bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sawah Ecotechnology – A Trigger for a Rice Green Revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Abe S.S. , Wakatsuki T.
Published: October 2011

The green revolution has yet to be realized in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) even 40 years after its success in tropical Asia, suggesting that there was a missing element in the basic principles underlying the Asian green revolution when they were transferred to SSA. The authors argue that this missing element is ‘ecotechnology’. Ecotechnology improves the crop growing environment in farmers' fields and enables them to accommodate basic green revolution technologies such as modern varieties, chemical fertilizers and irrigation facilities. The authors focus on sawah ecotechnology, a sustainable rice production technology. The term ‘sawah’ refers to a levelled, bunded and puddled rice field under controlled submergence, and ‘sawah ecotechnology’ indicates the technology for designing, developing and managing the sawah system. The sawah system development potential is at least 20 million ha in the West Africa (WA) subregion only. Realizing this potential, WA can sustainably produce food for more than 300 million people, as well as enabling the conservation and restoration of hundreds of millions of hectares of upland forests, contributing to carbon sequestration and global warming mitigation in the future.
The Status of Kersting's Groundnut (Macrotyloma Geocarpum [Harms] Marechal and Baudet)
Authors: Adu-Gyamfi R. , Fearon J. , Bayorbor T.B. , Dzomeku I.K. , Avornyo V.K.
Published: October 2011

Kersting's groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum) is a rare and underexploited leguminous crop cultivated in parts of West Africa, which now faces extinction. A study was conducted in northern Ghana, which falls within the Guinea Savannah ecological zone, to establish the status of the crop, its production constraints and prospects for its future development or improvement. Sixteen types of Kersting's groundnut were collected which could be distinguished by three seed colours. It is predominantly grown on a small scale (0.1–0.5 acre) as a sole crop, but is often intercropped with other food crops. Pest and disease are not a significant constraint in the cultivation of Kersting's groundnut. Over-tasked farmers harvest it late when the soil has hardened, and this has been the main constraint to its large-scale production. Variation in seed size exists and could be used for crop improvement.
Empowering Rural Women in Agro-Ecotechnologies for Livelihood Improvement and Natural Resource Management
Authors: Maikhuri R.K. , Rawat L.S. , Negi Vikram S. , Faroouquee N.A. , Rao K.S. , Purohit V.K. , Agarwal Sunil K. , Chamoli K.P. , Negi Chandan S. , Saxena K.G.
Published: October 2011

Women in Central Himalaya have always played a significant role in managing and operating most household and agricultural activities. They are considered to be the backbone of hill agriculture. However, in recent years, environmental degradation, poor resource management and increased migration of men to the plains have worsened livelihood options and added to the workload of women in the Himalaya. In assessing the hardships and problems faced by the hill/mountain women, it was recognized that the women had to develop their capacity and skills in agro-ecotechnology if they were to improve their livelihoods as well as the conservation and management of natural resources. A total of 15 on-site training and capacity building/skill development programmes were conducted in three different ecological zones, training 635 women farmers. The overall goal was to induce the women farmers to adopt simple agro-ecotechnologies as viable options for enhancing their livelihoods. This study offers the possibility of a wider sharing of training outputs at farm level and among the scientific community, extension workers and policy makers. The experience of the training programmes has shown that there is a need to develop location-specific agro-ecotechnologies so as to maximize the use of locally available bioresources, which will reduce the cost of external inputs.
The Turkana Camel Breed in North-Western Kenya
Authors: Njanja James C. , Oba Gufu
Published: October 2011

The productivity of the Turkana camel breed in its arid environment was investigated over 4.4 years using an initial experimental herd of 22 camels managed under the traditional pastoral management system. Mature males were always heavier than females, while the weights of the dams were highly correlated with the birthweights of the calves. The seasonal live body weights of the dams were positively correlated with forage conditions. The study showed that herd dynamics were related to prenatal calf mortality (5.6%), pre-weaned calf mortality (4%) and adult mortality (6.7%). Under the traditional system herd productivity dynamics were influenced by climate variability.
Multiple Actor Orientation: A Case Study of Groundnut in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Prasad V.L. , Bezkorowajnyj P.G. , Nigam S.N. , Hanson J. , Romney D.
Published: October 2011

As part of a three-year project focusing on improving the livelihoods of poor livestock keepers by improving the availability of fodder, new groundnut varieties were tested, incorporating participatory rural appraisal (PRA), rapid rural appraisal (RRA), focus group discussions (FGDs) and field days as learning platforms. These approaches had limitations in addressing the complexity of the groundnut farming system and therefore constraints to the uptake of improved varieties continued to elude solution. The potential of a multi-stakeholder approach to gain a broader view of how novelty and innovation occur in a farming system was then recognized. Interactions among a range of actors including, among others, traders, oilseed merchants and private seed companies, were facilitated within a process of action and reflective learning. As a result, new constraints to innovation in groundnut varieties were identified and ways of overcoming them were noted. Documentation and analysis of the type and quality of linkages between the actors in the system helped to catalogue the process, and the platform thus created provided the actors with an opportunity to learn from each other. The lessons and implications are discussed.
Adoption, Impact and Discontinuance of Integrated Pest Management Technologies for Pigeon Pea in South India
Authors: Rao C.A. Rama , Rao M. Srinivasa , Srinivas K. , Patibanda A.K. , Sudhakar C.
Published: October 2011

