bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attempts at Biological Control of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis On Rockwool-Grown Greenhouse Tomatoes
Authors: Ślusarski Czesław 
Published: January 2009

Attempts at Biological Control of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis On Rockwool-Grown Greenhouse Tomatoes
Two greenhouse experiments were conducted in which tomato plants artificially inoculated with Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) were grown in an open rockwool system as spring and autumn crops. Two isolates of the rhizosphere bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain PSR21, Pseudomonas reactans strain GGS14, a commercial biocontrol agent Aqua Bac Plus (Bacillus spp.) and a proprietary disinfectant containing QAC+Chx, applied at weekly intervals, were evaluated for their efficiency in the suppression of the bacterial canker of tomato. All treatments tested revealed to be ineffective in controlling the disease. The introduction of Cmm bacteria into the fresh rockwool in the first year of its usage resulted in a 100% death of tomato plants, whereas following an artificial inoculation of two- and three-year-old rockwool slabs with Cmm bacteria dead plants amounted to 70 and 58%, respectively. This indicates that in the re-used rockwool a natural microbial suppressiveness to bacterial canker of tomato might be developed in the root zone.
The impact of land use on the water quality of foothill microcatchment areas
Authors: Misztal Andrzej , Kuczera Marcin 
Published: January 2009

The impact of land use on the water quality of foothill microcatchment areas
The impact of land use on the water quality of foothill microcatchment areas. In this paper a comparison is made between the impact of land use methods on the quality of water in the streams which drain various catchment areas. For this purpose three microcatchments were selected which are located in agricultural, rural settlements, and forested areas. Water samples were physically and chemically analysed in order to determine: nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, phosphates, sulphates, chlorides, calcium, magnesium, dissolved oxygen, reaction and conductivity. The above studies were conducted in the 2006 and 2007. Our analysis of the collected materials allows us to affirm that land use methods have a significant impact on the water quality of the streams which drain the area. Rural settlement has the most negative influence on the water quality, followed by typical agricultural use. Based on the direct quality evaluations of single water samples, it has been found that only water from forested areas can be qualified as belonging to the 1st cleanness class.
Hering-Breuer Reflex and pre-Botzinger Complex: A Literature Survey
Authors: Ahmed M 
Published: January 2009

The existence and physiological role of Hering-Breuer reflex and pre-Botzinger complex has long been depreciated by the Bangladesh society of physiologist (personal communication). The aim of this mini review is to highlight the recent findings on the aforementioned topics. Due to the difficulties in vivo studies in human subjects, many aspects of the neuronal regulation of the respiratory rhythm are still unclear. However, the recent localization of the pre-Botzinger complex in humans and advances in technologies necessitates further exploration of the neuronal circuits in the pre-BotC complex which will subsequently unwrap the magical box and pave the way to solve the puzzle of the mechanism of respiratory rhythmogenesis and its modulation in different pathophysiological conditions. Key Words: Physiology; Hering-Breuer reflex; pre-Botzinger complex; Rhythmic respiration DOI:10.3329/jbsp.v2i0.988 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2):89-94.
An Improved <i>In Vitro</i> Pyrogen Test To Detect The Presence of Endotoxin Containing Bacteria Using Limulus <i>Amoebocyte Lysate</i> Assay From Pharmaceutical Raw Product
Authors: Bashar Tanvir , Shurovi Khondokar Mahzebin , Dilshad Sanjida 
Published: January 2009

Most of the environmental organism possess endotoxin which presence indicates the organisms are much lethal and for the purposes bacteriological quality of pharmaceutical raw products is much important. In these current study, 2 raw materials out of 10 were found to containing pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas species in the culture medium, that indicates the raw materials were contaminated with the deadly organism. These two raw materials checked for the presence of Endotoxin and both provided positive gel clot by Limulas amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Quality maintenance and assurance is the essential need of Drug preparation in pharmaceutical sector. The result ensure that Pharmaceutical industry should need to follow GMP and HACCP to minimize the contamination for improving the biological safety of the product in a cost-effective manner. Key Word: Limulas amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, Gram negative bacteria, endotoxin. doi:10.3329/sjps.v1i1.1812 Â Â S. J. Pharm. Sci. 1(1&2): 76-79
Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Studies of the Different Plant Parts of <i>Mimosa Pudica</i>
Authors: Chowdhury Sadia Afreen , Islam Jannatul , Rahaman Md Mahfujur , Rahman Md Mostafizur , Rumzhum Nowshin Nowaz , Sultana Rebeka , Parvin Most. Nazma 
Published: January 2009

Rebeka Sultana and Most Nazma Parvin - were added as authors on 13th September 2010.The petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol crude extracts of the two different plant parts (aerial part and root) of Mimosa pudica (Mimosaceae) were screened in vitro for cytotoxicity studies by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and antimicrobial screening by disc diffusion method. The methanol crude extract of the aerial part was screened in vitro for antioxidant activity using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The petroleum ether and methanol crude extracts of the root showed potential cytotoxic activities (LC50 0.05 μg/ml and 0.035 μg/ml respectively) whereas the other extractives showed poor cytotoxicity. All the crude extracts showed poor activity or inactivity against the test microorganisms. On the other hand, the methanol crude extract of the aerial part showed moderate antioxidant activity (IC50 296.92 μg/ml) compared to ascorbic acid (IC50 131.29 μg/ml). The overall experimental results suggest the biologically active constituents present in the methanolic extract of Mimosa pudica and justify its use in folkloric remedies. Key Words: Mimosa pudica, Mimosaceae, Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial, DPPH, Antioxidant. doi:10.3329/sjps.v1i1.1813 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 1(1&2): 80-84
