bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Operational Weather Radar–Based Quantitative Precipitation Estimation and its Application in Catchment Water Resources Modeling
Authors: He Xin , Vejen Flemming , Stisen Simon , Sonnenborg Torben O. , Jensen. Karsten H.
Published: February 2011

The Danish Meteorological Institute operates a radar network consisting of five C‐band Doppler radars. Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) using radar data is performed on a daily basis. Radar QPE is considered to have the potential to significantly improve the spatial representation of precipitation compared with rain‐gauge‐based methods, thus providing the basis for better water resources assessments. The radar QPE algorithm called ARNE is a distance‐dependent areal estimation method that merges radar data with ground surface observations. The method was applied to the Skjern River catchment in western Denmark where alternative precipitation estimates were also used as input to an integrated hydrologic model. The hydrologic responses from the model were analyzed by comparing radar‐ and ground‐based precipitation input scenarios. Results showed that radar QPE products are able to generate reliable simulations of stream flow and water balance. The potential of using radar‐based precipitation was found to be especially high at a smaller scale, where the impact of spatial resolution was evident from the stream discharge results. Also, groundwater recharge was shown to be sensitive to the rainfall product selected. Radar QPE appears to have unprecedented potential in optimizing precipitation input to distributed hydrologic models and thus model predictions.
Soil Hydraulic Properties of Recently Tilled Soil under Cropping Rotation Compared with Two‐Year Pasture
Authors: Schwärzel Kai , Carrick Sam , Wahren Andreas , Feger Karl-Heinz , Bodner Gernot , Buchan Graeme
Published: February 2011

Combined hood and disk infiltrometer experiments were performed in conjunction with the laboratory measurement of soil water retention to quantify the impact on soil hydraulic properties of a mixed cropping rotation compared with pasture. The two sites were in adjacent fields on the same soil type. One site had been cropped for 2 yr. The other site had been under extensively grazed pasture for 2 yr. Our hypothesis was that the soil structure under the cropped treatment represented an initial stage and the soil structure under the pasture a final stage of a mixed pasture–cropping rotation cycle. The measured data were incorporated into an existing pore‐space evolution model describing the temporal change in the pore‐size distribution. The saturated and near‐saturated hydraulic conductivities of the cropped soil were up to four times higher than those of the pasture soil and the amount of flow‐active macropores were approximately 80% larger under the cropping than under pasture. This can be attributed to the loosening by tillage of the cropped soil before our measurements. The observed high infiltration rates under cropping could indicate that water flow took place between the aggregates rather than through the soil matrix. The lower conductivities and smaller amount of flow‐active pores in the pasture soil than the cropped soil can be seen as a collapse of interaggregate pores after tillage. A reasonable prediction of the pore‐size distribution dynamics resulting from different management practices was only possible when this loss of pores due to collapse was considered. For this purpose, a degradation term describing the time‐dependent loss of macropores after tillage was incorporated in the model.
Analysis of Flow Rate Dependency of Solute Transport in an Undisturbed Inceptisol
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad Hossein , Vanclooster Marnik
Published: February 2011

We investigate the flow rate dependency of solute transport within an undisturbed monolithic soil core, collected in an Inceptisol. Through a series of nine controlled steady‐state solute breakthrough experiments, flow rate dependency of solute transport was elucidated using the general transfer function (GTF) modeling theory. We first observed that the apparent dispersion coefficient increases with depth and flow rate. We also observed that the flow regime is rather a convective–dispersive (CD) process at low flow rates and a stochastic–convective (SC) process at high flow rates. At intermediate flow rates, the flow regime could not be described with either CD or SC processes. To better understand the mechanisms of altering flow regime at intermediate flow rates, a dye tracer experiment was conducted. Results show that preferential flow is initiated at intermediate flow rates. We hypothesize that the mixing of solutes between stream tubes decreases when flow rate increases, due to the decrease of the tortuosity of solute flow paths and the initiation of preferential flow through macropores.
Potential for Establishing Nonvertical Flow within the Vadose Zone
Authors: Silliman S.E. , Fisker E. , Pescatore J.
Published: February 2011

Laboratory experiments and numerical studies are used to study the potential to induce water flux in the vadose zone, which is characterized by significant horizontal components of the water velocity. Specifically, a question is addressed as to whether water can be injected or withdrawn from lenses or layers of fine sediments (bordered by coarse sediments), thus establishing flow in those portions of the vadose zone commonly associated with higher moisture contents and a higher mass of dissolved contaminants. Laboratory experiments provided the base‐line proof of concept of the ability to induce horizontal components to flow in unsaturated sediments through use of suction‐cup lysimeters, but were limited to ideal media and short distance scales (<0.5 m). A numerical model was used in combination with published moisture retention and relative permeability parameters for a variety of sediment types to study conditions under which such horizontal flow components might be induced over substantially greater distances (e.g., 10 m). While these numerical results support arguments that flow induction is theoretically possible, induced flow will generally result in slow transport velocities such that application will likely be limited either to short flow distances (e.g., less than a meter) or long‐term (>50 years) time scales, and only with thorough knowledge of subsurface heterogeneity. Implications of this work beyond the present study may include continuing discussions of constructed capillary barriers and development of improved technologies for removal of water from the vadose zone.
Modelling the impacts of reservoir operations on the downstream riparian vegetation and fish habitats in the Lijiang River
Authors: Li Ruonan , Chen Qiuwen , Ye Fei
Published: February 2011

