Tolerance to Thiarubrines from Ambrosia chamissonis by the Rare Moth Lasionycta wyatti

The larvae of a rare noctuid moth, Lasionycta wyatti, were found to be associated with the stems and roots of Ambrosia chamissonis, a species found along sandy beaches in western North America. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses of L. wyatti larvae and their frass revealed significant amounts of thiarubrines, secondary compounds characteristic of this host plant. Artificial diet studies showed that thiarubrines were well tolerated by these larvae. These same diets, however, were toxic to larvae of Manduca sexta and inhibited larval growth of Spodoptera litura. Even in the presence of simulated sunlight, artificial diets containing thiarubrines did not affect larvae of L. wyatti. However, dietary incorporation of thiophenes, natural UV-activated breakdown products of thiarubrines, was deleterious to larvae of L. wyatti.     

Leasing wind turbines (and its alternatives)

The financing of wind farms has historically consisted of a mixture of traditional debt and equity, with debt generally being provided by high street or specialist banks, through inter-company loans, or from International Funding Agencies (IFA's) via National Funding Agencies in developing countries. The use of more innovative financing methods has to date been limited. One possible method of attracting finance for wind farms is the leasing of wind turbines, and this paper sets out the reasons leasing is particularly appropriate for renewable energy (RE) projects (in particular wind farms), the effect leasing may have on returns available to investors, and some of the obstacles that have to be overcome by the RE and wind industry to increase the utilisation of leasing.This paper concludes by discussing the possibility of using a pan-European leasing company as a means of providing overseas aid to developing countries, thereby facilitating the implementation of wind energy in these important regions.     

A rule-based approach to producing Z specifications from Jackson system development

In this paper, we propose a rule-based approach (called JSDZ) to producing Z specifications from Jackson system development (JSD) specifications automatically. In JSDZ, JSP is to serve as the structuring mechanism to help the analysis of problem domains, and Z is to express the formal specifications of JSD artifacts. Several criteria are identified for comparing specifications generated from JSDZ and Z. The bringing together of diagrammatical and text elements of JSD specifications in Z notations offers two major benefits. First, JSD can be seen both as a structuring mechanism that helps in deriving Z specifications, and as a preliminary that assists in ascertaining the clients requirements. Second, Z specifications make it easier to identify omissions or errors. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An n-gram hash and skip algorithm for finding large numbers of keywords in continuous text streams

A method of full-text scanning for matches in a large dictionary of keywords is described, suitable for Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI). The method is applicable to large dictionaries (say 10⁴ to 10⁵ entries), and to arbitrary byte streams for both patterns and data samples. The approach involves a sequence of tests, beginning with Boyer–Moore–Horspool skipping on digrams, followed by a succession of hash tests, and completed by trie searching, the combination of which is quite fast. Background information is provided, the algorithm and its implementation are described in detail, and experimental results are presented. In particular, tests suggest that the proposed method outperforms the algorithms of Aho–Corasick and Commentz–Walter when implementing large dictionaries. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cell Fate Decisions in the Neural Crest,from Pigment Cell to Neural Development

The neural crest shows an astonishing multipotency, generating multiple neural derivatives, but also pigment cells, skeletogenic and other cell types. The question of how this process is controlled has been the subject of an ongoing debate for more than 35 years. Based upon new observations of zebrafish pigment cell development, we have recently proposed a novel, dynamic model that we believe goes some way to resolving the controversy. Here, we will firstly summarize the traditional models and the conflicts between them, before outlining our novel model. We will also examine our recent dynamic modelling studies, looking at how these reveal behaviors compatible with the biology proposed. We will then outline some of the implications of our model, looking at how it might modify our views of the processes of fate specification, differentiation, and commitment.     

Comparison of the effects of black and green tea on in vitro lipoprotein oxidation in human serum

Lipoprotein oxidation is a process thought to be involved in atherogenesis. Dietary antioxidants that prevent or inhibit oxidative damage to lipoproteins may help to prevent atherosclerosis. Both black and green teas can be major dietary sources of flavonoids and other phenolics with antioxidant activity. Results of previous studies suggest that green tea may have a greater antioxidant potential than black tea. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of black and green tea on in vitro lipoprotein oxidation. The tea extracts were prepared using a method similar to that used to prepare infusions of tea for drinking. Antioxidant activities of seven black teas and four green teas were assessed using an in vitro assay that measures Cu²⁺ ‐induced oxidation of lipoproteins in human serum. All tea extracts inhibited in vitro lipoprotein oxidation in human serum to a similar extent. No significant difference in antioxidant activity was found between black and green tea. Caffeine prepared to a comparable concentration to that found in tea had no effect on lipoprotein oxidation. Further studies are required to determine the importance of these findings in relation to possible protective effects of black and green tea consumption against atherogenesis and cardiovascular disease. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improved mechanical properties of chitosan fibers

A highly deacetylated chitosan from shrimp with a degree of deacetylation of 95 ± 3% was prepared and spun into a monofilament fiber using a solution of 5% by weight chitosan in 5% by volume aqueous acetic acid. Samples of the spun fibers were immersed in separate solutions containing phosphate ions and phthalate ions, and subsequently washed and dried. The various solutions ranged in pH from 4.12 to 7.75. The highest dry mechanical properties resulted from solutions containing phthalate ions between 4.5–5.5 pH, and from solutions containing phosphate ions at pH 5.4. Immersion time was varied between 1 and 60 min at 25.8°C, and temperature was varied between 25.8 and 70.0°C, in the phosphate ion solutions at a pH of 5.8. Dry mechanical properties were highest at 25.8°C and after 1 h of treatment. Chitosan films were subjected to similar treatments in phosphate and phthalate ion solutions. Fourier transform infrared data (FTIR) on the films suggest that some interaction is occurring between the phosphate ions and the amine group on the chitosan backbone. An additional experiment was performed whereby the same chitosan was used to prepare a dope of 4% by weight chitosan in 4% by volume aqueous acetic acid with 30% by volume methanol. This solution was spun into fibers, but was subjected to a “final draw” by increasing the speed of the winder. With increasing the final draw, denier and elongation‐at‐break decreased, while the other mechanical properties showed a marked increase. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1721–1732, 1999