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We discovered several imbricate beachrock deposits (IBD), one of which was observed to have formed during the tsunami caused by the 1994 7.8 Mw earthquake in East Java, Indonesia. Similar IBD were also found along the southern coastlines of central Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumba, Kisar, Leti and Nailaka Islands. Most IBD are composed of thin, rectangular (2.5 × 1.7 × 0.4 m) slabs of in situ calcareous beachrock dislodged from the intertidal platform during powerful wave impacts. The largest imbricated beachrock slabs are around 3 m3. Ages of coral boulders incorporated into the IBD generally match with historical records of known tsunamigenic earthquakes and candidate paleotsunami sand deposit ages. To test for the influence of storms on the IBD, we measured the positions of boulders over a 3-year period at one site by overlaying digital surface models created from small uncrewed aerial system surveys. During the 3 years there were multiple uncommonly high wave events including two tropical cyclones, which are rare in Indonesia. Of the approximately 1220 slabs in the IBD around 113 moved slightly or flipped within the deposit, but no beachrock slabs were added or removed. The combination of data from various sources (eyewitnesses, consistent boulder characteristics, lack of storms or their effects on boulders, and age analyses) favors the hypothesis that the IBD are emplaced by recurring large wave events. The most probable causes of these events are tsunamis generated by the Java Trench and other submarine faults and landslides. If this is the case, then the IBD may provide durable records of previous mega-thrust earthquakes and tsunamis that should be incorporated into tsunami risk assessments for the highly populated coastlines of the eastern Sunda and Banda Arcs. We include two tsunami models that estimate > 6 million people inhabit likely inundation zones of a worst-case scenario tsunami generated by a Java Trench mega-thrust earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeybees Apis mellifera (European honeybee) and Apis cerana (Asian honeybee) are cosmopolitan, having colonized continents beyond their natural ranges. In tropical Australia, these alien species have recently become sympatric. The environmental and economic impacts of these species when in sympatry remain to be seen; however, any interspecific competition may be of significance. We examined conspecific and heterospecific interactions between honeybees foraging at the nectar- and pollen-providing flowers of Antipogon leptopus (Polygonaceae). We cross-classified 554 encounters by three variables; incoming bee species, resident bee species, and one of four potential responses: (1) incoming defers to resident; (2) incoming procures the flower from resident; (3) incoming and resident share the flower; or (4) both incoming and resident abandon the flower. We also measured aggression and foraging rates of workers at flowers. Both species visited similar numbers of flowers in a foraging bout and spent similar foraging times on individual flowers. Incoming A. mellifera were more likely to procure flowers from resident A. cerana, and incoming A. cerana were more likely to defer to resident A. mellifera. A. mellifera were more aggressive toward heterospecifics than conspecifics, with heterospecifics 4.5 times more likely to provoke an aggressive response. However, no significant difference between conspecific and heterospecific aggression was observed for incoming A. cerana. A. mellifera were less abundant, yet overall more likely to acquire flowers and use aggression to do so. Costs of aggression may help explain the population-scale dominance of A. cerana over A. mellifera in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issues of describing and understanding the changes in performance that result when a catalyst is placed into plasma are discussed. The different chemical and physical interactions that result and how their combination might produce beneficial results for the plasma-catalytic processing of different gas streams are outlined with particular emphasis being placed on the different range of spatial and temporal scales that must be considered both in experiment and modelling. The focus is on non-thermal plasma where the lack of thermal equilibrium creates a range of temperature scales that must be considered. This contributes in part to a wide range of inhomogeneity in different properties such as species concentrations and electric fields that must be determined experimentally by in situ methods and be incorporated into modelling. It is concluded that plasma-catalysis is best regarded as conventional catalysis perturbed by the presence of a discharge, which modifies its operating conditions, properties and outcomes often in a very localised way. The sometimes used description "plasma-activated catalysis" is an apt one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plasma decomposition of gaseous dodecane has been investigated in a non-thermal BaTiO packed-bed plasma reactor in the atmospheric pressure streams of N-O mixtures using FTIR and OES spectroscopy. Results suggest that energy transfer reactions of the electronically-excited nitrogen metastable, N(A), with dodecane play an important role in the initiation steps that lead to the dissociation of C-H and C-C bonds at the different positions. Increasing the percentage of oxygen in the nitrogen (up to 40 %) does not increase the dodecane decomposition, as metastable nitrogen reacts with the additional oxygen to create increasing NO and NO instead. NO formation does not change significantly with increasing oxygen concentration but this is strongly correlated to the oxygen lattice in the BaTiO pellets used in the reactor. The maximum degradation efficiency found was to be ~21 % with an energy efficiency of 2.63 mg kJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dichloroacetate (DCA), through the inhibition of aerobic glycolysis (the 'Warburg effect') and promotion of pyruvate oxidation, induces growth reduction in many tumours and is now undergoing several clinical trials. If aerobic glycolysis is active in multiple myeloma (MM) cells, it can be potentially targeted by DCA to induce myeloma growth inhibition.Methods: Representative multiple myeloma cell lines and a myeloma-bearing mice were treated with DCA, alone and in combination with bortezomib.Results: We found that aerobic glycolysis occurs in approximately half of MM cell lines examined, producing on average 1.86-fold more lactate than phorbol myristate acetate stimulated-peripheral blood mononuclear cells and is associated with low-oxidative capacity. Lower doses of DCA (5-10 mM) suppressed aerobic glycolysis and improved cellular respiration that was associated with activation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Higher doses of DCA (10-25 mM) induced superoxide production, apoptosis, suppressed proliferation with a G0/1 and G2M phase arrest in MM cell lines. In addition, DCA increased MM cell line sensitivity to bortezomib, and combinatorial treatment of both agents improved the survival of myeloma-bearing mice.Conclusion: Myeloma cells display aerobic glycolysis and DCA may complement clinically used MM therapies to inhibit disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:Recent work suggests that macronutrients are pro-inflammatory and promote oxidative stress. Reports of postprandial regulation of total adiponectin have been mixed, and there is limited information regarding postprandial changes in high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a standardised high-fat meal on metabolic variables, adiponectin (total and HMW), and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in: (i) lean, (ii) obese non-diabetic and (iii) men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Subjects/Methods:Male subjects: lean (n=10), obese (n=10) and T2DM (n=10) were studied for 6 h following both a high-fat meal and water control. Metabolic variables (glucose, insulin, triglycerides), inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 (IL6), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), nuclear factor (NF)κB expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p65)), indicators of oxidative stress (oxidised low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), protein carbonyl) and adiponectin (total and HMW) were measured.Results:No significant changes in TNFα, p65, oxLDL or protein carbonyl concentrations were observed. Overall, postprandial IL6 decreased in subjects with T2DM but increased in lean subjects, whereas hsCRP decreased in the lean cohort and increased in obese subjects. There was no overall postprandial change in total or HMW adiponectin in any group. Total adiponectin concentrations changed over time following the water control, and the response was significantly different in lean subjects compared with subjects with T2DM (P=0.04).Conclusions:No consistent significant postprandial inflammation, oxidative stress or regulation of adiponectin was observed in this study. Findings from the water control suggest differential basal regulation of total adiponectin in T2DM compared with lean controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the squaring map over the p-adic numbers for an odd prime p, and study its symbolic dynamics on the unit circle in ℤ, the p-adic integers. When the map is restricted to the set of squares, we show an equivalence to angle doubling (mod 1) for rational angles. For primes p ≡ 3 (mod 4), this map may be represented as a unitary permutation matrix of the type used in quantum phase estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coupled tasks scheduling problem was originally introduced for modeling complex radar devices. It is still used for controlling such devices and applied in similar applications. This paper considers a problem of coupled tasks scheduling on a single processor, under the assumptions that all processing times are equal to 1, the gap has exact integer length L and the precedence constraints are strict. We prove that the general problem, when L is part of the input and the precedence constraints graph is a general graph, is NP-hard in the strong sense. We also show that the special case when L=2 and the precedence constraints graph is an in-tree or an out-tree, can be solved in O( n) time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison has been made of plasma-catalysis with thermal-catalysis and plasma alone for the removal of low concentrations of propane and propene from synthetic air using a one-stage, catalyst-in discharge configuration. In all cases, plasma-catalysis produces better hydrocarbon destructions (~40%) than thermal catalysis at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, little difference is observed between plasma-catalytic and thermal-catalytic operation. Plasma operation by itself had a similar effectiveness to plasma-catalysis at low temperatures but was significantly lower (up to 50%) as the temperature was raised. By examining the form of the temperature dependence for the plasma-catalytic destruction processes, it is possible to phenomenologically distinguish two contributions to the destruction; one that is specifically plasma-induced and another (at higher temperatures) in which both plasma and thermal activation have similar mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments are reviewed in which a two-layer salt-stratified tank of water was mixed by turbulence. The density profile began as a single step and evolved to a smooth mixed profile. The turbulence was generated by many excursions of a horizontally moving vertical rod with Richardson number Ri > 0.9 and Reynolds Number Re > 600. There was almost perfect collapse of all the profiles to