bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pro‐poor intervention strategies in irrigated agriculture in Asia: issues, lessons, options and guidelines
Authors: Hussain Intizar
Published: March 2007

Irrigation is an essential part of the package of technologies, institutions and policies that underpins increased agricultural output in Asia. Past experience shows that this package, although broadly beneficial to societies, has not yet fully succeeded in banishing poverty. So in the context of the UN millennium development goal of halving world poverty by the year 2015, are there ways of making the package more pro‐poor in the future? In 2001–2002, the author, at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and in collaboration with national partners in Asia, launched a major multi‐country study that set out to answer this question. The study explored the links between irrigation and poverty alleviation in six Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Vietnam and Indonesia) with the aim of determining realistic options for increasing returns to poor farmers in low‐productivity irrigated areas within the context of improving the overall performance and sustainability of the established irrigation systems. This unique mega study is based on primary data collected from over 5400 rural households covering 26 irrigation systems, supplemented with reliable secondary data and a review of global topical literature on the subject. It develops a framework for pro‐poor interventions in irrigated agriculture and offers a model for designing future pro‐poor projects in irrigated agriculture. This paper provides a succinct summary of the synthesized results, conclusions and lessons learnt from this major multi‐country study. The summary of the lessons, pro‐poor options and the guidelines presented in this paper could be useful for government policymakers and planners, donors, NGOs, researchers and other stakeholders involved in irrigation and rural poverty alleviation efforts in developing Asia and elsewhere. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A model for pro‐poor wealth creation through small‐plot irrigation and market linkages
Authors: Magistro John , Roberts Michael , Haggblade Steve , Kramer Fritz , Polak Paul , Weight Elizabeth , Yoder Robert
Published: March 2007

This paper relates the field experience of an international NGO in strengthening linkages between irrigation development and poverty reduction. Poverty Reduction through Irrigation and Smallholder Markets (PRISM) is introduced as a methodology for combining small‐plot irrigation technology with complementary inputs and services to enhance small farmers' ability to participate effectively in markets for high‐value agricultural commodities. Data from field projects in Nepal and India indicate that the PRISM approach can lead to significant additional income for small farmers and other micro and small enterprises in agricultural value chains. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Irrigation management reforms in the Yellow River Basin: implications for water saving and poverty
Authors: Wang Jinxia , Huang Jikun , Xu Zhigang , Rozelle Scott , Hussain Intizar , Biltonen Eric
Published: March 2007

The overall goal of this paper is to better understand irrigation management reforms in the Yellow River Basin, especially focusing on the effect that it will have on water use and poverty. Based on a random sample of 51 villages and 189 farmers in four large irrigation districts in Ningxia and Henan provinces, both provinces in China's Yellow River Basin, the results show that two of the major types of irrigation management institutions, water user associations and contracting, have begun to systematically replace traditional types of collective management. The impact analysis demonstrates that it is not the nominal implementation of the reforms that matters, but rather it is the creation of new management institutions that offer managers incentives to save water. Specifically, when managers in reformed organizations are provided with incentives, they save water. Importantly, given China's concerns about poverty alleviation, the reductions in water have little effect on higher incidences of poverty. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Innovative land and water management approaches in Asia: productivity impacts, adoption prospects and poverty outreach
Authors: Namara Regassa E. , Hussain Intizar , Bossio Deborah , Verma Shilp
Published: March 2007

There are no unanimous views regarding the real water‐saving effects of land and water management innovations. Some claim that the innovations merely change the prevailing water allocation. However, there is no dispute regarding their land and water productivity impacts. The water productivity improvement ranged from 30% for zero tillage technology to 648% for micro‐irrigation technology for beetroot. The land productivity improvement ranged from 4% for bed planting technology to 88% for micro‐irrigation technology for watermelon. Aerobic rice varieties are inferior to lowland rice varieties in terms of land productivity but superior in water productivity. In addition, some of the innovations reduce cost of production, improve the quality of produce and entail positive environmental externalities. However, the current level of adoption of these innovations is not satisfactory due to insufficient labour and organic fertilizer availability problems, uncertain irrigation water supply, crop specificity and complexity, lack of capital, high knowledge and technical skill requirements. To realize the potential benefits of these innovations to the poor the following actions are suggested: (1) provision of subsidies; (2) targeted training opportunities; (3) encouragement of private participation in the supply chain of inputs; (4) focus on short pay‐back period technologies; (5) strengthening of public research on the systems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Governance, agricultural productivity and poverty reduction in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Authors: Thirtle Colin , Piesse Jenifer
Published: March 2007

