bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological Effects of Anti-TRAP Protein Activity and tRNA
Trp
Charging on
trp
Operon Expression in
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Cruz-Vera Luis R. , Gong Ming , Yanofsky Charles 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

The
Bacillus subtilis
anti-TRAP protein regulates the ability of the tryptophan-activated TRAP protein to bind to
trp
operon leader RNA and promote transcription termination. AT synthesis is regulated both transcriptionally and translationally by uncharged tRNA
Trp
. In this study, we examined the roles of AT synthesis and tRNA
Trp
charging in mediating physiological responses to tryptophan starvation. Adding excess phenylalanine to wild-type cultures reduced the charged tRNA
Trp
level from 80% to 40%; the charged level decreased further, to 25%, in an AT-deficient mutant. Adding tryptophan with phenylalanine increased the charged tRNA
Trp
level, implying that phenylalanine, when added alone, reduces the availability of tryptophan for tRNA
Trp
charging. Changes in the charged tRNA
Trp
level observed during growth with added phenylalanine were associated with increased transcription of the genes of tryptophan metabolism. Nutritional shift experiments, from a medium containing tryptophan to a medium with phenylalanine and tyrosine, showed that wild-type cultures gradually reduced their charged tRNA
Trp
level. When this shift was performed with an AT-deficient mutant, the charged tRNA
Trp
level decreased even further. Growth rates for wild-type and mutant strains deficient in AT or TRAP or that overproduce AT were compared in various media. A lack of TRAP or overproduction of AT resulted in phenylalanine being required for growth. These findings reveal the importance of AT in maintaining a balance between the synthesis of tryptophan versus the synthesis of phenylalanine, with the level of charged tRNA
Trp
acting as the crucial signal regulating AT production.
Hypertension in noise-exposed sawmill workers: a cohort study
Authors: Sbihi H , Davies H W , Demers P A 
Published: January 2008

Objective:To investigate the hypothesised association between exposure to high levels of noise and risk of hypertension using quantitative exposure assessment and administrative health data.Methods:This study followed a cohort of 10 872 sawmill workers in British Columbia from 1991 to 1998. Subjects were linked with provincial hospital discharge, outpatient and vital status databases. Cases were males who died, had at least one hospital admission, or who had three doctor visits within 70 days, for hypertension (ICD-9 codes 401–405). We used four exposure metrics: cumulative exposure, and duration of exposure above thresholds of 85 dBA, 90 dBA and 95 dBA. Relative risks were estimated using Poisson regression with the low-exposure group as controls and adjusting for age, ethnicity and calendar period.Results:828 cases were identified. The results showed a monotonic increase in hypertension incidence with cumulative exposure. The risk in the highest exposed population was 32% higher than baseline. Similar results were found using duration of exposure metrics. The highest relative risk was 1.5 in workers exposed for more than 30 years at 85 dBA. Exposure-response trends were statistically significant.Conclusions:The risk of hypertension was positively associated with noise exposure above 85 dB.
How do experiences in Iraq affect alcohol use among male UK armed forces personnel?
Authors: Browne T , Iversen A , Hull L , Workman L , Barker C , Horn O , Jones M , Murphy D , Greenberg N , Rona R , Hotopf M , Wessely S , Fear N T 
Published: January 2008

Objectives:This paper reports on a statistically significant association between alcohol use and deployment to the 2003 Iraq War. It assesses the occupational factors and deployment experiences associated with heavy drinking in regular UK servicemen deployed to Iraq in the first phase of the 2003 Iraq War (Operation TELIC 1, the military codename for the conflict in Iraq).Methods:A random representative sample of 3578 regular male UK Armed Forces personnel who were deployed to Iraq during Operation TELIC 1 participated in a cross-sectional postal questionnaire study (response rate 61%). Participants completed a questionnaire, between June 2004 and March 2006 (ie, after deployment), about their health, including a measure of alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT) and questions about their experiences on deployment to Iraq. Heavy drinkers were identified as those scoring 16 or above on the AUDIT.Results:After adjustment for sociodemographic and military factors, and the presence of psychological distress, heavy drinkers were more likely to have had major problems at home during (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 to 1.70) and following their deployment (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.14). Being deployed with their parent unit (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.61), medium to high in-theatre unit comradeship (medium: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.77; high: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.79) and poor unit leadership (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.31) were also associated with heavy drinking.Conclusions:Deployment experiences and problems at home during and following deployment, as well as the occupational milieu of the unit, influence personnel’s risk of heavy drinking.
