bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity to azoxystrobin in Didymella bryoniae isolates collected before and after field use of strobilurin fungicides
Authors: Keinath Anthony P 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Isolates of Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm, causal agent of gummy stem blight on cucurbits, developed insensitivity to azoxystrobin in the eastern United States 2 years after first commercial use in 1998. Baseline sensitivity of this fungus to azoxystrobin has never been reported. The objectives were to compare baseline sensitivities of D. bryoniae from South Carolina and other locations to sensitivities of isolates exposed to azoxystrobin for one or more seasons, and to compare sensitivity in vitro and in vivo.RESULTS: Sixty‐one isolates of D. bryoniae collected before 1998 were sensitive. Median EC50 was 0.055 mg L−1 azoxystrobin (range 0.005 to 0.81). Forty isolates collected after exposure during 1998 also were sensitive. Fifty‐three of 64 isolates collected in South and North Carolina between 2000 and 2006 were insensitive to 10 mg L−1 azoxystrobin. Sensitive and insensitive isolates were distinguished by disease severity on Cucumis melo L. seedlings treated with azoxystrobin (20 or 200 mg L−1).CONCLUSIONS: An azoxystrobin baseline sensitivity distribution was established in vitro for isolates of D. bryoniae never exposed to strobilurins. Baseline values were comparable with those of other ascomycetes. Insensitive isolates were found in fields with a history of strobilurin applications. An in vivo method distinguished sensitive and insensitive isolates. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) cadherin fragments function as synergists for Cry1A and Cry1C Bacillus thuringiensis toxins against noctuid moths Helicoverpa zea, Agrotis ipsilon and Spodoptera exigua
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Amir F , Moussa Saad , Taylor Milton D , Adang Michael J 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Specific Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins are effective against a narrow spectrum of species. While specificity is an advantage for limiting adverse effects on non‐target organisms, it is also the primary drawback of Bt's application for controlling multiple pest species in agriculture, forestry and other areas. Recently, it was reported that a small toxin‐binding fragment of Manduca sexta (Joh.) cadherin acts as a synergist of Bt toxins to M. sexta, Heliothis virescens F. and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). These insects are quite susceptible to the Cry1A toxins. The first aim of the present study was to determine if longer‐sized fragments of M. sexta cadherin differed in the level of toxin enhancement. The second aim was to examine enhancement of Bt toxins against relatively Bt‐tolerant insects Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) and Spodoptera exigua (Hübner).RESULTS: Cadherin fragments longer than previously reported had improved synergistic properties. Significant enhancement of Bt Cry1A toxins against A. ipsilon and S. exigua was found. A cadherin fragment also increased Cry1C toxicity to S. exigua.CONCLUSIONS: The commercial development of this synergist has the potential to widen the spectrum of Bt toxicity to other important agricultural lepidopteran insect pests and thus increase its usefulness in agriculture. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of sputtering current on the bonding structure and mechanical properties of diamond‐like carbon films deposited by MFPUMST
Authors: Dai H.Y. , Jiang H. , Zhan C.Y. , Huang N.K. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDiamond‐like carbon (DLC) films on glass wafers were produced by middle frequency pulsed unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique (MFPUMST) at different sputtering current. The chemical bonding of carbon characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show that the sp3 fraction in DLC films increases with increasing sputtering current from 100 to 300 mA, and then decreases above 300 mA. Mechanical properties like nano‐hardness and elastic recovery for these films under different sputtering currents analyzed by a nano‐indentation technique show the same tendency that nano‐hardness and elastic recovery increase with increasing sputtering current from 100 to 300 mA, and then decrease with increasing sputtering current from 300 to 400 mA. These results indicate that the sp3 fraction in the prepared DLC films is directly related to nano‐hardness and elastic recovery. The results shown above indicate that the parameter of the preparation—sputtering current has a strong influence on the bonding configuration of the deposited DLC films. The mechanism of sputtering current on the sp3 fraction is discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distributed virtual backbone construction in sensor networks with asymmetric links
Authors: Xiang Yingchang , Xing Kai , Cheng Wei , Park E. K. , Rotenstreich Shmuel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we study the problem of distributed virtual backbone construction in sensor networks, where the coverage area of nodes are disks with different radii. This problem is modeled by the construction of a minimum connected dominating set (MCDS) in geometric k‐disk graphs. We derive the size relationship of any maximal independent set (MIS) and MCDS in geometric k‐disk graphs, and apply it to analyze the performances of two distributed connected dominating set (CDS) algorithms we propose in this paper. These algorithms have bounded performance ratio and low communication overhead. To the best of our knowledge, the results reported in this paper represent the state‐of‐the‐art. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy‐constrained mobile sensor with motion plans for monitoring stochastic events
