bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance of farmers' organizations in Punjab, Pakistan: The challenges and way forward
Authors: Asrar‐UlHaq  
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper presents initial results of performance evaluation of farmers' organizations (FOs) in the Lower Chenab Canal (East) Pilot Area Water Board (AWB) of Pakistan's Punjab. It discusses the overall setting of the system, FOs' management regime and monitoring framework for assessing their performance. The paper also identifies major challenges confronting these young organizations and strategies for improving their performance, replication and sustainable growth. The internal and external performance evaluation of 84 FOs, conducted by the Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) consultants, indicates that performance of about 20% FOs is good, 60–65% satisfactory, while the performance of 15–20% of FOs ranges from unsatisfactory to poor. This evaluation brings out the good performance of FOs in dispute resolution, improved equity and development of local capacity for irrigation management. The main FO issues include declining abiana collection, weaknesses in maintenance of accounts and increasing inequity in water distribution in some cases. Improvement strategies include continued capacity building and mainstreaming of FOs, avoiding institutional fatigue, closer coordination and support to FOs and improved monitoring systems for identification of FO problems and timely course correction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modernizing Sarda Sahayak canal system: The Masscote approach
Authors: Kumar Ravindra , Shukla Navin , Nigam D. P. , Verma V. K. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMapping system and services of canal management, operation and maintenance aims (a) to enable decision makers, before engaging in investment plans, to ensure that diagnosis and solutions are investigated properly in irrigation modernization projects (through a rapid appraisal procedure); and (b) to suggest some specific strategies on how one should make the best use of the modernization investment made currently (mapping system and services for canal operation techniques).On the basis of analysis carried out through a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department (UPID) training workshop on 7–19 December 2007 for the Jaunpur Branch Canal (JBC) system of the Sarda Sahayak Irrigation Scheme, this paper describes what more needs to be done for modernizing irrigation management in JBC and in other command areas of the state. Some suggestions are: (i) recycling water through shallow wells in the area close to the canal to reduce waterlogging; (ii) formation of a federation of Water Users Associations (WUA) to reduce the cost of operation; (iii) installation of more cross‐regulators in the branch canal to run the canal at the designed full supply level; (iv) installation of modular gates for distributaries and minors; (v) periodic calibration of measurement structures; and (vi) modernization of inner and outer cross‐sections of the canal to attain their water‐carrying capacity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Irrigation in the context of today's global food crisis
Authors: Madramootoo Chandra A. , Fyles Helen 
Published: January 2010

AbstractDuring 2008 the world witnessed a global food crisis which caused social unrest in many countries and drove 75 million more people into poverty. The crisis resulted from sharply higher oil prices, increased bio‐fuel production, dwindling grain stocks, market speculation, changing food consumption patterns in emerging economies, and changes in world trade agreements, among other factors. Although the rise in food prices was sudden, the fragility of global food security had been developing for years. During the 1960s and 1970s food production kept pace with demand as more cropland was irrigated and yields of irrigated crops increased dramatically. Irrigation played a critical role in combating hunger, poverty and death due to malnutrition. However, the environmental and social consequences of large irrigation schemes came into question, and investments in irrigation subsequently diminished. Today's food crisis is compounded by a rapidly growing world population, the conversion of food producing lands to bio‐fuel production, diminishing available freshwater supplies, competition for water by other sectors, climate change impacts, and the reduction in arable lands due to urbanization. It is critical that investments focus on increasing agricultural production through improved management of land and water resources, and the involvement of all stakeholders. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sharing water in the 21st century: Rethinking the rationale?
