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Potential Applicability (potential + applicability)
Selected AbstractsEffects of species diversity on disease riskECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 4 2006F. Keesing Abstract The transmission of infectious diseases is an inherently ecological process involving interactions among at least two, and often many, species. Not surprisingly, then, the species diversity of ecological communities can potentially affect the prevalence of infectious diseases. Although a number of studies have now identified effects of diversity on disease prevalence, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear in many cases. Starting with simple epidemiological models, we describe a suite of mechanisms through which diversity could increase or decrease disease risk, and illustrate the potential applicability of these mechanisms for both vector-borne and non-vector-borne diseases, and for both specialist and generalist pathogens. We review examples of how these mechanisms may operate in specific disease systems. Because the effects of diversity on multi-host disease systems have been the subject of much recent research and controversy, we describe several recent efforts to delineate under what general conditions host diversity should increase or decrease disease prevalence, and illustrate these with examples. Both models and literature reviews suggest that high host diversity is more likely to decrease than increase disease risk. Reduced disease risk with increasing host diversity is especially likely when pathogen transmission is frequency-dependent, and when pathogen transmission is greater within species than between species, particularly when the most competent hosts are also relatively abundant and widespread. We conclude by identifying focal areas for future research, including (1) describing patterns of change in disease risk with changing diversity; (2) identifying the mechanisms responsible for observed changes in risk; (3) clarifying additional mechanisms in a wider range of epidemiological models; and (4) experimentally manipulating disease systems to assess the impact of proposed mechanisms. [source] Cosmeceutical properties of levan produced by Zymomonas mobilisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 3 2006K. H. Kim Levan, a polysaccharide that can be produced by both plants and micro-organisms, is a sugar polymer composed of fructose, with-2,6 linkages. Here, we have attempted to assess the possible use of levan produced by Zymomonas mobilis as a cosmeceutical ingredient. In service of this goal, we assessed a host of levan's properties, including its moisturizing effects, cell cytotoxicity, cell proliferation effects and anti-inflammation effects. Levan exhibited a moisturizing effect that was almost exactly the same as that evidenced by hyaluronic acid, as well as a similar cell proliferation effect in human fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines. Moreover, in our cell proliferation test, which was conducted using bio-artificial skin constructed via 3-dimensional (3-D) culture after the induction of primary skin inflammation with 0.05% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), cell viability in the presence of levan (0.01 and 0.05 mg mL,1) was determined to be higher than cell viability in the absence of levan. In our anti-inflammation test, which was also conducted using 3-D artificial skin, and which involved the measurement of a quantity of secreted interleukin-1 (IL-1), a pre-inflammatory mediator induced by SLS, we determined that the quantity of IL-1 in the 3-D artificial skin treated with 0.01 and 0.05 mg mL,1 of levan was less than that registered in a skin sample that had been treated only with SLS. In this study, we determined that levan exerted an anti-inflammatory effect against inflammatory reactions to skin irritants, and also that levan exerted a cell-proliferative effect in bio-artificial skin, thereby indicating its potential applicability as a cosmeceutical agent. [source] The stabilization of L -ascorbic acid in aqueous solution and water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion by controlling pH and electrolyte concentrationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 4 2004J.-S. Lee This study presents a new approach that can stabilize effectively l -ascorbic acid in water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) double emulsions. Basically, the behavior of l -ascorbic acid in the aqueous phase was observed, considering its molecular deformation. Then, it was found that the stability determined in the aqueous phase by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the collapse of ionization of l -ascorbic acid played a crucial role in protecting the molecular deformation. Then, the stable aqueous system was incorporated into the internal aqueous phase of the double emulsions. From the PLC analysis, it was observed that the l -ascorbic acid in an appropriate system showed high molecular stability for a long time. Moreover, in the measurement of in vitro skin permeation, the l -ascorbic acid stabilized in this study showed considerable skin permeation ability, indicating its potential applicability in pharmaceutics and cosmetics. [source] The copper-resistant bacterium ACU isolated from the rhizosphere of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) increased the endurance of Potamogeton crispus L. to copper toxicityJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008L. Zhang Abstract Aims:, This study aimed to develop endurance to copper stress in Potamogeton crispus L. by inoculation with the anti-copper strain ACU , a novel Enterobacteriaceae bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of Eichhornia crassipes with high copper-removal ability. Methods and Results:, A spherical copper-resistant bacterium, namely ACU, was isolated from the rhizosphere of E. crassipes. It was demonstrated to have substantial copper-removing capability, even at copper concentrations as high as 69 mg l,1. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of ACU suggested it to be a novel Enterobacteriaceae bacterium most closely related to Providencia sp. With increasing copper concentrations, the growth rate of ACU gradually decreased with a delay in the logarithmic growth phase. ACU demonstrated high copper-removal ability at the lag phase when cultivated in media with high copper concentrations. A 48-kDa extracellular copper-binding protein was detected in ACU. When P. crispus was inoculated with ACU, the growth ability of P. crispus significantly improved at all the tested copper concentrations, and the lethal time for 10 mg l,1 was delayed. Further study revealed that while ACU cells were rarely detected in the culture solution, they were associated with the surface of P. crispus. These findings indicated that ACU grew by anchoring itself on the surface of P. crispus and could increase the ability of P. crispus to resist copper toxicity. Conclusion:, To the best of our knowledge, the Enterobacteriaceae bacterium ACU is a novel nonpathogenic bacterium with high copper-removing ability from water. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This study demonstrated that the Enterobacteriaceae bacterium ACU has potential applicability for use in copper removal and in the protection of aquatic plants in copper-polluted water. [source] Effect of the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF) on barley powdery mildew and wheat leaf rust pathogensJOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Balázs Barna Abstract The small molecular mass antifungal protein of Penicillium chrysogenum (PAF) inhibited the growths of two obligate biotrophic fungal pathogens, Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei and Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici and, hence, mitigated the symptoms of barley powdery mildew and wheat leaf rust infections, respectively. PAF also affected adversely the germination of B. graminis conidia and P. recondita uredospores causing degenerative branching of germ tubes. Since powdery mildews and rusts cause serious economic losses the potential applicability of PAF to control these plant diseases is promising. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Xylanolytic complex from Aspergillus giganteus: production and characterizationJOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Glauciane Danusa Coelho An Aspergillus giganteus strain was isolated as an excellent producer of xylanase associated with low levels of cellulase. Optimal xylanase production was obtained in liquid Vogel medium containing xylan as carbon source, pH 6.5 to 7.0, at 25 °C and under shaking at 120 rpm during 84h. Among the several carbon sources tested, higher xylanase production was verified in xylan, xylose, sugar-cane bagasse, wheat bran and corn cob cultures, respectively. Optimal conditions for activity determination were 50 °C and pH 6.0. The xylanolytic complex of A. giganteus showed low thermal stability with T50 of 2 h, 13 min and 1 min when it was incubated at 40, 50 and 60 °C, respectively, and high stability from pH 4.5 to 10.5, with the best interval between 7.0 to 7.5. This broad range of stability in alkali pH indicates a potential applicability in some industrial processes, which require such condition. Xylanolytic activity of A. giganteus was totally inhibited by Hg+2, Cu+2 and SDS at 10 mM. The analysis of the products from the oat spelts xylan hydrolysis through thin-layer chromatography indicated endoxylanase activity, lack of debranching enzymes and ,-xylosidase activity in assay conditions. [source] Volumetric analysis of extraction sockets using cone beam computed tomography: a pilot study on ex vivo jaw boneJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Jimoh Olubanwo Agbaje Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of volumetric analysis of extraction sockets using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods: The volume of 40 dental alveoli in nine dry skull specimens (four mandibles and five maxillae) was determined by measuring the volume of the tooth socket impression using the water displacement technique. This was considered as the gold standard. Then, the tooth socket was scanned with CBCT and data were uploaded in the semi-automated Livewire® segmentation software. The software segments the tooth socket in consecutive 1 mm-thick two-dimensional slices. After segmentation, the total volume of the delineated socket was computed. The statistical difference between direct volumetric measurements and those obtained with CBCT imaging was assessed using the Student paired t -test. Result: The mean socket volume of the skull specimens was 227±91 mm3 when obtained by direct measurement and 225±90 mm3 when obtained by CBCT imaging. Student paired t -test showed no significant differences between both volume measurements (p>0.1). Conclusions: CBCT permits imaging of anatomical structures in three