bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimuli responsive polymeric nanoparticles in regulated drug delivery for cancer
Authors: Yadav Deepak , Suri Suruchi , Chaudhary Anis , Hemant  , Beg Mohd , Garg Veena , Asif Mohd , Ahmad Altaf
Published: April 2012

Stimuli responsive polymeric nanoparticles in regulated drug delivery for cancer

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery system is a concept in which a drug is delivered at a suitable rate in response to stimuli. States of diseases may cause an alteration in some parameters of the body (e.g. in tumors) and the onset and offset of the drug delivery can be done by using this as a stimuli or a "trigger". Stimuli-responsive ("intellectual" or "sharp") resources and molecules show abrupt property changes in response to miniature changes in external stimuli such as pH, temperature etc. For regulated drug delivery, environmental stimuli such as pH and temperature, which undertake phase transition in polymer system, have been investigated. Thermally-responsive polymers can be tuned to a preferred temperature variety by copolymerization with a hydrophilic co-monomer or a hydrophobic co-monomer. Hydrophilic co-monomers increase the LCST while hydrophobic co-monomers decrease the LCST. The stimuli responsive polymer for regulated drug delivery can contain a polymer and copolymers having equilibrium of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. A number of these polymers have been investigated extensively and some success in drug delivery with them has been achieved, such as polymers and copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide, PLGA, and PLA, HEMA etc. Thus this review is designed for stimuli pH and temperature responsive polymeric nanoparticles, which would be helpful to treat various cronic diseases such as cancer and others, for scientists in the field of the regulated drug delivery system.
Optimization and equilibrium studies of Pb(II) removal by Grewia Asiatica seed: a factorial design approach
Authors: Siyal Ali , Memon Saima , Khaskheli Mazhar
Published: April 2012

Optimization and equilibrium studies of Pb(II) removal by Grewia Asiatica seed: a factorial design approach

This study aims to explore the efficiency of an agro waste material for the remediation of Pb(II) contaminated water. A factorial design approach is adopted to optimize removal efficiency and to study the interaction between effective variables. A face-centered Draper-Lin composite design predicted 100% removal efficiency at optimum variables; pH 8, initial concentration of Pb(II) ion 12mg/L, sorbent dose 200mg and agitation time 110 min. Regration coefficient (R2 = 99.9%) of a plot of the predicted versus the observed values and p value (>0.05) confirms the applicability of the predicted model. Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models were applicable to sorption data with the Langmuir sorption capacity of 21.61±0.78 mg/g. The energy of sorption was found to be 13.62±0.32 kJ/mol expected for ion-exchange or chemisorption nature of sorption process. Characterization of Grewia seed suggested a possible contribution of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the process of biosorption. The present study shows that Grewia seeds can be used effectively for the remediation of Pb(II) contaminated water.
Improving flexibility and endurance of elderly women through a six-month training programme
Authors: Plachy Judit Kopkáné , Kovách Magdolna Vécseyné , Bognár József
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Advancing age is associated with predictable sensory, motor and cognitive changes, which may have a potential impact on an older person's ability to function effectively in society. The purpose of this study was to assess whether two slightly different half-year-long regular training programmes had a positive effect on flexibility, range of motion and endurance in a sample population of elderly persons. Also analysed was which programme was found to be more effective.

Methods

A group of women (N = 42, M = 67.1 ± 4.5 years) was chosen from retired persons clubs from Eger, Hungary. They were randomly divided into three groups. The first group (N = 15, M = 66.2 ± 3.8 years) took part in a one-hour-long Pilates training session three times a week, the second group (N = 15, M = 67.1 ± 5.9 years) took part in an aqua-fitness class twice a week with one Pilates class once a week and the third group (N = 12, M = 68.2 ± 3.2 years) was the control group. Pre-and postmeasurements were conducted on: flexion of the right shoulder and hip, lumbar spine flexion, thoracolumbar spine flexion, trunk lateral flexion on the right side, a 6-minute walk test, and a 30-second sit-to-stand test. Significant inter-group differences could be found in all of the measurements. Data were analysed using statistical software with the Paired-Samples T-test and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (p < 0.05).

Results

After the six-month regular training programmes no differences were found in the control group. For the two groups subjected to the training programmes all the other variables showed significant differences. The most remarkable results for the Pilates group were with the 6-minute walk and sit-to-stand test, while for the aqua-fitness and Pilates group shoulder and hip flexion.

Conclusions

A half-year-long training program can considerably improve the physical performance elderly adults need in everyday life.
The education level and socio-demographic determinants of physical activity in czech adults
Authors: Vašíčková Jana , Jr. Donald N. Roberson , Frömel Karel
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Previous research has shown that physical activity (PA) is determined by several variables, such as gender, social economic condition (SES) and place of residence. The main purpose of this study was to study the association between education and PA of the Czech adult population as well as discovering any other socio-demographic factors that may influence PA.

Methods

A population-based survey conducted in 2008 resulted in 6,989 International Physical Activity Questionnaires (short version) from Czech adults aged 26-69 years. This survey included all regions in the Czech Republic. The data were analysed using frequencies and binomial logistic regression separately for gender and education level. The dependent variables were classified as either the "healthy minimum" and "health promotion" according to the amount of PA criteria the individuals met.