one universal profile as a function of a similarity variable. We develop a theoretical model for a simple mixing law with a buoyancy flux that is a function of internal Richardson number Rii. A similarity equation is found. A flux law that increases with small Rii and decreases with large Rii is considered next. Since no analytical solution is known, the similarity concept is tested by numerically integrating the equations in space and time. With buoyancy flux monotonically increasing with internal Richardson number, the similarity approach is valid for a profile starting from a slightly smoothed step. However, a shock forms for a mixing law with higher initial Rii (so that buoyancy flux decreases with Richardson number) and the similarity approach is invalid for those initial conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive measurements were made using an Aerodyne quantum cascade laser absorption spectrometer (QCLAS) to study the diurnal and seasonal cycles of NH3 concentrations in Manchester city centre. Measurements made at rooftop levels showed traffic to be a significant source of NH3 concentrations in the winter. This was illustrated by a bimodal diurnal cycle of NH3 concentrations that was synchronized with traffic, and also by a correlation with NOx, a traffic related pollutant. These patterns were not observed during the summer, suggesting other sources become more important. Measurements were also made at street level during winter and summer, close to the traffic source. This time the contribution from traffic was also observed in the summer, albeit weaker. Enhanced NH3 concentrations were often seen in winds from the southwest that could not be related to local sources, suggesting that ambient concentrations in the city are strongly influenced by sources outside the city. It is estimated that the total NH3 emission from the city centre is between 0.7 and 2.3 t km−2 year−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma with a titanium dioxide catalyst were combined to destroy difluorochloromethane, CCl2F2, (CFC-12) in gas streams of nitrogen and air using two configurations; one where the catalyst was incorporated directly into the plasma and the other where the catalyst was downstream of the plasma. The single stage reactor, in both gas streams, gave significant enhancement of the CFC-12 destruction with high energy efficiency. Both configurations decreased NOx production when processing in air. No loss in catalyst surface area or activity was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma with a titanium dioxide catalyst were combined to destroy difluorochloromethane, CCl2F2, (CFC-12) in gas streams of nitrogen and air using two configurations; one where the catalyst was incorporated directly into the plasma and the other where the catalyst was downstream of the plasma. The single stage reactor, in both gas streams, gave significant enhancement of the CFC-12 destruction with high energy efficiency. Both configurations decreased NOx production when processing in air. No loss in catalyst surface area or activity was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research exists regarding the toxicity of metals (including arsenic) to aquatic invertebrates. However, there has been little consideration of potential synergies between metals and ultraviolet (UV) radiation–despite considerable debate on this topic in human health research. Ultraviolet radiation is nearly ubiquitous in the natural environment, but it is generally overlooked as a confounding variable in toxicological assessments. We evaluate synergies between arsenic and solar UV radiation using the crustacean, Ceriodaphnia dubia. Both laboratory (with simulated solar radiation) and outdoor (with natural solar radiation) factorial experiments were performed with two intensities of UV (low and high) and four arsenic concentrations (0, 1, 1.25 and 1.5mg/l). The laboratory experiment was multigenerational, examining survival and fecundity effects. The combination of high UV+1.5mg/l As adversely impacted survival; whereas, High UV+0mg/l As and Low UV+1.5mg/l As treatments did not. These results suggest synergism. This pattern was consistent for all three generations. Fecundity effects were not consistent across generations, and arsenic was demonstrated to have a greater impact than UV. Outdoor experiments were limited to assessing survival. Exposures in September 1999 resulted in a pattern similar to that in the laboratory exposure. High UV+1.5mg/l As treatment elicited diminished survival as compared to high UV+0mg/l As and low UV+1.5mg/l As. These results indicate that a synergistic effect between arsenic and UV exposure is possible under ambient conditions and within a relatively narrow dose range. The mechanism of this effect is unknown but could include synergistic genotoxic or oxidative stress. These findings point to the importance of using realistic UV exposures when determining criteria for protection of aquatic life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3K) plays a central part in the mediation of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. No genetic studies of this enzyme in human syndromes of severe insulin resistance have been previously reported.¶Methods. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase p85α regulatory subunit cDNA was examined in 20 subjects with syndromes of severe insulin resistance by single strand conformational polymorphism and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. Insulin-stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity and recruitment into phosphotyrosine complexes of variants of p85α were studied in transiently transfected HEK293 cells. Phosphopeptide binding characteristics of wild-type and mutant p85α-GST fusion proteins were examined by surface plasmon resonance.