bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of thermal volume expansion on positive temperature coefficient effect for carbon black filled polymer composites
Authors: Shen L. , Lou Z. D. , Qian Y. J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPolymeric positive temperature coefficient (PTC) materials have been prepared by incorporating carbon black (CB) into two different polymer matrices, crystalline high density polyethylene (HDPE) and amorphous polystyrene (PS). The effects of thermal volume expansion on the electrical properties of conductive polymer composites were studied. The volume fraction of conductive particles behaves like a switch from insulator to conductor in the polymeric PTC composite. Our mathematical model and experimental model have proved that the abrupt resistivity increase at PTC transition range and at the percolation curve close to the critical volume fraction for both polymeric PTC composites have the same conductive mechanism. The thermal expansion is one of the key factors responsible for the PTC effect and can be seen by comparing the PTC transition curves from model predictions and experiment. Furthermore, the model predicts PTC curves of CB/PS composite more successfully than it does for the CB/HDPE composite, and the reasons for this are also discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 3078–3083, 2007
Removal of Color Caused by Various Chemical Compounds Using Electrical Discharges in a Foaming Column
Authors: Pawłat Joanna , Ihara Satoshi 
Published: October 2007

AbstractProduction of oxidants during the electrical discharge in a foaming environment is confirmed. The influence of electrical discharge on the removal of color caused by various organic compounds such as ethyl violet, humic acid, indigo blue, and methylene blue in the foaming apparatus has been investigated. Discoloration is observed visually and concentrations of pollutants have been measured, which include the influence of the type of gas, gas flow rate, and frequency on the removal rate.magnified image
Summary of European directives for explosion safety
Authors: Versloot N.H.A. , Klein A.J.J. , De Maaijer M. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractOn July 1, 2003 a transitional period has ended and two European directives became fully active:
Directive 1999/92/EC
Directive 94/9/EC
These directives have an impact on companies with an explosion hazard (gas, vapor, mist, or dust explosions) and on manufacturers of equipment intended to be used in explosive atmospheres. The directives were incorporated into the national law of each member state of the European Union. These regulations are examples of achieving a common European market. In this article, the background of the European Directives will be discussed and the impact on the users. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 2008
Plant volatile aldehydes as natural insecticides against stored‐product beetles
Authors: Hubert Jan , Münzbergová Zuzana , Santino Angelo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: Infestation by stored‐product pests causes serious losses in food and feed commodities. Among possible strategies against these pests, which aim to reduce the use of synthetic insecticides, including fumigants, natural insecticides produced by plants represent one of the most promising approaches for their ecochemical control. Three six‐carbon and nine‐carbon aldehydes, natural plant volatiles produced by the plant lipoxygenase pathway, were tested for their insecticidal activity against five species of stored‐product beetles in feeding, fumigation and combined bioassays.RESULTS: The compounds (2E,6Z)‐nonadienal, (2E)‐nonenal and (2E)‐hexenal were incorporated into feeding discs in feeding bioassays or evaporated from filter paper in closed glass chambers in fumigation tests. Beetle sensitivity to aldehydes differed according to the different treatments. The highest activity was obtained by (2E)‐hexenal in fumigation tests, with the LC50 ranging from 4 to 26 mg L−1, while (2E, 6Z)‐nonadienal was the most effective in feeding tests, giving LD50s ranging from 0.44 to 2.76 mg g−1 when applied to feeding discs. Fumigation tests in the presence of wheat grains confirmed that (2E)‐hexenal was the most effective compound, with a calculated LC99 ranging from 33 to 166 mg L−1.CONCLUSION: The results of both feeding and fumigation tests indicated that natural plant aldehydes are potential candidates to control stored‐product beetles. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity of ‘Saye’, an herbal Remedy used in Burkina Faso traditional medicine