The adoption and impact of integrated pest management (IPM) were examined for pigeon pea cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, India. Summer ploughing and spraying of Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) were the most regularly adopted components of IPM for pigeon pea. A logistic regression analysis showed that age, education, participation in community-based organizations, ability to recognize the insect pests, and farm size influenced the decision to adopt IPM significantly. There were variations in the extent of IPM adoption among farmers. The adoption of IPM led to reduced use of insecticides and increased net returns. Furthermore, the use of new-generation insecticides led to a discontinuation of IPM practices.
Milk Production Trends and Dairy Development in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin M.M. , Sultana M.N. , Ndambi O.A. , Alqaisi O. , Hemme T. , Peters K.J.
Published: October 2011

Bangladesh, like other South Asian countries, has a dairy system characterized by small-scale operations, integrated with crops and other off-farm activities. Dairying is considered a major source of nutrition and income, and offers good opportunities for both farm families and non-farm rural and urban employment. Consequently, several dairy development programmes and models have been implemented for improving the dairy sector. The gradual shift from subsistence to market-oriented dairy units demands more advanced knowledge and dairy technology. However, adequate information about the dairy sector and its technological advancement is scanty, which increases the need to identify opportunities for technical and institutional development. This paper updates information on key changes in the dairy sector and the characterization of dairy production systems in Bangladesh and considers their implications for South Asian countries. Milk demand, measured by per capita consumption, is increasing by 4% per year, which is higher than the growth in milk production (3.6%). This has led to a continuous widening of the gap between milk supply and demand. Institutional support and policies play a major role in narrowing this gap and should therefore be considered in developing strategies for dairy development.
The Indian Potato-Processing Industry
Authors: Rana Rajesh K.
Published: October 2011

India is the world's third largest potato-producing nation, although its potato-processing industry is still in its infancy. Per capita potato processing in India during 2007–08 was just 365 g (89.69% potato chips, or ‘crisps’, 9.28% potato powder/flakes and 1.03% French fries), using 1.475 kg potatoes per capita. This performance compares poorly with that of the leading potato-processing nations such as the UK, the USA, Canada, France and Germany. However, the industry is experiencing rapid growth in India, and multinational corporations (MNCs), such as PepsiCo, McCain and ITC, now have a conspicuous presence. This paper provides detailed analysis of the consumption patterns of the processed product in India relative to the world picture. The strengths, weaknesses and business opportunities of this industry are also discussed.
International Tourism and Trade Flows: A Causality Analysis Using Panel Data
Authors: Keum Kiyong
Published: October 2011

Since the 1990s, the vogue of globalization and liberalization worldwide has fostered more international transactions. This paper assesses whether there is a causal link between transnational goods and people flows. Using a dynamic econometric model for the causal analysis of panel data, the study examines bilateral tourism and trade flows between Korea and its 21 trading partners worldwide over a 12-year period. The empirical results illustrate that policies aimed at boosting international human interchange may lead to an increased goods trade. The paper introduces a ‘multilevel causality analysis’ and ‘multiple causal path analysis’ to elucidate the structure and mechanism of the causal relationship between tourism and trade flows.
Impact of Approved Destination Status on Chinese Travel Abroad: An Econometric Analysis
Authors: Arita Shawn , Edmonds Christopher , Croix Sumner La , Mak James
Published: October 2011

Since the early 1990s, China's government has negotiated Approved Destination Status (ADS) with 120 countries. The agreements allow government-approved travel agencies to market group tours and obtain visas in bulk to ADS destinations. The authors apply a fixed-effects estimation model to analyse how ADS has affected outbound tourist travel from China, using visitor arrivals data from 61 foreign destinations from 1995 to 2005. Various model specifications indicate that ADS has resulted in significant increases in arrivals from China, averaging 52% over three years. The authors also find evidence of travel diversion as more countries have received ADS.
Research Note: Coastal and Inland Reference Prices – a Differentiated Effect
Authors: Nicolau Juan L.
Published: October 2011

The idea that individuals make judgements and choices based on reference points could shed some light on tourist price response. In this regard, the goal of this paper is to examine the influence of the difference between reference price and observed price on the choice of tourism products with different degrees of awareness – well-known coastal destinations versus less well-known inland destinations. The author adopts the sticker shock formulation, in which tourists evaluate choice alternatives using differences between reference prices and actual prices; the article incorporates this formulation into the random parameter logit model, which allows the price response heterogeneity to be modelled explicitly. The results of the empirical application indicate distinct effects of the reference price–observed price difference according to destination type: tourists take their expectations on prices into account more when making decisions for inland destinations than they do for coastal destinations. That is, for inland destinations they do not remain as indifferent as they do for coastal destinations when contemplating prices that are higher or lower than expected.
Dynamic Pricing Policies of Hotel Establishments in an Online Travel Agency
Authors: Ropero Miguel Angel
Published: October 2011