Authors: Joshi Mukesh B. , Kapadia Vivek P. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWater – considered the “oil” of the 21st century – has been at the core of every discussion on sustainable development. The 20th century witnessed many classical examples of conflicts and cooperation over water sharing. Amid increasing awareness of the “scarcity value” of water, there have been numerous examples of competing and conflicting views on the sharing of this prime natural resource and the elixir of life. While there is a strong apprehension that the next world war would be fought over water, there is an equally strong optimistic theory of water being a potent source of future cooperation. The paper stresses the need for rethinking the rationale to identify parameters such as utility‐based classification, the economic value of its productive use, exchange of other natural resources and sharing of environmental impacts, that can improve its acceptability. Echoing hydro‐hegemony, it concludes that in the 21st century a water‐sharing rationale based merely on the argument for the “life‐sustaining value” of water may not yield workable treaties and, apart from drinking needs, water, although a flowing resource, may be required to be shared on the basis of economic principles. Such rethinking on the rationale has also become necessary for ensuring sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fibronectin synthesis by high glucose level mediated proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells: Involvement of ANG II and TGF‐β1
Authors: Kim Yun Hee , Ryu Jung Min , Lee Yu Jin , Han Ho Jae 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe role of individual supplements necessary for the long‐term self‐renewal of embryonic stem (ES) cells is poorly characterized in feeder/serum‐free culture systems. This study sought to characterize the relationship between the effects of glucose on ES cell proliferation and fibronectin (FN) synthesis, and to assess the mechanisms responsible for these cellular effects of glucose. Treatment of the two ES cells (ES‐E14TG2a and ES‐R1) with 25 mM glucose (high glucose) increased the expression levels of FN mRNA and protein. In addition, high glucose and ANG II synergistically increased FN expression level, which coincident with data showing that high glucose increased the mRNA expression of angiotensin II (ANG II) type 1 receptor (AT1R), angiotensinogen, and FN, but not ANG II type 2 receptor. High glucose also increased the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration and pan‐protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation. Inhibition of the Ca2+/PKC pathway blocked high glucose‐induced FN expression. High glucose or ANG II also synergistically increased transforming growth factor‐beta1 (TGF‐β1) expression, while pretreatment with losartan abolished the high glucose‐induced increase in TGF‐β1 production. Moreover, TGF‐β1‐specific small interfering RNA inhibited high glucose‐induced FN expression and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 blocked high glucose‐induced FN expression and inhibited cell cycle regulatory protein expression induced by high glucose or TGF‐β1. In this study, inhibition of AT1R, Ca2+/PKC, TGF‐β1, JNK, FN receptor blocked the high glucose‐induced DNA synthesis, increased the cell population in S phase, and the number of cells. It is concluded that high glucose increases FN synthesis through the ANG II or TGF‐β1 pathways, which in part mediates proliferation of mouse ES cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 397–407, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel sialyltransferase inhibitor AL10 suppresses invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cells by inhibiting integrin‐mediated signaling
Authors: Chiang Chi‐Hsiang , Wang Chie‐Hong , Chang Hui‐Chiu , More Shivaji V. , Li Wen‐Shan , Hung Wen‐Chun 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAberrant sialylation catalyzed by sialyltransferases (STs) is frequently found in cancer cells and is associated with increased cancer metastasis. However, ST inhibitors developed till now are not applicable for clinical use because of their poor cell permeability. In this study, a novel ST inhibitor AL10 derived from the lead compound lithocholic acid identified in our previous study is synthesized and the anti‐cancer effect of this compound is studied. AL10 is cell‐permeable and effectively attenuates total sialylation on cell surface. This inhibitor shows no cytotoxicity but inhibits adhesion, migration, actin polymerization and invasion of α‐2,3‐ST‐overexpressing A549 and CL1.5 human lung cells. Inhibition of adhesion and migration by AL10 is associated with reduced sialylation of various integrin molecules and attenuated activation of the integrin downstream signaling mediator focal adhesion kinase. More importantly, AL10 significantly suppresses experimental lung metastasis in vivo without affecting liver and kidney function of experimental animals as determined by serum biochemical assays. Taken together, AL10 is the first ST inhibitor, which exhibits potent anti‐metastatic activity in vivo and may be useful for clinical cancer treatment. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 492–499, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation of arsenite‐oxidizing bacteria from a natural biofilm associated to volcanic rocks of Atacama Desert, Chile
Authors: Campos V. L. , Escalante G. , Yañez J. , Zaror C. A. , Mondaca M. A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractArsenic is naturally present in rocks, soil, water, and air. It is released to the environment by natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, and rock erosion. In this study, two arsenite‐oxidizing strains were isolated from volcanic rocks obtained from the Camarones Valley, Atacama Desert, Chile. Strains were isolated from biofilms and identified by 16s ARNr sequences analysis. aox genes were detected by RT‐PCR. The arsenic oxidation ability was assayed with silver nitrate and HPLC‐HG‐AAS. Four arsenite‐resistant strains were isolated (8 mM). RT‐PCR analysis showed the presence of aox genes in UC‐2 and UC‐6 strains. In addition, UC‐2 and UC‐6 strains were able to oxidize 90 and 95% arsenite present in the medium to arsenate, at a rate of 9.3 and 9.8 μg ml–1 h–1 respectively. Bicarbonate (HCO3–) was used as unique carbon source. Finally, the significative oxidation capacity shown by both strains opens the way to further studies aimed at implementing biological systems to treat arsenic rich wastewater. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A method for evaluating research syntheses: The quality, conclusions, and consensus of 12 syntheses of the effects of after‐school programs
Authors: Valentine Jeffrey C. , Cooper Harris , Patall Erika A. , Tyson Diana , Robinson Jorgianne Civey 
Published: January 2010

