bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chasing mosquitoes: An exploration of the relationship between economic growth, poverty and the elimination of malaria in Southern Europe in the 20th century
Authors: Bowden Sue , Michailidou Domna Maria , Pereira Alvaro 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper explores how the elimination of malaria could provide an escape from poverty with reference to the timing of the decline in malaria and its implications in terms of the labour force, the implications for the agricultural sector and the growth of the tourist industry in Portugal, Spain, Greece and Italy in the first half of the twentieth century. The paper finds that whilst the control of malaria did have an economic effect, the escape from poverty was encouraged but not explained by malaria elimination. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal predictability of daily rainfall statistics over Indramayu district, Indonesia
Authors: Robertson Andrew W. , Moron Vincent , Swarinoto Yunus 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe seasonal predictability of rainfall over a small rice‐growing district of Java, Indonesia is investigated in terms of its daily characteristics during the September–December monsoon‐onset season. The seasonal statistics considered include rainfall frequency, mean daily intensity, median length of dry spells, as well as the onset date of the rainy season. General circulation model retrospective seasonal forecasts initialized on August 1 are downscaled to a set of 17 station locations using a nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model. Large ensembles of stochastic daily rainfall sequences are generated at each station, from which the seasonal statistics are calculated and compared against observations using deterministic and probabilistic skill metrics. The retrospective forecasts are shown to exhibit moderate skill in terms of rainfall frequency, seasonal rainfall total, and especially monsoon onset date. Some skill is also found for median dry‐spell length, while mean wet‐day persistence and daily rainfall intensity are not found to be predictable. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Screening for triploidy by the risk algorithms for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 at 11 weeks to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation
Authors: Kagan Karl O. , Anderson James M. , Anwandter Gabriel , Neksasova Katya , Nicolaides Kypros H. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo examine the effectiveness in screening for triploidy at 11 weeks to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation by the combined use of the risk algorithms for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 based on maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, fetal heart rate (FHR) and maternal serum free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A.MethodsProspective screening for trisomy 21, including 56 376 normal singleton pregnancies and 31 cases with triploidy (24 digynic and 7 diandric). Patient‐specific risks for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 were calculated by multiplying the age related risk for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 with the likelihood ratio (LR) for fetal NT and with a combined LR for FHR, free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A, respectively. Detection rates (DRs) and false positive rates (FPRs) for triploidy were calculated by taking the proportion with risks above a given risk threshold and standardized for maternal age according to the distribution of pregnancies in England and Wales in 2000 to 2002.ResultsIn digynic triploidy, free β‐hCG was 0.16 (range 0.02–0.95) MoM and PAPP‐A was 0.06 (range 0.02–0.47) MoM and the respective values for diandric triploidy were 8.74 (range 2.83–47.0) and 0.74 (range 0.32–1.51) MoM. Use of the trisomy 21 algorithm identified 5 of the 7 diandric cases and 3 of the 24 digynic ones at a 3% FPR. Combined use of the risk algorithms for trisomies 18 and 13 identified 20 of the 24 cases with the digynic triploidy at the FPR of 0.2%. When screen positivity was defined by a 3% FPR using the algorithm for trisomy 21 and an additional 0.2% FPR using the algorithms for trisomies 18 and 13, the total FPR was 3.1% and the DR was 84%.ConclusionsA beneficial side‐effect of first trimester combined screening for trisomies is the detection of a high proportion of fetuses with triploidy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Centrifuge modelling of solifluction processes: displacement profiles associated with one‐sided and two‐sided active layer freezing