This article analyses price setting by hotel establishments in the Spanish islands via an online travel agency. To this end, the author collected information on 572 hotels and tourist apartments and estimated the effects of their characteristics and market conditions on the probability that each establishment would increase or decrease prices and on price variations. The results obtained enabled an examination of the effect of competition and product differentiation on pricing policy. According to the results, the higher the quality of the service provided, the greater the probability of a price rise, and the greater its magnitude. Moreover, a greater difference between the set price and the average price of competitors does not affect the probability of lowering prices. The results therefore suggest that product differentiation is an important issue in the hotel industry.
Can Electronic Tools Help Improve Nursing Home Quality?
Authors: Krüger Kjell , Strand Line , Geitung Jonn-Terje , Eide Geir Egil , Grimsmo Anders
Published: October 2011

Background. Nursing homes face challenges in the coming years due to the increased number of elderly. Quality will be under pressure, expectations of the services will rise, and clinical complexity will grow. New strategies are needed to meet this situation. Modern clinical information systems with decision support may be part of that. Objectives. To study the impact of introducing an electronic patient record system with decision support on the use of warfarin, neuroleptics and weighing of patients, in nursing homes. Methods. A prevalence study was performed in seven nursing homes with 513 subjects. A before-after study with internal controls was performed. Results. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the seven nursing homes was 18.8%. After intervention, the proportion of all patients taking warfarin increased from 3.0% to 9.8% (P=0.0086), neuroleptics decreased from 33.0% to 21.5% (P=0.0121), and the proportion not weighed decreased from 72.6% to 16.0% (P<0.0001). The internal controls did not change significantly. Conclusion. Statistics and management data can be continuously produced to monitor the quality of work processes. The electronic health record system and its system for decision support can improve drug therapy and monitoring of treatment policy.
Effect of Red Mud on the Corrosion of Reinforced Concrete Studied by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Ribeiro D. V. , Rovere C. A. D. , Souza C. A. C. , Kuri S. E. , Labrincha J. A. , Abrantes J. C. C. , Morelli M. R.
Published: October 2011

The corrosion of concrete reinforcement is a worldwide problem with serious consequences to humans, including accidental deaths that may occur due to the degradation of this material. Thus, techniques that can measure concrete reinforcement corrosion and provide a reliable prediction of this phenomenon are fundamental for the technological development of these materials. The corrosion of steel bars embedded in concrete containing varying amounts of red mud (up to 30% of the total binder) was tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), under partial immersion in a sodium chloride solution. The addition of red mud delayed the onset of corrosion and possibly also reduced the corrosion rate.
Rheological and Curing Behavior of a Newly Developed, Medium Viscous Acrylic Bone Cement
Authors: Deusser Stefan , Sattig Christoph , Boger Andreas
Published: October 2011

Percutaneous vertebroplasty, comprising an injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement into vertebral bodies, is a practical procedure for stabilization of osteoporotic compression fractures and other weakening lesions. Cement leakage is considered to be the major complication. The viscosity plays a key role in this context. At high viscosity, the risk of leakage is reduced; however, injection forces are highly increased, handling time is reduced. The purpose of the study was to investigate the rheological, handling and hardening behaviour of a newly developed medium viscous bone cement at different temperatures and by simulation of a temperature shift to body-temperature. The presented data give an impression on the injectability of the cement using different sized needles. It could be concluded, that the medium viscous cement shows an adequate working time for a broad temperature range and an acceptable hardening time of around 11 min after immersing the cement into a C environment.
Introduction and Historical Overview of DNA Sequencing
Authors: Kenneth Nelson F. , Snyder Michael , Gardner Andrew F. , Hendrickson Cynthia L. , Shendure Jay A. , Porreca Gregory J. , Church George M. , Ausubel Frederick M. , Ju Jingyue , Kieleczawa Jan , Slatko Barton E.
Published: October 2011

The process of DNA sequencing has made tremendous strides in throughput, improved accuracy, ease of production, and lowered cost. As the practice of DNA sequencing has improved, so has the downstream data analysis with sophisticated databases and bioinformatics tools. Together, these advances have enlarged the number of applications upon which DNA sequencing can be brought to bear. This introductory unit provides a description of DNA sequencing with a focus on current and “NextGen” (second and third generation) automated technologies and applications. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 96:7.0.1‐7.0.18. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of DNA Sequencing Strategies
Authors: Shendure Jay A. , Porreca Gregory J. , Church George M. , Gardner Andrew F. , Hendrickson Cynthia L. , Kieleczawa Jan , Slatko Barton E.
Published: October 2011

