bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Best Management Practices for Minimizing Nitrate Leaching from Container-Grown Nurseries
Authors: Chen Jianjun , Huang Yingfeng , Caldwell Russell D.
Published: March 2005

Containerized plant production represents an extremely intensive agricultural practice; 40,000 to 300,000 containers may occupy one acre of surface area to which a large amount of chemical fertilizer is applied. Currently, recommended fertilizer application rates for the production of containerized nursery ornamental plants are in excess of plant requirements, and up to 50% of the applied fertilizers may run off or be leached from containers. Among the nutrients leached or allowed to runoff, nitrogen (N) is the most abundant and is of major concern as the source of ground and surface water pollution. In this report, current N fertilizer application rates for different container-grown nursery ornamental plants, the amount of nitrate leaching or runoff from containers, and the potential for nitrate contamination of ground and surface water are discussed. In contrast, our best N management practices include: (1) applying fertilizers based on plant species need; (2) improving potting medium�s nutrient holding capacity using obscure mineral additives; (3) using controlled-release fertilizers; and (4) implementing zero runoff irrigation or fertigation delivery systems that significantly reduce nitrate leaching or runoff in containerized plant production and encourage dramatic changes in N management.
Megacities and the Environment
Authors: Decker Ethan H. , Elliott Scott , Smith Felisa A.
Published: March 2005

The world’s 25 largest cities comprise only 4% of the global population, but they have substantial impacts on the environment at multiple scales. Here we review what is known of the biogeochemistry of these megacities. Climatic, demographic, and economic data show no patterns across cities, save that wealthier cities have lower growth rates. The flows of water, fuels, construction materials, and food are examined where data are available. Water, which by mass dwarfs the other inputs, is not retained in urban systems, whereas construction materials and food predominate in the urban infrastructure and the waste stream. Fuels are transformed into chemical wastes that have the most far-reaching and global impacts. The effects of megacity resource consumption on geologic, hydrologic, atmospheric, and ecological processes are explored at local, regional, and global scales. We put forth the concepts of urban metabolism and urban succession as organizing concepts for data collection, analysis, and synthesis on urban systems. We conclude that megacities are not the final stage of urban evolution; rather, the climax of urban development will occur at a global scale when human society is at steady state with resource supply rates.
Lysophospholipid Growth Factors and Their G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Immunity, Coronary Artery Disease, and Cancer
Authors: Goetzl Edward J. , Graeler Markus , Huang Mei-Chuan , Shankar Geetha
Published: March 2005

The physiological lysophospholipids (LPLs), exemplified by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), are omnific mediators of normal cellular proliferation, survival, and functions. Although both LPA and S1P attain micromolar concentrations in many biological fluids, numerous aspects of their biosynthesis, transport, and metabolic degradation are unknown. Eight members of a new subfamily of G protein-coupled LPA/S1P receptors, originally termed Edg Rs, bind either LPA or S1P with high affinity and transduce a series of growth-related and/or cytoskeleton-based functional responses. The most critical areas of LPL biology and pathobiology are neural development and neurodegeneration, immunity, atherosclerosis and myocardial injury, and cancer. Data from analyses of T cells established two basic points: (1) the plasticity and adaptability of expression of LPA/S1P Rs by some cells as a function of activation, and (2) the role of opposing signals from two different receptors for the same ligand as a mechanism for fine control of effects of LPLs. In the heart, LPLs may promote coronary atherosclerosis, but are effectively cytoprotective for hypoxic cardiac myocytes and those exposed to oxygen free radicals. The findings of production of LPA by some types of tumor cells, overexpression of selected sets of LPA receptors by the same tumor cells, and augmentation of the effects of protein growth factors by LPA have suggested pathogenetic roles for the LPLs in cancer. The breadth of physiologic and pathologic activities of LPLs emphasizes the importance of developing bioavailable nonlipid agonists and antagonists of the LPA/S1P receptors for diverse therapeutic applications.
Piscivores, Trophic Cascades, and Lake Management
Authors: Drenner Ray W. , Hambright Ray K. David
Published: March 2005