Authors: Kern‐Luetschg Martina , Harris Charles 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTwo sets of small‐scale centrifuge experiments were undertaken to simulate solifluction processes associated with one‐sided freezing (with no permafrost) and two‐sided freezing (with permafrost) within an active layer 0.8–0.9 m thick at the prototype scale. Models were frozen on the laboratory floor under normal acceleration due to gravity and thawed in the centrifuge under an acceleration of 10 gravities. In the one‐sided freezing experiment, ice segregation was concentrated near the surface, whereas in the two‐sided model it also caused an ice‐rich transition zone to form near the base of the active layer. After repeated freeze‐thaw cycles the one‐sided experiment revealed concave downslope profiles of movement with shear strain decreasing with depth, whereas in the two‐sided experiment, convex downslope profiles indicated the greatest shear strain in the basal part of the active layer. Although smaller surface velocities were measured in the two‐sided experiment, higher volumetric velocities developed. The centrifuge experiments showed displacement rates similar to field measurements and analogous to full‐scale laboratory experiments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pesticidal seed coats based on azadirachtin‐A: release kinetics, storage life and performance
Authors: Nisar Keyath , Kumar Jitendra , Arun Kumar MB , Walia Suresh , Shakil Najam A , Parsad Rajender , Parmar Balraj S 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Infestation of seeds by pests during storage leads to deterioration in quality. Seed coating is an effective option to overcome the menace. Unlike synthetic fungicidal seed coats, little is known of those based on botanicals. This study aims at developing azadirachtin‐A‐based pesticidal seed coats to maintain seed quality during storage.RESULTS: Polymer‐ and clay‐based coats containing azadirachtin‐A were prepared and evaluated for quality maintenance of soybean seed during storage. Gum acacia, gum tragacanth, rosin, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyethyl methacrylate, methyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and Agrimer VA 6 polymers and the clay bentonite were used as carriers. The time for 50% release (t1/2) of azadirachtin‐A into water from the seeds coated with the different coats ranged from 8.02 to 21.36 h. The half‐life (T1/2) of azadirachtin‐A in the coats on seed ranged from 4.37 to 11.22 months, as compared with 3.45 months in azadirachtin‐A WP, showing an increase by a factor of nearly 1.3–3.3 over the latter. The coats apparently acted as a barrier to moisture to reduce azadirachtin‐A degradation and prevented proliferation of storage fungi. Polyethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were significantly superior to the other polymers. Azadirachtin‐A showed a significant positive correlation with seed germination and vigour, and negative correlation with moisture content.CONCLUSION: Effective polymeric carriers for seed coats based on azadirachtin‐A are reported. These checked seed deterioration during storage by acting as a barrier to moisture and reduced the degradation of azadirachtin‐A. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel derivative for the assessment of urinary and salivary nitrate using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Jackson Sarah J. , Siervo Mario , Persson Emma , McKenna Louise M. , Bluck Leslie J. C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPrevious gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods for determining nitrate in biological samples involve either hazardous chemicals or produce multiple isomers that can be difficult to quantitate. Modification of these methods, by the nitration of mesitylene instead of benzene and in the presence of trifluoroacetic anhydride rather than sulphuric acid, should enable simple isotopic quantitation for use in tracer studies, for example, in the measurement of nitric oxide production. Desiccated urine and saliva samples, in addition to aqueous labelled and unlabelled nitrate standards, were treated with trifluoroacetic anhydride and mesitylene at 70°C for 1 h, cooled, then sequentially washed with deionised water and aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The solution of nitromesitylene in mesitylene was separated, dried and analysed by GC/MS. The full mass spectra exhibited abundant ions at m/z 165 and 166 corresponding to the unlabelled and labelled molecular species of nitromesitylene, respectively. Selected ion monitoring of these masses for a series of gravimetrically prepared standards indicated good agreement with isotopic enrichments in the range 0.0625–5 mole % excess, and at nitrate concentrations within the physiological range of 0.078–2 mmol/L. Derivatised samples were stable with respect to isotopic enrichments and nitrate concentrations at −20°C for up to 21 days and exhibited excellent repeatability. Nitration of mesitylene proved to be a simple and rapid method for the measurement of isotope ratios in aqueous nitrates by GC/MS, which has applications in tracer studies and in concentration determinations by isotope dilution techniques for nitric oxide production. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Caf1A usher possesses a Caf1 subunit-like domain that is crucial for Caf1 fibre secretion
Authors: Yu Xiaodi , Visweswaran Ganeshram R. , Duck Zoe , Marupakula Srisailam , MacIntyre Sheila , Knight Stefan D. , Zavialov Anton V. 