Blood markers of inflammation and coagulation and exposure to airborne particles in employees in the Stockholm underground
Authors: Bigert C , Alderling M , Svartengren M , Plato N , de Faire U , Gustavsson P 
Published: January 2008

Objectives:Although associations have been found between levels of ambient airborne particles and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population, little is known about possible cardiovascular effects from high exposure to particles in underground railway systems. This study investigates risk markers for CVD in employees exposed to particles in the Stockholm underground system.Methods:79 workers (54 men and 25 women) in the Stockholm underground were investigated between November 2004 and March 2005. All were non-smokers aged 25–50 years. Three exposure groups were delineated: 29 platform workers with high exposure to particles, 29 train drivers with medium exposure and 21 ticket sellers with low exposure (control group). A baseline blood sample was taken after 2 non-working days, and a second sample after 2 working days, for analysis of levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor and factor VII. The study investigated changes in plasma concentrations between sample 1 and sample 2, and differences in average concentrations between the groups.Results:No changes between sample 1 and 2 were found that could be attributed to particle exposure. However, the highly exposed platform workers were found to have higher plasma concentrations of PAI-1 and hs-CRP than the ticket sellers and train drivers. This suggests that particle exposure could have a long-term inflammatory effect. These differences remained for PAI-1 in the comparison between platform workers and ticket sellers after adjusting for body mass index.Conclusions:Employees who were highly exposed to airborne particles in the Stockholm underground tended to have elevated levels of risk markers for CVD relative to employees with low exposure. However, the differences observed cannot definitely be linked to particle exposure as such.
Tropospheric Adjustment Induces a Cloud Component in CO2 Forcing
Authors: Gregory Jonathan , Webb Mark 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The radiative forcing of CO2 and the climate feedback parameter are evaluated in several climate models with slab oceans by regressing the annual-mean global-mean top-of-atmosphere radiative flux against the annual-mean global-mean surface air temperature change ΔT following a doubling of atmospheric CO2 concentration. The method indicates that in many models there is a significant rapid tropospheric adjustment to CO2 leading to changes in cloud, and reducing the effective radiative forcing, in a way analogous to the indirect and semidirect effects of aerosol. By contrast, in most models the cloud feedback is small, defined as the part of the change that evolves with ΔT. Comparison with forcing evaluated by fixing sea surface conditions gives qualitatively similar results for the cloud components of forcing, both globally and locally. Tropospheric adjustment to CO2 may be responsible for some of the model spread in equilibrium climate sensitivity and could affect time-dependent climate projections.