The concept of cascading trophic interactions predicts that an increase in piscivore biomass in lakes will result in decreased planktivorous fish biomass, increased herbivorous zooplankton biomass, and decreased phytoplankton biomass. Though often accepted as a paradigm in the ecological literature and adopted by lake managers as a basis for lake management strategies, the trophic cascading interactions hypothesis has not received the unequivocal support (in the form of rigorous experimental testing) that might be expected of a paradigm. Here we review field experiments and surveys, testing the hypothesis that effects of increasing piscivore biomass will cascade down through the food web yielding a decline in phytoplankton biomass. We found 39 studies in the scientific literature examining piscivore effects on phytoplankton biomass. Of the studies, 22 were confounded by supplemental manipulations (e.g., simultaneous reduction of nutrients or removal of planktivores) and could not be used to assess piscivore effects. Of the 17 nonconfounded studies, most did not find piscivore effects on phytoplankton biomass and therefore did not support the trophic cascading interactions hypothesis. However, the trophic cascading interactions hypothesis also predicts that lake systems containing piscivores will have lower phytoplankton biomass for any given phosphorus concentration. Based on regression analyses of chlorophyll�total phosphorus relationships in the 17 nonconfounded piscivore studies, this aspect of the trophic cascading interactions hypothesis was supported. The slope of the chlorophyll vs. total phosphorus regression was lower in lakes with planktivores and piscivores compared with lakes containing only planktivores but no piscivores. We hypothesize that this slope can be used as an indicator of “functional piscivory” and that communities with extremes of functional piscivory (zero and very high) represent classical 3- and 4-trophic level food webs.
Sediment Remediation for Ecosystem in Eutrophic Lakes
Authors: Amano Y. , Taki K. , Murakami K. , Ishii T. , Matsushima H.
Published: March 2005

The remediation method — namely, a hybrid system combined with DAF and CRM — is studied in this paper for the size reduction of aqua-ecological circulation and for the elution control in lakes. Results show that two effects on water quality purification, the sediment washout effect and the elution control effect, can be induced by this system, and the biota inhabiting the lake is therefore shifted into an oligotrophic aspect, from blue algae to green algae and/or diatoms.
Community Structure of Terrestrial Invertebrates Inhabiting a Tidal Marsh Islet in the Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia)
Authors: Colombini I. , Chelazzi L. , Fallaci M.
Published: March 2005

The composition of the terrestrial arthropod community of a tidal marsh islet in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) was studied during two seasons (spring, autumn). The study was conducted on a small islet located in an area where the highest tidal excursions of the Mediterranean occur. Standard trapping methods (pitfall traps, mobile cages) were used to evaluate specie richness and abundance in different areas of the islet. Diversity indices were calculated for coleopterans and isopods alone. The structure of the arthropod community varied a great deal from one season to the other and differences were found when seaward areas were compared with landward ones. El Bessila presented a particularly rich beetle community whereas only few isopod species occurred. The moderately high diversity levels found for the beetle indicate the influence of the high tidal excursions in modelling the structure of the community.
Individual-Based Modelling Potentials and Limitations
Authors: Breckling Broder
Published: March 2005

Individual-based modelling (IBM) is an important option in ecology for the study of specific properties of complex ecological interaction networks. The main application of this model type is the analysis of population characteristics at high resolution. IBM also contributes to the advancement of ecological theory. One of the remarkable potentials of the approach is the possibility of studying self-organization and emergent properties that arise from individual actions on higher integration levels, especially on the population level.

This review outlines the background and different application fields of individual-based models together with a short description of the technical implications of model setup. The limitations of this modelling approach result from the technical basis of model construction, which can handle a limited number of active entities only. Limits in biological knowledge also restrict the application of this model type. The paper presents some individual-based models that have been developed for different purposes and briefly discusses these models. Concerning the perspective of IBM, a coincidence with developments in artificial life research is explained. IBM shifts the focus of ecological analysis of dynamic systems from structurally fixed settings to the analysis of self-organizing interaction patterns that are variable in quantity and quality.
Defining “Adverse Environmental Impact” and Making § 316(b) Decisions: A Fisheries Management Approach
Authors: Bailey David E. , Bulleit Kristy A.N.
Published: March 2005

The electric utility industry has developed an approach for decisionmaking that includes a definition of Adverse Environmental Impact (AEI) and an implementation process. The definition of AEI is based on lessons from fishery management science and analysis of the statutory term “adverse environmental impact” and is consistent with current natural resource management policy. The industry has proposed a definition focusing on “unacceptable risk to the population’s ability to sustain itself, to support reasonably anticipated commercial or recreational harvests, or to perform its normal ecological function.” This definition focuses not on counting individual fish or eggs cropped by the various uses of a water body, but on preserving populations of aquatic organisms and their functions in the aquatic community. The definition recognizes that assessment of AEI should be site-specific and requires both a biological decision and a balancing of diverse societal values. The industry believes that the definition of AEI should be implemented in a process that will maximize the overall societal benefit of the § 316(b) decision by considering the facility’s physical location, design, and operation, as well as the local biology. The approach considers effects on affected fish and shellfish populations and the benefits of any necessary best technology available (BTA) alternatives. This is accomplished through consideration of population impacts, which conversely allows consideration of the benefits of any necessary BTA modifications. This in turn allows selection of BTAs that will protect potentially affected populations in a cost-effective manner. The process also employs risk assessment with stakeholder participation, in accordance with EPA’s Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment. The information and tools are now available to make informed decisions about site-specific impacts that will ensure protection of aquatic ecosystems and best serve the public interest.
A Decontamination Process to Remove Metals and Stabilise Montreal Sewage Sludge
Authors: Mercier G. , Blais J.F. , Hammy F. , Lounes M. , Sasseville J.L.
Published: March 2005