planes and allows for reliable volume estimates. The results should be verified in clinical circumstances and might have potential applicability for evaluation of extraction socket healing under different conditions. [source] A simple approach toward low-dielectric polyimide nanocomposites: Blending the polyimide precursor with a fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxaneJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 18 2008Yun-Sheng Ye Abstract This article describes a new and simple method for preparing polyimide nanocomposites that have very low dielectric constants and good thermal properties: simply through blending the polyimide precursor with a fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane derivative, octakis(dimethylsiloxyhexafluoropropyl) silsesquioxane (OF). The low polarizability of OF is compatible with polyimide matrices, such that it can improve the dispersion and free volume of the resulting composites. Together, the higher free volume and lower polarizability of OF are responsible for the lower dielectric constants of the PI-OF nanocomposites. This simple method for enhancing the properties of polyimides might have potential applicability in the electronics industry. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6296,6304, 2008 [source] Universal primers and PCR of gut contents to study marine invertebrate dietsMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2005L. E. BLANKENSHIP Abstract Determining the diets of marine invertebrates by gut content analysis is problematic. Many consumed organisms become unrecognizable once partly digested, while those with hard remains (e.g. diatom skeletons) may bias the analysis. Here, we adapt DNA-based methods similar to those used for microbial diversity surveys as a novel approach to study the diets of macrophagous (the deep-sea amphipods Scopelocheirus schellenbergi and Eurythenes gryllus) and microphagous (the bivalve Lucinoma aequizonata) feeders in the deep sea. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in conjunction with ,universal' primers amplified portions of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene for animals ingested by S. schellenbergi and E. gryllus and the 18S rRNA gene for lesser eukaryotes ingested by L. aequizonata. Amplified sequences were combined with sequences from GenBank to construct phylogenetic trees of ingested organisms. Our analyses indicate that S. schellenbergi, E. gryllus and L. aequizonata diets are considerably more diverse than previously thought, casting new light on the foraging strategies of these species. Finally, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this technique and its potential applicability to diet analyses of other invertebrates. [source] Intrusive cognitions and their appraisal in anxious cancer patientsPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 11 2009Katriina L. Whitaker Abstract Objective: Previous research found that anxious cancer patients experience uncontrollable negative intrusive cognitions that have an impact on coping and are associated with significant psychological distress. This is the first study to examine the appraisal of intrusive cognitions in an anxious group of cancer patients. Methods: A sample of 139 anxious cancer patients was assessed for evidence of intrusive phenomena, including memories, images and thoughts. Patients completed the Response to Intrusions Questionnaire and the Impact of Event Scale in relation to intrusive cognitions. Results: Forty-eight percent (67/139) reported frequent, uncontrollable intrusive cognitions. Intrusive thoughts and images were equally as common and images were associated with increased distress and uncontrollability. A significant positive linear relationship was found between the number of intrusions and anxiety severity (P<0.05). Negative appraisal of intrusive cognitions was associated with anxiety (P<0.01) and depression severity (P<0.01), intrusion-specific distress (P<0.01), rumination (P<0.01) and cognitive avoidance (P<0.01), after controlling for intrusion frequency. Conclusion: Negative appraisal of intrusive cognitions plays a significant role in psychological distress and intrusion-specific distress in anxious cancer patients. Finding similarities in the types of intrusive cognitions reported by cancer patients and other anxious populations highlights the potential applicability of psychological therapies developed to reduce the frequency and impact of intrusive cognitions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Solid-phase microextraction combined with surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization introduction for ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry using polypyrrole coatingsRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 2 2004Yan Wang The successful application of polypyrrole (PPY) solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coatings as both an extraction phase and a surface to enhance laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) of analytes is reported. This SPME/SELDI fiber integrates sample preparation and sample introduction on the tip of a coated optical fiber, as well as acting as the transmission medium for the UV laser light. Using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) detection, the signal intensity was examined as a function of extraction surface area and concentration of analyte. The linear relationship between concentration and signal intensity shows potential