bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of ionizing radiation on some vegetable fats
Authors: Kavalam J. P. , Nawar W. W.
Published: January 2007

The volatile compounds produced by irradiation, under vacuum at 6 megarads, in five vegetable fats were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. A series of compounds,n‐alkanes, 1‐alkenes, internally unsaturated alkenes, alkadienes, alkatrienes, alkanals and methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids, were identified in each of the fats studied. A wide variation occurs in the amounts of the volatiles produced from each fat. The major radiolytic products were few in number and were found to depend largely on the fatty acid composition of the fat. These compounds were essentially the hydrocarbons containing one or two carbon atoms less than the component fatty acids. This relationship was found consistent if radiolytic products of fats with different fatty acid compositions are compared or if the fatty acid composition of the same fat is altered by hydrogenation. The results correlate well with those of earlier studies on simple triglycerides.
Acetin fats. I. Products made from mixed acetin fats
Authors: Baur Fred J.
Published: January 2007

The most striking effect of the introduction of the acetyl group into the glyceride molecule is the reduction in melting point. This effect permits the preparation of low melting fats and oils, or acetin fats, of a high degree of saturation and of a significantly increased oxidative keeping quality.

Mixed acetin fats containing monoacetyl (monoacetins), diacetyl (diacetins), and normal triglycerides were made by random interesterification of normal fats or oils with triacetin, followed by removal of the residual triacetin.

In general, mixed acetin fats may replace normal triglycerides in any edible fat use. Edible fat products including shortenings, margarines, or spreads, salad oils, and frying oils were made from acetin fats and oils.

Suggested inedible use applications of the acetin fats and oils include plasticizers, tinning oils, and hydraulic oils.
Protein structure and properties
Authors: Butler Larry
Published: January 2007

Proteins are the most versatile of the bipolymers with respect to structure, properties and function. This versatility is a consequence of the chemical diversity of their amino acid monomers and of the infinite number of ways in which the amino acid composition, linear sequence and three‐dimensional folding may be varied. The constituent amino acids include hydrophobic and hydrophilic, reactive and inert forms. Thetrans, planar nature of the amido (peptide) linkage between amino acids limits the conformational freedom of the resulting polypeptide chain. Portions of the chain usually occur as one of several regular forms such as helixes, stabilized by hydrogen bonds. Overall conformation of the molecule is maintained largely by noncovalent forces such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Conformation of the protein is determined by the linear sequence of amino acids in the chain, but is readily interrupted by a variety of nonphysiological agents, with concurrent loss of biological function. This rearrangement of the polypeptide chains, denaturation, usually results in an alteration of the characteristic chemical and physical properties of the molecule. The observation that denaturation can sometimes be reversed leads to new concepts of protein structure and properties.
Effects of hydrogenation and additives on cooking oil performance of soybean oil
Authors: Frankel E. N. , Warner K. , Moulton K. J.
Published: January 2007

Soybean oil was continuously hydrogenated in a slurry system to investigate the effects of linolenate content and additives on cooking oil performance. Room odor evaluations carried out on oils heated to 190 C after frying bread cubes showed that the oils hydrogenated with Cu catalyst to 2.4% linolenate (Cu‐2.4) and with Ni catalyst to 4.6 linolenate (Ni‐4.6) had a significantly lower odor intensity score than the unhydrogenated soybean oil (SBO). Other hydrogenated oils (Cu‐0.5 and Ni‐2.7) were not significantly better than SBO. Oil hydrogenated with Ni (Ni‐0.4) scored poorly because of its strong “hydrogenated‐paraffin” odor. The performance of all partially hydrogenated oils (2.4, 2.7 and 4.6% linolenate) was improved by adding methyl silicone (MS), but the most hydrogenated oils (0.5 and 0.4% linolenate) were not improved. Although with tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) no improvement was obtained, with the combination of TBHQ + MS all odor scores were lower, indicating a synergistic effect. Evaluations of bread cubes after intermittent heating and frying showed that the breads fried in most hydrogenated oils (Ni‐0.4, Cu‐2.4 and Ni‐2.7) were rated significantly better in flavor quality than breads fried in SBO. The bread cubes fried in MS‐treated oils had significantly higher flavor quality scores than breads fried in SBO or SBO containing TBHQ. Dimer analyses by gel permeation chromatography and color development after heat treatments also did not correlate with sensory analyses.
Multipurpose oil‐bearing plants tolerant of arid or semiarid environments
Authors: Carr M. E. , Phillips B. S. , Bagby M. O.
Published: January 2007

