Editorial Board

This nursery was organized in response to the need for improving adaptation and obtaining genetic information on the resistance or reaction to the different stress environments (biotic and abiotic) to which beans are subjected in production areas. Results are given for the best black- and red-seeded lines of the 1987 VIDAC, covering characteristics such as 100 seeds, days to flowering and physiological maturity, wt. of and response to diseases such as rust (Uromyces phaseoli), bacterioses (Xanthomonas phaseoli), BGMV, and web blight (Thanatephorus cucumeris). The yield potential and genetic adaptation of the best materials over different sites are also analyzed. Information on these national and regional trials should be collected in an efficient regional information and documentation center. (CIAT)Este vivero se organizo con base en la necesidad de conseguir una mejor adaptacion e informacion genetica sobre la resistencia o la reaccion a los diferentes ambientes de estres (bioticos o abioticos) a los cuales se somete el frijol en las areas de produccion. Se presentan los resultados de las mejores lineas de semilla negra y semilla roja de los VIDAC de 1987, para las caracteristicas de peso de 100 semillas, dias a floracion y a madurez fisiologica, y respuesta a enfermedades como roya (Uromyces phaseoli), bacteriosis (Xanthomonas phaseoli), BGMV y mustia hilachosa (Thanathephorus cucumeris). Tambien, se examinan el potencial de rendimiento y la adaptacion genetica de los mejores materiales en diferentes sitios. Es necesario reunir gran cantidad de informacion sobre estos ensayos nacionales y regionales en un centro de informacion y documentacion regional eficiente. (CIAT

Classification for hyperspectral imaging

Hyperspectral Imaging is a method of collecting and processing the information across pre-defined electromagnetic spectrum. These measurements make it possible to derive a continuous spectrum for each pixel of the image. After necessary adjustments these image spectra can be compared with database of reflectance spectra in order to recognise tested materials. This project is conducted in cooperation between Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics and Heriot-Watt Industrial Doctorate Centre in Photonics and Optics Technologies in partnership with University of Strathclyde. Fraunhofer Institute is known of world-class photonics solutions and this project aims in enhancement of one of their Hyperspectral Imaging systems with signal processing techniques. Set of classification procedures would be applied for the output of imaging spectrometer with the intention of spatial and spectral classification of objects captured by the spectrometer. Spatial classification is based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier. Use of texture features of the objects is considered as a base for labelling of detected items. Spectral classification is based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) method. With database of calibration reflectance spectra, method this can be used for prediction of “end members” concentration and therefore identification of the objects captured on the hyperspectral image.

Autoimmune pancreatitis/IgG4-associated cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis – Overlapping or separate diseases?

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a recently described fibroinflammatory disease which is characterised by raised serum levels of IgG4 (in >70% of cases), and an IgG4-positive lymphoplasmacytic tissue infiltrate. A favourable and rapid clinical response to oral steroid therapy is often seen. Biliary involvement is common, and the term IgG4-associated cholangitis has recently been coined. The cholangiographic appearances of IgG4-associated cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis can be difficult to differentiate. Moreover, raised levels of serum IgG4 have been recently found in 9% of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (a much higher frequency than for other gastrointestinal diseases), and those with raised levels appear to progress more rapidly to liver failure. Here we review the similarities and differences between the biliary disease in autoimmune pancreatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, and address the issue of disease overlap. Improvements in understanding the relationship between these conditions might lead to an enhanced understanding of the aetiopathogenesis, and improved treatment of both conditions

Application of Real-time PCR for the Detection and Quantification of Oomycetes in Ornamental Nursery Stock

Funding: This research was funded by EUPHRESCO (European Phytosanitary Research Coordi-nation network) and the UK Forestry Commission. Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge the technical support of Dr. Hedda Weitz and Els Verstappen.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Electrodynamics of quasi-two-dimensional BEDT-TTF charge transfer salts

We consider the millimeter-wave electrodynamics specific to quasi-two-dimensional conductors and superconductors based on the organic donor molecule BEDT-TTF. Using realistic physical parameters, we examine the current polarizations that result for different oscillating (GHz) electric and magnetic field polarizations. We show that, in general, it is possible to discriminate between effects (dissipation and dispersion) due to in-plane and interlayer ac currents. However, we also show that it is not possible to selectively probe any single component of the in-plane conductivity tensor, and that excitation of interlayer currents is strongly influenced by the sample geometry and the electromagnetic field polarization.Comment: 5 pages including 3 figures Minor correction to figure

