to May 2006. The high‐resolution pCO2 data allow us to create the first maps of the sea surface pCO2 over the SAB for all seasons. Contrary to an earlier study that was based on limited spatial and seasonal coverage, this study shows that the SAB is a net sink of atmospheric CO2 on an annual basis (−0.48 ± 0.21 mol m−2 a−1). The inner shelf is a source of +1.20 ± 0.24 mol m−2 a−1, while the middle and outer shelves are sinks of −1.23 ± 0.19 and −1.37 ± 0.21 mol m−2 a−1, respectively. Seasonally, the SAB shifts from a sink for atmospheric CO2 in winter to a source in summer. The annual cycle of sea surface temperature plays a dominant role in controlling the seasonal variation of the pCO2. Wind speeds are seasonally anti‐correlated with the air‐sea pCO2 differences, and this is an important factor in contributing to the net annual air‐sea CO2 exchange. Factors related to the estimates of CO2 fluxes in the coast ocean, such as the choice of wind speeds, the correction of gas transfer equations with nonlinearity coefficients, the effect of diel variations of pCO2, the spatial extrapolation of the pCO2 to the nearshore area, and the seasonal interpolation are also discussed.
Sandbar formation under surface waves: Theory and experiments
Authors: Hancock M. J. , Landry B. J. , Mei C. C.
Published: July 2008

We report a combined theoretical and experimental study of sandbar formation under simple‐harmonic surface waves. For coarse grains and weak waves, an established empirical rule of bed load transport is used with an asymptotic theory for the fluid flow. The surface waves are governed by potential theory and a depth‐linear eddy viscosity is employed in the turbulent boundary layer at the seabed. The derived bed stress is used to predict the sand‐bed evolution. Laboratory experiments and corresponding numerical simulations for both high and low beach reflection are discussed. For weak reflection, the shear stress associated with the return current is found to be important. Partial simulation of a field record in Cape Cod Bay is also described.
Long‐range convective ozone transport during INTEX
Authors: Büker M. L. , Hitchman Matthew H. , Tripoli Gregory J. , Pierce R. B. , Browell E. V. , Al‐Saadi J. A.
Published: July 2008

Ozone transport across the tropopause near a convective region in the central Pacific is calculated for a 1‐day period using a nested grid, high‐resolution simulation with the University of Wisconsin Nonhydrostatic Modeling System (UWNMS). This ozone is then tracked into the region where DC‐8 lidar ozone observations on 6 July 2004 were taken over the United States during the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment‐North America (INTEX‐NA). On 2 July a convective complex developed north of the Midway Islands and intensified as it propagated eastward. Satellite observations captured this event well, and the UWNMS simulation placed the convection just east of an upper level trough along the subtropical jet. The proximity of the strong convection to the lowered tropopause resulted in significant stratospheric ozone contribution (SOC) to the troposphere. During the 24 h period starting at 1200 UTC 2 July, total net ozone flux into the troposphere was calculated to be about 0.2 Tg across the nested grid domain. Because the convective outflow was feeding the subtropical jet, the SOC was quickly transported across the eastern Pacific and into the INTEX‐NA region. Using an “SOC tracer” we show that a small but significant percentage of observed ozone on the DC8 flight can be attributed to SOC from this one convective event. This supports the idea that the stratosphere over the Pacific is an important source of ozone for air entering North America from the west.
Calculations of solar shortwave heating rates due to black carbon and ozone absorption using in situ measurements
Authors: Gao R. S. , Hall S. R. , Swartz W. H. , Schwarz J. P. , Spackman J. R. , Watts L. A. , Fahey D. W. , Aikin K. C. , Shetter R. E. , Bui T. P.
Published: July 2008

Results for the solar heating rates in ambient air due to absorption by black‐carbon (BC) containing particles and ozone are presented as calculated from airborne observations made in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) in January–February 2006. The method uses airborne in situ observations of BC particles, ozone and actinic flux. Total BC mass is obtained along the flight track by summing the masses of individually detected BC particles in the range 90 to 600‐nm volume‐equivalent diameter, which includes most of the BC mass. Ozone mixing ratios and upwelling and partial downwelling solar actinic fluxes were measured concurrently with BC mass. Two estimates used for the BC wavelength‐dependent absorption cross section yielded similar heating rates. For mean altitudes of 16.5, 17.5, and 18.5 km (±0.5 km) in the tropics, average BC heating rates were near 0.0002 K d−1. Observed BC coatings on individual particles approximately double derived BC heating rates. Ozone heating rates exceeded BC heating rates by approximately a factor of 100 on average and at least a factor of 4, suggesting that BC heating rates in this region are negligible in comparison.