Published: November 2008

The chaperone/usher pathway controls assembly of fibres of adhesive organelles of Gram-negative bacteria. The final steps of fibre assembly and fibre translocation to the cell surface are co-ordinated by the outer membrane proteins, ushers. Ushers consist of several soluble periplasmic domains and a single transmembrane β-barrel. Here we report isolation and structural/functional characterization of a novel middle domain of the Caf1A usher from Yersinia pestis. The isolated UMD (usher middle domain) is a highly soluble monomeric protein capable of autonomous folding. A 2.8 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution crystal structure of UMD revealed that this domain has an immunoglobulin-like fold similar to that of donor-strand-complemented Caf1 fibre subunit. Moreover, these proteins displayed significant structural similarity. Although UMD is in the middle of the predicted amphipathic β-barrel of Caf1A, the usher still assembled in the membrane in the absence of this domain. UMD did not bind Caf1M–Caf1 complexes, but its presence was shown to be essential for Caf1 fibre secretion. The study suggests that UMD may play the role of a subunit-substituting protein (dummy subunit), plugging or priming secretion through the channel in the Caf1A usher. Comparison of isolated UMD with the recent structure of the corresponding domain of PapC usher revealed high similarity of the core structures, suggesting a universal structural adaptation of FGL (F1G1 long) and FGS (F1G1 short) chaperone/usher pathways for the secretion of different types of fibres. The functional role of two topologically different states of this plug domain suggested by structural and biochemical results is discussed.
Search for Synchrotron Emission from Secondary Leptons in Dense Cold Starless Cores
Authors: Jones D. I. , Protheroe R. J. , Crocker R. M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe report radio continuum observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array of two molecular clouds. The impetus for these observations is a search for synchrotron radiation by cosmic-ray secondary electrons/positrons in a region of enhanced density and possibly high magnetic field. We present modelling which shows that there should be an appreciable flux of synchrotron above the more diffuse, galactic synchrotron background.The starless core G333.125–0.562 and infrared source IRAS15596–5301 were observed at 1384 and 2368 MHz. For G333.125–0.562, we find no significant levels of radio emission from this source at either frequency, nor any appreciable polarisation: we place an upper limit on the radio continuum flux from this source of 0.5 mJy beam−1 at both 1384 and 2368 MHz. Due to the higher than expected flux density limits, we also obtained archival ATCA data at 8640 MHz for this cloud and place an upper limit on the flux density of 50 μJy beam−1. Assuming the cosmic ray spectrum is similar to that near the Sun and given the cloud's molecular density and mass, we place an upper limit on the magnetic field of 500 μG.IRAS 15596–5301, with an RMS of 50 μJy beam−1 at 1384 MHz, shows an HII region consistent with optically thin free–free emission already detected at 4800 MHz. We use the same prescription as G333 to constrain the magnetic field from this cloud to be less than 500 μG. We find that these values are not inconsistent with the view that magnetic field values scale with the average density of the molecular cloud.
Psb28 Protein Is Involved in the Biogenesis of the Photosystem II Inner Antenna CP47 (PsbB) in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Dobáková Marika , Sobotka Roman , Tichý Martin , Komenda Josef 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
The role of the Psb28 protein in the structure and function of the photosystem II (PSII) complex has been studied in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The protein was localized in the membrane fraction and, whereas most of the protein was detected as an unassembled protein, a small portion was found in the PSII core complex lacking the CP43 antenna (RC47). The association of Psb28 with RC47 was further confirmed by preferential isolation of RC47 from the strain containing a histidine-tagged derivative of Psb28 using nickel-affinity chromatography. However, the affinity-purified fraction also contained a small amount of the unassembled PSII inner antenna CP47 bound to Psb28-histidine, indicating a structural relationship between Psb28 and CP47. A psb28 deletion mutant exhibited slower autotrophic growth than wild type, although the absence of Psb28 did not affect the functional properties of PSII. The mutant showed accelerated turnover of the D1 protein, faster PSII repair, and a decrease in the cellular content of PSI. Radioactive labeling revealed a limitation in the synthesis of both CP47 and the PSI subunits PsaA/PsaB in the absence of Psb28. The mutant cells contained a high level of magnesium protoporphyrin IX methylester, a decreased level of protochlorophyllide, and released large quantities of protoporphyrin IX into the medium, indicating inhibition of chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis at the cyclization step yielding the isocyclic ring E. Overall, our results show the importance of Psb28 for synthesis of Chls and/or apoproteins of Chl-binding proteins CP47 and PsaA/PsaB.
