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Kinds of Form Part Selected AbstractsA Modeling Framework for Supply Chain Simulation: Opportunities for Improved Decision Making,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 1 2005D. J. Van Der Zee ABSTRACT Owing to its inherent modeling flexibility, simulation is often regarded as the proper means for supporting decision making on supply chain design. The ultimate success of supply chain simulation, however, is determined by a combination of the analyst's skills, the chain members' involvement, and the modeling capabilities of the simulation tool. This combination should provide the basis for a realistic simulation model, which is both transparent and complete. The need for transparency is especially strong for supply chains as they involve (semi)autonomous parties each having their own objectives. Mutual trust and model effectiveness are strongly influenced by the degree of completeness of each party's insight into the key decision variables. Ideally, visual interactive simulation models present an important communicative means for realizing the required overview and insight. Unfortunately, most models strongly focus on physical transactions, leaving key decision variables implicit for some or all of the parties involved. This especially applies to control structures, that is, the managers or systems responsible for control, their activities and their mutual attuning of these activities. Control elements are, for example, dispersed over the model, are not visualized, or form part of the time-indexed scheduling of events. In this article, we propose an alternative approach that explicitly addresses the modeling of control structures. First, we will conduct a literature survey with the aim of listing simulation model qualities essential for supporting successful decision making on supply chain design. Next, we use this insight to define an object-oriented modeling framework that facilitates supply chain simulation in a more realistic manner. This framework is meant to contribute to improved decision making in terms of recognizing and understanding opportunities for improved supply chain design. Finally, the use of the framework is illustrated by a case example concerning a supply chain for chilled salads. [source] Neuropsychiatric movement disorders following streptococcal infectionDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2005K G Walker MB BS The aim of this study was to describe post-streptococcal movement disorders that form part of the acute rheumatic fever complex. The clinical records of patients diagnosed with Sydenham's chorea were analyzed retrospectively to investigate epidemiology, the significance of socioeconomic deprivation, clinical manifestations, treatments, outcomes, long-term morbidity, and disease evolution. Forty-two patients (21 males, 21 females) were diagnosed with Sydenham's chorea. The median presentation age was 9 years 8 months (range 3y 5mo to 13y 2mo). Nineteen patients were of indigenous African ancestry; 23 were of mixed ancestry. All patients lived in poverty and had poor access to medical care. Twelve of the total group had disabling symptoms for longer than 2 years; six of these patients developed paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with Streptococcus (Paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with Streptococcus [PANDAS]), five Tourette syndrome (TS), and one learning difficulties. Poor outcome was significantly more prevalent in patients of mixed ancestry, in those with a positive family history, previous behavioural problems, or a failure to complete 10 days of penicillin and ,bed-rest'/hospitalization. Sydenham's chorea is one manifestation of post-streptococcal neuropsychiatric movement disorders. This study demonstrates that patients can present with one diagnosis and evolve other neuropsychiatric conditions such as TS and PANDAS. In the South African context, it is important to delineate neuropsychiatric movement disorders associated with streptococcal infections. The potential genetic susceptibility should be explored. [source] Rendering the World Unsafe: ,Vulnerability' as Western DiscourseDISASTERS, Issue 1 2001Gregory Bankoff Disasters seem destined to be major issues of academic enquiry in the new century if for no other reason than that they are inseparably linked to questions of environmental conservation, resource depletion and migration patterns in an increasingly globalised world. Unfortunately, inadequate attention has been directed at considering the historical roots of the discursive framework within which hazard is generally presented, and how that might reflect particular cultural values to do with the way in which certain regions or zones of the world are usually imagined. This paper argues that tropicality, development and vulnerability form part of one and the same essentialising and generalising cultural discourse that denigrates large regions of world as disease-ridden, poverty-stricken and disaster-prone. [source] Directions in Rural Development Policy , Lessons from Both Sides of the Atlantic Richtlinien für die ländliche Entwicklungspolitik , Beispiele von diesseits und jenseits des Atlantiks Les orientations de la politique de développement rural , Enseignements en provenance des deux côtés de l'AtlantiqueEUROCHOICES, Issue 1 2008David Blandford Directions in Rural Development Policy , Lessons from Both Sides of the Atlantic A workshop comparing rural development policies in Europe and the US found differences in the social values that shape them. These include different attachments to place, concerns with lagging regions, and interests in the assessment of public interventions. There is also a difference in coverage. In the EU environmental and landscape issues form part of the CAP's Rural Development Pillar, using agriculture as an instrument, whereas in the US these are handled by other policies, some of which can claim deeper historical roots. In the context of rural development policy, the EU attaches intrinsic value to the environment, while in the US the focus is more on economic spin-offs from environmental quality. There are also differences in governance; a complete US view requires taking in Federal, State and local initiatives whereas in the EU a more organised framework is apparent. Nevertheless, when policy is viewed from a bottom-up perspective many common features are found. Improving human and social capital and infrastructure are key factors to stimulating economic development on both sides of the Atlantic, though only some of these drivers form part of the CAP's Pillar II. While in the EU the role of rural development is set to expand, this is far less certain in the US where the emphasis on agricultural support is likely to continue to dominate the political agenda. Les orientations de la politique de développement rural , Enseignements en provenance des deux côtés de l'Atlantique Un atelier comparant les politiques de développement rural en Europe et aux États-Unis a mis en évidence des différences