bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Educational Equity on the Quality of Education in Selected Schools in Kwimba District, Tanzania
Authors: Fulmes Edwin Z. , Mwila Prospery M. , Onyango Daniel O. 
Published: March 2024

This study examined the effect of educational equity on the quality of education specifically, how the equitable distribution of resources affects quality education in public secondary schools in Kwimba district. It employed a mixed research approach with an embedded design and comprised 271 participants, including students, teachers, heads of schools, ward education officers (WEOs), and district education officers (DEOs). The study was carried out in kwimba district, Mwanza Tanzania from July,2023 to September, 2023. Both probability and nonprobability sampling techniques were used to select the participants. The data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and document reviews. The findings revealed that despite the number of challenges, the equitable distribution of resources significantly affected the attendance, retention, and performance rate of students. The results show that equity in resources improves education through the provision of nutrition and food, fee-free programs, the equitable distribution of teaching and learning materials, the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, and the allocation of qualified and adequate teachers. Basing on the findings, it was concluded that to improve the quality of education in secondary schools in Kwimba district, there should be a concerted effort to ensure the equitable allocation of educational resources. There should be a collaborative effort among parents, the community and the government to ensure that the challenges that limit students from accessing school resources are minimized or eliminated.
Food Consumption, Purchasing and Dietary Pattern of Farm Women in Dharwad District, Karnataka State, India
Authors: Ravi Y.  , Sannapapamma K. J.  , Muktamath Vinutha , Channal Geeta , Desai Rajeshwari , Badami Sumangala 
Published: March 2024

Present study was undertaken to analyze the socio-economic and nutritional status of women involved in farm activities and to know the impact of nutri-farms on food, nutrition and health security. Using 300 farm women in Chamarajanagar district. Health and nutritional status assessment, food intake, nutritional adequacy and screening for iron deficiency anaemia and KAP study on health and nutrition was conducted. Malnutrition is still one of the crucial problems in developing countries which is relationship between nutrition and health among a majority of the population. The objective of the study was dietary pattern of before and after intervention. This paper tries to analyze the food consumption and dietary pattern of women involved in farm activities and to know the impact of nutri-farms on food and nutrition security by using of 500 farm women in Dharwad district. A well-structured questionnaire was framed to gather the information on dietary pattern of the subjects was assessed by 24– hour diet recall method before and after intervention. The results revealed that, Among cereals, rice was consumed daily (90.4%) by all the families, where as food intake was observed that Pulses (67.67), milk and milk products (167.60), roots and tubers (67.80), GLV’s (47.17), other vegetables (96.47), fruits (37.33), fats and oil (17.70) consumption is very low when compared to RDA whereas consumption of cereal was on par with the recommended dietary allowances. The mean nutrient intake of energy (1794.5 kcal), protein (36.95 g), fat (17.95 g), iron (18.98 mg) and Vitamin C(42.85 mg) were less when compared to the RDA. The results shows that all nutrients and food intake consumption was found inadequate.
Physiological Efficiency of Weeds in Rice Fallow Fields
Authors: K.Kalaichelvi  
Published: March 2024

Photosynthetic rate, Transpiration rate and Stomatal Conductance is measured in different weeds during July’2020 in rice fallows using IRGA- Photosynthesis system model Lci- T. We have chosen all the weeds at flowering to maturity phase and observed the data. Among the weeds analysed Parthenium hysterophorus has recorded very high Photosynthetic rate (µ molm-2 Sec-1)and there was difference with stage also, Flowering stage (165.28) has recorded a higher photosynthetic rate followed by vegetative (123.2) and maturity phase (118.72) and found that transpiration rate also followed the same trend. Even this has recorded more than the C4 crop photosynthetic rate for example Trianthema portulacastrum which has recorded a photosynthetic rate of 21.98, which was the next highest photosynthetic rate among the weeds recorded and as well as over C4 crops too. Among the grasses Paspalum sp., Echinochloa colona (7.81µ molm-2 Sec-1)) and Cynodon dactylon (4.2µ molm-2 Sec-1)) has recorded higher photosynthetic rate. Cyperus and Cyanodonhas recorded with lesser stomatal conductance and transpiration rate but has recorded higher photosynthetic rate which can thrive better in rainfeds also. Echinochloa has more transpiration rate and stomatal conductance among grasses and this might be due to their water loving nature. Boerhavia diffusa, Euphorbia hirta and Ruella tuberosa are recorded with lesser stomatal conductance. On critically analysing the weeds, it was observed that some weeds like Parthenium are reported with higher photosynthetic rate with lesser transpiration rate and stomatal conductance over better photosynthetic efficiency crop like maize and also this has resulted in the better withstanding ability to the water stress. Correlation analysis showed that photosynthesis and Transpiration rate are positively correlated but weak (r=0.28) and the regression equation is (Y=4.98+4.32(x)), photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance are also positively correlated but weak (r=0.20) and the regression equation is Y= 20.36+17.04(X). Transpiration and Stomatal Conductance is positively and strongly correlated (r=0.57) and regression equation is Y=3.92+2.51(x).