Results

People with a university education had less PA than other groups of different education levels. The "health promotion" category was met by 9.9% of women and 6.5% of men with elementary education, 67.4% of women and 71.3% of men with a secondary education, and 22.7% of women and 22.2% of men with a university education. The "health promotion" category is also more likely to be met by males (OR 1.33, CI 1.20-1.48, p < 0.001), people with elementary (OR 1.67, CI 1.36-2.06, p < 0.001) and secondary education (OR 1.60, CI 1.42-1.80, p < 0.001), those living with a family with children (OR 1.49, CI 1.07-1.53, p < 0.001), living in villages (OR 1.35, CI 1.14-1.60, p < 0.001) or small towns (OR 1.27, CI 1.10-1.61, p < 0.001), those who have a dog (OR 1.15, CI 1.04-1.27, p < 0.05), and those who participate in organized PA (OR 1.30, CI 1.17-1.44, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

There was a surprising low amount of PA among those who studied at a university. Programs that promote PA among university students and future graduates should be considered.
Weed Hosts of Root-Knot Nematodes in Tomato Fields
Authors: Gharabadiyan Fatemeh , Jamali Salar , Yazdi Amir , Hadizadeh Mohammad , Eskandari Ali
Published: April 2012

Weed Hosts of Root-Knot Nematodes in Tomato Fields

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the three most economically damaging genera of plant parasitic nematodes on horticultural and field crops. Root-knot nematodes are distributed worldwide, and are obligate parasites of the roots of thousands of plant species. All major field crops, vegetable crops, turf, ornamentals, legumes and weeds are susceptible to one or more of the root-knot species. In this study, nineteen weed species were found to be hosts for Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica, M. arenaria race 2, and M. hapla in tomato fields in Khorasan Province, Iran. Egg mass production and galling differed (p < 0.05) among these weed species: Amaranthus blitoides, Portulaca oleracea, Polygonum aviculare, Convolvulus arvensis, Cyperus rotundus, Plantago lanceolatum, Rumex acetosa, Solanum nigrum, Datura stramonium, Acroptilon repens, Alcea rosa, Alhaji camelorum, Chenopodium album, Echinochla crusgalli, Hibiscus trionum, Kochia scoparia, Malva rotundifolia, Setaria viridis, Lactuca serriola. The species P. oleracea, A. blioides, S. nigrum, P. lanceolatum, Ch. album, and C. arvensis are major threats to the natural ecosystem in the Iranian province of Khorasan. A. blitoides collected from tomato fields was a good host for 4 Meloidogyne species. C. arvensis, as an important weed, was a distinguished appropriate host for M. hapla, M. incognita, M. javanica. S. nigrum and Ch. album were good hosts for M. hapla, M. javanica, M. incognita race 1, and M. arenaria race 3. In this survey, we reported E. crusgalli as a new host of M. javanica and C. rotundus was a good host for M. arenaria and M. incognita. S. nigrum was also reported as a new host of M. hapla. R. acetosella was reported as a host of M. arenaria. M. incognita was recently described as a new species infecting D. stramonium worldwide.
A Comparison Of Physiological Responses To Various Intermittent And Continuous Small-Sided Games In Young Soccer Players
Authors: Köklü Yusuf
Published: April 2012

A Comparison Of Physiological Responses To Various Intermittent And Continuous Small-Sided Games In Young Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate physiological responses to various intermittent and continuous small-sided games (SSGs) - including 2-a-side, 3-a-side, and 4-a-side games - in young soccer players. Twenty soccer players (average age 16.6±0.5 years; mean body height 176.2±4.6 cm; mean body mass 65.9±5.6 kg) voluntarily participated in this study. The subjects underwent anthropometric measurements followed by the YoYo intermittent recovery test. Then, they played intermittent (SSGint) and continuous (SSGcon) 2-a-side, 3-a-side, and 4-a-side soccer-specific SSGs in random order at 2-day intervals. Paired t-tests were used to assess differences between the training regimens (intermittent and continuous) in terms of heart rate (HR), percentage of maximum HR (%HRmax), and blood lactate concentration (LA). The differences in LA, HR and %HRmax between the 2-a-side, 3-a-side and 4-a-side SSGint or the 2-a-side, 3-a-side and 4-a-side SSGcon were identified using a one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. The results demonstrated that the 3-a-side SSGint and SSGcon measurements were significantly higher than the 2-a-side and 4-a-side games in terms of HR and %HRmax, whereas the 2-a-side SSGint and SSGcon resulted in higher LA responses compared to other SSG types. The study results also demonstrated that SSGint and SSGcon are similar in terms of physiological responses except for 2-a-side game LA responses. The results of this study suggest that both SSGint and SSGcon could be used for the physiological adaptations required for soccer specific aerobic endurance.
The Effect of Immediate Post-Training Active and Passive Recovery Interventions on Anaerobic Performance and Lower Limb Flexibility in Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Rey Ezequiel , Lago-Peñas Carlos , Casáis Luis , Lago-Ballesteros Joaquín
Published: April 2012

