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Background: Cooperative inquiry gives a voice to marginalised groups and breaks down power imbalances which makes it suitable for researching practical issues at community level. Objectives: The objective of this article is to illustrate how cooperative inquiry can be utilised to empower members of marginalised communities in facilitating social change. Method: The study setting is in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa. A cooperative inquiry methodology was used. The inquiry group consisted of wheelchair users (9), their care givers (8), taxi drivers (7) and stakeholders (4). Data collection comprised 16 sessions, alternating between action and reflection. Inductive thematic analysis of data of all the phases was done to ensure that cooperative inquiry gives voice to marginalised communities. Results: The four themes that is, practical arrangements, understanding process, purpose, bonding and a cohesive group were identified. The themes showed progress from logistics, through individual understanding, to the group becoming one, and working together. Each of these phases is important in the development of a cooperative inquiry. Conclusion: Cooperative inquiry methodology can bring people together in a positive way to facilitate social change, and developing practical solutions to challenges. Contribution: Making use of a cooperative inquiry methodology to bring social change, minibus taxi services can be made accessible for wheelchair users. Concepts of social justice and decolonisation were imbued in the methodology.

The author attempts to investigate how new infrastructure and new technical means affect the social institutions of the indigenous inhabitants of the Yamal Peninsula, who were mainly engaged in traditional activities: nomadic reindeer herding and fishing. The work is based on the author's field materials of 2018–2020 for the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District (Western Siberia) and publications of other researchers. The paper shows how the autochthonous peoples build new mobile space and master snowmobiles. Domination over the created space takes place with the aid of traditional skills and behaviors. At the same time, deer, which was the main transport animal and the main measure of wealth of Arctic reindeer herders, has not receded into the background, but transformed into a means of technical modernization of the economy. As a result, it has been shown that, when choosing technical innovations, the indigenous people of Yamal are guided by their ease of operation, high cross-country capability and environmental friendliness, preferring the domestically produced Buran in daily routine. Snowmobiles can be found in almost all reindeer herding families, and only their high price indicates the standing of the owners and allows the latter to demonstrate their status in the society. ‘Buranists’ are involved in the market relations, occupying their niches in the system of commodity-exchange relations in the society. They act as an information and communication link between reindeer herders' camps and settlements. Snowmobiles are vivid examples of adaptation of indigenous people to new conditions and demonstrate possibility of coexistence of traditional reindeer farming culture with modern technologies. The Arctic nomad turned from a mobile man into homo technicus mobilis. This transformation appeared to be only on the outside, as evidenced by frequent accidents during the operation of snowmobiles. The proper use of such technologies in many respects offers competitive advantages to local entrepreneurs. New vehicles boost the entrepreneurial activity of the natives, involve them in the non-traditional sectors of employment: repair and resale of snowmobiles, transportation; and delivery of fuels, where natives can employ traditional knowledge of orientation, satisfy their passion for moving, and to avail themselves of the opportunity to choose a lifestyle and transport, without parting with their mobile lifestyle.

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Nowadays, large amount of money is invested on infrastructure projects within transport section. This attracts policy and decision makers a lot. Especially, project cost is one of the most discussed factors. This paper's goal is to investigate different types of cost estimation methods used in transport projects, identify their attributes that make them unique to specific infrastructure, and finally study their applications on transport infrastructure. In addition, the research looked to see if there is trend change on using cost estimation methods over time and checked the applications of methods in each transport infrastructure. The study used a systematic literature review (date cube creation, data filtering using primary and secondary search clusters, content analysis, etc.) to include as many estimation methods as possible. To find the trend, the study carried out a quantitative data analysis to investigate the frequency of each method over time in different modes of transport infrastructure. As a result, the research identified about 12 cost estimation methods and discusses them with three major cost estimation attributes i.e. accuracy, usability/application and easiness to understand. The quantitative analysis showed that parametric, Artificial Neural Networks and unit cost methods are the most used methods across the transport infrastructure. In addition, road infrastructure projects received the highest diversity and frequency of the cost estimation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Şehir içi ulaşım sorunlarının