bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Jasmonic acid is involved in the water‐stress‐induced betaine accumulation in pear leaves
Authors: GAO X.‐P. , WANG X.‐F. , LU Y.‐F. , ZHANG L.‐Y. , SHEN Y.‐Y. , LIANG Z. , ZHANG D.‐P. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTJasmonic acid (JA) is known to be involved in the response of plants to environmental stresses such as drought, and betaine (glycinebetaine) is an osmopretectant accumulated in plants under environmental stresses including drought. However, it remains currently unclear whether JA is involved in the water‐stress‐induced betaine accumulation in plant leaves. The present experiment, performed with the whole pear plant (Pyrus bretschneideri Redh. cv. Suli), revealed that the exogenously applied JA induced a significant increase of the betaine level in the pear leaves when the plants were not yet stressed by drought, and when the plants were subjected to water stress, the ‘JA plus drought’ treatment induced a significant higher betaine level than did the drought treatment alone. Meanwhile, the ‘JA plus drought’ treatment induced higher levels of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH, E C 1.2.1.8) and activities in the leaves than did the drought treatment alone. These results obtained in the whole plant experiments were supported by the results of detached leaf experiments. In detached leaves JA induced significant increases in betaine levels, BADH activities and BADH protein amounts in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. These data demonstrate that JA is involved in the drought‐induced betaine accumulation in pear leaves.
The Determinants of Bank Credit in Industrialized Countries: Do Property Prices Matter?
Authors: Hofmann Boris 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn this study, we analyse the determinants of bank credit to the private non‐financial sector in 16 industrialized countries based on a cointegrating VAR. Cointegration analysis suggests that property prices are an important determinant of the long‐run borrowing capacity of the private sector, which needs to be taken into account to explain the long‐run movements of bank lending. Impulse response analysis reveals that innovations to property prices also have a highly significant and persistent positive dynamic effect on bank lending. This result suggests that innovations to property prices may give rise to significant and persistent cycles in bank lending and are thus a potential explanation for the persistent financial cycles observed in the past.
Evolution of a complex coevolved trait: active pollination in a genus of fig wasps
Authors: Cook J. M. , Bean D. , Power S. A. , Dixon D. J. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Only three insect lineages have evolved complex active pollination behaviour and only fig wasps (Agaonidae) have also reverted from active to passive pollination. Previously, it was assumed that there was a single origin of active pollination in fig wasps, followed by one independent loss in each of five genera. We show here that there have been three to six changes in pollination behaviour within just one genus (Pleistodontes). The results suggest multiple gains of active pollination in fig wasps, but are sensitive to assumptions about the relative costs of gaining and losing this complex behaviour. In addition, previous comparative studies at higher taxonomic levels have reported correlated evolution between active pollination in wasps and low anther/ovule ratios in figs. We report that changes in pollination behaviour between congeneric species correlate perfectly with changes in anther/ovule ratios in the host figs, showing no phylogenetic inertia in coadaptation at the species level.
Parasite-induced surfacing in the cockle Austrovenus stuchburyi: adaptation or not?
Authors: Tompkins D. M. , Mouritsen K. N. , Poulin R. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Parasite manipulation of host behaviour is a compelling example of the extended phenotype. However, in many cases, such manipulation may be incorrectly assumed. Previous work has demonstrated that Austrovenus stuchburyi cockles stranded on mud-flat surfaces due to an inability to re-burrow both contain significantly more metacercariae of the trematode Curtuteria australis and are predated by the definitive host of this parasite at a faster rate than burrowed cockles. These results have been interpreted as strong evidence for a manipulation of cockle behaviour by the trematode to facilitate transmission to the definitive host. The model presented here, however, indicates that the selective advantage to the parasite of the altered host behaviour is currently of a negligible level at our study site that is highly unlikely to have been realized as an adaptation over evolutionary time. Hence, there are no grounds on which the more parsimonious explanation, that the altered host behaviour observed is simply an incidental side-effect of infection, can be rejected. We thus maintain that for any change in the behaviour of infected hosts to be confirmed as potentially a parasite trait that has evolved in response to selection, the adaptive benefit taking into account the entire parasite life cycle may need to be considered.