The Montreal Urban Community (MUC) treatment plant produces approximately 270 tons of dry sludge daily (tds/day) during physicochemical wastewater treatment. The sludges are burned and contribute to the greenhouse effect by producing atmospheric CO2. Moreover, the sludge emanates a nauseating odour during its thermal stabilisation and retains unpleasant odours for the part (25%) that is dried and granulated. To solve this particular problem, the treatment plant authorities are currently evaluating an acidic chemical leaching (sulfuric or hydrochloric acid) process at a pH between 2 and 3, using an oxidizing agent such as ferric chloride or hydrogen peroxide (METIX-AC technology, patent pending; [20]). They could integrate it to a 70 tds/day granulated sludge production process. Verification of the application of METIX-AC technology was carried out in a pilot plant set up near the sludge production plant of the MUC. The tests showed that METIX-AC technology can be advantageously integrated to the process used at the MUC. The residual copper (274 ± 58 mg/kg) and cadmium (5.6 ± 2.9 mg/kg) concentrations in the treated sludge meet legislation standards. The results have also shown that odours have been significantly eliminated for the dewatered, decontaminated, and stabilized biosolids (> 97%) compared to the non-decontaminated biosolids. A high rate of odour elimination also was obtained for the liquid leached biosolids (> 93%), compared to the untreated liquid biosolids. The fertilising value (N and P) is well preserved by the METIX-AC process. Dissolved organic carbon measurements have showed that little organic matter is brought in solution during the treatment. In fact, the average concentration of dissolved organic carbon measured in the treated liquid phase is 966 ± 352 mg/l, whereas it is 1190 ± 325 mg/l in untreated sludge. The treated sludge was first conditioned with an organic polymer and a coagulant aid. It was successfully dewatered with various dehydration equipments (filter press, rotary press, centrifuge).
The Development of a Sub-Surface Monitoring System for Organic Contamination in Soils and Groundwater
Authors: Huntley Sharon L. , Ritchie Lawrence J. , Setford Steven J. , Saini Selwayan
Published: March 2005

A major problem when dealing with environmental contamination is the early detection and subsequent surveillance of the contamination. This paper describes the potential of sub-surface sensor technology for the early detection of organic contaminants in contaminated soils, sediments, and landfill sites. Rugged, low-power hydrocarbon sensors have been developed, along with a data-logging system, for the early detection of phase hydrocarbons in soil. Through laboratory-based evaluation, the ability of this system to monitor organic contamination in water-based systems is being evaluated. When used in conjunction with specific immunoassays, this can provide a sensitive and low-cost solution for long-term monitoring and analysis, applicable to a wide range of field applications.
Toxicity of Flare and Crude Hydrocarbon Mixtures
Authors: Cook Sonja V. , Chu Angus , Goodman Ron
Published: March 2005

The toxicity of whole, saturate, and aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures from flare pit and crude oil sources were evaluated usingLumbricus terrestris. Body burden analysis was used to analyze the intrinsic toxicity of the six hydrocarbon mixtures. The major fractions of the whole mixtures, the saturate, and aromatic fractions had different intrinsic toxicities; the aromatics were more toxic than the saturates. The toxicity of the saturate and aromatic fractions also differed between the mixtures. The flare saturate mixture was more toxic than the crude saturate mixture, while the crude aromatic mixture was more toxic than the flare aromatic mixture. The most dramatic difference in toxicity of the two sources was between the flare whole and crude whole mixtures. The crude whole mixture was very toxic; the toxicity of this mixture reflected the toxicity of the crude aromatic fraction. However, the flare whole mixture was not toxic, due to a lack of partitioning from the whole mixture into the lipid membrane of the exposed worms. This lack of partitioning appears to be related to the relatively high concentrations of asphaltenes and polar compounds in the flare pit whole mixture.
Toxicity of Single and Mixed Contaminants in Seawater Measured with Acute Toxicity Bioassays
Authors: Fernandez-Alba A.R. , Piedra L. , Mezcua M. , Hernando M.D.
Published: March 2005

Different types of organic pollutants commonly detected in seawater have been evaluated by acute toxicity bioassays. Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, and Selenastrum capricornotum were selected to test toxic effects of individual compounds and mixtures of these compounds, obtaining EC50values in the range of 0.001 to 28.9 mg/l. In the case of mixtures, synergistic toxic responses were seen for a clear majority of the cases (>60%). Mixtures containing methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) exhibit accelerated processes that result in a change in concentration required to produce a toxic effect; for example, in the case of mixtures containing MTBE and Diuron and Dichlofluanid.
Preparation of Preformed Iodixanol Gradients
Authors: Graham John
Published: March 2005

