bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy balance and evaporation loss of an agricultural reservoir in a semi‐arid climate (south‐eastern Spain)
Authors: Gallego‐Elvira B. , Baille A. , Martín‐Górriz B. , Martínez‐Álvarez V. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractA typical agricultural water reservoir (AWR) of 2400 m2 area and 5 m depth, located in a semi‐arid area (southern Spain), was surveyed on a daily basis for 1 year. The annual evaporation flux was 102·7 W m−2, equivalent to an evaporated water depth of 1310 mm year−1. The heat storage rate G exhibited a clear annual cycle with a peak gain in April (G ∼ 45 W m−2) and a peak loss in November (G ∼ 40 W m−2), leading to a marked annual hysteretic trend when evaporation (λE) was related to net radiation (Rn). λE was strongly correlated with the available energy A, representing 91% of the annual AWR energy loss. The sensible heat flux H accounted for the remaining 9%, leading to an annual Bowen ratio in the order of 0·10. The equilibrium and advective evaporation terms of the Penman formula represented 76 and 24%, respectively, of the total evaporation, corresponding to a annual value of the Priestley–Taylor (P–T) coefficient (α) of 1·32. The P–T coefficient presented a clear seasonal pattern, with a minimum of 1·23 (July) and a maximum of 1·65 (December), indicating that, during periods of limited available energy, AWR evaporation increased above the potential evaporation as a result of the advection process. Overall, the results stressed that accurate prediction of monthly evaporation by means of the P–T formula requires accounting for both the annual cycle of storage and the advective component. Some alternative approaches to estimating Rn, G and α are proposed and discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro and in vivo testing of novel ultrathin PCL and PCL/PLA blend films as peripheral nerve conduit
Authors: Sun M. , Kingham P. J. , Reid A. J. , Armstrong S. J. , Terenghi G. , Downes S. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn an attempt to obviate the drawbacks of nerve autograft, ultrathin microporous biodegradable PCL and PCL/PLA films were tested for their compatibility with motor neuron‐like NG108‐15 cells and primary Schwann cells. Data obtained from MTS colorimetric and DNA fluorimetric assays showed that both cell lines readily attached and proliferated on these materials. Images taken using scanning electron microscope and fluorescence microscope confirmed these observations. Enhanced cell‐surface interaction was achieved by pretreating the films in NaOH solution. Importantly, NG108‐15 cells could be induced into differentiated phenotype with long, un‐branched neurites growing across the surface of the materials. The bipolar spindle‐shaped phenotype of Schwann cells was also retained on these scaffolds. Positive immunochemical staining using antibodies against neurofilament for NG108‐15 cells and S100 for Schwann cells indicated the expression of these marker proteins. In a small‐scaled pilot testing, the performance of PCL conduits in bridging up a 10 mm gap in rat sciatic nerve model was assessed. Immunohistochemical staining showed that regenerated nerve tissue and penetrated Schwann cells have the potential to span the whole length of the conduit in 2 weeks. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Biodiesel from activated sludge through in situ transesterification
Authors: Revellame Emmanuel , Hernandez Rafael , French William , Holmes William , Alley Earl 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The microbial biomass present in activated sludge contains lipidic compounds that can be used as biodiesel feedstock. In this study, the production of biodiesel from activated sludge from Tuscaloosa, AL was optimized based on the yield of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). In situ transesterification was used with sulfuric acid as catalyst. A general factorial design of 4 × 6 × 5 for temperature, methanol to sludge ratio and catalyst concentration, respectively, was considered for optimization.RESULTS: Biodiesel yield can be adequately described by the quadratic response surface model with R2 of 0.843 and statistically insignificant lack of fit (p = 0.152). Numerical optimization showed that an optimum biodiesel yield of 4.88% can be obtained at 55 °C, 25 methanol to sludge ratio and 4% volume sulfuric acid. The optimum experimental biodiesel yield was indeed obtained at that condition but with a value of 4.79 ± 0.02%. The highest error was 2.30% which indicates good agreement between the model and the experimental data.CONCLUSIONS: Acid‐catalyzed polymerization of unsaturated fatty acids or their esters at temperature above 60 °C significantly decreased biodiesel yield. The fatty acid profile of the biodiesel produced indicates that activated sludge may be used as biodiesel feedstock. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Vertex decompositions of sparse graphs into an edgeless subgraph and a subgraph of maximum degree at most k
