bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adsorption and degradation of four acidic herbicides in soils from southern Spain
Authors: Villaverde Jaime , Kah Melanie , Brown Colin D 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Pesticide degradation and adsorption in soils are key processes determining whether pesticide use will have any impact on environmental quality. Pesticide degradation in soil generally results in a reduction in toxicity, but some pesticides have breakdown products that are more toxic than the parent compound. Adsorption to soil particles ensures that herbicide is retained in the place where its biological activity is expressed and also determines potential for transportation away from the site of action. Degradation and adsorption are complex processes, and shortcomings in understanding them still restrict the ability to predict the fate and behaviour of ionisable pesticides. This paper reports the sorption and degradation behaviour of four acidic pesticides in five soils from southern Spain. Results are used to investigate the influence of soil and pesticide properties on adsorption and degradation as well as the potential link between the two processes.RESULTS: Adsorption and degradation of four acidic pesticides were measured in four soils from Spain characterised by small organic matter (OM) contents (0.3–1.0%) and varying clay contents (3–66%). In general, sorption increased in the order dicamba < metsulfuron‐methyl < 2,4‐D < flupyrsulfuron‐methyl‐sodium. Both OM and clay content were found to be important in determining adsorption, but relative differences in clay content between soils were much larger than those in OM content, and therefore clay content was the main property determining the extent of herbicide adsorption for these soils. pH was negatively correlated with adsorption for all compounds apart from metsulfuron‐methyl. A clear positive correlation was observed for degradation rate with clay and OM content (P < 0.01), and a negative correlation was observed with pH (P < 0.01). The exception was metsulfuron‐methyl, for which degradation was found to be significantly correlated only with soil bioactivity (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Both OM and clay content were found to be important in determining adsorption, but relative differences in clay content between soils were much larger than those in OM content, and therefore clay content was the main property determining the extent of herbicide adsorption for soils of this type. pH was negatively correlated with adsorption for all compounds apart from metsulfuron‐methyl. The contrasting behaviour shown for these four acidic pesticides indicates that chemical degradation in soil is more difficult to predict than adsorption. Most of the variables measured were interrelated, and different behaviours were observed even for compounds from the same chemical class and with similar structures. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Glyphosate sustainability in South American cropping systems
Authors: Christoffoleti Pedro J , Galli Antonio JB , Carvalho Saul JP , Moreira Murilo S , Nicolai Marcelo , Foloni Luiz L , Martins Bianca AB , Ribeiro Daniela N 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSouth America represents about 12% of the global land area, and Brazil roughly corresponds to 47% of that. The major sustainable agricultural system in South America is based on a no‐tillage cropping system, which is a worldwide adopted agricultural conservation system. Societal benefits of conservation systems in agriculture include greater use of conservation tillage, which reduces soil erosion and associated loading of pesticides, nutrients and sediments into the environment. However, overreliance on glyphosate and simpler cropping systems has resulted in the selection of tolerant weed species through weed shifts (WSs) and evolution of herbicide‐resistant weed (HRW) biotypes to glyphosate. It is a challenge in South America to design herbicide‐ and non‐herbicide‐based strategies that effectively delay and/or manage evolution of HRWs and WSs to weeds tolerant to glyphosate in cropping systems based on recurrent glyphosate application, such as those used with glyphosate‐resistant soybeans. The objectives of this paper are (i) to provide an overview of some factors that influence WSs and HRWs to glyphosate in South America, especially in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay soybean cropped areas; (ii) to discuss the viability of using crop rotation and/or cover crops that might be integrated with forage crops in an economically and environmentally sustainable system; and (iii) to summarize the results of a survey of the perceptions of Brazilian farmers to problems with WSs and HRWs to glyphosate, and the level of adoption of good agricultural practices in order to prevent or manage it. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Background noise removal in ultrasonic B‐scan images using iterative statistical techniques
Authors: Wells I. , Charlton P. C. , Mosey S. , Donne K. E. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe interpretation of ultrasonic B‐scan images can be a time‐consuming process and its success depends on operator skills and experience. Removal of the image background will potentially improve its quality and hence improve operator diagnosis. An automatic background noise removal algorithm is proposed, enabling the highlighting of defects and aiding the operator in the location and sizing of any anomalies. The method provides a means to successfully remove the background from a B‐scan image. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Practical applications of design of experiments in the field of engineering: a bibliographical review
Authors: Ilzarbe Laura , Álvarez María Jesús , Viles Elisabeth , Tanco Martín 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe design of experiments (DoE) methodology is a technique that has been applied for many years in industry to improve quality. In this study, a summary of 77 cases of practical DoE application in the field of engineering is presented. All of the cases were published in important scientific journals between 2001 and 2005. The type of design that is applied, the size of the experiment, the number of factors that influence the response variable, and the sector of application of the design are analyzed. In addition, the increasing use of these designs over time is demonstrated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The development of preservice elementary teachers' curricular role identity for science teaching