Ninety‐six plant species from Arizona were examined for their multipurpose oil‐producing potential. Whole‐plant samples, excluding roots, were analyzed for “oil,” “polyphenol,” “hydrocarbon” and apparent protein contents as well as for botanical features. Oil fractions of species that yielded at least 3.0% oil (dry, ash‐free plant basis) were analyzed for classes of lipid constituents. After saponification of these oils, contents of free fatty acids and unsaponifiable matter were determined. Rubber from species that yielded at least 0.4% hydrocarbon was analyzed for average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.Mortonia scabrella yielded the most oil (6.6%) and a substantial amount of polyphenol (16.0%).Lepidium oblongum gave 5.8% oil and 27.1% protein.Apodanthera undulata gave 5.8% oil and 22.4% protein.Ligustrum japonicum yielded 5.3% oil and 27.4% polyphenol.Olea europaea yielded the most polyphenol (29.4%), andSisymbrium irio contained the most protein (35.0%). Several other species yielded substantial amounts of oil (up to 5.4%) and/or polyphenol (up to 28.7%). Maximum yield of hydrocarbon was 0.9% forEuphorbia albomarginata. Analytical data and a preliminary examination of botanical characteristics suggest that at least 10 of the 96 species should be studied further for their industrial potential. Data are discussed with respect to species previously analyzed at this Center.
Effects of surfactants on transition kinetics of stearic acid polymorphs
Authors: Garti Nissim , Sato Kiyotaka
Published: January 2007

The effects of some nonionic surfactants on the kinetics of the solution‐mediated transition of stearic acid of B and C polymorphs were studied. Some surfactants were found to retard the transition of the thermodynamically unstable stearic acid modification to the stable form in methanol, n‐hexane and decane solutions. The surfactants consisting of large hydrophilic moieties revealed a significant retardation effect. The effect also depends on the solvent; the lower the solubility of the surfactant in the solvents, the more the transition rate was decreased. Finally it should be noted that the C→B transition was more affected than the B→C transition with a given surfactant.
Digestibility and nutritional value of crude oil from three amaranth species
Authors: Garcia Luis A. , Alfaro Maria Antonieta , Bressani Ricardo
Published: January 2007

Oils from a selection ofAmaranthus caudatus, A. hypochondriacus andA. cruentus were extracted with hexane. The crude oils were analyzed for acid value, saponification and iodine number, and were included in basal casein diets for rat studies at 5 and 10% levels to replace equal amounts of refined cottonseed oil. The oils fromA. cruentus andA. hypochondriacus were similar in the oil properties studied and different fromA. caudatus. At either 5 or 10% food intake levels, weight gain and PER were not statistically different from values reported for cottonseed oil. True digestibility of amaranth oil was lower than that of cottonseed oil.A. cruentus oil gave the lowest digestibility. Oil levels induced statistical differences in food intake and digestibility. Oils fromA. caudatus, A. hypochondriacus and cottonseed induced similar serum cholesterol levels, while oil fromA. cruentus gave statistically higher values. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum proteins were similar among all groups. Microscopic analysis of the organs of the rats revealed some changes that were also found in cottonseed oil‐fed rats. It was concluded that crude amaranth oil has lower digestibility than cottonseed oil, but that it is not responsible for growth‐depressing effects when the seed is fed raw as compared to processed materials.
Single step process for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and metal/alloy-filled multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Shaijumon M. M. , Reddy A. Leela Mohana , Ramaprabhu S.
Published: January 2007

A single-step approach for the synthesis of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) filled with nanowires of Ni/ternary Zr based hydrogen storage alloy has been illustrated. We also demonstrate the generation of CO-free hydrogen by methane decomposition over alloy hydride catalyst. The present work also highlights the formation of single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) and MWNTs at varying process conditions. These carbon nanostructures have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. This new approach overcomes the existing multi-step process limitation, with possible impact on the development of future fuel cell, nano-battery and hydrogen sensor technologies.
Formation and function of phragmoplast during successive cytokinesis stages in higher plant meiosis
Authors: Shamina N.V. , Gordeeva E.I. , Kovaleva N.M. , Seriukova E.G. , Dorogova N.V.
Published: December 2006

Cytoskeletal rearrangements were studied during meiotic telophase in a number of monocotyledonous plant species. Wild type and abnormal meiosis (in wide cereal hybrids, meiotic mutants and allolines) was analyzed. It was found that central spindle fibers that move centrifugally, along with newly‐formed MTs, are the basis of phragmoplast formation and function in PMCs of monocotyledonous plant species with successive cytokinesis stages. A model for centrifugal movement of the meiotic phragmoplast is proposed; this model is a modification of the corresponding process during B‐anaphase.
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides regulate phenotypic and functional maturation of murine dendritic cells
Authors: Zhu Jie , Zhao Lu‐Hang , Zhao Xiao‐Ping , Chen Zhi
Published: December 2006

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have been known to have a variety of immunomodulatory functions including activation of T cells, B cells and NK cells. Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen‐presenting cells that play pivotal roles in the initiation of the primary immune response. However, little is known about the immunomodulatory effects of LBPs on murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC). In the present study, the effects of LBPs on the phenotypic and functional maturation of murine BMDC were investigated in vitro. Compared to the BMDC that were only subjected to treatment with RPMI1640, the co‐expression of I‐A/I‐E, CD11c and secretion of IL‐12 p40 by BMDC stimulated with LBPs (100 μg/ml) were increased. In addition, the endocytosis of FITC‐dextran by LBPs‐treated BMDC (100 μg/ml) was impaired, whereas the activation of proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes by BMDC was enhanced. Our results strongly suggest that LBPs are capable of promoting both the phenotypic and functional maturation of murine BMDC in vitro.
Evaluation of rabbit auricular chondrocyte isolation and growth parameters in cell culture
Authors: Fröhlich M. , Maličev E. , Gorenšek M. , Knežević M. , Velikonja N. Kregar
Published: December 2006

