bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artificial neural network models for estimating regional reference evapotranspiration based on climate factors
Authors: Dai Xiaoqin , Shi Haibin , Li Yunsheng , Ouyang Zhu , Huo Zailin 
Published: October 2008

AbstractEvapotranspiration (ET) is one of the basic components of the hydrologic cycle and is essential for estimating irrigation water requirements. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model for reference evapotranspiration (ET0) calculation was investigated. ANNs were trained and tested for arid (west), semi‐arid (middle) and sub‐humid (east) areas of the Inner Mongolia district of China. Three or four climate factors, i.e. air temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (U) and duration of sunshine (N) from 135 meteorological stations distributed throughout the study area, were used as the inputs of the ANNs. A comparison was conducted between the estimates provided by the ANNs and by multilinear regression (MLR). The results showed that ANNs using the climatic data successfully estimated ET0 and the ANNs simulated ET0 better than the MLRs. The ANNs with four inputs were more accurate than those with three inputs. The errors of the ANNs with four inputs were lower (with RMSE of 0·130 mm d−1, RE of 2·7% and R2 of 0·986) in the semi‐arid area than in the other two areas, but the errors of the ANNs with three inputs were lower in the sub‐humid area (with RMSE of 0·21 mm d−1, RE of 5·2% and R2 of 0·961. For the different seasons, the results indicated that the highest errors occurred in September and the lowest in April for the ANNs with four inputs. Similarly, the errors were higher in September for the ANNs with three inputs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The hemopexin domain of MMP‐9 inhibits angiogenesis and retards the growth of intracranial glioblastoma xenograft in nude mice
Authors: Ezhilarasan Ravesanker , Jadhav Unmesh , Mohanam Indra , Rao Jasti S. , Gujrati Meena , Mohanam Sanjeeva 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMatrix Metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) consists of a prodomain, catalytic domain with 3 fibronectin‐like type II modules and C‐terminal hemopexin‐like (PEX) domain. These domains play distinct roles in terms of proteolytic activity, substrate binding and interaction with inhibitors and receptors. To assess the potential of the MMP‐9‐PEX domain to interfere with tumor progression, we stably transfected human glioblastoma cells with an expression vector containing a cDNA sequence of the MMP‐9‐PEX. The selected clones exhibited decreased MMP‐9 activity and reduced invasive capacity. We assessed how secretion of MMP‐9‐PEX by glioblastoma cells affects angiogenic capabilities of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) in vitro. MMP‐9‐PEX conditioned medium treatment caused a reduction in migration of HMECs and inhibited capillary‐like structure formation in association with suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and VEGF receptor‐2 protein level. The suppression of HMECs survival by conditioned medium from MMP‐9‐PEX stable transfectants was associated with apoptosis induction characterized by an increase in cells with a sub‐G0/G1 content, fragmentation of DNA, caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 activation and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. A significant tumor growth inhibition was observed in intracranial implants of MMP‐9‐PEX stable transfectants in nude mice with attenuation of CD31 and MMP‐9 protein expression. These results demonstrate that MMP‐9‐PEX inhibits angiogenic features of endothelial cells and retards intracranial glioblastoma growth. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SRPX2 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and promotes cellular migration and adhesion
Authors: Tanaka Kaoru , Arao Tokuzo , Maegawa Mari , Matsumoto Kazuko , Kaneda Hiroyasu , Kudo Kanae , Fujita Yoshihiko , Yokote Hideyuki , Yanagihara Kazuyoshi , Yamada Yasuhide , Okamoto Isamu , Nakagawa Kazuhiko , Nishio Kazuto 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSRPX2 (Sushi repeat containing protein, X‐linked 2) was first identified as a downstream molecule of the E2A‐HLF fusion gene in t(17;19)‐positive leukemia cells and the biological function of this gene remains unknown. We found that SRPX2 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and the expression and clinical features showed that high mRNA expression levels were observed in patients with unfavorable outcomes using real‐time RT‐PCR. The cellular distribution of SRPX2 protein showed the