Authors: Chen Jiming , He Shibo , Sun Youxian 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWith the development of robotics and embedded system, utilizing mobile sensors to capture stochastic events is emerging as a promising method to monitor a region of interest (RoI). In previous work, the quality of monitoring (QoM) is evaluated based on the stochastic events capture without taking the energy of motion into consideration. Since sensor nodes are normally constrained by limited energy capability, it is desirable to guide the mobile sensor in an energy‐efficient motion to capture events information. In this paper, by analyzing the different kinds of surveillance that may result in different required QoM, we obtain the expected Information captured Per unit of Energy consumption (IPE), which is a function with multiple parameters including the event type, the event dynamics, and the velocity of the mobile sensor. Our analysis is based on a realistic energy model of motion, and can achieve suboptimal motion plans by adopting existing typical approximation algorithm, and thus enable the sensor velocity to be optimized for capturing stochastic events information. We propose approximation algorithms to enable the tradeoff between the computation and efficiency, which make motion plans more practical in some realistic scenarios. The efficiency and effectiveness of proposed algorithm are validated by the extensive simulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution microanalysis of suspended particulate matter using a transition edge sensor microcalorimeter x‐ray spectrometer
Authors: Li Qinghui , Suzuki Rina , Ono Yuki , Nakai Izumi , Tanaka Keiichi , Nakayama Satoshi , Takahashi Haruo 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSuspended particulate matter (SPM) collected in the urban area of Tokyo was analyzed using a transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter x‐ray detector mounted on a FE‐SEM system. This prototype microcalorimeter spectrometer with an energy resolution of 19 eV identified some severe peak overlaps in the spectra measured by the traditional Si(Li) solid state detector, including S Kα with Pb Mα, Zn Lα with Na Kα, and Ti Kα with Ba Lα. In addition, the TES microcalorimeter showed good spatial resolution for the microanalysis of SPM. The focused ion beam(FIB) was successfully applied to fabricate a cross section of a single SPM particle. The chemical compositonal difference between surface and inner parts, and among different surface parts of the SPM was also determined. Through combination of the FIB technique and the TES microcalorimeter, we achieved a better understanding of the SPM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of thermoresponsive methylcellulose thin film: x‐ray reflectivity study
Authors: Innis‐Samson Vallerie Ann , Sakurai Kenji 
Published: June 2009

AbstractMethylcellulose (MC), a thermoreversible polymer, was fabricated as thin films into silicon substrates and characterized by x‐ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements for its stability with time and heating. XRR data from the as‐is thin films showed good agreement with the single‐layer model on top of a substrate from Parratt's formalism. Data fitting showed that the density of the thin films is slightly higher than the reported value by manufacturers. Interface roughness values indicate good wetting of the polymer onto the substrate. Heating the thin films at the phase transition temperatures and quenching them to room temperature showed no significant changes in the thin film parameters before and after heating. This showed the thermal stability and/or thermoreversibility of the film. Diffuse scattering measurements also showed no significant changes in the lateral structure of the film with heating and quenching. XRR measurements done on fabricated thin films stored for a month showed a slight increase in the film thickness which could be due to the hygroscopic nature of the polymer. Vacuum heating of the stored thin films at 100 °C for 1 h slightly decreased the thickness, but it has been found that other parameters such as density and surface/interface roughness show good thermal stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray fluorescence analysis of Cr, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb in soil using pressed powder pellet and loose powder methods
Authors: Shibata Yasuhiro , Suyama Junnosuke , Kitano Masaru , Nakamura Toshihiro 
Published: June 2009