entre les valeurs sociales sur lesquelles sont fondées ces politiques. Ces différences concernent entre autre l'attachement à des lieux particuliers, l'inquiétude pour les régions en retard de croissance, et l'intérêt pour une évaluation des pouvoirs publics. Les différences portent aussi sur l'étendue de la question. Dans l'Union européenne, les questions portant sur le paysage et l'environnement sont abordées dans le cadre du pilier de la PAC sur le développement rural, qui porte sur l'agriculture comme instrument du développement rural, alors qu'aux États-Unis, ces questions sont traitées par d'autres politiques dont certaines remontent à loin. Dans le contexte de la politique de développement rural, l'Union européenne attache une valeur intrinsèque à l'environnement tandis qu'aux États-Unis, l'accent est mis plutôt sur les retombées économiques d'un environnement de qualité. Les différences portent également sur la gouvernance : pour avoir une vue d'ensemble sur les États-Unis, il faut considérer les actions aux niveaux fédéral, des États et du local alors que dans l'Union européenne, un cadre plus organisé est apparent. Cependant, dans le cas de politiques partant de la base (bottom-up), de nombreux points communs existent. L'amélioration du capital social et humain, et celle des infrastructures sont des éléments clés pour stimuler le développement économique des deux côtés de l'Atlantique, même si seuls quelques uns de ces facteurs sont compris dans le deuxième pilier de la PAC. Alors que le rôle du développement rural devrait s'étendre dans l'Union européenne, c'est beaucoup moins certain aux États-Unis où l'accent sur le soutien à l'agriculture continuera probablement à dominer l'ordre du jour de la politique. Richtlinien für die ländliche Entwicklungspolitik , Beispiele von diesseits und jenseits des Atlantiks Im Rahmen eines Workshops wurden europäische und US-amerikanische Politikmaßnahmen zur Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums miteinander verglichen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich die gesellschaftlichen Werte für die Ausgestaltung der Politikmaßnahmen im Hinblick auf Ortsverbundenheit, die Belange der rückständigen Regionen und das Interesse bei der Bewertung öffentlicher Interventionen unterscheiden. Die jeweiligen Geltungsbereiche unterscheiden sich ebenfalls. In der EU bilden Fragestellungen in Bezug auf Umwelt und landschaftliche Gestaltung einen Teil der zweiten Säule der GAP (Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums), und die Landwirtschaft ist dabei ein Mittel zum Zweck. In den USA hingegen werden diese Fragestellungen durch andere Politikmaßnahmen abgedeckt, von denen einige über längere historische Wurzeln verfügen. Im Rahmen der Politik zur Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums misst die EU der Umwelt intrinsischen Wert bei, während sich die USA mehr auf aus der Umweltqualität resultierende wirtschaftliche Nebeneffekte konzentriert. Im Hinblick auf die Governance sind ebenfalls Unterschiede vorhanden: Während es im Falle der USA erforderlich ist, in einer Gesamtbetrachtung die Initiativen auf staatlicher, bundesstaatlicher und kommunaler Ebene zu berücksichtigen, lassen die Rahmenbedingungen in Europa ein höheres Maß an Organisation erkennen. Wird die Politik jedoch aus einer Bottom-up-Perspektive heraus betrachtet, können zahlreiche Gemeinsamkeiten gefunden werden. Bei der Verbesserung des Human- und Sozialkapitals und der Infrastruktur handelt es sich um Schlüsselfaktoren für die Ankurbelung der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung diesseits und jenseits des Atlantiks, wenngleich nur einige dieser Triebfedern die zweite Säule der GAP ausmachen. Während die Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums in der EU eine immer größere Rolle spielen wird, ist dies in den USA längst nicht sicher; dort wird der Schwerpunkt auf die Agrarstützung wahrscheinlich weiterhin die politische Agenda dominieren. [source] Unexpected roles for DEAD-box protein 3 in viral RNA sensing pathwaysEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Orla Mulhern Abstract Detection of viral nucleic acid within infected cells is essential to an effective anti-viral response. The retinoic acid-inducible gene-I-like receptors (RLR) form part of the virus detection repertoire and are critically important in sensing viral RNA in the cytoplasm. Efforts continue to define the signalling components downstream of RLR that are required to induce type I IFN (IFN-, and promoter stimulator-1) after viral infection. One surprising finding was that the Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp box helicase DEAD/H Box 3 (DDX3), known for some time to have a number of roles in cellular RNA regulation in the nucleus, has a role in the RLR cytoplasmic signalling pathway involved in promoter stimulator-1 induction. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, an article reports an additional distinct positive role for DDX3 in the RLR RNA sensing pathway. This further emphasises the importance of DDX3 in anti-viral immunity, and is consistent with the idea that viruses target DDX3 for immune evasion. [source] Neurons in primary motor cortex engaged during action observationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 2 2010Juliana Dushanova Abstract Neurons in higher cortical areas appear to become active during action observation, either by mirroring observed actions (termed mirror neurons) or by eliciting mental rehearsal of observed motor acts. We report the existence of neurons in the primary motor cortex (M1), an area that is generally considered to initiate and guide movement performance, responding to viewed actions. Multielectrode recordings in monkeys performing or observing a well-learned step-tracking task showed that approximately half of the M1 neurons that were active when monkeys performed the task were also active when they observed the action being performed by a human. These ,view' neurons were spatially intermingled with ,do' neurons, which are active only during movement performance. Simultaneously recorded ,view' neurons comprised two groups: approximately 38% retained the same preferred direction (PD) and timing during performance and viewing, and the remainder (62%) changed their PDs and time lag during viewing as compared with performance. Nevertheless, population activity during viewing was sufficient to predict the direction and trajectory of viewed movements as action unfolded, although less accurately than during performance. ,View' neurons became less active and contained poorer representations of action when only subcomponents of the task were being viewed. M1 ,view' neurons thus appear to reflect aspects of a learned movement when observed in others, and form part of a broadly engaged set of cortical areas routinely responding to learned behaviors. These findings suggest that viewing a learned action elicits replay of aspects of M1 activity needed to perform the observed action, and could additionally reflect processing related to understanding, learning