River flow regulations have great impact on the downstream aquatic ecosystem. It is important to investigate the response of target species to the changes in hydrological regimes so that we can explore possible remediation measures. Ecohydraulics models that integrate hydrodynamics processes and ecological processes have been shown to be efficient in achieving these objectives. This study developed an integrated model which combined a two-dimensional hydrodynamic module with a vegetation evolution module and a fish habitat module. Owing to the ability to represent spatial heterogeneity and local interactions, the vegetation module used an unstructured cellular automata (UCA) approach. To describe the ambiguous relations between the physical conditions and habitat suitability, a fuzzy inference method was applied to the fish habitat module. The developed model was applied to a compound channel of the Lijiang River in southwest China, which has been greatly affected by the flow regulations of the Qingshitan Reservoir for navigation purposes. Through scenario simulations, the effects of flow regulation on riparian vegetation and fish habitat were analyzed. According to the results, water releases in the dry season imposed negative effects on the downstream semi-aquatic plant Rumex maritimus (R. maritimus) and Polygonum hydropiper (P. hydropiper) and favored the upland species Leonurus heterophyllus (L. heterophyllus). Regarding to the effects on fish Spinibarbus hollandi (S. hollandi) the results showed that water releases increased the suitability of the spawning conditions, especially during wet and dry years, but had little impact on the overwintering conditions.
Towards better utilization of NEXRAD data in hydrology: an overview of Hydro-NEXRAD
Authors: Krajewski Witold F. , Kruger Anton , Smith James A. , Lawrence Ramon , Gunyon Charles , Goska Radoslaw , Seo Bong-Chul , Domaszczynski Piotr , Baeck Mary Lynn , Ramamurthy Mohan K. , Weber Jeffrey , Bradley A. Allen , DelGreco Stephen A. , Steiner Matthias
Published: February 2011

With a very modest investment in computer hardware and the open-source local data manager (LDM) software from University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Unidata Program Center, a researcher can receive a variety of NEXRAD Level III rainfall products and the unprocessed Level II data in real-time from most NEXRAD radars in the USA. Alternatively, one can receive such data from the National Climatic Data Center in Ashville, NC. Still, significant obstacles remain in order to unlock the full potential of the data. One set of obstacles is related to effective management of multi-terabyte datasets. A second set of obstacles, for hydrologists and hydrometeorologists in particular, is that the NEXRAD Level III products are not well suited for applications in hydrology. There is a strong need for the generation of high-quality products directly from the Level II data with well-documented steps that include quality control, removal of false echoes, rainfall estimation algorithms, coordinate conversion, georeferencing and integration with GIS. For hydrologists it is imperative that these procedures are basin-centered as opposed to radar-centered. The authors describe the Hydro-NEXRAD system that addresses the above challenges. With support from the National Science Foundation through its ITR program, the authors have developed a basin-centered framework for addressing all these issues in a comprehensive manner, tailored specifically for use of NEXRAD data in hydrology and hydrometeorology.
Hydro-NEXRAD: metadata computation and use
Authors: Kruger Anton , Krajewski Witold F. , Domaszczynski Piotr , Smith James A.
Published: February 2011

To enable the efficient use of the Hydro-NEXRAD system in hydrologic research, the authors are developing and computing a set of metadata. Vast archives of radar-centric NEXRAD data, the highly variable spatial and temporal characteristics of precipitation events, and the existence of anomalous data complicate the process of selecting subsets of the data for specific investigation. Well-defined, pre-computed, radar-centric, basin-centric and point (for a selected set of rain gauge locations) metadata offer the possibility of efficiently selecting data subsets that meet user-specified criteria. Metadata have to be computed quickly so that they do not slow down the data ingest process, but they do not have to be highly accurate. Separating rainfall from clear air conditions and heavy rainfall from light precipitation is often sufficient. In this paper, the authors discuss the technical challenges of computing metadata for the vast archives of NEXRAD data and basic data quality control incorporated into that process. Users of Hydro-NEXRAD will be able to query the database using different criteria based on the metadata or visually inspect the time series of the metadata.
Extending the global gradient algorithm to unsteady flow extended period simulations of water distribution systems
Authors: Todini Ezio
Published: February 2011