AbstractQuantitative analyses of Cr, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb in soil were performed using wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry with pressed powder pellet and loose powder methods. Standard soil samples containing hazardous metals were prepared by adding appropriate amounts of aqueous standards to base soils and then drying and homogenizing them. Base soil powders ground to less than 12.5 µm of modal particle size were Tachikawa loam, brown forest soil, and weathered granite containing 17.9, 9.43, and 3.49 mass% of Fe2O3, respectively. Analytical lines were CrKα, AsKα, SeKα, CdKα, HgLα, and PbLβ, with accompanying corrections for overlapping of SeKβ to PbLβ and PbLα to AsKα. Specimens for XRF analysis were prepared using powder pellets pressed to 23 mm internal diameter of an Al ring with 300 kgf cm−2, and loose powder in a 31 mm internal diameter polyethylene cup covered with 6‐µm thickness of polypropylene film. Calibration curves drawn using the proposed standards showed good linearity under 3000 mg kg−1 for the five metals, and 300 mg kg−1 for Hg. Corrections with Compton scattering for AsKα, SeKα, CdKα, HgLα, and PbLβ, and with background scattering for CrKα were effective and produced identical inclinations of calibration curves. CdKα having larger critical depth in the loose powder specimen showed merely smaller inclination of calibration curve than that of the pressed powder specimen because of optical shading. The spike test for five analytes showed good recovery for gravel soil and pumice soil. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disease‐Free Survival and Prognostic Significance of Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio in T1‐T2 N Positive Breast Cancer Patients. A Population Registry‐Based Study in a European Country
Authors: Martinez‐Ramos David , Escrig‐Sos Javier , Alcalde‐Sanchez Miguel , Torrella‐Ramos Ana , Salvador‐Sanchis Jose Luis 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe ratio of positive lymph nodes between the total number of harvested lymph nodes (metastatic lymph node ratio, MLNR) has been proposed as an alternative to the total number of lymph nodes alone in predicting outcomes for patients with breast cancer. Because there can be differences between European and non‐European populations, the authors present the first study analyzing MLNR influence over disease‐free survival (DFS) by using a population‐based cancer registry in a European country.MethodsData from 441 patients with T1‐2 N1‐3 breast cancer included in the Castellon Cancer Registry (Comunidad Valenciana, Spain) were used. Cumulative DFS was determined using the Kaplan‐Meier method, with univariate comparisons between groups through the log‐rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.ResultsAt univariate analysis, factors influencing the 10‐year DFS rate were tumor size, conservative or nonconservative surgery, histologic grade, histologic type, radiotherapy, tamoxifen, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, p53 status, total number of positive lymph nodes, and MLNR. At multivariate analysis, tumor size, MLNR, and progesterone receptor status were revealed to be independent prognostic factors; the metastatic lymph node ratio was the most notably independent factor (hazard ratio 1.02, 5.21, and 0.61, respectively).ConclusionsMLNR is a stronger prognostic factor for recurrence than the total number of positive lymph nodes in T1‐T2 N1‐3 breast cancer.
Oncologic Outcome of Intersphincteric Resection for Very Low Rectal Cancer
Authors: Saito Norio , Sugito Masanori , Ito Masaaki , Kobayashi Akihiro , Nishizawa Yusuke , Yoneyama Yasuo , Nishizawa Yuji , Minagawa Nozomi 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackgroundIn 2000 we launched a prospective program of intersphincteric resection (ISR) for very low rectal cancer. In this study we compared the oncologic outcome of patients who underwent ISR with the outcome of patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection (APR).MethodsThe data of 202 patients with very low rectal cancer who underwent curative ISR (n = 132) or curative APR (n = 70) between 1995 and 2006 were analyzed. Patients were divided into ISR and APR groups. Survival and local recurrence were investigated in both groups.ResultsThe median follow‐up was 40 months in the ISR group and 57 months in the APR group. The 5‐year local relapse‐free survival rate was 83% in the ISR group and 80% in the APR group (p = 0.364), and the 5‐year disease‐free survival rate was 69% in the ISR group and 63% in the APR group (p = 0.714).ConclusionsFor very low rectal cancers, ISR appears to be oncologically acceptable and can reduce the number of APRs.
Pattern of Lymph Node Involvement in Proximal Gastric Cancer
Authors: Ishikawa Shinji , Shimada Shinya , Miyanari Nobutomo , Hirota Masahiko , Takamori Hiroshi , Baba Hideo 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe operative methods for proximal gastric cancer differ depending on the institution, thus there is no optimal therapeutic strategy. A splenic hilum lymph node (No. 10) dissection is necessary for D2 operation for proximal gastric cancer, which means it requires splenectomy. However, unnecessary splenectomy should be avoided.MethodsA total of 127 proximal gastric cancer cases from our institution were studied retrospectively. In addition, 1,569 cases were collected from the literature and were used as pooled data for further analysis. All cases were examined for the depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis.ResultsA retrospective analysis revealed that proximal gastric cancer within submucosa (40 cases) had no N2 lymph node metastasis in our study. The 5‐year overall survival of all cases was 25.2% and the disease‐free survival was 23.6%. From the pooled data analysis, No. 10 lymph node metastasis was observed in 0.9% of the patients with submucosa proximal gastric cancer. Furthermore, there was no No. 4d lymph node metastasis when the depth of cancer was limited to within the subserosa.ConclusionsAlthough a randomized, controlled trial concerning survival is necessary, according to this study, there is a possibility that limited resection might be accepted for proximal gastric cancer according to the depth of wall invasion.