The Effect of Immediate Post-Training Active and Passive Recovery Interventions on Anaerobic Performance and Lower Limb Flexibility in Professional Soccer Players

The capacity to recover from intense training, competition and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of post-training recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 min submaximal running and 8 min of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 min sitting on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on anaerobic performances (CMJ, 20 m sprint and Balsom agility test) and lower limb flexibility 24 h after the training. During two experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to evaluate the player's anaerobic performances and lower limb flexibility (pretest). After baseline measurements, participants performed a standardized soccer training during which heart rate and RPE were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of the training unit all players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. Players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. No significant differences between groups were observed in heart rate and RPE. No significant effect due to recovery interventions was found on lower limb flexibility and anaerobic performances except CMJ that posttest value was significantly greater in the active recovery group than in the passive group (p < 0.05).
Recognition and assessment of sinkholes as geosites: lessons from the Island of Gozo (Malta)
Authors: Coratza Paola , Galve Jorge , Soldati Mauro , Tonelli Chiara
Published: April 2012

Recognition and assessment of sinkholes as geosites: lessons from the Island of Gozo (Malta)

There is a wide literature on sinkhole or doline classification, formation and evolution. However, despite the fact that they are often characterised by spectacular morphological features, sinkholes are not normally described as geological resources which might be valuable for the society and worth of being promoted for their geomorphological importance. A series of sinkholes have been investigated in the Island of Gozo (Malta), some of which of notable size and high aesthetic interest. These sinkholes have been assessed applying a methodology which has been specifically set up with the aim of verifying whether any of them could be considered as geosites according to their scientific, additional (ecological, aesthetic, cultural) and use values. The paper shows the geosite assessment procedure and discusses its outputs, according to which 6 out of the 17 investigated sinkholes can be considered as geosites of geomorphological interest (geomorphosites). Finally, issues related to their enhancement and fruition are taken into account in the frame of potential geotourism strategies.
Geodiversity map of the Tatra National Park for geotourism
Authors: Zwoliński Zbigniew , Stachowiak Jakub
Published: April 2012

Geodiversity map of the Tatra National Park for geotourism

The paper indicates the relations between geodiversity and geotourism in the Tatra National Park. Geodiversity of the Tatra Mountains is visualized by its geodiversity map, whereas geotouristic attractions are measured by touristic attractions along touristic trails on geodiversity map. Areas of the highest geodiversity cover merely 8.2% of the Tatar National Park area. These are mainly areas close to the Tatra Mountains' main ridge. It is so due to geology, landform energy, slopes, landform fragmentation and geoecological belts. Most of the analyzed thematic layers categorizes ridges as more geodiversed than valley areas. The trails situated in the valley bottoms usually cross by areas of low geodiversity, however, from geotouristic point of view, it should be noted that slopes and ridges circumvolving the valley can be marked by high geodiversity. The mountain slopes and ridges are within tourist's sight, what increases trail's geotouristic attractiveness. Amongst many geotouristically interesting parts of the Tatra Mountains Dolina Pięciu Stawów valley appears to be the most appealing with its high quantity and high variety of post-glacial forms on valley's bottom as well as on its slopes.
Total Content of Zn, Cu, Pb and Salinity of Soils from the Stefan Kownas Dendrological Garden in Szczecin
Authors: Chudecka Justyna , Krzywy-Gawrońska Ewa
Published: April 2012

Ogólna Zawartość Zn, Cu I Pb Oraz Zasolenie Gleb Ogrodu Dendrologicznego Im. Stefana Kownasa w Szczecinie
Selected Properties of Soils Located in the Vicinity of the Fasteners Factory in Łańcut
Authors: Hajduk Edmund , Kaniuczak Janina , Właśniewski Stanisław
Published: April 2012

Wybrane Właściwości Gleb w Otoczeniu Fabryki Śrub w Łańcucie
The Effect of Liming and Mineral Fertilization on the Reaction, Hydrolitic Acidity, Exchangeable Acidity and Content of Exchangeable Aluminium in Haplic Luvisols
Authors: Nazarkiewicz Małgorzata , Kaniuczak Janina
Published: April 2012

Wpływ Wapnowania i Nawożenia Mineralnego na Odczyn, Kwasowość Hydrolityczną, Wymienną Oraz Zawartość Glinu Wymiennego w Glebie Płowej
Profesor Jan Borkowski 1923-2011
Authors: Szerszeń Leszek , Chodak Tadeusz , Kabała Cezary
Published: April 2012

Profesor Jan Borkowski 1923-2011
The Effect of Presmoothing Images on Optical Flow Computation
Authors: Condell Joan , Scotneyb B. , Morrow P.
Published: April 2012

The Effect of Presmoothing Images on Optical Flow Computation

The computation of optical flow has been proposed as a pre-processing step for many high-level vision algorithms. One of the main approaches to the optical flow problem is the gradient-based approach which differentiates the image intensity to compute the optical flow. Often motion vectors computed using various approaches are not reliable. Spatial smoothing of the image sequence is advisable in order to improve velocity estimates in the presence of noise. That is, the application of some kind of linear operation to the images in the sequence before solving for the flow. The pre-processing typically takes the form of some type of spatial Gaussian smoothing or scale specific band-pass filtering of the input images. The main objectives of such filtering have been to lessen the effects of noise, to isolate image structure of interest and to attenuate temporal aliasing and quantization effects in the input images.