or mentally rehearsing action. [source] Molecular epidemiology of clinical and environmental isolates of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex reveals a high genetic diversity and the presence of the molecular type VGII mating type a in ColombiaFEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006Patricia Escandón Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological relationships of clinical and environmental isolates of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex in Colombia. The current study reflects data from 1987 to 2004. In Colombia serotypes A and B are most frequently recovered from patients and the environment. Of the 178 clinical isolates studied, 91.1% were of serotype A, 8.4% serotype B and 0.5% serotype C. Of the 247 environmental isolates, 44.2% were of serotype A, 42.6% serotype B and 13.2% serotype C. No serotype D isolates were isolated. Serotype AD has not been recovered in Colombia. PCR fingerprinting with the primers M13, (GACA)4 and (GTG)5 and URA5 gene restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis grouped the majority of clinical serotype A and environmental serotype B isolates into the molecular types VNI (98.1%) and VGII (100%), respectively. Mating type , was determined in 99.3% of serotype A isolates, but 96.6% of serotype B isolates were of mating type a. Similar profiles between clinical and environmental isolates suggest that the patients may have acquired the infection from the environment. The data presented form part of the Colombian contribution to the ongoing global survey of the C. neoformans species complex. [source] Efficient contracting and accountingACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 2 2003David Emanuel This paper examines the role of accounting in an efficient contracting perspective of the firm. The firm is an alternative to the market when the costs of using the market become excessive. When a firm replaces the market, authority substitutes for the price mechanism in determining how decisions are made. This paper examines accounting's role in controlling the firm to ensure resources are put to their highest-value use. Accounting, together with employment contracts, compensation arrangements, debt contracts, internal and external auditors, and the board of directors including its audit and compensation committees comprise a package of mechanisms that have evolved to govern the firm. These institutional devices become the firm's efficient contracting technology. As accounting is part of that contracting technology, the accounting controls and systems that evolve and get implemented are efficient and the accounting methods that are used in calculating the numbers that form part of the firm's contractual arrangements are, likewise, efficient. [source] Refugee families in therapy: from referrals to therapeutic conversationsJOURNAL OF FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 2 2001Nora Sveaass Refugee families referred for therapy present a wide array of problems and expectations, not always in accordance with what therapy may offer. Major differences between referring professionals, families and therapists regarding problem definitions and solutions may complicate collaboration. Interventions that may overcome these barriers and move initial interviews into a therapeutic context are described. Three patterns regarding referral process, problem presentation and expectations (here called referral contexts) are outlined: ,the relational', where families ask for psychological and interpersonal assistance, ,the unfocused', where families are referred to therapy without expressing any wish for it, and ,the fixed solution', where families seek support for solutions that are not of a therapeutic nature. The interventions described form part of a negotiation where motives and interest for therapy are explored and agreements regarding further therapy are outlined. [source] Floodplain agricultural systems: functionality, heritage and conservationJOURNAL OF FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2010H.F. Cook Abstract Floodplain infrastructural features reduce flood risk and have the potential to enhance habitat, biodiversity, water quality and provide societal benefits. Man-made water management systems common in southern England are both flood tolerant and form part of the functional floodplain. Historic floodplain features should be incorporated into agri-environmental policy, as climate change and increasing climate variability makes flood detention areas ever more desirable. Of major importance are floodplain meadows, grazing marshes, water meadows and riparian vegetation, and there is a trend to restore river channels to more natural conditions. This paper describes the operation of historic floodplain water management systems and considers the features associated with canals and mills. The major themes in achieving conservation and restoration goals are presented, and it is demonstrated that a refinement of policies on the ground is required. [source] A neuropsychological assessment of frontal cognitive functions in Prader,Willi syndromeJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 5 2007J. Jauregi Abstract Background Prader,Willi syndrome (PWS) is associated with a characteristic behavioural phenotype whose main features are, alongside compulsive hyperphagia, deficits in social behaviour: social withdrawal, temper tantrums, perseverative speech and behaviour, mental rigidity, stereotyped behaviour, impulsiveness, etc. Similar symptoms may also be found in autistic spectrum disorders and lesional pathologies of the frontal lobe. In both cases, such symptoms have been related to dysfunctions in frontal cognitive processes such as attention, working memory and executive functions. This study uses standardized neuropsychological instruments to analyse the degree to which these processes are affected in PWS. Methods The sample comprised 16 individuals with a genetically confirmed PWS diagnosis. Subjects' IQ (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), academic level, laterality and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Attention, memory and executive functions were analysed using standard, widely employed neuropsychological tests. We compared the results of the sample group with the general population. Correlation analyses were carried out with IQ, academic level and BMI. Results In all the neuropsychological measures focusing on attention, executive functions and visuoperceptual organization, the study sample scored significantly lower than the normative reference population. The scores of the tests used for measuring immediate memory were also significantly lower when trials required sequential processing, although not when they required simultaneous processing. In the memorization of a list of words, subjects showed an initial deficit which disappeared with repetition, enabling them to obtain scores similar to the reference population. No significant correlations were found with BMI, and a higher IQ or academic