This paper introduces an extension of the Global Gradient Algorithm (GGA) to directly solve unsteady flow problems arising from the presence of variable head water storage devices, such as tanks, in Extended Period Simulations (EPS) of looped water distribution networks (WDN). Such a modification of the original algorithm was motivated by the need to overcome oscillations and instabilities reported by several users of EPANET, a worldwide available package, which uses the GGA to solve the looped WDN equations. The set of partial differential equations describing the time and space behaviour of a water distribution system is here presented. It is shown how an unsteady flow GGA can be derived by simple modifications of the original steady-state GGA. The performances of the new algorithm, referred to as EPS-GGA, are compared with the results provided by EPANET on an extremely simplified example, the solution of which is qualitatively known. As opposed to EPANET which shows significant instabilities, the EPS-GGA is stable under a wide variety of increasing integration time intervals.
Real-time flood stage forecasting by Variable Parameter Muskingum Stage hydrograph routing method
Authors: Perumal Muthiah , Moramarco Tommaso , Barbetta Silvia , Melone Florisa , Sahoo Bhabagrahi
Published: February 2011

The application of a Variable Parameter Muskingum Stage (VPMS) hydrograph routing method for real-time flood forecasting at a river gauging site is demonstrated in this study. The forecast error is estimated using a two-parameter linear autoregressive model with its parameters updated at every routing time interval of 30 minutes at which the stage observations are made. This hydrometric data-based forecast model is applied for forecasting floods at the downstream end of a 15 km reach of the Tiber River in Central Italy. The study reveals that the proposed approach is able to provide reliable forecast of flood estimate for different lead times subject to a maximum lead time nearly equal to the travel time of the flood wave within the selected routing reach. Moreover, a comparative study of the VPMS method for real-time forecasting and the simple stage forecasting model (STAFOM), currently in operation as the Flood Forecasting and Warning System in the Upper-Middle Tiber River basin of Italy, demonstrates the capability of the VPMS model for its field use.
Velocity profiles assessment in natural channels during high floods
Authors: Moramarco Tommaso , Saltalippi Carla , Singh Vijay P.
Published: February 2011

The accuracy of three different approaches for velocity profiles assessment during high floods, when the velocity points sampling is carried out only in the upper portion of the flow area, has been investigated. The first two methods assume the classical logarithmic law with additional terms, to take account of the dip-phenomenon in the velocity profile. The third one is based on the entropy theory and uses the maximum flow velocity occurring in the flow area. A sample of velocity measurements carried out at Pontelagoscuro gauged section (Po River, Italy), has been considered for the analysis. Six flood events have been selected and the accuracy of the investigated methods has been evaluated in terms of mean error in estimating both the mean velocity along each sampled vertical and the mean flow velocity. For high floods, the logarithmic law and the entropic approach were found quite accurate; however, the ability of the latter in reproducing the velocity profiles only by sampling the maximum flow velocity has been shown. Therefore, a procedure for velocity measurements based on the entropic approach has been proposed. The procedure allows one to both to shorten remarkably the time of the velocity sampling and to quickly estimate the discharge.
The influence of the land surface on hydrometeorology and ecology: new advances from modeling and satellite remote sensing
Authors: Lakshmi Venkat , Hong Seungbum , Small Eric E. , Chen Fei
Published: February 2011

The importance of land surface processes has long been recognized in hydrometeorology and ecology for they play a key role in climate and weather modeling. However, their quantification has been challenging due to the complex nature of the land surface amongst other reasons. One of the difficult parts in the quantification is the effect of vegetation that are related to land surface processes such as soil moisture variation and to atmospheric conditions such as radiation. This study addresses various relational investigations among vegetation properties such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Leaf Area Index (LAI), surface temperature (TSK), and vegetation water content (VegWC) derived from satellite sensors such as Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and EOS Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E). The study provides general information about a physiological behavior of vegetation for various environmental conditions. Second, using a coupled mesoscale/land surface model, we examine the effects of vegetation and its relationship with soil moisture on the simulated land–atmospheric interactions through the model sensitivity tests. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was selected for this study, and the Noah land surface model (Noah LSM) implemented in the WRF model was used for the model coupled system. This coupled model was tested through two parameterization methods for vegetation fraction using MODIS data and through model initialization of soil moisture from High Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS). Finally, this study evaluates the model improvements for each simulation method.
Modelling the impacts of climate change on flow and nitrate in the River Thames: assessing potential adaptation strategies
Authors: Jin Li , Whitehead Paul G. , Futter Martyn N. , Lu Zunli
Published: February 2011

The catchment of the River Thames, a principal river system in southern England, is densely populated and highly vulnerable to changes in climate, land use and population. In order to predict its vulnerability to climate change, the Integrated Catchments Model for Nitrogen (INCA-N) has been applied to the whole of the River Thames. The model was calibrated from 1999 to 2006, to simulate streamflow and nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations. Despite the highly variable land use and river flows within the catchment, INCA-N reproduced both the hydrological regime and NO3-N dynamics in the river. A sensitivity analysis was performed on measured flow and in-stream nitrogen transformation rates. It showed that simulated NO3-N concentrations were sensitive to denitrification rates and flow velocity. Measured parameter values were generally within the range of behavioural model simulations. Temperature and precipitation scenarios from the UK Climate Projections 2009 climate model outputs were used to project possible future flow and NO3-N concentration changes. Results showed generally drier hydrological conditions, increased river NO3-N concentration in winter and decreases in summer. An assessment of the planned new reservoir at Abingdon showed that, if managed appropriately, it may help offset the impact of climate change on riverine NO3-N concentrations and London's water supply.
Export and import of virtual water from different states of India through food grain trade
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Jain Sharad K.
Published: February 2011