Auricular cartilage is an attractive potential source of cells for many tissue engineering applications. However, there are several requirements that have to be fulfilled in order to develop a suitable tissue engineered implant. Animal experiments serve as important tools for validating novel concepts of cartilage regeneration; therefore rabbit auricular chondrocytes were studied. Various parameters including isolation procedures, passage number, rate of proliferation and gene expression profile for major extracellular matrix components were evaluated in order to assess the potential use of elastic chondrocytes for tissue engineering. Chondrocytes were isolated from rabbit ear cartilage and grown in monolayer cultures over four passages. Yields of harvested cells and proliferation were analysed from the digestion step to the fourth passage, and changes in phenotype were monitored. The proliferation capacity of cell cultures decreased during cultivation and was accompanied by enlargement of cells, this phenomenon being especially evident in the third and fourth passages. The expression of cartilage specific genes for collagen type II, aggrecan and cartilage non‐specific collagen type I was determined. The mRNA levels for all three genes were obviously lower in the primo culture than immediately after isolation. During subsequent cultivation the expression of collagen type II decreased further, while there were only slight changes in expression of aggrecan and collagen type I. This study provides a valuable basis for testing of different tissue engineering applications in rabbit model, where auricular chondrocytes are considered as cell source.
Silencing invariant chain of DCs enhances Th1 response using small interfering RNA
Authors: Ke Shan , Chen Xue‐Hua , Li Hao , Li Jian‐Fang , Gu Qin‐Long , Liu Bing‐Ya , Zhu Zheng‐Gang
Published: December 2006

RNA interference (RNAi), which causes the degradation of any RNA in a sequence specific manner, is a posttranscriptional gene silencing mechanism. Targeting the invariant chain (Ii) in DCs has been used as an approach to enhance antitumor immunity. It is demonstrated in this article that transfection of H‐2K DCs with siRNA specific for Ii gene can significantly knock down Ii. When exposed to TNF‐α, immature DCs transfected with Ii siRNA can differentiate into mature DCs without reducing viability or IL‐12p70 production. Ii siRNA‐treated H‐2K DCs exhibited an increased allostimulatory capacity in a lymphocyte proliferation assay. Furthermore, Ii siRNA‐transfected H‐2K DCs enhanced Th1 responses by increasing IFN‐γ and decreasing IL‐4 production, and much stronger cytotoxic activity was observed when DCs were co‐transfected with Ii siRNA and an endogenous tumor antigen in vitro. Our findings indicate that silencing the Ii gene in DCs with siRNA may offer a potential approach to enhancing antitumor immunotherapy.
Response of digestive gland cells of freshwater mussel Unio tumidus to phenolic compound exposure in vivo
Authors: Labieniec Magdalena , Biernat Monika , Gabryelak Teresa
Published: December 2006

The exposure of freshwater mussels Unio tumidus to phenolic compounds (tannic, ellagic and gallic acid) in vivo caused changes in proteins and DNA function of digestive gland cells. The mussels were exposed to various concentrations of tested polyphenols (60, 200 and 500 μM) for 24 and 48 h and their antioxidant and pro‐oxidant effects were determined. The number of SH‐groups was quantified spectrophotometrically using Ellman's reagent. Oxidative modification of proteins increased in the digestive gland cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The level of nuclear DNA damage was investigated using the comet assay. The results revealed that polyphenolic acids induce single and double‐strand breaks in DNA. The highest changes were observed for tannic and gallic acids and the smallest ones for ellagic acid. 1 h of DNA repair process was also studied using the same method. The data obtained in this experiment demonstrate that the most effective DNA repair occurs in the cells exposed to phenolic compounds for 24 h. A longer incubation (up to 48 h) does not decrease the capacity of the repair mechanism. The antioxidant activity of the tested phenols was analyzed spectrofluorimetrically using a fluorescence probe DCFH‐DA (dichlorofluorescein—diacetate). The experimental data showed that the tested acids can act as antioxidants when used at higher doses (200 and 500 μM) against the reactive oxygen species present in the digestive gland cells. The most effective was ellagic acid, also applied at the smallest dose of 60 μM, in comparison with tannic and gallic acids. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that chosen water‐soluble polyphenols, which are located in various plant tissues and are also found in the aquatic environment, can influence organisms living in the water. They can be exposed to these chemicals that cause morphological alterations and changes in certain physiological processes in their organs (i.e. digestive gland cells of bivalve molluscs).
Expression of KIT receptor tyrosine kinase protein in normal human skin: Preliminary observations
Authors: Hussein Mahmoud R.
Published: December 2006

