bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles and Barriers to Waste Management among Garbage Collectors in Port-Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Nkere Olachi U , Iwunze Ezinne C 
Published: April 2024

Efficient waste management continues to be a significant public health challenge in Nigeria and other developing nations owing to a number of factors facing the personnel of waste management authorities, potentially leading to a disruption in the environment.
Aim: To investigate the waste management roles and barriers faced by municipal waste collectors in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State.
Study Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used.
Place and Duration of Study: Port Harcourt metropolis, River State, Nigeria over a six month period.
Methodology: The study was conducted among 302 municipal waste collectors through cluster random sampling, using pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data entry and analysis were done using MS-Excel and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and proportions.
Results: All study participants were males aged 20 years and above. They collected and sorted waste from both approved and unapproved receptacles. However, poor waste segregation at households, collection and processing practices, disruptive activities of scavengers, use of old, frequently dysfunctional equipment, poor training and insufficient remuneration/welfare and lack of public support were identified as the existing challenges faced by the garbage collectors.
Conclusion: Unified efforts from relevant stakeholders such as households, organized private sector and the government are required to surmount the challenges faced by waste collectors. This will lead to the implementation of measures which could significantly promote sustainable development and environmental protection.
Characterization and Classifications of Soils in an Experimental Farm in the Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Arunkumar V. , Dhanasekaran D. , Ananthi K. , Vijayakumar M. 
Published: April 2024

It is essential to characterize and classify soil resources in order to plan agricultural land use agroforestry, agri-horticulture and silvipastoral farming systems. In the present study, an attempt was made to characterize and classify the soils occurring on different topography in an experimental farm in Tiruvannamalai District of Tamil Nadu, India. A detailed soil survey was carried out using cadastral map. Physiographically, the area has been characterized into Pediplain shallow weathered and Pediplain moderately weathered which were further subdivided based on slope and erosion categories. Six typical pedons were identified based on landform and their soil morphological properties. The soils were very shallow to moderately deep, dark reddish brown to yellowish red (red soils) in colour with sub-angular blocky in structure, These soils were sandy loam to sandy clay loam in texture, slightly acidic to mildly alkaline (3.28-7.70) in reaction (non-saline soils) and had low to medium (1.2 to 6.4 g/kg) organic carbon content. Calcium and magnesium were the dominant exchangeable cations followed by sodium and potassium. Taxonomically these soils were classified as Typic Rhodustalfs, Typic Haplustalfs, Vertic Haplustepts and Typic Haplustepts at the subgroup level.
Physical Consequences of Climate Change on Agriculture: Causes and Effects
Authors: K Naresh Kumar , Yadav Harmohan Singh , Bag Animesh Ghosh 
Published: April 2024

Climate is the most important predictor of agricultural productivity. Concerns about the potential impact of climate change on agriculture have motivated considerable research developments in the last few decades. The research on the physical consequences of climate change on agriculture, such as changes in crop and livestock yields, as well as the economic ramifications of these potential yield going on quite aggressively. The current review examines the information and data associated with impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and sustainability for solving this complex problem. The global food and nutrition security are at risk due to consequences of climate change. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, emissions from human activity, primarily from changes in land use, have resulted in a huge increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This rise is altering the climate, and it will only get worse throughout the course of the 21st century. Since agricultural systems are especially susceptible to climate change (CC), efforts to increase crop productivity while also maximizing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact may not be successful. Not only productivity, the population of microbes and their enzymatic activities in soil are also impacted by climate change. Different strategies and technologies like zero tillage, site specific nutrient management, application of efficient irrigation system (drip) etc. are helpful to avoid the effect of climate change on agriculture and ultimately increase productivity.