çözümüne ilişkin planlama yaklaşımlarında bireylerin yolculuk taleplerinin yanı sıra her türden malların hareketlerinin kestirimlerinin de dikkate alınması gerekmektedir. Bu gereklilik her ölçekteki ve özellikle yoğun bölgesel ilişkiler içeren şehirler için farklı düzey ve biçimlerde ortaya çıkmaktadır. Üretim ve tüketim ilişkilerinin yanı sıra ekonomi nedeniyle de şehir yol ağlarının doğrudan yük taşımacılığından etkilendiği görülmektedir. Çalışma bu etkilenmenin şehir planlama ve ulaştırma sürecinde ele alınıp ileriye dönük çözümler kapsamında nasıl değerlendirilebileceğine ait bir örnek yaklaşım olarak düşünülmüştür. Örnek olarak İzmir merkez şehirsel alanı alınmıştır. Bu alan yaklaşık olarak İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi'nin 3030 sayılı yasa dönemindeki yetki ve sorumluluk sınırlarını kapsamaktadır. Yük yaratım merkezlerinin şehir içindeki konumları ve ağırlıkları, yük hareketi niteliğindeki toplam taleplerin ortaya çıkmasına doğrudan neden olmaktadır. Aynı zamanda transit trafik içinde de yoğun bir biçimde yük taşıtlarının bulunduğu görülmektedir. Şehir içi yol ağlarının özellikleri nedeniyle yük taşıtlarının her kademedeki yollar üzerinde görülmesi de olasıdır. Bu nedenlerle yük taşıt hareketleri yoğunluklarının, yük yaratım merkezlerinin konum ve ağırlıklarıyla ilişkilendirilmesi düşünülmüştür. Yük hareketlerinin çeşitli nedensellik ilişkileriyle ölçümünün geliştirilebileceği, bu amaçla kullanılabilir parametrelerin var olabileceği, bu çalışmanın varsayımları olarak kabul edilmiştir. Çalışmada İzmir'deki yük taşımacılığının ölçümü, metropoliten iş merkezini ve bazı kümeleşme alanlarını çevreleyen sınırlardan geçen taşıtların yoğunluğu ile bu alanların sınırları içindeki yük yaratım merkezlerinin konumları ve ağırlıkları birlikte değerlendirilmeye çalışılmıştır. Yaklaşımın aşamaları ise; İzmir'de yük yaratım merkezlerinin türleri, konumları, ağırlıkları ve karayolu trafiğinde yaklaşık ölçüm değerlerinin saptanması. İş merkezi çevresinden geçen sınır ile bazı kümeleşme alanlarının sınırlarının çizilmesi, sayım noktalarının belirlenmesi. İç trafik açısından yük taşıt hareketlerinin yoğunluklarının saptanması, olarak belirlenmiştir.

Şehir içi ulaşım sorunlarının çözümüne ilişkin planlama yaklaşımlarında bireylerin yolculuk taleplerinin yanı sıra her türden malların hareketlerinin kestirimlerinin de dikkate alınması gerekmektedir. Bu gereklilik her ölçekteki ve özellikle yoğun bölgesel ilişkiler içeren şehirler için farklı düzey ve biçimlerde ortaya çıkmaktadır. Üretim ve tüketim ilişkilerinin yanı sıra ekonomi nedeniyle de şehir yol ağlarının doğrudan yük taşımacılığından etkilendiği görülmektedir. Çalışma bu etkilenmenin şehir planlama ve ulaştırma sürecinde ele alınıp ileriye dönük çözümler kapsamında nasıl değerlendirilebileceğine ait bir örnek yaklaşım olarak düşünülmüştür. Örnek olarak İzmir merkez şehirsel alanı alınmıştır. Bu alan yaklaşık olarak İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi'nin 3030 sayılı yasa dönemindeki yetki ve sorumluluk sınırlarını kapsamaktadır. Yük yaratım merkezlerinin şehir içindeki konumları ve ağırlıkları, yük hareketi niteliğindeki toplam taleplerin ortaya çıkmasına doğrudan neden olmaktadır. Aynı zamanda transit trafik içinde de yoğun bir biçimde yük taşıtlarının bulunduğu görülmektedir. Şehir içi yol ağlarının özellikleri nedeniyle yük taşıtlarının her kademedeki yollar üzerinde görülmesi de olasıdır. Bu nedenlerle yük taşıt hareketleri yoğunluklarının, yük yaratım merkezlerinin konum ve ağırlıklarıyla ilişkilendirilmesi düşünülmüştür. Yük hareketlerinin çeşitli nedensellik ilişkileriyle ölçümünün geliştirilebileceği, bu amaçla kullanılabilir parametrelerin var olabileceği, bu çalışmanın varsayımları olarak kabul edilmiştir. Çalışmada İzmir'deki yük taşımacılığının ölçümü, metropoliten iş merkezini ve bazı kümeleşme alanlarını çevreleyen sınırlardan geçen taşıtların yoğunluğu ile bu alanların sınırları içindeki yük yaratım merkezlerinin konumları ve ağırlıkları birlikte değerlendirilmeye çalışılmıştır. Yaklaşımın aşamaları ise; İzmir'de yük yaratım merkezlerinin türleri, konumları, ağırlıkları ve karayolu trafiğinde yaklaşık ölçüm değerlerinin saptanması. İş merkezi çevresinden geçen sınır ile bazı kümeleşme alanlarının sınırlarının çizilmesi, sayım noktalarının belirlenmesi. İç trafik açısından yük taşıt hareketlerinin yoğunluklarının saptanması, olarak belirlenmiştir.

Currently, Colombian energy industry is facing a problem of sustainability of the clean mobility system due to the fact that some features of the conventional transport systems depend mainly on petroleum products which pollute and have a low efficiency.this paper aims at showing the positive aspects of incorporating fuel cells in the transport industry in Valle de Aburrá: they are more efficient and have a lower negative impact on the environment than internal combustion engine systems; they diversify the use of energy sources so that we don ́t depend so much on the use of petroleum products; with these cells we intensify the use of renewable energies; the use of these cells improves the life quality index and boosts the economic development in the region. The analysis methodology was the study of the global, domestic (Colombia) and local (Valle de Aburrá) situation regarding, on the one hand, transportation needs, pollution and economic harm caused by this industry and, on the other hand, transportation needs,pollution and economic harm caused by this industry and,on the other hand,energy consumption and automobile efficiency.Finally, hydrogen fuel cells are presented as a new possibility for the development of a sustainable mass transportation system.