Multi‐model ensemble estimates of climate change impacts on UK seasonal precipitation extremes
Authors: Fowler H. J. , Ekström M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThirteen regional climate model (RCM) integrations from the Prediction of Regional Scenarios and Uncertainties for Defining European Climate change risks and Effects (PRUDENCE) ensemble are used together with extreme value analysis to assess changes to seasonal precipitation extremes in nine UK rainfall regions by 2070–2100 under the SRES A2 emissions scenario. Model weights are based on similarities between observed and modelled UK extreme precipitation calculated for a combination of (1) spatial characteristics: the semi‐variogram parameters sill and range, and (2) the discrepancy in the regional median seasonal maxima. These weights are used to combine individual RCM bootstrap samples to provide multi‐model ensemble estimates of percent change in the return value magnitudes of regional extremes. The contribution of global climate model (GCM) and RCM combinations to model structural uncertainty is also investigated. The multi‐model ensembles project increases across the UK in winter, spring and autumn extreme precipitation; although there is uncertainty in the absolute magnitude of increases, these range from 5 to 30% depending upon region and season. In summer, model predictions span the zero change line, although there is low confidence due to poor model performance. RCM performance is shown to be highly variable; extremes are well simulated in winter and very poorly simulated in summer. The ensemble distributions are wider (projections are more uncertain) for shorter duration extremes (e.g. 1 day) and higher return periods (e.g. 25 year). There are rather limited differences in the weighted and unweighted multi‐model ensembles, perhaps a consequence of the lack of model independence between ensemble members. The largest contribution to uncertainty in the multi‐model ensembles comes from the lateral boundary conditions used by RCMs included in the ensemble. Therefore, the uncertainty bounds shown here are conservative despite the relatively large number of RCMs contributing to the multi‐model ensemble distribution. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Cocoa: antioxidant and immunomodulator
Authors: Ramiro-Puig Emma , Castell Margarida 
Published: January 2009

Cocoa, a product consumed since 600 BC, is now a subject of increasing interest because of its antioxidant properties, which are mainly attributed to the content of flavonoids such as ( − )-epicatechin, catechin and procyanidins. Moreover, recent findings suggest a regulatory effect of cocoa on the immune cells implicated in innate and acquired immunity. Cocoa exerts regulatory activity on the secretion of inflammatory mediators from macrophages and other leucocytesin vitro. In addition, emerging data fromin vivostudies support an immunomodulating effect. Long-term cocoa intake in rats affects both intestinal and systemic immune function. Studies in this line suggest that high-dose cocoa intake in young rats favours the T helper 1 (Th1) response and increases intestinal γδ T lymphocyte count, whereas the antibody-secreting response decreases. The mechanisms involved in this activity are uncertain; nonetheless, because redox-sensitive pathways control immune cell function, the action of cocoa flavonoids on modulating cell signalling and gene expression deserves investigation.
Skew distribution of founder-specific inbreeding depression effects on the longevity of Landrace sows
Authors: CASELLAS J. , VARONA L. , IBÁÑEZ-ESCRICHE N. , QUINTANILLA R. , NOGUERA J. L. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryInbreeding is a biological phenomenon of special relevance in domestic species in which its influence has been typically associated with reductions in animal fitness. Nevertheless, recent research suggests substantial founder-specific variability in terms of inbreeding depression on some productive traits, although this centred on a very reduced number of founders. This research focuses on the modelling of founder-specific inbreeding depression (FSID) effects from a more general point of view, characterizing the expected distribution of FSID effects on sow longevity. Under a change-point Weibull proportional hazards model solved through Bayesian inference, a skew-normala prioridistribution for the FSID effects of 19 founders was assumed. In terms of the deviance information criterion, this model was clearly preferred to other prior distributions for FSID effects as well as to a standard analysis of the overall inbreeding depression effect, although all models were consistent with an overall negative genetic effect of inbreeding on sow longevity. The joint posterior distribution of FSID effects showed a skewed pattern with substantial right-tail overexpression, in which the mean (0·036), mode (0·034), S.D. (0·032) and asymmetry parameter (0·045) reported a higher incidence of positive estimates (85·2%) with an unfavourable effect on sow longevity. The founder with the worst inbreeding depression effect reduced sow longevity by 32 days for 1% or 167 days for 10% partial inbreeding. As a whole, our analyses highlighted substantial variability in FSID effects, with unfavourable, neutral and even favourable influences on sow longevity. This heterogeneity could be related to an uneven distribution of the recessive deleterious genetic load among founder genomes, and also with the different selection pressures applied to each founder line. The implementation of skew-normal priors also proved an appealing way to bypass the strict scenario imposed by the standard symmetric-Gaussian distribution, allowing right- and left-tail overexpression as well as non-zero modal estimates.