applicability of this detection method for quantitative analysis. Extraction time profiles for the fiber, using tetraoctylammonium bromide as test analyte, illustrated that equilibrium can be reached in less than one minute. To investigate the performance of the PPY coating, the laser desorption profile was studied. The fiber was also tested using a quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer with leucine enkephalin as test analyte. Since no matrix was used, mass spectra free from matrix background were obtained. This novel SPME/SELDI fiber is easy to manufacture, and is suitable for studying low-mass analytes because of the intrinsic low background. These findings suggest that other types of conductive polymers could also be used as an extraction phase and surface to enhance laser desorption/ionization in mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Fallacy of Generalizing from Egg Salad in False-Belief ResearchANALYSES OF SOCIAL ISSUES & PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 1 2009Kathy Pezdek Geraerts et al. (2008),reported that misleading individuals with false beliefs about having gotten sick on egg salad in childhood can reduce the probability of subsequently consuming egg salad. They concluded that their results ", have important implications for people's food and dieting choices," (p. 752). We argue that their conclusion represents a fundamental generalization problem. We report new findings that, together with other recent studies, data on disgust and the fact that hard boiled eggs produce a chemical associated with rotten food, suggest that Geraerts et al.'s success in reducing individuals' interest in eating egg salad is likely restricted to less appealing foods that are less frequently consumed. Because of potential applicability of their results to public health and well-being, and the more general applicability of the false-feedback paradigm to legal cases, it is important to accurately limit these conclusions and generalizations. [source] Assessing Ceramic Compositional Data: A Comparison of Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis On Late Iron Age Spanish Celtiberian CeramicsARCHAEOMETRY, Issue 3 2001M. García-Heras A solid-phase, non-chemical processing protocol was recently developed as a means of chemically characterizing archaeological ceramics by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). Following this methodology, TXRF can provide semi-quantitative determinations for 18 elements with comparable levels of precision and accuracy for the majority of them in comparison with a clay reference material analysed by instrumental neutron activation (INAA). In order critically to assess the analytical capabilities of TXRF, a large sample set of Late Iron Age Spanish Celtiberian ceramics and modern clays was analysed both by TXRF and INAA. Semi-quantitative chemical data provided by TXRF and quantitative data provided by INAA were subjected to commonly used multivariate statistical methods as a way of evaluating the ability of the new technique to discriminate among different compositional groups. The comparison of the two data sets shows no significant discrepancies, thereby allowing support for the same archaeological interpretation. These results suggest that TXRF has potential applicability for compositional characterization of archaeological ceramics, providing data that are useful for provenance studies. [source] I,The Relativism of Blame and Williams's Relativism of DistanceARISTOTELIAN SOCIETY SUPPLEMENTARY VOLUME, Issue 1 2010Miranda Fricker Bernard Williams is a sceptic about the objectivity of moral value, embracing instead a qualified moral relativism,the ,relativism of distance'. His attitude to blame too is in part sceptical (he thought it often involved a certain ,fantasy'). I will argue that the relativism of distance is unconvincing, even incoherent; but also that it is detachable from the rest of Williams's moral philosophy. I will then go on to propose an entirely localized thesis I call the relativism of blame, which says that when an agent's moral shortcomings by our lights are a matter of their living according to the moral thinking of their day, judgements of blame are out of order. Finally, I will propose a form of moral judgement we may sometimes quite properly direct towards historically distant agents when blame is inappropriate,moral-epistemic disappointment. Together these two proposals may help release us from the grip of the idea that moral appraisal always involves the potential applicability of blame, and so from a key source of the relativist idea that moral appraisal is inappropriate over distance. [source] Physicochemical Properties of Ionic Clathrate HydratesCHEMISTRY - AN ASIAN JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010Kyuchul Shin Abstract Ionic clathrate hydrates are known to be formed by the enclathration of hydrophobic cations or anions into confined cages and the incorporation of counterions into the water framework. As the ionic clathrate hydrates are considered for their potential applicability in various fields, including those that involve solid electrolytes, gas separation, and gas storage, numerous studies of the ionic clathrate hydrates have been reported. This review concentrates on the physicochemical properties of the ionic clathrate hydrates and the notable characteristics of these materials regarding their potential application are addressed. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||