Dynamics of rotating nanoparticles mediated by the Casimir torque

The vacuum and thermal fluctuations of the electromagnetic field give rise to important phenomena, such as Casimir forces and torques, which can dominate the dynamics of nanoscale particles. Although these interactions have hindered the design of early nanomechanical devices by causing their moving parts to stall due to friction and stiction, they also present a unique opportunity to achieve efficient momentum and energy transfer at the nanoscale, when properly controlled. In that context, we study how the Casimir torque can mediate the transfer of angular momentum in chains of rotating nanoparticles. To that end, we derive an analytic expression describing the Casimir torque experienced by each particle in the chain, which we use to calculate the rotational dynamics of the chain and, thereby, analyze the angular momentum transfer. We show that these dynamics are fully determined by a set of natural modes and corresponding decay rates. With this paradigm, we investigate examples of exotic and driven dynamics. These results show that the Casimir torque can play a dominant role in angular momentum transfer at the nanoscale and, therefore, holds important possibilities for the design of nanomechanical devices

Agro-waste as source of fine and industrial chemicals: synthesis of 2-formyl-6 hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-methoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione from cashew nut shell liquid

This paper reports on the synthesis of 2-formyl-6-hydroxybenzoic acid (8) and 4 methoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione (10) from a renewable natural material Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) achieved in five and seven steps, respectively. Anacardic acid was isolated from CNSL, dimethoxylated into (E)-methyl 2-methoxy-6-(pentadec-8-enyl)benzoate which was subsequently hydrogenated into methyl 2-methoxy-6-pentadecylbenzoate. Benzylic bromination of the methoxyester, and dehydrobromination afforded (E)-methyl 2-methoxy-6-(pentadec-1-enyl)benzoate which upon ozonolysis gave methyl 2-formyl-6-methoxybenzoate. Oxidation and dehydration of 8 formed methoxyphthalic anhydride (10). The work reported in this paper has further demonstrated the resourcefulness of cashew nut shell liquid as a renewable natural resource for synthesis of fine and industrial chemicals.Keywords: Anacardium occidentale, Cashew Nut Shell Liquid, Anacardic acid, 2 formyl-6-methoxybenzoate, methoxyphthalic anhydrid

Observations of Binary and Single Wolf-Rayet Stars with XMM-Newton and Chandra

We present an overview of recent X-ray observations of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars with XMM-Newton and Chandra. A new XMM spectrum of the nearby WN8 + OB binary WR 147 shows hard absorbed X-ray emission, including the Fe K-alpha line complex, characteristic of colliding wind shock sources. In contrast, sensitive observations of four of the closest known single WC (carbon-rich) WR stars have yielded only non-detections. These results tentatively suggest that single WC stars are X-ray quiet. The presence of a companion may thus be an essential factor in elevating the X-ray emission of WC + OB stars to detectable levels.Comment: To appear in conf. proceedings: Close Binaries in the 21st Century - New Opportunities and Challenges, eds. A. Gimenez, E. Guinan, P. Niarchos, S. Rucinski; Astrophys. and Space Sci. (special issue), 2006. 4 pages, 2 figure

Selecting likely causal risk factors from high-throughput experiments using multivariable Mendelian randomization

Modern high-throughput experiments provide a rich resource to investigate causal determinants of disease risk. Mendelian randomization (MR) is the use of genetic variants as instrumental variables to infer the causal effect of a specific risk factor on an outcome. Multivariable MR is an extension of the standard MR framework to consider multiple potential risk factors in a single model. However, current implementations of multivariable MR use standard linear regression and hence perform poorly with many risk factors. Here, we propose a two-sample multivariable MR approach based on Bayesian model averaging (MR-BMA) that scales to high-throughput experiments. In a realistic simulation study, we show that MR-BMA can detect true causal risk factors even when the candidate risk factors are highly correlated. We illustrate MR-BMA by analysing publicly-available summarized data on metabolites to prioritise likely causal biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration

Water in the Earth's mantle: A solid-state NMR study of hydrous wadsleyite

Wadsleyite, β-(Mg,Fe)2SiO4, is the main component of the transition zone in the Earth's mantle, at depths of 410-530 km below the surface. This mineral has received considerable interest as a potential reservoir for the vast amount of hydrogen, as hydro