bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wise use of Wetlands in Nepal
Authors: Bhandari BB 
Published: August 2009

The paper attempts to throw light on Nepal's stride towards the wise use of wetlands in the country. The paper begins with the statement that wetland is a nascent term, which means many things to many people. In general wetlands are taken as the area covered with water for a part of the day or year. Biologically wetlands become the most productive when they dry out periodically. The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as the "area of marsh, fen, peatlands or water". The global importance of Nepal's wetlands are manifested by the presence of the rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, rest place for migratory birds, waterway for the migratory fishes and availability of wild native rice. Nepal in its journey to the wise use of wetlands has passed through the four stages; primary, awakening, take-off and mass consciousness stages. Nepal's wetlands have been the victim of human conversion, over-exploitation, pollution of water, invasion of invasive species, human encroachment and deposition of sediments. Nepal has already designated wetlands in the Ramsar list and adopted a National Wetland Policy. The paper suggests that the loss of wetlands can be ameliorated by developing a national wetland act and national inventory, forming an interdisciplinary body to look over the issue, controlling invasive species etc. Key words: Wise use, Ramsar site, wetlands, wetland loss, invasive species doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i3.2206 Banko Janakari, Special Issue February 2009, 10-17
Ecological study of Ghodaghodi lake
Authors: Diwakar J , Barjracharya S , Yadav UR 
Published: August 2009

Wetlands comprise 5% of world's total land areas of Nepal. The present study Ghodaghodi Lake in the Far-West Nepal Terai manifested the physicochemical contamination in the lake. All the parameters were within the WHO guideline values except for Phosphate and Dissolved Oxygen. Water depth varies form 1-4 m. High phosphate level suggested that the lake is hypertrophic. Dissolved oxygen was low, ranging between 5.27-6.56 mg/l. The presence of high density of Hemiptera (384.23 ind/m2) and Ephimeripterae (273.66 ind/ m2) indicted that water was polluted due to high nutrient deposition both from the decaying of the abundant aquatic flora and from the surrounding area. The most important challenge that we have to face is to strike a balance between sustainable human exploitation and maintaining the ecological character of a wetland ecosystem. Key words: Ghodaghodi Lake, phytoplankton, macroinvertebrates, phosphate, nitrate doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i3.2207 Banko Janakari, Special Issue February 2009, 18-23
Hydroxyapatite/Bioactive Glass Films Produced by a Sol–Gel Method: In Vitro Behavior
Authors: Köseoğlu Nihat C. , Büyükaksoy Aligül , Oral Ahmet Y. , Aslan Muhammed H. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHydroxyapatite (HA) and HA/bioactive glass (49S) films were deposited on Si(100) substrates by a sol–gel dip‐coating method. The microstructure and in vitro bioactivity of the films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Polycrystalline HA and amorphous bioactive glass films were obtained after annealing at 600 and 400 °C, respectively. The crystallization temperature of HA was determined to be around 568 °C. The surfaces of the HA films were covered with an apatite layer consists of spherulites formed by nanosized needle‐like aggregates after the soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 10 days, while amorphous HA/bioactive glass surface was covered with larger spherical crystallites. Both XPS and EDS results obtained from HA/bioactive glass film, after soaking in SBF, showed increasing P amounts on the surface at the expense of Si. The higher density of the newly formed layer on HA/bioactive glass surface than that of the HA surface after 10 days of soaking was evidence of increased reaction rate and apatite forming ability when bioactive glass layer is present on the HA films.
Optimized La0.6Sr0.4CoO3–δ Thin‐Film Electrodes with Extremely Fast Oxygen‐Reduction Kinetics
Authors: Januschewsky Judith , Ahrens Martin , Opitz Alexander , Kubel Frank , Fleig Jürgen 
Published: August 2009

AbstractLa0.6Sr0.4CoO3–δ (LSC) thin‐film electrodes are prepared on yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by pulsed laser deposition at different deposition temperatures. The decrease of the film crystallinity, occurring when the deposition temperature is lowered, is accompanied by a strong increase of the electrochemical oxygen exchange rate of LSC. For more or less X‐ray diffraction (XRD)‐amorphous electrodes deposited between ca. 340 and 510 °C polarization resistances as low as 0.1 Ω cm2 can be obtained at 600 °C. Such films also exhibit the best stability of the polarization resistance while electrodes deposited at higher temperatures show a strong and fast degradation of the electrochemical kinetics (thermal deactivation). Possible reasons for this behavior and consequences with respect to the preparation of high‐performance solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes are discussed.