AbstractLike all forms of empirical inquiry, research syntheses can be carried out in ways that lead to more or less valid inferences about the phenomenon under study. This synthesis of syntheses (a) examined the methods employed in the syntheses of the effects of after‐school programs (ASPs) and determined how closely they conformed to what is defined as best practice for research synthesis, (b) compared the inferences drawn from the ASP research literature by each synthesis with the inferences that plausibly could be made from the data they covered, and (c) determined the points of consistency across the syntheses with regard to both potentially valid and potentially invalid conclusions. It was found that the 12 syntheses used highly divergent methods, varying in problem definitions, search strategies, inclusion criteria for individual studies, and techniques for drawing conclusions about the cumulative evidence. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Braun enteroenterostomy is associated with reduced delayed gastric emptying and early resumption of oral feeding following pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Hochwald Steven N. , Grobmyer Stephen R. , Hemming Alan W. , Curran Eleanor , Bloom David A. , Delano Matthew , Behrns Kevin E. , Copeland Edward M. , Vogel Stephen B. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMorbidity rates following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain high with delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and slow resumption of oral diet contributing to increased postoperative length of stay. A Braun enteroenterostomy has been shown to decrease bile reflux following gastric resection. We hypothesize that addition of Braun enteroenterostomy during PD would reduce the sequelae of DGE.MethodsFrom our PD database, patients were identified that underwent classic PD with partial gastrectomy from 2001 to 2006. All patients with reconstruction utilizing a single loop of jejunum at the University of Florida Shands Hospital were reviewed. Demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, pathologic diagnoses, and postoperative morbidity were compared in those patients undergoing reconstruction with an additional Braun enteroenterostomy (n = 70) to those not undergoing a Braun enteroenterostomy (n = 35).ResultsPatients undergoing a Braun had NG tubes removed earlier (Braun: 2 days, no Braun: 3 days, P = 0.002) and no significant change in postoperative vomiting (Braun: 27%, no Braun: 37%, P = 0.37) or NG tube reinsertion rates (Braun: 17%, no Braun: 29%, P = 0.21). Median postoperative day with tolerance of oral liquids (Braun: 5, no Braun: 6, P = 0.01) and solid diets (Braun: 7, no Braun: 9, P = 0.01) were significantly sooner in the Braun group. DGE defined by two criteria including the inability to have oral intake by postoperative day 10 (Braun: 10%, no Braun: 26%, P < 0.05) and the international grading criteria (grades B and C, Braun: 7% vs. no Braun: 31%, P = 0.003) were significantly reduced in those undergoing the Braun procedure. In addition, the median length of stay (Braun: 10 days, no Braun: 12 days, P < 0.05) was significantly reduced in those undergoing the Braun procedure. The rate of pancreatic anastomotic failure was similar in the two groups (Braun: 17% vs. no Braun: 14%, P = 0.79). Median bile reflux was 0% in those undergoing a Braun.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that Braun enteroenterostomy can be safely performed in patients undergoing PD and may reduce the indicence of DGE and its sequelae. Further studies of Braun enteroenterostomy in larger randomized trials of patients undergoing PD are warranted. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:351–355. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictors of survival in patients with non‐curative stage IV cancer and malignant bowel obstruction
Authors: Wright F.C. , Chakraborty A. , Helyer L. , Moravan V. , Selby D. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPurposeMalignant bowel obstruction (MBO) occurs in up to 15% of patients admitted to palliative care wards and management can be clinically challenging. Survival is generally poor with a reported median survival of 1–3 months; however, there are no studies describing predictors of survival for patients with MBO.Patients and MethodsAll patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with a MBO were approached between March 1, 2006 and March 31, 2008 to enter the study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic information were prospectively collected from patient charts and the patient's functional status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, ECOG) at admission was recorded. Follow‐up was until death or the end of the study (August 2008). Survival was estimated using Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox regression models were used to evaluate prognostic factors for survival.ResultsThirty‐five patients were recruited. Median patient age was 61% and 46% were female. Median survival of the cohort was 80 days (range 7–873). Median survival for patients with an ECOG performance status of 0–1 (n = 15) was 222 days, for ECOG 2 patients (n = 9), 63 days and for patients with an ECOG 3/4 score (n = 11) it was 27 days. ECOG status was the strongest predictor of survival on the multivariate analysis. In addition, a low blood urea nitrogen level or a high albumin on admission was also associated with prolonged survival.ConclusionAn ECOG score of 0/1 for patients with MBO in the setting of Stage IV non‐curative cancer is the strongest predictor of overall survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:425–429. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of drug–protein interactions in blood using high‐performance affinity chromatography
Authors: Hage David S. , Jackson Abby , Sobansky Matthew R. , Schiel John E. , Yoo Michelle J. , Joseph K. S. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe binding of drugs with proteins in blood, serum, or plasma is an important process in determining the activity, distribution, rate of excretion, and toxicity of drugs in the body. High‐performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) has received a great deal of interest as a means for studying these interactions. This review examines the various techniques that have been used in HPAC to examine drug–protein binding and discusses the types of information that can be obtained through this approach. A comparison of these techniques with traditional methods for binding studies (e.g., equilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration) will also be presented. The use of HPAC with specific serum proteins and binding agents will then be discussed, including HSA and α1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP). Several examples from the literature are provided to illustrate the applications of such research. Recent developments in this field are also described, such as the use of improved immobilization techniques, new data analysis methods, techniques for working directly with complex biological samples, and work with immobilized lipoproteins. The relative advantages and limitations of the methods that are described will be considered and the possible use of these techniques in the high‐throughput screening or characterization of drug–protein binding will be discussed.