KIT proto‐oncogene is a receptor tyrosine kinase critical for signal transduction in several cell types. An understanding of KIT distribution in normal skin may reveal new insights into its implication in cutaneous biology and its associated disease states. This study examines expression patterns of KIT protein in normal human skin. KIT protein expression was examined in 50 specimens of normal human skin using specific antibodies (CD117) and immunoperoxidase staining methods. KIT protein expression was seen in keratinocytes (stratum basale), melanocytes, mast cells, and in both sebaceous and sweat glands. In contrast, KIT protein expression was absent in stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum corneum, blood vessels and arrector pili muscle. Thus, the expression of KIT protein in normal human skin suggests its possible role in regulation of cutaneous development and function.
Topography and self‐gravitation interaction in elastic‐gravitational modeling
Authors: Charco M. , Luzón F. , Fernández J. , Tiampo K. F.
Published: January 2007

Changes in gravity due to volcanic loading of the crust are influenced by topography. We investigate the relative importance of topography and self‐gravitation in the interpretation of gravity changes. It is shown that modeling of gravity changes can be more precise with the introduction of topographic relief, although it is neglected self‐gravitation of the medium. This paper exploits this result by suggesting a mathematical simplification that could be useful in the future development of a numerical technique to accurately include topographic effects in the modeling of deformation and gravity changes. Finally, we perform an inversion of the gravity changes observed at Mayon volcano (Philippines) between December 1992 and December 1996 including topographic effects by varying the depth of the source. Failure to account for topographic influences can bias estimates of source parameters particularly when the lateral extension of the relief is of the same order of magnitude as the source depth.
Angular distribution of fusion products and x rays emitted by a small dense plasma focus machine
Authors: Castillo F. , Herrera J. J. E. , Gamboa Isabel , Rangel J. , Golzarri J. I. , Espinosa G.
Published: January 2007

Time integrated measurements of the angular distributions of fusion products and x rays in a small dense plasma focus machine are made inside the discharge chamber, using passive detectors. The machine is operated at 37kV with a stored energy of 4.8kJ and a deuterium filling pressure of 2.75torr. Distributions of protons and neutrons are measured with CR-39 Lantrack® nuclear track detectors, on 1.8×0.9cm2 chips, 500μm thick. A set of detectors was placed on a semicircular Teflon® holder, 13cm away from the plasma column, and covered with 15μm Al filters, thus eliminating tritium and helium-3 ions, but not protons and neutrons. A second set was placed on the opposite side of the holder, eliminating protons. The angular distribution of x rays is also studied within the chamber with TLD-200 dosimeters. While the neutron angular distributions can be fitted by Gaussian curves mounted on constant pedestals and the proton distributions are strongly peaked, falling rapidly after ±40°, the x-ray distributions show two maxima around the axis, presumably as a result of the collision of a collimated electron beam against the inner electrode, along the axis.
Selective growth of absorptive InGaAsP layer on InP corrugation for a buried grating structure
Authors: Feng W. , Pan J. Q. , Cheng Y. B. , Liao Z. Y. , Wang B. J. , Zhou F. , Zhao L. J. , Zhu H. L. , Wang W.
Published: January 2007

A buried grating structure with a selectively grown absorptive InGaAsP layer was fabricated and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence. The InP corrugation was etched by introducing a SiO2 mask that was more stable than a conventional photoresist mask during the etching process. Moreover, the corrugation was efficaciously preserved during the selective growth of the absorptive layer with the SiO2 mask. Though this absorptive layer was only selectively grown on the concave region of the corrugation, it has a high intensity around the peak wavelength in comparison with that of InGaAlAs multiple quantum well, which was grown on the buried grating structure.
Accumulation and phosphatase-lability of organic phosphorus in fertilised pasture soils
Authors: George Timothy S. , Simpson Richard J. , Hadobas Paul A. , Marshall David J. , Richardson Alan E.
Published: January 2007

The accumulation and phosphatase-lability of organic P was investigated in soil taken from 3 pastures that had received contrasting fertiliser management over 8 years. The soils were either unfertilised or had received superphosphate either from 1994 to 1997 or applied annually to 2002. P-fertilisation led to an increase in both the inorganic and organic P content of the soils, but with differences in the distribution of organic P in various extractable pools. Fertilisation also affected the amount of organic P that was amenable to hydrolysis by a non-specific phosphatase. In particular, the amount of water-extractable organic P that was phosphatase-labile was greatest in soil that had received continuous fertiliser application. Despite improved phosphatase-lability of different organic P pools in the fertilised soils, transgenic Trifolium subterraneum L., which releases extracellular phytase, showed no consistent advantage in growth and P nutrition compared with either wild-type or azygous controls when grown in intact cores of soil. This indicates that organic P that accumulates with P-fertilisation is either not an effective substrate for transgenic plants that exude phytase or is equally available to transgenic and control plants.
Grasslands Trophy — a new white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivar with tolerance of summer moisture stress
Authors: Ayres J. F. , Caradus J. R. , Murison R. D. , Lane L. A. , Woodfield D. R.
Published: January 2007