Twenty per cent of the world's population or 1.2 billion live on less than US$1 per day; 70% of these are rural and 90% in Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa. Research‐led technological change in agriculture generates sufficient productivity growth to give high rates of return in Africa and Asia and has a substantial impact on poverty, currently reducing this number by 27 million per annum, whereas productivity growth in industry and services has no impact. The annual per capita “cost” of poverty reduction by means of agricultural research expenditures in Africa is US$144 and in Asia US$180 or 50 cents per day, but this is covered by output growth. By contrast, the annual per capita cost for the richer countries of Latin America is over US$11 000. This paper extends this model by including measures of governance developed by Kaufmann et al. 1999. The rationale is simple, since the “government effectiveness” cluster provides an index of government ability to provide public goods. Hence, countries that score poorly are unlikely to be able to generate improved agricultural technologies. We show that government effectiveness is significant in explaining research effort, yields and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Irrigation water rights: options for pro‐poor reform
Authors: Bruns Bryan
Published: March 2007

Disempowerment and deprivation of access to irrigation water contribute to poverty. Water rights can yield significant benefits for poor farmers, but changes in water rights institutions pose risks if not well designed and developed. This paper describes pro‐poor options for improving irrigation water rights. Project interventions can deliberately negotiate water rights, for example through share systems, to reduce inequities in distribution and target improved supplies to poor people. Recourse to outside assistance for resolving water conflicts offers protection against local injustice, if water rights of user communities and individuals are suitably recognized. Measurement of water quantities, including suitable proxies such as proportional division of flows and time‐based turns, makes rights meaningful and management more accountable. Legal education and aid can empower poor water users to understand and defend their rights. Reforms in water rights can be sequenced to prioritize secure rights for poor water users. Thus, a range of institutional options is available for designing and implementing pro‐poor reforms in irrigation water rights. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct and indirect economic impacts of the Bhakra multipurpose dam, India
Authors: Bhatia Ramesh , Malik R. P. S. , Bhatia Meera
Published: March 2007

This paper presents results of a study on the direct and indirect economic impacts of the Bhakra multipurpose dam system in the northern part of India that has provided direct benefits in terms of hydropower, irrigated agriculture, water supply, flood control and drought prevention. These direct outputs from the Bhakra dam system have, in turn, generated (i) inter‐industry linkage impacts, both backward and forward linkages, resulting in increase in the demand for outputs of other sectors, and (ii) consumption‐induced impacts arising out of increases in income and wages generated by the direct outputs of the dam. Such indirect economic impacts, quantified by using a fixed‐price multiplier model based on a social accounting matrix (SAM) for Punjab, give a multiplier value of 1.90, indicating that for every rupee (Rs = 100 paise)1 of additional value added directly by the project in the agricultural and electricity sectors, another Rs 0.90 (90 paise) is generated in the form of downstream or indirect effects. The results on income distribution show that the gains to agricultural labour households from the dam have been higher than the gains to other rural households and to urban households. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radicals produced by blue‐light–resin interactions alter the redox status of THP1 human monocytes
Authors: Noda M. , Wataha J.C. , Kachi H. , Lewis J.B. , Messer R.L. , Sano H.
Published: March 2007

Resin composites are widely used in dentistry, and are polymerized in situ using a blue‐light activated, free‐radical polymerization mechanism. Blue light (400–500nm) is used to activate camphoroquinone (CQ), which decomposes to form free radicals that are stabilized by dimethyl‐p‐toludine (DMPT). CQ and DMPT are applied near tooth pulpal tissues and are irradiated during restorative procedures, suggesting that pulpal cells are exposed to free radicals. Because glutathione is a major component of the cellular redox management system, we tested the hypothesis that blue light irradiation would shift cellular glutathione redox balance of cells exposed to CQ and DMPT. We also measured NFκB activation, a redox‐sensitive transcription factor that regulates inflammatory responses and glutathione synthetic enzyme levels. THP1 human monocytes were exposed to sublethal levels of CQ (0.4 mM) or DMPT (1.0 mM), with or without blue light exposure (25 J/cm2) from a quartz‐tungsten‐halogen source. The ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione was measured using as assay based on 5,5′‐dithio‐bis(2‐nitrobenszoic acid). NFκB transactivation was measured by transfection of an NFκB‐containing plasmid linked to a luciferase reporter. Our results showed that blue light, CQ, or DMPT alone had no significant effect on cellular glutathione redox balance, but that the combination of these agents induced a marked oxidative bias, and reduced total glutathione levels up to 50%. On the other hand, light, CQ, and DMPT alone or in combination suppressed NFκB transactivation by >70%. Our results suggest that CQ and DMPT pose risks to pulpal tissues with or without blue light irradiation, and that multiple, interacting mechanisms shape the response to these agents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Collagen‐apatite nanocomposite membranes for guided bone regeneration
Authors: Song Ju‐Ha , Kim Hyoun‐Ee , Kim Hae‐Won
Published: March 2007