The electric traction vehicle producting plant SKODA Plzen - Transportations develops and produces electric traction drives with the top technological niveau. Electric vehicles are delivered to transport institutions in Czech Republic as well as abroad. Many Ma, and PhD. graduates of the University of Zilina take part in this successful activity.

This review focuses on regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels of the expression of the genes involved in amino acid metabolism and transport in plants.Amino acids play several critical roles in plants, from providing the building blocks of proteins to being essential metabolites interacting with many branches of metabolism. They are also important molecules that shuttle organic nitrogen through the plant. Because of this central role in nitrogen metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, degradation, and transport are tightly regulated to meet demand in response to nitrogen and carbon availability. While much is known about the feedback regulation of the branched biosynthesis pathways by the amino acids themselves, the regulation mechanisms at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and protein levels remain to be identified. This review focuses mainly on the current state of our understanding of the regulation of the enzymes and transporters at the transcript level. Current results describing the effect of transcription factors and protein modifications lead to a fragmental picture that hints at multiple, complex levels of regulation that control and coordinate transport and enzyme activities. It also appears that amino acid metabolism, amino acid transport, and stress signal integration can influence each other in a so-far unpredictable fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In addition to their role as a source of reduced carbon, sugars may directly or indirectly control a wide range of activities in plant cells, through transcriptional and post-translational regulation. This control has been studied in detail using Arabidopsis thaliana, where genetic analysis offers many possibilities. Much less is known about perennial woody species. For several years, various aspects of sugar sensing and signalling have been investigated in the grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berry, an organ that accumulates high concentrations of hexoses in the vacuoles of flesh cells. Here we review various aspects of this topic: the molecular basis of sugar transport and its regulation by sugars in grapevine; the functional analysis of several sugar-induced genes; the effects of some biotic and abiotic stresses on the sugar content of the berry; and finally the effects of exogenous sugar supply on the ripening process in field conditions. A picture of complex feedback and multiprocess regulation emerges from these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of nitrate transporters ensure uptake and distribution of this main nutrient. Nitrate also acts as a signal, and elements of the signalling pathway have been identified.Plants have developed adaptive responses allowing them to cope with nitrogen (N) fluctuation in the soil and maintain growth despite changes in external N availability. Nitrate is the most important N form in temperate soils. Nitrate uptake by roots and its transport at the whole-plant level involves a large panoply of transporters and impacts plant performance. Four families of nitrate-transporting proteins have been identified so far: nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family (NPF), nitrate transporter 2 family (NRT2), the chloride channel family (CLC), and slow anion channel-associated homologues (SLAC/SLAH). Nitrate transporters are also involved in the sensing of nitrate. It is now well established that plants are able to sense external nitrate availability, and hence that nitrate also acts as a signal molecule that regulates many aspects of plant intake, metabolism, and gene expression. This review will focus on a global picture of the nitrate transporters so far identified and the recent advances in the molecular knowledge of the so-called primary nitrate response, the rapid regulation of gene expression in response to nitrate. The recent discovery of the NIN-like proteins as master regulators for nitrate signalling has led to a new understanding of the regulation cascade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initial embodied energy includes energy use during material, transportation, and construction life cycle phases up to project practical completion. Contractors have an important role to play in reducing initial embodied energy levels due to their significant involvement in preconstruction and onsite construction activities. Following an extensive literature review a comprehensive framework was designed to highlight the significance of initial embodied energy levels relative to specific construction packages, activities and subcontractors. This framework was then applied to a new UK industrial warehouse project using a case study approach. Capturing information from a live project during the entire construction phase helped highlight the practical challenges inherent when capturing and assessing initial embodied energy levels. A series of contractor current practices was reviewed to determine their compliance with the framework requirements. The findings revealed that the ground and upper floor, external slab and frame were the most significant construction packages in terms of embodied impacts. Many challenges embedded within the contractor’s current practices in terms of data detail, legibility, and terminology were also revealed. The framework provides a practical approach for initial embodied energy assessment which can readily be adopted by contractors to help highlight opportunities to increase efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The quantitative analysis of the initial transport of fixed isotope 15-nitrogen (15N) in intact nodulated soybean plants (Glycine max[L.] Merr. cv. Williams) was investigated at the vegetative stage (36 days after planting, DAP) and pod-filling stage (91 DAP) by the15N pulse-chase experiment. The nodulated roots were exposed to N2gas labeled with a stable isotope15N for 1 h, followed by 0, 1, 3 and 7 h of exposure with normal air. Plant roots and shoots were separated into three sections (basal, middle and distal parts) with the same length of the main stem or primary root. Approximately 80 and 92% of fixed N was distributed in the basal part of the nodulated roots at the vegetative and pod-filling stages by the end of 1 h of15N2exposure, respectively. In addition, about 90% of fixed15N was retained in the nodules and 10% was exported to root and shoot after 1 h of15N2exposure at 91 DAP. The percentage distribution of15N in the nodules at the pod-filling stage decreased from 90% to 7% during the 7 h of the chase period, and increased in the roots (14%), stems (54%), leaves (12%), pods (10%) and seeds (4%). The15N distribution was negligible in the distal root segment, suggesting that N fixation activity was negligible and recycling fixed N from the shoot to the roots was very low in the initially short time of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The European Community (EC) and subsequently, the European Union (EU), have been central to an impressive development of regulation at the European level. In this ‘regulatory age’ (Majone 1994), product safety has become one of the first issues to be dealt with, in order to overcome barriers to trade, and should be regarded as a first step to be taken in order to integrate European markets. Transport industries have experienced distinct levels, forms and timing of EU safety regulation. While the automotive industry has undergone a standardisation process since the 1970s, such questions were only addressed in the context of railways in the 2000s. Thus, it is interesting to question and analyse the various interplays of actors and/or events which have characterised the European policy process in each transport sector. In addition, a trans-sectoral comparison will help in explaining such differences and their impact on the validity of traditional EU decision-making theories, such as that developed by Héritier in 1996.