¶Results. The common p85α variant, Met326I1e, was identified in 9 of the 20 subjects. Functional studies of the Met326Ile variant showed it to have equivalent insulin-stimulated lipid kinase activity and phosphotyrosine recruitment as wild-type p85α. A novel heterozygous mutation, Arg409Gln, was detected in one subject. Within the proband's family, carriers of the mutation had a higher median fasting plasma insulin (218 pmol/l) compared with wild-type relatives (72 mol/l) (n = 8 subjects, p = 0.06). The Arg409Gln p85α subunit was associated with lower insulin-stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity compared with wild-type (mean reduction 15 %, p < 0.05, n = 5). The recruitment of Arg409Gln p85α into phosphotyrosine complexes was not significantly impaired. GST fusion proteins of wild-type and mutant p85α showed identical binding to phosphopeptides in surface plasmon resonance studies.¶Conclusion/interpretation. Mutations in p85α are uncommon in subjects with syndromes of severe insulin resistance. The Met326Ile p85α variant appears to have no functional effect on the insulin-stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity. The impaired phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity of the Arg409Gln mutant suggests that it could contribute to the insulin resistance seen in this family. [Diabetologia (2000) 43: 321–331] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of recent developments in statistical methods for the design of clinical trials. Whilst the methods are suitable for application in a wide range of therapeutic areas, they are of particular value in intensive care medicine due to its high levels of mortality and short periods of follow-up. The paper reviews the calculation of the sample size necessary to achieve a given power requirement, and then describes the operation of a Data and Safety Monitoring Board, the mid-trial reassessment of sample size and the use of stopping rules to terminate a study as soon as sufficient evidence is available. The purpose of the paper is to encourage investigators to consider the wide range of design options which have recently become available, when planning a new clinical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple theoretical box-models and laboratory experiments demonstrate that an estuary subjected to freshwater flux and heating or cooling can possess more than one stable, stationary state if a well-defined set of forcing conditions are present. Two types of estuaries can develop such multiple temperature-salinity states. The same may be true of continental shelves and marginal seas. One type receives freshwater runoff from land but is cooled in the winter. The second has net freshwater loss from evaporation but also receives strong solar heating. Criteria are found which define the conditions needed for multiple states. It is shown that under most conditions, the density difference vetween estuary and ocean would be dominated by salinity if the inlet is sufficiently small (such as inland seas). In contrast, if the inlet is sufficiently wide and atmospheric cooling and heating is sufficiently great, the density difference would be dominated by temperature. Multiple states lie between these extremes. One of the multiple states is dominated by the salinity difference between estuary and ocean, the other by temperature difference. Each state is stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Prospective, randomised clinical comparisons with a control group are the ideal way to evaluate the effectiveness of a new therapy. However if the new therapy is already available, then it may be unethical to refuse patients this treatment indefinitely. In some trials, patients randomised to the control group receive placebo until their condition deteriorates, and are then switched to the new therapy. Patients randomised to the experimental group receive the new treatment immediately. An analysis following the intention-to-treat principle will be a valid comparison of the two treatment policies actually used. However, such an analysis will underestimate the effect of immediate therapy relative to completely untreated controls, and in particular a negative conclusion should not be interpreted to mean that the therapy is ineffective. In this paper we introduce a parametric approach, which models the dependence between the survival time and the time of switching to the new treatment. This is used first to illustrate the lack of power of the intention-to-treat analysis for evaluating the therapy relative to a pure control. More speculatively, an alternative method of analysis based on our model is presented. We illustrate the issues with data from a prospective randomised study, in which one group of HIV-positive patients received zidovudine immediately after randomisation while control patients were switched to zidovudine only when their condition deteriorated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot dry summer experienced in England in 1976 did not result in the complete destruction of the free living stages of Ostertagia circumcincta derived from eggs deposited on the herbage in the spring. The surviving larvae are of significance in perpetuating infection in grazing animals and on the pastures for future years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note we conduct construct validity tests for dichotomous choice (DC) and polychotomous choice (PC) contingent valuation questions. Contrary to previous results, we find that DC and PC estimates of willingness to pay are theoretically valid, convergent valid, and similar in terms of statistical precision. Similar to previous results, PC respondents are less sensitive to information than DC respondents. We conclude that DC and PC valuation questions are construct valid for this study. Sequential PC valuation questions could be used in studies where obtaining information about the certainty or intensity of respondent preferences would be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]