Authors: Forbes Cory T. , Davis Elizabeth A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCurriculum materials are a crucial tool with which teachers engage in teaching practice. For preservice teachers to learn to use science curriculum materials in productive ways, they must develop a conception of themselves as elementary teachers in which the use of science curriculum materials is a valued dimension of science‐teaching practice. We define those dimensions of teachers' professional role identities concerned with the use of curriculum materials ascurricular role identity. This mixed‐methods study examines preservice elementary teachers' development of curricular role identity for science teaching through their use of science curriculum materials. Forty‐seven preservice elementary teachers in two sections of an elementary science methods course were studied over the course of one semester. Data sources include survey results from preservice teachers in both course sections as well as interviews, observations, and course artifacts from preservice teachers studied in‐depth. Results suggest preservice teachers articulate important differences between their own and more experienced elementary teachers' curricular role identity for science teaching and make progress toward appropriating the latter. Supporting them to do so requires emphasizing interactions with science curriculum materials as part of teacher education and providing classroom‐based experiences through which they can put their developing curricular role identities into action. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Sci Ed92:909–940, 2008
An epistemological approach to modeling: Cases studies and implications for science teaching
Authors: Sensevy Gérard , Tiberghien Andrée , Santini Jérôme , Laubé Sylvain , Griggs Peter 
Published: February 2008

AbstractModels and modeling are a major issue in science studies and in science education. In addressing such an issue, we first propose an epistemological discussion based on the works of Cartwright (1983, 1999), Fleck (1935/1979), and Hacking (1983). This leads us to emphasize the transitions between the abstract and the concrete in the modeling process, by using the notions of nomogical machine (Cartwright, 1999), language game (Wittgenstein, 1953/1997), and thought style (Fleck, 1935/1979). Then, in the light of our epistemological approach, we study four cases coming from the implementations of research‐based design activities (SESAMES, 2007). These four case studies illustrate how students are engaged in constructing relations between the abstract and the concrete through modeling activities, by elaborating at the same time specific language games and appropriate thought styles. Finally, we draw some implications for science teaching. It is suggested that considering didactic nomological machines as embedding knowledge on the one hand, and classes as thought collectives, on the other hand, may relevantly contribute to science education and science education research. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 92:424–446, 2008
The effects of cocaine on regional brain glucose metabolism is attenuated in dopamine transporter knockout mice
Authors: Thanos Panayotis K. , Michaelides Michael , Benveniste Helene , Wang Gene Jack , Volkow Nora D. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCocaine's ability to block the dopamine transporter (DAT) is crucial for its reinforcing effects. However the brain functional consequences of DAT blockade by cocaine are less clear since they are confounded by its concomitant blockade of norepinephrineand serotonin transporters. To separate the dopaminergic from the non‐dopaminergic effects of cocaine on brain function we compared the regional brain metabolic responses to cocaine between dopamine transporter deficient (DAT−/−) mice with that of their DAT+/+ littermates. We measured regional brain metabolism (marker of brain function) with 2‐[18F]‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) and microPET (μPET) before and after acute cocaine administration (i.p. 10 mg/kg). Scans were conducted 2 weeks apart. At baseline DAT−/− mice had significantly greater metabolism in thalamus and cerebellum than DAT+/+. Acute cocaine decreased whole brain metabolismand this effect was greater in DAT+/+ (15%) than in DAT−/− mice (5%). DAT+/+ mice showed regional decreases in the olfactory bulb, motor cortex, striatum, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum whereas DAT−/− mice showed decreases only in thalamus. The differential pattern of regional responses to cocaine in DAT−/− and DAT+/+ suggests that most of the brain metabolic changes from acute cocaine are due to DAT blockade. Cocaine‐induced decreases in metabolism in thalamus (region with dense noradrenergic innervation) in DAT−/− suggest that these were mediated by cocaine's blockade of norepinephrine transporters. The greater baseline metabolism in DAT−/− than DAT+/+ mice in cerebellum (brain region mostly devoid of DAT) suggests that dopamine indirectly regulates activity of these brain regions. Synapse, 62:319–324, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nutrition aspects in children receiving maintenance hemodialysis: impact on outcome
Authors: Srivaths Poyyapakkam R. , Wong Craig , Goldstein Stuart L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractChildren with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have rates of mortality estimated to be 30-times higher than expected for age compared with those of healthy children. Physical manifestations of under-nutrition, such as body mass index (BMI) and low height standard deviation score (SDS), have been associated with increased risk of mortality. Traditional measures, such as height, weight and serum albumin concentration, may not be accurate indicators to assess the nutritional status of children receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) has emerged as a better marker of nutritional status of such children. Meeting the special nutritional needs of these children often requires nutritional supplementation, by either the enteral or the parenteral route. Recently, in children receiving maintenance hemodialysis who are malnourished, intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) has been utilized as a means to provide additional protein and calories. This article is a state-of-the-art review of malnutrition in children receiving maintenance hemodialysis, with special focus on outcome, nPCR and IDPN.