A breeding project has developed a new synthetic white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivar, Grasslands Trophy, that possesses tolerance of summer moisture stress in dryland pasture environments in the 850–1250 mm average annual rainfall temperate perennial pasture zone in eastern Australia. The breeding strategy used to develop Grasslands Trophy was an in situ breeding cycle for: (i) identifying and selecting superior genotypes, (ii) crossing elite germplasm and (iii) progeny testing derived breeding lines for the expression of key agronomic and grazing value traits. The primary selection criteria were early vigour, herbage yield, persistence and seed yield potential. Parental selection was also applied for seed yield, uniformity of leaf size, uniform flowering pattern and freedom from disease and virus symptoms. Grasslands Trophy is medium–large in leaf size with stable leaf size, combines intermediate stolon density with intermediate stolon thickness, and expresses high stolon survival and strong autumn regrowth following summer moisture stress. Grasslands Trophy has mid-season flowering maturity, intensive flowering prolificacy and high seed yield capability. Agronomic results from trials in northern New South Wales and New Zealand indicate that Grasslands Trophy has broad adaptation, expresses high summer and winter growth activity, and is reliably persistent for at least 4 years.
Can increased nutrition raise cereal yields to the rainfall-limited potential in the high rainfall cropping zone of south Western Australia?
Authors: Simpson (née Hill) N. L. , McTaggart R. , Anderson W. K. , Anderton L.
Published: January 2007

Average yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the high rainfall cropping zone (>750 mm) of south Western Australia from 1996 to 2001 was 2.5 t/ha. This is far below the water-limited potential yield (water losses of 110 mm, transpiration efficiency of 20 kg/ha.mm) of 6–8 t/ha. Nutrition of the cereal crops has been regarded as one constraint to reaching the potential yield, although grain yield increases (responses) under conventional management practices (a series of full cultivation operations) have been inconsistent. Three experiments, with a total of five trial sites conducted over two seasons, were carried out to test the response of wheat and barley to fertiliser applications of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S) and trace elements (TE). Various combinations of nutrients were applied. These ranged from no fertiliser (nil), to farmer practice (N at rates at 34–82 kg/ha, P at 3–17 kg/ha, K at 0–50 kg/ha and S at 4–11 kg/ha), to nutrients calculated to supply the needs of a 6–8 t/ha cereal crop (N, P, K, S, TE). The aim was to determine whether the supply of non-limiting levels of crop nutrients could raise yields to the potential yield as determined by seasonal rainfall. In the drier seasons experienced in 2001 and 2002 at Arthur River and Cranbrook, with growing season rainfall (May–November) up to about 350 mm, it was possible to raise grain yields to levels at or above the calculated rainfall-limited potential with increased nutrition (4.2 t/ha for barley and 4.5 t/ha for wheat). However, in the wetter environment of Boyup Brook in 2002, where seasonal rainfall was greater than 500 mm, extra nutrition by itself was not sufficient to reach the water-limited potential, even where the yields were increased from 3.5 to 5.2 t/ha for wheat and from 3.9 to 4.5 t/ha for barley. Further experimentation is required to clarify the factors limiting responses to nutrition when the growing season rainfall is greater than 500 mm and thus allow greater confidence in extrapolating these results in the high rainfall cropping zone of Western Australia. In wheat, the highest profits were obtained from the complete fertiliser strategy (N, P, K, S, TE). However, for barley, the greatest profits were not obtained with the highest grain yields and fertiliser strategies due to decreased grain quality.
Survey of weed flora and management relative to cropping practices in the north-eastern grain region of Australia
Authors: Osten V. A. , Walker S. R. , Storrie A. , Widderick M. , Moylan P. , Robinson G. R. , Galea K.
Published: January 2007

The main weeds and weed management practices undertaken in broad acre dryland cropping areas of north-eastern Australia have been identified. The information was collected in a comprehensive postal survey of both growers and agronomists from Dubbo in New South Wales (NSW) through to Clermont in central Queensland, where 237 surveys were returned. A very diverse weed flora of 105 weeds from 91 genera was identified for the three cropping zones within the region (central Queensland, southern Queensland and northern NSW). Twenty-three weeds were common to all cropping zones. The major common weeds were Sonchus oleraceus, Rapistrum rugosum, Echinochloa spp. and Urochloa panicoides. The main weeds were identified for both summer and winter fallows, and sorghum, wheat and chickpea crops for each of the zones, with some commonality as well as floral uniqueness recorded. More genera were recorded in the fallows than in crops, and those in summer fallows exceeded the number in winter. Across the region, weed management relied heavily on herbicides. In fallows, glyphosate and mixes with glyphosate were very common, although the importance of the glyphosate mix partner differed among the cropping zones. Use and importance of pre-emergence herbicides in-crop varied considerably among the zones. In wheat, more graminicides were used in northern NSW than in southern Queensland, and virtually none were used in central Queensland, reflecting the differences in winter grass weed flora across the region. Atrazine was the major herbicide used in sorghum, although metolachlor was also used predominantly in northern NSW. Fallow and inter-row cultivation were used more often in the southern areas of the region. Grazing of fallows was more prominent in northern NSW. High crop seeding rates were not commonly recorded indicating that growers are not using crop competition as a tool for weed management. Although many management practices were recorded overall, few growers were using integrated weed management, and herbicide resistance has been and continues to be an issue for the region.
Needs for applied climate education in agriculture
Authors: George D. A. , Birch C. J. , Clewett J. F. , Wright A. , Allen W. , Keogh D. U.
Published: January 2007