Collagen‐apatite nanocomposite is regarded as a potential biomaterial because of its composition and structure, which are similar to those of human hard tissues. However, there have been few investigations of its mechanical and biological benefits in direct comparison with a collagen equivalent. Herein, we successfully produced a biomedical membrane made of a nanocomposite, and systemically evaluated the mechanical, chemical, and biological properties of the nanocomposite in comparison with those of pure collagen. The results showed that significant improvements were achieved by the nanocomposite approach, particularly in terms of the mechanical strength and chemical stability. The present findings point to the potential usefulness of the collagen‐apatite nanocomposite membrane in the field of guided bone regeneration (GBR). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Preparation and characterization of bone cements incorporated with montmorillonite
Authors: Kwon Soon Yong , Cho Eun Hee , Kim Sung Soo
Published: March 2007

Bone cements incorporated with montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared in an attempt to improve their mechanical properties. The cements were characterized using particle size analysis, gel permeation chromatography, viscosity measurements, unreacted monomer analysis, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and mechanical properties. The average particle size and molecular weight of the PMMA powders used were 47 μm and 100,000 g/mol, respectively. The incorporation of MMT led to an increase in viscosity of the bone cement but did not severely affect its setting temperature or the amount of residual monomer. Regardless of the MMT mixing methods used, in this case MMT being mixing in liquid and powder components, sodium MMT (SMMT) was not well dispersed in the bone cements, which was believed to be due to its hydrophilicity. Organophilic MMT (OMMT) was better dispersed in the liquid component than in the powder component. The compressive and tensile strength of the bone cement containing the OMMT mixed into the liquid component were significantly higher than those of the bone cement without MMT (p < 0.05). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Cytocompatibility and electrochemical properties of Ti–Au alloys for biomedical applications
Authors: Oh Keun‐Taek , Kang Dong‐Kuk , Choi Good‐Sun , Kim Kyoung‐Nam
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study was to develop Ti–Au alloys with a higher resistant to corrosion, better biocompatibility, and better mechanical properties than the commercially pure titanium and its alloys. Ti–Au alloys were designed with a gold content that ranged from 0 to 5.0 at % in steps of 1.0 at %. Properties of the alloys including chemical composition, microstructure, phase, hardness, electrochemical properties, and the cytotoxicity were investigated. Only the α phase existed in the Ti–Au alloys. The addition of gold to the titanium decreased the α to β transformation temperature. The acicular α phase became thinner and the hardness value increased with increasing gold content. In the electrochemical tests, Ti–Au alloys had a higher resistant to corrosion than had pure titanium and did not exhibit pitting corrosion in artificial saliva. The cytotoxicities of the Ti–Au alloys were similar to that of pure titanium. Therefore, Ti–Au alloys could be used as biomaterials in the medical and dental fields. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Interaction phenomena between oral implants and bone tissue in single and multiple implant frames under occlusal loads and misfit conditions: A numerical approach
Authors: Natali A. N. , Gasparetto A. , Carniel E. L. , Pavan P. G. , Fabbro S.
Published: March 2007

An investigation is carried out on the effects induced in bone tissue surrounding oral implants placed in the premolar region of a mandible by using a numerical approach. In particular, a single implant and a multiple implant frame under loading are considered. The effects of accuracy in the coupling of the connecting bar and implants are evaluated. The mechanical response of the bone–oral implant system, depending on the different mechanical properties assumed for the peri‐implant bone tissue during the evolutionary trend of osseointegration, is studied. A further task regard to the comparison of the mechanical state induced in the bone depending on the loading conditions considered. Effects of physiological occlusal loads are compared with ones given by framework defects arising from the specific manufacturing process, such as misfit between the implants and the connecting bar. The investigation offers the basis for an integrated clinical and biomechanical evaluation of the effects induced on peri‐implant bone, depending on bone properties, implant system configuration, and the actions induced. Analyses performed show that stress states induced by the investigated type of misfit are comparable to those arising from the application of physiological loading conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Comparison of regional bond strength in root thirds among fiber‐reinforced posts luted with different cements
Authors: de Durâo Mauricio Paolo Joâo B. T. , González‐López Santiago , Aguilar‐Mendoza José A. , Félix Sergio , González‐Rodríguez María P.
Published: March 2007

Aim: To compare regional bond strength in different thirds of the root canal, among glass fiber‐reinforced (FRC) endodontic posts luted with different cements, using the push‐out test. Material and Methods: Sixty extracted human anterior teeth were endodontically treated with gutta‐percha and AH Plus® sealer. The crown portion was removed, and a dowel space was prepared. Prepared teeth were randomly assigned to one of six groups (n = 10) for luting glass FRC Postec posts, with one of the six cement systems (Ketac™ Cem Aplicap™, Relyx™ Unicem Aplicap, Variolink® II/Excite® DCS, Panavia™ F/ED Primer, C&B™ cement/All‐Bond® 2, and Multilink®/Multilink® Primer A/B), using an alignment technique. Specimens were embedded in resin, and each root was sectioned into six 1‐mm thick serial slices. A push‐out test was performed to measure regional bond strengths and to identify the type of failure. Results: The highest bond strength values were found in the cervical third and the lowest in the apical third. Highest values were obtained using Variolink II, Panavia F®, and Multilink® resin cements followed by C&B™ resin cement and Relyx Unicem® ionomer resin cement; Ketac‐cem® ionomer cement showed the lowest value. Conclusion: Highest bond strength values were obtained in the cervical third and with resin cements. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
A meshfree thin shell method for non‐linear dynamic fracture
Authors: Rabczuk T. , Areias P. M. A. , Belytschko T.
Published: March 2007