Efficient and cost‐effective DNA sequencing technologies are critical to the progress of molecular biology. This overview of DNA sequencing strategies provides a high‐level review of seven distinct approaches to DNA sequencing: (a) dideoxy sequencing; (b) solid phase sequencing; (c) sequencing‐by‐hybridization; (d) mass spectrometry; (e) cyclic array sequencing; (f) microelectrophoresis; and (g) nanopore sequencing. Other platforms currently in development are also briefly described. The primary focus here is on Sanger dideoxy sequencing, which has been the dominant technology since 1977, and on cyclic array strategies, for which several competitive implementations have been developed since 2005. Because the field of DNA sequencing is changing rapidly, this unit represents a snapshot as of September, 2011. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 96:7.1.1‐7.1.23. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
High‐Throughput Sequencing of PCR Products Tagged with Universal Primers Using 454 Life Sciences Systems
Authors: Daigle Derek , Simen Birgitte B. , Pochart Pascale
Published: October 2011

This unit describes a method to convert PCR products (amplicons) flanked by universal M13 primers into a library for use on all 454 Sequencing Systems (454 Life Sciences, a Roche Company). This is especially useful for simultaneous sequencing and analysis of large numbers of amplicons or for the detection of minor variations within the amplified products. The method described here involves preparing a library of DNA with specific primers containing adaptor sequences recognized by the GS Junior System sequencing process. The data from the sequencing run are processed and analyzed by 454 Life Sciences software. This approach allows for multiplexing of a large number of amplicons to streamline processing and analysis. Any pre‐existing universally tagged amplicon, primer set, or plasmid with M13 sequences flanking the cloning site can be used in this protocol. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 96:7.5.1‐7.5.14. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Influence of Background Speech and Music in Interrupted Reading: An Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Cauchard Fabrice , Cane James E. , Weger Ulrich W.
Published: October 2011

The current study examined the influence of interruption, background speech and music on reading, using an eye movement paradigm. Participants either read paragraphs while being exposed to background speech or music or read the texts in silence. On half of the trials, participants were interrupted by a 60‐second audio story before resuming reading the paragraph. Interruptions increased overall reading time, but the reading of text following the interruption was quicker compared with baseline. Background speech and music did not modulate the interruption effects, but the background speech slowed down the reading rate compared with reading in the presence of music or reading in silence. The increase in reading time was primarily due to an increase in the time spent rereading previously read words. We argue that the observed interruption effects are in line with a theory of long‐term working memory, and we present practical implications for the reported background speech effects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Type I Collagen Immobilized Poly(caprolactone) Nanofibers: Characterization of Surface Modification and Growth of Fibroblasts
Authors: Krithica Natarajan , Natarajan Venkatachalam , Madhan Balaraman , Sehgal Praveen Kumar , Mandal Asit Baran
Published: October 2011

Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) electrospun nanofibers were modified by aminolysis and collagen was immobilized on the aminolysed PCL nanofibers. Considering low immunogenic response collagen elicits, immobilization of the same is anticipated to enhance the tissue engineering application of the PCL nanofibers. Amino groups were introduced into PCL nanofibers through aminolysis process. Aminolysis of PCL nanofibers was confirmed by electron dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). Collagen was immobilized on aminolysed PCL nanofibers using glutaraldehyde as crosslinker. The collagen crosslinking on to PCL nanofibers was established by attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. The fiber morphologies of PCL nanofibers at different stages were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The change in hydrophobicity of PCL nanofibers due to aminolysis and collagen immobilization was determined by water contact angle measurements. Aminolysis followed by collagen immobilization had reduced the intrinsic hydrophobicity of PCL nanofibers. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured for 2 days on PCL nanofibers, aminolysed PCL nanofibers, and aminolysed PCL nanofibers crosslinked with collagen. Cell attachment and growth were observed by MTT assay in each case. Collagen immobilization improved the biocompatibility of the PCL nanofibers. Thus the modified PCL nanofibers can be used as suitable broad spectrum scaffold for skin, cartilage, bone, cardiac constructs for efficient tissue engineering applications.
Nanocrystalline Titania‐Supported Palladium(0) Nanoparticles for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of Aryl and Heteroaryl Halides
Authors: Sreedhar B. , Yada Divya , Reddy P. Surendra
Published: October 2011

The Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction of various aryl and heteroaryl halides with arylboronic and heteroarylboronic acids was studied using a titania‐supported palladium(0) catalyst at room temperature under air. The conversion and selectivity results obtained for many substrates were excellent and similar to those provided by more active or even homogeneous catalysts. The methodology is similarly effective using 2‐bromo‐3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzaldehyde as the coupling partner and gave products in good yield. Furthermore, it has been shown that it is useful for the synthesis of terphenyl and tetraphenyls. The catalyst is quantitatively recovered from the reaction by simple filtration and reused for a number of cycles without significant loss of activity. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass‐spectrometric analysis of the filtrate from the reaction mixture demonstrated that the palladium metal hardly leached into the solution within the limits of the detector (1 ppm), thus suggesting that the present Suzuki–Miyaura reaction proceeded by heterogeneous catalysis.
Bismuth(III) Triflate‐Based Catalytic Direct Opening of Oleanolic Hydroxy‐γ‐lactones to Afford 12‐Oxo‐28‐carboxylic Acids
Authors: Salvador Jorge A. R. , Moreira Vânia M. , Pinto Rui M. A. , Leal Ana S. , Le Roux Christophe
Published: October 2011