The geographical area of India is 3.29 × 106 km2 and the annual average precipitation is about 4000 km3 (about 1215 mm depth over the country). Large variations in agricultural practices, climate and land productivity result in large variations in agricultural productivity between states. Virtual water refers to the water required in the production of goods or services; exchange of water through goods and services is virtual water trade. This paper quantifies virtual water export/import from/to various states of India to/from a central pool related to trade of two major food grains, wheat and rice, during the years 2003–04 to 2005–06. Virtual water contents of wheat and rice were estimated for different states using the data pertaining to that state. It was found to vary from 745 to 9405 m3/t for wheat and from 2502 to 9562 m3/t for rice. Punjab, Haryana, Chattisgarh and Uttarakhand are net exporters of virtual water to the central pool; all other states are net importers. Among the virtual water exporters, Punjab and Haryana are water-stressed areas and some virtual water importing states have adequate water resources. Analysis shows that besides water availability, other factors are also important in determining virtual water export from a region.
Comparative Evaluation of Microleakage Among Three Different Glass Ionomer Types
Authors: Abd El Halim S. , Zaki D.
Published: February 2011

Clinical Relevance

Microleakage was evident in all restorative materials. Improvement was made when a resin-modified glass ionomer incorporated the benefits of nanotechnology.
Normal Quantity and Distribution of Mast Cells and Eosinophils in the Pediatric Colon
Authors: Saad Ali G.
Published: February 2011

The normal number and distribution of mast cells (MCs) and eosinophils in colonic mucosa are largely unknown. Accordingly, we examined colonic biopsies obtained during endoscopic examinations of pediatric patients. The study included 41 patients (21 males and 20 females). The mean age was 11.72 years (range 3.3–19.7 years). Patients were followed for a mean time of 23.4 months (range 1250 months). Our results showed a gradual decrease in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria from the cecum to the descending colon (14.2 ± 6.1 and 10.7 ± 5.6 eosinophils//high-power field [hpf], respectively), with another peak in the rectosigmoid (12.4 ± 6.1 eosinophils/hpf). Eosinophils within the surface and crypt epithelium were more commonly encountered in the cecum and the rectosigmoid. Eosinophils clusters were rare but were more frequently found in the cecum and rectosigmoid. The largest number of MCs was observed in the descending colon and the lowest in the rectosigmoid (17.56 ± 7.28 and 14.5 ± 6.35 MCs/hpf, respectively). No MCs were identified within the surface epithelium. Very rare MCs were observed within the crypt epithelium, with the highest number observed in the cecum (0.34 ± 0.53 MCs/hpf) and the lowest number observed in the descending colon (0.02 ± 0.16 MCs/hpf). More MCs were present in the cecum and descending colon of females vs males ( P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Our results establish baseline gastrointestinal eosinophils and MC counts in various parts of the pediatric colon.
Distribution of Ticks from of the Genus Dermacentor (Acari, Ixodidae) in Ukraine
Authors: Akimov I. , Nebogatkin I.
Published: February 2011

Distribution of Ticks from of the Genus Dermacentor (Acari, Ixodidae) in Ukraine

The northern border of present range of the tick species Dermacentor marginatus is determined on the territory of Ukraine in Volyn, Rivne, Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Poltava and Sumy oblasts. D. reticulatus species was revealed to be adapted for living in urbanized areas as parasitizing domestic and stray animals, small mammals. It also inhabits shores of artificial reservoirs and occurs in the steppe zone, except for arid areas. D. reticulatus preimaginal stages are found for the first time on birds (Anas platyrhynchos, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdus merula, T. viscivorus).
Developing and Applying a Critical and Transformative Model to Address ESD in Teacher Education
Authors: Kostoulas-Makrakis Nelly
Published: February 2011

Developing and Applying a Critical and Transformative Model to Address ESD in Teacher Education

A reflective case study approach, including focus interviews, reflective/reflexive journals and analysis of project-based works of 30 pre-service teachers participating in an undergraduate course was employed to investigate the discrepancy between the teachers' constructivist conceptions and the actual practice. The identified discrepancy seemed to be an outcome of the difficulty translating constructivism into teaching practice, but also of the misleading conception of constructivism as a homogeneous philosophy. Through reflective practice, participants were able to deconstruct and reconstruct their theories and practices of teaching in more emancipatory ways addressing issues of education for sustainable development (ESD). This case study helped understand the nature of change process towards teaching and learning for more sustainable futures.
Qualitative Education for Roma Students: A Pedagogical Model for Sustainable Development
Authors: Zaķe Daiga
Published: February 2011