Spatial Patterning of the β‐Phase in Poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene): A Metamaterials‐Inspired Molecular Conformation Approach to the Fabrication of Polymer Semiconductor Optical Structures
Authors: Ryu Gihan , Stavrinou Paul N. , Bradley Donal D. C. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMaterials in which sub‐wavelength physical structures, rather than variations in chemical composition, are used to modify the nature of their interaction with electromagnetic radiation form the promising new class of metamaterials. For molecular materials one has an intriguing alternative, namely structuring the conformation or physical geometry of the molecule. In order for this to be an effective methodology one needs the change in conformation i) to engender a significant change in electromagnetic properties and ii) to be spatially controllable to allow patterning of practical structures. In this paper the potential of such an approach is demonstrated through spatial patterning, via masked solvent vapor exposure, of the β‐phase conformation in poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO). Significantly the conformation change approach preserves a planar film format and is found not to negatively impact on optical gain properties, both very attractive features for optoelectronic and photonic lightwave circuit applications. As a specific demonstration the ability to spatially control the lasing wavelength for samples in which a β‐phase conformation is selectively patterned in a glassy PFO film spin coated atop a one‐dimensional distributed‐feedback grating etched into a spectrosil substrate is shown.
Rheology and microstructure of functionalized polymer‐modified asphalt
Authors: Rojas J. M. , Hernández N. A. , Manero O. , Revilla J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractViscoelastic and morphological properties of functionalized‐polymer‐modified asphalt, FPMA, have been described as function of number of epoxy groups presented in the functionalized polymer. At low temperatures, simple viscoelastic models can predict the elastic response of FPMA at short times and its viscous behavior at long times. The increase of epoxy groups yielded an increase on activation energy for viscous deformation of FPMA, and so, on its resistance to irreversible deformations under strain cycles. From ambient to higher temperatures, emulsion model can predict rheological properties of FPMA because they behave as viscoelastic emulsions. Modification of relaxation spectrum for FPMA due to the presence of a polymer network was not as strong as in normal PMA, thus, the rheological behavior of FPMA was found similar to systems having weak networks. However, the network became stronger as the number of epoxy groups was increased. This trend was verified by morphology of FPMA. Emulsion‐like structure was observed for all FPMA but differentiating each other by the polymer particle size. It was also observed that increase on epoxy groups, polymer particle size in the FPMA decreased, and higher stability at 180°C of FPMA was observed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Dendritic macromolecules containing several types of functional groups
Authors: Adeli Mohsen , Zarnegar Zohre , Kabiri Roya 
Published: August 2009

AbstractDendritic macromolecules containing several types of functional groups were successfully synthesized through divergent method. Poly(ethylene glycol) was functionalized using cyanuric chloride and it was reacted with p‐toluidine at room temperature and a macromolecule containing chloride and methyl functional groups (PEG‐Cl2‐Me2) was obtained. Substitution of chloride functional groups of PEG‐Cl2‐Me2 by hydroxyl functional groups led to a macromolecule containing methyl and hydroxyl functional groups (PEG‐Me2‐OH4). Hydroxyl functional groups of PEG‐Me2‐OH4 were reacted with cyanuric chloride and PEG‐Me2‐Cl8 was obtained. Finally, PEG‐Me2‐Cl8 was reacted with p‐aminophenol at room temperature and a macromolecule containing methyl, hydroxyl, and chloride functional groups (PEG‐Me2‐(PhOH)4‐Cl4) was obtained. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
RNA editing: a driving force for adaptive evolution?