Authors: Borodin O. V. , Ivanova A. O. , Montassier M. , Ochem P. , Raspaud A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractA graph G is (k,0)‐colorable if its vertices can be partitioned into subsets V1 and V2 such that in G[V1] every vertex has degree at most k, while G[V2] is edgeless. For every integer k⩾0, we prove that every graph with the maximum average degree smaller than (3k+4)/(k+2) is (k,0)‐colorable. In particular, it follows that every planar graph with girth at least 7 is (8, 0)‐colorable. On the other hand, we construct planar graphs with girth 6 that are not (k,0)‐colorable for arbitrarily large k. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 65:83–93, 2010
Investigating the disorder–order transition of calmodulin binding domain upon binding calmodulin using molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Zhang Yong , Tan Hongwei , Chen Guangju , Jia Zongchao 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWe have studied the conformational transition of the calmodulin binding domains (CBD) in several calmodulin‐binding kinases, in which CBD changes from the disordered state to the ordered state when binding with calmodulin (CaM). Targeted molecular dynamics simulation was used to investigate the binding process of CaM and CBD of CaM‐dependent kinase I (CaMKI–CBD). The results show that CaMKI–CBD began to form an α‐helix and the interaction free energy between CaM and CaMKI–CBD increased once CaM fully encompassed CaMKI–CBD. Two series of CaM/CBD complex systems, including the complexes of CaM with the initially disordered and the final ordered CBD, were constructed to study the interaction using molecular dynamics simulations. Our analyses suggest that the VDW interaction plays a dominant role in CaM/CBD binding and is a key factor in the disorder–order transition of CBD. Additionally, the entropy effect is not in favor of the formation of the CaM/CBD complex, which is consistent with the experimental evidence. Based on the results, it appears that the CBD conformational change from a non‐compact extended structure to compact α‐helix is critical in gaining a favorable VDW interaction and interaction free energy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analogue filter group delay optimization using a stochastic approach
Authors: Zaplatilek Karel 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAn analogue filter group delay response is optimized using an all‐pass network connected in the cascade of the filter. This contribution introduces an original method of all‐pass network correction designing of using a random‐based approach. The main objective of the method is the calculation of an optimal all‐pass network order and optimal coefficients of its transfer function. To realize this objective it is necessary to find minima of so‐called optimization spaces. The spaces definition provides an important generalization of the optimization task. The original stochastic approach is used to find the mentioned minima of the spaces. The minima can be detected using several probability densities. The method combines advantages of a numerical approach with rigorous analytical pre‐processing. Compared to current optimization methods, the described approach provides very good convergence, velocity and especially independence from the initial estimation of the all‐pass network transfer function coefficients. The original objective function ensures absolutely stable convergence in the multidimensional optimization spaces. This objective function was developed with regard to properties of the analogue filters. The designed method is illustrated by a few practical optimizations. A well‐known circuit simulator, Micro‐Cap, is used as a comparative system because of its relatively good optimization algorithm. All the presented original algorithms and functions are debugged in the MATLAB®environment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase inhibitor can attenuate the neuronal death after 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced neurotoxicity in mice
Authors: Yokoyama Hironori , Kuroiwa Hayato , Tsukada Tatsuya , Uchida Hiroto , Kato Hiroyuki , Araki Tsutomu 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAn excessive expression of poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase (PARP) has been demonstrated to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we investigated the therapeutic effect of the PARP inhibitor benzamide against 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxicity in mice. In our HPLC and Western blot analysis, pretreatment with benzamide showed a neuroprotective effect against MPTP neurotoxicity in mice. Posttreatment with benzamide also attenuated MPTP neurotoxicity in mice. Furthermore, our immunohistochemical study showed that posttreatment with benzamide significantly prevented neuronal damage by suppressing overexpression of neuronal, microglial, and astroglial PARP after MPTP treatment. These findings have important implications for the therapeutic time window and choice of PARP inhibitors in PD patients. Our present findings provide further evidence that PARP inhibitor may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for PD. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro studies on the hypoglycemic potential of Ficus racemosa stem bark
