bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Capacity development for smallholder irrigation in Kenya
Authors: Mati Bancy M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis paper presents the experiences on capacity development for irrigation in Kenya, drawing from a study of seven smallholder irrigation schemes, namely: New Mutaro, Emening, Mitunguu, Ng'uuru Gakirwe, Lari, Mukuria‐Kyambogo and Isiolo River Water Users Association. These schemes were selected for their apparent success in irrigation management, sustainability and poverty reduction among the beneficiaries. Although the seven schemes had diverse innovations and enterprises, common drivers of success were identified as: (i) introduction of new knowledge/technology, (ii) availability of markets, (iii) good governance structures, (iv) funding for infrastructure development, and (v) targeted capacity development. It was also found that initial investment costs for smallholder irrigation schemes ranged from about US $198 to $1744 per ha, which is much lower than reported for large public schemes. Generally, all the schemes had recorded improved food security and incomes, with net earnings ranging from US $200 to $1200 per month for single‐crop enterprises. Capacity development had played a major role in the positive performance of the schemes. However, the respective schemes had experienced different modes of capacity building, which included government extension services, NGOs, private sector, research institutes, out‐grower support schemes and farmer‐to‐farmer learning. This paper focuses on the role of capacity development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The four horsemen of tech: Has another bubble burst?
Authors: Tokic Damir 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAfter the subprime mortgage bubble burst, people started looking around to see if other disasters were on the horizon. In the high‐tech sector, the stocks of four companies—Google, Apple, Research in Motion, and Amazon.com—provided strong market leadership during 2007. But following their steep rise in the second half of 2007, the stocks of these “new four horseman of tech” suffered a sharp correction. Has another bubble burst? If so, what does it mean for the broader market? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Send your smart cards to graduate school
Authors: Mooney J. Lowell , Wright Harry R. , Newman Robert C. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA smart card looks and feels like a simple credit card but it is actually a minicomputer without a display screen or keyboard. And due to their proliferation in corporate environments, smart cards represent a major security risk. How can you reduce that risk while still reaping their benefits? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Myth of best practices
Authors: Sanwal Anand 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDoes your company aspire to be its industry leader? The author hopes so, because to be world class, a company must be a leader.However, many companies still seem content to follow the lead of others when it comes to making key organizational decisions. And one of the most damaging follower afflictions, the author argues, is a disease he calls “best practicism.”Does your company suffer from this malady? Why is it so bad—and what can you do about it? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What's the return on your security investment?
Authors: UcedaVelez Tony 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWhat's the return on your company's investment in security? Few companies provide an adequate picture of value for security and compliance— because they simply don't know how to measure or present it.It's time for companies to discover their return on security investment (ROSI), argues the author. Otherwise, security solutions will be only expensive bandages and not cost‐effective remedies. The author explains how to measure and apply ROSI in your company. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immobilization of penicillin G acylase on a composite carrier with a biocompatible microenvironment of chitosan
Authors: Jin Xin , Wu Qi , Chen Qing , Chen Chun‐Xiu , Lin Xian‐Fu 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Penicillin G acylase (PGA) has been used extensively in the β‐lactam antibiotics industry. As a biocatalyst, it is better to use immobilized enzymes than free enzymes, therefore, the immobilization of PGA on a composite carrier consisting of an adsorbent resin and biocompatible chitosan were investigated.RESULTS: First, FT‐IR, BET and SEM analysis confirmed the structure of the composite carrier. Then, the immobilization process was optimized. The activity of the immobilized PGA on the chitosan–resin (IP‐CsR) was about 1300 U (g dry carrier)−1 with a protein loading of about 27 mg (g dry carrier)−1. Compared with the immobilized PGA on unmodified resin (IP‐R), the specific activity of IP‐CsR was enhanced about 2‐fold. The operational, thermal and pH stability were investigated. IP‐CsR maintained more than 75% initial activity after 35 cycles, while IP‐R was active for only 10 cycles. The half‐life at 50 °C increased from 75 to 300 min and the most stable pH was changed from 8.0 to 5.5.CONCLUSION: A novel composite carrier containing a biocompatible chitosan was very effective for PGA immobilization. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Bax mRNA therapy using cationic liposomes for human malignant melanoma