A meshfree method for thin shells with finite strains and arbitrary evolving cracks is described. The C1 displacement continuity requirement is met by the approximation, so no special treatments for fulfilling the Kirchhoff condition are necessary. Membrane locking is eliminated by the use of a cubic or quartic polynomial basis. The shell is tested for several elastic and elasto‐plastic examples and shows good results. The shell is subsequently extended to modelling cracks. Since no discretization of the director field is needed, the incorporation of discontinuities is easy to implement and straightforward. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical aspects of a real‐time sub‐structuring technique in structural dynamics
Authors: Sajeeb R. , Roy D. , Manohar C. S.
Published: March 2007

A time domain coupling technique, involving combined computational and experimental modelling, for vibration analysis of structures built‐up of linear/non‐linear substructures is developed. The study permits, in principle, one or more of the substructures to be modelled experimentally with measurements being made only on the interfacial degrees of freedom. The numerical and experimental substructures are allowed to communicate in real time within the present framework. The proposed strategy involves a two‐stage scheme: the first is iterative in nature and is implemented at the initial stages of the solution in a non‐real‐time format; the second is non‐iterative, employs an extrapolation scheme and proceeds in real time. Issues on time delays during communications between different substructures are discussed. An explicit integration procedure is shown to lead to solutions with high accuracy while retaining path sensitivity to initial conditions. The stability of the integration scheme is also discussed and a method for numerically dissipating the temporal growth of high‐frequency errors is presented. For systems with non‐linear substructures, the integration procedure is based on a multi‐step transversal linearization method; and, to account for time delays, we employ a multi‐step extrapolation scheme based on the reproducing kernel particle method. Numerical illustrations on a few low‐dimensional vibrating structures are presented and these examples are fashioned after problems of seismic qualification testing of engineering structures using real‐time substructure testing techniques. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliability‐based design optimization with equality constraints
Authors: Du Xiaoping , Huang Beiqing
Published: March 2007

Equality constraints have been well studied and widely used in deterministic optimization, but they have rarely been addressed in reliability‐based design optimization (RBDO). The inclusion of an equality constraint in RBDO results in dependency among random variables. Theoretically, one random variable can be substituted in terms of remaining random variables given an equality constraint; and the equality constraint can then be eliminated. However, in practice, eliminating an equality constraint may be difficult or impossible because of complexities such as coupling, recursion, high dimensionality, non‐linearity, implicit formats, and high computational costs. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology to model equality constraints and a numerical procedure to solve a RBDO problem with equality constraints. Equality constraints are classified into demand‐based type and physics‐based type. A sequential optimization and reliability analysis strategy is used to solve RBDO with physics‐based equality constraints. The first‐order reliability method is employed for reliability analysis. The proposed method is illustrated by a mathematical example and a two‐member frame design problem. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerisation of butadiene in the presence of carbon tetrabromide
Authors: Beaton J.
Published: March 2007

Studies of the polymerisation of butadiene in the presence of carbon tetrabromide in bulk and emulsion systems have shown that in both systems telomers are the first products of reaction. These consist of between 4–10 butadiene units with terminal allylic bromine and tribromomethyl groups. However, the fact that the telomers function as chain transfer agents through the terminal tribromomethyl group to produce diallylic bromine terminated low molecular weight polymers is unique to the emulsion system. Telomers prepared in bulk and emulsion have been isolated, characterised and the kinetics of their formation studied. Kinetic analysis has indicated that at low molecular weights an increase in polymerisation rate with increasing carbon tetrabromide concentration is predicted, but it is postulated that the telomer itself can initiate polymerisation. Telomers formed in either bulk or emulsion have been studied as chain transfer agents in the polymerisation of butadiene in emulsion at 60°C. Polymerisation rate decreases with increasing amount of chain transfer and it is postulated that degradative chain transfer plays a role in the polymerisation. A simplified kinetic scheme for retarded polymerisation has been developed to analyse the results. It is postulated that radical termination is by cross termination of growing polymer radicals with telomer radicals.
Proteomic analysis of rice seedlings during cold stress
Authors: Hashimoto Makoto , Komatsu Setsuko
Published: March 2007