Qualitative Education for Roma Students: A Pedagogical Model for Sustainable Development

Inclusion of Roma students in general classrooms at an early age (5-7 years) is the focus of this research to study the impact of parent and Roma teacher-assistants' involvement on the learning process of Roma minority students. Though Roma people have inhabited Latvia for centuries, a deeply ingrained prejudice towards Roma is persisting among the population at large, resulting in direct and indirect social discrimination. One of the most odious forms of discrimination against Roma is the practice of consigning Roma students to special schools after ‘their failure’ in the first years of regular elementary schools. Schools, as the primary formal societal institutions that students encounter, have an enormous responsibility in helping to forge a culture of equality, pluralism, tolerance and unity in diversity. This study investigates the development of intercultural learning and anti-bias classroom organisation in order to prevent institutional discrimination and promote the benefits of a culturally heterogeneous society.
Pseudomonas and Pedobacter isolates from King George Island inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogens
Authors: Wong Clemente , Tam Heng , Alias Siti , González Marcelo , González-Rocha Gerardo , Domínguez-Yévenes Mariana
Published: February 2011

PseudomonasandPedobacterisolates from King George Island inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogens

This report describes the isolation and characterization of bacterial isolates that produce anti-microbial compounds from one of the South Shetland Islands, King George Island, Antarctica. Of a total 2465 bacterial isolates recovered from the soil samples, six (BG5, MTC3, WEK1, WEA1, MA2 and CG21) demonstrated inhibitory effects on the growth of one or more Gram-negative or Gram-positive indicator foodborne pathogens (i.e. Escherichia coli0157:H7,Salmonellaspp.,Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Vibrio parahaemolyticusandBacillus cereus). Upon examination of their 16S rRNA sequences and biochemical profiles, the six Antarctic bacterial isolates were identified as Gram-negativePedobacter cryoconitis(BG5),Pseudomonas migulae(WEK1),P. corrugata(WEA1) andPseudomonasspp. (MTC3, MA2, and CG21). While inhibitors produced by strains BG5, MTC3 and CG21 were sensitive to protease treatment, those produced by strains WEK1, WEA1, and MA2 were insensitive to catalase, lipase, α-amylase, and protease enzymes. In addtion, the six Antarctic bacterial isolates appeared to be resistant to multiple antibiotics.
In quest of Pictish manuscripts
Authors: Sharpe Richard
Published: February 2011

In 1698 Humfrey Wanley examined a manuscript at Gresham College, which had been described as a history of Pictland in the Pictish language. The book (now British Library, MS Arundel 333) contains titles to this effect added in the late sixteenth century, but, as Wanley realised, its texts are Irish medical translations from Latin, made at the beginning of the sixteenth century. A longer note about Pictish provinces, added by the same hand, and the identity of the writer are investigated; the hand is that of the owner of the book, Lord William Howard, rather than the historian William Camden as was thought in the past. Wanley's correction appears in William Nicolson's Scottish Historical Library in 1702 and in correspondence between himself and Edward Lhuyd in the same year. In 1702 Lhuyd discovered the englynion in the Cambridge copy of Juvencus, exchanging views with Wanley and others on this and further manuscripts containing early Brittonic words. Between 1702 and 1707 Lhuyd developed a theory that the Juvencus manuscript was written in the land of the Picts and that its Welsh verses, the oldest monuments of Hen Brythoneg, were in the Pictish language. He saw himself as uncovering both linguistic and manuscript evidence for British writing across the full range of British territory from south to north, Brittany to Caledonia. Lhuyd's idea that Pictish was similar to British was followed by Innes, but modern Pictish scholarship has not recognised that the idea goes back so early.
Pettyfoggers, Regulation, and Local Courts in Early Modern Scotland
Authors: FINLAY JOHN
Published: February 2011

Scotland has long had local legal societies attached to inferior and local courts. These societies mirror the Faculty of Advocates and the Society of Writers to the Signet which sought to protect the interests of members of the College of Justice in Edinburgh. Local or ‘country’ procurators, for their own protection, sought to control admission to their societies ostensibly to ensure adequate standards but also, at least in some places, to discourage or prevent unfettered competition. Ethical standards amongst members of local bars were enforceable by the inferior judges and local procurators-fiscal. Ultimately, such enforcement was a matter for the supervisory jurisdiction of the central court and a number of instances demonstrate this jurisdiction in action particularly in the eighteenth century. Further general regulation, emanating from parliament, was much slower in coming and did not emerge until the nineteenth century a uniform structure and common qualifications began to be imposed. The aim of this article is to investigate the character and concerns of some of these local societies in the early modern period and to outline the process by which they became subject to central regulation.
Ceremony in Context: The Edinburgh University Tercentenary, 1884
Authors: ANDERSON ROBERT
Published: February 2011

