bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro Anti-plasmodium Activity of Combined Extracts from Toddalia asiatica and Carica papaya
Authors: Omondi Robert , Wolfgang Mukabana R. , Lukhoba Catherine W. , Gathirwa Jeremiah W. 
Published: September 2024

Objective: To evaluate anti-plasmodial potency of extracts of Toddalia asiatica and Carica papaya when used in combinations.
Methods: The plants, were collected from Homa-Bay County in Kenya and dried under shade to constant weight then ground into fine powder. Extraction was then done using organic solvent. Extracts were tested against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro at a starting concentration of 100µg/mL, which was then serially diluted 2-fold in growth medium to generate the test concentration ranges. The assay plate was incubated at 370C for 72h in a sealed gas chamber under 3% O2 and 4% CO2 with the balance being N2. The remaining population of parasites at each concentration of the test compound was determined by comparing the absorbance of each well to the absorbance of a well containing the drug-free control. Survival was plotted against concentration and the IC50-values were obtained using a non-linear dose response curve fitting analysis. Phytochemical screening of the extracts of the was also done.
Results: The study established that the plant extracts were reasonably active, yielding IC50 values between approximately 2 and 11 µg/mL. When the two plants extracts were used in combination with each other it was established that, addition of Carica papaya to Toddalia asitica seems to improve its potency across most concentrations as reflected in the shift in IC50 of Toddalia. However, the opposite is true for Carica, Best results were however seen with higher ratios of the Carica papaya extract was paired with smaller levels of the Toddalia extract.
Conclusion: The shift in Toddalia asitica's IC50 values indicates that adding Carica papaya extract to Toddalia asitica extract generally seems to increase its potency.
Eco Friendly Management of Anthracnose of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)
Authors: Munnur Shyam Kumar , Zacharia Sunil 
Published: September 2024

An experiment was conducted during the 2023 Kharif season at the Central Research Farm, Department of Plant Pathology, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P. to evaluate the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum with botanicals against anthracnose disease in black gram under field conditions. There were seven treatments including control, viz., T0 – Control, T1 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + 10% (F.S), T2 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Datura leaf extract @ 10% (F.S), T3 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (F.S), T4 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Onion bulb extract @ 10% (F.S), T5 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Garlic clove extract @ 10% (F.S) and T6 - Hexaconazole @ 0.2g (S.T) + 0.2% (F.S). Among all the treatments, T3 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (F.S) was found to be the significant against anthracnose. Minimum disease intensity (26.43%), maximum plant height (46.90 cm), maximum number of pods per plant (16.27 pods/plant), maximum yield (0.70 t/ha) and highest cost benefit ratio (1:2.13) was recorded in T3 - Trichoderma harzianum@ 10g (S.T) + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (F.S) as compared to treated check Hexaconazole and untreated check control.
Analysis of the Stromal Cellular Components of the Solid Tumor Microenvironment Using Flow Cytometry
Authors: Timaner Michael , Beyar‐Katz Ofrat , Shaked Yuval 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe tumor microenvironment consists of a variety of cell types. The contribution of each cell type to the tumor is an emerging subject in the field of cancer research. Here, we describe protocols for dissociating tumor tissues and Matrigel plugs into single cells for further analysis by flow cytometry. These protocols can be used for evaluating the cellular component of solid tumors from human or mouse origin or Matrigel plugs implanted in mice. The protocols describe the dissociation of tumor tissue with or without dissociation automatic devices. Subsequently, the use of flow cytometry for immunophenotypic analysis of host cells found in the tumor microenvironment, including myeloid derived suppressor cells, endothelial cells, and macrophages is provided. These methods can be used to broaden our understanding of the cross‐talk between tumor and host cells in the tumor microenvironment. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Vertical deformation associated with normal fault systems evolved over coseismic, postseismic, and multiseismic periods
Authors: Thompson George A. , Parsons Tom 
Published: March 2016

AbstractVertical deformation of extensional provinces varies significantly and in seemingly contradictory ways. Sparse but robust geodetic, seismic, and geologic observations in the Basin and Range province of the western United States indicate that immediately after an earthquake, vertical change primarily occurs as subsidence of the normal fault hanging wall. A few decades later, a ±100 km wide zone is symmetrically uplifted. The preserved topography of long‐term rifting shows bent and tilted footwall flanks rising high above deep basins. We develop finite element models subjected to extensional and gravitational forces to study time‐varying deformation associated with normal faulting. We replicate observations with a model that has a weak upper mantle overlain by a stronger lower crust and a breakable elastic upper crust. A 60° dipping normal fault cuts through the upper crust and extends through the lower crust to simulate an underlying shear zone. Stretching the model under gravity demonstrates that asymmetric slip via collapse of the hanging wall is a natural consequence of coseismic deformation. Focused flow in the upper mantle imposed by deformation of the lower crust localizes uplift under the footwall; the breakable upper crust is a necessary model feature to replicate footwall bending over the observed width (<10 km), which is predicted to take place within 1–2 decades after each large earthquake. Thus the best‐preserved topographic signature of rifting is expected to occur early in the postseismic period. The relatively stronger lower crust in our models is necessary to replicate broader postseismic uplift that is observed geodetically in subsequent decades.
Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes Using Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE)
Authors: Jha Pooja , Wang Xu , Auwerx Johan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMitochondria are cellular organelles that harvest energy in the form of ATP through a process termed oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which occurs via the protein complexes of the electron transport chain (ETC). In recent years it has become unequivocally clear that mitochondrial complexes of the ETC are not static entities in the inner mitochondrial membrane. These complexes are dynamic and in mammals they aggregate in different stoichiometric combinations to form supercomplexes (SCs) or respirasomes. It has been proposed that the net respiration is more efficient via SCs than via isolated complexes. However, it still needs to be determined whether the activity of a particular SC is associated with a disease etiology. Here we describe a simplified method to visualize and assess in‐gel activity of SCs and the individual complexes with good resolution using blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE). © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polymer Metal Chelates Derived from Poly(2,2,3,3‐tetra methyleneaminecyclopropyl)phenyl Acrylate
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Mehdi , Pesyan Nader Noroozi , Moghadam Peyman Najafi 
Published: March 2016

ABSTARCTThe new method for the synthesis of p‐(2,2,3,3‐tetracyanocyclopropyl)phenyl acrylate (P‐TCP) was applied. In this method, p‐acryloyloxybenzaldehyde was reacted with malononitrile and cyanogen bromide at 0°C in short time. Then, the P‐TCP monomer was polymerized by free‐radical polymerization to obtain a poly‐(2,2,3,3‐tetracyanocyclopropyl)phenyl acrylate with multicyanocyclopropane functionalities in the pendant group. The nitrile functions in pendant groups of the prepared polymer were reduced to primary amines using NaBH4 and NiCl2 salts at 65°C in dry ethanol for the preparation of poly(2,2,3,3‐tetra methyleneaminecyclopropyl)phenyl acrylate (PTAP) as a new polymer. The PTAP was soluble in acetone and ethylacetate. The PTAP was examined for the removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cr(III) ions from aqueous solutions under noncompetitive and competitive conditions at various pH. The adsorption rate was high (<60 min). The complexation of selected heavy metal ions by the PTAP is strongly dependent on the pH of medium and the adsorption of all selected metal ions was more favorable at the pH 7. Also the maximum sorption of the PTAP for selected metal ions under competitive conditions belongs to Cu(II) at pH 7. The kd value is calculated for the prepared chelating polymer, and the result indicates approximately high values in the case of Cu(II) ion. The synthesized polymer and its metal chelates were characterized by FT‐IR, 1H NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, gravimetry, UV–vis spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectrometry.
An Analysis of Milk Pricing in the United States Dairy Industry
Authors: Bolotova Yuliya V. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTThe performance of the system of milk pricing within Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) has recently attracted increased attention. A dramatic increase in the volatility of milk prices received by dairy farmers has adversely affected dairy farm profitability. Furthermore, the effects that the private Exchange spot cheese market has on FMMOs milk pricing have raised concerns, mostly due to an imperfectly competitive nature of competition process in this market. This research analyzes the behavior of Class III milk price, which is the mover of the overall FMMOs pricing structure, during three milk pricing regimes: Minnesota–Wisconsin price series (1960s–1995), Basic Formula Price (1995–1999), and Multiple Component Pricing (2000–present). The empirical evidence presented in the article indicates that changes in the level of Class III milk price were rather minor in magnitude. However, changes in the milk price volatility were dramatic. There is empirical evidence indicating that the private Exchange spot cheese price is the main determinant of the Class III milk price, which is consistent with the design of Class III milk pricing during the analyzed FMMOs milk pricing regimes. [JEL Classifications: L1; Q1; K2].
Firm Size and Financial Performance: Intermediate Effects of Indebtedness
Authors: Lopez‐Valeiras Ernesto , Gomez‐Conde Jacobo , Fernandez‐Rodriguez Teresa 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTThis paper offers a new perspective for the agricultural economics literature on the relationship between firm size and financial performance. We contribute to the literature by exploring the role of indebtedness in this relationship. Using archival data collected from 83 companies belonging to livestock industries, the empirical findings confirm the hypothesis that indebtedness leverages the effect of size on financial performance. That is to say, indebtedness can enhance the realization of the potential benefits of a larger organizational size. Contrary to expectations, these results reveal that the relationship between size and financial performance is negatively mediated by indebtedness. [EconLit citations: D23; M00; Q13].