Authors: Ahmed Faiyaz , Urooj Asna 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Medicinal plants have been reported to play an important role in modulating glycemic responses and have preventive and therapeutic implications. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the antidiabetic effect of medicinal plants such as inhibition of carbohydrate‐metabolizing enzymes, manipulation of glucose transporters, β‐cell regeneration and enhancing insulin‐releasing activity. The present investigation evaluated the possible mechanism of action through which Ficus racemosa stem bark (Moraceae) exerts its hypoglycemic effect using suitable in vitro techniques.RESULTS: Ficus racemosa bark (FRB) exhibited significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) glucose‐binding capacity than wheat bran (WB) and acarbose (ACB) consequently showed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) retardation of glucose diffusion compared to WB and ACB. In case of amylolysis kinetics the liberation of glucose was greatly inhibited by FRB, as reflected by a significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) glucose diffusion rate in the system containing FRB compared to the control and acarbose. Furthermore, FRB significantly increased (P ≤ 0.01) the rate of glucose transport across the yeast cell membrane and also in isolated rat hemi‐diaphragm.CONCLUSION: The findings indicate F. racemosa bark to possess strong hypoglycemic effect and hence can be utilized as an adjunct in the management of diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploratory study in tourism: designing an initial, qualitative phase of sequenced, mixed methods research
Authors: Mason Peter , Augustyn Marcjanna , Seakhoa‐King Arthur 
Published: December 2009

AbstractExploratory studies in the social sciences are being increasingly advocated, particularly in relation to new research themes or when addressing an existing issue from a new perspective. Although exploration is usually the starting point, it is frequently part of a sequence of research stages. However, until recently the actual process of conducting such exploratory research within the leisure and tourism field has received little attention. This is due not just to perceptions that exploration is merely the initial step in a longer research process, but significantly, because there is a lack of guidance on how to conduct such research. This paper argues that when the overall tourism research study involves the use of mixed methods, an initial exploratory stage conducted as part of a sequential research process, requires a systematic approach to achieve a reliable platform for further investigation. The paper shows how and why a systematic research design process in the exploratory stage can enhance the value of studies, when the initial qualitative stage is to be followed by a quantitative phase. Three phases of an exploratory qualitative research design process are identified: preparation, development and refinement. Criteria for assessing the suitability of qualitative data collection techniques are proposed. It is argued that careful attention to the process of designing the initial exploratory qualitative stage constitutes the necessary condition for achieving results that will form a sound basis for the next quantitative sequence of research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Head and neck sequelae of torture
Authors: Crosby Sondra S. , Mohan Shaulnie , Di Loreto Christina , Spiegel Jeffrey H. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To increase awareness of torture among otolaryngologists, and to describe methods and complications of head and neck torture.Study Design:Retrospective review.Methods:Five cases of survivors of torture were evaluated in an otolaryngology practice in an urban hospital setting.Results:The subjects presented with widely variable symptoms and physical manifestations related to the head and neck as a result of torture, in addition to psychiatric disease. Documentation of head and neck findings were essential to the asylum claim.Conclusions:Otolaryngologists serving immigrant and refugee populations must be familiar with methods and manifestations of torture involving the head and neck. Laryngoscope, 2010
Determination of Propagation Rate Coefficients of a Family of Acrylates with PLP‐MALDI‐ToF‐MS