Authors: Okumura Kenya , Nakase Minoru , Inui Madoka , Nakamura Shinnosuke , Watanabe Yoshihiro , Tagawa Toshiro 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackgroundBax is a pro‐apoptotic molecule that functions as a tumor suppressor and Bax gene therapy has been examined for various cancers. Gene transfer by mRNA lipofection is more efficient than plasmid DNA lipofection and, in the present study, we examined the anti‐tumor effects in human malignant melanoma cells (HMGs) using Bax mRNA lipofection.MethodsBax protein expression, cell growth inhibition, caspase‐3 activity and apoptosis were examined in vitro. Liposome‐Bax mRNA was applied locally once every 5 days for a total of five times to peripheral HMG tumors transplanted in nude mice. Tumor growth inhibition was evaluated by measuring the tumor volume and apoptosis was detected using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay.ResultsEnhanced expression of Bax protein was observed following Bax mRNA transfer and cell survival was 59.8%. Caspase‐3 activity and TUNEL‐positive cells increased significantly following Bax mRNA lipofection compared to Bax plasmid transfer. In mice, tumor growth increased only slightly during liposome‐Bax mRNA administration and the tumor volume on day 30 (10 days after completion of administration) was 36.7% of that in the saline control group. By contrast, Bax plasmid transfection resulted in little change in tumor growth compared to controls.ConclusionsBax mRNA therapy using liposomes has stronger anti‐tumor effects than Bax gene therapy using a plasmid, and the results suggest that Bax mRNA lipofection may be a viable treatment for malignant melanoma. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A retrovirus‐based system to stably silence GDF‐8 expression and enhance myogenic differentiation in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells
Authors: Yang Zhuo , Zhang Jingwu , Cong Haolong , Huang Zenghong , Sun Lunquan , Liu Changmei , Tien Po 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackgroundMyostatin, also called GDF‐8, a secreted growth and differentiating factor that belongs to the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily, is a known negative regulator of myogenesis in vivo. Overexpression of GDF‐8 contributes to the lack of differentiation in human rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells. We investigated whether a retrovirus‐based RNA interference (RNAi) system against GDF‐8 expression in human RMS cells would enhance myogenic differentiation.MethodsA retrovirus‐based RNAi system was developed that utilized the U6‐RNA polymerase III promoter to drive efficient expression and deliver the GDF8‐specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) in human RMS cell A204. In this system, the retrovirus vector was integrated into the host cell genome and allowed stable expression of shRNAs. GDF‐8 expression was determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis. An 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine the cell proliferation. Myogenic differentiation markers were monitored by western blotting analysis. Cell cycle and apoptosis was determined by propidium iodide staining and analysed in a flow cytometer.ResultsIn the siGDF8 A204 cell pools, the levels of both GDF‐8 mRNA and protein were dramatically reduced by this RNAi system. In differentiation conditions, inhibition of myostatin synthesis led to enhanced cell cycle withdrawal, consequently stimulated myogenic differentiation and increased the rate of tumor cell apoptosis.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that deactivation of myostatin by using retrovirus‐based RNAi thus may be useful for therapy in rhabdomyosarcomas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of glucuronide‐conjugated anabolic steroid metabolites: method validation and interlaboratory comparison
Authors: Hintikka Laura , Kuuranne Tiia , Leinonen Antti , Thevis Mario , Schänzer Wilhelm , Halket John , Cowan David , Grosse Joachim , Hemmersbach Peter , Nielen Michel W. F. , Kostiainen Risto 
Published: June 2008

AbstractLiquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) method for simultaneous and direct detection of 12 glucuronide‐conjugated anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) metabolites in human urine is described. The compounds selected were the main metabolites detected in human urine after dosing of the most widely abused AAS in sports, e.g. methandienone, methenolone, methyltestosterone, nandrolone and testosterone, and certain deuterium‐labeled analogs of these metabolites. Sample preparation and the LC–ESI–MS/MS method were optimized, validated, and the overall process was implemented and the results between seven laboratories were compared. All the metabolites were extracted simultaneously by solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by LC–ESI–MS/MS with positive ionization mode and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Recovery of the SPE for the AAS glucuronides was 89–100% and ten out of twelve compounds had detection limits in the range of 1–10 ng/ml in urine. The results for inter/intraday repeatability were satisfactory and the interlaboratory comparison with authentic urine samples demonstrated the ease of method transfer from one instrument setup to another. When equivalent triple quadrupole analyzers were employed the overall performance was independent from instrument manufacturer, electrospray ionisation (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and liquid chromatohraphic (LC) column, whereas major differences were encountered when changing from one analyzer type to another, especially in the analysis of those AAS glucuronides ionized mainly as adducts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can glycans unveil the origin of glycoprotein hormones?—human chorionic gonadotrophin as an example—
Authors: Ramírez‐Llanelis R. , Llop E. , Ventura R. , Segura J. , Gutiérrez‐Gallego R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDoping with (glyco)protein hormones represent an extremely challenging, analytical problem as nearly all are constitutively present at low concentrations that fluctuate according to circadian or alternative periodical, or external stimuli. Thus the mere concentration in a biological sample is only resolutive when this surpasses extreme values. As the vast majority of these molecules are produced by recombinant DNA technology it is believed that the exogenous molecules could bear the signature of the host cell. In particular, these could comprise structural differences originated from co or post‐translational differences. In this study we have employed both proteomics and glycomics strategies to compare recombinant and urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin in order to evaluate this hypothesis. As anticipated the recombinant hormone could be shown to contain N‐glycolyl neuraminic acid, a sialic acid that cannot be produced by humans. Furthermore, differences were observed in the overall glycosylation, in particular the presence of abundant hybrid‐type glycans that were much less pronounced in the recombinant species. These differences were determined to occur predominantly in the α‐subunit for which antidoping strategies focussed on these elements could be used for both chorionic gonadotrophin and lutrophin as they share the same α‐subunit. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative DFT study on the role of conformers in the ruthenium alkylidene‐catalyzed ROMP of norborn‐2‐ene
Authors: Naumov Sergej , Buchmeiser Michael R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractComparative quantum chemical calculations on the reaction pathways for the formation of ruthena(IV)cyclobutanes from both 1st‐ and 2nd‐generation Grubbs catalysts of the general formula RuX2(L)(L′)(CH2) (L = PCy3 or 1,3‐dimesityl‐4,5‐dihydroimidazolin‐2‐ylidene, L′ = PCy3) and norborn‐2‐ene (NBE) were carried out on the B3LYP/LACVP** level in dependence on the ligand X = I, Br, Cl, and F. The mechanism proposed by Straub for the formation of (one) active and (three) inactive NBE–Ru–carbene complexes for non‐cyclic alkenes was applied to the cyclic alkene NBE. In RuX2(PCy3)2(CH2), the inactive NBE–Ru–carbene complex is energetically more stable than the active one; however, in RuX2(IMesH2)(PCy3)(CH2), the active NBE–Ru–carbene complex is more stable than the inactive one. In due consequence, the possible rate limiting barrier for the conversion of the NBE–Ru–carbene complex into the corresponding metallocyclobutane (MCB) is systematically larger in the case of 1st‐generation Grubbs catalysts than of 2nd‐generation Grubbs catalysts due to an additional re‐arrangement for the formation of an active π‐complex from the more stable (inactive) conformer. This correlates with the observed reactivity of both types of initiators. There is a strong influence of the ligands L and X on the conformational properties and relative stabilities of the 14‐electron intermediates, which has a direct effect on the distribution of the inactive and active conformations of the corresponding Ru–carbene–NBE complexes. A direct correlation between the conformational properties of the 14‐electron intermediates and the relative stabilities of the active Ru–carbene–NBE complexes was observed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Usage of high‐performance mattresses for transport of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphin
Authors: Suzuki Miwa , Hirako Ken , Saito Shinji , Suzuki Chie , Kashiwabara Takeshi , Koie Hiroshi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractGround transport can be a stressful operation for dolphins if the long period of restraint causes damage to internal organs, especially to the lung, generated by their own weight. Buoyancy is deprived from dolphins under moist transport, in which dolphins are transported on mattresses. Upgrading mattresses is an effective way to modify the transportation method so as to compensate for the loss of buoyancy. In Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), we tried to find mattresses that performed well at distributing the dolphins' weight and preserved their pulmonary function. When using EV‐17 (thickness, 50 mm) put on EE‐20 (thickness, 50 mm), a wider support area, less extreme changes in pressure, and lower maximum pressures were observed compared with other mattress systems tested. On this mattress system, lower breathing rates, lower heart rates, and higher exhaled CO2 concentrations were shown compared with using standard mattresses. These results suggest that the performance of the combination of EV‐17 and EE‐20 is better than that of the standard mattress in terms of the cardiopulmonary function of dolphins. Zoo Biol 27:331–340, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From Hilary of Poitiers to Peter of Blois: a Transfiguration journey of biblical interpretation
Authors: Stevenson Kenneth 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe Transfiguration narratives have received considerable attention from New Testament scholars, but so far very little has been written about them from the point of view of their reception-history. The purpose of this article is to examine the ways in which they have been interpreted in the Latin West from the time of Hilary of Poitiers in the fourth century to Peter of Blois in the early thirteenth. Among these writers, from the big names like Jerome to the lesser known figures like Peter of Celle, a varied tapestry emerges where light allegory plays an important part, whether in the symbolisms given to the choice of the three disciples, Peter, James and John, or to the dazzling clothes of Christ as baptismal – a particular insight of Bede, which keeps recurring in subsequent writers and preachers. Unlike the East, where the Transfiguration became a major festival on 6 August from the seventh century onwards, the Latin West was slow to absorb it; but it was given particular impetus by Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny, in the twelfth century. Whether read as narrative in connection with Lent (‘glory before cross’), or as a festival in its own right, the Transfiguration emerges as an unusually rich source of biblical interpretation that poses real challenges to the use of the religious imagination today. And it provides a significant contribution to the development of a balanced view of reception-history in our own time.
Differing and changing attitudes in the Jewish exegetical tradition to the fulfilment of the biblical land covenant
Authors: Rosen Jeremy 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIt is commonly supposed that religions treat their sacred texts with a degree of rigidity and literality. The fact is that every and any text can be read and understood differently. This essay, written from a Jewish perspective, examines the biblical statements about the Promised Land and looks at how the promises to the early “fathers” have been understood at different times. Together with the Divine commitments came a reciprocal human obligation. It was the perceived abrogation by the Children of Israel of their side of the bargain that was seen as the reason for Exile after the First Destruction. By the time of the Second Destruction Christianity made new claims about the nature of the Holy Land and declared itself the New Israel and the successors of the Chosen People. In response to this and to the depredations of Exile, Judaism once again reinterpreted and adapted the original texts and the first wave of interpretation to meet different circumstances.The aim of the essay is to describe the different theological approaches to the texts in the context of historical events. Simplistic assumptions and reading do not do justice to the complexity and variety of religious reactions to identical sources even within the same tradition.