Auxin is a plant hormone involved in an extraordinarily broad variety of biological mechanisms. These range from basic cellular processes, such as endocytosis, cell polarity, and cell cycle control over localized responses such as cell elongation and differential growth, to macroscopic phenomena such as embryogenesis, tissue patterning, and de novo formation of organs. Even though the history of auxin research reaches back more than a hundred years, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of how auxin governs such a wide range of responses. Some answers to this question may lie in the auxin molecule itself. Naturally occurring auxin-like substances have been found and they may play roles in specific developmental and cellular processes. The molecular mode of auxin action can be further explored by the utilization of synthetic auxin-like molecules. A second area is the perception of auxin, where we know of three seemingly independent receptors and signalling systems, some better understood than others, but each of them probably involved in distinct physiological processes. Lastly, auxin is actively modified, metabolized, and intracellularly compartmentalized, which can have a great impact on its availability and activity. In this review, we will give an overview of these rather recent and emerging areas of auxin research and try to formulate some of the open questions. Without doubt, the manifold facets of auxin biology will not cease to amaze us for a long time to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess the risk associated with the transport of stock calves imported from France to Italy, information obtained from inspections carried out in Piedmont by competent authorities between 2001 and 2010 were considered. The inspections concerned 246 trucks transporting a total of 13,857 fattening calves. Based on the types of infringements recorded, several hazards related to animal welfare, such as overcrowding, tying by the horns and inappropriate mixing, were identified and characterized. The inspection of vehicles revealed hazards concerning partitions, bedding, decks, lighting, drinking and mechanical ventilation systems. A calculation was made of the incidence of these infringements and the consequent exposure of calves to such hazards and risk characterization was performed. The ranking shows overcrowding and the absence of partitions to be major risks in stock calf transportation from France to Italy. A logistic regression was adopted to evaluate the effect on the exposure to hazards of the only two variables recordable during the inspections: number of calves inside each vehicle and the travelled distance. The results showed a direct relationship between the number of calves per vehicle and exposure to absence of partitions or to overcrowding. The relationship between the travelled distance and the exposure to the absence of partition was found not significant. The information obtained from the inspections provides not only a basis for evaluating the welfare of calves during transport but also an objective contribution to the assessment of the risks related to their transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to evaluate sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene-1, 1-dioxide) attenuation by soil and subsurface materials collected from a sour gas plant site using batch equilibration systems. The analyzed sample materials used in this study showed a wide range in terms of their selected physical and chemical properties. The reaction of sulfolane with the sample materials was fast initially and followed by slower rates at longer times. There was not much increase in the amount of sulfolane sorbed after about 5 hours of equilibration time irrespective of the temperature of the system. The rate of sorption of sulfolane followed a first-order reaction at both 25 and 8°C temperature conditions and not affected by the temperatures range considered in this study. It appears that the sorption data of sulfolane on the various sorbents could be best described mathematically by the Freundlich equation. Kd values derived at 25°C ranged from 0.05 to 0.88 L/kg and from 0.30 to 1.23 L/kg at 8°C. Furthermore, increasing the ionic strength of the solution didn't affect sulfolane sorption by the various sorbents, which indicates that sulfolane sorption is not consistent with an ion-exchange mechanism but rather occurs through dipole-dipole interactions. Desorption of sulfolane was relative high in all systems. Multiple regression analysis shows a high level of correlation between Kd and several soil parameters. No sulfolane biodegradation was detected under anerobic conditions in any of the microcosms systems after 45 days of incubation at 25 and 8°C, respectively. Sulfolane biodegradation data could be all fitted to zero-order kinetics. Biodegradation rates of sulfolane in the microcosms was the highest in sample depth 0–0.20 m, decreased with sample depth but significantly increased with the addition of nitrogen, and markedly decreased with temperature. At 25°C and no supplement of N, biodegradation rate ranged from 4.26 to 12.70 mg/kg/day but with addition of N, the range was from 9.41 to 16.50 mg/kg/day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topical administration of methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of psoriasis and neoplastic diseases is restricted by the poor diffusion of MTX across the stratum corneum.We applied electroporation to increase the transdermal transport of MTX.Electrodes were placed either side-by-side on the surface of excised full thickness pig skin, or on a piece of skin clamped between compartments of a vertical diffusion chamber. Sixty rectangular electric pulses at 120 V, 1 ms and 1 Hz were applied across the skin. MTX was left on the skin surface for an additional 10 min to take advantage of diffusion through electropores. Cumulative drug transport was measured by radioactive tracing, using[3H]-methotrexate, from punch biopsy samples taken from under the cathode. The integrity of the radioisotope was verified by high-performance liquid chromatography.Using side-by-side electrodes, treatment with the pulses alone resulted in a 2·5-fold increase; adding anionic lipid enhancers to the pulses resulted in a 4·4-fold enhancement compared with passive diffusion. Concurrent iontophoresis for the 11-min time period made a nonsignificant contribution. To reduce tissue resistance