Monotropastrum humile var. humile is associated with diverse ectomycorrhizal Russulaceae fungi in Japanese forests
Authors: Yamada Akiyoshi , Kitamura Daisei , Setoguchi Masanobu , Matsuda Yosuke , Hashimoto Yasushi , Matsushita Norihisa , Fukuda Masaki 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMonotropastrum humile is nearly lacking in chlorophyll and obtains its nutrients, including carbon sources, from associated mycorrhizal fungi. We analyzed the mycorrhizal fungal affinity and species diversity of M. humile var. humile mycorrhizae to clarify how the plant population survives in Japanese forest ecosystems. We classified 78 samples of adult M. humile var. humile individuals from Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyusyu Islands into 37 root mycorrhizal morphotypes. Of these, we identified 24 types as Russula or Lactarius fungal taxa in the Russulaceae, Basidiomycetes, but we could not identify the remaining 13 types as to their genus in the Basidiomycetes. The number of fungal species on M. humile var. humile was the highest in the plant subfamily. The diversity of fungal species revealed its increased trends in natural forests at the stand level, fagaceous vegetation, and cool‐temperate climate. The most frequently observed fungus colonized mainly samples collected from sub‐alpine forests; the second most frequently observed fungus colonized samples collected from sub‐alpine to warm‐temperate forests. These results suggest that Japanese M. humile populations are associated with specific but diverse fungi that are common ectomycorrhizal symbionts of various forest canopy trees, indicating a tripartite mycorrhizal relationship in the forest ecosystem.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Oil Extraction from Olive Cake
Authors: Meziane Smail , Kadi Hocine 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe kinetics of oil extraction from olive cake by using ethanol 96% was studied for different solvent‐to‐solids ratios and temperatures. The thermodynamic aspect of the extraction process was also examined. In the kinetic study, the results produced by the model of So and Macdonald (a model involving two main mechanisms of oil extraction: a washing process and a diffusion process with two stages) were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The yield of oil in the extract increased with increasing contact time, solvent‐to‐solids ratio and extraction temperature. The calculated values of the mass transfer coefficients of various stages of the extraction were found to increase linearly with solvent‐to‐solids ratio and temperature. In all cases, the predominant mechanism in the extraction was the washing of the oil occurring on the particle surface. The values of the activation energy were 8.56 kJ mol−1 for the washing stage, 9.88 kJ mol−1 for the first stage of diffusion and 17.55 kJ mol−1 for the second stage of diffusion by changing temperature from 20 to 50 °C. Further, the results obtained from thermodynamic study of extraction process gave positive values of enthalpy and entropy changes and negative values of change in free energy. Under the equilibrium conditions, the temperature coefficient was found to be 1.02.
Preparation of Phosphatidylated Terpenes via Phospholipase D‐Mediated Transphosphatidylation
Authors: Yamamoto Yukihiro , Hosokawa Masashi , Kurihara Hideyuki , Miyashita Kazuo 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTerpenes such as geraniol, geranylgeraniol, farnesol, and phytol are known as functional compounds which exhibit anticancer effects and activate nuclear receptors. For the application of functional terpenes in various fields, including the cosmetic and food industries, we attempted to synthesize phosphatidylated terpenes (terpene‐PLs) by using phospholipase D (PLD). Transphosphatidylation of phosphatidylcholine with terpenes was carried out using PLD in a biphasic system containing ethyl acetate/water or in an aqueous system without organic solvent. The yield of terpene‐PL increased with the reaction time and the amount of PLD in both the biphasic and aqueous systems. Further, the yield of terpene‐PL in the aqueous system was higher than that in the biphasic system. In addition, among four PLDs from Streptomyces sp., Streptomyces chromofuscus, cabbage, and peanut, only the PLD from Streptomyces sp. could synthesize terpene‐PL. The reaction yield, based on substrate phospholipid, of phosphatidylgeraniol reached 90 mol% under the following optimal reaction conditions: 50 μmol soyPC; 2,000 μmol geraniol; 1.6 U PLD; 0.8 ml of 0.2 M sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.6); temperature, 37 °C ; and reaction time, 24 h. The reaction yields of phosphatidylfarnesol, phosphatidylgeranylgeraniol, and phosphatidylphytol were 73, 54, and 17 mol%, respectively.