This paper investigates the effect of presmoothing on this computation of optical flow. The well known method of Horn and Schunck as well as our own finite element method are implemented and tested for improvements due to presmoothing. Discussions are provided on the effects of presmoothing for a variety of image sequences. In our experiments, smoothing is carried out on a selection of five well known sequences in both time and space. Improvements are shown for many image sequences using the finite element method with presmoothing.
A video coding technique with BTC-PF method for fast decoding
Authors: Dhara Bibhas , Saha Sanjoy , Chanda Bhabatosh
Published: April 2012

A video coding technique with BTC-PF method for fast decoding

We have presented a video coding system that enables fast decoding and there by caters the need of the real time applications like video on demand, video play back, video retrieval. Proposed methodology relies on a fast motion estimation scheme, hierarchical BTC-PF based redundancy removal technique and finally it uses entropy decoding. As the encoding method is free from transformation and quantization steps, the decoding becomes faster. It also maintains the quality within the acceptable limit and improves bpp.
Anomaly detection system based on sparse signal representation
Authors: Andrysiak Tomasz , Saganowski Łukasz
Published: April 2012

Anomaly detection system based on sparse signal representation

In this paper we present further expansion of our matching pursuit methodology for anomaly detection in computer networks. In our previous work we proposed new signal based algorithm for intrusion detection systems based on anomaly detection approach on the basis of the Matching Pursuit algorithm. This time we present completely different approach to generating base functions (atoms) dictionary. We propose modification of K-SVD [1] algorithm in order to select atoms from real 1-D signal which represents network traffic features. Dictionary atoms selected in this way have the ability to approximate different 1-D signals representing network traffic features. Achieved dictionary was used to detect network anomalies on benchmark data sets. Results were compared to the dictionary based on analytical 1-D Gabor atoms.
Recent Developments in Dispersive Kinetics
Authors: Plonka Andrzej
Published: April 2012

In general, chemical reactions proceeding on time scales comparable to, or shorter than, those of internal rearrangements in a reaction system renewing the environment of the reactants (mixing), are dispersive. For dispersive kinetics, as for dispersive transport and dispersive relaxation, many time scales coexist. The rate coefficients for dispersive processes depend on time. For a time-dependent specific reaction rate, using the concept of energy profile along the reaction path, one finds the potential energy barrier separating reactants from products to evolve in time during the course of reaction. The evolution of the energy barrier during the course of reaction is described in terms of energy distribution functions related directly to the distribution function of logarithms of lifetimes calculable from kinetic equations with a time-dependent specific reaction rate. This phenomenological approach is compared with that in which the kinetic equations with time-dependent specific reaction rates are interpreted in terms of the superposition of classical reaction patterns. Special attention is paid to renor-malization of rate coefficients following from the stochastic theory of renewals (structural relaxation) in the reaction system. This phenomenological approach to kinetics is taken as a convenient basis to present a number of comprehensive models of dispersive kinetics developed in the 1990s and to discuss some recently published experimental data to show what one derives directly from experimental data and what the detailed mechanistic models have to account for to be acceptable.
S-Nitrosothiols: Materials, Reactivity and Mechanisms
Authors: Szaciłowski Konrad , Stasicka Zofia
Published: April 2012

The article provides a comprehensive view of S-nitrosothiols, chemical behaviour, the pathways leading to their synthesis, their spectral properties, analytical methods of detection and determination, chemical and photochemical reactivity, kinetic aspects and suggested mechanisms. The structure parameters of S-nitrosothiols and the parent thiols are analysed with respect to their effect on the strengthening or weakening the S–NO bond, and in consequence on the S-nitrosothiol stability. This depends also on the ease of S–S bond formation in the product disulphide. These structural features seem to be crucial both to spontaneous as well as to Cu-catalysed decomposition. Principal emphasis is given here to the S-nitrosothiols’ ability to act as ligands and to the effect of coordination on the ligand properties. The chemical and photochemical behaviours of the complexes are described in more detail and their roles in chemical and biochemical systems are discussed.

The aim of the article is to demonstrate that the contribution of S-nitrosothiols to chemical and biochemical processes is more diverse than supposed hitherto. Nevertheless, their role is predictable and, based on the correlation between structure and reactivity, many important mechanisms of biochemical processes can be interpreted and various applications designed.
Stereospecific Polymerization of 1,3-Diene Monomers in the Crystalline State
Authors: Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: April 2012