level did not improve scores in the majority of tests. Conclusions The study shows a deficit in elementary frontal cognitive processes in PWS patients. This deficit may be involved in the social behaviour disorders that characterize such patients, as described in other development or frontal syndrome pathologies. However, we cannot affirm that the deficits found are specific to PWS; they could also occur in other causes of intellectual disability. Although in the study sample IQ did not correlate with frontal deficits, further research is needed to establish whether the neuropsychological alterations described form part of a cognitive phenotype for PWS. We believe that our understanding of the social behaviours typical of PWS may be improved by taking into consideration the cognitive functioning models of the prefrontal lobe, particularly those applied to pervasive developmental disorders. [source] Repetitive and ritualistic behaviour in children with Prader,Willi syndrome and children with autismJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2006N. Greaves Abstract Background Recent research has shown that the range of repetitive behaviour seen in individuals with Prader,Willi syndrome (PWS) extends beyond food-related behaviour. Methods The presence and intensity of repetitive, rigid and routinized behaviour in children with PWS was compared with that seen in children with another neurodevelopmental condition in which repetitive behaviour is common: children with autism. Parents completed the Childhood Routines Inventory (CRI). Results Contrary to our predictions, controlling for developmental level, children with PWS and children with autism showed similar levels of repetitive and ritualistic behaviour overall and on the two CRI factors measuring ,just right' and ,repetitive' behaviour. Indeed, the majority of the sample of parents of children with PWS endorsed most items on the CRI. However there was some specificity at the level of individual items with parents of children with PWS more frequently endorsing an item on ,collecting and storing objects' and parents of children with autism more frequently endorsing ,lining up objects', ,has a strong preference for certain foods' and ,seems aware of detail at home'. Conclusions These findings confirm the range of repetitive behaviours that form part of the behavioural phenotype of PWS, including insistence on sameness and ,just right' behaviours, and uncover a surprising overlap with those seen in children with autism. Clinical management for children with PWS should include advice and education regarding management of repetitive and rigid behaviour. Future research should investigate whether the repetitive behaviours that form part of the behavioural phenotype of both PWS and autism are associated with a common neuropsychological, neurotransmitter or genetic origin. [source] Linking Exploration with Exploitation through Relationship Memory,JOURNAL OF SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2007Juan Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro Companies that are able to help clients make better decisions and enhance their business capabilities to flourish. However, there is often poor rapport between operating personnel who are in touch with end customers and executive personnel who make decisions. Through exploration and exploitation processes, new ideas and actions flow from the individual (i.e., operating personnel) to the organization (i.e., the rest of individuals and groups that form part of the organization). This paper examines the relative importance and significance of "the relationship memory" as a bridge between "exploration" and "exploitation" processes and its effects on the creation of "customer capital" through an empirical investigation of 139 small to medium-sized enterprises in the Spanish optometry sector using structural equation modeling validated by factor analysis. [source] Minireview: Malassezia infections in immunocompromised patientsMYCOSES, Issue 3 2010Athanasios Tragiannidis Summary Malassezia spp. form part of the normal human cutaneous flora and are implicated in several mild, but recurrent cutaneous diseases, such as pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and, with lesser frequency, a range of other dermatological disorders. Malassezia spp. have also been associated with cutaneous and systemic diseases in immunocompromised patients including folliculitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, catheter-related fungaemia and a variety of deeply invasive infections. In this review, we provide an overview of the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of cutaneous and invasive Malassezia infections in immunocompromised patients. [source] A new taxon of phytosaur (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia) from the Late Triassic (Norian) Sonsela Member (Chinle Formation) in Arizona, and a critical reevaluation of Leptosuchus Case, 1922PALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2010MICHELLE R. STOCKER Abstract:,Leptosuchus Case, 1922 (Reptilia: Phytosauria) from the Late Triassic of the American West is represented by many specimens. Here, I present complete morphological descriptions of the skull material of a new taxon from the Sonsela Member (Chinle Formation) of Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, with the first rigorous phylogenetic analysis focused on the interrelationships of Leptosuchus. The new taxon is recovered as the sister taxon to Pseudopalatinae. It possesses one unambiguous synapomorphy (the ,septomaxillae' form part of the lateral borders of the nares) and shares the presence of a subsidiary opisthotic process with Pseudopalatinae. The new taxon does not fall within the restricted clade Leptosuchus. In my analysis, the previously proposed, but undemonstrated, sister taxon relationship between Angistorhinus and Rutiodon is not supported, Paleorhinus is recovered as paraphyletic, and a subset of taxa traditionally included within Leptosuchus are found to be more closely related to Pseudopalatinae, rendering Leptosuchus paraphyletic. ,Leptosuchus'adamanensis emerges as sister taxon to Smilosuchus gregorii and is here referred to as Smilosuchus adamanensis nov. comb., and ,Machaeroprosopus'lithodendrorum is also transferred to Smilosuchus lithodendrorum nov. comb. Documentation of the variation present within Phytosauria, and specifically within Leptosuchus sensu lato, demonstrates higher diversity within Phytosauria than previously appreciated and places the character states previously proposed for Pseudopalatinae into a broader context of shared characters. [source] Three deep Alpine-permafrost boreholes in Svalbard and ScandinaviaPERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES, Issue 1 2001Ketil Isaksen Abstract The presence and thermal character of permafrost reflect past and present surface energy balances plus the heat flux from the Earth's interior. Analysis of permafrost ground temperatures constitutes a key research tool for detecting thermal anomalies caused by