The Protocol Article describes the strategies for the formation of preformed discontinuous and continuous density gradients. Most of the techniques can be applied to the use of any gradient solute but some of the detailed recommendations on continuous gradients only apply to iodixanol gradients because of variations in viscosity and rates of diffusion between different solute types. Operational variations that require consideration when dealing with specific types of biological particle are also dealt with at the end of this Protocol Article.
Fructan Biosynthetic and Breakdown Enzymes in Dicots Evolved From Different Invertases. Expression of Fructan Genes Throughout Chicory Development
Authors: Van den Ende Wim , Michiels An , De Roover Joke , Van Laere Andrea
Published: March 2005

Fructans are fructose-based oligo- and polymers that serve as reserve carbohydrates in many plant species. The biochemistry of fructan biosynthesis in dicots has been resolved, and the respective cDNAs have been cloned. Recent progress has now succeeded in elucidating the biochemistry and molecular biology of fructan biodegradation in chicory, an economically important species used for commercial inulin extraction. Unlike fructan biosynthetic genes that originated from vacuolar-type invertase, fructan exohydrolases (FEHs) seem to have evolved from a cell-wall invertase ancestor gene that later obtained a low iso-electric point and a vacuolar targeting signal. Expression analysis reveals that fructan enzymes are controlled mainly at the transcriptional level. Using chicory as a model system, northern analysis was consistent with enzymatic activity measurements and observed carbohydrate changes throughout its development.
Using Attainment of the Designated Aquatic Life Use to Determine Adverse Environmental Impact
Authors: Seegert Greg
Published: March 2005

Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act requires that cooling-water intake structures (CWIS) use Best Technology Available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts (AEI). The U.S. EPA has not defined AEI, and there is no clear consensus regarding its definition. Nonetheless, operational definitions are necessary to evaluate design alternatives and to measure the success of mitigative measures. Rather than having to develop measures of aquatic health that are highly site-specific, controversial, and often unlikely to elicit agreement from all sides of the environmental “fence”, it may be more productive to use existing ecological assessment tools. Aquatic Life Uses (ALU) already provide a regulatory framework to assess the quality (health) of the aquatic community in various habitats (e.g., warmwater habitat, exceptional warmwater habitat). Attainment of the ALU indicates that further point source controls are unnecessary, whereas nonattainment indicates that those pollutants or stressors causing the nonattainment must be reduced. A similar approach for existing water intakes is recommended. That is, attainment of the designated ALU will be taken as an indication that there is no AEI. Although attainment of the ALU may not be a foolproof indicator of a lack of AEI, this approach seems more reasonable that using scarce monetary resources to fix problems that likely do not exist, or having both regulators and the regulated community expend their resources debating whether various observed biological responses do or do not constitute AEI.
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry at Arizona: Geochronology of the Climatic Record and Connections with the Ocean
Authors: Jull J.T. , Burr G.S. , Beck J.W. , Donahue D.J. , Biddulph D. , Hatheway A. L. , Lange T. E. , McHargue L. R.
Published: March 2005

There are many diverse uses of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS).14C studies at our laboratory include much research related to paleoclimate, with14C as a tracer of past changes in environmental conditions as observed in corals, marine sediments, and many terrestrial records. Terrestrial records can also show the influence of oceanic oscillations, whether they are short term, such as ENSO (El Niño/Southern Oscillation), or on the millennial time scale. In tracer applications, we have developed the use of129I as well as14C as tracers for nuclear pollution studies around radioactive waste dump sites, in collaboration with IAEA. We discuss some applications carried out in Tucson, AZ, for several of these fields and hope to give some idea of the breadth of these studies.
Vertical Distribution of Ozone and Nitrogenous Pollutants in an Air Quality Class I Area, the San Gorgonio Wilderness, Southern California
Authors: Alonso Rocio , Bytnerowicz Andrzej , Arbaugh Michael
Published: March 2005

Information about spatial and temporal distribution of air pollutants is essential for better understanding of environmental stresses affecting forests and estimation of potential risks associated with air pollutants. Ozone and nitrogenous air pollutants were monitored along an elevation gradient in the Class I San Gorgonio Wilderness area (San Bernardino Mountains, California, U.S.) during the summer of 2000 (mid-June to mid-October). Passive samplers were exposed for 2-week periods at six sampling sites located at 300 m intervals ranging from 1200 to 2700 m elevation. Elevated concentrations of ozone were found in this area with summer 24-h hourly means ranging from 53 to 59 ppb. The highest ozone concentrations were detected in the period July 25 to August 8, reaching values of 64 to 72 ppb expressed as 2-week mean. Passive-sampler ozone data did not show a clear relationship with elevation, although during the periods with higher ozone levels, ozone concentrations were higher at those sites below 2000 m than at sites located above that elevation. All nitrogenous pollutants studied showed a consistent decrease of concentrations with elevation. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were low, decreasing with increasing elevation from 6.4 to 1.5 ppb summer means. Nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were around 1 to 2 ppb, which is within the range of the detection levels of the devices used. Nitric acid (HNO3) vapor concentrations were lower at higher elevations (summer means 1.9 to 2.5 μg m-3) than at lower elevations (summer means 4.3 to 5.1 μg m-3). Summer concentrations of ammonia (NH3) were slightly higher than nitric acid ranging from 6 μg m-3at the lowest site to 2.5 μg m-3registered at the highest elevation. Since complex interactions between ozone and nitrogenous air pollutants have already been described for forests, simultaneous information about the distribution of these pollutants is needed. This is particularly important in mountain terrain where no reliable models of air pollutant distribution exist.
Separation of Membrane Vesicles and Cytosol from Yeast, Cultured Cells, and Bacteria in a Small Volume Self-Generated Gradient in a Fixed-Angle Rotor
Authors: Graham John
Published: March 2005