secretion of SRPX2 into extracellular regions and its localization in the cytoplasm. The introduction of the SRPX2 gene into HEK293 cells did not modulate the cellular proliferative activity but did enhance the cellular migration activity, as shown using migration and scratch assays. The conditioned‐medium obtained from SRPX2‐overexpressing cells increased the cellular migration activity of a gastric cancer cell line, SNU‐16. In addition, SRPX2 protein remarkably enhanced the cellular adhesion of SNU‐16 and HSC‐39 and increased the phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), as shown using western blotting, suggesting that SRPX2 enhances cellular migration and adhesion through FAK signaling. In conclusion, the overexpression of SRPX2 enhances cellular migration and adhesion in gastric cancer cells. Here, we report that the biological functions of SRPX2 include cellular migration and adhesion to cancer cells. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical activity and mammographic breast density in a Mediterranean population: The EPIC Florence longitudinal study
Authors: Masala Giovanna , Assedi Melania , Ambrogetti Daniela , Sera Francesco , Salvini Simonetta , Bendinelli Benedetta , Ermini Ilaria , Giorgi Daniela , Rosselli del Turco Marco , Palli Domenico 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA protective effect of physical activity (PA) on breast cancer (BC) risk has been suggested. Few studies have examined the influence of PA on mammographic breast density (MBD), a strong risk factor for BC. In a prospective study in Florence, Italy, we identified 2,000 healthy women with a mammogram taken 5 years after enrolment. Individual mammograms were retrieved (83%) and MBD assessed according to Wolfe's classification. Detailed information on PA at work and during leisure time, reproductive history, lifestyle and anthropometric measurements at enrolment were available for 1,666 women. Information on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was also obtained at mammogram. Women with high‐MBD (P2 + DY Wolfe's patterns) were compared with women with low‐MBD (N1 + P1) by multivariate logistic models. Overall, high‐MBD was inversely associated with increasing levels of leisure time PA (p for trend = 0.04) and among peri‐/postmenopausal women, also with increasing levels of recreational activities (p for trend = 0.02). An interaction between PA and HRT emerged, with a stronger inverse association of highest level of recreational activity with MBD among HRT nonusers (p for interaction = 0.02). A modifying effect by body mass index (BMI) was evident among 1,025 peri‐/postmenopausal women who did not use HRT at the time of mammogram, with a stronger inverse association between recreational PA and MBD in the highest BMI tertile (OR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.20–0.57; p for interaction = 0.03). This large study carried out in Mediterranean women suggests that leisure time PA may play a role in modulating MBD, particularly in overweight/obese peri‐/postmenopausal women. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methionine depletion with recombinant methioninase: In vitro and in vivo efficacy against neuroblastoma and its synergism with chemotherapeutic drugs
Authors: Hu Jian , Cheung Nai‐Kong V. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMethionine starvation can modulate gene methylation, cell cycle transition and pathways related to survival following DNA damage. Methionine depletion by recombinant methioninase (rMETase) may have in vitro and in vivo efficacy against neuroblastoma (NB), especially when combined with chemotherapeutic drugs. rMETase from Pseudomonas putida was produced in Escherichia coli and purified by ion‐exchange chromatography. rMETase alone inhibited the proliferation of 15/15 NB cell lines in vitro. Among these 15 cell lines, only 66N demonstrated rMETase‐induced apoptosis. rMETase alone suppressed LAN‐1 and NMB‐7 xenografts (p < 0.01) and no toxicities were noted other than reversible weight loss. In vitro efficacy experiments combining rMETase and chemotherapeutic agents were carried out using SK‐N‐LD and SK‐N‐BE (1)N established at diagnosis, as well as LAN‐1, SK‐N‐BE (2)C and NMB‐7 established at relapse. Microtubule depolymerization agents including vincristine, vinorelbine, vinblatine and mebendazole showed synergism when tested in combination with rMETase in all 5 cell lines. Among DNA damaging agents, synergy with rMETase was observed only in cell lines established at diagnosis and not at relapse. Cell cycle analysis showed that rMETase arrested G2 phase and not M phase. In vivo efficacy experiments using LAN‐1 and NMB‐7 xenografts showed that rMETase rendered vincristine more effective than vincristine alone in tumor growth suppression (p < 0.001). In conclusion, methionine depletion inhibited NB proliferation and arrested tumor cells at G2 phase. rMETase synergized with microtubule depolymerization agents. Moreover, synergism between rMETase and DNA damaging agents was dependent on whether cell lines were established at diagnosis or at relapse. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing the efficiency of irrigation water users' associations and its determinants: evidence from Tunisia