twentieth-century warming. Three deep boreholes in alpine permafrost were drilled in Svalbard and Scandinavia and form part of the latitudinal transect of mountain permafrost boreholes through the mountains of Europe established under the EU PACE (Permafrost and Climate in Europe) project. The northernmost borehole in the transect, at Janssonhaugen (depth 102 m), western Svalbard (78°10,46,,N, 16°28,01,,E, 270 m ASL) was drilled in May 1998. In Scandinavia, boreholes were drilled at Tarfalaryggen (depth 100 m), northern Sweden (67°55,09,,N, 18°38,29,,E, 1550 m ASL) in March 2000 and at Juvvasshøe (depth 129 m), southern Norway (61°40,32,,N, 08°22,04,,E, 1894 m ASL) in August 1999. Permafrost thickness at Janssonhaugen is estimated as approximately 220 m. The temperature profiles on Tarfalaryggen and Juvvasshøe show anomalously low geothermal gradients, indicating low heat flow through thick permafrost (,350 m and ,380 m respectively). Palaeoclimatic analysis based on inversion modelling of the ground temperature measurements at Janssonhaugen shows near surface warming of 1.5 ± 0.5 °C during the twentieth century. Both the Tarfalaryggen and Juvvasshøe boreholes also reveal thermal anomalies, which reflect a surface warming over the past decades, with a magnitude of approximately 0.5,1.0 °C. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. RÉSUMÉ L'existence d'un pergélisol ainsi que ses caractères thermiques reflètent la balance entre l'énergie de surface (passée et actuelle) et le flux de chaleur interne de la terre. L'étude des températures du pergélisol constitue ainsi une recherche fondamentale pour détecter les anomalies thermiques dues au réchauffement du vingtième siècle. Trois sondages profonds dans le pergélisol alpin ont été réalisés au Svalbard et en Scandinavie. Ils constituent une partie du transect en latitude de sondages du pergélisol de montagne réalisé dans le cadre du projet de l'Union Européenne Pace (Pergélisol et Climat en Europe). Le sondage le plus septentrional du transect a été foré en mai 1998 à Janssonhaugen (profondeur 102 m), à l'ouest de Svalbard (78°10,46,,N, 16°28,01,,E, à 270 m d'altitude). En Scandinavie, des sondages ont été réalisés en mars 2000 à Tarfallaryggen (profondeur 100 m) au nord de la Suède (67°55,09,,N, 18°38,29,,E, à 1550 m d'altitude) et en août 1999 à Juvvasshoe (profondeur 129 m), au sud de la Norvège (61°40,32,,N, 08°22,04,,E, à 1894 m d'altitude). L'épaisseur du pergélisol à Janssonhaugen est approximativement de 220 m. Les profils de température à Tarfalaryggen et à Juvvasshoe montrent des gradients géothermiques anormalement faibles, indiquant un faible écoulement de chaleur au travers d'un pergélisol épais (respectivement d'environ 350 m et 380 m). Des analyses paléoclimatiques basées sur un modèle d'inversion des mesures de la température du sol à Janssonhaugen indiquent un réchauffement près de la surface de 1.5 0.5 °C pendant le 20e siècle. A la fois à Tarfalarygen et à Juvvasshoe, les anomalies thermiques existantes révèlent un réchauffement de la surface d'une ampleur de approximative de 0.5 à 1.0 °C au cours des dernières décades [source] Incidents of bee poisoning with pesticides in the United Kingdom, 1994,2003PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 11 2007Elizabeth A Barnett Abstract For over 20 years, the UK Agriculture Departments have monitored the direct effects of pesticides on beneficial insects, mainly honeybees (Apis mellifera, L.) and bumblebees (Bombus terrestris, L.), as part of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS). The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) has contributed to WIIS by providing the required laboratory skills for the determination of bee diseases and the expert analytical experience necessary to determine low-level pesticide residues and interpret these results. The results from WIIS form part of the pesticide regulatory process coordinated by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) and are published each year. This paper has reviewed the data from WIIS over the 10 year period from 1994 to 2003. The overall trend is that suspected poisoning incidents, reported by beekeepers and the general public, have declined from 56 incidents per year to 23 incidents per year. The number of these incidents that have been attributed to pesticide poisoning has also declined, from 25 incidents to five incidents per year. The possible reasons for these changes and the circumstances involved in the bee poisoning incidents are discussed. However, the source of the pesticide in bee poisoning incidents is often uncertain and the likely cause of these incidents and any trends over time are also discussed. © Crown copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sub-cellular localization of membrane proteinsPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 19 2008Pawel G. Sadowski Abstract In eukaryotes, numerous complex sub-cellular structures exist. The majority of these are delineated by membranes. Many proteins are trafficked to these in order to be able to carry out their correct physiological function. Assigning the sub-cellular location of a protein is of paramount importance to biologists in the elucidation of its role and in the refinement of knowledge of cellular processes by tracing certain activities to specific organelles. Membrane proteins are a key set of proteins as these form part of the boundary of the organelles and represent many important functions such as transporters, receptors, and trafficking. They are, however, some of the most challenging proteins to work with due to poor solubility, a wide concentration range within the cell and inaccessibility to many of the tools employed in proteomics studies. This review focuses on membrane proteins with particular emphasis on sub-cellular localization in terms of methodologies that can be used to determine the accurate location of membrane proteins to organelles. We also discuss what is known about the membrane protein cohorts of major organelles. [source] Associations between height, body mass, and frequency of decayed, extracted, and filled deciduous teeth among two cohorts of Taiwanese first gradersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2009B. Floyd Abstract In this study, heights, weights, and numbers of decayed, extracted, and filled (DEF) deciduous teeth of 300 first-graders from a less affluent area of Taipei were compared with those of 277 first-graders from a more affluent one. Parents of all children self-identified as having ancestors from Fujian. This study tested the hypothesis that synergisms between under-nutrition and disease form part of a causal pathway contributing to the risk of deciduous caries. Within the less affluent community significant inverse associations between height and body mass index, as proxies for nutritional status, and the frequency of DEF deciduous teeth were anticipated. These associations were not expected in the more affluent community where nutritional status was adequate. An alternative hypothesis, that parental behavior potentially correlated with parental education, occupational backgrounds, housing, or family size contributed independently to offspring nutritional status and caries risk, was evaluated with available data. Consistent with the primary hypothesis, regression analyses revealed significant negative slopes of height (P = 0.002) and log BMI (P = 0.036) on total DEF deciduous teeth in the less affluent group, but not in the more affluent one. Direct tests of slope coefficients in the two groups indicate a significant difference for height (P = 0.041) but not log BMI (P = 0.29). Inclusion of parental education, occupational categories, housing, and numbers of siblings in the regression model provided no support to the alternative hypothesis. Results suggest that improving nutritional status significantly lowers caries risk, though most variation is probably attributable to other factors. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded structures in the 1:1 proton-transfer compounds of l -tartaric acid with the associative-group monosubstituted pyridines 3-aminopyridine, 3-carboxypyridine (nicotinic acid) and 2-carboxypyridine (picolinic acid)ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 1 2010Graham Smith The 1:1 proton-transfer compounds of l -tartaric acid with 3-aminopyridine [3-aminopyridinium hydrogen (2R,3R) -tartrate dihydrate, C5H7N2+·C4H5O6,·2H2O, (I)], pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (nicotinic acid) [anhydrous 3-carboxypyridinium hydrogen (2R,3R)-tartrate, C6H6NO2+·C4H5O6,, (II)] and pyridine-2-carboxylic acid [2-carboxypyridinium hydrogen (2R,3R)-tartrate monohydrate, C6H6NO2+·C4H5O6,·H2O, (III)] have been determined. In (I) and (II), there is a direct pyridinium,carboxyl N+,H...O hydrogen-bonding interaction, four-centred in (II), giving conjoint cyclic R12(5) associations. In contrast, the N,H...O association in (III) is with a water O-atom acceptor, which provides links to separate tartrate anions through Ohydroxy acceptors. All three compounds have the head-to-tail C(7) hydrogen-bonded chain substructures commonly associated with 1:1 proton-transfer hydrogen tartrate salts. These chains are extended into two-dimensional sheets which, in hydrates (I) and (III) additionally involve the solvent water molecules. Three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded structures are generated via crosslinking through the associative functional groups of the substituted pyridinium cations. In the sheet struture of (I), both water molecules act as donors and acceptors in interactions with separate carboxyl and hydroxy O-atom acceptors of the primary tartrate chains, closing conjoint cyclic R44(8), R34(11) and R33(12) associations. Also, in (II) and (III) there are strong cation carboxyl,carboxyl O,H...O hydrogen bonds [O...O = 2.5387,(17),Å in (II) and 2.441,(3),Å in (III)], which in (II) form part of a cyclic R22(6) inter-sheet association. This series of heteroaromatic Lewis base,hydrogen l -tartrate salts provides further examples of molecular assembly facilitated by the presence of the classical two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded hydrogen tartrate or hydrogen tartrate,water sheet substructures which are expanded into three-dimensional frameworks via peripheral cation bifunctional substituent-group crosslinking interactions. [source] Chromium-based clinopyroxene-type germanates NaCrGe2O6 and LiCrGe2O6 at 298,KACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 12 2008Günther J. Redhammer The structure analyses of sodium chromium digermanate, NaCrGe2O6, (I), and lithium chromium digermanate, LiCrGe2O6, (II), provide important structural information for the clinopyroxene family, and form part of our ongoing studies on the phase transitions and magnetic properties of clinopyroxenes. (I) shows C2/c symmetry at 298,K, contains one Na, one Cr (both site symmetry 2 on special position 4e), one Ge and three O-atom positions (on general positions 8f) and displays the well known clinopyroxene topology. The basic units of the structure of (I) are infinite zigzag chains of edge-sharing Cr3+O6 octahedra (M1 site), infinite chains of corner-sharing GeO4 tetrahedra, connected to the M1 chains by common corners, and Na sites occupying interstitial space. (II) was found to have P21/c symmetry at 298,K. The structure contains one Na, one Cr, two distinct Ge and six O-atom positions, all on general positions 4e. The general topology of the structure of (II) is similar to that of (I); however, the loss of the twofold symmetry makes it possible for two distinct tetrahedral chains, having different conformation states, to exist. While sodium is (6+2)-fold coordinated, lithium displays a pure sixfold coordination. Structural details are given and chemical comparison is made between silicate and germanate chromium-based clinopyroxenes. [source] Epidermal Langerhans cell migration and sensitisation to chemical allergensAPMIS, Issue 7-8 2003MARIE CUMBERBATCH Epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) form part of the wider family of dendritic cells (DC; professional antigen-processing and antigen-presenting cells). LC are considered to serve in the skin as sentinels of the adaptive immune system, surveying the local environment and transporting foreign antigen for presentation to responsive T lymphocytes in regional lymph nodes. As such, LC play pivotal roles in the initiation of cutaneous immune responses, including immune responses to chemical allergens encountered at skin surfaces. Here we explore two aspects of LC function in the context of sensitisation to chemical allergens. The first is consideration of the cytokine and chemokine signals that regulate and counter-regulate the mobilisation and migration of LC from the epidermis to skin-draining lymph nodes following topical sensitisation. The second is examination of the ways in which LC may influence the polarity of induced T lymphocytes, and thereby the quality of immune responses. [source] Floristic diversity in fragmented Afromontane rainforests: Altitudinal variation and conservation importanceAPPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010Christine B. Schmitt Abstract Question: How does the floristic diversity of Afromontane rainforests change along an altitudinal gradient? What are the implications for conservation planning in these strongly fragmented forest areas that form part of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot? Location: Bonga, southwestern Ethiopia. Methods: Based on evidence from other montane forests, we hypothesized that altitude has an effect on the floristic diversity of Afromontane rainforests in southwestern Ethiopia. To test this hypothesis, detailed vegetation surveys were carried out in 62 study plots located in four relatively undisturbed forest fragments situated at altitudes between 1600 m and 2300 m. Floristic diversity was evaluated using a combination of multivariate statistical analyses and diversity indices. Results: Ordination and indicator species analyses showed gradual variations in floristic diversity along