Preparation, characterization, and adsorption properties of polystyrene‐supported polyethylene glycols for iodine
Authors: Liu Xiguang , Qu Rongjun , Wang Minghua , Luo Wanxing , Niu Yuzhong , Liu Jianhui , Sun Xin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA series of polystyrene‐supported polyethylene glycols (PS‐PEG) were synthesized by incorporating PEG400, PEG600, and PEG800 into chloromethylated polystyrene, their structures were characterized by elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption properties of PS‐PEG for iodine from aqueous solutions at different acid solution, contact time, and temperature were investigated. Results showed that adsorption amount increased with the increasing of functional group content by following the order of PS‐PEG400 < PS‐PEG600 < PS‐PEG800. The maximum adsorption capacity of PS‐PEG800 was 1.61 mmol · g−1. Adsorption isotherm could be described by the Freundlich models. Adsorption kinetics could be well fitted by pseudo‐second‐order model. The adsorption of iodine onto PS‐PEG was supposed to be obtained through the coordination, chelation, and electrostatic attraction mechanism. In addition, the adsorption capacities of PS‐PEG for iodine had little change after four times, indicating that the PS‐PEG had excellent reusing property. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheological properties of a hydrophobically modified anionic polymer: Effect of varying salinity and amount of hydrophobic moieties
Authors: Løbø Viken Alette , Skauge Tormod , Spildo Kristine 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTHydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes have been suggested as an alternative to the more commonly used polyelectrolytes in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications involving polymers. Compared to regular polyelectrolytes, the hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes are known to be more stable at high salinities. In this study, we have investigated the influence of brine salinity and ionic composition for a series of six hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes with the same polymer backbone, but with an increasing average number of hydrophobic groups per polymer molecule. Polymer characterization has been performed using a combination of steady‐state shear viscosity and dynamic oscillatory measurements. Hydrophobic interactions leading to a change in rheological properties was only observed above a threshold value for the concentration of hydrophobe. At the threshold value, salt‐induced hydrophobic interactions were observed. For higher concentrations of hydrophobe, high salinity solutions showed one order of magnitude increase in viscosity compared to the polymer without hydrophobic groups. This could partly be explained by an increase in elasticity. These findings have important implications for polymer selection for EOR. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43520.
Control of Perovskite Crystal Growth by Methylammonium Lead Chloride Templating
Authors: Binek Andreas , Grill Irene , Huber Niklas , Peters Kristina , Hufnagel Alexander G. , Handloser Matthias , Docampo Pablo , Hartschuh Achim , Bein Thomas 
Published: March 2016

AbstractState‐of‐the‐art solar cells based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) now reach efficiencies over 20 %. This fast improvement was possible with intensive research in perovskite processing. In particular, chloride‐based precursors are known to have a positive influence on the crystallization of the perovskite. Here, we used a combination of in‐situ X‐ray diffraction and charge‐transport measurements to understand the influence of chloride during perovskite crystallization in planar heterojunction solar cells. We show that MAPbCl3 crystallizes directly after the deposition of the starting solution and acts as a template for the formation of MAPbI3. Additionally, we show that the charge‐carrier mobility doubles by extending the time for the template formation. Our results give a deeper understanding of the influence of chloride in the synthesis of MAPbI3 and illustrate the importance of carefully controlling crystallization for reproducible, high‐efficiency solar cells.