This paper reports on a purposive survey study which aimed to identify needs for the development, delivery and evaluation of applied climate education for targeted groups, to improve knowledge and skills to better manage under variable climatic conditions. The survey sample consisted of 80 producers and other industry stakeholders in Australia (including representatives from consulting, agricultural extension and agricultural education sectors), with a 58% response rate to the survey. The survey included an assessment of (i) knowledge levels of the Southern Oscillation Index and sea surface temperatures, and (ii) skill and ability in interpreting weather and climate parameters. Results showed that despite many of the respondents having more than 20 years experience in their industry, the only formal climate education or training undertaken by most was a 1-day workshop. Over 80% of the applied climate skills listed in the survey were regarded by respondents as essential or important, but only 42% of educators, 30% of consultants and 28% of producers rated themselves as competent in applying such skills. Essential skills were deemed as those that would enable respondents or their clients to be better prepared for the next extended wet or dry meteorological event, and improved capability in identifying and capitalising on key decision points from climate information and a seasonal climate outlook. The complex issue of forecast accuracy is a confounding obstacle for many in the application of climate information and forecasts in management. Addressing this problem by describing forecast ‘limitations and skill’ can help to overcome this problem. The survey also highlighted specific climatic tactical and strategic information collated from grazing, cropping and agribusiness enterprises, and showed the value of such information from a users perspective.
A natural genetic code expansion cassette enables transmissible biosynthesis and genetic encoding of pyrrolysine
Authors: Longstaff David G. , Larue Ross C. , Faust Joseph E. , Mahapatra Anirban , Zhang Liwen , Green-Church Kari B. , Krzycki Joseph A.
Published: January 2007

Pyrrolysine has entered natural genetic codes by the translation of UAG, a canonical stop codon. UAG translation as pyrrolysine requires the
pylT
gene product, an amber-decoding tRNA
Pyl
that is aminoacylated with pyrrolysine by the pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase produced from the
pylS
gene. The
pylTS
genes form a gene cluster with
pylBCD
, whose functions have not been investigated. The
pylTSBCD
gene order is maintained not only in methanogenic Archaea but also in a distantly related Gram-positive Bacterium, indicating past horizontal gene transfer of all five genes. Here we show that lateral transfer of
pylTSBCD
introduces biosynthesis and genetic encoding of pyrrolysine into a naïve organism. PylS-based assays demonstrated that pyrrolysine was biosynthesized in
Escherichia coli
expressing
pylBCD
from
Methanosarcina acetivorans
. Production of pyrrolysine did not require tRNA
Pyl
or PylS. However, when
pylTSBCD
were coexpressed with
mtmB1
, encoding the methanogen monomethylamine methyltransferase, UAG was translated as pyrrolysine to produce recombinant monomethylamine methyltransferase. Expression of
pylTSBCD
also suppressed an amber codon introduced into the
E. coli uidA
gene. Strains lacking one of the
pylBCD
genes did not produce pyrrolysine or translate UAG as pyrrolysine. These results indicated that
pylBCD
gene products biosynthesize pyrrolysine using metabolites common to Bacteria and Archaea and, furthermore, that the
pyl
gene cluster represents a “genetic code expansion cassette,” previously unprecedented in natural organisms, whose transfer allows an existing codon to be translated as a novel endogenously synthesized free amino acid. Analogous cassettes may have served similar functions for other amino acids during the evolutionary expansion of the canonical genetic code.
Jump-starting kinesin
Authors: Hackney David D.
Published: January 2007

When it is not actively transporting cargo, conventional Kinesin-1 is present in the cytoplasm in a folded conformation that cannot interact effectively with microtubules (MTs). Two important and largely unexplored aspects of kinesin regulation are how it is converted to an active species when bound to cargo and the related issue of how kinesin discriminates among its many potential cargo molecules. Blasius et al. (see p. 11 of this issue) report that either binding of the cargo linker c-Jun N-terminal kinase–interacting protein 1 (JIP1) to the light chains (LCs) or binding of fasciculation and elongation protein ζ1 (FEZ1) to the heavy chains (HCs) is insufficient for activation but that activation occurs when both are present simultaneously. A related paper by Cai et al. (see p. 51 of this issue) provides structural insight into the conformation of the folded state in the cell obtained by fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis.
Pike predators induce morphological changes in young perch and roach
Authors: Eklöv P. , Jonsson P.
Published: January 2007

The morphological response of two 1 year‐old prey species, perchPerca fluviatilisand roachRutilus rutilusto the presence of predatory pikeEsox lucius, was tested in a 6 week aquarium experiment. The growth of perch was higher than that of roach but there was no difference in growth of prey between predator and control treatments. The presence of pike caused morphological changes in both perch and roach. Perch showed an increase in body depth during the experiment whereas the morphological response of roach to pike was more related to a displacement of the dorsal and pelvic fins and width of the anal fin. Differences in morphological responses of perch and roach to pike can be interpreted by their overall differences in antipredator strategies.
CETP inhibition in cardiovascular risk management: a critical appraisal
Authors: Dullaart R. P. F. , Dallinga‐Thie G. M. , Wolffenbuttel B. H. R. , Van Tol A.
Published: January 2007