Authors: Frija Aymen , Speelman Stijn , Chebil Ali , Buysse Jeroen , Van Huylenbroeck Guido 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis article analyses the efficiency of water users' associations (WUAs) in the Cap Bon region of Tunisia and studies its main determinants. The analysis is performed in two stages. First, the efficiency is measured via the non‐parametric “data envelopment analysis” (DEA) technique. The DEA models are constructed not only to assess the overall WUA efficiency but also to evaluate the management and engineering sub‐vector efficiencies separately through a mathematical modification in the initial DEA model. In a second stage critical technical and organizational determinants of efficiencies are assessed using aTobitmodel. Results show that on average, 18.7% of the used inputs could be saved if the WUAs operated on the frontier. The inefficiencies found can furthermore be mainly attributed to the number of years of experience in operating a WUA, in addition to the number of water pipes managed and the irrigation ratio. The average scale efficiency, which can be calculated as the ratio between constant and variable returns to scale efficiencies, was around 71%, indicating that many WUAs are not operating at an efficient scale. The scale inefficiencies result mainly from administrative and organizational variables. Sub‐vector efficiencies show that on average, the inefficiency of WUAs is more linked with inefficiency in expenditures related to their internal management and functioning, than to engineering inefficiencies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of irrigation with treated municipal wastewater on soil properties in arid and semi‐arid regions
Authors: Tabatabaei Sayyed Hassan , Najafi Payam 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe use of municipal wastewater for irrigation needs special management. This is due to the environmental and health hazards. In this study, secondary treated municipal wastewater was used in five irrigation treatments. These treatments were as follows: furrow irrigation with normal water (FN), drip irrigation with wastewater (DI), subsurface drip irrigation in 15 cm depth with wastewater (SDI15), subsurface drip irrigation in 30 cm depth with wastewater (SDI30), and furrow irrigation with wastewater (FW). The results showed that the application of DI and SDI sand filters causes a decrease in wastewater index pollution, including 50.1% BOD5, 98.9% total count, 97.6% total coliform, 93.2% faecal coliform, 57.1% nematode, 81% total nitrogen, 52% N‐NO3, 84% N‐NH4 and 44% total suspended solids. In addition, the application of the SDI system causes a decrease in the moisture content of the soil surface, which decreases total coliform and faecal coliform on the soil surface. The average values for these parameters show no significant difference (5% level) between SDI treatments and FN. The results of this research also show that in the case of SDI with its minimal leaching, prevalence contamination (such as N‐NO3) was minimized as a result of the usage of wastewater at depth and in groundwater. Moreover, in SDI treatments, the maximum EC and SAR leaching are observed at 60 cm depth, whereas in the FW this leaching is observed deeper than 90 cm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting alfalfa hay production as related to water distribution functions