This article deals with the features and mechanism of the polymerization of 1,3-diene monomers in the crystalline state. First, I refer to the characteristics and classification of solid-state polymerization, including the definition of several key terms such as ‘topochemical reaction’ and ‘crystal engineering’. The topochemical polymerization of muconic and sorbic acid derivatives, which are 1,3-diene monomers with one or two carboxylates at each end of a butadiene or pentadiene moiety, is then described. The polymerization behaviour and reactivity are discussed, as well as the structure and properties of the polymer crystals obtained as the polymerization product. The relationship between the crystal structure and the reactivity is discussed on the basis of the concept of crystal engineering, which is a useful method to design the reactivity, structure, and properties of organic solids. In the final part, the stereochemical control of polymers as well as the application of the polymer crystals obtained by topochemical polymerization are described. The polymer crystals are capable of repeated and reversible intercalation, which may allow the design of new organic solids for applications such as molecular recognition, separation, and catalysis and extend the range and practical utility of current intercalation compounds.
Salt Effects on the Charge Separation Yield in Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reactions: The Effect of Excited State Multiplicity
Authors: Avila Vicente , Chesta Carlos A. , Previtali Carlos M.
Published: April 2012

The electron transfer quenching of the excited singlet and triplet states of 9-methylcarbazole (MCBz) by p-dicyanobenzene (DCNB) was investigated in several solvents. While the singlet quenching rate constant is diffusion controlled in all the solvents, the triplet quenching rate constants increase with the solvent polarity. In acetonitrile, free radical ions are produced in high yield from both excited states, while a very low yield is observed in low polarity solvents. The effect of two salts, tetrabutylammonium pechlorate (TBAP) and LiClO4 was investigated in THF. In the presence of the salts, an enhancement of the yield of free radical ions was observed. Two different concentrations of DCNB were employed such that the effect of the salts on either the singlet or the triplet state processes could be separated. A different efficiency was observed depending if the reaction proceeds by the singlet or triplet state.
Chemical Reaction Dynamics at Liquid Interfaces: A Computational Approach
Authors: Benjamin Ilan
Published: April 2012

Recent advances in experimental and theoretical studies of liquid interfaces provide remarkable evidence for the unique properties of these systems. In this review we examine how these properties affect the thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions which take place at the liquid/vapor interface and at the liquid/liquid interface. We demonstrate how the rapidly varying density and viscosity, the marked changes in polarity and the surface roughness manifest themselves in isomerization, electron transfer and photodissociation reactions.
Mechanisms of Catalysis and Electron Transfer by Tryptophan Tryptophylquinone Enzymes
Authors: Sun Dapeng , Davidson Victor L.
Published: April 2012

This review covers experimental works which have been carried out on the properties of the tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) cofactor and the TTQ-containing enzyme, methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH). The kinetic mechanism of MADH catalysed reactions, factors that determine the substrate specificity of MADH and the chemical reaction mechanism of MADH are discussed in detail. Electron transfer theory and kinetic models of interprotein electron transfer are discussed. Studies of electron transfer reactions in the MADH-amicyanin-cytochrome c551i protein complex are reviewed and discussed in terms of electron transfer theory.
Iron-Catalyzed Oxidation of Sulfite: From Established Results to a New Understanding
Authors: Yermakov Alexander N. , Purmal Anatol P.
Published: April 2012

A survey is made of the iron-catalyzed oxidation of sulfite describing a conceptual framework to explain the key processes involved, with a focus on kinetics. Perhaps most importantly, the incorporation of the HSO5- + Fe(II) step into the regeneration of catalytically active ferric ions which does not deplete its role over the iron redox cycle. The radical-radical recombination SO5-• + SO5-•, which terminates the cycling between ferric and ferrous ions, represents a gross but not a net loss of the chain-carriers, because nearly all of them are reformed through the branching step HSO5- + Fe(II) → Fe2+ + H2O + SO4-•, [Formula: see text] in just a few seconds or somewhat longer. A branching mechanism is thus the only possible means of allowing the catalytic process to reach a stationary state. Observations that may be considered as evidence (fingerprints) of rate variations in sulfite depletion due to the branching mechanism are explored in detail, and the related dynamics of the chain-carriers and metal ions cycles are discussed. In particular, the most important is found to be the aspect related to the intrinsic limitation of the cycle of metal ions. This limitation governs the extent of the oxidative/reducing potential of sulfite solutions with respect to the Fe(III/II) couple, thereby governing the quasi-state partioning between ferric and ferrous ions. Such a view enables examination of those conditions under which the limitation to the rate of the catalytic reaction is controlled by the reduction or re-oxidation of ferric ions. Readily applicable kinetic criteria and kinetic diagrams to delimit the conditions are given. In such a framework, the majority of known anomalies of the catalytic reaction receive an explanation.
Microelectrochemical Techniques for Probing Kinetics at Liquid/Liquid Interfaces
Authors: Guo Si-Xuan , Unwin Patrick R. , Whitworth Anna L. , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2012

We provide an overview of recent advances in microelectrochemical approaches to investigate the kinetics of various physicochemical processes that occur at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES). To place the advances in context, background material on the structure of the ITIES, derived from both experimental studies and computer simulation, is also provided. The main focus of the article is micro-ITIES techniques, single droplet measurements, microelectrochemical measurements at expanding droplets (MEMED) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Recent developments in a combined SECM-Langmuir trough technique for probing diffusion processes across Langmuir monolayers at the water/air (W/A) interface are also highlighted, by considering an organic monolayer at a water surface as a special case of a liquid/liquid interface.
On the Equivalence of the Pseudophase Related Models and the Brönsted Approach in the Interpretation of Reactivity under Restricted Geometry Conditions
Authors: Herrera C. Gómez , Jiménez R. , Pérez-Tejeda P. , López-Cornejo P. , Prado-Gotor R. , Sánchez F.
Published: April 2012