Human leukocyte antigen‐DR15, low infant sibling exposure and multiple sclerosis: Gene–environment interaction
Authors: van der Mei Ingrid A. F. , Ponsonby Arine‐Louise , Taylor Bruce V. , Stankovich Jim , Dickinson Joanne L. , Foote Simon , Kemp Andrew , Dwyer Terence 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe risk for development of multiple sclerosis has been associated with human leukocyte antigen‐DRB1*1501‐DQB1*0602 (HLA‐DR15) genotype, low infant sibling exposure, and high Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen IgG levels. In a population‐based case–control study (Tasmania, Australia), we found that the combined effect of HLA‐DR15 positivity and low infant sibling exposure on multiple sclerosis (odds ratio, 7.88; 95% confidence interval, 3.43–18.11) was 3.9‐fold greater than expected (test for interaction, p = 0.019) This interaction was observed irrespective of Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen IgG levels. This suggests that immune mechanisms involving HLA class II molecules are susceptible to modulation in early life. Ann Neurol 2009;66:261–265 ANN NEUROL 2010;67:259–263
A 1‐step Bayesian predictive approach for evaluating in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC)
Authors: Gould A. Lawrence , Agrawal Nancy G. B. , Goel Thanh V. , Fitzpatrick Shaun 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIVIVC (in vitro in vivo correlation) methods may support approving a change in formulation of a drug using only in vitro dissolution data without additional bioequivalence trials in human subjects. Most current IVIVC methods express the in vivo plasma concentration of a drug formulation as a function of the cumulative in vivo absorption. The absorption is not directly observable, so is estimated by the cumulative dissolution of the drug formulation in in vitro dissolution trials. The calculations conventionally entail the complex and potentially unstable mathematical operations of convolution and deconvolution, or approximations aimed at omitting their need. This paper describes, and illustrates with data on a controlled‐release formulation, a Bayesian approach to evaluating IVIVC that does not require convolution, deconvolution or approximation. This approach incorporates between‐ and within‐subject (or replicate) variability without assuming asymptotic normality. The plasma concentration curve is expressed in terms of the in vitro dissolution percentage instead of time, recognizing that this correspondence may be noisy because of the various sources of error. All conventional functions of the concentration curve such as AUC, Cmax and Tmax can be expressed in terms of dissolution percentage, with uncertainties arising from variability in measuring absorption and dissolution accounted for explicitly. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanism of cell death by 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐based photodynamic action and its enhancement by ferrochelatase inhibitors in human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937
Authors: Amo Takashi , Kawanishi Noriaki , Uchida Masataka , Fujita Hirofumi , Oyanagi Eri , Utsumi Toshihiko , Ogino Tetsuya , Inoue Keiji , Shuin Taro , Utsumi Kozo , Sasaki Junzo 
Published: September 2009

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) for tumors is based on the tumor‐selective accumulation of a photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), followed by irradiation with visible light. However, the molecular mechanism of cell death caused by PDT has not been fully elucidated. The 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐based photodynamic action (PDA) was dependent on the accumulation of PpIX, the level of which decreased rapidly by eliminating ALA from the incubation medium in human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells. PDA induced apoptosis characterized by lipid peroxidation, increase in Bak and Bax/Bcl‐xL, decrease in Bid, membrane depolarization, cytochrome c release, caspase‐3 activation, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization. PDT‐induced cell death seemed to occur predominantly via apoptosis through distribution of PpIX in mitochondria. These cell death events were enhanced by ferrochelatase inhibitors. These results indicated that ALA‐based‐PDA induced apoptotic cell death through a mitochondrial pathway and that ferrochelatase inhibitors might enhanced the effect of PDT for tumors even at low concentrations of ALA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Batch Grinding in Laboratory Ball Mills: Selection Function
Authors: Matijašic G. , Glasnovic A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe selection functions and the breakage distribution functions are based on the experimentally‐determined particle size distribution on the basis of comminution of one size fraction particles. Therefore, to obtain a clear picture of the product properties during comminution of the “real” polydisperse sample, a number of experiments are needed. This work introduces the tested methodology for the selection function determination based on the starting and maximal values of the selection function. The principle was tested on the planetary ball mill and the horizontal laboratory ball mill, and according to the results obtained, it can be concluded that the proposed methodology can be useful for the evaluation of the selection function during batch comminution in different mills.
Fixed‐Bed Adsorption Study for Fumaric Acid Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Amberlite IRA‐400 Resin
Authors: Fu Y.‐Q. , Chen Y. , Li S. , Huang H. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA fixed‐bed adsorption study was carried out by using a strong base anion‐exchange resin (Amberlite IRA‐400) for the removal of fumaric acid from aqueous solutions. The breakthrough curves were obtained as a function of flow rate, temperature, feed pH, and inlet fumaric acid concentration. The total adsorption capacity and the percent fumaric acid removal of the resin were calculated. The Yoon‐Nelson model was applied to the experimental data to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic column parameters required for process design. The breakthrough curves fit the model predictions well.
Three‐Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of a Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Ni M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was developed to study the performance of a planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The governing equations were solved with the finite volume method. The model was validated by comparing the simulation results with data from literature. Parametric simulations were performed to investigate the coupled heat/mass transfer and electrochemical reactions in a planar SOFC. Different from previous two‐dimensional studies the present three‐dimensional analyses revealed that the current density was higher at the center along the flow channel while lower under the interconnect ribs, due to slower diffusion of gas species under the ribs. The effects of inlet gas flow rate and electrode porosity on SOFC performance were examined as well. The analyses provide a better understanding of the working mechanisms of SOFCs. The model can serve as a useful tool for SOFC design optimization.