Generating a learning curve for penile block in neonates, infants and children: an empirical evaluation of technical skills in novice and experienced anaesthetists
Authors: Schuepfer Guido , Jöhr Martin 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground : Literature concerning learning curves for anaesthesiological procedures in paediatric anaesthesia is rare. The aim of this study was to assess the number of penile blocks needed to guarantee a high success rate in children.Methods : At a teaching hospital, the technical skills of 29 residents in anaesthesiology who performed penile blocks under the supervision of two staff anaesthesiologists were evaluated during a 12‐month period using a standardized self‐evaluation questionnaire. At the start of the study period, the residents had no prior experience in paediatric anaesthesia or in performing penile block. All residents entered the paediatric rotation after a minimum of 1‐year training in adult general and regional anaesthesia. The blocks were rated using a binary score. For comparison, the success rates of the two supervising staff anaesthesiologists were collected during the same period using the same self‐evaluation questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed by generating individual and institutional learning curves by using the pooled data. The learning curves were calculated with the aid of a least square fit model. A 95% CI were estimated by a Monte Carlo procedure with a bootstrap technique.Results : In a total number of 392 blocks performed, the overall success rate was 92.1%. There was no statistical difference between the success rate of the two staff members (success rate: 96.3%) and the overall success rate of the 29 residents performing a total of 339 blocks. The total success rate for this group was 91.5%. The failure rate for the first 10 blocks performed by the residents was 8.82% (95% CI: 5.0–14.14%), it was 4.12% (95% CI: 1.13–10.22%) for the next 10 blocks and from blocks 21 to 40 it was 6.5% (95% CI: 2.65–12.9%). For blocks 41–60, the failure rate was 4.4% (95% CI 0.54–15.15%).Conclusions : Penile block in children is easily learned by residents. A steep learning curve was found. The success rate was over 93.5% after more than 40 blocks.
A case of severe diazoxide toxicity
Authors: Silvani Paolo , Camporesi Anna , Mandelli Anna , Wolfler Andrea , Salvo Ida 
Published: December 2004

SummaryHyperinsulism is a rare cause of persistent hypoglycemia in the neonatal period. Therapy can be accomplished either surgically or pharmacologically. Diazoxide treatment remains the mainstay of medical therapy. Tolerance of diazoxide is usually excellent, but several adverse effects of this drug have been described. A case of severe diazoxide intoxication with fluid retention, congestive heart failure, and respiratory failure is reported. The patient was a 43‐day‐old infant, affected by persistent and severe hypoglycemia. After the diagnosis, hyperinsulinism was established he was treated with diazoxide (17 mg·kg−1 daily) and octreotide (12 μg·kg−1 daily). A few days later he presented with hepatomegaly, severe fluid retention, diffuse edema, congestive heart failure, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. After introduction of ACE inhibitors he developed acute renal failure. The clinical condition worsened and he developed pulmonary hypertension requiring high‐frequency oscillatory ventilation. Diazoxide was stopped on the 12th day in spite of poor control of blood sugar. During the next 5 days his hemodynamic status dramatically improved and he was weaned from catecholamines: he lost weight, had a negative fluid balance, and the edema disappeared, a normal diuresis resumed and renal function improved. Improvement of respiratory patterns and gas exchange made it possible to switch back to conventional ventilation and then to extubate the patient. Echocardiography demonstrated reduction of the PA pressure to normal and resolution of atrial enlargement. The patient was scheduled for elective subtotal pancreatectomy. Diagnosis and management of diazoxide intoxication are discussed.
Evaluation and costs of different haemoglobin methods for use in district hospitals in Malawi
Authors: Medina Lara A , Mundy C , Kandulu J , Chisuwo L , Bates I 
Published: December 2004

Aims:To evaluate the characteristics of manual haemoglobin methods in use in Malawi and provide evidence for the Ministry of Health in Malawi to enable them to choose a suitable method for district hospitals.Methods:Criteria on accuracy, clinical usefulness, user friendliness, speed, training time, and economic costs were determined by local health professionals and used to compare six different manual haemoglobin methods. These were introduced sequentially into use in a district hospital in Malawi alongside the reference method.Results:HemoCue was the optimal method based on most of the outcome measures but was also the most expensive (US$0.75/test). DHT meter and Jenway colorimeter were the second choice because they were cheaper (US$0.20–0.35/test), but they were not as accurate or user friendly as HemoCue.Conclusions:The process for choosing appropriate laboratory methods is complex and very little guidance is available for health managers in poorer countries. This paper describes the development and testing of a practical model for gathering evidence about test efficiency that could be adapted for use in other resource poor settings.