Capacity Utilization, Inflation, and Monetary Policy: The Duménil and Lévy Macro Model and the New Keynesian Consensus
Authors: Lavoie Marc , Kriesler Peter 
Published: January 2008

The article considers the adjustment toward long-run equilibrium within the Duménil and Lévy macro model, with modifications. Findings show that long-run convergence to fully adjusted positions with normal utilization is not achieved when a more realistic reaction function is proposed. Classical equilibrium occurs when a vertical Phillips curve is substituted, but the model is isomorphic to the “new consensus” model and to features of “new” endogenous growth theory. JEL classification: E12, E40, E52, E58
Identification of human minor histocompatibility antigens based on genetic association with highly parallel genotyping of pooled DNA
Authors: Kawase Takakazu , Nannya Yasuhito , Torikai Hiroki , Yamamoto Go , Onizuka Makoto , Morishima Satoko , Tsujimura Kunio , Miyamura Koichi , Kodera Yoshihisa , Morishima Yasuo , Takahashi Toshitada , Kuzushima Kiyotaka , Ogawa Seishi , Akatsuka Yoshiki 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMinor histocompatibility (H) antigens are the molecular targets of allo-immunity responsible both for the development of antitumor effects and for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, despite their potential clinical use, our knowledge of human minor H antigens is largely limited by the lack of efficient methods of their characterization. Here we report a robust and efficient method of minor H gene discovery that combines whole genome association scans (WGASs) with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) assays, in which the genetic loci of minor H genes recognized by the CTL clones are precisely identified using pooled-DNA analysis of immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines with/without susceptibility to those CTLs. Using this method, we have successfully mapped 2 loci: one previously characterized (HMSD encoding ACC-6), and one novel. The novel minor H antigen encoded by BCL2A1 was identified within a 26 kb linkage disequilibrium block on chromosome 15q25, which had been directly mapped by WGAS. The pool size required to identify these regions was no more than 100 individuals. Thus, once CTL clones are generated, this method should substantially facilitate discovery of minor H antigens applicable to targeted allo-immune therapies and also contribute to our understanding of human allo-immunity.
Developing Risk Models of Cryptosporidium Transport in Soils from Vegetated, Tilted Soilbox Experiments
Authors: Harter Thomas , Atwill Edward R. , Hou Lingling , Karle Betsy M. , Tate Kenneth W. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractTransport of Cryptosporidium parvum through macroporous soils is poorly understood yet critical for assessing the risk of groundwater contamination. We developed a conceptual model of the physics of flow and transport in packed, tilted, and vegetated soilboxes during and immediately after a simulated rainfall event and applied it to 54 experiments implemented with different soils, slopes, and rainfall rates. Using a parsimonious inverse modeling procedure, we show that a significant amount of subsurface outflow from the soilboxes is due to macropore flow. The effective hydraulic properties of the macropore space were obtained by calibration of a simple two‐domain flow and transport model that accounts for coupled flow in the matrix and in the macropores of the soils. Using linear mixed‐effects analysis, macropore hydraulic properties and oocyst attenuation were shown to be associated with soil bulk density and rainfall rate. Macropore flow was shown to be responsible for bromide and C. parvum transport through the soil into the underlying pore space observed during the 4‐h experiments. We confirmed this finding by conducting a pair of saturated soil column studies under homogeneously repacked conditions with no macropores in which no C. parvum transport was observed in the effluent. The linear mixed‐effects and logistic regression models developed from the soilbox experiments provide a basis for estimating macropore hydraulic properties and the risk of C. parvum transport through shallow soils from bulk density, precipitation, and total shallow subsurface flow rate. The risk assessment is consistent with the reported occurrence of oocysts in springs or groundwater from fractured or karstic rocks protected only by shallow overlying soils.
Runoff and Leachate Losses of Phosphorus in a Sandy Spodosol Amended with Biosolids
Authors: Alleoni Luis R.F. , Brinton Scott R. , O'Connor George A. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractFlorida Spodosols are sandy, inherently low in Fe‐ and Al‐based minerals, and sorb phosphorus (P) poorly. We evaluated runoff and leachate P losses from a typical Florida Spodosol amended with biosolids and triple superphosphate (TSP). Phosphorus losses were evaluated with traditional indoor rainfall simulations but used a double‐deck box arrangement that allowed leaching and runoff to be determined simultaneously. Biosolids (Lakeland, OCUD, Milorganite, and Disney) represented contrasting values of total P, percent water‐extractable P (PWEP), and percentage of solids. All P sources were surface applied at 224 kg P ha−1, representing a soil P rate typical of N‐based biosolids application. All biosolids‐P sources lost less P than TSP, and leachate‐P losses generally dominated. For Lakeland‐amended soil, bioavailable P (BAP) was mainly lost by runoff (81% of total BAP losses). This behavior was due to surface sealing and drying after application of the slurry (31 g kg−1 solids) material. For all other P sources, BAP losses in leachate were much greater than in runoff, representing 94% of total BAP losses for TSP, 80% for Milorganite, 72% for Disney, and 69% for OCUD treatments. Phosphorus leaching can be extreme and represents a great concern in many coarse‐textured Florida Spodosols and other coastal plain soils with low P‐sorption capacities. The PWEP values of P sources were significantly correlated with total P and BAP losses in runoff and leachate. The PWEP of a source can serve as a good indicator of potential P loss when amended to sandy soils with low P‐retention capacities.