The equivalence of the Pseudophase and related models, frequently used in the interpretation of kinetic data under restricted geometry conditions, and the well known Brönsted's equation, used in the interpretation of the reactivity in homogeneous media, has been proven in several cases. The generalisation in relation to other non-kinetic properties such as reaction free energy and redox potentials has also been considered.
Transition Metal Mediated Living Radical Polymerisation
Authors: Limer Adam , Haddleton David M.
Published: April 2012

Living radical polymerisation has witnessed an unprecedented interest from polymer and materials scientists. Traditionally, polymers tended to replace natural materials such as wood, cotton and glass, and were used primarily for their structural features and performance and cost advantages. New functional polymers are essential for the manufacture of cell phones, lap-top computers, new cosmetics, and many pharmaceuticals. It is important to be able to control how monomers are put together within the macromolecule for the design at the molecular level for specific applications. Living polymerisation allows for end group control, polymer chain length and relatively narrow polydispersity polymers. In nature, the ability to control monomer distribution and chain length is obvious with approximately 20 amino acids being the monomers for polymers as diverse as hair, insulin and haemoglobin. Living radical polymerisation solves many of the problems in the use of monomers that contain heteroatoms and functional groups. These tend to be reactive towards strong nucleophiles and electrophiles which are required in ionic polymerisation. Protecting group chemistry as used in small molecule organic synthesis is not practical in polymer synthesis. Thus radicals that are inert to most functional groups and in particular protic species seem to be the answer. The mechanism of the transition metal mediate systems is extremely complicated with a range of organometallic species present in the reaction mixture. Solvents and coordinating monomers drastically affect the ideal reaction conditions and it is impossible to predict the optimum conditions for each synthesis without certain experiments being carried out. Nevertheless, catalyst systems are available which are acceptable and work well enough to be able to make a plethora of different macromolecules for a diverse range of applications /properties.
Thermodynamics and foundations of mass-action kinetics
Authors: Pekař Miloslav
Published: April 2012

A critical overview is given of phenomenological thermodynamic approaches to reaction rate equations of the type based on the law of mass-action. The review covers treatments based on classical equilibrium and irreversible (linear) thermodynamics, extended irreversible, rational and continuum thermodynamics. Special attention is devoted to affinity, the applications of activities in chemical kinetics and the importance of chemical potential. The review shows that chemical kinetics survives as the touchstone of these various thermody-namic theories. The traditional mass-action law is neither demonstrated nor proved and very often is only introduced post hoc into the framework of a particular thermodynamic theory, except for the case of rational thermodynamics. Most published “thermodynamic'’ kinetic equations are too complicated to find application in practical kinetics and have merely theoretical value. Solely rational thermodynamics can provide, in the specific case of a fluid reacting mixture, tractable rate equations which directly propose a possible reaction mechanism consistent with mass conservation and thermodynamics. It further shows that affinity alone cannot determine the reaction rate and should be supplemented by a quantity provisionally called constitutive affinity. Future research should focus on reaction rates in non-isotropic or non-homogeneous mixtures, the applicability of traditional (equilibrium) expressions relating chemical potential to activity in non-equilibrium states, and on using activities and activity coefficients determined under equilibrium in non-equilibrium states.
Kinetic Investigation of the Reactions between Triphenylphosphine, Dialkyl Acetylenedicarboxylates and Sh-Acid Such as 2-Thiazoline-2-Thiol or 2-Mercaptobenzoxazole by Uv Spectrophotometry
Authors: Khorassani S. M. Habibi , Maghsoodlou M. T. , Ebrahimi A. , Roohi H. , Zakarianezhad M. , Moradian M.
Published: April 2012

Kinetic studies were made of the reactions between triphenylphosphine, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of SH-acids, such as 2-thiazoline-2-thiol or 2-mercaptobenzoxazole. To determine the kinetic parameters of the reactions, they were monitored by UV spectrophotometery. The second order fits were drawn by the software associated with a Cary UV spectrophotometer model Bio-300 at appropriate wavelength. The values of the second order rate constant (k2) were calculated using standard equations within the program. Within the temperature range studied, the dependence of the second order rate constant (ln k2) on reciprocal temperature was in agreement with the Arrhenius equation, enabling calculation of the activation energies of all reactions. Furthermore, useful information was obtained from studies of the effect of solvent, structure of reactants (different alkyl groups within the dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and SH-acids) and also concentration of reactants on the rate of reactions.
Reactive Radicals on Reactive Surfaces: Heterogeneous Processes in Catalysis and Environmental Pollution Control
Authors: Rhodes Christopher J.
Published: April 2012