Association of specific genotype and haplotype of p53 gene with cervical cancer in India
Authors: Mitra S , Misra C , Singh R K , Panda C K , Roychoudhury S 
Published: December 2004

Background:The predictive value of codon 72 arginine homozygosity at the p53 gene for human papilloma virus associated cervical cancer risk remains inconclusive. It has also been proposed that the inheritance of specific germline haplotypes based on three biallelic polymorphisms of p53 (intron 3 16 bp duplication, codon 72 Bst UI (Arg/Pro), and intron 6 Nci I restriction fragment length polymorphism at nucleotide 13494) is a better predictor of various cancer risks.Aims:To determine the genotype and haplotype frequency of these three p53 polymorphisms in 61 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma and 94 ethnically matched controls from the eastern region of India and estimate the risk, if any, of specific genotypes and haplotypes.Methods:Samples were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction followed by variant specific restriction enzyme digestion. Haplotypes were estimated by the maximum likelihood method using the expectation maximisation algorithm.Results:Genotype distributions of the three polymorphisms in patients and controls showed a good fit to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The p53 codon 72 arginine homozygous genotype was significantly over represented in patients compared with controls. Those with the homozygous arginine genotype exhibited a 2.59 fold higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A significant risk was also seen with a combination of two haplotypes, 1–2–1 and 1–2–2.Conclusion:p53 codon 72 arginine homozygotes appear to be at greater risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The high risk haplotypes 1–2–1 and 1–2–2 also contain the arginine allele, further strengthening this conclusion.
Silicon molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Gravesteijn Dirk J. , van De Walle Gerjan F. A. , van Gorkum Aart A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractRecent results in the field of silicon molecular beam epitaxy (SiMBE) are reviewed. Emphasis is put on the possibility of doping‐profile engineering, as in delta‐doped layers. Heteroepitaxy of Si1 −xGex on Si is discussed in detail. Due to the band‐gap narrowing in the Si1 −xGex several improved devices can be designed, such as heterojunction bipolar transistors and modulation‐doped structures which show potential for improved field‐effect transistors. An exciting area of research involves superlattices consisting of repetitions of layers of Si and Ge, each with a thickness of only a few atomic layers.
Reactions of hydridotrihalostannato complexes of platinum {trans‐[PtH(SnX3)(PR3)2]} with alkenes
Authors: Permin A B , Petrosyan V S 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAn interaction of trans‐[PtH(SnX3)L2] (I, L = PPh3, PMePh2, PEt3; PBu3; X = Cl, Br) with ethylene, propene and 2‐methylpropene has been studied by means of 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The reactions of platinum hydrides I with ethylene are rapid and reversible at −90°C, giving cis‐[PtR(SnX3)L2] (II, R = C2H5). The reaction of propene with I (L = PPh3, PMePh2) gives II, R = C3H7. 13C and 1H NMR spectra prove the n‐propyl structure for II, L = PMePh2, X = Cl. Complexes II irreversibly isomerize into trans‐[PtR(SnX3)L2] between −50° and 0°C. The equilibrium constants and rates are estimated for the reactions of I with alkenes. They decrease as a function of L (PMePh2 > PPh3 > PBu3 > PEt3) and X (Br > Cl). The reactivities of alkenes decrease with increase of steric hindrances at the double bond.
Adsorption and desorption method for cacodylic acid with inorganic ion exchangers
Authors: Tanaka Yasuo , Tsuji Masamichi , Abe Mitsuo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSynthetic inorganic ion exchangers were studied regarding adsorption and desorption features of cacodylic acid [(CH3)2A3O(OH)] with a view to finding a selective adsorbent in aqueos solution. Hydrous oxides of titanium [Ti(IV)], Zirconium [Zr(IV)], manganese [Mn(IV)] and ion [Fe(III)] among synthetic inorganic ion exchangers showed a high selectivity towards cacodylic acid over a wide pH range lower than 12. A large capacity for cacodylic acid (1.0 mmol g−1) was observed for amorphous hydrous titanium dioxide (Am‐HTDO) at pH < 5.5 in a solution of ionic strength of 0.1 made with (NaCl + HCl) or (NaCl + NaOH). The uptake by the column method (0.9 mmol g−1) was in good agreement with the batch method. The acid could be quantitatively eluted by 1 mol dm−3 NaOH.