Low temperature is one of the important environmental changes that affect plant growth and agricultural production. To investigate the responses of rice to cold stress, changes in protein expression were analyzed using a proteomic approach. Two‐week‐old rice seedlings were exposed to 5°C for 48 h, then total crude proteins were extracted from leaf blades, leaf sheaths and roots, separated by 2‐DE and stained with CBB. Of the 250–400 protein spots from each organ, 39 proteins changed in abundance after cold stress, with 19 proteins increasing, and 20 proteins decreasing. In leaf blades, it was difficult to detect the changes in stress‐responsive proteins due to the presence of an abundant protein, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (RuBisCO LSU), which accounted for about 50% of the total proteins. To overcome this problem, an antibody‐affinity column was prepared to trap RuBisCO LSU, and the remaining proteins in the flow through from the column were subsequently separated using 2‐DE. As a result, slight changes in stress responsive proteins were clearly displayed, and four proteins were newly detected after cold stress. From identified proteins, it was concluded that proteins related to energy metabolism were up‐regulated, and defense‐related proteins were down‐regulated in leaf blades, by cold stress. These results suggest that energy production is activated in the chilling environment; furthermore, stress‐related proteins are rapidly up‐regulated, while defense‐related proteins disappear, under long‐term cold stress.
Health among long‐term survivors of breast cancer—an analysis of 5‐year survivors based on the Swedish surveys of living conditions 1979–1995 and the Swedish Cancer Registry 2000
Authors: Bolin Kristian
Published: March 2007

In this paper we examine health among breast cancer 5‐year survivors. We raise two questions: (1) how do the health level of this survival group compare to the health level of the general population; and (2) how have the health levels among these survivors changed over time. We found that 5‐year breast cancer survivors assess their health lower than the general population, and that having being diagnosed in a later year increases health compared to having received the diagnosis at an earlier point in time. This implies that screening and treatment of breast cancer have been successful. Further, we did not find any statistically significant effect of the length of the time spell since diagnosis on health. One reason for this may be that those additional individuals surviving over time as a result of improved treatment therapies have on average lower health levels than those who survived before more efficient medical technologies were introduced. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytopreventative effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum against acute Indomethacin‐induced gastrointestinal and renal toxicity in rats
Authors: Hesse Cristina , Razmovski‐Naumovski Valentina , Duke Colin C. , Davies Neal M. , Roufogalis Basil D.
Published: March 2007

In the present study, the phytoprotective effects of gypenosides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum throughout the gastrointestinal tract and kidney were examined in indomethacin‐treated rats. Indomethacin induced gastric and intestinal damage as well as renal toxicity after a single toxicological dose (10 mg/kg) in rats. Acute oral administration of the gypenoside extract (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced gastric and intestinal toxicity induced by indomethacin as measured by ulceration, caecal haemoglobin and plasma haptoglobin. A significant decrease in small intestinal lactose fermenting enterobacteria was evident in animals treated with indomethacin and those pre‐treated with G. pentaphyllum then indomethacin. In the renal system, kidney toxicity was evident after indomethacin and in animals pre‐treated with indomethacin plus G. pentaphyllum with an increase in urinary N‐acetyl‐beta‐glucosaminidase and a decrease in urinary sodium and chloride electrolyte output. However, a significant increase in urinary microprotein in indomethacin‐treated animals was not present in indomethacin plus G. pentaphyllum‐treated animals. These studies demonstrate the efficacy of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in lowering gastrointestinal damage induced by indomethacin. The results suggest further investigations of Gynostemma gypenosides are warranted to examine the mechanisms of this phytoprotective activity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of crude extract from Radix Dipsaci on bone in mice
Authors: Wong Ricky W. K. , Rabie A. Bakr M. , Hägg E. Urban O.
Published: March 2007

Radix Dipsaci is used in China for the treatment of bone fractures and other bone diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the systemic effect of Radix Dipsaci consumption on bone histomorphology. Twenty eight‐week‐old male BALB/c mice were divided into two groups. In the control group, ten mice were daily fed with distilled water. In the Radix Dipsaci group, ten mice were daily fed with distilled water mixed with crude Radix Dipsaci extract. The mice were kept for 5 weeks and were then killed. Using microcomputed tomography, 20 microtomographic slices with an increment of 0.25 mm were acquired to cover the proximal end of the left tibia of each mouse. Quantitative morphometry of the bone structure was performed. Histological sections of the region of micro‐tomographic slices were prepared. The results showed that the consumption of Radix Dipsaci extract caused a 4.50% increase in bone volume/tissue volume ratio. The bone trabeculae increased by 11.82% in number so that the bone density was increased. To conclude, Radix Dipsaci extract taken orally increased bone density and altered bone histomorphology. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of responses in migraine modelling using hidden Markov models
Authors: Anisimov Vladimir V. , Maas Hugo J. , Danhof Meindert , Della Pasqua Oscar
Published: March 2007