we used 40 °C hyperthermia in a vertical diffusion chamber; transport was increased 11-fold to 53 µg cm−2 (flux = 290 µg cm−2 h−1). MTX penetration profiles indicated that more than half of the MTX was confined to the epidermis and papillary dermis. The tissue concentration in this superficial reactive unit was 1·7 mmol L−1.Electroporation of MTX with an anion lipid enhancer under a mild hyperthermic environment provided a significant transdermal delivery within a short application time. The method may be an effective means of drug delivery for treating psoriasis or other MTX-sensitive disorders and avoids the potential systemic toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a detailed reading of the six preceding papers, in conjunction with a reflection on the socio-political forces shaping lifestyles in the UK at the turn of the millennium, we come to four interrelated conclusions. First, sport and exercise science needs to move beyond evidence-based practice to evidence-based policy. Second, sport and exercise science needs to make health-enhancing physical activity a political issue at both national and local level. Third, transport, not health policy, may be the key to promoting health-enhancing physical activity. And, fourth, young people deserve our special attention. In reaching these four interrelated conclusions, we attempt both to shape evidence based policy and future research agendas in exercise science. To achieve an international perspective, we also present a short case note from Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies of exotic species invasions only consider the factors that affect the establishment of populations following release, yet this is only one step on the invasion pathway. Different factors are likely to influence which species are transported and released. Here, we examine the influence of species traits on the successful transition of species through several stages in the introduction pathway (transport, release, and establishment), using parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) as a model system. We use a species-level supertree of parrots to test for phylogenetic auto-correlation in the introduction process. Our analyses find that different sets of variables are related to the probability that a species enters each stage on the invasion pathway. The availability of individuals for transport and release seems to be most important for passage through these stages, but has no obvious effect on establishment following release. Rather, establishment success is higher for sedentary species, and species with broad diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the formation, migration and sedimentology of sandwaves along the distal end of Long Point, a 40 km long spit in Lake Erie. Some seven to nine sandwaves occur in a zone over the last 14 km of the spit. They are characteristically 50–100 m wide at the downdrift end, range in length from 350 m to > 1500 m and migrate alongshore at rates that are typically 100–300 m year−1. Measurements over a 7-year period show two forms of alongshore sandwave migration: (1) a migratory jump; and (2) downdrift accretion. The migratory jump is commonly 200–500 m year−1 and results from the onshore migration and welding of an inner nearshore bar to the downdrift end of the sandwave. This in turn leads to emergence of the bar over a distance of several hundred metres downdrift of the sandwave and isolation of the trough landward of the bar. Infilling of the trough abstracts large volumes of sediment from the local sediment transport system and may affect movement of the sandwave in the following year or movement of the next sandwave downdrift. Downdrift accretion commonly results in migration of 50–150 m year−1 and results from the refraction of waves around the distal end of the sandwave and episodic accretion of small swash bars. This mechanism occurs less frequently and appears to reflect a local condition of lower sediment abundance, often triggered by a large migratory jump in the previous year. The process of bar emergence and infilling produces a distinct suite of sedimentary structures associated with the infilling of the landward trough and building of the sandwave berm. The initial shoreline perturbation that generates the sandwave results from onshore migration and welding of inner nearshore bars, and the development and growth of the sandwaves is promoted by refraction of highly oblique waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lead monitoring project was established in 1996 to monitor the environmental and health effects of lead being transported through a remote town in tarpaulin-covered trucks. Dust samples from sites on the transport route were collected at 3–6 monthly intervals between 1996 and 1999. Annual blood lead testing clinics, offering voluntary testing to children, were conducted from 1997 to 1999. Of the 55 dust samples analysed, only nine contained particles of lead concentrate and these were present at very low levels. During the project 167 children were tested. The geometic mean of blood lead levels in 1997, 1998 and 1999 were 4.5 µg/dL, 5.0 µg/dL and 5.1 µg/dL, respectively (all within the normal range). Residence on the transport route was not associated with higher lead levels (P > 0.05). Lead transport was not associated with any detectable environmental contamination or increase in children's blood lead levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of genetically engineered mice with either gain-of-function or loss-of-function mutations is the most popular technique for determining gene functions and the interrelationship between molecules in vivo. These models have provided a wealth of information about the developmental and physiological roles of oncogenes and growth factors. To date, transgenic techniques have been used extensively to study the functions of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family. This review highlights some of the major recent findings pertinent to the EGF receptor (EGFR) and its ligands with special reference to elucidating how EGF and its related growth factors work together to regulate reproduction, growth and development. Finally, future investigations on ligand-ligand communications, EGFR and its ligands in neural stem cell research, and the mechanisms of EGFR signaling and trafficking in cells are also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultured Coptis japonica cells are able to take up berberine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, from the medium and transport it exclusively into the vacuoles. Uptake activity depends on the growth phase of the cultured cells whereas the culture medium had no effect on uptake. Treatment with several inhibitors suggested that berberine uptake depended on the ATP level. Some inhibitors of P‐glycoprotein, an ABC transporter involved in multiple drug resistance in cancer cells, strongly inhibited berberine uptake, whereas a specific inhibitor for glutathione biosynthesis and vacuolar ATPase, bafilomycin A1, had little effect. Vanadate‐induced ATP trap experiments to detect ABC proteins expressed in C. japonica cells showed that three membrane proteins of between 120 and 150 kDa were photolabelled with 8‐azido‐[α‐32P] ATP. Two revealed the same photoaffinity‐labelling pattern as P‐glycoprotein, and the interaction of these proteins with berberine was also demonstrated. These results suggest that ABC proteins of the MDR‐type are involved in the uptake of berberine from the medium. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There are a number of impediments to consumer adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), including regulatory barriers, resources, infrastructure and vehicle characteristics themselves. These impediments also impact on other stakeholders, such as government, producers (i.e. corporations), suppliers (collaborators), competition (i.e. alternative products) and activist groups. The inter-relationships amongst all stakeholders are complex, as one group may initiate actions that serve as impediments for others. Developing systems-based sustainable alternatives to traditional, environmentally-harmful automobiles requires the network of relationships between stakeholders and impediments to be considered. This paper looks at the various impediments as well as how they can affect various stakeholders. It then posits a broad based integrative approach to provide the most favourable environment for consumers to consider AFVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring data have been utilised to examine how well sediments reflect changes in industrial discharges of metals over time. One aim was to assess the role of selective transport and sedimentation in regulating the spatial distribution of the metals in the sediments, and how this could affect trend monitoring. The results showed a significant decrease in sediment concentrations of zinc, lead copper and mercury over time in accordance with the reductions of the industrial discharge. Copper seemed to favour terrestrial organic matter for adsorption, which primarily settles out in the inner part of the estuary. Zinc and lead followed the fine fraction together with organic carbon and settled out in the outer part of the estuary. Mercury showed the same, though there was no correlation to organic carbon. The innermost part of the estuary had a patchy distribution of zinc, copper and mercury, but not lead due to its diffuse supply. When reductions in sediment concentrations are large, selectivity in transport and sedimentation has little influence on the possibility of detecting significant trends from one year to another. When the reductions are less, it becomes increasingly important to focus on sampling in the likely main deposition areas for each specific metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Extracellular adenosine and its related nucleotides have been referred to as retaliatory metabolites that can be released into the extracellular environment during inflammation, wounding, and other pathologic states. We have previously reported that these compounds reversibly inhibit the proliferation of normal keratinocyte cultures and we now demonstrate that these compounds also arrest the proliferation of transformed keratinocytes. Although our study shows that keratinocytes express mRNA corresponding to the A2B purinoreceptors and that adenosine or AMP treatment elevates intracellular cAMP in these cells, our study also demonstrates that dipyridamole-inhibitable transport of adenosine into the keratinocyte is central to the mechanism by which adenosine and adenine nucleotides arrest proliferation in these cells. In support of this mechanism, our results demonstrate that human keratinocytes express mRNA corresponding to the recently cloned dipyridamole-sensitive human equilibrative nucleoside transporter. Interestingly, coincubation with adenosine deaminase reverses the antiproliferative action of adenosine and exerts no effect on the antiproliferative activity of the adenine nucleotides, thus supporting a model in which adenine nucleotides are enzymatically converted to adenosine and transported into the keratinocyte in a tightly coupled and adenosine-deaminase-resistant manner. Analysis of adenosine- and adenosine-monophosphate-treated keratinocytes demonstrated that quiescence is induced within 12–24 h, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis suggests that treatment with these compounds may result in the inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation at both G1 and S phases of the cell cycle. In addition to their documented antiproliferative action on other cell types, adenosine, adenine nucleotides, and related analogs may also represent a potential new class of pharmacologic regulators of keratinocyte proliferation in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meristic counts of early and late wild settled juveniles of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Paralichthyidae), in Wakasa Bay, Japan, were compared, with specimens collected from 26 sites spread along ca. 1700 km of coastline facing the Japan Sea. Mean dorsal and anal ray counts of the early settled group at Kyoto were significantly larger than those of the late settled group. A discontinuous geographic boundary in mean dorsal and anal ray counts was found around Wakasa Bay and the Noto Peninsula with both means significantly larger in the southern group than in the northern group. Mean ray counts of the early and late settlers at Kyoto were similar to those of the southern and northern groups, respectively. The effect of water temperature on meristic characters was tested on two groups of laboratory-reared juveniles. Mean dorsal and anal ray counts were larger in juveniles reared at higher water temperatures. The early and late