Authors: Montazar Aliasghar 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe present study was carried out to evaluate two crop water production models for estimating the effects of irrigation uniformity on alfalfa hay yields. The models included the ratio of actual to maximum hay yield, two parameters of the sprinkler water uniformity, and the ratio of gross to required irrigation. Measured data from three experimental plots of a farm located in Varamin, Iran, were used for the evaluation of the proposed models. Comparisons showed that the results from both models were in good agreement with experimental results. However, the results obtained from the normal water distribution model were more accurate than those from the uniform water distribution model. The higher predictive accuracy of the normal distribution model may be due to the fact that it follows a normal pattern in terms of irrigation distribution and crop yield. The accuracy of models in estimating alfalfa hay yield improved with an increasing uniformity coefficient. The results indicate that the optimum gross to required irrigation depth ratio decreases with increasing sprinkler water uniformity value. The findings demonstrate the importance of economic constraints in determining the optimum irrigation amount. It was further found that the optimum irrigation depth increased with increasing value of the product to irrigation cost ratio. The results illustrate that normal and uniform models overestimate and underestimate the values of hay yield compared to measured values, respectively. The average difference in the yield estimation compared to measured data was 130 kg ha−1 for the uniform distribution model and 87 kg ha−1 for the normal distribution model. The average alfalfa hay yield over growing period was estimated at 24 400 kg ha−1 for the ranges of CUch between 80 and 90% in the study region. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of salinity on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) growth and evapotranspiration
Authors: Ünlükara Ali , Kurunç Ahmet , Kesmez Gülüzar Duygu , Yurtseven Engin , Suarez Donald L. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe effects of irrigation water salinity on eggplant growth, yield, water consumption and mineral matter accumulation in leaves and fruits were investigated with a greenhouse experiment. For this purpose, five saline irrigation waters with electrical conductivities of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, 7.0 dS m−1 and tap water as a control treatment were utilized. Throughout the experiment, the amounts of irrigation water to be applied were determined based on the weight changes of each pot. After irrigation the amount of drainage water volume was measured in drain pans placed underneath each pot. We calculated the plant water consumption from the water budget information. Threshold soil salinity and slope values of the yield response to soil salinity level were determined as <1.5 dS m−1 and 4.4 respectively for fruit yield and 6.7 dS m−1 and 3.7 for the vegetative dry weight. The fruit yield results revealed that eggplant was moderately sensitive to salinity. Plant water consumption and water use efficiency decreased with increasing salinity. The crop yield coefficient (Ky) was 2.3. Salinity caused a decrease in K content, and increased Cl content of leaves. Although mineral concentration of the leaves did respond to increased mineral concentration of irrigation water, mineral concentration of fruits did not. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of PEGylated calcium phosphate nanoparticles for oral insulin delivery
Authors: Ramachandran Rukmani , Paul Willi , Sharma Chandra P. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe inconvenience of subcutaneous insulin delivery leads to low patient compliance with the dosage regimens. The most desirable form of administration seems to be through the oral route. This work investigates the utility of PEGylated calcium phosphate nanoparticles as oral carriers for insulin. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP) with an average particle size of 47.9 nm (D50) were synthesized and surface modified by conjugating it with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). These modified nanoparticles were having a near zero zeta potential. Protection of insulin from the gastric environment has been achieved by coating the nanoparticles with a pH sensitive polymer that will dissolve in the mildly alkaline pH environment of the intestine. The release profiles of coated nanoparticles exhibited negligible release in acidic (gastric) pH, i.e., only 2% for CaP and 6.5% for PEGylated CaP. However, a sustained release of insulin was observed at neutral (intestinal) pH for over 8 h. The conformation of the released insulin, studied using circular dichroism, was unaltered when compared with native insulin. The released insulin was also stable as it was studied using dynamic light scattering. Radioimmunoassay was performed and the immunoreactivity of the released insulin was found to be intact. These results suggest PEGylated calcium phosphate nanoparticles as an excellent carrier system for insulin toward the development of an oral insulin delivery system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Global slowdown: Is the dollar a good hedge?
