Relative effects of bacterial and protozoan predators on survival of Escherichia coli in estuarine water samples

The relative effect of protozoan and bacterial predators on the survival of Escherichia coli in estuarine water samples was examined. Predacious protozoa exerted their major influence on E. coli destruction during the first 2 days of a 10-day-decline period. Inhibition of protozoa after day 2 had little effect on E. coli survival. Bacterial predators also contributed to E. coli destruction but in natural estuarine water samples were maintained at lower levels due to "grazing" by predacious protozoa.     

含有零值和负值的随机准备金模型

在准备金评估中,由于多数随机准备金模型基本假设的限制是不能直接处理含有零值和负值增量赔款三角形,本文利用一个变换和广义线性模型的混合模型去解决这种情况．     

Studies on the ultrastructure, histochemistry and cytochemistry of the uninfected digestive gland of Bithynia tentaculata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) and on the ultrastructure of this host organ in snails infected with larval digeneans

The structure and function of the digestive gland of the gastropod mollusc, Bithynia tentaculata, was investigated using ultrastructural, histochemical, and cytochemical techniques. The digestive gland was shown to be composed of two main cell types, the "digestive" cells and "secretory" cells. The digestive cells appeared to be concerned with the absorption and digestion of nutrients, while secretory cells produced digestive enzymes and calcareous concretions. Undifferentiated cells were scattered between these two main cell types. The pathological effects of larval digeneans on the digestive gland were also investigated, at the ultrastructural level. In such infected snails the digestive gland appeared to be degenerating. The significance of this tissue destruction was briefly discussed.     

PDF417二维条码肖像图片压缩编码的优化算法研究

针对PDF417二维条码存储空间有限的问题，提出了一种基于小波变换的有损图像压缩算法，通过这个算法，可以将静态图片信息加入PDF417条码中，并能够满足在指定字节数情况下保证高质量地压缩图像，该文在分析小波变换等算法理论的基础上，详细介绍了PDF417二维条码肖像图片压缩编码的优化算法及该算法的实验结果与美国Symbol公司的PC2VQ算法结果对比。     

Holographic digital Fourier microscopy for selective imaging of biological tissue

We present an application of digital Fourier holography for selective imaging of scatterers with different sizes in turbid media such as biological tissues. A combination of Fourier holography and high‐resolution digital recording, digital Fourier microscopy (DFM) permits crucial flexibility in applying filtering to highlight scatterers of interest in the tissue. The high‐resolution digital hologram is a result of the collation of Fourier holographic frames to form a large‐size composite hologram. It is expected that DFM has an improved signal‐to‐noise ratio as compared to conventional direct digital imaging, e.g., phase microscopy, as applied to imaging of small‐size objects. The demonstration of the Fourier filtering capacity of DFM using a biological phantom represents the main focus of this article. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 14, 253–258, 2004; Published online inWiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20031     

Tricalcium aluminate hydration: Microstructural observations by in-situ electron microscopy

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was used to study the microstructural changes that take place during the hydration of tricalcium aluminate (C₃A) in the absence and presence of gypsum (CS¯H₂; where A = Al₂O₃, C = CaO, H = H₂O, S¯ = SO₃). The ESEM proves to be a valuable tool in the observation of cement hydration and no specialised equipment other than the ESEM is required. The hydration process can be observed at any time without the need to halt the hydration process prior to specimen preparation. Subsequently, artefacts associated with specimen preparation, such as water loss and desiccation, are now avoided. In the absence of sulphate, amorphous gel, poorly crystalline hexagonal calcium aluminate hydrate (? C₄AH₁₉) and cubic calcium aluminate hydrate (C₃AH₆) are observed on the surface of C₃A grains. When small amounts of sulphate (2% gypsum) are present the same phases are observed. If larger amounts of sulphate (25% gypsum) are added to the system amorphous gel products, crystalline ettringite (C₆AS¯₃H₃₂) and monosulphate (C₄AS¯H₁₂) are observed. The crystalline products grow both within the amorphous gel and, where space allows, in interstices suggesting a through solution mechanism of transport.     

Propagation of Data Error and Parametric Sensitivity in Computable General Equilibrium Models

While computable general equilibrium (CGE) models are a well-established tool in economic analyses, it is often difficult to disentangle the effects of policies of interest from that of the assumptions made regarding the underlying calibration data and model parameters. To characterize the behavior of a CGE model of carbon output with respect to two of these assumptions, we perform a large-scale Monte Carlo experiment to examine its sensitivity to base year calibration data and elasticity of substitution parameters in the absence of a policy change. By examining a variety of output variables at different levels of economic and geographic aggregation, we assess how these forms of uncertainty impact the conclusions that can be drawn from the model simulations. We find greater sensitivity to uncertainty in the elasticity of substitution parameters than to uncertainty in the base-year data as the projection period increases. While many model simulations were conducted to generate large output samples, we find that few are required to capture the mean model response of the variables tested. However, characterizing standard errors and empirical probability distribution functions is not possible without a large number of simulations.     

Moving beyond ‘more crop per drop’: insights from two decades of research on agricultural water productivity

ABSTRACT

Concern over increasing water scarcity has led to the introduction of the concept of agricultural water productivity and an emphasis on interventions to achieve ‘more crop per drop’. Yet, a strong debate continues on how the concept is to be defined and used. Drawing largely from the irrigation literature, the origins of the concept and its methodological developments are reviewed, and its use in applied work over two decades is discussed. Based on this analysis of conceptual and applied research, key insights into the concept’s contributions and limitations are presented, as well as opportunities for further refinements.     

Multi-laboratory evaluations of the performance of Catellicoccus marimammalium PCR assays developed to target gull fecal sources

Here we report results from a multi-laboratory (n = 11) evaluation of four different PCR methods targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Catellicoccus marimammalium originally developed to detect gull fecal contamination in coastal environments. The methods included a conventional end-point PCR method, a SYBR^® Green qPCR method, and two TaqMan^® qPCR methods. Different techniques for data normalization and analysis were tested. Data analysis methods had a pronounced impact on assay sensitivity and specificity calculations. Across-laboratory standardization of metrics including the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), target detected but not quantifiable (DNQ), and target not detected (ND) significantly improved results compared to results submitted by individual laboratories prior to definition standardization. The unit of measure used for data normalization also had a pronounced effect on measured assay performance. Data normalization to DNA mass improved quantitative method performance as compared to enterococcus normalization. The MST methods tested here were originally designed for gulls but were found in this study to also detect feces from other birds, particularly feces composited from pigeons. Sequencing efforts showed that some pigeon feces from California contained sequences similar to C. marimammalium found in gull feces. These data suggest that the prevalence, geographic scope, and ecology of C. marimammalium in host birds other than gulls require further investigation. This study represents an important first step in the multi-laboratory assessment of these methods and highlights the need to broaden and standardize additional evaluations, including environmentally relevant target concentrations in ambient waters from diverse geographic regions.