Spontaneous and cytokine induced expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases in human colonic epithelium
Authors: Pedersen G , Saermark T , Kirkegaard T , Brynskov J 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in tissue damage associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As the role of the intestinal epithelium in this process is unknown, we determined MMP expression and enzyme activity in human colonic epithelial cells (CEC). MMP mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in HT-29 and DLD-1 cells and in CEC isolated from biopsies from IBD and control patients. Total MMP activity in the cells was measured by a functional assay, based on degradation of a fluorescent synthetic peptide containing the specific bond for MMP cleavage. HT-29 and DLD-1 expressed several MMPs and levels of MMP-3, -10 and -13 mRNA expression were increased significantly by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α exposure. Transcripts of MMP-1, -3, -7, -9, -10 and -12 were detected in CECs and all, except MMP12, at significantly increased levels in cells from inflamed IBD mucosa. MMP-2 and -8 mRNA were expressed inconsistently and MMP-11, -13 and -14 mRNA undetectable. Proteolytic MMP activity was detected in CEC supernatants and the level was increased significantly in inflamed IBD epithelium. The enzyme activity was inhibited strongly by a specific MMP inhibitor (GM 6001). A significant TNF-α-mediated increase in MMP enzyme activity was also detected in HT-29 cells in vitro. In conclusion, the expression of several MMPs as well as the level of functional MMP activity is increased in CEC from patients with active IBD. The results suggest that MMPs released by the intestinal epithelium may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD by promoting local mucosal damage.
Comparison of light and fluorescence microscopy for xylem analysis in tomato pedicels during fruit development
Authors: RANČIĆ D. , QUARRIE S.PEKIĆ , TERZIĆ M. , SAVIĆ S. , STIKIĆ R. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe xylem hydraulic connection between shoot and fruits has previously been investigated, but contradictory conclusions were drawn about the presence of a flow resistance barrier in the pedicel. In this paper we were studying effect of the drought on the functional xylem vessels in the pedicels of tomato fruit. Commercial tomato genotype was grown in cabinet conditions under two watering regimes (full and deficit irrigation). An aqueous solution of eosin Y were used to visualize the path of water movement through tomato fruit pedicel and fluorescence microscopy observations were done on transversal and longitudinal sections. Dye uptake studies suggested that in well watered plants and in plants exposed to drought, a large majority of xylem vessels are not functional in water transport. Reduced‐irrigation treatment significantly altered number and width of functional xylem elements in the fruit pedicel, especially in the abscission zone. This indicates that drought modifies xylem architecture and, thus, environmentally produced change in the hydraulic property of pedicel may affect fruit development.