In view of the cardioprotective effect of high‐density lipoproteins (HDL) and the limited effects of statin and fibrate therapy on HDL cholesterol, it is clinically relevant to test whether pharmacological treatment aimed at raising HDL lowers cardiovascular risk. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a new therapeutic target, because the cholesteryl ester transfer process lowers HDL cholesterol and contributes to an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, particularly when plasma triglycerides are high. Clinical evidence suggests that coronary artery calcification as well as intima media thickness is positively related to plasma cholesteryl ester transfer, and that high plasma CETP concentration is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in hypertriglyceridaemia. However, CETP could also have anti‐atherogenic potential, since it provides a potentially beneficial route for delivery of HDL‐derived cholesteryl esters to the liver. In addition, CETP could also favourably stimulate peripheral cell cholesterol removal and enhance hepatic cholesterol uptake. Recent evidence suggests that a high CETP level may confer lower cardiovascular risk in the context of low triglycerides. At maximal doses, the CETP inhibitors JTT‐705 and torcetrapib elicit a marked rise in HDL cholesterol of up to 34% and 91–106%, respectively. The effectiveness of these drugs on (intermediate) clinical outcome measures is currently being tested in large‐scale phase III clinical trials, with torcetrapib being only evaluated in combination therapy with atorvastatin. When and how to use CETP inhibitors, e.g. in combination with a statin or a fibrate, is a major challenge. We propose that low HDL cholesterol in the context of high triglycerides, such as found in type 2 diabetes mellitus, could become an important indication area for this new class of drugs.
Permeating protons contribute to tachyphylaxis of the acid‐sensing ion channel (ASIC) 1a
Authors: Chen Xuanmao , Gründer Stefan
Published: January 2007

The homomeric acid‐sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is a H+‐activated ion channel with important physiological functions and pathophysiological impact in the central nervous system. Here we show that homomeric ASIC1a is distinguished from other ASICs by a reduced response to successive acid stimulations. Such a reduced response is called tachyphylaxis. We show that tachyphylaxis depends on H+ permeating through ASIC1a, that tachyphylaxis is attenuated by extracellular Ca2+, and that tachyphylaxis is probably linked to Ca2+ permeability of ASIC1a. Moreover, we provide evidence that tachyphylaxis is probably due to a long‐lived inactive state of ASIC1a. A deeper understanding of ASIC1a tachyphylaxis may lead to pharmacological control of ASIC1a activity that could be of potential benefit for the treatment of stroke.
TRIVIAL TORSION UNITS IN G-ADAPTED GROUP RINGS
Authors: HERMAN ALLEN , LI YUANLIN
Published: January 2007

Let G be a torsion group and let R be a G-adapted ring. In this note we study the question of when the group ring RG has only trivial torsion units. It turns out that the above question is closely related to the question of when the quaternion group ring RQ8 has only trivial torsion units. We first give a ring-theoretic condition on R which determines exactly when the quaternion group ring has only trivial torsion units. Then several equivalent conditions for RG to have only trivial torsion units are provided. We also investigate the hypercenter of the unit group of a G-adapted group ring RG, and show that when R satisfies the torsion trivial involution condition, this hypercenter is not equal to the center if and only if G is a Q*-group.
Effects of airway distension on leukocyte recruitment in the mouse tracheal microvasculature
Authors: Wagner Elizabeth M. , Jenkins John
Published: January 2007

We have shown previously that excessive distention of the rat trachea during mechanical ventilation results in enhanced leukocyte recruitment to the airway (Lim LH and Wagner EM. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 168:1068–1074, 2003). The objectives of this study were to develop a mouse model of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)-induced leukocyte recruitment to the airway and begin to pursue molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the in vivo observation of increased leukocyte adhesion after PEEP exposure. We studied C57BL/6 wild-type mice and mice deficient in P-selectin or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) exposed to intermittent PEEP (8 cmH2O) applied five times for a 1-min duration, at 10-min intervals. After the imposed ventilatory stress, during normal ventilation (0.2 ml/breath, no PEEP), leukocyte adhesion in tracheal postcapillary venules was determined using intravital microscopy. PEEP induced a time-dependent increase in leukocyte adhesion that was significantly increased between 0 and 60 min ( P < 0.01). Furthermore, PEEP-induced leukocyte adhesion at 60 min was ablated in P-selectin- and ICAM-1-deficient mice. These findings demonstrate the essential nature of both P-selectin and ICAM-1 within airway postcapillary venular endothelium for leukocyte recruitment after airway distension.
The Sorption of Th(IV) Ions onto Montmorillonite: The Effect of pH, Ionic Strength and Fulvic Acid
Authors: Chen Lei , Yu Xianjin , Zhao Zengdian , Dong Yunhui
Published: December 2006