Authors: Willemse R. X. E. , van Herk A. M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe combination of MALDI‐ToF‐MS with pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) has one big advantage over the combination of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with PLP. MALDI‐ToF‐MS is an absolute measurement which does not need calibration. Especially in the field of acrylates, this is an important advantage over the conventional use of SEC, since low polydispersity standards are not readily available for acrylates. Moreover, acrylates suffer from branching. Literature shows that since branched polymers have a different hydrodynamic volume than linear polymers, this can affect the calibration of SEC. The determination of the Arrhenius parameters for a family of acrylates is performed with PLP‐MALDI‐ToF‐MS. The results clearly demonstrate that an increase of the ester side group indeed results in an increase of the propagation rate coefficient. Whether this is due to an entropic or enthalpic effect cannot be derived from the results.magnified image
Influence of Type of Initiation on Thiol–Ene “Click” Chemistry
Authors: Uygun Mustafa , Tasdelen Mehmet Atilla , Yagci Yusuf 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThermally and photochemically initiated thiol–ene click reactions using thiol‐ and allyl‐ end functionalized linear polystyrenes with various enes (allyl bromide, methyl acrylate, and methyl methacrylate) and thiol (3‐mercaptopropionic acid) have been investigated. Allyl‐ and thiol‐end‐capped polystyrenes with controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene using functional initiator and end group modification approaches, respectively. Thiol–ene reactions can be initiated by both cleavage type photoinitiators such as (2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl)diphenylphosphine oxide (TMDPO) and 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenyl acetophenone (DMPA) and H‐abstraction type photoinitiators such as benzophenone (BP), thioxanthone (TX), camphorquinone (CQ), and classical thermal initiator, 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) at 80 °C. The kinetics of the reactions was monitored online with a real time ATR‐FTIR monitoring system and the conversions were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. A comparison of click efficiencies of the studied initiator systems was performed. Compare to the thermal initiators and H‐abstraction type photoinitiators, cleavage type photoinitiators were found to induce thiol–ene click reactions with higher efficiency.magnified image
Dual Tuning of Emission Color and Electron Injection Properties Through in‐situ Chemical Reaction in a Conjugated Polymer Containing 9,10‐Phenanthrenequinone
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Lu Ping , Zhang Wensi , Shen Fangzhong , Hanif Muddasir , Ma Yuguang 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThree new polymers were obtained through an in situ chemical reaction of the matrix conjugated polymer (PPQF) with ortho‐amine compounds. By controlling the conjugation degree of diamine compounds, the emission of PPQF was tuned from weak blue to bright blue, green, and orange for PFBQ, PFBP and PFNP, respectively. The photoluminescence efficiencies were also improved in the same tendency, and the LUMO levels were gradually decreased from −2.76 and −3.12 to −3.40 eV, which was beneficial for electron injection and transport in electronic devices. Thus, a dual tuning for the emission color and electron injection properties were realized through an in situ chemical reaction, which is a novel strategy to design and construct new valuable polymers from one reactive matrix polymer.magnified image
Anisotropic Particle Synthesis Inside Droplet Templates on Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Rastogi Vinayak , García Antonio A. , Marquez Manuel , Velev Orlin D. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWe demonstrate how droplet templates dispensed on superhydrophobic substrates can be used to fabricate both shape‐anisotropic (“doughnut”) and composition‐anisotropic (“patchy magnetic”) supraparticles. The macroscopic shape of the closely‐packed particle assemblies is guided by the droplet meniscus. Aqueous droplets of monodisperse microsphere suspensions dispensed on the substrates initially acquire near‐spherical shape due to a high contact angle. During the solvent evaporation, however, silica suspension droplets undergo shape transitions (concaving) guiding the structure of the final assemblies into doughnut supraparticles. Composition anisotropy is achieved by drying a droplet containing a mixed suspension of latex and magnetic nanoparticles, while exposing it to magnetic field gradients. Depending on the pattern of the magnetic fields, the magnetic nanoparticles segregate into single, bilateral, or trilateral, patched spherical supraparticles. The physical effects leading to the development of anisotropy are discussed. Unlike the conventional wet self‐assembly (WSA) methods where the final structures need to be extracted from the liquid environment, this efficient one‐step procedure produces ready to use “dry” supraparticles.magnified image