Parents’ Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder Etiology and Recurrence Risk and Effects of their Perceptions on Family Planning: Recommendations for Genetic Counselors
Authors: Selkirk Christina G. , McCarthy Veach Patricia , Lian Fengqin , Schimmenti Lisa , LeRoy Bonnie S. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractKnowledge about the etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is increasing, but causes remain elusive for most cases. Genetic counselors are positioned to help families that have children with ASDs despite uncertainty regarding etiology. To determine how genetic counselors might best provide services, an anonymous survey was conducted with 255 parents whose children were diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Questions concerned: 1) their perceptions of ASD cause(s) and 2) recurrence risk, 3) whether perceived risk affected family planning decisions, 4) whether parents had received genetic services, and 5) how genetic counselors might assist families. The most prevalent perceived cause was genetic influences (72.6%). Most parents’ recurrence risk perceptions were inaccurately high and significantly affected family planning. Only 10% had seen a genetic professional related to an ASD. Parents provided several suggestions for genetic counselor best practices. Findings indicate the importance of genetic counselor awareness of parent perceptions in order to best help families who have children with ASDs.
Spatial distribution of bryophytes along a moisture gradient: an approach using photosynthetic pigments as indicators of stress
Authors: Spitale Daniel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHeight above water table in aquatic habitats has long been recognized as the key factor for determining the spatial structure of bryophyte assemblages. Using photosynthetic pigments as indicators of stress along a wet‐to‐dry gradient, I tested whether different habitat preferences were revealed. A field experiment was set up to obtain a semi‐natural hydrological gradient. The spatial distribution of species was quantified by determining the pigment content in natural assemblages and by applying the regression equations derived from the experimental manipulation. The species were able to move water in quantities that were statistically significantly different from each other, which was in agreement with the species characteristics and the colony architectures. Photosynthetic pigments responded in a complex way to the water gradient and, for each species, one or more stress indicators were reliable. A wide overlapping of spatial distribution exists in natural conditions, especially in complex habitats like springs. Although in this study a restricted selection of species has been examined, the method proposed to evaluate the theoretical height above water table is coherent with the broad spatial pattern observed. This approach may be particularly useful for understanding both the coexistence of similar species and the spatial distributions of bryophytes in spring habitats in relation to water stress tolerance.
Synthesis and Application of Perfluoroalkyl Quaternary Ammonium Salts in Protein‐Based Fire‐Fighting Foam Concentrates
Authors: Zaggia Alessandro , Conte Lino , Padoan Gennifer , Bertani Roberta 
Published: June 2009

AbstractNine perfluoroalkyl quaternary ammonium salts containing a perfluorinated tail were synthesized in order to evaluate their properties as additives in protein‐based fire‐fighting foam concentrates. They were obtained in high yield starting from (perfluoro‐n‐octyl)methyl oxirane via a two‐step reaction scheme. Their structures were identified by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Surface tension, interfacial tension, critical micellar concentration, and spreading coefficient of aqueous solutions of the synthesized compounds were first determined. Synthetic perfluoroalkyl quaternary ammonium salts were then added at reduced concentration (0.5 wt.%) to a commercial protein‐based fire‐fighting foam concentrate and their effects on foam spreading properties were further investigated via five specific laboratory tests: sealing time test, burn back time test, foam expansion test, drain time test, and foam flowing test. Results showed that the perfluoroalkyl quaternary ammonium salts strongly influence surface and extinguishing properties of protein‐based fire‐fighting foam concentrates, producing stable foams able to spread spontaneously over hydrocarbons and forming aqueous films with enhanced organic‐vapor sealing properties.
Soya isoflavone supplementation enhances spatial working memory in men
Authors: Thorp Alicia A. , Sinn Natalie , Buckley Jonathan D. , Coates Alison M. , Howe Peter R. C. 
Published: June 2009

Females perform better in certain memory-related tasks than males. Sex differences in cognitive performance may be attributable to differences in circulating oestrogen acting on oestrogen β receptors (ERβ) which are prevalent in brain regions such as the hippocampus, frontal lobe and cortex that mediate cognitive functions. Since soya isoflavones are known to activate ERβ, chronic isoflavone supplementation in males may improve cognitive performance in memory-related tasks. A 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial was conducted in thirty-four healthy men to investigate the effect of isoflavone supplementation on cognitive function. Volunteers were randomised to take four capsules/d containing soya isoflavones (116 mg isoflavone equivalents/d: 68 mg daidzein, 12 mg genistein, 36 mg glycitin) or placebo for 6 weeks, and the alternate treatment during the following 6 weeks. Assessments of memory (verbal episodic, auditory and working), executive function (planning, attention, mental flexibility) and visual-spatial processing were performed at baseline and after each treatment period. Isoflavone supplementation significantly improved spatial working memory (P = 0·01), a test in which females consistently perform better than males. Compared with placebo supplementation, there were 18 % fewer attempts (P = 0·01), 23 % fewer errors (P = 0·02) and 17 % less time (P = 0·03) required to correctly identify the requisite information. Isoflavones did not affect auditory and episodic memory (Paired Associate Learning, Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Task, Backward Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing), executive function (Trail Making and Initial Letter Fluency Task) or visual-spatial processing (Mental Rotation Task). Isoflavone supplementation in healthy males may enhance cognitive processes which appear dependent on oestrogen activation.