Desert locusts have attacked crops since antiquity. To prevent or mitigate its effects on local communities, it is necessary to precisely locate its breeding areas. Previous works have relied on precipitation and vegetation index datasets obtained by satellite remote sensing. However, these products present some limitations in arid or semiarid environments. We have explored a parameter: soil moisture (SM); and examined its influence on the desert locust wingless juveniles. We have used two machine learning algorithms (generalized linear model and random forest) to evaluate the link between hopper presences and SM conditions under different time scenarios. RF obtained the best model performance with very good validation results according to the true skill statistic and receiver operating characteristic curve statistics. It was found that an area becomes suitable for breeding when the minimum SM values are over 0.07 m(3)/m(3) during 6 days or more. These results demonstrate the possibility to identify breeding areas in Mauritania by means of SM, and the suitability of ESA CCI SM product to complement or substitute current monitoring techniques based on precipitation datasets. (C) The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

The intake of antioxidants has increased in the last years in order to treat some pathologies associated with oxidative stress such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, acute pancreatitis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease among others. In colorectal cancer, a widely antineoplastic drug used is the fluorinated uracil molecule 5-Fluorouracile (5-FU). The aim of this study is to assess the antioxidant capacity observed by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by 5-FU and other fluorinated uracil derivates: 6-[Difluoro(phenyl)methyl]-3-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (S-81), 3-[2-Chloroethyl]-6-[difluoro(phenyl)methyl]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (S-86), 6-[Difluoro(phenyl)methyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (S-123). The results showed a significant decrease in MDA production of 58.12% in S-86, 44.61% in S-123, 24.11% in 5-FU and 10.83% in S-81 in the sample with highest concentration (10µM). 5-FU also showed a Total Antioxidant Capacity of 0.68 Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity.

Molar isobaric heat capacities, C-pm, and molar excess isobaric heat capacities, C-pm(E), are reported for 1-butanol, 1-octanol or 1-decanol + benzylamine systems at (293.15, 308.15, 318.15, 333.15) K. C-pm(E) values were measured with a Setaram Micro DSC II microcalorimeter using a scanning method. The investigated mixtures are characterized by large and positive C-pm(E) (x(1) = 0.5) values at 298.15 K, which remarks that self-association and/or solvation effects are predominant in such solutions. The C-pm(E) curves are skewed towards higher mole fractions of the alcohol, which suggests that alcohol-amine interactions are more probable in that region. In addition, for a given 1-alkanol, C-pm(E) (x(1) = 0.5) decreases when temperature increases, due to alcohol dissociation is larger at elevated temperatures. The lower self-association of longer 1-alkanols and lower solvation effects may explain that the C-pm(E) (x(1) = 0.5) change with temperature is sharper for the solutions with the mentioned alcohols. The observed decrease of C-pm(E) (x(1) = 0.5) with the increasing of the chain length of the alcohol at enough high temperatures may be explained in similar terms. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molar excess heat capacities, C-pm(E). are reported for the benzylamine + heptane mixture at 293.15K and for methanol, 1-propanol or 1-pentanol + benzylamine systems at 293.15-308.15 K. These values were determined from isobaric molar heat capacities obtained with a Setaram Micro DSC II microcalorimeter using a scanning method. The heptane solution shows a W-shaped C-pm(E) concentration dependence, which reveals the existence of strong non-random effects. Systems including 1-alkanols are characterized by large and positive C-pm(E),, values. This remarks that self-association and/or solvation effects are predominant in such solutions. On the other hand, their C-pm(E) curves are skewed towards higher mole fractions of the alcohol, which might be ascribed to the existence of more interactions between unlike molecules in that region. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A study of thermal properties of CuO dispersed in water and ethylene glycol as a function of the particle volume fraction and at temperatures between 298 and 338 K has been performed. Thermal conductivities have been studied by the steady-state coaxial cylinders method, using a C80D microcalorimeter (Setaram, France) equipped with special calorimetric vessels. Heat capacities have been measured with a Micro DSC II microcalorimeter (Setaram, France) with batch cells designed in our laboratory and the “scanning or continuous method.” Results for thermal conductivities can be well justified using a classical model (Hamilton–Crosser), and experimental measurements of heat capacities can be justified with a model of particles in thermal equilibrium with the base fluid.