Markov‐type models have been used in the analysis of disease progression. Although standard errors of model parameters are usually estimated, available software often does not permit the construction of confidence intervals around predictions of the dependent or response variable. A method is presented to calculate means and confidence intervals of model‐predicted responses in time governed by a non‐homogeneous hidden Markov model in continuous time. The Kolmogorov equations serve as the basis for the calculations. The method is realised in S‐Plus and is applied to the prediction of headache responses in clinical studies of anti‐migraine treatment. Means and confidence intervals are calculated by numerically solving differential equations that are non‐linear in the explanatory variable. Results indicate that uncertainty on predicted drug responses is larger than that on predicted placebo responses and that pain‐free responses are less precisely predicted than pain‐relief responses. This is due to the uncertainty in the drug‐specific parameters which is not present in predicted placebo responses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carboxymethyl Cocoyam Starch: Synthesis, Characterisation and Influence of Reaction Parameters
Authors: Lawal Olayide S. , Lechner M. Dieter , Hartmann Brigitte , Kulicke Werner‐Michael
Published: March 2007

Twenty carboxymethyl starch derivatives of cocoyam starch were synthesized under different reaction conditions. The influences of sodium hydroxide concentration, sodium monochloroacetate concentration, water, type of organic solvent, reaction time and temperature were evaluated for degree of substitution (DS) and reaction efficiency (RE). The optimal ratio of moles of NaOH per mole anhydroglucose unit (AGU), nNaOH/nAGU was 1.62. Increases in ratio of moles of monochloroacetate (nSMCA) to mole of AGU (nAGU) increased the DS progressively. The ratio of water to solvent (isopropanol, IPA) in the reaction media was optimal at H2O/IPA 0.16. Both RE and the DS increased with increase in reaction time within the studied time range (1‐4 h). Increases in temperature enhanced both reaction efficiency and DS. Among the solvents studied, an isopropanol – water medium produced the optimal result. The starch paste clarity improved remarkably after carboxymethylation. Wide angle X‐ray diffractometry revealed that starch crystallinity was reduced after carboxymethylation. 13C‐NMR showed peaks at δ = 180.42 ppm, 80.35 ppm, 77.77 ppm, and 71.96 ppm, which were assigned to C‐O, substituted C‐2, C‐3 and C‐6, respectively. In addition, three signals appeared at δ = 74.16 ppm, 73.42 ppm and 72.59 ppm and they were assigned to the CH2 in the carboxylate substituents.
The influence of core teaching conceptions on teachers' use of inquiry teaching practices
Authors: Lotter Christine , Harwood William S. , Bonner J. José
Published: March 2007

This article investigates three teachers' conceptions and use of inquiry‐based instructional strategies throughout a professional development program. The professional development program consisted of a 2‐week summer inquiry institute and research experience in university scientists' laboratories, as well as three academic year workshops. Insights gained from an in‐depth study of these three secondary teachers resulted in a model of teacher conceptions that can be used to direct future inquiry professional development. Teachers' conceptions of inquiry teaching were established through intensive case–study research that incorporated extensive classroom observations and interviews. Through their participation in the professional development experience, the teachers gained a deeper understanding of how to implement inquiry practices in their classrooms. The teachers gained confidence and practice with inquiry methods through developing and presenting their institute‐developed inquiry lessons, through observing other teachers' lessons, and participating as students in the workshop inquiry activities. Data analysis revealed that a set of four core conceptions guided the teachers' use of inquiry‐based practices in their classrooms. The teachers' conceptions of science, their students, effective teaching practices, and the purpose of education influenced the type and amount of inquiry instruction performed in the high school classrooms. The research findings suggest that to be successful inquiry professional development must not only teach inquiry knowledge, but it must also assess and address teachers' core teaching conceptions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 1318–1347, 2007
Fetal lung volume: three‐dimensional ultrasonography compared with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Gerards F. A. , Twisk J. W. R. , Bakker M. , Barkhof F. , van Vugt J. M. G.
Published: March 2007

Objectives

An accurate and reliable method for measuring fetal lung volumes would be helpful in predicting the outcome in cases with suspected impaired lung growth. Recent studies show that it is possible to obtain fetal lung volume estimations with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonography. The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement of lung volumes measured with 3D ultrasonography and MRI in uncomplicated pregnancies.

Methods

This was a prospective study in which MRI and 3D ultrasonography examinations were conducted on the same day to measure the fetal lung volumes of 10 women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Intraclass correlation was used to evaluate the agreement between fetal lung volume measurements obtained by MRI and 3D ultrasonography. A proportionate Bland–Altman plot was constructed.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient between MRI and 3D ultrasonography measurements for the right lung was 0.92 (95% CI 0.71–0.98) and for the left lung was 0.95 (95% CI 0.82–0.99). The proportionate limits of agreement between the methods were for the right lung − 32.57% to 20.03% and for the left lung − 21.26% to 17.13%.