Many reactions that occur on solid surfaces are mediated by free radicals. A review is presented of both mechanistic and practical investigations in relation to catalysis and environmental applications. The review begins with actual imaging of surface adsorbed reactive radicals using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), and then discusses a range of examples, mainly as underpinned by electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. Included are surface defects and their reactions, studies of the redox behaviour of zeolites, and the use of radicals adsorbed in zeolites as molecular surface probes of diffusion and reactivity within these important materials. Photocatalysis, mainly using TiO2-based materials, is reviewed both from the fundamental perspective and in terms of some practical examples relating to pollution control. Other reactive oxide surfaces are considered, including silica, and the nature of paramagnetic centres that may be induced thereon by a variety of activation procedures. Evidence is presented for the formation of radical species during heterogeneous reactions on metal surfaces. Finally, the role of free radical generation in creating and modifying polymer and nanomolecular systems is discussed, and the health implications of the ability of some solids such as quartz to generate reactive oxygen radicals in contact with biological media.
Modified Nernst Equation for Electroless Metal Deposition
Authors: Dimitrov Vasili , Gorker Lev
Published: April 2012

Electrochemical reduction of a metal can proceed both in the presence and absence of an external current source, in the latter case the electrode potential being oscillated ( e.g., electroless copper deposition). A valid model for these oscillations has been unavailable up to date.

Using self-catalyzed electroless copper deposition as an experimental basis, it is shown that the model of the Dynamic Electrical Double Layer (DEDL) allows for calculation of steady oscillations by a modified differential Nernst equation on the assumption that the process on the whole is either one of quasi-equilibrium or weakly non-equilibrium and that the current values of electrode potential conform to the current electrolyte composition, the experimental conditions being given.

This enhances the applicability of the main electrochemical law for the description of self-catalyzed electrochemical plating.
Landscapes of Nostalgia: Life Scientists and Literary Intellectuals Protecting Belgium's 'Wilderness', 1900-1940
Authors: de Bont Raf , Heynickx Rajesh
Published: April 2012

The nature protection movement in early twentieth-century Belgium mobilised activists of diverse backgrounds. Among these, two circles stand out. On the one hand, there was a group of life scientists, who gathered in the Belgian League for the Protection of Nature; on the other, a group of literary intellectuals, who organised themselves in the Society for Natural and Urban Beauty. In this article, the discursive strategies employed by both groups are compared. The article argues that, despite the differences in background, both groups ascribed value to unspoiled nature by staging it as a place of knowledge production, a source of aesthetic experience, and a space of reconnection with the far-off past. The differences between the two groups, thus, have to be sought not in the interests, rhetoric or ideas of the respective scientists and intellectuals, but rather in the instrumentalisation of their ideas. Unlike the literary intellectuals, the biologists were able to combine their activism with concrete inventories of places to protect, based on scientific surveys. This does not detract from the fact that, once the inventory was made, they defended it with the same topoi as their non-scientific colleagues.
Nature on the Home Front: British Ecologists' Advocacy for Science and Conservation
Authors: Bocking Stephen
Published: April 2012

In the 1940s British ecologists successfully advocated for establishment of the Nature Conservancy: a national agency that would conduct ecological research, designate and maintain nature reserves and advise on conservation. This initiative was, in part, a response to the political and institutional circumstances of wartime and postwar Great Britain. A corporatist political culture that was receptive to scientific advice, as well as wartime urgency and postwar enthusiasm for planning, assisted ecologists in their advocacy for a new perspective on British landscapes. Prospects for postwar development encouraged agreement that this new perspective was necessary. However, ecologists' advocacy also reflected a new phase in the development of their discipline. By the late 1930s leading British ecologists, such as Arthur Tansley, Charles Elton and William Pearsall were contemplating new approaches to ecological research: a focus on processes and ecosystems and greater use of experiments and long-term observations in the field. They were also shifting their geographical perspective from an imperial orientation to one more focused on the British landscape. These innovations required the conditions - protected areas, stable support for research and autonomy in choice of research questions - that the Nature Conservancy could provide. Thus, ecologists viewed conservation as essential to both the protection of the ecological and aesthetic values of the British landscape and the development and transformation of their research.
Book Reviews
Authors: Paolisso Michael , Paolini Federico , Carr Jacqueline , Gournay Isabelle , Chamberlin Silas , Veale Lucy , Goodall Heather
Published: April 2012

Christine Keiner, The Oyster Question (Michael Paolisso)
Luigi Piccioni, Primo di cordata (Federico Paolini)
Michael Rawson, Eden on the Charles (Jacqueline Carr)
Michèle Dagenais, Montréal et l'eau (Isabelle Gournay)
Joy Parr, Sensing Changes (Silas Chamberlin)
Sarah Johnson (ed.), Landscapes (Lucy Veale)
Mahesh Rangarajan and K. Sivaramakrishnan (eds.), India's Environmental History (Heather Goodall)
Registration of ‘NC‐Tinius’ Soybean
Authors: Cardinal A. J. , Wang S. , Bowman D. T. , Pantalone V. R.
Published: April 2012