Thorium was considered as a chemical analogue of other tetravalent actinides. The sorption of Th(IV) ions onto montmorillonite and its cross-linked counterpart in the presence/absence of fulvic acid was investigated via a batch technique as a function of pH and fulvic acid concentration. The results obtained indicate that the sorption of Th(IV) ions was strongly dependent on the pH value of its solution, with the presence of fulvic acid enhancing such sorption at low pH values. It was also found that the sorption of Th(IV) ions was dependent on the ionic strength. Cross-linked montmorillonite was found to be a suitable candidate for the sorption and pre-concentration of Th(IV) ions from large volumes of liquid solution. Surface complexation rather than cation exchange mainly contributes to the sorption of Th(IV) ions onto montmorillonite.
Effects of Textural Properties and Surface Oxygen Content of Activated Carbons on the Desorption Activation Energy of Water
Authors: Li Xin , Li Zhong , Xia Qibin , Xi Hongxia , Zhao Zhenxia
Published: December 2006

This work mainly describes investigations of the effects of pore structure and oxygen content of activated carbons on the desorption activation energy, Ed, of water. First, the textural properties and the surface oxygen content as well as the surface acidities of the activated carbons studied were determined by nitrogen adsorption, XPS and Boehm titration methods. The water vapour isotherms of the samples were then measured and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments were conducted to estimate the desorption activation energy, Ed, of water on the activated carbons.

The effects of pore structure and surface oxygen content of the activated carbons on the magnitude of Ed are discussed. The results obtained show that the surface acidities of the activated carbons were in direct proportion to their surface oxygen contents, with the value of Ed for water on the activated carbons increasing with increasing surface oxygen content and decreasing pore size of the activated carbons. When the magnitude of the surface acidity was 0.578, 0.436 and 0.338 mmol/g, respectively, the Ed for water had corresponding values of 48.61, 41.67 and 37.22 kJ/mol, respectively. The amount of water vapour adsorbed at lower relative humidity increased with increasing surface acidity, whilst it was dependent on the pore volume at higher relative humidity due to pore filling, i.e. the larger the total pore volume of the activated carbons, the larger their adsorption capacities towards for water vapour.
Isotherm Models for Predicting the Dye Adsorption Potential of Coon Tail (Ceratophyllum Demersum) and Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum)
Authors: Keskinkan Olcayto
Published: December 2006

The dye adsorption potential and characteristics of the submerged aquatic plants Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum spicatum were investigated using an azo dye (Basic Blue 41 – BB41). Adsorption equilibria were attained after 160 min at various initial BB41 concentrations (in the range 5–80 mg/l). Attempts were made to fit the equilibrium data obtained using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models. The data obtained from the C. demersum and M. spicatum studies were fitted exactly by the Redlich–Peterson and Temkin adsorption isotherms models with correlation coefficient (r) values of 0.999 and 0.981, respectively. The fits of the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were also acceptable. Evaluation of the experimental data using the Langmuir equation revealed that the maximum adsorption capacities of C. demersum and M. spicatum were 50.0 mg/g and 64.9 mg/g, respectively.
Adsorption Behaviour of Normal Paraffins in a Fixed Bed Adsorber Containing 5 Å Molecular Sieves
Authors: Jichang Liu , Benxian Shen , Hui Sun
Published: December 2006

The adsorption process for separating normal paraffins from naphtha using 5 Å molecular sieves was studied with the purpose of optimizing the utilization of naphtha and providing a proper allocation of the feeds for the steam cracking and catalytic reforming processes. The separation efficiency of the normal paraffins was > 99.9% while their purity in the desorption oil could reach 98.2%. The effects of adsorption temperature and space velocity on the adsorption process were investigated. The adsorption capacity was large and the adsorption mass-transfer zone was short when the adsorption temperature was low in the range of 180–340°C and the feed space velocity was small in the range of 30–300 h−1. The adsorptivity of the normal paraffins improved with increasing carbon number. Long-chain normal paraffins had a notable displacement desorption relative to short-chain normal paraffins.
Adsorption Equilibria of Butan-1-ol, Toluene and Water Vapour onto Sorbonorit 4 Activated Carbon and the Co-Adsorption of Organic Compounds and Water Vapour onto SKT Activated Carbon
Authors: Nastaj Józef , Chybowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2006

The results of both experimental and theoretical investigations are presented. The results of experimental investigations of adsorption equilibria for the pure components butan-1-ol, toluene and water vapour onto Sorbonorit 4 activated carbon are first reported, with measurements having been undertaken using a dynamic gravimetric method. The results for butan-1-ol and toluene were correlated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Toth and Dubinin–Astakhov models, while the results for water vapour were correlated using the equations of Dubinin and Serpinsky and of Barton and Barton and co-workers.

A simple model enabling the prediction of the adsorption equilibria of butan-1-ol/water vapour and toluene/water vapour mixtures on SKT activated carbon is then presented. Such predictions were made on the basis of data for the pure components, with the equilibrium data for both pure components and mixtures being taken from the literature. The model, which is simple to simulate and verify using experimental data, is based on the Polanyi theory and the Dubinin–Astakhov isotherm equation. With this model, fairly good agreement was observed between predicted and experimental binary mixture adsorption data for the systems examined.