settler groups were estimated to hatch in late February and late April, respectively, representing negative response of meristic characters to water temperatures if these two groups hatched out in Wakasa Bay. Differences in the dorsal and anal ray counts between the early and late settled groups at Kyoto can, therefore be attributed to genotypic, not phenotypic variation. This suggests the possibility of transport of larvae of the early group from areas further south to Wakasa Bay by the warm Tsushima Current, a branch of the Kuroshio, which flows northeastward along the coast of the Japan Sea, particularly when the temperature gradation between the south and north areas during these seasons is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 10 years, research on P-type ATPases in plants has advanced from its roots in biochemistry to molecular biology, genetics, structure, and back to biochemistry. Since the first cloning of a plant proton pump, plant genes have been identified from all five groups of P-type ATPases. These pumps have been implicated in the transport of multiple ions, including protons, calcium, manganese, molybdenum, copper, and phospholipids. To mediate similar cellular functions, plant and animals in some cases utilize entirely different ion pumps. For example, plants utilize an H+-ATPase instead of an Na+/K+-ATPase to energise the plasma membrane with an electrochemical gradient. Another distinction between plants and animals is that in some cases similar pumps are used in different subcellular locations. For example, while in animals the 'plasma membrane'-type calmodulin-regulated Ca2+-ATPases are exclusively found in plasma membrane, several plant homologues have been found in endomembrane locations, such as the ER and tonoplast. Through multidisciplinary approaches the next decade should reveal insights into important questions, including: What are the ion specificities of various divergent pumps? What are the structural changes mediating ion translocation? What are the cellular and organismal functions of different pumps? How are pumps regulated? and, ultimately, How can we use our knowledge of P-type ATPases for applications in agriculture? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An investigation into the glucosinolate profile of seed and leaf tissue of F[SUB1] hybrids from reciprocal crosses between B. napus 'Cobra' and a synthetic B. napus line was undertaken to test hypotheses concerning the site of biosynthesis of seed glucosinolates. The profile of the seed aliphatic glucosinolates was identical to the maternal parent suggesting the absence of glucosinolate biosynthesis and glucosinolate interconversion within the embryo and the transfer of fully formed glucosinolates from maternal tissue into the developing seed. In cotyledons, while there was no evidence for de novo glucosinolate biosynthesis, there was evidence for side chain modification and the interconversion of existing glucosinolates. In true leaves, the glucosinolate profile of the reciprocal F[SUB1] hybrids were identical, and in accordance with that expected from the F[SUB1] genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diurnal changes in stomatal conductance and accompanying changes in the abscisic acid (ABA) content of expressed xylem sap were studied in unstressed grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cvs Riesling and Silvaner) growing in the field in Adelaide, South Australia. Stomatal conductance increased rapidly during the early morning reaching a maximum in both cultivars at about 1000 h. Conductance during the latter part of the day was considerably reduced despite relatively mild environmental conditions. Quantitative analysis of ABA in untreated sap was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of ABA in xylem sap varied from 1.5× 10-4 mol m3 in the morning to 5× I O-4 mol m3 in the late afternoon. Uptake of ABA from the xylem adequately accounted for diurnal changes in leaf ABA. Gas exchange analysis of detached field-grown leaves showed that ABA, supplied via the transpiration stream, caused substantial reductions in stomatal conductance and assimilation when supplied at a concentration equivalent to that in xylem sap [5 x 1O-4 mol rn-3 (+) ABA]. The reduction in assimilation was entirely stomatal in origin. It is suggested that ABA uptake from the xylem causes partial stomatal closure during the afternoon and plays a key role in the control of stomatal conductance in field grown vines by optimizing the relationship between CO2 uptake and water loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The membrane of spinach leaf peroxisomes contains an anion-selective channel. Reconstitution experiments were performed with lipid bilayer membranes to study its permeability properties. A variety of different monovalent inorganic and organic anions were found to be permeable through the porin channel. Its single-channel conductance for these different ions suggested that the channel has a minimum diameter of about 0.6 nm. From selectivity measurement in KCl solution a ratio of the anion permeability to cation permeability of less than 0.04 was determined, indicating an almost ideal selectivity of the peroxisomal channel for chloride. The permeation of chloride through the peroxisomal channel could be blocked efficiently by the addition of increasing concentrations of organic anions to the aqueous phase. The results are consistent with a binding site for dicarboxylic anions inside the peroxisomal channel. A particular high stability constant for the binding was obtained for peroxisomal metabolites such as malate, oxaloacetate, succinate, and 2-oxoglutarate, which have to cross the membrane of plant peroxisomes in vivo. Among these solutes maximal binding affinity was determined for C4 dicarboxylic anions. The results indicate that the peroxisomal channel does not form a general diffusion pore similarly to known eukaryotic porins, but has specific properties comparable to specific and inducible porins, which have been characterized in some gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of fluctuation of sugars in germination barley seeds were examined by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR imaging and ¹H-NMR localized spectroscopy in relation to morphology. Maltose, sucrose, fructose and oils were detected in intact imbibed seeds by 13C-NMR spectra. During the first 6d of germination, the