Soil Carbon Dioxide Emission and Carbon Content as Affected by Irrigation, Tillage, Cropping System, and Nitrogen Fertilization
Authors: Sainju Upendra M. , Jabro Jalal D. , Stevens William B. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractManagement practices can influence soil CO2 emission and C content in cropland, which can effect global warming. We examined the effects of combinations of irrigation, tillage, cropping systems, and N fertilization on soil CO2 flux, temperature, water, and C content at the 0‐ to 20‐cm depth from May to November 2005 at two sites in the northern Great Plains. Treatments were two irrigation systems (irrigated vs. non‐irrigated) and six management practices that contained tilled and no‐tilled malt barley (Hordeum vulgaris L.) with 0 to 134 kg N ha−1, no‐tilled pea (Pisum sativum L.), and a conservation reserve program (CRP) planting applied in Lihen sandy loam (sandy, mixed, frigid, Entic Haplustolls) in western North Dakota. In eastern Montana, treatments were no‐tilled malt barley with 78 kg N ha−1, no‐tilled rye (Secale cereale L.), no‐tilled Austrian winter pea, no‐tilled fallow, and tilled fallow applied in dryland Williams loam (fine‐loamy, mixed Typic Argiborolls). Irrigation increased CO2 flux by 13% compared with non‐irrigation by increasing soil water content in North Dakota. Tillage increased CO2 flux by 62 to 118% compared with no‐tillage at both places. The flux was 1.5‐ to 2.5‐fold greater with tilled than with non‐tilled treatments following heavy rain or irrigation in North Dakota and 1.5‐ to 2.0‐fold greater with crops than with fallow following substantial rain in Montana. Nitrogen fertilization increased CO2 flux by 14% compared with no N fertilization in North Dakota and cropping increased the flux by 79% compared with fallow in no‐till and 0 kg N ha−1 in Montana. The CO2 flux in undisturbed CRP was similar to that in no‐tilled crops. Although soil C content was not altered, management practices influenced CO2 flux within a short period due to changes in soil temperature, water, and nutrient contents. Regardless of irrigation, CO2 flux can be reduced from croplands to a level similar to that in CRP planting using no‐tilled crops with or without N fertilization compared with other management practices.
Phosphorus Concentrations in Soil and Subsurface Water: A Field Study among Cropland and Riparian Buffers
Authors: Young Eric O. , Briggs Russell D. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractRiparian buffers can be effective at removing phosphorus (P) in overland flow, but their influence on subsurface P loading is not well known. Phosphorus concentrations in the soil, soil solution, and shallow ground water of 16 paired cropland‐buffer plots were characterized during 2004 and 2005. The sites were located at two private dairy farms in Central New York on silt and gravelly silt loams (Aeric Endoaqualfs, Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts, Fluvaquentic Eutrudepts, Glossaquic Hapludalfs, and Glossic Hapludalfs). It was hypothesized that P availability (sodium acetate extractable‐P) and soil‐landscape variability would affect P release to the soil solution and shallow ground water. Results showed that P availability tended to be greater in crop fields relative to paired buffer plots. Soil P was a good indicator of soil solution dissolved (<0.45 μm) molybdate‐reactive P (DRP) concentrations among plots, but was not independently effective at predicting ground water DRP concentrations. Mean ground water DRP in corn fields ranged from ≤20 to 80 μg L−1, with lower concentrations in hay and buffer plots. More imperfectly drained crop fields and buffers tended to have greater average DRP, particulate (≥0.45 μm) reactive P (PRP), and dissolved unreactive P (DUP) concentrations in ground water. Soil organic matter and 50‐cm depth soil solution DRP in buffers jointly explained 75% of the average buffer ground water DRP variability. Results suggest that buffers were relatively effective at reducing soil solution and shallow ground water DRP concentrations, but their impact on particulate and organic P in ground water was less clear.