The bismuth(III) triflate‐based catalytic direct opening of oleanolic hydroxy‐γ‐lactones affords the corresponding 12‐oxo‐28‐carboxylic acid derivatives, in both acetonitrile and dichloromethane, at reflux, in high yields. Participation of an in situ generated Brønsted acid species from bismuth(III) triflate is most likely involved in the reaction mechanism. Full structural elucidation of the products obtained has been performed by 1D and 2D NMR techniques.
Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Chemically Modified Silica Gel: Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Suzuki, Stille and Sonogashira Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Dutta Piyali , Sarkar Amitabha
Published: October 2011

Nanoparticulate palladium (Pdnp‐2) supported on polyethylene glycol‐functionalized silica gel is an excellent heterogeneous catalytic system for Suzuki, Sonogashira and Stille cross‐coupling reactions that afford products in high yield. The immobilized palladium nanoparticles were readily prepared by reaction of modified silica gel (1) with potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) in the presence of an acyl metal salt of a Fischer carbene complex. The nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalyst (Pdnp‐2) is thermally stable, insensitive to oxygen, and recyclable. The catalyst has been used for five cycles without noticeable loss of catalytic activity.
Enantioselective Phospha‐Michael Reaction of Diphenyl Phosphonate with Nitroolefins Utilizing Conformationally Flexible Guanidinium/Bisthiourea Organocatalyst: Assembly‐State Tunability in Asymmetric Organocatalysis
Authors: Sohtome Yoshihiro , Horitsugi Natsuko , Takagi Rika , Nagasawa Kazuo
Published: October 2011

A catalytic enantioselective phospha‐Michael reaction of diphenyl phosphonate to nitroolefins was achieved by utilizing a 1,3‐diamine‐tethered guanidinium/bisthiourea organocatalyst. The procedure is applicable to nitroolefins having various aromatic and aliphatic substituents, and enables an efficient access to phospha‐Michael products with 90–98% ee. Monomeric or oligomeric active species of the catalyst can be utilized, depending on the presence or absence of water.
Copper(II) Triflate: A Versatile Catalyst for the One‐Pot Preparation of Orthogonally Protected Glycosides
Authors: Tran Anh‐Tuan , Jones Rachel A. , Pastor Julien , Boisson Julien , Smith Nichola , Galan M. Carmen
Published: October 2011

The development of general and expedient methodologies for the preparation of orthogonally protected glycoside building blocks is essential for the efficient synthesis of complex oligosaccharides. Herein, we describe a new approach that uses copper(II) triflate as a versatile catalyst for the one‐pot preparation of orthogonal protected thio‐ and O‐glycosides from the corresponding unprotected counterparts. The conditions are mild, easy to handle and applicable to two and three one‐pot tandem transformations, which include arylidene acetalation, esterification, regioselective reductive acetal ring opening, glycosylation and silylation processes.
Synthesis of Diarylalkynes by Iron/Copper Co‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative spsp2 Coupling of Alkynyl Carboxylic Acids and Aryl Halides
Authors: Li Tingyi , Qu Xiaoming , Zhu Yan , Sun Peng , Yang Hailong , Shan Yuqin , Zhang Hongxin , Liu Defu , Zhang Xiang , Mao Jincheng
Published: October 2011

The highly effective decarboxylative sp‐sp2 coupling of alkynylcarboxylic acids with various aryl halides was carried in the presence of low‐cost and readily available copper(I) iodide/iron(III) acetylacetonate under ligand‐free and palladium‐free conditions using low catalyst loadings. This protocol makes such coupling reactions more practical and useful.
Triazole‐Gold‐Promoted, Effective Synthesis of Enones from Propargylic Esters and Alcohols: A Catalyst Offering Chemoselectivity, Acidity and Ligand Economy
Authors: Wang Dawei , Zhang Yanwei , Harris Alexandria , Gautam Lekh Nath S. , Chen Yunfeng , Shi Xiaodong
Published: October 2011

The air, moisture and thermally stable 1,2,3‐triazole coordinated gold(I) complexes (TA‐Au) were revealed as the effective catalysts in promoting propargylic ester rearrangement and sequential allene hydration, giving the enones with excellent yields (up to 97% yields, 0.2% loading). The catalysts could also catalyze the more challenging Meyer–Schuster rearrangement (0.5% loading, up to 98% yields). The reported reaction confirmed TA‐Au as a chemoselective catalyst in promoting alkyne activation with high efficiency and improved ligand economy.
Cationic Palladium Complex‐Catalyzed Diastereoselective Tandem Annulation of 2‐Iminoarylboronic Acids with Substituted Alkynes: Enantioselective Synthesis of Aminoindene Derivatives by Double Asymmetric Induction
Authors: Yu Xufen , Lu Xiyan
Published: October 2011