Edinburgh introduced Britain to the university centenary, an established form of celebration in continental Europe. The ceremonies in 1884 can be seen in the framework of the late nineteenth-century ‘invention of tradition’. Such events usually asserted the links of the university with national and local communities and with the state. The Edinburgh celebrations marked the opening of a new medical school, after a public appeal which itself strengthened relations with graduates and wealthy donors. The city council, local professional bodies, and the student community all played a prominent part in the events of 1884, which were a significant episode in the development of student representation. Analysis of the speeches given on the occasion suggests that the university sought to promote the image of a great medical and scientific university, with the emphasis on teaching and professional training rather than research, for the ideal of the ‘Humboldtian’ research university was still a novelty in Britain. Tercentenary rhetoric also expressed such themes as international academic cooperation , embodied in the presence of leading scientists and scholars, the harmony of religion and science, and a liberal protestant view of the rise of freedom of thought. The tercentenary coincided with impending legislation on Scottish universities, which encouraged assertions of the public character of these institutions, and of the nation's distinct cultural identity. One striking aspect, however, was the absence of women from the formal proceedings, and failure to acknowledge the then current issue of women's admission to higher education.
Pictish Horse Carvings
Authors: Hughson Irene
Published: February 2011

Summary

This paper examines the horse carvings to be found on Class I and Class II Pictish sculptured stones and considers their reliability as evidence of the sort of horses and ponies that would have existed in the Early Historic Period. An attempt is made to show that the availability in Britain of good sized, high quality riding horses during that period is not inconsistent with what is known of the development and distribution of different types of horses in pre-hislory.

The importance of horses and ponies in Early Historic societies is stressed and inferences drawn about the agricultural economy that could support horses and the skilled specialists required to look after them.
Roman Penetration in Strathclyde South of the Antonine Wall PART ONE: THE TOPOGRAPHICAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Wilson Allan
Published: February 2011

Summary

Our knowledge of the pattern of Roman occupation in SW Scotland is limited by significant gaps not least of primary sites on the littoral fringe. This article follows Keppie's forward looking review (Keppie 1993) by providing a framework for extending our knowledge through archival research, fieldwork and examination of local material. In Part One, postulated as well as established Roman roads are examined along with adjacent Roman and Romano-British sites and finds.

In Part Two, the evidence presented in Part One will be assessed as to its significance for the pattern of Romanisation in Strathclyde S of the Antonine Wall.
Essential source-material of Roderick Murchison
Authors: THACKRAY JOHN C.
Published: February 2011

SUMMARY

The life and achievements of Sir Roderick Impey Murchison are recounted through a chronological account of manuscript maps, diaries, letters, geological specimens, and associated items in the collections of the Institute of Geological Sciences. A briefer list is given of some other collections of Murchison manuscripts in museums, libraries, and universities throughout the British Isles. Because of Murchison's standing and wide circle of correspondents, the mass of material available may interest workers concerned with both the development of British geology, and the general scientific and social history of the nineteenth century.
King William's Ill Years: new evidence on the impact of scarcity and harvest failure during the crisis of the 1690s on Tayside
Authors: Cullen Karen J. , Whatley Christopher A. , Young Mary
Published: February 2011

The last national famine in Scotland occurred during King William's reign in the late 1690s. Investigation into this event has hitherto been fairly limited. Generally, historians have dismissed suggestions that it was a very serious or long-lasting crisis. The work of Robert Tyson on Aberdeenshire marked a departure from this. He identified high levels of suffering and mortality in that county which contributed to a crisis much more severe than previously suggested, other than in the Highlands. Tayside, to the south, constituting the counties of Angus and Perthshire, was thought to have largely escaped the worst effects. This article challenges that viewpoint. It argues that the crisis spanned several years, and while its impact differed in important respects from the experience in Aberdeenshire, it nevertheless had profound economic, social and demographic consequences.
The Health Impacts of Ethanol Blend Petrol
Authors: Beer Tom , Carras John , Worth David , Coplin Nick , Campbell Peter K. , Jalaludin Bin , Angove Dennys , Azzi Merched , Brown Steve , Campbell Ian , Cope Martin , Farrell Owen , Galbally Ian , Haiser Stephen , Halliburton Brendan , Hynes Robert , Jacyna David , Keywood Melita , Lavrencic Steven , Lawson Sarah , Lee Sunhee , Liepa Imants , McGregor James , Nancarrow Peter , Patterson Michael , Powell Jennifer , Tibbett Anne , Ward Jason , White Stephen , Williams David , Wood Rosemary
Published: February 2011

