bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conditional aid effectiveness: A meta‐study
Authors: Doucouliagos Hristos , Paldam Martin 
Published: April 2009

AbstractOne branch of the aid effectiveness literature (AEL) analyzes conditional models where aid effectiveness depends upon a conditioning variable z. The leading candidates for z are a good policy index and aid itself, so that the model has an aid squared term. In this paper, meta‐analysis techniques are used (i) to determine whether the AEL has established the said interaction terms, and (ii) to identify some of the determinants of the differences in results between studies. We find no support for conditionality with respect to policy, nor with respect to aid itself. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Air temperature change due to human activities in Taiwan for the past century
Authors: Lai Li‐Wei , Cheng Wan‐Li 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to statistically examine air temperature change and to analyse the anthropogenic factors potentially influencing air temperature changes in Taiwan for the period 1897–2005 using homogenized temperature measurement time series. In this study, the standard normal homogeneity test was used to attain homogeneity of all air temperature series. To analyse air temperature data from 1897 to 2005, a time‐series regression model and a product–moment correlation were used. The annual mean maximum temperatures (Tmax), annual mean minimum temperatures (Tmin) and the number of days in which the air temperature ≥ 30 °C increased significantly in most regions in Taiwan, and the rate of increase for Tmin was higher than that of Tmax. In other words, in the past century the night temperatures have become higher and the period of hot days in Taiwan have become longer. However, over the past century and before 1962, the trend of Tmax in central Taiwan (i.e. Jihyuehtan and Taichung) decreased significantly, which is inconsistent with greenhouse gas warming and general warming observed in other sites in Taiwan. Furthermore, during the economic growth experienced between 1962 and 2005, the rates of increase for Tmax and Tmin in major cities with similar climate conditions (i.e. Tainan and Kaohsiung) were significantly different, as were the correlation coefficients between temperature changes and the number of various economic sectors in the cities. The results of these statistical analyses suggest that human activities strongly affected air temperature changes in these urban areas. The obvious lack of spatial homogeneity indicates that various non‐greenhouse gas processes have played roles in climate change in Taiwan, and these factors must be considered when analysing long‐term air temperature variations. Caution should be exercised when using grid data to assess temperature trends at the grid‐box level. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Variability and trends in the directional wave climate of the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Hemer Mark A. , Church John A. , Hunter John R. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe effect of interannual climate variability and change on the historic, directional wave climate of the Southern Hemisphere is presented. Owing to a lack ofin situwave observations, wave climate in the Southern Hemisphere is determined from satellite altimetry and global ocean wave models. Altimeter data span the period 1985 to present, with the exception of a 2‐year gap in 1989–1991. Interannual variability and trends in the significant wave height are determined from the satellite altimeter record (1991 to present), and the dominant modes of variability are identified using an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. Significant wave heights in the Southern Ocean are observed to show a strong positive correlation with the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), particularly during Austral autumn and winter months. Correlation between altimeter derived significant wave heights and the Southern Oscillation Index is observed in the Pacific basin, which is consistent with several previous studies.Variability and trends of the directional wave climate are determined using the ERA‐40 Waves Re‐analysis for the period 1980–2001. Significant wave height, mean wave period and mean wave direction data are used to describe the climate of the wave energy flux vector. An EOF analysis of the wave energy flux vector is carried out to determine the dominant modes of variability of the directional seasonal wave energy flux climate. The dominant mode of variability during autumn and winter months is strongly correlated to the SAM. There is an anti‐clockwise rotation of wave direction with the southward intensification of the Southern Ocean storm belt associated with the SAM. Clockwise rotation of flux vectors is observed in the Western Pacific Ocean during El‐Nino events.Directional variability of the wave energy flux in the Western Pacific Ocean has previously been shown to be of importance to sand transport along the south‐eastern Australian margin, and the New Zealand region. The directional variability of the wave energy flux of the Southern Ocean associated with the SAM is expected to be of importance to the wave‐driven currents responsible for the transport of sand along coastal margins in the Southern Hemisphere, in particular those on the Southern and Western coastal margins of the Australian continent. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in atmospheric circulation over the North Atlantic and sea‐surge variations along the Belgian coast during the twentieth century