A study of a steady-state method for thermal conductivity measurements of liquids has been carried out. It uses a C80D differential micro-calorimeter from Setaram (France), with special designed vessels containing a heating resistance. The thermal conductivity k of a liquid sample is determined as a function of the heat flow measured by the calorimeter, using an expression whose coefficients are found through the calibration with three reference liquids. These coefficients change with the calorimeter temperature, so the calibration has to be performed at each temperature. In this work, it has been verified that the coefficients' temperature variations can be justified by the thermal properties of the calorimeter components. A new model valid for all temperatures has been developed, taking into account those factors. This new model confirms the physical meaning of the procedure, brings down the number of measurements required for the calibration, and slightly reduces the uncertainty of the results.

A study has been carried out of calorimetric cells based on the coaxial cylinder method suitable for the thermal conductivity measurements in a C80D micro-calorimeter from Setaram (France). On the hypothesis of a pure conductive process, it has been possible to obtain the equation expressing the thermal conductivity k of a liquid sample in function of the heat flow measured by the calorimeter, and the relative thermal conductivity uncertainty has been analysed. To justify the hypothesis of practical absence of convection and negligible temperature differences during experimentation, a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) study has been performed. With a view to testing our equipment and calibration method, the thermal conductivities of some pure liquids (toluene, n-decane) and systems (water + ethanol and nanofluid water/Al2O3), which cover a wide range, have been measured.

The dispersion and stability of nanofluids obtained by dispersing CuO nanoparticles (obtained from different sources) in water have been analyzed. The volumetric behaviour up to high pressures (45MPa), and atmospheric pressure viscosity were experimentally determined. It has been found that the influence of particle size in density is subtle but not negligible, but the differences in viscosity are very large and must be taken into account for any practical application. These viscosity differences can be described qualitatively by considering a theory describing either the aggregation state or the particle size distribution of the nanofluid.

The dispersion and stability of nanofluids obtained by dispersing Al2O3 nanoparticles (obtained from different sources) in water have been analyzed. The differences arising from different dispersion techniques, the resulting particle size distribution, and time stability among the different samples are evaluated. Then the volumetric behavior up to high pressures (25 MPa) and atmospheric pressure viscosity were experimentally determined. It has been found that the influence of particle size in density is subtle but not negligible, but the differences in viscosity are very large and must be taken into account for any practical application. These viscosity differences can be rationalized by considering a theory describing the aggregation state of the nanofluid.

Implement Configuration Management Databases that Deliver Rapid ROI and Sustained Business ValueImplementing an enterprise-wide Configuration Management Database (CMDB) is one of the most influential actions an IT organization can take to improve service delivery and bridge the gap between technology and the business. With a well-designed CMDB in place, companies are better positioned to manage and optimize IT infrastructure, applications, and services; automate more IT management tasks; and restrain burgeoning costs. Now, theres an objective, vendor-independent guide to making a CMDB work in your organization. The CMDB Imperative presents a start-to-finish implementation methodology that works and describes how the CMDB is shifting to the superior Configuration Management System (CMS).Expert CMDB industry analyst Glenn ODonnell and leading-edge architect and practitioner Carlos Casanova first review the drivers behind a CMDB and the technical, economic, cultural, and political obstacles to success. Drawing on the experiences of hundreds of organizations, they present indispensable guidance on architecting and customizing CMDB solutions to your specific environment. Theyll guide you through planning, implementation, transitioning into production, day-to-day operation and maintenance, and much more. Coverage includesDefining the tasks and activities associated with configuration managementUnderstanding the CMDBs role in ITIL and the relationship between CMDBs and ITIL v3s CMSBuilding software models that accurately represent each entity in your IT environmentEnsuring information accuracy via change management and automated discoveryUnderstanding the state of the CMDB market and selling the CMDB within your organizationCreating federated CMDB architectures that successfully balance autonomy with centralized controlPlanning a deployment strategy that sets appropriate priorities and reflects a realistic view of your organizations maturityIntegrating systems and leveraging established and emerging standardsPreviewing the future of the CMDB/CMS and how it will be impacted by key trends such as virtualization, SOA, mobility, convergence, and flexi-sourcingForeword xi Prologue xiiiChapter 1: The Need for Process Discipline 1 Chapter 2: What Is a CMDB? 25 Chapter 3: Planning for the CMS 57 Chapter 4: The Federated CMS Architecture 91 Chapter 5: CMS Deployment Strategy 133 Chapter 6: IntegrationTheres No Way Around It! 177 Chapter 7: The Future of the CMS 197 Chapter 8: Continual Improvement for the CMS 241 Chapter 9: Leveraging the CMS 265 Chapter 10: Enjoy the Fruits of Success 297Glossary 313