‘NC‐Tinius’ soybean [Glycine max (L.,) Merr.] (Reg. No. CV‐503, PI 664027) was cooperatively developed and released by North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service. It was first tested in North Carolina yield trials in 2003. NC‐Tinius is a determinate, maturity‐group‐V, conventional cultivar. It is a high‐yielding conventional line adapted to the northern and central regions of eastern North Carolina. It was derived from the cross of the low‐palmitate and low‐linolenate conventional line TN99‐76,077 to a high‐yielding conventional line V91‐3036. In the NCSU breeding trials (11 environments), NC‐Tinius averaged 3443 kg ha−1, or 353 kg ha−1 more than ‘5601T’, under full‐season conditions. In eight average‐ to high‐yield environments in the North Carolina Official Variety Trials, NC‐Tinius produced significantly higher yields (4031 kg ha−1) than did the standard cultivar 5601T in narrow (19 cm) row spacing. Seed protein and oil contents were similar to those of 5601T. NC‐Tinius is resistant to Soybean mosaic virus (G1), frogeye leaf spot (caused by Cercospora sojina Hara), bacterial pustule [caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines (Nakano) Dye], and stem canker (caused by Diaporthe phaseolorum var. meridionalis) and is moderately resistant to sudden death syndrome (caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines).
Editorial
Authors: Nicoll Kathy , Salling Olesen Henning
Published: April 2012

Not Available.
Avant-propos
Authors: Alméras Guillaume
Published: April 2012

Ce n’est pas la première fois que des pays se retrouvent au bord de la faillite et, après tout, la Grèce ou le Portugal ne sont pas encore exactement dans la situation qu’a connue l’Argentine il y a quelques années. Pourtant, la crise qui frappe l’Europe méditerranéenne parait être bien plus qu’une crise économique. Au-delà des questions d’endettement, elle a d’ores et déjà provoqué un vaste désenchantement, sous plusieurs facettes : déception face à la construction européenne, mal-être dans la mondialisation, crise de l’avenir, perspectives de délitement social. Comment traduire cette inquiétude apparue depuis près de deux ans en Europe ?
Charismes du réel
Authors: Di Vittorio Pierangelo
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le monde qui semble aujourd’hui s’imposer dans sa vérité est celui qui se donne, en même temps, avec un surplus de réalité (de proximité, de vie ordinaire, de banalité) et un surplus de fiction (de spectacle, de lueur médiatique, d’évasion onirique). Dans ce régime de vérité hybride, la réalité est essentielle, car seule la proximité mimétique avec l’homme ordinaire donne à l’acte culturel toute sa force de séduction ; mais la réalité n’arrive à séduire que si – grâce à son exposition médiatique – elle se déréalise en quelque sorte, en se revêtant d’une certaine « aura ». Le problème est que ce charisme de la réalité , effet de la mise en spectacle industrielle de la réalité elle-même, se présente aujourd’hui comme une exigence propre tant à l’homme de la politique qu’à l’homme de la culture. Comme le montre l’exemple de l’Italie, la convergence obscure d’un populisme spécifiquement politique et d’un populisme plus généralement culturel rend le problème actuel du populisme d’autant plus profond et redoutable.
Contr(ôl)e-fiction : de l'Empire à l'Interzone
Authors: Claisse Frédéric
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le succès de la notion de « contrôle » proposée par Deleuze, puis développée par Negri et Hardt, tend aujourd’hui à escamoter son origine littéraire, l’œuvre de William S. Burroughs. Or, la logique du Contrôle chez l’écrivain américain repose sur la même représentation ambivalente du pouvoir comme emprise, consistant à faire de la liberté accordée à chacun le levier par lequel agir sur ses actions possibles. Restaurer cette filiation burroughsienne du Contrôle permet d’en valoriser la dimension contre-fictionnelle : dans un monde sans « dehors », des pratiques comme le cut-up ou le simulacre réinventent notre capacité d’action.
L'imagination crépusculaire
Authors: Neyrat Frédéric
Published: April 2012

Résumé Storytelling et autres histoires à consommer debout, les fictions du capital semblent se caractériser par une forclusion du fond nocturne de l’imagination, que Hegel associait à la « nuit du monde », Fichte à la présentation originaire du donné perceptif et Schelling à une force d’in-formation ( Einbildungskraft ) du sans-forme absolu. Testant sur ce point l’idéalisme allemand, j’appelle imagination crépusculaire ce qui préside à la formation des mondes, aux créations mythologiques comme aux œuvres cinématographiques, ces dernières étant placées au centre de cette étude. Si les fictions du capital savent exploiter certains effets de cette imagination, en récupérer certaines fonctions, elles ne sont pas en mesure d’en libérer la charge – qu’il nous revient d’endosser, esthétiquement et politiquement, au nom d’une économie psychique de la contribution imaginative laissant une place à la passivité comme au sans-image.
Pour l'État japonais, l'ennemi ce sont les habitants des régions contaminées
Authors: Sono Ryota
Published: April 2012

Résumé Ryoto, âgé de 30 ans, est déjà un vieux militant pacifiste, et le représentant du syndicat des freeters , travailleurs précaires qu’on trouve surtout dans l’informatique et les nouveaux secteurs. Il lutte contre la désinformation de la population et a établi sa tente devant le siège de TEPCO. Le gouvernement ne déplace pas les gens pour ne pas contaminer les autres. Une alliance est nécessaire avec tous ceux qui sont concernés, les travailleurs du nucléaire, les femmes de Fukushima, les réfugiés pour mettre le gouvernement et TEPCO devant leurs responsabilités.