Authors: Traoré M. , Diallo A. , Nikièma J. B. , Tinto H. , Dakuyo Z. P. , Ouédraogo J. B. , Guissou I. P. , Guiguemdé T. R. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract‘Saye’, a traditional medicine used in Burkina Faso, which consists of extracts of Cochlospermum planchonii (rhizome), Cassia alata (leaf) and Phyllanthus amarus (whole plant), showed a significant effect against Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei parasites grown in vivo (IC50 = 80.11 ± 3.40 µg/mL; ED50 = 112.78 ± 32.32 mg/kg). In vitro the activity was lower. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro anti‐biofilm activity of macelignan isolated from Myristica fragrans Houtt. against oral primary colonizer bacteria
Authors: Yanti  , Rukayadi Yaya , Kim Kyu‐Hoi , Hwang Jae‐Kwan 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn early dental plaque formation, oral primary colonizers such as Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus are initially attached to the pellicle‐coated tooth surface to form a biofilm. The study aimed to determine the efficacy of macelignan, isolated from nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.), in removing each single oral primary biofilm in vitro on a polystyrene 96‐well microtiter plate. Four biofilm growth phases (4, 12, 20 and 24 h) were evaluated in this study after treatment with macelignan at various concentrations (0.2, 2 and 10 µg/mL) and exposure times (5, 10 and 30 min). Anti‐biofilm activity of macelignan was measured as the percentage of the remaining biofilm absorbance after macelignan treatment in comparison with the untreated control. At 24 h of biofilm growth, S. mutans, A. viscosus and S. sanguis biofilms were reduced by up to 30%, 30% and 38%, respectively, after treatment with 10 µg/mL macelignan for 5 min. Increasing the treatment time to 30 min resulted in a reduction of more than 50% of each of the single primary biofilms. The results indicate that macelignan is a potent natural anti‐biofilm agent against oral primary colonizers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐acne activity of Selaginella involvens extract and its non‐antibiotic antimicrobial potential on Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Joo Seong Soo , Jang Su Kil , Kim Sung Geun , Choi Jae‐Seok , Hwang Kwang Woo , Lee Do Ik 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAcne is a typical condition of adolescence and is caused by multi‐factorial events including hormonal, microbiological and immunological mechanisms. Although there has been much debate about the direct involvement of bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes is now believed to contribute to the inflammatory stages of the condition, and thus initiate the inflamed lesion. The present study examined the anti‐acne properties of the Selaginella involvens extract (SIE) in cell models. Primarily, SIE was not found to be cytotoxic under 50 µg/mL, and revealed the inhibitory effect on both nitric oxide (NO) production and iNOS/IL‐1β expression as well as the NO scavenging effect. The IL‐1α and IL‐8 cytokines, triggering the inflammatory acne response, were also inhibited in keratinocytes when stimulated with viable P. acnes. Furthermore, SIE was found to have an antioxidant effect in a dose‐dependent manner in the hydroxyl radical‐mediated oxidation test. Finally, it was found that SIE has non‐antibiotic antimicrobial activity at a dose greater than 100 µg/mL on P. acnes. In conclusion, SIE may be a safe non‐antibiotic anti‐acne source in the therapeutic application of the treatment of acne development by reducing the chance of non‐specific initiation and augmentation phase of the inflammatory response. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Minimally Invasive Robotic Association 2nd International Congress
Authors: Taylor G. W. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe Minimally Invasive Robotic Association (MIRA) is an international organization that aims to provide a cross‐specialty forum in which minimal access surgeons can share their experience of the new and emerging discipline of robotic surgery. This is an overview of the 2nd International Congress.MethodsThere was heavy emphasis on short presentations that allowed maximum opportunity for delegates to participate, share experience and exchange ideas.ResultsOver 90 presentations were enjoyed by delegates over the 3 day event, each stimulating lively discussion from the audience. Experience of robotic urological, general, gynaecological, paediatric, cardiac and thoracic surgery was presented. There were also several presentations of new technology in the field.ConclusionsRobotic surgery is being taken up by a diverse range of surgeons across the world. Early success in urological surgery is beginning to be mirrored in other surgical specialties. Robotic procedures are evolving to include new benefits and new technologies are beginning to emerge which will further expand the role and capabilities of robotic surgery. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A probabilistic counting lemma for complete graphs