There are many situations when it is necessary to separate rapidly and efficiently a cytosolic and a membrane vesicle fraction from yeast, cultured cells, or from bacteria. This Protocol Article describes the flotation of the vesicles through a self-generated gradient from a dense sample zone using the low-viscosity medium iodixanol. As the sample is exposed to the gmaxthe tendency of the proteins to sediment overcomes any diffusion in the opposite direction and are therefore completely separated from the vesicles.
Separation of Monocytes from Whole Human Blood
Authors: Graham John
Published: March 2005

Human peripheral blood monocytes are isolated by flotation from whole blood through a single low-density barrier prepared from OptiPrep™ at 4°C. The separation from lymphocytes depends on the more rapid rate of flotation of the monocytes because of their slightly lower density and larger size. The method works optimally only with fresh (within 2 h of drawing) EDTA-anticoagulated blood. Preliminary evidence suggests that this technique may be applicable to blood from rats.
Purification of Parietal and Chief Cells from the Gastric Mucosa
Authors: Graham John
Published: March 2005

Acid-secreting parietal cells from the gastric mucosa are widely studied as a model in studies on ion transport. A discontinuous gradient of iodixanol has been found to be superior to earlier protocols using Nycodenz® and this method, which removes a significant amount of contaminating cells and mucus is a very useful prelude to further purification by elutriation.
Morphogenesis of the Metanephric Kidney
Authors: Davies Jamie A.
Published: March 2005

The metanephric (permanent) kidney of the mouse is an exceptionally well-studied example of organ development. Its morphogenesis begins on the meeting of two tissues, the epithelial ureteric bud and the metanephrogenic mesenchyme; a series of signalling events between these tissues and their successors organizes the organ as it grows and matures. Many of the signals have been identified at the molecular level. They include GDNF, neurturin, persephin, HGF, BMP-2, BMP-7, FGF-10, activin, and TGFβ (all of which control development of the ureteric bud); TGFα, TIMP-2, BMP-4, and BMP7 (all of which control development of the mesenchyme); LIF, FGF-2, TGFβ, Wnt-4, sFrp, Notch, and Jagged (all of which control nephron development); and VEGF (which controls vascularization). Many of these signals are arranged in feedback loops, so that cells entering one developmental pathway signal back to ensure that other cells are more likely to enter alternative pathways, and thus keep the relative proportions and positions of different renal tissues in balance.
Induction of 1-FEH in Mature Chicory Roots Appears to be Related to Low Temperatures Rather than to Leaf Damage
Authors: Van den Ende W. , Van Laere A.
Published: March 2005

Large-scale inulin production from chicory roots (Cichorium intybus L.) is hampered by the induction of 1-FEH activity (fructan 1-exohydrolase) and concomitant fructose production in autumn, coincident with a period with low night temperatures that cause leaf damage. To understand whether leaf damage per se is sufficient for 1-FEH induction and fructan breakdown, we defoliated mature chicory plants at a preharvest stage (September 10) and investigated the changes in carbohydrate levels and 1-FEH activities. Also, the activities of 1-SST (sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyl transferase, EC 2.4.1.99), 1-FFT (fructan:fructan 1-fructosyl transferase, EC 2.4.1.100), and acid invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) were determined. Defoliation did not result in a prompt fructan breakdown and increase in 1-FEH activity, but after 10 days fructan breakdown and 1-FEH activities became higher in the defoliated plants. Defoliation resulted in a sharp decrease in 1-SST activity over the first 24 h. Afterwards, root 1-SST activities of defoliated plants remained at a lower level than in control plants. 1-FFT and invertase activities were not affected by defoliation. It can be concluded that defoliation of plants at the preharvest stage by itself did not induce the same rapid changes as observed in naturally induced October roots by low temperature (harvest stage). Taken together with our finding that 1-FEH is not induced in chicory roots when plants are transferred to the greenhouse early autumn (minimal temperature 14°C), we conclude that low temperatures might be essential for 1-FEH induction.
Development of a Statistical Model for Estimating Spatial and Temporal Ambient Ozone Patterns in the Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Preisler Haiganoush K. , Arbaugh Michael J. , Bytnerowicz Andrzej , Schilling Susan L.
Published: March 2005