Capillary NMR detection in separation science
Authors: Kühnle Maximilian , Holtin Karsten , Albert Klaus 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis review deals with the current status of important separation techniques using capillary NMR detection. The advantages and disadvantages of the different hyphenated methods are discussed referring to a specific application. The use of Capillary‐HPLC‐NMR is demonstrated on an identification method of two bixin stereoisomers. The huge advantages using an HPLC‐SPE‐NMR method for structure determination are explained and discussed. Furthermore, two uncommon coupling techniques such as CE‐NMR and GC‐NMR are described in this review article.
Transverse diffusion of laminar flow profiles – a generic method for mixing reactants in capillary microreactor
Authors: Krylova Svetlana M. , Okhonin Victor , Krylov Sergey N. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe capillary is an attractive format for integrated microanalyses, which start with the injection of separate reactants into the capillary and their mixing inside the capillary. Due to the nonturbulent nature of flow inside the capillary, mixing reactants in a generic way is a challenging task. Three approaches have been suggested as a solution: mixing by electrophoresis, mixing by longitudinal diffusion, and, most recently, mixing by transverse diffusion of laminar flow profiles (TDLFP). This is the first review on TDLFP, describing: (i) the physical basis of the method, (ii) its theory, (iii) analytical and numerical solutions for the calculation of concentration profiles of mixed reactants, (iv) up‐to‐date applications, and (v) problems to be solved and future directions.
Multidimensional GC coupled to MS for the simultaneous determination of oxygenate compounds and BTEX in gasoline
Authors: Sciarrone Danilo , Tranchida Peter Quinto , Ragonese Carla , Schipilliti Luisa , Mondello Luigi 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn the present work, carried out in relation to the European and American Directives on the quality of petrol and diesel fuels, the simultaneous determination of the oxygenate compounds and BTEX in gasoline was achieved through the use of a multidimensional GC (MDGC)/MS system, employing a Deans switch‐based transfer system, with an innovative configuration; the latter enabled multiple heart‐cut transfers with no hint of retention time shift, a phenomenon that can occur in MDGC, providing the possibility to achieve more then 20 different heart‐cuts for the compounds of interest. In this study, 20 selected compounds were quantitatively transferred with 12 heart‐cuts, from a first to a secondary column, in order to resolve primary column co‐elutions. Analyte quantification and identification was achieved through a fast‐scanning quadrupole mass analyzer, operated in full scan mode, in order to evaluate also the interfering compounds transferred together with the compounds of interest. The multidimensional method developed was subjected to validation. All attained data were in excellent correlation with results obtained through the UNI‐EN 12177:2000, ASTM D 5580‐02 and ASTM D 4815‐04 MDGC methods, for the determination of benzene, BTEX and oxygenate compounds in gasoline, respectively.
Entrepreneurship and indigenous enterpreneurs in religious tourism in India
Authors: Shinde Kiran A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper demonstrates how indigenous religious entrepreneurs drive religious tourism in a non‐western context. Building on the case study of Vrindavan, an emerging religious tourism destination in India, it explains religious tourism as a natural progression of traditional pilgrimage economy, where entrepreneurship springs from socio‐cultural and ritual exchanges and knowledge of religious protocols and procedures between indigenous religious functionaries and visitors. Using religious hegemony, social status and networks, religious entrepreneurs innovate, develop new products and expand the cultural economy of rituals and performances to suit the demands of the burgeoning tourism. The tendency to consider such entrepreneurship as ‘informal’ not only exempts them from most regulations and legal responsibilities but also undermines their contribution in maintaining the ‘religious’ — the most important resource in religious tourism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.