Conclusions

There is good agreement between lung volumes measured by MRI and those measured by 3D ultrasonography. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diameter of the normal fetal thymus on ultrasound
Authors: Cho J. Y. , Min J. Y. , Lee Y.‐H. , McCrindle B. , Hornberger L. K. , Yoo S.‐J.
Published: March 2007

Objective

To present the normative data of the transverse diameter of the developing fetal thymus.

Methods

In this prospective study, the maximum transverse diameter of the thymus was measured by one sonologist in 376 normal fetuses between 19 and 38 weeks of gestation. We assessed the relationship of the transverse thymic diameter with gestational age (GA), biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference using general linear regression modeling. The predicted mean and 95% reference range of thymic diameter at each GA were calculated from the regression equation.

Results

Measurements of the transverse diameter were possible in 352 of the 376 (94%) fetuses. The transverse diameter of the fetal thymus increased with increasing GA and fetal size parameters in a linear manner. The regression equation for transverse diameter of the thymus as a function of GA was: thymic diameter (cm) = 0.15 × GA (weeks) − 1.59 (r2 = 0.86, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The transverse diameter of the fetal thymus is easy to measure; this study presents normative data. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid synthesis in cultured human embryonic fibroblasts
Authors: Waite Moseley , Kucera Louis , King Lynn , Crosland Sheryl
Published: March 2007

We describe here the pathways by which human embryonic fibroblasts synthesize lipids. In these studies, we quantitated the phospholipids by their phosphorus content and by their acyl components. These determinations defined both the chemical composition of the cellular membranes as well as their metabolic turnover. Using radiolabeled precursors, we have shown (a) synthesis of the glycerol moiety via glycolysis and the action of glycerokinase, (b) utilization of both exogenously added and endogenously synthesized fatty acids, (c) synthesis de novo of phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine from their base precursors, and (d) the methylation of phosphatidyl ethanolamine yielding phosphatidyl choline. Dividing cells synthesized phosphoglyceride more rapidly than cells in the stationary phase. However, considerable turnover of cellular lipid did occur in the stationary phase.
Free and esterified cholesterol in developing feline white matter
Authors: Hildebrand C. , Berthold C‐H.
Published: March 2007

The content of free and esterified cholesterol was examined in the cervical spinal cord lateral funiculus and in the corpus callosum of the cat during postnatal development. The concentration of free cholesterol increased with development from 8 to 56 μg/mg in the lateral funiculus and from 4 to 37 μg/mg in the corpus callosum. The total content per specimen increased 130 and 70 times, respectively. The major part of the postnatal increase in the free cholesterol occurred late postnatally. The concentration of esterified cholesterol decreased with development from 0.96 to 0.07% and from 9.50 to 0.30% of total sterol in the lateral funiculus and corpus callosum, respectively. In both regions, the total content per specimen increased with maturation. Throughout development, the content of cholesteryl ester was higher in the corpus callosum than in the lateral funiculus. A transient increase in esterified cholesterol concentration was seen during the first postnatal days in the lateral funiculus and 3 weeks postnatally in the corpus callosum. The results suggest that most of the postnatal increase of free cholesterol in the white matter is related to a continued growth of established myelin sheaths and not to de novo myelination. The transient increase in concentration of esterified cholesterol in the early postnatal lateral funiculus coincides in time with a spontaneous myelin sheath disintegration. This supports the view that the ester peak may be primarily related to myelin breakdown rather than to myelin production. The significance of the high ester concentration in the neonatal corpus callosum and the ester peak seen during initial myelination remains obscure and calls for further developmental morphological studies.
The effect of cerulenin on sterol biosynthesis inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Greenspan Michael D. , Mackow Robert C. , Ōmura Satoshi
Published: March 2007

Cerulenin specifically inhibited fatty acid biosynthesis inSaccharomyces cerevisiae without having an effect on sterol formation. Ergosterol was not required for cell growth in the presence of cerulenin (1 μg/ml). The addition of fatty acids to the growth medium reduced the amount of ergosterol formed by 45%; further addition of cerulenin to the media had no effect on the amount of ergosterol synthesized by the cells. The incorporation of3H from3H2O into ergosterol was not affected by cerulenin whereas incorporration into fatty acids was inhibited by 90%.
Polygala virgata seed oil—A new source of acetotriglycerides
Authors: Smith C. R. , Madrigal R. V. , Weisleder D. , Plattner R. D.
Published: March 2007

The seed oil ofPolygala virgata (family Polygalaceae) contains 74% of monoacetotriglycerides, the first found in nature with the acetate group in position 2 ofsn‐glycerol. Naturally occurring triglycerides characterized previously all have the acetate at position 3. The configuration of the acetoglyceride fromP. virgata was established by a combination of thin layer chromatography, optical rotatory dispersion, and nuclear magnetic resonance.
Lipogenesis in the developing brain from intracranially administered [1‐14C] acetate and [U‐14C] glucose
Authors: Dhopeshwarkar Govind A. , Subramanian Carole
Published: March 2007