Assessment of Off-Grid Power Plants in Nigeria: Location, Capacity, Performance and Current Status
Authors: I. A. Oke , C. O. Ahiakwo , H. N. Amadi , Ojuka O. E.  
Published: March 2024

The power sector in Nigeria still struggles with significant electricity challenges resulting from the unavailability of power supply and the unreliability of the conventional national grid. The total installed capacity of off-grid plants in Nigeria is approximately a meagre 52 MW, with a combination of 67 operational mini-grids and solar home systems across the country impacting only about one million households and around five million residents out of Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people. It has been reported that both urban and rural areas suffer the impact of power shortages and frequent blackouts. The unreliability of power supply in Nigeria has been identified as a significant problem affecting educational institutions in terms of productive learning, student residency and institutional operations, and also the overall operation of healthcare facilities as it limits access to quality healthcare services. The study examines the presence and potential of off-grid power solutions in Nigeria which present a more reliable approach to supplying electricity to users, as a deliberate response to the multiple and complex challenges in the Nigerian power systems to identify the present location, installed capacity, operational performance, and current status of off-grid power plants in Nigeria. The Geographic Information System and statistical approaches were employed. It was discovered that off-grid solutions are beginning to spread across the country on different scales. However, most rural areas in Nigeria still do not have access to electricity supply. The study encourages decentralized power generation in the country and emphasizes the need for the federal government through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to consider investing in off-grid solutions, particularly in the rural areas for socio-economic benefits.
Preparation of Smart Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Conjugates via Stimuli‐Responsive Linkages
Authors: You Y.‐Z. , Hong C.‐Y. , Pan C.‐Y. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this paper, we modified carbon nanotubes with the thiol‐reactive species, subsequently combined the thiol‐coupling reaction and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization to prepare temperature‐responsive PNIPAAm (poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide))‐carbon nanotube conjugates. The prepared PNIPAAm‐carbon nanotube conjugates have temperature‐responsive PNIPAAm chain, and disulfide linkages between PNIPAAm and carbon nanotube which are sensitive to bio‐stimuli such as glutathione, therefore dual‐responsive polymer‐carbon nanotube conjugates have been prepared.
Highly Efficient Diels–Alder Crosslinkable Electro‐Optic Dendrimers for Electric‐Field Sensors
Authors: Shi Z. , Hau S. , Luo J. , Kim T.‐D. , Tucker N. M. , Ka J.‐W. , Sun H. , Pyajt A. , Dalton L. , Chen A. , Jen A. K.‐Y. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractOne of the most challenging tasks encountered in developing highly efficient electro‐optic (EO) devices is to find a material system that possesses all desirable properties such as large EO coefficients, good thermal and mechanical stability, and low optical loss. In order to meet this stringent requirement, we have developed a series of crosslinkable EO dendrimers using the standardized AJL8‐type chromophore as the center core and the furyl‐ and anthryl‐containing dendrons as the periphery. Upon adding a trismaleimide (TMI) dienophile, these dendrimers could be in‐situ crosslinked via the Diels–Alder cycloaddition and efficiently poled under a high electric field. Through this dynamic process, the spatially voided and π‐electron‐rich surrounding of the chromophore core changes into a dense and more aliphatic network, with the dipolar chromophore embedded and aligned inside. The resultant materials exhibit large EO coefficients (63–99 pm V–1 at 1.31 μm), excellent temporal stability (the original r33 values remain unchanged at 100 °C for more than 500 h), and blue‐shifted near‐IR absorption. With these combined desirable properties, a poled EOD2/TMI film could be processed through multiple lithographic and etching steps to fabricate a racetrack‐shaped micro‐ring resonator. By coupling this ring resonator with a side‐polished optical fiber, a novel broadband electric‐field sensor with high sensitivity of 100 mV m–1 at 550 MHz was successfully demonstrated.