Statistical approaches for modeling spatially and temporally explicit data are discussed for 79 passive sampler sites and 9 active monitors distributed across the Sierra Nevada, California. A generalized additive regression model was used to estimate spatial patterns and relationships between predicted ozone exposure and explanatory variables, and to predict exposure at nonmonitored sites. The fitted model was also used to estimate probability maps for season average ozone levels exceeding critical (or subcritical) levels in the Sierra Nevada region. The explanatory variables — elevation, maximum daily temperature, and precipitation and ozone level at closest active monitor — were significant in the model. There was also a significant mostly east-west spatial trend. The between-site variability had the same magnitude as the error variability. This seems to indicate that there still exist important site features not captured by the variables used in the analysis and that may improve the accuracy of the predictive model in future studies. The fitted model using robust techniques had an overall R2 value of 0.58. The mean standard deviation for a predicted value was 6.68 ppb.
Asymmetric Cell Kinetics Genes: The Key to Expansion of Adult Stem Cells in Culture
Authors: Sherley James L.
Published: March 2005

A singular challenge in stem cell research today is the expansion and propagation of functional adult stem cells. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are immortal in culture, adult stem cells are notorious for the difficulty encountered when attempts are made to expand them in culture. One overlooked reason for this difficulty may be the inherent asymmetric cell kinetics of stem cells in postnatal somatic tissues. Senescence is the expected fate of a culture whose growth depends on adult stem cells that divide with asymmetric cell kinetics. Therefore, the bioengineering of strategies to expand adult stem cells in culture requires knowledge of cellular mechanisms that control asymmetric cell kinetics. The properties of several genes recently implicated to function in a cellular pathway(s) that regulates asymmetric cell kinetics are discussed. Understanding the function of these genes in asymmetric cell kinetics mechanisms may be the key that unlocks the adult stem cell expansion problem.
Conference Report: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Beginners – A Review of the fMRI Experience IV, 13–14 May 2002, Natcher Conference Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Authors: Caggiano Daniel , Joffily Mateus
Published: March 2005

The fourth fMRI Experience meeting was held at the Bethesda, Maryland campus of the National Institutes of Health on May 13thand 14th, 2002. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a platform for students working with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to present their research to an international audience of peers. This year’s meeting featured special lectures from Dr. Leslie Ungerleider (“Imaging Mechanisms of Visual Attention”) and Dr. Daniel Weinberger (“Genetic Variation and fMRI Response”).
Simulated Impacts of Juvenile Mortality on Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon Populations
Authors: Tate William B. , Allen Mike S.
Published: March 2005

We used an age-structured computer model to assess the impact of changes in juvenile mortality on the Gulf of Mexico sturgeon population in the Suwannee River, Florida. We simulated population trends under four levels of annual juvenile mortality (20, 25, 30, and 35%). As the rate of mortality increased, population size decreased, and rates of population growth shifted from positive to negative. Our models indicated that juvenile survival is important to the success of gulf sturgeon populations, and mortality estimates are needed to predict population viability. We suggest that life history studies in estuaries should be conducted, and bycatch rates for commercial fisheries should be quantified to aid in the management and conservation of gulf sturgeon.
Structural Predestination of Individual Diversity in the Course and Severity of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Rumyantsev Sergey N.
Published: March 2005

Infectious diseases can be manifested by a spectrum of clinical signs and resultant clinical courses that range from acute to chronic and possible persistence in the victim in a latent form. Until recently, the origins of this kind of biodiversity were poorly understood, but advances in immunology — especially in identifying the constitutional mechanisms of immunity — have contributed to our understanding of the origins of biodiversity in infectious diseases. Infectious diseases affect only focal areas in the affected organisms, and the amounts and distribution of infectious lesions vary from patient to patient. In a population attacked by an infectious agent, individuals can be conveniently divided into three categories: totally resistant organisms which contain no susceptible structures and are not affected; mildly susceptible organisms in which a few foci appear and in which the infection runs a benign course; organisms in which the number of constitutionally susceptible structures is high and the infectious process develops in a severe form. The diversity is determined by the differences in susceptibility of various parts of the organism under consideration.
Dermoid Cyst of the Floor of the Mouth
Authors: Lima Sergio M. , Chrcanovic Bruno R. , de Paula Alfredo M.B. , Freire-Maia Belini , Souza Leandro N.
Published: March 2005

Dermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth are rare lesions thought to be caused by entrapment of germinal epithelium during the closure of the mandibular and hyoid branchial arches. They usually present as a nonpainful swelling. This type of lesion occurs more frequently in patients between 15 and 35 years, but can be seen in all age ranges. Histologically, all dermoids are lined by epidermis. The contents of the cyst lining determine the histological categories of the cyst: epidermoid, if epidermis is lining the cyst; dermoid, if skin annexes exist; or teratoid, if there are tissues derivated from the three germinal layers. Anatomical classification is useful for surgical approach choice, intra- or extraorally. This report presents a case of a dermoid cyst of the floor of the mouth in a 12-year-old patient, and a review of all steps necessary for its diagnosis and treatment was made.
Oil Production and Groundwater Quality in the Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer, Texas
Authors: Hudak Paul F.
Published: March 2005