Developments in factor Xa inhibitors for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders
Authors: Lee Yu‐Kai , Player Mark R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThromboembolic diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Anticoagulants provide effective treatment for venous or arterial thromboembolism. Two coagulation factors, factor Xa (fXa) and thrombin, are the primary targets under active investigation for anticoagulant therapy. fXa, in contrast to the multifunctional roles of thrombin in the coagulation cascade, converts prothrombin to thrombin collectively at the junction of the intrinsic and extrinsic pathway of coagulation. The effectiveness of fXa inhibitors as antithrombotic agents and their potentially reduced bleeding risks may offer superior therapeutic profiles with respect to thrombin inhibitors. After decades of research, many fXa inhibitors are now in the advanced stages of clinical trials. Unlike most reviews, which only provide incremental updates, this review provides an overview of fXa and the medicinal chemistry of its inhibitors. Overviews on coagulation models, antithrombotic therapy, and fXa will be provided, followed by the evolution of the medicinal chemistry of fXa inhibitors over the past few decades. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 31, No. 2, 202–283, 2011
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils and cancer: Intense and sustained neutrophilia as a treatment against solid tumors
Authors: Souto Juan Carlos , Vila Luis , Brú Antonio 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPolymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are the most abundant circulating immune cells and represent the first line of immune defense against infection. This review of the biomedical literature of the last 40 years shows that they also have a powerful antitumoral effect under certain circumstances. Typically, the microenvironment surrounding a solid tumor possesses many of the characteristics of chronic inflammation, a condition considered very favorable for tumor growth and spread. However, there are many circumstances that shift the chronic inflammatory state toward an acute inflammatory response around a tumor. This shift seems to convert PMN into very efficient anticancer effector cells. Clinical reports of unexpected antitumoral effects linked to the prolonged use of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, which stimulates an intense and sustained neutrophilia, suggest that an easy way to fight solid tumors would be to encourage the development of intense peritumoral PMN infiltrates. Specifically designed clinical trials are urgently needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of such drug‐induced neutrophilia in patients with solid tumors. This antitumoral role of neutrophils may provide new avenues for the clinical treatment of cancer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 31, No. 3, 311–363, 2011
Postoperative monitoring of lower limb free flaps with the Cook–Swartz implantable Doppler probe: A clinical trial
Authors: Rozen Warren M. , Enajat Morteza , Whitaker Iain S. , Lindkvist Ulrica , Audolfsson Thorir , Acosta Rafael 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground: Free flaps to the lower limb have inherently high venous pressures, potentially impairing flap viability, which may lead to limb amputation if flap failure ensues. Adequate monitoring of flap perfusion is thus essential, with timely detection of flap compromise able to potentiate flap salvage. While clinical monitoring has been popularized, recent use of the implantable Doppler probe has been used with success in other free flap settings. Methods: A comparative study of 40 consecutive patients undergoing microvascular free flap reconstruction of lower limb defects was undertaken, with postoperative monitoring achieved with either clinical monitoring alone or the use of the Cook‐Swartz implantable Doppler probe. Results: The use of the implantable Doppler probe was associated with salvage of 2/2 compromised flaps compared to salvage of 2/5 compromised flaps in the group undergoing clinical monitoring alone (salvage rate 100% vs. 40%, P = 0.28). While not statistically significant, this was a strong trend toward an improved flap salvage rate with the use of the implantable Doppler probe. There were no false positives or negatives in either group. One flap loss in the clinically monitored group resulted in limb amputation (the only amputation in the cohort). Conclusion: A trend toward early detection and salvage of flaps with anastomotic insufficiency was seen with the use of the Cook–Swartz implantable Doppler probe. These findings suggest a possible benefit of this technique as a stand‐alone or adjunctive tool in the clinical monitoring of free flaps, with further investigation warranted into the broader application of these devices. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 30:354–360, 2010.