A measurement program designed to evaluate health impacts or benefits of using ethanol blend petrol examined exhaust and evaporative emissions from 21 vehicles representative of the current Australian light duty petrol (gasoline) vehicle fleet using a composite urban emissions drive cycle. The fuels used were unleaded petrol (ULP), ULP blended with either 5% ethanol (E5) or 10% ethanol (E10). The resulting data were combined with inventory data for Sydney to determine the expected fleet emissions for different uptakes of ethanol blended fuel. Fleet ethanol compatibility was estimated to be 60% for 2006, and for the air quality modelling it was assumed that in 2011 over 95% of the fleet would be ethanol compatible. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from ULP, E5 and E10 emissions was studied under controlled conditions by the use of a smog chamber. This was combined with meteorological data from Sydney for February 2004 and the emission data (both measured and inventory data) to model pollutant concentrations in Sydney’s airshed for 2006 and 2011. These concentrations were combined with the population distribution to evaluate population exposure to the pollutant. There is a health benefit to the Sydney population arising from a move from ULP to ethanol blends in spark-ignition vehicles. Potential health cost savings for Urban Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth) are estimated to be A$39 million (in 2007 dollars) for a 50% uptake (by ethanol compatible vehicles) of E10 in 2006 and $42 million per annum for a 100% take up of E10 in 2011. Over 97% of the estimated health savings are due to reduced emissions of PM2.5 and consequent reduced impacts on mortality and morbidity (e.g., asthma, cardiovascular disease). Despite more petrol-driven vehicles predicted for 2011, the quantified health impact differential between ULP and ethanol fuelled vehicles drops from 2006 to 2011. This is because modern petrol vehicles, with lower emissions than their older counterparts, will make up a higher proportion of the fleet in the future. Hence the beneficial effects of reductions in particulate matter become less significant as the fleet as a whole produces lower emissions.
SET/MYND Lysine Methyltransferases Regulate Gene Transcription and Protein Activity
Authors: Leinhart Kristin , Brown Mark
Published: February 2011

The SET and MYND (SMYD) family of lysine methyltransferases is defined by a SET domain that is split into two segments by a MYND domain, followed by a cysteine-rich post-SET domain. While members of the SMYD family are important in the SET-mediated regulation of gene transcription, pathological consequences have also been associated with aberrant expression of SMYD proteins. The last decade has witnessed a rapid increase in the studies and corresponding understanding of these highly impactful enzymes. Herein, we review the current body of knowledge related to the SMYD family of lysine methyltransferases and their role in transcriptional regulation, epigenetics, and tumorigenesis.
Bottled Water: United States Consumers and Their Perceptions of Water Quality
Authors: Hu Zhihua , Morton Lois Wright , Mahler Robert  L.
Published: February 2011

Consumption of bottled water is increasing worldwide. Prior research shows many consumers believe bottled water is convenient and has better taste than tap water, despite reports of a number of water quality incidents with bottled water. The authors explore the demographic and social factors associated with bottled water users in the U.S. and the relationship between bottled water use and perceptions of the quality of local water supply. They find that U.S. consumers are more likely to report bottled water as their primary drinking water source when they perceive that drinking water is not safe. Furthermore, those who give lower ratings to the quality of their ground water are more likely to regularly purchase bottle water for drinking and use bottle water as their primary drinking water source.
Claudin 4 Is Differentially Expressed between Ovarian Cancer Subtypes and Plays a Role in Spheroid Formation
Authors: Boylan Kristin L. M. , Misemer Benjamin , DeRycke Melissa  S. , Andersen John  D. , Harrington Katherine  M. , Kalloger Steve  E. , Gilks C. Blake , Pambuccian Stefan  E. , Skubitz Amy  P. N.
Published: February 2011

Claudin 4 is a cellular adhesion molecule that is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer and other epithelial cancers. In this study, we sought to determine whether the expression of claudin 4 is associated with outcome in ovarian cancer patients and may be involved in tumor progression. We examined claudin 4 expression in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines, as well as by immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays (TMAs; n = 500), spheroids present in patients’ ascites, and spheroids formed in vitro. Claudin 4 was expressed in nearly 70% of the ovarian cancer tissues examined and was differentially expressed across ovarian cancer subtypes, with the lowest expression in clear cell subtype. No association was found between claudin 4 expression and disease-specific survival in any subtype. Claudin 4 expression was also observed in multicellular spheroids obtained from patients’ ascites. Using an in vitro spheroid formation assay, we found that NIH:OVCAR5 cells treated with shRNA against claudin 4 required a longer time to form compact spheroids compared to control NIH:OVCAR5 cells that expressed high levels of claudin 4. The inability of the NIH:OVCAR5 cells treated with claudin 4 shRNA to form compact spheroids was verified by FITC-dextran exclusion. These results demonstrate a role for claudin 4 and tight junctions in spheroid formation and integrity.
Carotenoids in Marine Animals
Authors: Maoka Takashi
Published: February 2011

Marine animals contain various carotenoids that show structural diversity. These marine animals accumulate carotenoids from foods such as algae and other animals and modify them through metabolic reactions. Many of the carotenoids present in marine animals are metabolites of β-carotene, fucoxanthin, peridinin, diatoxanthin, alloxanthin, and astaxanthin, etc. Carotenoids found in these animals provide the food chain as well as metabolic pathways. In the present review, I will describe marine animal carotenoids from natural product chemistry, metabolism, food chain, and chemosystematic viewpoints, and also describe new structural carotenoids isolated from marine animals over the last decade.
Diversity of Phage-Displayed Libraries of Peptides during Panning and Amplification
Authors: Derda Ratmir , Tang Sindy  K.Y. , Li S. Cory , Ng Simon , Matochko Wadim , Jafari Mohammad  R.
Published: February 2011