Accessing Novel Process Windows in a High‐Temperature/Pressure Capillary Flow Reactor
Authors: Razzaq T. , Glasnov T. N. , Kappe C. O. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractHigh‐temperature/pressure organic synthesis can be performed under continuous flow conditions in a stainless steel microtubular flow reactor capable of achieving temperatures of 350 °C and 200 bar (X‐Cube Flash™). Using these extreme experimental environments, the Claisen rearrangement of allyl phenyl ether together with the ensuing rearrangement chemistry of the resulting 2‐allylphenol product was investigated. Reaction optimization was performed by changing the temperatures, pressures and flow rates “on‐the‐fly”. In addition, the high‐temperature/pressure flow system allowed the study of these transformations in low boiling point solvents in or near their supercritical state. In general, the chemistry optimized under high‐temperature microwave batch conditions could be successfully translated to a scalable flow regime.
Developing an Application Analytical Solution of Adiabatic Heat and Mass Transfer Processes in a Liquid Desiccant Dehumidifier/Regenerator
Authors: Babakhani D. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAn analytical solution of simultaneous heat and mass transfer processes in a packed bed liquid desiccant dehumidifier/regenerator is developed. Various dimensionless parameters and reliable assumptions are used in order to develop this solution. The outlet parameters predicted with the analytical solution show very good agreement with the experimental data available in the literature. The results show that using a Lewis number value of Le = 1.1 instead of Le = 1 gives a better prediction of the performance of the dehumidifier. In addition, the use of Le = 0.9 instead of Le = 1 can give a better prediction of the outlet parameters of the regenerator. The benefits of the present solution are its simplicity and easy application for the simulation of air dehumidification and liquid desiccant regeneration processes.
A fictitious domain method for simulating viscous flow in a constricted elastic tube subject to a uniform external pressure
Authors: Wang Tong , Pan Tsorng‐Whay , Glowinski Roland 
Published: September 2009

AbstractStenosis of vascular type is an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel. It is a common cause of some cardiovascular illnesses, such as stroke. A nonlinear mathematical model with a free moving boundary is used to model axisymmetric elastic tube with constriction subjected to a uniform external pressure and a prescribed pressure drop. A distributed Lagrange multiplier based fictitious domain method combined with operator splitting techniques and finite element method has been developed to simulate viscous incompressible flow in the above channel. The motion of the free moving tube wall is obtained by a prediction–relaxation technique. Numerical results and convergence studies are presented in this paper. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concomitant activation of P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors on monocytes is required for TLR1/2‐induced neutrophil migration by regulating IL‐8 secretion
Authors: Ben Yebdri Fethia , Kukulski Filip , Tremblay Alain , Sévigny Jean 
Published: September 2009

AbstractExtracellular nucleotides regulate a variety of cellular responses involved in inflammation via the activation of P2 receptors. Here, we show that nucleotides regulate TLR2‐induced neutrophil migration both in vivo and in vitro. The nucleotide scavenger apyrase inhibited neutrophil recruitment in murine air pouches injected with the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4. In agreement, the supernatants of either human primary monocytes or monocytic cells (THP‐1 and U937) treated with Pam3CSK4 recruited significantly fewer neutrophils when the former cells were treated in the presence of apyrase. As demonstrated with inhibitory Ab, these supernatants induced neutrophil migration due to IL‐8 secretion. In addition, IL‐8 secretion was markedly diminished by the non‐selective P2 receptor antagonists reactive blue 2 and suramin, and by a selective P2Y6 antagonist, MRS2578. Selective antagonists of P2Y1 (MRS2500) and P2Y11 (NF157) did not affect IL‐8 release. The knockdown of either P2Y2 or P2Y6 with specific shRNA diminished IL‐8 secretion from Pam3CSK4‐treated THP‐1 cells. Altogether, these results show that extracellular nucleotides, via P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors, regulate neutrophil migration by controlling TLR2‐induced IL‐8 release from human monocytes. In line with our previous work on TLR4, this study further supports the importance of nucleotides in bacterial‐induced neutrophil migration.