INTRODUCTION:Several studies have shown a wide variability among different methods to determine the valve area in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Our aim was to evaluate if 3D-echo planimetry is more accurate than the Gorlin method to measure the valve area.METHODS:Twenty-six patients with mitral stenosis underwent 2D and 3D-echo echocardiographic examinations and catheterization. Valve area was estimated by different methods. A median value of the mitral valve area, obtained from the measurements of three classical non-invasive methods (2D planimetry, pressure half-time and PISA method), was used as the reference method and it was compared with 3D-echo planimetry and Gorlin's method.RESULTS:Our results showed that the accuracy of 3D-echo planimetry is superior to the accuracy of the Gorlin method for the assessment of mitral valve area.CONCLUSIONS:We should keep in mind the fact that 3D-echo planimetry may be a better reference method than the Gorlin method to assess the severity of rheumatic mitral stenosis.

ABSTRACT Fungi possess efficient mechanisms of pH and ion homeostasis, allowing them to grow over a wide range of environmental conditions. In this study, we addressed the role of the pH response transcription factor PacC in salt tolerance of the vascular wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum . Loss-of-function pacC +/− mutants showed increased sensitivity to Li + and Na + and accumulated higher levels of these cations than the wild type. In contrast, strains expressing a dominant activating pacC c allele were more salt tolerant and had lower intracellular Li + and Na + concentrations. Although the kinetics of Li + influx were not altered by mutations in pacC , we found that Li + efflux at an alkaline, but not at an acidic, ambient pH was significantly reduced in pacC +/− loss-of-function mutants. To explore the presence of a PacC-dependent efflux mechanism in F. oxysporum , we cloned ena1 encoding an orthologue of the yeast P-type Na + -ATPase ENA1. Northern analysis revealed that efficient transcriptional activation of ena1 in F. oxysporum required the presence of high Na + concentrations and alkaline ambient pH and was dependent on PacC function. We propose a model in which PacC controls ion homeostasis in F. oxysporum at a high pH by activating expression of ena1 coordinately with a second Na + -responsive signaling pathway.

Arbitrary oligonucleotides were used as primers to amplifygenomic DNA of 48 wild Spanish populations of Agropyroncristatum , Elymus hispanicus , E . caninus , E . repens , Thinopyrum curvifolium , Th . junceum and Th . intermedium . Genetic diversity was analysedusing nineteen primers. The number of amplified products ranged from8 to 18 per primer and a total of 240 markers were scored. Differentlevels of intraspecific genetic diversity were found, the allogamousspecies E . repens and Th . intermedium being themost variable. Jaccard's similarity coefficients for internalmeasure within and between populations were used to produce a clusterdiagram. The results demonstrate differences in the degree ofsimilarity between taxonomic units. Interpopulational variability andinterspecific genomic relationships of these species arediscussed.

Quantification of the variability in wild species is a necessary step before determining their possible future use in plant breeding. A collection of 29 wild Spanish populations of the genera Elymus and Thinopyrum was characterised using 22 morphological and agronomical characteristics. Field studies were performed over two years, 1994 and 1995. Frequencies were calculated for qualitative and quantitative traits. Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was used to analyse inter-population variation using frequency data. Means and coefficients of variation were calculated for quantitative characteristics. Analysis of variance was performed for each species to study differences between intra- and inter-populational variability, Similar degrees of variability were observed between quantitative and qualitative traits in all the species studied (T. junceum, T. junceiforme, E. caninus and E. hispanicus). Differences in variability were found at the level of species and population. The relationships between these differences and biological and environmental factors are discussed.