Chloride concentrations and chloride/bromide ratios from 198 water wells in the Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer were compiled, mapped, and evaluated within the context of regional geology and land use. The study area occupies eight counties in west-central Texas, within which oil production and agriculture are predominant land uses. Samples from 49 wells had chloride concentrations above the 250 mg/l secondary drinking water standard, 22 samples had greater than 500 mg/l chloride, and 9 samples exceeded 1000 mg/l chloride. Of the 22 samples above 500 mg/l chloride, 10 had relatively low chloride/bromide ratios of less than 300, consistent with oilfield brine, and 2 had ratios above 2000, consistent with groundwater impacted by evaporite dissolution. The remaining ten samples had chloride/bromide ratios ranging from 300 to 2000, consistent with partial mixing of unimpaired groundwater with evaporite-laden water. There were no significant correlations between chloride concentration and well depth, inconsistent with contaminants originating at the land surface. Results of this study suggest that evaporite dissolution and oilfield brine locally impact the Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer, but the problem is not regionally pervasive.
The Life Mission Theory III. Theory of Talent
Authors: Ventegodt Soren , Andersen Niels Jorgen , Merrick Joav
Published: March 2005

When we acknowledge our purpose as the essence of our self, when we take all our power into use in an effortless way, and when we fully accept our own nature — including sex and sexuality, our purpose of life takes the form of a unique talent. Using this talent gives the experience of happiness. A person in his natural state of being uses his core talent in a conscious, joyful, and effortless way, contributing to the world the best he or she has to offer. Full expression of self happens when a person, in full acceptance of body and life, with whole-hearted intension, uses all his personal powers to realize his core talent and all associated talents, to contribute to his beloved and to the world. Thus, self-actualisation is a result of a person fully expressing and realizing his core talent.The theory of talent states that a core talent can be expressed optimally when a human being takes possession of a three-dimensional space with the axis of purpose, power and gender, as we have a threefold need: 1-Acknowledging our core talent (our purpose of life) and intending it 2-Understanding our potential powers and manifesting them 3-Accepting our human form including our sex and expressing itThe first dimension is spiritual, the next dimension is mental, emotional and physical, and the third dimension is bodily and sexual. We manifest our talents in a giving movement from the bottom of our soul trough our biological nature onto the subject and object of the outer world. These three dimensions can be drawn as three axes, one saggital axis called purpose or love or me-you, one vertical axis called power or consciousness (light) or heaven-earth, and one horizontal axis called gender or joy or male-female. The three core dimensions of human existence are considered of equal importance for expression of our life purpose, life mission, or core talent. Each of the dimensions is connected to special needs. When these needs are not fulfilled, we suffer and if this suffering becomes unbearable we deny the dimension or a part of is. This is why the dimensions of purpose, power and gender become suppressed from our consciousness.
Sustainable Development of the Cement Industry and Blended Cements to Meet Ecological Challenges
Authors: Sobolev Konstantin
Published: March 2005

The world production of cement has greatly increased in the past 10 years. This trend is the most significant factor affecting technological development and the updating of manufacturing facilities in the cement industry. Existing technology for the production of cement clinker is ecologically damaging; it consumes much energy and natural resources and also emits pollutants. A new approach to the production of blended or high-volume mineral additive (HVMA) cement helps to improve its ecological compatibility. HVMA cement technology is based on the intergrinding of portland cement clinker, gypsum, mineral additives, and a special complex admixture. This new method increases the compressive strength of ordinary cement, improves durability of the cement-based materials, and - at the same time - uses inexpensive natural mineral additives or industrial by-products. This improvement leads to a reduction of energy consumption per unit of the cement produced. Higher strength, better durability, reduction of pollution at the clinker production stage, and decrease of landfill area occupied by industrial by-products, all provide ecological advantages for HVMA cement.
Global Warming: The Balance of Evidence and Its Policy Implications
Authors: Keller Charles
Published: March 2005