the altitudinal gradient with a pronounced shift in species composition at ca. 1830 m. Upper montane forest (>1830 m) is characterized by high fern diversity and indicator species that are Afromontane endemics. Lower montane forest (<1830 m) exhibits a greater diversity of tree species and a higher abundance of the flagship species Coffea arabica. Conclusions: Our results provide crucial ecological background information concerning the montane rainforests of Ethiopia, which have been poorly studied until now. We conclude that both forest types identified during this study need to be considered for conservation because of their particular species compositions. Owing to the high degree of forest fragmentation, conservation concepts should consider a multi-site approach with at least two protected areas at different altitudinal levels. [source] Recurring main-chain anion-binding motifs in short polypeptides: nestsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 11 2004E. James Milner-White A novel tripeptide motif called a nest has recently been described in proteins with the function of binding anionic, or partially anionic, atoms such as carbonyl O atoms. In the present work, a search for nests in small polypeptides stored in the Cambridge Structural Database is reported. 37 unique examples were found: over half form part of hydrogen-bond arrangements resembling those in proteins, such as Schellman/paperclip loop motifs, various types of ,-turn and Asx-turns or Ser/Thr-turns, while a third are in novel situations, some involving binding to anionic groups from other molecules within the crystal complex. An example is the antibiotic vancomycin, which incorporates a prominent nest forming part of a peptide-binding site. This nest binds the carboxylate of the C-terminal d -alanine of the bacterial cell-wall precursor peptide, thereby inhibiting the final step of bacterial cell-wall synthesis. As in proteins, a number of nests occur in short peptides with an alternating glycine/l -amino-acid sequence but, uniquely to non-ribosomally synthesized short peptides, several nests within them are constructed from alternating d - and l -amino acids, and such sequences seem to specially favour nests. [source] Depth distribution and composition of seed-banks in alien-invaded and uninvaded fynbos vegetationAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Patricia M. Holmes Abstract South African fynbos vegetation is threatened on a large scale by invasive woody plants. A major task facing nature conservation managers is to restore invaded areas. The aim of this study was to determine the restoration potential of fynbos following dense invasion by the Australian tree Acacia saligna. The impacts of dense invasion on seed-bank composition and depth distribution were investigated to determine which fynbos guilds and species have the most persistent seed-banks. Soil samples were excavated at three different depths for invaded and uninvaded vegetation at two sand plain and mountain fynbos sites. Seed-banks were determined using the seedling emergence approach. Invasion caused a significant reduction in seed-bank density and richness at all sites. There was a significant, but smaller, reduction in seed-bank density and richness with soil depth at three sites. Seed-bank composition and guild structure changed following invasion. Low persistence of long-lived obligate seeders in sand plain fynbos seed-banks indicates that this vegetation type will be difficult to restore from the seed-bank alone following alien clearance. The dominance of short-lived species, especially graminoids, forbs and ephemeral geophytes, suggests that regenerating vegetation will develop into a herbland rather than a shrubland. It is recommended that seed collecting and sowing form part of the restoration plan for densely invaded sand plain sites. As seed density remained higher towards the soil surface following invasion, there is no general advantage in applying a mechanical soil disturbance treatment. However, if the shallow soil seed-bank becomes depleted, for example following a hot fire through dense alien slash, a soil disturbance treatment should be given to exhume the deeper viable seed-bank and promote recruitment. [source] Climate change impacts on investment in crop sowing machinery,AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2009Ross Kingwell A model of investment in crop sowing machinery is applied to wheat production under current and projected climatic conditions at several locations in south-western Australia. The model includes yield responses to time of sowing at each location given current and projected climatic conditions. These yield relationships are based on wheat growth simulation modelling that in turn draws on data from a down-scaled global circulation model. Wheat price distributions and cost of production data at each location, in combination with the time of sowing yield relationships are used to determine a farmer's optimal investment in crop sowing work rate under each climate regime. The key finding is that the impacts of climate change on profit distributions are often marked, yet mostly modest changes in investment in work rate form part of the profit-maximising response to climate change. The investment response at high versus low rainfall locations mostly involves increases and decreases in work rates, respectively. However, changes to investment in work rate within a broadly similar rainfall region are not always uniform. The impacts of climate change on investments in work rate at a particular location are shown to require knowledge of several factors, especially how climate change alters the pattern of yield response to the time of sowing at that location. [source] Diagnostic value and prognostic significance of protein S-100,, melanoma-inhibitory activity, and tyrosinase/MART-1 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the follow-up of high-risk melanoma patientsCANCER, Issue 7 2003Claus Garbe M.D. Abstract BACKGROUND Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin carcinoma in humans, frequently with a rapid progression of disease. To detect early developing metastasis, laboratory tests to determine levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) form part of the regular follow-up, but often cannot discover recurrent disease at a sufficiently early stage. METHODS To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of protein S-100, (S-100,), melanoma-inhibitory activity (MIA), LDH, AP, and tyrosinase/MART-1 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the authors included 296 consecutive AJCC Stage II or III clinically disease-free melanoma patients. Follow-up examinations were performed every 3 months and blood samples were drawn to determine the levels of these tumor markers. RESULTS Metastasis occurred in 41 of the 296 patients during a median follow-up period of 19 months (range, 1,33 months). The sensitivity to detect new metastases was 29% for protein S-100,, 22% for MIA, 2% for LDH, 17% for AP, and 24% for RT-PCR. The diagnostic accuracy was best for MIA (86%) and S-100, (84%), whereas AP (79%), LDH (77%), and RT-PCR (72%) demonstrated lower values. Elevated values of S-100, and MIA during follow-up examinations were associated with decreased survival rates in the further course of the disease, but pathologic findings of the other tumor markers showed no prognostic impact. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of currently available tumor markers in the follow-up of high-risk melanoma patients. Protein S-100, and MIA demonstrated a higher sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of newly occurring metastasis compared with to the tumor markers AP, LDH, and RT-PCR diagnostics. Therefore, the tumor markers S-100, and MIA may be useful in the follow-up of disease-free Stage II and III melanoma patients. Cancer 2003;97:1737,45. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11250 [source] Changes in parent-assessed oral health-related quality of life among young children following dental treatment under general anaestheticCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008P. E. Malden Abstract,,, Objective:, To estimate the nature and magnitude of changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children having dental treatment under general anaesthetic (GA) and to examine the evaluative properties of the Child Oral Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire (COHQOL©). Methods:, Data from a consecutive clinical sample of the parents/caregivers of children receiving dental treatment under GA at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals were collected from parents using the Parental-Caregivers Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) and the Family Impact Scale (FIS), which both form part of the COHQOL© Questionnaire. The first questionnaire was completed before treatment or while the participant's child was undergoing treatment. The follow-up questionnaire was completed 1,4 weeks afterward. Treatment-associated changes in OHRQoL were determined by comparing baseline and follow-up data for the mean scores and the prevalence of impacts. The discriminative properties of the instrument were confirmed and then its evaluative properties were assessed (by examining its test,retest reliability, responsiveness and longitudinal construct validity). The minimally important difference was determined for the overall scale and subscales. Results:, Complete baseline and follow-up data were obtained for 202 and 130 participants, respectively (64.4% follow-up rate). The evaluative properties of the P-CPQ and FIS were acceptable. There were substantial and highly statistically significant reductions in mean P-CPQ and FIS scores after treatment, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large, depending on the subscale being examined. The minimally important difference was shown by almost two-thirds of the children treated. Conclusion:, The provision of dental treatment under GA for young children with severe dental caries experience is associated with substantial and highly significant improvements in both their OHRQoL and in the impact on their families. The P-CPQ and the FIS show promise as evaluative measures for use in dental health services research. [source] An attenuation model for distant earthquakesEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2004Adrian Chandler Abstract Large magnitude earthquakes generated at source,site distances exceeding 100km are typified by low-frequency (long-period) seismic waves. Such induced ground shaking can be disproportionately destructive due to its high displacement, and possibly high velocity, shaking characteristics. Distant earthquakes represent a potentially significant safety hazard in certain low and moderate seismic regions where seismic activity is governed by major distant sources as opposed to nearby (regional) background sources. Examples are parts of the Indian sub-continent, Eastern China and Indo-China. The majority of ground motion attenuation relationships currently available for applications in active seismic regions may not be suitable for handling long-distance attenuation, since the significance of distant earthquakes is mainly confined to certain low to moderate seismicity regions. Thus, the effects of distant earthquakes are often not accurately represented by conventional empirical models which were typically developed from curve-fitting earthquake strong-motion data from active seismic regions. Numerous well-known existing attenuation relationships are evaluated in this paper, to highlight their limitations in long-distance applications. In contrast, basic seismological parameters such as the Quality factor (Q -factor) could provide a far more accurate representation for the distant attenuation behaviour of a region, but such information is seldom used by engineers in any direct manner. The aim of this paper is to develop a set of relationships that provide a convenient link between the seismological Q -factor (amongst other factors) and response spectrum attenuation. The use of Q as an input parameter to the proposed model enables valuable local seismological information to be incorporated directly into response spectrum predictions. The application of this new modelling approach is demonstrated by examples based on the Chi-Chi earthquake (Taiwan and South China), Gujarat earthquake (Northwest India), Nisqually earthquake (region surrounding Seattle) and Sumatran-fault earthquake (recorded in Singapore). Field recordings have been obtained from these events for comparison with the proposed model. The accuracy of the stochastic simulations and the regression analysis have been confirmed by comparisons between the model calculations and the actual field observations. It is emphasized that obtaining representative estimates for Q for input into the model is equally important.Thus, this paper forms part of the long-term objective of the authors to develop more effective communications across the engineering and seismological disciplines. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Validation of Marker Material Flow in 4mm Thick Friction Stir Welded Al 2024-T351 through Computer Microtomography and dedicated Metallographic TechniquesADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 6 2006R. Zettler This study forms part of a joint three year project between the GKSS-Forschungszentrum and Airbus Deutschland titled "Effect of material flow patterns on the properties of friction stir welds in aluminium alloys for aircraft structures" -EMFASIS. The global aim of our research project is to identify how process and geometric parameters such as weld tool geometry influence the weld energy and subsequent joint properties of four friction stir welded aerospace grade aluminium alloys. The current study reports on the visualisation and displacement of a Ti powder marker material dispersed within the weld zone and investigated with the aid of X-ray computer microtomography (,CT) and dedicated metallographic techniques. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||