A Whole‐Farm Strategy to Reduce Environmental Impacts of Nitrogen
Authors: Sonneveld M. P. W. , Schröder J. J. , de Vos J. A. , Monteny G. J. , Mosquera J. , Hol J. M. G. , Lantinga E. A. , Verhoeven F. P. M. , Bouma J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractDutch regulations for ammonia emission require farmers to inject slurry into the soil (shallow) or to apply it in narrow bands at the surface. For one commercial dairy farm in the Netherlands it was hypothesized that its alternative farming strategy, including low‐protein feeding and surface spreading, could be an equally effective tool for ammonia emission abatement. The overall objective of the research was to investigate how management at this farm is related to nitrogen (N) losses to the environment, including groundwater and surface water. Gaseous emission of ammonia and greenhouse gasses from the naturally ventilated stables were 8.1 and 3.1 kg yr−1 AU−1 on average using the internal tracer (SF6)‐ratio method. Measurements on volatilization of ammonia from slurry application to the field using an integrated horizontal flux method and the micrometeorological mass balance method yielded relatively low values of ammonia emissions per ha (3.5–10.9 kg NH3–N ha−1). The mean nitrate concentration in the upper ground water was 6.7 mg L−1 for 2004 and 3.0 mg L−1 for 2005, and the half‐year summer means of N in surface water were 2.3 mg N L−1 and 3.4 mg N L−1 for 2004 and 2005, respectively. Using a nutrient budget model for this farm, partly based on these findings, it was found that the calculated ammonia loss per ton milk (range 5.3–7.5 kg N Mg−1) is comparable with the estimated ammonia loss of a conventional farm that applies animal slurry using prescribed technologies.
Bioremediation of Atrazine‐Contaminated Soil by Forage Grasses: Transformation, Uptake, and Detoxification
Authors: Lin C.H. , Lerch R.N. , Garrett H.E. , George M.F. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA sound multi‐species vegetation buffer design should incorporate the species that facilitate rapid degradation and sequestration of deposited herbicides in the buffer. A field lysimeter study with six different ground covers (bare ground, orchardgrass, tall fescue, timothy, smooth bromegrass, and switchgrass) was established to assess the bioremediation capacity of five forage species to enhance atrazine (ATR) dissipation in the environment via plant uptake and degradation and detoxification in the rhizosphere. Results suggested that the majority of the applied ATR remained in the soil and only a relatively small fraction of herbicide leached to leachates (<15%) or was taken up by plants (<4%). Biological degradation or chemical hydroxylation of soil ATR was enhanced by 20 to 45% in forage treatment compared with the control. Of the ATR residues remaining in soil, switchgrass degraded more than 80% to less toxic metabolites, with 47% of these residues converted to the less mobile hydroxylated metabolites 25 d after application. The strong correlation between the degradation of N‐dealkylated ATR metabolites and the increased microbial biomass carbon in forage treatments suggested that enhanced biological degradation in the rhizosphere was facilitated by the forages. Hydroxylated ATR degradation products were the predominant ATR metabolites in the tissues of switchgrass and tall fescue. In contrast, the N‐dealkylated metabolites were the major degradation products found in the other cool‐season species. The difference in metabolite patterns between the warm‐ and cool‐season species demonstrated their contrasting detoxification mechanisms, which also related to their tolerance to ATR exposure. Based on this study, switchgrass is recommended for use in riparian buffers designed to reduce ATR toxicity and mobility due to its high tolerance and strong degradation capacity.