Authors: Gommans Willemijn M. , Mullen Sean P. , Maas Stefan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGenetic variability is considered a key to the evolvability of species. The conversion of an adenosine (A) to inosine (I) in primary RNA transcripts can result in an amino acid change in the encoded protein, a change in secondary structure of the RNA, creation or destruction of a splice consensus site, or otherwise alter RNA fate. Substantial transcriptome and proteome variability is generated by A‐to‐I RNA editing through site‐selective post‐transcriptional recoding of single nucleotides. We posit that this epigenetic source of phenotypic variation is an unrecognized mechanism of adaptive evolution. The genetic variation introduced through editing occurs at low evolutionary cost since predominant production of the wild‐type protein is retained. This property even allows exploration of sequence space that is inaccessible through mutation, leading to increased phenotypic plasticity and provides an evolutionary advantage for acclimatization as well as long‐term adaptation. Furthermore, continuous probing for novel RNA editing sites throughout the transcriptome is an intrinsic property of the editing machinery and represents the molecular basis for increased adaptability. We propose that higher organisms have therefore evolved to systems with increasing RNA editing activity and, as a result, to more complex systems.
Explicit Nonlinear Predictive Control of a Distillation Column Based on Neural Models
Authors: Ławryńczuk M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA nonlinear Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm and its application to a distillation column are described. The algorithm uses a neural model of the process that is linearized online around the current operating point. The algorithm is computationally efficient because the control policy is calculated explicitly without any optimization. The algorithm requires online repetition of a matrix decomposition task and the solution of linear equations. The obtained solution is projected onto the admissible set of constraints imposed on the magnitude and the increment of the manipulated variables. For the distillation column considered, the control accuracy is comparable not only to that obtained in MPC with online linearization and quadratic programming but also to that obtained in nonlinear MPC, which is based on full nonlinear optimization repeated at each sampling instant.
Multi‐Step Controlled Kinetics of the Transesterification of Crude Soybean Oil with Methanol by Mg(OCH3)2
Authors: Huang K. , Xu Q.‐L. , Zhang S.‐P. , Ren Z.‐W. , Yan Y.‐J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis work focuses on a kinetic model that can be expressed as three significant controlled regions, i.e., a mass transfer controlled region in the internal surface of a heterogeneous catalyst, an irreversible chemical reaction controlled region in the pseudo‐homogenous fluid body and a reversible equilibrium chemical reaction controlled region near to the transesterification equilibrium stage. With the help of MATLAB7.0 software, the apparent reaction rate constants, k2, k2+ and k2–, were calculated and the corresponding apparent activation energies were calculated to be 67.450, 60.680 and 58.279 kJ·mol–1, respectively. According to the confirmation experiments, it is indicated that the results can be applied for predicting the FAME yield at other reaction temperatures.
Glycerol Reforming for Hydrogen Production: A Review
Authors: Vaidya P. D. , Rodrigues A. E. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGlycerol, which is obtained as a by‐product in biodiesel production, represents a candidate source of hydrogen that is renewable. Its conversion into hydrogen can be achieved by a reforming process. In this article, the glycerol reforming reaction is reviewed. Different reforming processes for hydrogen production, viz. steam, aqueous, and autothermal reforming, are described in brief. The thermodynamic analyses, which enable comparison with experimental studies, are considered. A discussion on experimental investigations over several catalysts is presented, too. Many reaction pathways are possible and some of them are dependent on the properties of the catalyst used. Generally, Ni, Pt, and Ru catalysts facilitate hydrogen production. The same catalysts are also effective for the reforming reaction of ethanol – another renewable resource for hydrogen. While ethanol steam reforming has been comprehensively reviewed by now, an overview on glycerol reforming is still missing. In this paper, an evaluation of the published studies is given to close this gap.