Authors: Ullmann A. , Monbaliu J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWintertime (October‐to‐March period) 99th percentile of sea level (sea surges) at Ostend has increased at a rate of + 3 mm/year (+1 mm/year) from 1925 to 2000. Relationships between daily sea surge at Ostend and five weather regimes—Zonal (ZO), East Atlantic (EA), Greenland Above (GA), Blocking (BL), and Atlantic Ridge (AR)—over the northeast Atlantic and Europe (40°W–40°E, 30° –70°N) are analysed during the period of 1925–2000. More than 70% of sea surges ≥ 65 cm occur during the AR weather regime, ahead of low pressure travelling on a northern track from Iceland to Scandinavia. The relationships between monthly/wintertime frequency of the AR weather regime and 99th percentile of sea surge at Ostend tend to strengthen during the twentieth century: for example, correlation between wintertime frequencies of AR and 99th percentile of sea surge increases from 0.21 in 1925–1950 to 0.74 in 1975–2000. This increase is associated with the pressure rise over the near Atlantic, between (30°W and 15°W), (30°N and 50°N), leading to an increase in the frequency of strong surge‐related pressure gradient during AR days. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Differing atmospheric scales of motion and their impact on air pollutants
Authors: Levy Ilan , Dayan Uri , Mahrer Yitzhak 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIdentifying the dominant atmospheric scale of motion over a given airshed can be of great importance for many applications such as air pollutants dispersion, pollen dispersion and wind energy. In this work, a method is proposed for differentiating between the synoptic, meso and local scales that can be applied on a daily basis from data collected at several wind‐measuring sites in a given airshed. The method is based on the daily mean quantitative measure of wind recirculation measured at each site, and the mean and standard deviation between sites.The method is applied to a 5‐year time series of wind observations at seven sites in the Tel Aviv airshed on the East Mediterranean Sea. The high frequency of synoptic‐scale dominant flows is found during winter and December in particular, whereas high dominance of mesoscale flows is found during October. The coastal location of the airshed causes the land–sea breeze to overrule local‐scale variations. While NOx and SO2 concentrations are shown to increase as the dominant scale is smaller, O3 concentrations decrease as a result of titration with NOx on the one hand and the contribution of long‐range transport on the other. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Simultaneous evaluation of neonicotinoids in cotton seed cake using reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Mohan Chander , Kumar Yogesh , Madan Jyotsana , Saxena Navneet , Lal D 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The cotton crop accounts for more than 52% of total insecticide usage in India. Neonicotinoids, being newer insecticides, have found greater use in the northern region. In this study a rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography method was developed for measuring neonicotinoid residues in cotton seed cake (CSC). The method involves the extraction of three neonicotinoids from CSC with acetonitrile/water (80:20 v/v), followed by liquid–liquid partitioning and column clean‐up prior to injection.RESULTS: Recoveries at 0.5–2 µg g−1 spiking levels varied from 95.60 to 79.50% for imidacloprid, from 92.89 to 84.00% for acetamiprid and from 96.96 to 88.36% for thiacloprid. Minimum detectable levels using this method were 5, 10 and 20 ng g−1 for imidacloprid, acetamiprid and thiacloprid respectively.CONCLUSION: The method developed in this study allows rapid and reliable measurement of the insecticides imidacloprid, acetamiprid and thiacloprid in CSC. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Nanoparticles of chromium picolinate enhance chromium digestibility and absorption
Authors: Lien Tu‐Fa , Yeh Hui‐Shuang , Lu Fu‐Yin , Fu Chao‐Ming 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Trivalent chromium (Cr) is a trace element that is difficult to digest and absorb. The objective of this study was to determine whether reducing organic Cr to nanometre size would increase its digestibility.RESULTS: Forty‐eight 8‐week‐old female Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (1) basal diet (control); (2) basal diet plus 300 µg kg−1 Cr as chromium chloride (CrCl3); (3) basal diet plus 300 µg kg−1 Cr as chromium picolinate (Crpic); (4) basal diet plus 300 µg kg−1 Cr as nanoparticulate Crpic (nanoCrpic). NanoCrpic was prepared from Crpic with a particle size of 55–100 nm. The experiment lasted 48 days. Cr digestibility and serum Cr concentration were 1.66 and 1.96 times greater respectively in rats fed nanoCrpic than in rats fed Crpic (P < 0.05). The average daily gain was greater in rats fed nanoCrpic or Crpic than in control rats (P < 0.05). The high‐density lipoprotein content increased while the very‐low‐density plus low‐density lipoprotein content decreased in rats fed nanoCrpic as compared with rats fed Crpic or CrCl3 (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: This study indicates that reducing the particle size of Crpic enhances Cr digestibility and absorption in rats and alters some blood metabolite concentrations. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the types and concentrations of alkali on the color of cocoa liquor
Authors: Rodríguez Pablo , Pérez Elevina , Guzmán Romel 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The alkalization process is extensively used in the cocoa industry, but information is scarce and not easy to acquire. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of different types and concentrations of alkali on the color of cocoa liquor. Dried beans from Chuao (state Aragua, Venezuela) were used to produce cocoa liquors. Samples of liquors were alkalized with solutions of NaHCO3, Na2CO3 and NaOH at concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 g kg−1.RESULTS: The data showed that values of the coordinates L*, a* and b* decrease when liquors were treated with the three different types and concentrations of alkalis. Almost all samples had ΔE* values above 1. The ratios b*/a* and a*/b* and the proximate composition were also modified. Crude protein, crude fat and polyphenol concentrations were decreased and the ash content augmented as concentrations of the alkalis were increased. The fatty acid and sugar profiles were also affected. These ratios were most pronounced when NaOH was used.CONCLUSION: The selection of the type or concentration of alkali is a function of the type of product to be elaborated. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimization of a gastrointestinal model applicable to the evaluation of bioaccessibility in fish feeds