The use of wild species in plant improvement is greatly favored if their genetic variability and taxonomical relationships are known. A study was made of the genetic variability of fifteen Spanish populations of E, caninus and E. hispanicus. The relationships among these species and E. panormitanus were also investigated. Intra- and interpopulational variation was determined by electrophoresis of endosperm proteins. DNA polymorphisms generated by PCR amplification using arbitrary and specific primers were used to determine interpopulational variability and interspecific relationships. The variability observed was similar to that reported for other autogamous species. The reduced variability observed in some populations of E, caninus was attributed to increased distance from the species center of distribution and to the founder effect. Endosperm proteins and random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) provided complementary results and differentiated most populations of E. caninus. The interspecific relationships observed were more in agreement with the classification of E. hispanicus as a different species to E. panormitanus than as a variant form of the same taxon.

Les marqueurs RAPD (ADN polymorphe amplifie aleatoirement) ont ete utilises dans une etude des relations genetiques entre les especes du genre Aegilops. On a selectionne cinquante populations naturelles des especes de Aegilops biuncialis, Ae. neglecta, Ae. ovata, Ae. ventricosa, et Ae. triuncialis. Ces populations ont une ample repartition sur la Peninsule Iberique et les Iles Baleares. Vingt oligonucleotides ont ete choisis pour obtenir les donnees de l'ADN amplifie. Les relations genetiques ont ete estimees a l'aide des techniques d'analyse de correspondance. Dans le dendrogramme resultant Ae. ventricosa apparait eloigne des autres especes, peut etre a cause de l'influence de genome D. La separation nette de Ae. biuncialis et Ae. ovata permet de penser que le systeme de superindex devrait etre utilise pour differencier les genomes M de deux especes. On confirme aussi la separation de genomes M et N, ainsi que la proximite des genomes N et U et C et M. De plus des correlations entre les marqueurs RAPD et des facteurs ecogeographiques ont ete observees.

Several expeditions were made to the greater part of Peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands, in order to collect samples from populations ofAegilops spp. The result has been the compilation of a collection reflecting both the presence and the distribution of the genus in Spain. The localisation and collection of two populations ofAe. cylindrica is particularly noteworthy.Ae. ovata is found all over the Peninsula except in the north and northwest of the country. It extends also to the Balearic Islands, which lie within the same biogeographical region.Ae. triuncialis also has a widespread distribution though smaller than that ofAe. ovata. In the Balearic Islands it is found only in Mallorca. All other species were found in more localised areas.Ae. neglecta was found in regions of W and SW Spain with the limits of its distribution bordering those ofAe. biuncialis, which is found in central Spain and in the South.

The data available in the literature on vapour-liquid equilibria (VLE), molar excess Gibbs energies G(E), molar excess enthalpies H(E), activity coefficients gamma(i)infinity, and partial molar excess enthalpies H(i)E,infinity at infinite dilution of 1-alkanol(1) + tetrachloromethane(2) mixtures are examined on the basis of the DISQUAC group contribution model.The components of the mixtures are characterized by three types of surface groups: hydroxyl (OH group), alkane (CH3 or CH2 groups), and tetrachloromethane (CCl4 group). The alkane/CCl4 and alkane/hydroxyl interaction parameters are available in the literature. The parameters for the hydroxyl/CCl4 interactions are reported in this work.The model provides a good description of the VLE and of the related G(E) data. For the H(E) data, surprising larger discrepancies are encountered for systems containing 1-propanol or 1-butanol. The temperature dependence of the H(E) values is fairly well represented. Predictions for the natural logarithms of the activity coefficients at infinite dilution and on H(i)E,infinity are similar to those for other 1-alkanol(1) + organic solvent(2) mixtures.