maltose content increased and the oil content gradually decreased, whilst the levels of sucrose and fructose remained constant. Sugars were located by ¹H-NMR images and ¹H-NMR localized spectra in the vascular bundle of the seeds as well as in the solubilized endosperm. They are also detected in the shoots. The sugars detected in an 80% ethanol shoot extract were sucrose and glucose, which were located in the vascular bundles but not in the mesophyll cells of the coleptile. They were also located in the basal part of the shoot, but not above 7 mm from the scutellum. The data suggest that the sugars are primarily transported through the vascular bundles and, at the same time, rapidly incorporated into mesophyll cells in the leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the many responses of plants to elevated CO2, accumulation of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC in % dry weight) in leaves is one of the most consistent. Insufficient sink activity or transport capacity may explain this obvious disparity between CO2 assimilation and carbohydrate dissipation and structural investment. If transport capacity contributes to the problem, phloem loading may be the crucial step. It has been hypothesized that symplastic phloem loading is less efficient than apoplastic phloem loading, and hence plant species using the symplastic pathway and growing under high light and good water supply should accumulate more TNC at any given CO2 level, but particularly under elevated CO2. We tested this hypothesis by carrying out CO2 enrichment experiments with 28 plant species known to belong to groups of contrasting phloem-loading type. Under current ambient CO2 symplastic loaders were found to accumulate 36% TNC compared with only 19% in apoplastic loaders (P=0.0016). CO2 enrichment to 600 &mul;mol mol-1 increased TNC in both groups by the same absolute amount, bringing the mean TNC level to 41 % in symplastic loaders (compared to 25% in apoplastic loaders), which may be close to TNC saturation (coupled with chloroplast mail-function). Eight tree species, ranked as symplastic loaders by their minor vein companion cell configuration, showed TNC responses more similar to those of apoplastic herbaceous loaders. Similar results are obtained when TNC is expressed on a unit leaf area basis, since mean specific leaf areas of groups were not significantly different. We conclude that phloem loading has a surprisingly strong effect on leaf tissue composition, and thus may translate into alterations of food webs and ecosystem functioning, particularly under high CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of Cu to Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hustedt) Hasle and Heimdal was investigated by examining both short and long term effects of Cu on cellular processes. Toxic levels of Cu (pCu* < 13) were found to inhibit short term Si(OH)[SUB4] uptake rates with kinetics characteristic of irreversible inhibition at a hypothetical Cu-sensitive Si(OH)[SUB4] transport site. Residual Si(OH)[SUB4] concentrations (those below which no uptake could occur) were found to increase with increasing levels of Cu, and the toxic effects of Cu could be reversed by increasing the concentrations of Si(OH)[SUB4] in the medium. The actual uptake of Cu by the cells was found to vary inversely with the ambient Si(OH)[SUB4] concentration. Copper did not inhibit the uptake of NO[SUP-][SUB3] or PO[SUP3-][SUB4]. The long term inhibition of growth rate by Cu in this species was shown not to be a result of Si deficiency caused by the inhibition of Si(OH)[SUB4] uptake. Cu inhibited cells were found to have higher Si cell quotas (including a sizable soluble pool) than the control cultures. The were, however, observed to have aberrant frustules, significantly larger than the control cells, suggesting interference with the silification process as a possible mechanism for inhibition of growth by Cu. A conceptual model is proposed for the Cu-Si(OH)[SUB4]- growth relationship. It includes a Cu sensitive Si(OH)[SUB4] transport site that may also serve to transport Cu into the cell, and growth inhibition mediated by intracellular Cu concentrations which may block cell division or cause general cellular disfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were made comparing the corneal endothelium of bisected human corneas; one half of each was mechanically agitated In McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) medium, while the other half remained static in M-K medium for an equal period of time. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of the corneal endothelium suggested that the endothelium of the corneas undergoing agitation does not show deterioration in morphology when compared with the non-agitated group. This finding is significant as donor corneas are now being transported in greater numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudopeptides are privileged synthetic molecules built from the designed combination of peptide-like and abiotic artificial moieties. Consequently, they are benefited from the advantages of both families of chemical structures: modular synthesis, chemical and functional diversity, tailored three-dimensional structure, usually high stability in biological media and low non-specific toxicity. Accordingly, in the last years, these compounds have been used for different biomedical applications, ranging from bio-sensing, ion transport, the molecular recognition of biologically relevant species, drug delivery or gene transfection. This review highlights a selection of the most remarkable and recent advances in this field., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a cell membrane protein that binds to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) on the effector T cells and transduces immunosuppressive signals. It is now clear that the expression of the PD-L1 protein on the tumor cell surface is critical for tumor cells to escape immunosuppression. At present, more attention is focused on the transcriptional regulation of PDL1 mRNA. However, PD-L1 protein is the functional unit involved in immunotherapy response. It is essential to deeply understand how this membrane protein is regulated post-transcriptionally in tumors and immune cells. In this review, we summarize the recent progress on the translation, modification and transport of PD-L1 protein., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)