Preparation and Characterization of Imprinted Porous Materials with High Selectivity for Luteolin
Authors: Zhang Y. , Xiang L. , Du T. , Zhang Y. , Lu M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn order to selectively separate luteolin from its crude solution, we synthesized imprinted porous materials with high recognition specificity for luteolin, using an imprinting technique. Modified luteolin was used as template, vinyltriethoxysilane as the functional monomer, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the cross‐linking agent. The results showed the following optimum reaction conditions: The reaction ratio between luteolin and acryloyl chloride was 1 : 2 (0.10 g/0.20 g), adding 1.0 g precursor; the feasible elution time was 12 h; when the molar quantity of modified template molecule was 0.01 mol and ethenyltriethyloxy‐silane (VTEO) was 0.04 mol, the maximum yield reached 91.6 %. All samples were tested by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller method, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, equilibrium adsorption experiments and selective adsorption experiments. It was found that the imprinted porous materials showed excellent selectivity for luteolin in aqueous solution. Characterization by FTIR suggested that an addition reaction had occurred between the modified template molecule and VTEO while forming ester bonds in the functional precursor. Results from pore structure analysis indicated that the imprinted porous materials had good channels, and the average pore size of the prepared porous materials was between 35.85 and 95.82 Å. Adsorption dynamics analysis suggested that, when the adsorption time reached 3 h, the adsorption process had reached balance and the adsorption capacity was at steady state. These porous materials had highly selective recognition properties and high equilibrium adsorption capacity for the template molecule. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the imprinted porous materials to the template molecule was 11.4 times that of the blank porous materials.
Diffusion von Gasen und Gasgemischen in Polymere unter hohen Drücken
Authors: Heinrich H. , Jaeger P. , Eggers R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn dieser Arbeit wird der Stofftransport in polymeren Festkörpern untersucht. Dabei wird einerseits die Quellung der Polymere und andererseits die dafür ursächliche Sorption von Gasen berücksichtigt. Es wird gezeigt, dass bei der Quellung der Einbauzustand wesentlich die zu erwartende Volumenzunahme beeinflusst. Des Weiteren wird ein Ansatz zur Vorausbestimmung der Löslichkeit von binären Gasgemischen in Polymeren vorgestellt.
Expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E predicts clinical outcome in patients with mantle cell lymphoma treated with hyper‐CVAD and rituximab, alternating with rituximab, high‐dose methotrexate, and cytarabine
Authors: Inamdar Kedar V. , Romaguera Jorge E. , Drakos Elias , Knoblock Ronald J. , Garcia Mar , Leventaki Vasiliki , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Rassidakis George Z. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Oncogenic AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling has recently been shown to contribute to tumor survival and proliferation in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) through its downstream effector eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), which may control cyclin D1 protein levels. However, the clinical significance of eIF4E expression in MCL is unknown.METHODS:The authors investigated the prognostic significance of eIF4E expression in 70 MCL patients uniformly treated with hyper‐CVAD and rituximab, alternating with the rituximab, high‐dose methotrexate, and cytarabine regimen (R‐hyper‐CVAD). eIF4E expression was assessed using tissue biopsy specimens obtained before treatment, immunohistochemical methods, and a highly specific monoclonal antibody. Failure‐free (FFS) and overall (OS) survival were used as endpoints in univariate and multivariate survival analysis.RESULTS:High eIF4E expression was found in 28 (40%) MCL tumors. After a median follow‐up of 51 months for survivors, the 5‐year FFS was 20.6% for patients with high eIF4E expression, compared with 63.5% for patients with low or no eIF4E expression (P= .01, log‐rank). Similarly, the 5‐year OS was 40.1% for patients with high eIF4E expression, compared with 73.8% for patients with low or no eIF4E expression (P= .018, log‐rank). In multivariate analysis, eIF4E expression was associated with poorer FFS and OS, along with age >60 years and high β2–microglobulin in the final prognostic model.CONCLUSIONS:In summary, eIF4E, which seems to recapitulate most of the biologic effects of mTOR signaling in MCL, is an independent predictor of clinical outcome in MCL patients uniformly treated with the R‐hyper‐CVAD regimen. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Phase 1 multicenter study of vincristine sulfate liposomes injection and dexamethasone in adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Thomas Deborah A. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Stock Wendy , Heffner Leonard T. , Faderl Stefan , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Wierda William , Pierce Sherry , Lu Biao , Deitcher Steven R. , O'Brien Susan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Dose intensification of chemotherapy has improved outcome for younger adults with de novo acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Novel formulations of standard chemotherapy agents may further reduce the incidence of disease recurrence after frontline chemotherapy. Vincristine (VCR) sulfate liposomes injection (VSLI) is a sphingomyelin/cholesterol nanoparticle encapsulated VCR formulation that improves the pharmacokinetic profile of VCR without augmenting neurotoxicity.METHODS:A phase 1 trial of weekly, intravenous VSLI at 1.5 mg/m2, 1.825 mg/m2, 2.0 mg/m2, 2.25 mg/m2, or 2.4 mg/m2was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) using a standard, 3 + 3 dose‐escalation design. Dexamethasone (40 mg) was given on Days 1 through 4 and on Days 11 through 14 of each 4‐week cycle.RESULTS:Thirty‐six adults with relapsed/refractory ALL, all previously treated with conventional VCR, received at least 1 dose of VSLI. The MTD of VSLI was 2.25 mg/m2based on dose‐limiting toxicities of grade 3 motor neuropathy, grade 4 seizure, and grade 4 hepatotoxicity in 1 patient each at the 2.4 mg/m2dose level. The most common toxicities attributed to VSLI included peripheral neuropathy (55%) and constipation (53%). A complete response (CR) was achieved in 7 of 36 patients (19%) based on an intent‐to‐treat analysis; the CR rate was 29% for the 14 patients who underwent therapy as their first salvage attempt. Four of 7 patients who achieved a CR underwent subsequent allogeneic stem cell transplantation in remission.CONCLUSIONS:In this study, VSLI plus dexamethasone appeared to be an effective salvage therapy option for relapsed/refractory ALL. A phase 2, international, multicenter clinical trial assessing the efficacy of single‐agent VSLI as second salvage therapy for patients with previously treated ALL is underway. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Modelling the Two‐Dimensional Polymerization of 1,4‐Benzene Diboronic Acid on a Ag Surface
Authors: Sassi Michel , Oison Vincent , Debierre Jean‐Marc , Humbel Stéphane 
Published: August 2009

AbstractModelling of the two‐dimensional polymerization of 1,4‐benzene diboronic acid molecules on the Ag(111) surface, which leads to the formation of a covalent organic framework, is reported. An estimation of free enthalpy is given that takes into account the constraints induced by the molecular adsorption on the surface. The various thermodynamic functions, enthalpies, entropies, and free enthalpies, are obtained from DFT calculations. The entropic effect of the surface plays an important role in the polymerization free energy. A germination threshold is obtained.
Intracrystalline Transport Resistances in Nanoporous Zeolite X
Authors: Feldhoff Armin , Caro Jürgen , Jobic Hervé , Ollivier Jacques , Krause Cordula B. , Galvosas Petrik , Kärger Jörg 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBy applying pulsed‐field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG NMR) in comparison to quasi‐elastic neutron scattering (QENS), we sense by measurement of the diffusion of n‐octane on different length scales, transport resistances in faujasite type X (which is isostructural with type Y and differs by the lower Si/Al ratio only) with mutual distances of less than 300 nm. Direct observation of the real structure of zeolite X by transmission electron microscopy identifies them as stacking faults of mirror‐twin type on (111)‐type planes of the cubic framework. Thus, direct experimental proof is given that, in general, nanoporous host systems such as zeolite crystals cannot be considered as a mere arrangement of cavities. It is rather the presence of structural defects that dominates their properties as soon as transport phenomena with practical relevance, including chemical conversion by heterogeneous catalysis and chemical separation by molecular sieving and selective adsorption, become relevant.
Regional Fos expression induced by morphine withdrawal in the 7‐day‐old rat
Authors: McPhie Anika A. , Barr Gordon A. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHuman infants are often exposed to opiates chronically but the mechanisms by which opiates induce dependence in the infant are not well studied. In the adult the brain regions involved in the physical signs of opiate withdrawal include the periaqueductal gray area, the locus coeruleus, amygdala, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, and spinal cord. Microinjection studies show that many of these brain regions are involved in opiate withdrawal in the infant rat. Our goal here was to determine if these regions become metabolically active during physical withdrawal from morphine in the infant rat as they do in the adult. Following chronic morphine or saline treatment, withdrawal was precipitated in 7‐day‐old pups with the opiate antagonist naltrexone. Cells positive for Fos‐like immunoreactivity were quantified within select brain regions. Increased Fos‐like labeled cells were found in the periaqueductal gray, nucleus accumbens, locus coeruleus, and spinal cord. These are consistent with other studies showing that the neural circuits underlying the physical signs of opiate withdrawal are similar in the infant and adult. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 544–552, 2009.