Clay Assisted Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes in Conductive Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Liu L. , Grunlan J. C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractClay was introduced into single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/epoxy composites to improve nanotube dispersion without harming electrical conductivity or mechanical performance. Unlike surfactant or polymer dispersants, clay is mechanically rigid and known to enhance the properties (e.g., modulus, gas barrier, and flame retardation) of polymer composites. Combining nanotubes and clay allows both electrical and mechanical behavior to be simultaneously enhanced. With just 0.05 wt % SWNT, electrical conductivity is increased by more than four orders of magnitude (from 10–9 to 10–5 S cm–1) with the addition of 0.2 wt % clay. Furthermore, the percolation threshold of these nanocomposites is reduced from 0.05 wt % SWNT to 0.01 wt % with the addition of clay. SWNTs appear to have an affinity for clay that causes them to become more exfoliated and better networked in these composites. This clay‐nanotube synergy may make these composites better suited for a variety of packaging, sensing, and shielding applications.
Rapid Fabrication of Micro‐ and Nanoscale Patterns by Replica Molding from Diatom Biosilica
Authors: Losic D. , Mitchell J. G. , Lal R. , Voelcker N. H. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDiatoms are single‐celled micro‐algae that possess an exoskeleton (called frustule) comprised of diverse and highly ordered 3D porous silica structures and that hold considerable promise for biological or biomimetic fabrication of nanostructured materials and devices. We have used, for the first time, a soft lithographic approach of replica molding to replicate porous diatom structures into polymers. Two centric diatom species, Coscinodiscus sp., Thalassiosira eccentrica cultured in our laboratory were used as masters for replication. In the first step, replica molding onto soft and elastic polymer using poly(dimethylsiloxane) PDMS produced a negative replica of the diatom frustule. These PDMS replicas were then used as a mold to fabricate the positive polymer replicas of diatoms using a mercaptol ester type UV curable polymer (NOA 60). Fabricated polymer replicas were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In all cases, diatom micro‐ and nanoscale porous structures were successfully transferred with high precision into polymer replicas. Such an accomplishment effectively demonstrates the potential for using diatoms as blueprints for rapid and simple fabrication of polymer nanostructures. The prepared replicas were used as diffraction gratings and as nanowells to hold polymeric nanoparticles effectively demonstrating the functional properties of these biomimetic structures.
Contact Instability of Elastic Bilayers: Miniaturization of Instability Patterns
Authors: Mukherjee R. , Pangule R. , Sharma A. , Tomar G. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe show, both experimentally and theoretically, that the free surface of an elastic bilayer becomes spontaneously rough when brought in contact with another rigid surface. The lateral length scales of these self‐organized structures were found to scale as: λ = RF h, where h is the total bilayer thickness. The scale factor, RF could be modulated by the ratios of the individual film thicknesses and shear moduli. This is unlike the case of a single elastic film where the scale factor is independent of all material properties, RF ∼ 3. A linear stability analysis shows that the instability patterns in the bilayer can be tuned from the short waves (∼ 0.5 h) to long waves (∼ 8 h). Experiments show good agreement with the theoretical predictions regarding the existence of short wave deformations. Further, a rather catastrophic change in the wavelength from its minimum value, ∼h/2, to a limiting value of ∼ 3 h occurs by very small changes in the film thicknesses. This effect is explained by a switching of states in the bilayer energy curve which displays two minima at different wave numbers. Thus, the contact instability of elastic bilayers suggests novel strategies for the control of adhesion and engineering of feature sizes in a wide range. In particular, these findings have implications for further pattern miniaturization in the elastic contact lithography using pre‐patterned stamps.