Improved particle fusing geometric relation between particles in FastSLAM
Authors: Kim Inkyu , Kwak Nosan , Lee Heoncheol , Lee Beomhee 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARYFastSLAM is a framework for simultaneous localization and mapping using a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter (RBPF). But, FastSLAM is known to degenerate over time due to the loss of particle diversity, mainly caused by the particle depletion problem in resampling phase. In this work, improved particle filter using geometric relation between particles is proposed to restrain particle depletion and to reduce estimation errors and error variances. It uses a KD tree (k-dimensional tree) to derive geometric relation among particles and filters particles with importance weight conditions for resampling. Compared to the original particle filter used in FastSLAM, this technique showed less estimation error with lower error standard deviation in computer simulations.
Counterpoint in Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Authors: MELAMED DANIEL R. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTCounterpoint plays a surprisingly large role in the musical language of Mozart’s Die Entführung au dem Serail. In solo material for the deep bass voice of the character Osmin Mozart suggested contapuntal relationships with other parts to give the vocal line independence from the instrumental bass. In ensemble numbers like Osmin and Blonde’s duet No. 9 the composer strongly suggested a contrapuntal relationship between lines sung by antagonistic characters. In Osmin and Belmonte’s duet No. 2, represented in the sources in a nearly complete sketch, Mozard used numerous contrapuntal techniques in support of the dramatic situation. Though the work was composed right around Mozart’s well-known Bach year of 1782, most of the counterpoint is not particularly Bachian. But the polyphonic textures and contrapuntal thinking mark the work as stylistically connected with the composer’s most mature music. Contrapuntal analysis turns out to be a useful perspective of Mozart’s operatic writing.
Conditioned medium from renal tubular epithelial cells initiates differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Baer P. C. , Bereiter‐Hahn J. , Missler C. , Brzoska M. , Schubert R. , Gauer S. , Geiger H. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract  Objectives: Mesenchymal–epithelial interactions play a pivotal role in tubular morphogenesis and in maintaining the integrity of the kidney. During renal repair, similar mechanisms may regulate cellular reorganization and differentiation. We have hypothesized that soluble factors from proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTC) induce differentiation of adipose‐derived adult mesenchymal stem cells (ASC). This hypothesis has been tested using cultured ASC and PTC.Material and methods: Conditioned medium was prepared from injured PTC and transferred to ASC cultures. ASC proliferation was analysed by a fluorometric and photometric assay. Signal transduction was analysed by phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2). Grade of ASC differentiation was assessed by morphological analysis and cell expression of characteristic markers.Results: Conditioned medium significantly induced proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/ERK2 of ASC. After 12 days of incubation, cell morphology changed to an epithelial‐like monolayer. Expression of cytokeratin 18 was induced by conditioned medium, while α‐smooth muscle actin, CD49a and CD90 expression decreased. These alterations strongly indicate onset of the differentiation process to the epithelial lineage. In summary, soluble factors from PTC induce signal transduction and differentiation of ASC.Conclusions: Our study shows that conditioned medium from renal tubular epithelial cells provides a convenient source of inductive signals to initiate differentiation of ASC towards epithelial lineage. We deduce that these interactions may play an important role during renal repair mechanisms.
Effects of PI3‐k/Akt short hairpin RNA on proliferation, fibronectin production and synthesis of thrombospondin‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β1 in glomerular mesangial cells induced by sublytic C5b‐9 complexes
Authors: Gao L. , Zhang Y. , Qiu W. , Xu W. , Feng X. , Ren J. , Jiang X. , Wang H. , Zhao D. , Wang Y. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract  Objectives: To explore proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) and secretion of extracelluar matrix (fibronectin induced by sublytic C5b‐9 complexes), and then ascertain the role of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐k)/Akt signal pathway in these processes, by using small hairpin RNAs.Material and methods: The expression of cyclin D2, 3H‐thymidine into DNA and production of fibronectin including thrombospondin‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β1 in the GMCs stimulated by sublytic C5b‐9 or transfected with expression vectors of PI3‐k and Akt short hairpin RNA or LY294002 (PI3‐k inhibitor) were measured by Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 3H‐thymidine incorporation (3H‐TdR), respectively.Results: The expression of cyclin D2, 3H‐thymidine into DNA and fibronectin in the GMCs stimulated by sublytic C5b‐9 could all be increased, and the elevations of these parameters mentioned above were also markedly reduced in the GMCs transfected with vectors of PI3‐k and Akt short hairpin RNA or LY294002, respectively.Conclusions: These data indicate that sublytic C5b‐9 can promote proliferation of GMCs and secretion of fibronectin as well as synthesis of thrombospondin‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β1. The PI3‐k/Akt signal pathway in these reactions, mediated by sublytic C5b‐9 complexes, may play at least a partial role.