Biostratigraphy and systematics of late Asselian–early Sakmarian (Early Permian) fusulinids (Foraminifera) from southern Turkey
Authors: OKUYUCU CENGİZ 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe Anatolian Platform, which was a part of the Gondwanan Platform, is mainly characterized by carbonate-dominated deposits ranging in age from Devonian to Permian. The biostratigraphy and systematics of a late Asselian–early Sakmarian fusulinid fauna from the Anatolian Platform including Eastern and Central Taurides have been investigated in three sections: Özbek Hill, Eskibey and Bademli. Twenty-four fusulinid taxa, belonging to twelve genera, were determined in a single fusulinid zone dated as late Asselian–early Sakmarian. Early–middle Asselian fusulinid faunas have not been observed in any of the measured sections throughout the Anatolian Platform. This indicates that lower to middle Asselian deposits are represented by an interval characterized by quartz sandstone overlying upper Gzhelian strata. Five new species (Pseudochusenella anatoliana,Pseudofusulinoides altineri, Pseudofusulinoides convexus,Pseudofusulinoides subglobosusandPseudofusulinoides vachardi) are described in this study. The Early Permian fusulinid fauna correlates very well with the fauna of other sections in the Palaeotethyan realm (Southern Alps, Central Asia, Southern China and Japan).
Hypotensive anaesthesia with remifentanil combined with desflurane or isoflurane in tympanoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Kaygusuz K , Yildirim A , Kol I Ozdemir , Gursoy S , Mimaroglu C 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective:To compare the effect of remifentanil combined with desflurane or isoflurane on the quality of the operative field and surgical conditions, blood loss, and recovery during tympanoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery.Design:Randomised, double-blinded clinical study.Subjects:Sixty-four patients were scheduled for elective tympanoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: desflurane or isoflurane. After anaesthesia induction, all patients received a continuous remifentanil infusion of 0.2–0.5 µg/kg/min until a mean arterial pressure of 65–75 mmHg was achieved. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were recorded throughout anaesthesia. Blood loss was measured at the end of surgery. Achievement of a bloodless operative field was rated on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Following completion of surgery, the time to extubation and to achievement of an Aldrete score of nine or more was recorded.Results:Sixty-three patients were evaluated. The total dose of remifentanil and the total blood loss were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Time to extubation and to an Aldrete score of nine or more for the desflurane group was significantly less than for the isoflurane group (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the extent of achievement of a bloodless operative field, as assessed via visual analogue scale, comparing the study groups (p > 0.05).Conclusion:Although desflurane and isoflurane both enabled good surgical conditions (in terms of quality of operative field) and convenient induction of hypotension for tympanoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery, the recovery characteristics of desflurane were better than those of isoflurane. Therefore, desflurane may be preferable to isoflurane in such circumstances.
A maternal hereditary deafness pedigree of the A1555G mitochondrial mutation, causing aminoglycoside ototoxicity predisposition
Authors: Bai Y-H , Ren C-C , Gong X-R , Meng L-P 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective:To characterise the hearing loss, and the frequency of the mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid 12S ribosomal ribonucleic acid A1555G mutation, in a large pedigree of aminoglycoside-induced deafness.Design:Hearing loss was clinically assessed. Blood samples were collected from 27 family members (19 matrilinear and eight non-matrilinear) and leukocyte deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted. Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid fragments, spanning the 1555 location, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Polymerase chain reaction products were analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing.Results:We detected the A1555G mutation in all 19 matrilinear relatives. Of these 19, two exhibited congenital deafness, four had no hearing deficits and the remaining 13 suffered mild to profound hearing loss.Conclusion:We confirmed that the A1555G mutation is a ‘hot spot’ associated with non-syndromic, inherited hearing loss. This mutation may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of hearing impairment, and can result in various grades of deafness.
Prospective, case–control study of surgical efficiency of ultrasonic shear (‘harmonic scalpel’) thyroidectomy compared with conventional thyroidectomy
Authors: Kang S K , Kunanandam T , Clark L 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectives and hypothesis:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonic shear (‘harmonic scalpel’) thyroidectomy, compared with conventional thyroidectomy.Study design:Prospective, case–control comparison.Methods:Twenty-three consecutive patients were recruited over an eight-month period. Patients were divided into two groups according to their thyroidectomy technique, i.e. ultrasonic shear technique (harmonic scalpel)vsconventional technique (scalpel and bipolar diathermy). Surgical time, thyroidectomy type and thyroid specimen weight were recorded by theatre nursing staff. The ratio of surgical time to specimen weight, in minutes per gram, was used to measure surgical efficiency. The unpaired Student'st-test was used for statistical analysis.Results:The mean surgical time per specimen unit weight was 2.56 min/g for harmonic scalpel thyroidectomy and 5.99 min/g for conventional thyroidectomy. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.037). The difference was most evident for procedures involving smaller thyroid glands.Conclusions:Our study suggests that thyroidectomy using a harmonic scalpel is more time-efficient than conventional thyroidectomy, especially when operating on smaller thyroid glands.