The tandem annulation reaction of 2‐iminoarylboronic acids and alkynes was developed for the synthesis of aminoindene derivatives catalyzed by cationic palladium complex. In addition, an enantioselective synthesis of aminoindene derivatives from the reaction of substituted (S)‐2‐(N‐tert‐butanesulfinylimino)arylboronic acids with a variety of alkynes catalyzed by chiral cationic palladium complex was also achieved by the double asymmetric induction.
Intermolecular Coupling of Alkynes with Acrylates by Recyclable Oxide‐Supported Ruthenium Catalysts: Formation of Distorted Ruthenium(IV)‐oxo Species on Ceria as a Key Precursor of Active Species
Authors: Miura Hiroki , Shimura Shun , Hosokawa Saburo , Yamazoe Seiji , Wada Kenji , Inoue Masashi
Published: October 2011

A solid ceria‐supported ruthenium catalyst (Ru/CeO2) as well as a zirconia‐supported ruthenium catalyst (Ru/ZrO2) showed high activities toward the intermolecular coupling of alkynes with acrylates to give the corresponding 1,3‐dienes in high yields. The reaction proceeded in the presence of sodium formate and both internal or terminal alkynes and norbornene could be applied for the catalytic systems. The solid ruthenium catalyst could be recycled for several times without significant loss of activity. The FT‐IR and X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) studies of ceria‐supported ruthenium catalysts showed that a distorted ruthenium(IV)‐oxo species on ceria was transformed during the initial stage of the reaction into a low‐valent ruthenium species that was effective for the coupling reactions.
Some Like It Healthy: Demand for Functional and Conventional Yogurts in the Italian Market
Authors: Bonannoxs Alessandro
Published: October 2011

Although the research investigating the market of functional foods proliferates, little empirical analysis has so far used actual market data. This study analyzes the demand for both conventional and functional alternatives sold in the Italian yogurt market using a scanner database of yogurt sales and a discrete choice (nested‐logit) demand model, assessing also the role of health‐related demographic characteristics as potential contributors to the market success of functional yogurts. The results show that, in the category analyzed, high prices deter the market success of some functional alternatives; this does not apply to drinkable ones, whose demand shows lower own‐price and larger cross‐price elasticities compared to the other functional alternatives. In addition, health‐related consumer characteristics play an important role in shaping the demand for both conventional and functional yogurts in Italy. In particular, an aging, increasingly health‐conscious population is likely to provide fertile ground for the success of functional yogurts in this market.
Cause‐specific mortality among a cohort of U.S. flight attendants
Authors: Pinkerton Lynne E. , Waters Martha A. , Hein Misty J. , Zivkovich Zachary , Schubauer‐Berigan Mary K. , Grajewski Barbara
Published: October 2011

Background

We evaluated mortality among 11,311 former U.S. flight attendants. The primary a priori outcomes of interest were breast cancer and melanoma.

Methods

Vital status was ascertained through 2007, and life table analyses was conducted. Cumulative exposure to cosmic radiation and circadian rhythm disruption were estimated from work history data and historical published flight schedules.

Results

All‐cause mortality was less than expected among women but was elevated among men, primarily due to elevated HIV‐related disease mortality. Mortality from breast cancer among women and melanoma was neither significantly elevated nor related to metrics of exposure. Mortality was elevated for non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma among men; for alcoholism, drowning, and intentional self‐harm among women; and for railway, water, and air transportation accidents.

Conclusions

We found no evidence of increased breast cancer or melanoma mortality. Limitations include reliance on mortality data and limited power resulting from few melanoma deaths and relatively short employment durations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:25–36, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coal mining is associated with lung cancer risk in Xuanwei, China
Authors: Hosgood H. Dean , Chapman Robert S. , Wei Hu , He Xingzhou , Tian Linwei , Liu Larry Z. , Lai Hong , Engel Lawrence S. , Chen Wei , Rothman Nathaniel , Lan Qing
Published: October 2011

Background

Xuanwei, China, experiences some of the highest rates of lung cancer in China. While lung cancer risk has been linked to the household use of bituminous coal, no study has comprehensively evaluated the risk of lung cancer associated with the mining of this coal in Xuanwei. In Xuanwei, coal is typically extracted from underground mines, without ventilation, and transported to the surface using carts powered by manpower or electricity.

Methods

We evaluated the risk of lung cancer and working as a coal miner, in the absence of diesel exhaust exposure, in a population‐based case–control study of 260 male lung cancer cases and 260 age‐matched male controls with information on occupational histories. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for working as a coal miner and years of working as a coal miner were calculated by conditional logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders, such as smoking and household coal use.