Facile Synthesis of Monodisperse Magnesium Oxide Microspheres via Seed‐Induced Precipitation and Their Applications in High‐ Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Zhang Z. , Zheng Y. , Chen J. , Zhang Q. , Ni Y. , Liang X. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractLow‐cost, uniform, and monodisperse spherical particles are desirable for a variety of applications. We report the realization of uniform spherical magnesium oxide with a diameter of 10.5 μm and specific surface area of 140.9 m2 g–1 resulting from a facile seed‐induced precipitation in the presence of a trace amount of phosphate species. By optimizing the experimental parameters, the results demonstrate that the morphologies of magnesium oxide precursors are very sensitive to the amount and the sequence of addition of Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O seeds, as well as the amount and type of phosphate species. These particles have also been used as a packing material for high performance liquid chromatography. In comparison with the commercial spherical silica, as‐synthesized spherical magnesium oxide exhibits excellent efficiency in the separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and has a larger retention to planar compounds in contrast to non‐planar ones. It is believed that this method will provide a simple and versatile approach to large‐scale production of spherical magnesium oxide via a facile seed‐induced mechanism. The spherical magnesium oxide may find widespread use as a packing material in the group separation of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons from target samples.
Tubular Titania Nanostructures via Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐Assembly
Authors: Yu A. , Lu G. Q. , Drennan J. , Gentle I. R. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractNanostructured titania‐polyelectrolyte composite and pure anatase and rutile titania tubes were successfully prepared by layer‐by‐layer (LbL) deposition of a water‐soluble titania precursor, titanium(IV) bis(ammonium lactato) dihydroxide (TALH) and the oppositely charged poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) to form multilayer films. The tube structure was produced by depositing inside the cylindrical pores of a polycarbonate (PC) membrane template, followed by calcination at various temperatures. The morphology, structure and crystal phase of the titania tubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and UV‐vis absorbance measurements. The as‐prepared anatase titania tubes exhibit very promising photocatalytic properties, demonstrated by the degradation of the azodye methyl orange (MO) as a model molecule. They are also easily separated from the reaction system by simple filtration or centrifugation, allowing for straightforward recycling. The reported strategy provides a simple and versatile technique to fabricate titania based tubular nanostructures, which could easily be extended to prepare tubular structures of other materials and may find application in catalysis, chemical sensing, and nanodevices.
Neonatal seizures
Authors: Silverstein Faye S. , Jensen Frances E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn childhood, the risk for seizures is greatest in the neonatal period. Currently used therapies have limited efficacy. Although the treatment of neonatal seizures has not significantly changed in the past several decades, there has been substantial progress in understanding developmental mechanisms that influence seizure generation and responsiveness to anticonvulsants. This review includes an overview of current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal seizures, identifies some of the critical factors that have limited progress, and highlights recent insights about the pathophysiology of neonatal seizures that may provide the foundation for better treatment. Ann Neurol 2007
Prediction of hemorrhagic transformation after recanalization therapy using T2*‐permeability magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Bang Oh Young , Buck Brian H. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Alger Jeffry R. , Yoon Sa Rah , Starkman Sidney , Ovbiagele Bruce , Kim Doojin , Ali Latisha K. , Sanossian Nerses , Jahan Reza , Duckwiler Gary R. , Viñuela Fernando , Salamon Noriko , Villablanca J. Pablo , Liebeskind David S. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectivePredicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is critical in the setting of recanalization therapy for acute stroke. Dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for detection of increased blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability recently have been developed. We evaluated the ability of a novel MRI permeability technique to detect baseline derangements predictive of various forms of HT after recanalization therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pretreatment MRI data on patients undergoing recanalization therapy for acute cerebral ischemia at a university medical center from January 2004 to November 2006. Pretreatment MRI permeability images derived from perfusion source data were compared with posttreatment imaging to evaluate whether baseline BBB permeability derangements may predict HT after recanalization therapy. The use of a novel permeability technique to illustrate BBB derangements was based on the detection of decreased signal intensity at later time points in perfusion MRI acquisition, signifying continued local accumulation of contrast caused by leakage.ResultsAmong 32 patients, some degree of HT occurred in 12. Permeability image abnormalities at baseline were present in 7 of 12 patients with HT and none of the 20 patients without HT on follow‐up images. The sensitivity of permeability abnormality for parenchymal hematoma was 83%. False‐negative findings were noted in five cases, most commonly asymptomatic or minor HT after mechanical clot retrieval.InterpretationPermeability images derived from pretreatment perfusion MRI source data may identify patients at risk for HT with high specificity. Our preliminary demonstration of permeability imaging based on standard perfusion data for prediction of hemorrhage merits further study with dedicated MRI BBB permeability acquisitions and multicenter validation. Ann Neurol 2007
Phenotypic characterization of hypomyelination and congenital cataract
Authors: Biancheri Roberta , Zara Federico , Bruno Claudio , Rossi Andrea , Bordo Laura , Gazzerro Elisabetta , Sotgia Federica , Pedemonte Marina , Scapolan Sara , Bado Massimo , Uziel Graziella , Bugiani Marianna , Lamba Laura Doria , Costa Valeria , Schenone Angelo , Rozemuller Annemieke J. M. , Tortori‐Donati Paolo , Lisanti Michael P. , van der Knaap Marjo S. , Minetti Carlo 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo define the clinical and laboratory findings in a novel autosomal recessive white matter disorder called hypomyelination and congenital cataract, recently found to be caused by a deficiency of a membrane protein, hyccin, encoded by the DRCTNNB1A gene located on chromosome 7p21.3‐p15.3.MethodsWe performed neurological examination, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and neuropathological studies on sural nerve biopsy in 10 hypomyelination and congenital cataract patients from 5 unrelated families.ResultsThe clinical picture was characterized by bilateral congenital cataract, developmental delay, and slowly progressive neurological impairment with spasticity, cerebellar ataxia, and mild‐to‐moderate mental retardation. Neurophysiological studies showed a slightly to markedly slowed motor nerve conduction velocity in 9 of 10 patients, and multimodal evoked potentials indicated increased central conduction times. Neuroimaging studies demonstrated a diffuse supratentorial hypomyelination, with in some patients, additional areas of more prominent signal change in the frontal region. Sural nerve biopsy showed a slight‐to‐severe reduction in myelinated fiber density, with several axons surrounded by a thin myelin sheath or devoid of myelin.InterpretationHypomyelination and congenital cataract is a novel autosomal recessive white matter disorder characterized by the unique association of congenital cataract and hypomyelination of the central and peripheral nervous system. Ann Neurol 2007
α‐olefin homopolymerization and ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization catalysed by novel ansa‐group IV complexes/MAO system
Authors: Yang Xiaoxia , Zhang Yong , Huang Jiling 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe catalytic properties of a set of ansa‐complexes (R‐Ph)2C(Cp)(Ind)MCl2 [R = tBu, M = Ti (3), Zr (4) or Hf (5); R = MeO, M = Zr (6), Hf (7)] in α‐olefin homopolymerization and ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization were explored in the presence of MAO (methylaluminoxane). Complex 4 with steric bulk tBu group on phenyl exhibited remarkable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization. It was 1.6‐fold more active than complex 11 [Ph2C(Cp)(Ind)ZrCl2] at 11 atm ethylene pressure and was 4.8‐fold more active at 1 atm pressure. The introduction of bulk substituent tBu into phenyl groups not only increased the catalytic activity greatly but also enhanced the content of 1‐hexene in ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization. The highest 1‐hexene incorporation was 25.4%. In addition, 4 was also active for propylene and 1‐hexene homopolymerization, respectively, and low isotactic polypropylene (mmmm = 11.3%) and isotactic polyhexene (mmmm = 31.6%) were obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.