Authors: Gerke Stefanie , Marciniszyn Martin , Steger Angelika 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe prove the existence of many complete graphs in almost all sufficiently dense partitions obtained by an application of Szemerdi's regularity lemma. More precisely, we consider the number of complete graphs Kℓ on ℓ vertices in ℓ‐partite graphs where each partition class consists of n vertices and there is an ϵ‐regular graph on m edges between any two partition classes. We show that for all β > 0, at most a βm‐fraction of all such graphs contain a little less than the expected number of copies of Kℓ provided ϵ is sufficiently small, m ≫ n2−1/(ℓ−1), and n is sufficiently large. This result is a counting version of a restricted version of a conjecture (Kohayakawa, Łuczak, and Rödl, Combinatorica 17 (1997), 173–213), and it is well known that this result implies several results for random graphs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2007
Milk production and reproductive performance of Sahiwal cattle in semi‐arid Kenya
Authors: Ilatsia ED , Muasya TK , Muhuyi WB , Kahi AK 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate milk production and reproductive performance of Sahiwal cattle in semi‐arid Kenya. Milk production traits considered were lactation milk yield, lactation length and test‐day milk yield, while reproductive traits included age at first calving, calving interval and number of services per conception. Various fixed effects affected performance of milk production and reproductive traits to varying significance levels. The mean estimates for milk production traits were 1368 kg, 282 days and 4.9 kg for lactation milk yield, lactation length and test‐day milk yield, respectively. For reproductive traits, mean estimates were 468 days, 2.2 and 1345 days for calving interval, number of services per conception and age at first calving, respectively. There was a decline in lactation milk yield and lactation length, and an increase in calving interval and age at first calving over the years. Satisfactory management and appropriate genetic improvement strategies would result in improved performance. Implications of the results for genetic improvement of the breed in Kenya are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Small‐scale species richness and its spatial variation in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Chen Jun , Yamamura Yasuo , Hori Yoshimichi , Shiyomi Masae , Yasuda Taisuke , Zhou Hua‐kun , Li Ying‐nian , Tang Yan‐hong 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe investigated how the high small‐scale species richness of an alpine meadow on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, China, is maintained. This area is characterized by strong wind and severe cold during long winters. In winter, most livestock is grazed on dead leaves in small pastures near farmers’ residences, whereas in the short summer, livestock is grazed in mountainous areas far from farmers’ residences. The number of plant species and the aboveground biomass were surveyed for three adjacent pastures differing in grazing management: a late‐winter grazing pasture grazed moderately from 1 February to 30 April, an early‐winter grazing pasture grazed lightly from 20 September to late October, and a whole‐year grazing pasture grazed intensively throughout the entire year. In each pasture, we harvested the aboveground biomass from 80 or 100 quadrats of 0.01 m2 along a transect and classified the contents by species. We observed 15.5–19.7 species per 0.01 m2, which is high richness per 0.01 m2 on a worldwide scale. The species richness in the two winter grazing pastures was higher than that in the whole‐year grazing pasture. The spatial variation in species richness and species composition in the two winter grazing pastures in which species richness was high was greater than that in the whole‐year grazing pasture in which species richness was lower. Most of the leaves that are preserved on the winter grazing pastures during summer are blown away by strong winds during winter, and the remaining leaves are completely exhausted in winter by livestock grazing. A pasture with a high richess is accompanied by a high spatial variation in species richness and species composition. There is a high possibility that the characteristic of spatial variation is also caused by traditional grazing practices in this area.