Arsenic compounds in the edible red alga, Porphyra tenera, and in nori and yakinori, food items produced from red algae
Authors: Shibata Yasuyuki , Jin Kazuo , Morita Masatoshi 
Published: December 2004

AbstractArsenic compounds were extracted with methanol/water (1:1, v/v) from freeze‐dried samples of the edible red alga, Porphyra tenera (asakusanori in Japanese), and also from nori and yakinori, food items produced from red algae. The extracts were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) serving as an arsenic‐specific detector. Two arsenic‐containing ribofuranosides were identified in all samples tigated, and they accounted for almost all the extractable arsenic (8.7–21 mg As Kg−1 dry sample) in each sample. A compound bearing a glycer‐ophosphoryl glycerol moiety was dominant in every sample. Arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonate, and dimethylarsinate were quantified by hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometry. Arsenate and dimethylarsinate were detected in all samples at low levels (around 0.15 and 0.05 mg As Kg−1 dry sample, respectively). Arsenite was detected only in the unprocessed Porphyra tenera at 0.005 mg As Kg−1 dry sample. Methylarsonate was not found in any of the samples.
Determination of arsenic and other elemental abundances in marine macro‐algae by photon activation analysis
Authors: Suzuki Nobuo , Iwata Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA non‐destructive photon activation analysis technique with 30‐MeV bremsstrahlung followed by high‐resolution γ‐spectrometry is applied to multielement analysis of two brown algae, Laminaria religiosa and Sargassum horneri, and one red alga, Heterosiphoia japonica. This method is quite simple and gives good, reproducible results. Elemental abundances of nine elements including arsenic were determined. Arsenic content in the above algae are 50.8, 92.1, and 8.3 mg kg−1 (dry weight base), respectively. Arsenic contents in algae indifferent seasons and different locations do not show a large scatter. The concentration ranges of arsenic together with other essential main components (e.g. sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and chlorine) in a number of samples are summarized. The mean concentrations for these five elements are compared with the elemental abundance of these elements in seawater, and the high enrichment of arsenic and phosphorus is clearly observed.
Determination of arsenate and phosphate in rainwater: Preconcentration bt membrane filtration
Authors: Matsubara Chiyo , Yoshihara Kazuhiro , Ejima Hirofumi , Takamura Kiyoko 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA simple and rapid method for the determining arsenate and phosphate in rainwater is proposed. These compounds form molybdoarsenate– and molybdophosphate–Malachite Green aggregates with MoMG reagent (MoMG = a mixture of ammouium molybdate and Malachite Green). The aggregates were first collected on a nitrocellulose membrane filter (pore size 3μm) and then dissolved with the filter in a small amount of 2‐methoxyethanol. Absorbance (627 nm), denoted as A(As + P), was found to be proportional to the sum of the arsenate and phosphate concentrations with a molar absorptivity of 2.8 × 105 (mol dm−3)−1 cm−1. Following the addition of thiosulphate, an agent which reduces arsenate, the absorbance A(P) was measured as described above. A(P) corresponded to the concentration of phosphate alone and A(As + P)–A(P), to arsenate concentration only. This method is shown to be a rapid and highly accurate means for determining arsenate and phosphate levels within the 1–150 nmol dm−3 concentration range.