Comparing modal noise and FRD of circular and non‐circular cross‐section fibres
Authors: Sablowski D. P. , Plüschke D. , Weber M. , Strassmeier K. G. , Järvinen A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractModal noise is a common source of noise introduced to the measurements by optical fibres and is particularly important for fibre‐fed spectroscopic instruments, especially for high‐resolution measurements. This noise source can limit the signal‐to‐noise ratio and jeopardize photon‐noise limited data. The subject of the present work is to compare measurements of modal noise and focal‐ratio degradation (FRD) for several commonly used fibres. We study the influence of a simple mechanical scrambling method (excenter) on both FRD and modal noise. Measurements are performed with circular and octagonal fibres from Polymicro Technology (FBP‐Series) with diameters of 100, 200, and 300μm and for square and rectangular fibres from CeramOptec, among others. FRD measurements for the same sample of fibres are performed as a function of wavelength. Furthermore, we replaced the circular fibre of the STELLA‐échelle‐spectrograph (SES) in Tenerife with an octagonal and found a SNR increase by a factor of 1.6 at 678 nm. It is shown in the laboratory that an excenter with a large amplitude and low frequency will not influence the FRD but will reduce modal noise rather effectively by up to 180%. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Peranso – Light curve and period analysis software
Authors: Paunzen E. , Vanmunster T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA time series is a sample of observations of well‐defined data points obtained through repeated measurements over a certain time range. The analysis of such data samples has become increasingly important not only in natural science but also in many other fields of research. Peranso offers a complete set of powerful light curve and period analysis functions to work with large astronomical data sets. Substantial attention has been given to ease‐of‐use and data accuracy, making it one of the most productive time series analysis software available. In this paper, we give an introduction to Peranso and its functionality. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Primordial magnetic fields in the f2FF model in large field inflation under de Sitter and power law expansion
Authors: Al Muhammad A. S. , Lopez‐Mobiia R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe use the f2FF model to study the generation of primordial magnetic fields (PMF) in the context of large field inflation (LFI), described by the potential, V ∼ Mϕp. We compute the magnetic and electric spectra for all possible values of the model parameters under de Sitter and power law expansion. We show that scale invariant PMF are not obtained in LFI to first order in the slow roll approximation, if we impose the constraint V (ϕ = 0) ∼ 0. Alternatively, if these constraints are relaxed, the scale invariant PMF can be generated. The associated electric field energy can fall below the energy density of inflation, ρInf for the ranges of comoving wavenumbers, k > 8 × 10–7 Mpc–1 and k > 4 × 10–6 Mpc–1 in de Sitter and power law (PL) expansion. Further, it can drop below ρInf on the ranges, e‐foldings N > 51, p < 1.66, p > 2.03, l0 > 3 × 105 MPl–1(Hi < 3.3 × 10–6 MPl), and M > 2.8 × 10–3 MPl. All of the above ranges fit with the observational constraints. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Andromeda IV, a solitary gas‐rich dwarf galaxy
Authors: Karachentsev I. D. , Chengalur J. N. , Tully R. B. , Makarova L. N. , Sharina M. E. , Begum A. , Rizzi L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObservations are presented of the isolated dwarf irregular galaxy And IV made with the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in the 21 cm HI line. We determine the galaxy distance of 7.17 ± 0.31 Mpc using the Tip of Red Giant Branch method. The galaxy has a total blue absolute magnitude of –12.81 mag, linear Holmberg diameter of 1.88 kpc, and an HI‐disk extending to 8.4 times the optical Holmberg radius. The HI massto‐blue luminosity ratio for And IV amounts 12.9 M⊙/L⊙. From the GMRT data we derive the rotation curve for the HI and fit it with different mass models. We find that the data are significantly better fit with an iso‐thermal dark matter halo, than by an NFW halo. We also find that MOND rotation curve provides a very poor fit to the data. The fact that the isothermal dark matter halo provides the best fit to the data supports models in which star formation feedback results in the formation of a dark matter core in dwarf galaxies. The total mass‐to‐blue luminosity ratio of 162 M⊙/L⊙ makes And IV among the darkest dIrr galaxies known. However, its baryonic‐to‐dark mass ratio (Mgas + M *)/MT = 0.11 is close to the average cosmic baryon fraction of 0.15. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of intersection field of view on emergent collision avoidance performance at unsignalized intersections: analysis based on driving simulator experiments
Authors: Yan Xuedong , Li Xiaomeng , He Sha , Weng Jinxian , Wong S. C. , Pang Hongtao 
Published: March 2016

SummaryProper intersection sight distance can effectively lower the possibility of intersection accidents. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2011) provide a series of recommended dimensions of intersection sight triangles for uncontrolled and stop/yield‐controlled intersections. However, in reality, although the actual intersection design for unsignalized intersections satisfies the requirements of sight distance and clear sight triangle in American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' guideline, there are still a large number of crashes occurring at unsignalized intersections for drivers running stop/yield signs or failing to slow down. This paper presents a driving simulator study on pre‐crash at intersections under three intersection field of view (IFOV) conditions. The aim was to explore whether better IFOVs at unsignalized intersections improve their emergent collision avoidance performance under an assumption of valid intersection sight distance design. The experimental results show drivers' ability to identify potential hazards to be significantly affected by their IFOVs. As drivers' IFOV improved, drivers were more likely to choose braking actions to avoid collisions. Better IFOVs were also associated with significant increases in brake time to intersection and significant reductions in deceleration rate and crash rate, thus leading to a lower risk of traffic crash involvement. The results indicate that providing a better IFOV for drivers at intersections should be encouraged in practical applications in order to improve drivers' crash avoidance capabilities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.