Organylthio(silyl)carbenes
Authors: Wagner Tobias , Lange Jens , Grote Dirk , Sander Wolfram , Schaumann Ernst , Adiwidjaja Gunadi , Adam Arnold , Kopf Jürgen 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe title carbenes 5 can be generated either from diazo compounds 9 by copper‐catalyzed catalysis or from chloro(organylthio)methylsilanes 12 by base‐induced α‐elimination. This is confirmed by [2+1] cycloadditions with alkenes to give the cyclopropanes 4a–d and 14. Product 4a is identical with the product obtained from carbanion 1c, phenyloxirane, and styrene, for which a carbene intermediate 5a had been invoked. On heating in the presence of copper triflate, cyclopropane 4a undergoes ring enlargement to the thiochroman 11. With (Z)‐ or (E)‐alkenes 20, carbene 5a gives stereospecific cyclopropane formation, although maleate turns out not to be a suitable indicator for a stereospecific cycloaddition. The suggested singlet character of 5 is confirmed by DFT calculations (B3LYP/cc‐pVTZ). The structures of cyclopropanes 4a and 23, as well as those of thiochroman 11 and carbene dimer 15, were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray investigations.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Organocatalytic anti‐Selective Mannich Reactions with Fluorinated Aldimines: Synthesis of anti‐γ‐Fluoroalkyl‐γ‐amino Alcohols
Authors: Fustero Santos , Mojarrad Fatemeh , Carrión María Dolores Pérez , Sanz‐Cervera Juan F. , Aceña José Luis 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe asymmetric Mannich reaction between fluoroalkyl aldimines and aldehydes catalyzed by α,α‐diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl ether is reported. The corresponding Mannich adducts were reduced in situ to afford anti‐β‐alkyl‐γ‐fluoroalkyl‐γ‐amino alcohols in moderate yields and with very high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Small‐scale experimental simulation of talus evolution
Authors: De Blasio Fabio Vittorio , Sæter May‐Britt 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe investigated a small‐scale laboratory model of a talus slope evolution. Five different size classes of basaltic rock were selected and marked with different colours. Homogenized mixtures of grains of different sizes were dropped from a fixed height onto a tilted experimental board covered with a loose granular layer. This was conducted in a series of regular sequences, and the resulting distribution on the board was studied after each sequence. At the beginning of the experiment, the grains developed a longitudinal gradation similar to natural talus slopes, where small grains settle at the top while the large ones roll down to the distal part. However, after a transient period dominated by single‐particle dynamics on the inert granular medium, the evolution proved to be more variable than expected. Due to the continuous shower of falling grains, the shear stress at the bottom of the upper granular layer increased. This resulted initially in a slow creep down slope that finally collapsed in large avalanches homogenizing the material. The slides occurred at the boundary between a weaker layer created by migration of small grains through the interstices, and marked by a vertical transition between small and large grains. We compare the experimental findings with observations from natural talus slopes, and suggest that similar experiments may be helpful in understanding the evolution of taluses. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term rainfall monthly shortage in Spain: spatial patterns, statistical models and time trends
Authors: Martínez M. D. , Lana X. , Burgueño A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSeveral patterns of the monthly rainfall shortage in Spain are investigated by using long‐term series of monthly rain amounts, which were recorded at 34 observatories and compiled by the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, AEMET (Spanish Ministry of Environment). Owing to the strong variability of the pluviometric regime along the year, the median of the empirical monthly rain amounts is estimated for every month of the year. A monthly shortage is then defined as the difference between the corresponding monthly median and the monthly rain amount. A spell of monthly shortage is a set of consecutive months with amounts below the corresponding monthly medians. Five magnitudes are defined to characterize the rainfall shortage: (1) the spell length, L (months); (2) the average monthly shortage of a spell, < S > (mm); (3) the largest monthly shortage in a spell, SM (mm); (4) the total rainfall shortage for every spell, CS (mm) and (5) the rainfall amount for every shortage spell, CR. The whole number of spells, N, and the number of spells as a function of shortage lengths, N(L), are compared with those deduced from the distribution theory of runs (TR). Instead of a geometric distribution, a Markov chain of first order with two states becomes a better option for the probability density function of L. Although the empirical distributions of < S > , SM and CS are well fitted by a Pearson‐type III model for most gauges, the generalized Pareto (GP) distribution is sometimes a better choice. The distribution of CR is well fitted by gamma and especially Poisson‐gamma models. Besides these statistical analyses, an interpretation of the rainfall shortage is attempted by looking for links between the distributions of cumulative monthly shortage (CMS), and cumulative number of months (CNM) with rainfall deficit. Both distributions generate normalized shortage curves (NSC), which follow similar laws to the normalized rainfall curves (NRC), used, for instance, in the study of daily rainfall amounts. Finally, statistical significance of local and field time trends of < S > , SM and CS are evaluated. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society