Authors: Tokic Damir 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe euro has been a good hedge against the political and economic issues affecting the U.S. economy since 2001. But now, despite a weak U.S. economy, there are signs that the U.S. dollar might be a safe haven for cash and money market deposits in the future.The author discusses the reasons behind the recent depreciation of the U.S. dollar, and the fundamental changes that could strengthen the dollar in the near future. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simple tactics to prevent payment fraud
Authors: Schaeffer Mary S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this economy, payment fraud may be on the rise. But there are some simple tactics you can use to prevent payment fraud. The author explains what they are, and how to use them.This article is adapted from Fraud in Accounts Payable: How to Prevent It by Mary S. Schaeffer, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A treasurer's guide to security broker swindles
Authors: Wolf Fran , Tackett James 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe term securities swindle is commonly associated with fly‐by‐night charlatans who prey on novice investors or the elderly. Many corporate people believe this kind of unscrupulous behavior is uncommon in legitimate financial institutions.But that's not true. And treasury managers—who routinely use brokerage firms for various purposes—can fall victim to securities swindles more easily than you might think.What are the most common swindles out there now? And how must treasurers protect themselves? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2D depiction of nonbonding interactions for protein complexes
Authors: Zhou Peng , Tian Feifei , Shang Zhicai 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA program called the 2D‐GraLab is described for automatically generating schematic representation of nonbonding interactions across the protein binding interfaces. The input file of this program takes the standard PDB format, and the outputs are two‐dimensional PostScript diagrams giving intuitive and informative description of the protein–protein interactions and their energetics properties, including hydrogen bond, salt bridge, van der Waals interaction, hydrophobic contact, π–π stacking, disulfide bond, desolvation effect, and loss of conformational entropy. To ensure these interaction information are determined accurately and reliably, methods and standalone programs employed in the 2D‐GraLab are all widely used in the chemistry and biology community. The generated diagrams allow intuitive visualization of the interaction mode and binding specificity between two subunits in protein complexes, and by providing information on nonbonding energetics and geometric characteristics, the program offers the possibility of comparing different protein binding profiles in a detailed, objective, and quantitative manner. We expect that this 2D molecular graphics tool could be useful for the experimentalists and theoreticians interested in protein structure and protein engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Theoretical study of electronic properties of organic photovoltaic materials
Authors: López‐Martínez Erika Ivonne , Rodríguez‐Valdez Luz María , Flores‐Holguín Norma , Márquez‐Lucero Alfredo , Glossman‐Mitnik Daniel 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIt has been proved that fullerene derivatives, in which an oligophenylenevinylene (OPV) group is attached to C60, present an interesting photophysical phenomenon and can be incorporated into photovoltaic cells. In these systems, the OPV acts as electron donor upon excitation, and then fullerene absorbs photoexcited electrons. These new organic semiconductor materials offer the prospect of lower manufacturing costs and they present several advantages: easy fabrication, large area, flexible and light weight devices when compared with inorganic counter parts. In the present theoretical study, oligomeric chains of p‐phenylenevinylene (n‐PPV, n = 3–8 units) and C60‐OPV hybrids have been studied by density functional theory (DFT). Electronic properties such as electronic absorption and emission spectra were calculated in order to determinate how the increment of spectroscopic units affects their electronic behavior. These properties were carried out with time dependent‐density functional theory (TD‐DFT) and ZINDO semiempirical method. The theoretical calculations of the structural properties of n‐PPV and fullerene‐OPV hybrids were obtained using PBE1PBE/6‐31G and ONIOM two‐layered version, respectively. All calculations were done with Gaussian 03W program package. © 2008 Wiley periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Comparison of predicted native structures of Met‐enkephalin based on various accessible‐surface‐area solvent models
Authors: Zhan Lixin , Chen Jeff Z. Y. , Liu Wing‐Ki 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe examine the variation and similarity of the native structures predicted from various accessible‐surface‐area solvent models for peptide Met‐enkephalin. Both ECEPP/2 and ECEPP/3 force fields have been used in conjunction with ten different sets of accessible‐surface‐area parameterization. The native structures were determined by an implementation of the basin hopping Monte Carlo technique. The results suggest that the implicit solvent models examined in this study should be employed in computer simulations with extreme caution. In addition, the effect of fixing or not fixing the peptide angles ω has been examined. We conclude that fixing ω generally gives rise to a poor prediction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009