Results

We observed an increased risk of lung cancer among coal miners (OR = 2.7; 95%CI = 1.3–5.6) compared to noncoal miners. Further, a dose–response relationship was observed for the risk of lung cancer and the number of years working as a coal miner (Ptrend = 0.02), with those working as miners for more than 10 years experiencing an almost fourfold increased risk (OR = 3.8; 95%CI = 1.4–10.3) compared to noncoal miners.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that coal mining in Xuanwei may be a risk factor for lung cancer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:5–10, 2012. Published 2011. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Work‐related injuries and fatalities among farmers in South Korea
Authors: Lee Soo‐Jin , Kim Inah , Ryou Hyunchul , Lee Kyung‐Suk , Kwon Young‐Jun
Published: October 2011

Background

Agricultural injuries are increasing in South Korea according to its workforce's reduced size and increased age. Available data are insufficient to exactly understand present situation. This study evaluated the patterns and characteristics of agricultural injury and assessed the injury rates.

Methods

We analyzed the entry and compensation data compiled in 2005 by the Safety Aid System of Farm Workers, South Korea's government insurance for agricultural injury. We examined the general characteristics, rates, and mortality of agricultural injury.

Results

There were 11,931 compensated events, including 219 compensated deaths. Farm injuries occurred most frequently in October, and most injuries were unintentional. The incidence and fatality rates were 16.67 per 1,000 person‐years and 30.59 per 100,000 person‐years, respectively. Most number of agricultural injuries occurred in October. The most common cause of deaths was accidents caused by machinery use (35.64%) for males and other transport accidents (23.53%) for females, while the most common cause of injuries for females was falls (45.39%). Incidence and mortality rate of agricultural injuries were higher in elders.

Conclusions

Although injury rates may have been underestimated owing to data limitations, we are confident that South Korea's rate is higher than those seen in other countries or occupations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:76–83, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glut1 deficiency syndrome and erythrocyte glucose uptake assay
Authors: Yang Hong , Wang Dong , Engelstad Kristin , Bagay Leslie , Wei Ying , Rotstein Michael , Aggarwal Vimla , Levy Brynn , Ma Lijiang , Chung Wendy K. , De Vivo Darryl C.
Published: October 2011

Objective:

The Glut1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1 DS) phenotype has expanded dramatically since first described in 1991. Hypoglycorrhachia and decreased erythrocyte 3‐OMG uptake are confirmatory laboratory biomarkers. The objective is to expand previous observations regarding the diagnostic value of the uptake assay.

Methods:

One hundred and nine suspected cases of Glut‐1 DS were studied. All cases had a consistent clinical picture and hypoglycorrhachia. The uptake assay was decreased in 74 cases (group 1) and normal in 35 cases (group 2). We identified disease‐causing mutations in 70 group 1 patients (95%) and one group 2 patient (3%).

Results:

The cut‐off for an abnormally low uptake value was increased from 60% to 74% with a corresponding sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 100%. The correlation between the uptake values for the time‐curve and the kinetic concentration curve were strongly positive (R2 = 0.85). Significant group differences were found in CSF glucose and lactate values, tone abnormalities, and degree of microcephaly. Group 2 patients were less affected in all domains. We also noted a significant correlation between the mean erythrocyte 3‐OMG uptake and clinical severity (R2 = 0.94).

Interpretation:

These findings validate the erythrocyte glucose uptake assay as a confirmatory functional test for Glut1 DS and as a surrogate marker for GLUT1 haploinsufficiency. ANN NEUROL 2011;70:996–1005
Genetics of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis supports the role of T helper cells in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis
Authors: Blankenhorn Elizabeth P. , Butterfield Russell , Case Laure K. , Wall Emma H. , del Rio Roxana , Diehl Sean A. , Krementsov Dimitry N. , Saligrama Naresha , Teuscher Cory
Published: October 2011

Objective:

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is the primary genetic contributor to multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), but multiple additional interacting loci are required for genetic susceptibility. The identity of most of these non‐MHC genes is unknown. In this report, we identify genes within evolutionarily conserved genetic pathways leading to MS and EAE.

Methods:

To identify non‐MHC binary and quantitative trait loci (BTL/QTL) important in the pathogenesis of EAE, we generated phenotype‐selected congenic mice using EAE‐resistant B10.S and EAE‐susceptible SJL mice. We hypothesized that genes linked to EAE BTL/QTL and MS‐GWAS can be identified if they belong to common evolutionarily conserved pathways, which can be identified with a bioinformatic approach using Ingenuity software.

Results:

Many known BTL/QTL were retained and linked to susceptibility during phenotype selection, the most significant being a region on chromosome 17 distal to H2 (Eae5). We show in pathway analysis that T helper (TH)‐cell differentiation genes are critical for both diseases. Bioinformatic analyses predicted that Eae5 is important in CD4 T‐effector and/or Foxp3+ T‐regulatory cells (Tregs), and we found that B10.S‐Eae5SJL congenic mice have significantly greater numbers of lymph node CD4 and Tregs than B10.S mice.