Fifteen‐day‐old rats divided into two groups were given [1‐14C]acetate or [U‐14C] glucose by intracranial injection and were sacrificed after 1 hr. Analysis of lipids from the two groups showed differences in the incorporation of radioactivity in the polar lipids and cholesterol. Analysis of brain fatty acid showed that whereas radioactivity from acetate was incorporated into saturated, monoand polyunsaturated fatty acids, the radioactivity from [U‐14C] glucose was found only in 16∶0, 18∶0, and 18∶1. No radioactivity was found in polyunsaturated fatty acids even after concentration of this fraction by AgNO3:SiO2 thin layer chromatographic method. This difference is discussed in hypothetical terms of nonhomogeneous acetyl CoA pool, formation of acetyl CoA from glucose exclusively inside the mitochondria, and activation of injected acetate to acetyl CoA.
Soybean pest management
Authors: Athow K. L.
Published: March 2007

The rapidly growing world population and rising cost of fossil fuel has caused the increase in importance of soybeans as a source of high protein food and quality vegetable oil. The area planted with soybeans is not likely to increase greatly because of geographic adaptation and environmental limitations. Any large increase in the quantity of soybeans, therefore, must come from increases in yield per unit area, that is, increased production efficiency. Part of this can be accomplished by improved pest management systems that use cultural, mechanical, biological, ecological, and chemical methods to reduce the 30% loss caused by insects, weeds, and diseases. Pest control strategies are discussed.
Improving the quality of the soybean
Authors: Smith K. J.
Published: March 2007

Soybeans, once a relatively minor farm commodity, have become the world's most abundant source of vegetable protein and oil. This growth in popularity, much of which has occurred in the last 20 years, has been made possible partly by genetic improvements that have successfully adapted soybeans to a wide variety of environmental conditions. To date, however, soybean breeders have concentrated their research efforts on increasing the quantity rather than the quality of soybeans. This paper summarizes genetic research currently underway to improve the quality of soybeans and/or soybean products. It also examines research efforts to improve the soybean's fatty acid composition, change the amino acid profile and reduce antinutritional factors.
Increasing the supply of soybeans
Authors: Thompson W. N.
Published: March 2007

The increase in supply and use of soybeans during the past 40 years has been a dramatic change in world agriculture—the “Dark Green Evolution.” The driving forces have been expanding population and income levels, increasing demand for protein and edible oils, pressures on other crop prices, and production and utilization research. The large growth of supply has been in temperate areas of North and South America, where increases will continue but at much slower rates than in the past. Production will increase in tropical and subtropical areas and soybeans will truly become a worldwide commercial crop. The rate of increase in supply will depend largely on the magnitude and effectiveness of research, education and developmental programs designed to exploit the full potential of the soybean to upgrade diets and alleviate the growing world malnutrition problem.
A new soybean for human consumption in the tropics
Authors: Banafunzi N. M. S. , Mena B. A. , Rangel D. I. , Mastache L. A. A. , Molina M. M. L. , Gantes. V. M. H. , Marquez B. S. R.
Published: March 2007

Modern technology, especially in animal husbandry, has made remarkable progress. Even with all recent advances in animal reproduction (animal protein), we have not been able to keep pace with the rapid population growth rate in order to meet the demand for protein. This discrepancy in demand and supply for animal protein is even more severe in the tropics. The tradition of producing cereals and legumes to feed animals for conversion to meat (protein) is no longer feasible. Usually, animal proteins have complete profiles of essential amino acids, whereas those of plant origin are deficient in one or more of them. Soybean proteins, however, have about the same nutritional value as those of animals, and it is available for direct consumption by humans at a low cost. Because of the “off” or painty flavor, soybeans were not used for direct human consumption for a long time, except in areas such as China, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. Two major limiting factors for production of soybeans in the tropics are (a) lack of varieties adapted to low latitude and shorter days of the cool season, or to high altitude and low temperatures of the tropics, and (b) lack of varieties that are mild in beany flavor and appropriate for direct human consumption. A cross of the selected soybeans Kahala × Lee 68″ was made at Iguala ISAAEG Research Station. Several lines were selected in the F4 generation with good agronomic and organoleptic properties. The resulting variety has been evaluated from 0 to 40° latitude and in the short growing season of low latitude; results were good. The ISAAEG‐BM2 variety of soybean is mild in flavor, and the heat treatment commonly applied to denature antinutritional factors is sufficient to completely eliminate the painty flavor. Details for the synthesis of ISAAEG‐BM2 variety and the recommended cultural practices for its maximal yield is discussed.