Authors: Hamdan Mariam , Moyano Francisco J , Schuhardt Dominique 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Although several types of in vitro digestibility assays have been applied to nutritional evaluation of feeds for aquatic organisms, all of them are based on the use of closed reactors and do not simulate the gastric phase of the digestion. Our objective was to evaluate the suitability of a gastrointestinal model based on the use of a digestion cell provided by a semi‐permeable reaction chamber, which allows continuous removal of digestion products as they are produced. We tested the effects of some factors, like the inclusion of a gastric phase, reaction temperature or bile salts on the hydrolysis of feed proteins by fish enzymes.RESULTS: We found that the most suitable operational conditions to simulate the digestion process must include a short acid pre‐digestion as well as the use of bile salts in the reaction mixture. Acid pre‐digestion resulted in a significant increase in the liberation of amino acids which represented more than twice that measured when using a single phase. The addition of two bile salts (45 µmol L−1 sodium taurocholate + chenodesoxycolate) resulted in almost a threefold increase in the hydrolysis of feed protein. The use of the described open system also allows the evaluation of carbohydrate hydrolysis as well as determination of residual undigested matter, in a similar manner to that carried out in ruminants with the DAISY system.CONCLUSION: Results suggest the system can be a very suitable model for evaluation of bioaccessibility in fish feeds. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of nitrogen fertilizer application rate on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour quality and Chinese noodle quality
Authors: Ma Dongyun , Guo Tiancai , Wang Zhijie , Wang Chenyang , Zhu Yunji , Wang Yonghua 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Understanding wheat flour noodle quality responses to N management will improve the quality of recommendations made to growers for specific end‐uses. Two winter wheat cultivars, with six N rates, planted during the course of a 2‐year experiment were used to determine the effect of N application rate on Chinese white noodle quality.RESULTS: Wheat flour protein content, development time (DT) and stability time (ST) increased with N application rate, maximal at 360 kg N ha−1 and decreasing thereafter. When the N fertilizer application rate changed from 0 to 270 or 360 kg N ha−1, redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) of both flour and noodle increased, while brightness (L*) decreased. The hardness and chewiness of cooked noodles improved at lower N application rate and degenerated at higher N rate.CONCLUSION: A low rate of N fertilizer application (from 0 to 270 kg N ha−1) improved flour quality. Flour protein content and protein quality parameters displayed a significant negative correlation with brightness (L*) values. Generally, high flour protein content and protein quality, as well as good noodle texture, could be achieved by topdressing N fertilizer (in the range 270–360 kg N ha−1). Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
No improvement in fruit quality through chemical flower thinning in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)
Authors: Schoedl Katharina , Denk Andrea , Hummelbrunner Stefan , Modl Peter , Forneck Astrid 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Chemical flower thinning with ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) was applied on branches of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars ‘Blaze Star’, ‘Samba’, ‘Techlovan’ and ‘Merchant’ (all grafted on GiSelA 5) in a two‐year field study in 2006 and 2007. Different concentrations of ATS (8.82 and 17.64 g L−1) and different application times were studied. Fruit quality parameters analysed included crop load, fruit size, fruit weight, flesh/stone ratio, content of soluble solids, pH value and content of titratable acids.RESULTS: Crop load was significantly affected (P < 0.01) by application, cultivar and year. Fruit size, fruit weight and content of titratable acids were not improved by any of the application strategies. An influence of cultivar and application on pH value was observed (P < 0.05). Flesh/stone ratio was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) in ‘Blaze Star’ only, while content of soluble solids was significantly affected in ‘Techlovan’ only in 2007.CONCLUSION: No general improvement in quality parameters was achieved by chemical flower thinning in the P. avium cultivars studied over a two‐year field experiment. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Stir bar sorptive extraction for the analysis of short‐chain chlorinated paraffins in water
Authors: Llorca‐Porcel Julio , Martínez‐Soriano Esther , Valor Ignacio 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAn optimised method using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and a thermal desorption‐GC‐electron capture detector (GC‐ECD) for the determination of short‐chain chlorinated paraffins from water samples was developed. Recoveries near to 100% were obtained by using 20 mm×0.5 mm (length×film thickness) PDMS commercial stir bars from 200 mL spiked water samples and 20% methanol addition with an extraction period of 24 h. Method sensitivity, linearity and precision were evaluated for surface water and wastewater spiked samples. A LOD of 0.03 and 0.04 μg/L was calculated for surface and wastewater, respectively. The precision of the method given as an RSD was below 20% for both matrices. The developed method was applied for the analysis of two real samples from a contaminated river and a wastewater treatment plant. Results were in accordance with those obtained using a previously developed method based on solid phase microextraction (SPME).