Interpretation:

These results support the polygenic model of MS/EAE, whereby MHC and multiple minor loci are required for full susceptibility, and confirm a critical genetic dependence on CD4 TH‐cell differentiation and function in the pathogenesis of both diseases. ANN NEUROL 2011;70:887–896
KCNQ2 encephalopathy: Emerging phenotype of a neonatal epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Weckhuysen Sarah , Mandelstam Simone , Suls Arvid , Audenaert Dominique , Deconinck Tine , Claes Lieve R.F. , Deprez Liesbet , Smets Katrien , Hristova Dimitrina , Yordanova Iglika , Jordanova Albena , Ceulemans Berten , Jansen An , Hasaerts Danièle , Roelens Filip , Lagae Lieven , Yendle Simone , Stanley Thorsten , Heron Sarah E. , Mulley John C. , Berkovic Samuel F. , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Peter de Jonghe
Published: October 2011

Objective:

KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 mutations are known to be responsible for benign familial neonatal seizures (BFNS). A few reports on patients with a KCNQ2 mutation with a more severe outcome exist, but a definite relationship has not been established. In this study we investigated whether KCNQ2/3 mutations are a frequent cause of epileptic encephalopathies with an early onset and whether a recognizable phenotype exists.

Methods:

We analyzed 80 patients with unexplained neonatal or early‐infantile seizures and associated psychomotor retardation for KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 mutations. Clinical and imaging data were reviewed in detail.

Results:

We found 7 different heterozygous KCNQ2 mutations in 8 patients (8/80; 10%); 6 mutations arose de novo. One parent with a milder phenotype was mosaic for the mutation. No KCNQ3 mutations were found. The 8 patients had onset of intractable seizures in the first week of life with a prominent tonic component. Seizures generally resolved by age 3 years but the children had profound, or less frequently severe, intellectual disability with motor impairment. Electroencephalography (EEG) at onset showed a burst‐suppression pattern or multifocal epileptiform activity. Early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed characteristic hyperintensities in the basal ganglia and thalamus that later resolved.

Interpretation:

KCNQ2 mutations are found in a substantial proportion of patients with a neonatal epileptic encephalopathy with a potentially recognizable electroclinical and radiological phenotype. This suggests that KCNQ2 screening should be included in the diagnostic workup of refractory neonatal seizures of unknown origin. ANN NEUROL 2012;71:15–25
Synthesis and characterization of polyimide/hexagonal boron nitride composite
Authors: Kizilkaya Canan , Mülazim Yusuf , Vezir Kahraman Memet , Kayaman Apohan Nilhan , Güngör Atilla
Published: October 2011

Polyimide (PI)/hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) composites were produced via the thermal imidization procedure from solution mixtures of a polyamicacid, which is prepared from 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride and 3,3′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DADPS) in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), and alkoxysilane functionalized h‐BN. The structure, thermostability, thermal behavior, and surface properties of the resulting materials were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal characteristics of PI/h‐BN films were better than the pure PIs. The physical and mechanical properties of the films were evaluated by various techniques such as contact angle, chemical resistance, and tensile tests. The flame retardancy of the composite materials was also examined by the limiting oxygen index (LOI). The experiments showed that the LOI values of PIs increased from 32 to 43 for the materials containing hexagonal boron nitride. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Study on surface modification and flame retardants properties of ammonium polyphosphate for polypropylene
Authors: Lei Zhouqiao , Cao Youming , Xie Fei , Ren Hui
Published: October 2011

Microencapsulation ammonium polyphosphate used as flame‐retardant in polypropylene was prepared with hydroxyl silicone oil (HSO) and melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resin in this article. Fourier transform infrared and energy dispersive spectrometer were used to identify the structure of HSO‐MFAPP. For the HSO‐MFAPP/polypropylene (PP) composites, the flame retardant effect was evaluated by the limiting oxygen index and UL‐94 testing, the compatibility was observed with scanning electron microscope, and the thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the microencapsulation of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) with HSO‐MF was prepared by in situ polymerization, and the flame retardant properties and water resistance of the PP/HSO‐MFAPP/pentaerythritol (PER) composites were much better than the ones of the PP/APP/PER composites. Moreover, the compatibility of HSO‐MFAPP with PP was better than that of unmodified APP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Use of chitosan for removal of bisphenol a from aqueous solutions through quinone oxidation by polyphenol oxidase
Authors: Kimura Yuji , Yamamoto Miwa , Shimazaki Reiko , Kashiwada Ayumi , Matsuda Kiyomi , Yamada Kazunori
Published: October 2011

In this study, a combined use of biopolymer chitosan and oxidoreductase polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was applied to the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) as an endocrine disrupting chemical from aqueous solutions. The optimum conditions for the enzymatic quinone oxidation of BPA were determined to be pH 7.0 and 40°C. Quinone derivatives generated were chemisorbed on chitosan beads, and BPA was completely removed at 4–7 h. The removal time was shortened with an increase in the amount of dispersed chitosan beads or the PPO concentration. In addition, the initial velocity of quinone oxidation increased with an increase in the amount of chitosan beads. The use of chitosan in the form of porous beads was more effective than the use of chitosan in the form of solutions or powder. It was found that an important factor for this procedure was a high‐specific surface area of chitosan beads and heterogeneous reaction of quinone derivatives enzymatically generated with chitosan. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012