Selective Seasonal Fatty Acid Accumulation and Mobilization in the Wild Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)
Authors: Mustonen Anne‐Mari , Asikainen Juha , Aho Jari , Nieminen Petteri 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPrevious studies on laboratory rodents, rabbits and humans have demonstrated that fatty acid (FA) mobilization from white adipose tissue (WAT) is selective and its efficiency is related to FA structure. Selective FA mobilization was also documented in a carnivore, the farmed raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), fasted for 8 weeks. The present study explored whether similar selectivity of FA mobilization was manifested in wild mammals experiencing seasonal food scarcity and abundance. Fractional mobilization from and incorporation into WAT of a wide spectrum of FA were studied by gas–liquid chromatography from the subcutaneous WAT of free‐ranging raccoon dogs with the same individuals sampled in consecutive seasons. The wintertime FA mobilization was selective and mostly confirmed the patterns of FA release in captivity. Mobilization correlated inversely with the FA chain length but increased with unsaturation and when the first double bond was located closer to the methyl end. 18–20C n‐3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and 14–17C monounsaturated FA (MUFA) were preferentially mobilized while 19–24C saturated FA and MUFA were preserved during wintering. The summertime FA incorporation correlated inversely with the chain length and increased with unsaturation and in MUFA and PUFA with double bonds closer to the methyl end. The principles of selective FA mobilization were valid in wild mammals. FA incorporation was also selective and reversed the wintertime losses of the preferably mobilized FA.
Immune response to nucleotide-supplemented infant formulae: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gutiérrez-Castrellón Pedro , Mora-Magaña Ignacio , Díaz-García Luisa , Jiménez-Gutiérrez Carlos , Ramirez-Mayans Jaime , Solomon-Santibáñez Guillermo A 
Published: October 2007

Human milk is recommended as the only alimentary source for the first six months of life. Additionally there is a medical and social need for safe and effective alternative forms of nutrition for infants who cannot be fed with breast milk. Recently the safety and efficacy of some ingredients in infant formulae, such as nucleotides have been discussed. This systematic review analyzed the available evidence to establish the efficacy, safety and dose-response effect of ribonucleotide-supplemented infant formulae (RSIFs). Randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing RSIFs to formulae without nucleotides or breast milk were considered in this review. Outcome measures were: antibody titres to common paediatric vaccinations, total lymphocytes, lymphocyte subclasses and NK-cells, episodes of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection. Publication quality was determined using Jadad and CONSORT guidelines. Results were combined using a random effects model and reported through standardised mean differences (WMD) or risk ratio (RR). Systematic review and meta-analysis showed that RSIFs were associated with a better antibody response to immunisation withHaemopillus influenzaevaccine [SMD 1·74 (99 %CI 1·43–2·05),P = 0·001], diphtheria toxoid [SMD 0·94 (0·75–1·12),P = 0·001], oral polio vaccine [SMD 0·73 (0·51–0·95),P = 0·001], and fewer episodes of diarrhoea [RR 0·67 (0·58–0·76),P = 0·02]. We did not find a major risk of upper respiratory infections [RR 1·11 (0·90–1·36),P = 0·50]. Available evidence suggests a positive benefit of RSFIs on infant health without any risk. These benefits begin with nucleotide addition of 1·9 mg/418·4 kJ and are maintained or increased with 10·78 mg/418·4 kJ.