Alkene isomerization catalysed with platinum hydride complexes
Authors: Permin A B , Petrosyan V S 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe mechanism of but‐1‐ene, pent‐1‐ene and 3‐methylbut‐1‐ene isomerization catalysed with trans‐[PtH(SnX3)L2] (I, L = PPh3, PMePh2, PEt3, PPr3; X = Cl, Br) have been studied. Stoichiometric reactions of I with the alkenes proceed even at −90°C giving cis‐[Pt(alkyI‐1) (SnX3) L2] (II). The equilibrium amounts of II are dependent on the nature of the phosphines, halogens and alkenes. The isomerization rates, determined at +20°C, change in parallel with the relative stabilities of II as a function of phosphine (PMePh2 > PPh3 > PAlk3) and halogen (Br > Cl), and decrease with methyl substitution at γ‐ and δ‐ carbons of the alkenes. 2‐Substituted alk‐1‐enes undergo no isomerization in the reactions under investigation. When L is PPh3 or PMePh2, the main platinum‐containing species in the course of the isomerization are trans‐[Pt(alkyl‐1) (SnX3)L2], appearing as a result of cis‐trans isomerization of II. The conversion of I, L = PAlk3 into related trans‐alkyl complexes, and oxidation of I, proceed more slowly than the isomerization of alkenes. The ratio of cis‐ to trans‐alk‐2‐enes is dependent on the size of L and is a maximum for L = PPh3.
Detection of environmental polyorganosiloxanes (silicones) by silicon‐29 NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Bellama Jon M , Meyer Stephen R , Pellenbarg Robert E 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe utility of 29Si NMR spectroscopy has been demonstrated on sediment‐like materials in the quantitative and qualitative determination of polyorganosiloxanes (silicones) in selected environmental samples. This technique is highly selective for polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) and is non‐destructive to the sample. Also, specific identification of polyorganosiloxanes in sediment is possible, in contrast to previous methods which provided only quantitative information while consuming the sample. The detection limit for a 9 h experiment is approximately 45 ppm.
Refractory arsenic species in estuarine waters
Authors: De Bettencourt A M M , Andreae M O 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTotal digestion of estuarine water samples by dry ashing shows that a significant fraction of dissolved arsenic does not form hydrides with sodium tetrahydroborane (NaBH4) and is therefore not detected by the normal hydride generation‐atomic absorption analytical technique. It is also refractory to alkaline digestion with sodium hydroxide. Sequential ultrafiltration suggests a molecular weight below 210 for this new arsenic fraction. The magnitude and molecular weight of this fraction may open new perspectives on the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic. Ecological reasons can explain the discrepancy between these findings and previous research.
Tolerance of aggressive and non‐aggressive isolates of Ceratocystis ulmi to organotin fungicides
Authors: Eng George , Acholonu Alexander D W 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe effect of triorganotin compounds, R3SnX, on the growth of three wild strains of Ceratocystis ulmi (C. ulmi) fungus, two aggressive and one non‐aggressive strains, was evaluated in shake culture. In all cases, the triphenyltins were the more effective organotins for the inhibition of C. ulmi in vitro. The anionic group, X, did not have a significant role in the inhibition, suggesting that the species involved in the inhibition is the triphenyltin moiety (Ph3Sn+) or the hydrated triphenyltin moiety (Ph3Sn(H2O)+2). It is further suggested that the triphenyltin species Ph3SnOH and Ph3SnOAc are the preferred compounds for the control of Dutch elm disease. The tolerance of aggressive isolates to fungitoxins appears to depend more on the nature of the fungicide than on the type of fungus.
Quadratic nonlinear optical properties of ruthenium (II)‐bipyridine complexes in crystalline powders
Authors: Sakaguchi Hiroshi , Nagamura Toshihiko , Matsuo Taku 
Published: December 2004

AbstractQuadratic nonlinear optical properties for the crystalline powders of two types of ruthenium‐bipyridine [Ru(bipy)3] complexes were investigated. The nonlinear optical processes markedly depended on the molecular structures of the ruthenium complexes. Second harmonic generation (SHG) and very weak two‐photon emission were observed for the alkylated ruthenium‐bipyridine compexes with two long alkyl chains attached via amide bonds (RuCnB), whereas only two‐photon emission was observed for Ru(bipy)3. The existence of two amide bonds in one bipyridine ligand for RuCnB complexes most probably enhanced the molecular hyperpolarizability as compared with Ru(bipy)3. The SHG intensity from RuCnB complexes increased in the order RuC18B < RuC12B < RuC16B. The order of SHG intensity from RuCnB was ascribed to the difference in size of each crystalline powder estimated by X‐ray diffraction methods.