Structure and morphology of Mg–Al–Fe‐mixed oxides derivedfrom layered double hydroxides
Authors: VULIĆ T. , HADNADJEV M. , MARINKOVIĆ‐NEDUČIN R. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe influences of the nature and the extent of M(III) ion substitution on the structure, morphology and surface properties of layered double hydroxides, LDHs [Mg1−x M(III)x(OH)2](CO3)x/n·mH2O, M(III) being Al or/and Fe and x= M(III)/[(Mg+M(III)], and derived mixed oxides were investigated. Three series: Mg−Al, Mg−Al−Fe and Mg−Fe were synthesized using low supersaturation co‐precipitation method at constant pH, with different Mg : Al : Fe ratio and x in the wide range from 0.15 to 0.7 in order to obtain complex, multi‐phase systems with disordered structure, developed surface area, acid–base and redox properties favourable for catalytic application. The morphology of LDHs and their derived mixed oxides did not change considerably although pronounced changes in structural and surface properties occur by thermal decomposition. The increase in Al amount, as well as the deviation of M(III) content from the optimal range for the single LDH phase synthesis, causes the formation of smaller particles and decrease of mixed oxide crystallite size. The nature and amount of M(III) influence the development of surface area, after thermal treatment, depending mainly on the presence of smaller mesopores, not visible by scanning electron microscope. Although the particle size has no considerable influence on the value of the surface area, it was observed that the samples with smaller particles (Mg–Al and Mg–Al–Fe series) have also higher surface area compared with the samples with larger particles (Mg–Fe series).
Effects of the Ar ions pre‐amorphization of Si substrateon interface mixing of Fe/Si bilayers
Authors: BIBIĆ N. , MILINOVIĆ V. , MILOSAVLJEVIĆ M. , SCHREMPEL F. , ŠILJEGOVIĆ M. , LIEB K.P. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryIon beam mixing of Fe/Si bilayers, induced by 100 keV 40Arions at room temperature was investigated. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied for structural characterization. The main focus of this study was on the influence of the substrate structure on interface mixing. The influence of the substrate structure is due to the two classes of irradiated bilayers, Fe thin films deposited on crystalline or pre‐amorphized Si substrates. An about 76% higher efficiency of atomic transport across the pre‐amorphized Fe/a‐Si interface as compared to that of Fe/c‐Si bilayers was observed.
Effect of plant growth regulators on leaf anatomyof the has mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: JANOŠEVIĆ D. , UZELAC B. , BUDIMIR S. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryIn this study, the effect of plant growth regulators on leaf morphogenesis of the recessive T‐DNA insertion mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana was analyzed. The morpho‐anatomical analysis revealed that leaves of the has mutant are small and narrow, with lobed blades and disrupted tissue organization. When has plants were grown on the medium supplied with plant growth regulators: benzylaminopurine (BAP) or ethylene precursor, 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC), the leaf anatomy was partially restored to the wild type, although plants still exhibited morphological abnormalities.
Glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide–producing K cells in dexamethasone‐treated rats
Authors: KOKO V. , GLISIC R. , TODOROVIC V. , DRNDAREVIC N. , MITROVIC O. 
Published: November 2008

SummarySome studies indicate that diabetes mellitus exerts an influence on the gastrointestinal tract and its diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES) in regard to cellular density and neuroendocrine content. Since there is no data about relationship between experimentally induced non–insulin‐dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) on the gut K cells, the aim of our study was to investigate immunohistochemical, stereological and ultrastructural changes of rat K cells after 12 days of dexamethasone treatment. Twenty male Wistar rats aged 30 days were given daily intraperitoneally 2 mg kg–1 dexamethasone (group DEX, 10 rats) or saline (group C, 10 rats) for 12 days. Tissue specimens were obtained from each antrum with corpus and different parts of the small (SI) and large intestine (LI) of all animals. Immunohistochemistry was carried out using antisera against the GIP and insulin. Transmission electron microscopy was also used. Although, according to the literature data, rat K cells are present in the duodenum and jejunum and, to a lesser extent, in the ileum, in the present study we observed that those cells were abundant also in all parts of the LI. We observed generally that GIP‐producing K cells were augmented in all parts of SI and decreased in the LI of DEX rats. Insulin immunoreactivity (ir) coexpressed with GIP‐ir in K cells and was stronger in the SI of DEX rats as compared with C rats. We also found by electron microscopy that small intestinal K cells have features not only of GIP‐secreted but also of insulin‐secreted cells. We concluded that dexamethasone treatment caused proliferation of K cells in the rat SI, and simultaneously transformation of GIP‐producing K cells to insulin‐synthesizing cells.