Irrigant flow within a prepared root canal using various flow rates: a Computational Fluid Dynamics study
Authors: Boutsioukis C. , Lambrianidis T. , Kastrinakis E. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim  To study using computer simulation the effect of irrigant flow rate on the flow pattern within a prepared root canal, during final irrigation with a syringe and needle.Methodology  Geometrical characteristics of a side‐vented endodontic needle and clinically realistic flow rate values were obtained from previous and preliminary studies. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was created using FLUENT 6.2 software. Calculations were carried out for five selected flow rates (0.02–0.79 mL sec−1) and velocity and turbulence quantities along the domain were evaluated.Results  Irrigant replacement was limited to 1–1.5 mm apical to the needle tip for all flow rates tested. Low‐Reynolds number turbulent flow was detected near the needle outlet. Irrigant flow rate affected significantly the flow pattern within the root canal.Conclusions  Irrigation needles should be placed to within 1 mm from working length to ensure fluid exchange. Turbulent flow of irrigant leads to more efficient irrigant replacement. CFD represents a powerful tool for the study of irrigation.
Identification of 17 novel major histocompatibility complex‐A alleles in a population of Chinese‐origin rhesus macaques
Authors: Ma X. , Tang L. H. , Qu L. B. , Ma J. , Chen L. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) serve as important animal models for human disease and vaccine research. Although Chinese rhesus macaques are the same species as those of Indian origin, they are from a geographically separated population and possess divergent major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I A alleles. In an analysis of 65 Chinese rhesus macaques, 17 novel Mamu‐A alleles were identified and deposited under the following accession numbers: EU252155‐158, EU262737‐741, EU418504‐505, EU422996, EU418506, EU753185‐187, and EU828528. The discovery of these additional MHC class I A sequences indicates a greater diversity and polymorphism of Chinese rhesus macaques in different geographic locations. As the set of Mamu‐A alleles in Chinese rhesus macaques differs from the alleles of Indian animals, more work still needs to be carried out to identify these new allele‐restricted immune responses with regard to vaccine studies.
The HLA dictionary 2008: a summary of HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1/3/4/5, and ‐DQB1 alleles and their association with serologically defined HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DR, and ‐DQ antigens
Authors: Holdsworth R. , Hurley C. K. , Marsh S. G. E. , Lau M. , Noreen H. J. , Kempenich J. H. , Setterholm M. , Maiers M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe 2008 report of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) data dictionary presents serologic equivalents of HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DRB3, ‐DRB4, ‐DRB5, and ‐DQB1 alleles. The dictionary is an update of the one published in 2004. The data summarize equivalents obtained by the World Health Organization Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System, the International Cell Exchange, UCLA, the National Marrow Donor Program, recent publications, and individual laboratories. The 2008 edition includes information on 832 new alleles (685 class I and 147 class II) and updated information on 766 previously listed alleles (577 class I and 189 class II). The tables list the alleles with remarks on the serologic patterns and the equivalents. The serological equivalents are listed as expert assigned types, and the data are useful for identifying potential stem cell donors who were typed by either serology or DNA‐based methods. The tables with HLA equivalents are available as a searchable form on the IMGT/HLA database Web site (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/imgt/hla/dictionary.html).
Ethical suicide research: A survey of researchers
Authors: Lakeman Richard , Fitzgerald Mary 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTResearch is needed to better understand and respond effectively to people who are suicidal. Involving people who are suicidal in research poses some ethical and pragmatic problems. The ethical problems and difficulties in obtaining approval to involve people who are suicidal in research has contributed to the current paucity of research that explores the suicidal experience. To explore some of these problems, a web‐based survey of suicide researchers was undertaken. Researchers identified from published reports were contacted by email and invited to participate in a web‐based survey. Researchers were asked to describe any problems they encountered, how ethical problems were negotiated or resolved, and any advice received from human research ethics committees. The main problems identified were accessing the population, maintaining confidentiality, the extent of care owed by the researcher to participants, and the facilitation of support to participants. As with clinical practice, ethical research involving people who are suicidal involves a process of sensitive engagement, and careful consideration and remediation of risk.