Noninvasive laser vasectomy: Preliminary ex vivo tissue studies
Authors: Cilip Christopher M. , Jarow Jonathan P. , Fried Nathaniel M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMale sterilization (vasectomy) is more successful, safer, less expensive, and easier to perform than female sterilization (tubal ligation). However, female sterilization is more popular, primarily due to male fear of vasectomy complications (incision, bleeding, infection, and scrotal pain). The development of a completely noninvasive vasectomy technique may eliminate these concerns.Materials and MethodsYtterbium fiber laser radiation with a wavelength of 1,075 nm, average power of 11.7 W, 1‐second pulse duration, 0.5 Hz pulse rate, and 3‐mm‐diameter spot was synchronized with cryogen cooling of the scrotal skin surface in canine tissue for a treatment time of 60 seconds.ResultsVas thermal lesion dimensions measured 2.0±0.3 mm diameter by 3.0±0.9 mm length, without evidence of skin damage. The coagulated vas bursting pressure measured 295±72 mm Hg, significantly higher than typical vas ejaculation pressures of 136± 29 mm Hg.ConclusionsNoninvasive thermal coagulation and occlusion of the vas was produced in an ex vivo canine tissue model. However, chronic in vivo animal studies will be necessary to optimize the laser/cooling treatment parameters and confirm long‐term vas occlusion with absence of sperm in the ejaculate, before clinical application. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:203–207, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo effects of low level laser therapy on inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Moriyama Yumi , Nguyen Jacqueline , Akens Margarete , Moriyama Eduardo H. , Lilge Lothar 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveLow level laser therapy (LLLT) has been demonstrated to modulate inflammatory processes with evidence suggesting that treatment protocol, such as wavelength, total energy, and number of treatments determine the clinical efficacy. In this study, the effects of LLLT mediated by different wavelengths and continuous versus pulsed delivery mode were quantified in a transgenic murine model with the luciferase gene under control of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression.Study Design/Materials and MethodsLLLT modulated iNOS gene expressed in the acute Zymosan‐induced inflammation model is quantified using transgenic mice (FVB/N‐Tg(iNOS‐luc)). Here an energy density of 5 J cm−2 at either 635, 660, 690, and 905 nm in continuous wave mode and at 905 nm for short pulse delivery were evaluated. Age of the animals was determined as additional modulating the inflammatory response and the LLLT efficacy for some treatment protocols.ResultsAnimals younger than 15 weeks showed mostly reduction of iNOS expression, while older animals showed increased iNOS expression for some LLLT protocols. Intensity and time course of inducible nitric oxide expression was found to not only depend on wavelength, but also on the mode of delivery, continuous, or pulsed irradiation.ConclusionLLLT exhibit different effects in induced inflammatory process according to different wavelengths and wave mode. Upregulation of iNOS gene following 905 nm pulsed wave suggests a different mechanism in activating the inflammatory pathway response when compared to the continuous wave. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:227–231, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High contrast near‐infrared polarized reflectance images of demineralization on tooth buccal and occlusal surfaces at λ = 1310‐nm
Authors: Wu J. , Fried D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSound enamel manifests peak transparency in the near‐IR (NIR) at 1310‐nm, therefore the near‐IR is ideally suited for high contrast imaging of dental caries. The purpose of this study was to acquire images of early demineralized enamel on the buccal and occlusal surfaces of extracted human teeth using NIR reflectance imaging and compare the contrast of those images with the contrast of images taken using other methods.Materials and MethodsFifteen human molars were used in this in vitro study. Teeth were painted with a clear acid‐resistant varnish, leaving two 2 mm × 2 mm windows on the buccal and occlusal surfaces of each tooth for demineralization. Artificial lesions were produced in the exposed windows after a 2‐day exposure to a demineralizing solution at pH 4.5. Lesions were imaged using NIR transillumination, NIR and visible light reflectance, and fluorescence imaging methods. Crossed polarizers were used where appropriate to improve contrast. Polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS‐OCT) was also used to non‐destructively assess the depth and severity of demineralization in each sample window.ResultsNIR reflectance imaging had the highest image contrast for both the buccal and occlusal groups and it was significantly higher contrast than visible light reflectance (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe results of the study suggest that NIR reflectance imaging is a promising new method for acquiring high contrast images of early demineralization on tooth surfaces. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:208–213, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.