Assessment of tomato source breeding material through mating designs
Authors: KOUTSIKA-SOTIRIOU M. S. , TRAKA-MAVRONA E. A. , EVGENIDIS G. L. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYCultivated tomato has a narrow germplasm base because of several population bottlenecks in the form of founder events, as well as natural and artificial selections that occurred during domestication and evolution of modern cultivars. The F2of commercial single-cross hybrids, as well as locally well-adapted varieties, provide germplasm for developing recombinant lines and exploiting genetic variability, respectively. The present study aims to discriminate the breeding value of tomato source material, i.e. commercial hybrids or well-adapted varieties, by (i) estimating tolerance to inbreeding of hybrids or estimating heterosis of diallel hybrids between varieties, (ii) determining undesirable traits and (iii) determining general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects from diallel crosses between hybrids and between varieties. Two hybrids and four varieties were assessed. One hybrid showed 0·03 inbreeding vigour, which was not combined with undesirable traits in the F2generation. However, negative GCA and positive SCA values did not support the hybrid as source material, provided that hybrids with low inbreeding depression, positive GCA and negative SCA correspond to an F2capable of developing recombinant lines. The assessment of the varieties showed positive GCA and 0·34 heterosis in one variety, indicating agreement between yield and GCA, and that high-yielding varieties may produce high-yielding hybrids. In conclusion, the proposed mating design, taking into account the tolerance to inbreeding for hybrids and the heritability of general worth for both resources, provides a mechanism for ensuring continued improvement in plant performance through plant selection programmes.
Evidence that primary infection of Charollais sheep withToxoplasma gondiimay not prevent foetal infection and abortion in subsequent lambings
Authors: MORLEY E. K. , WILLIAMS R. H. , HUGHES J. M. , THOMASSON D. , TERRY R. S. , DUNCANSON P. , SMITH J. E. , HIDE G. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYA study carried out on a sheep farm examined whetherToxoplasma gondiifoetal infection and associated abortion occur in successive lambings. We identified 29 ewes that gave birth to lambs on at least 2 successive years over our study period, 2000–2003. Tissue samples from the progeny of these ewes were analysed by PCR to determine infection status withT. gondii.T. gondii-infected lambs were born in 31% of successive pregnancies.T. gondii-positive lambs were aborted in successive pregnancies in 21% of lambings during study period, 2000–2003. The frequency of successive abortions within this flock over the period 1992–2003 was 18%. If a lamb was congenitally infected there was a high risk (69%) that the successive lamb from that ewe would also be congenitally infected. Similarly, if a lamb was aborted there was a high risk (55%) of abortion in the next lamb produced. These data suggest that life-long immunity toT. gondiiinfections may not always be acquired following an initial infection and raises the question as to whether the mechanisms ofT. gondiitransmission prior to and during ovine pregnancies are fully understood.
Meta-analyses of cognitive functioning in euthymic bipolar patients and their first-degree relatives
Authors: Arts B. , Jabben N. , Krabbendam L. , van Os J. 
Published: October 2007

BackgroundPrevious work suggests that impairments in executive function and verbal memory in particular may persist in euthymic bipolar patients and serve as an indicator of genetic risk (endophenotype).MethodA systematic review of the literature was undertaken. Effects sizes were extracted from selected papers and pooled using meta-analytical techniques.ResultsIn bipolar patients, large effect sizes (d>0.8) were noted for executive functions (working memory, executive control, fluency) and verbal memory. Medium effect sizes (0.5<d<0.8) were reported for aspects of executive function (concept shifting, executive control), mental speed, visual memory, and sustained attention. Small effect sizes (d<0.5) were found for visuoperception. In first-degree relatives, effect sizes were small (d<0.5), but significantly different from healthy controls for executive function and verbal memory in particular.ConclusionsExecutive function and verbal memory are candidate bipolar endophenotypes given large deficits in these domains in bipolar patients and small, but intermediate, cognitive impairments in first-degree relatives.
Challenges and growth: the development of the interdisciplinary field of institutional analysis
Authors: OSTROM ELINOR 
Published: October 2007

Abstract:This article briefly describes some of the intellectual challenges during the last half-century to the traditional fields of economics and political science: the public choice approach, the tragedy of the commons debate, the ‘new’ institutional economics, and behavioral game theory. Then, the components of a basic institutional analysis framework are presented that provide a general method for analyzing public economies and diverse forms of collective action. Empirical research related to metropolitan public economies, common-pool resources, and behavioral game theory is summarized that has contributed to the field of institutional analysis. The last section concludes that the macro foundations of institutional analysis appear firmer than the micro foundations related to the model of the individual to be used and discusses this puzzle.