The Muslim Samson: medieval, modern and scholarly interpretations
Authors: Rippin Andrew 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe biblical figure of Samson (Judges 13: 1–16: 31) is not mentioned by name in the Quran. He was, however, incorporated by medieval Muslims such as al-Ṭabarī and Tha‘labī into the quranic prophetic world. How and why that was accomplished is the initial focus of this paper. While the medieval ability to find Samson in the text of scripture was admittedly limited, the attempt does illustrate the process of fitting scripture into a pre-existing world view itself composed on the basis of a variety of competing priorities. That world view does not always agree with the biblical text, nor with the full dimension of the living traditions of Judaism and Christianity; rather, the overall cultural framework of the Islamic tradition necessitated a range of interpretive strategies, dictated by the demands of the interpretive situation. Putting this medieval interpretive process in focus provides a context for discussing some modern Muslim views of Samson, about whom it is sometimes proclaimed proudly that he is not to be found in scripture. Why that position should be taken proves revealing of the process and the priorities of modern quranic interpretation. Marked by the abandonment of the value of tradition, contemporary interpretive strategies involve the same hermeneutical processes found in the medieval approach – the fitting of world views to the text of scripture – with the primary difference to be located in the rejection of the accumulative nature of the interpretive enterprise. Finally, the role of modern “secular” scholarship interacts with Muslim tradition by its focus on the boundaries of a strict scriptural text as the source of Islam. The scholarly focus on the textual is seen in a world view not of confessional dogma but one that still supports a confessional position that is also textually focused. It pretends to an appearance of being “scientific”. Scholarship plays its own political role within the process of modern interpretation.
The Mahābhārata as national history and allegory in modern tales of Abhimanyu
Authors: Lothspeich Pamela 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDuring a renaissance of Hindu mythology in the late colonial period, the Mahābhārata in particular was embraced as the essential account of the nation's ancient past. In the many literary retellings of the period, epic history is often recast as national history, even as the epic narratives themselves are inscribed with allegorical significance. Such is the case in the many poems and plays on the subject of Abhimanyu and his nemesis Jayadrath, including the most famous example in Hindi, Maithilisharan Gupta's narrative poem, Jayadrath-vadh (The slaying of Jayadrath, 1910). In this essay I situate Gupta's poem within the genre of paurāṇik or mythological literature and read the poem against the Abhimanyu-Jayadrath episode as found in the critical edition of the Sanskrit Mahābhārata to illustrate how Gupta both modernizes the poem and imbues it with nationalist ideology. I ultimately argue that Gupta's Abhimanyu is like a freedom fighter battling an imperial goliath, and his wife, Subhadra, a model for women dedicated to the cause. I also discuss some of the subsequent literature on Abhimanyu which was inspired by Gupta's classic work, and which also re-envisions the story in terms of contemporary political circumstances.
Resonant enhancement of electron energy by frequency chirp during laser acceleration in an azimuthal magnetic field in a plasma
Authors: Singh K.P. , Malik H.K. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractElectron acceleration by a chirped laser pulse in an azimuthal magnetic field in a plasma has been studied. The betatron resonance saturates and the electrons start losing energy beyond a specific point of time without a frequency chirp. The resonance can be maintained for a longer duration and the energy of the electrons can be enhanced if a suitable frequency chirp is introduced. The duration of interaction increases for a lower plasma density or a lower initial electron energy which causes increase in the electron energy gain. The value of magnetic field required for resonance increases with an increase in plasma density and with a decrease in initial electron energy.
Ubiquity and large intersections properties under digit frequencies constraints
Authors: BARRAL JULIEN , SEURET STÉPHANE 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe are interested in two properties of real numbers: the first one is the property of being well-approximated by some dense family of real numbers {xn}n≥1, such as rational numbers and more generally algebraic numbers, and the second one is the property of having given digit frequencies in some b-adic expansion.We combine these two ways of classifying the real numbers, in order to provide a finer classification. We exhibit sets S of points x which are approximated at a given rate by some of the {xn}n, those xn being selected according to their digit frequencies. We compute the Hausdorff dimension of any countable intersection of such sets S, and prove that these sets enjoy the so-called large intersection property.