Global warming and attendant climate change have been controversial for at least a decade. This is largely because of its societal implications. With the recent publication of the Third Assessment Report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change there has been renewed interest and controversy about how certain the scientific community is of its conclusions: that humans are influencing the climate and that global temperatures will continue to rise rapidly in this century. This review attempts to update what is known and in particular what advances have been made in the past 5 years or so. It does not attempt to be comprehensive. Rather it focuses on the most controversial issues, which are actually few in number. They are: 1-Is the surface temperature record accurate or is it biased by heat from cities, etc.? 2-Is that record significantly different from past warmings such as the Medieval Warming Period? 3-Is not the sun’s increasing activity the cause of most of the warming? 4-Can we model climate and predict its future, or is it just too complex and chaotic? 5-Are there any other changes in climate other than warming, and can they be attributed to the warming?Despite continued uncertainties, the review finds affirmative answers to these questions. Of particular interest are advances that seem to explain why satellites do not see as much warming as surface instruments, how we are getting a good idea of recent paleoclimates, and why the 20thcentury temperature record was so complex. It makes the point that in each area new information could come to light that would change our thinking on the quantitative magnitude and timing of anthropogenic warming, but it is unlikely to alter the basic conclusions.Finally, there is a very brief discussion of the societal policy response to the scientific message, and the author comments on his 2-year email discussions with many of the world’s most outspoken critics of the anthropogenic warming hypothesis.
Quality of Life as Medicine. II. A Pilot Study of a Five-Day �Quality of Life and Health� Cure for Patients with Alcoholism
Authors: Ventegodt Soren , Merrick Joav , Andersen Niels Jorgen
Published: March 2005

Alcoholism can be understood as a self-treatment for existential pain. A 5-day treatment was designed to relieve this psychological pain and existential anxiety, and thereby diminish the need for self-treatment with alcohol. The basic principle behind the treatment was holistic, restoring the quality of life (QOL) and relationship with self, which according to the life mission theory happens when life-denying views are corrected and inner emotional conflicts are solved. The method in this treatment was a course with teachings in philosophy of life, psychotherapy, and body therapy. The synergy attained was considerable and the outcome demonstrates that in the course of 1 week, people have time to revise essential life-denying views and to integrate important, unfinished life events involving negative feelings. This was demonstrated by an improved QOL and a decrease in their dependency and need for alcohol abuse. In the week before, after the 5-day course, and again after 1 and 3 months, the 16 participants completed the SEQOL questionnaire on QOL and health. This was a pilot study based on a pre-experimental design, without a control group and without clinical control. Common for the group were a low QOL, numerous health problems, and alcohol dependency in spite of treatment with Antabus� (disulfiram). The study showed an increase in QOL from 57.6% before the course to 69.4% 3 months after the course, or an improvement in QOL of 11.8%. There was a 24.0% improvement in self-perceived mental health, and satisfaction with health in general was improved by 11.1%. The total sum of health symptoms in the group was reduced from 59% of maximum to 33%. It is concluded that for this small and motivated group with alcohol problems, it was possible to improve QOL and health in only 5 days with a holistic treatment that combined philosophy of life, psychotherapy, and body therapy, but the results are not final. Further research is needed.
Measurement of Quality of Life VI. Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALY) is an Unfortunate Use of the Quality-of-Life Concept
Authors: Ventegodt Soren , Merrick Joav , Andersen Niels Jorgen
Published: March 2005

The QALY (quality-adjusted life years) attempts to incorporate the dimension of quality of life into the evaluation by adjusting life years by a quality factor. In practice, this is based on discussing with people the progression of a number of hypothetical illnesses and their ensuing side effects. From this information, the person assesses how each state of health described compares with a theoretical maximum state of health. For example, 1 day with a certain condition might the equivalent of living only 0.5 days in good health.We believe that QALY value only represents a superficial impression of a person's quality of life. In short, the QALY does not express what it means for a person to live a life at reduced quality. We believe that if the patients were optimally informed and allowed to decide for themselves, they would more often reject high-tech expensive biomedical treatments that only serve to prolong life and do not increase its quality. The problem of priorities may then turn out to be far more simple and also more ethical: the focus will be on the quality of life, not on QALY, and the question of the meaning of life and death will achieve greater openness and respect.
Quality of Life Theory II. Quality of Life as the Realization of Life Potential: A Biological Theory of Human Being
Authors: Ventegodt Soren , Merrick Joav , Andersen Niels Jorgen
Published: March 2005

This review presents one of the eight theories of the quality of life (QOL) used for making the SEQOL (self-evaluation of quality of life) questionnaire or the quality of life as realizing life potential. This theory is strongly inspired by Maslow and the review furthermore serves as an example on how to fulfill the demand for an overall theory of life (or philosophy of life), which we believe is necessary for global and generic quality-of-life research.Whereas traditional medical science has often been inspired by mechanical models in its attempts to understand human beings, this theory takes an explicitly biological starting point. The purpose is to take a close view of life as a unique entity, which mechanical models are unable to do. This means that things considered to be beyond the individual's purely biological nature, notably the quality of life, meaning in life, and aspirations in life, are included under this wider, biological treatise. Our interpretation of the nature of all living matter is intended as an alternative to medical mechanism, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. New ideas such as the notions of the human being as nestled in an evolutionary and ecological context, the spontaneous tendency of self-organizing systems for realization and concord, and the central role of consciousness in interpreting, planning, and expressing human reality are unavoidable today in attempts to scientifically understand all living matter, including human life.