The amplification of phage-displayed libraries is an essential step in the selection of ligands from these libraries. The amplification of libraries, however, decreases their diversity and limits the number of binding clones that a screen can identify. While this decrease might not be a problem for screens against targets with a single binding site (e.g., proteins), it can severely hinder the identification of useful ligands for targets with multiple binding sites (e.g., cells). This review aims to characterize the loss in the diversity of libraries during amplification. Analysis of the peptide sequences obtained in several hundred screens of peptide libraries shows explicitly that there is a significant decrease in library diversity that occurs during the amplification of phage in bacteria. This loss during amplification is not unique to specific libraries: it is observed in many of the phage display systems we have surveyed. The loss in library diversity originates from competition among phage clones in a common pool of bacteria. Based on growth data from the literature and models of phage growth, we show that this competition originates from growth rate differences of only a few percent for different phage clones. We summarize the findings using a simple two-dimensional “phage phase diagram”, which describes how the collapse of libraries, due to panning and amplification, leads to the identification of only a subset of the available ligands. This review also highlights techniques that allow elimination of amplification-induced losses of diversity, and how these techniques can be used to improve phage-display selection and enable the identification of novel ligands.
Antileishmanial Activity of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Miconia langsdorffii, Isolated Compounds, and Semi-Synthetic Derivatives
Authors: Peixoto Juliana A. , Andrade e Silva Márcio Luis , Crotti Antônio E. M. , Cassio Sola Veneziani Rodrigo , Gimenez Valéria M. M. , Januário Ana H. , Groppo Milton , Magalhães Lizandra G. , Dos Santos Fransérgio F. , Albuquerque Sérgio , Da Silva Filho Ademar A. , Cunha Wilson R.
Published: February 2011

The in vitro activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Miconia langsdorffii Cogn. was evaluated against the promastigote forms of L. amazonensis, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. The bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to identification of the triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid as the major compounds in the fraction that displayed the highest activity. Several ursolic acid semi-synthetic derivatives were prepared, to find out whether more active compounds could be obtained. Among these ursolic acid-derived substances, the C-28 methyl ester derivative exhibited the best antileishmanial activity.
Enaminones as Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Substituted Pyrazoles with Antitumor and Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Riyadh Sayed M.
Published: February 2011

Novel N-arylpyrazole-containing enaminones 2a,b were synthesized as key intermediates. Reactions of 2a,b with active methylene compounds in acetic acid in the presence of ammonium acetate afforded substituted pyridine derivatives 5a-d. Enaminones 2a,b also reacted with aliphatic amines such as hydrazine hydrate and hydroxylamine hydrochloride to give bipyrazoles 8a,b and pyrazolylisoxazoles 9a,b, respectively. On the other hand, treatment of 2a,b with a heterocyclic amine and its diazonium salt yielded the respective [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines 12a,b and pyrazolylcarbonyl[1,2,4]triazolo-[3,4-c][1,2,4]triazines 14a,b. Moreover, 2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (17) was prepared via reaction of enaminone 2a with aminothiouracil (15). Cyclocondensation of 17 with the appropriate hydrazonoyl chlorides 18a-c gave the corresponding pyrido[2,3-d][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidin-5-ones 21a-c. The cytotoxic effects of compounds 2b, 14a and 17 against human breast cell line (MCF-7) and liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2) were screened and in both lines they showed inhibition effects comparable to those of 5-fluorouracil, used as a standard. The antimicrobial activity of some products chosen as representative examples was also evaluated.
Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Succinate Prodrugs of Curcuminoids for Colon Cancer Treatment
Authors: Wichitnithad Wisut , Nimmannit Ubonthip , Wacharasindhu Sumrit , Rojsitthisak Pornchai
Published: February 2011

A novel series of succinyl derivatives of three curcuminoids were synthesized as potential prodrugs. Symmetrical (curcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin) and unsymmetrical (desmethoxycurcumin) curcuminoids were prepared through aldol condensation of 2,4-pentanedione with different benzaldehydes. Esterification of these compounds with a methyl or ethyl ester of succinyl chloride gave the corresponding succinate prodrugs in excellent yields. Anticolon cancer activity of the compounds was evaluated using Caco-2 cells. The succinate prodrugs had IC50 values in the 1.8–9.6 μM range, compared to IC50 values of 3.3–4.9 μM for the parent compounds. Curcumin diethyl disuccinate exhibited the highest potency and was chosen for stability studies. Hydrolysis of this compound in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and in human plasma followed pseudo first-order kinetics. In phosphate buffer, the kobs and t1/2 for hydrolysis indicated that the compound was much more stable than curcumin. In human plasma, this compound was able to release curcumin, therefore our results suggest that succinate prodrugs of curcuminoids are stable in phosphate buffer, release the parent curcumin derivatives readily in human plasma, and show anti-colon cancer activity.