bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Palm oil mill effluent pretreatment using Moringa oleifera seeds as an environmentally friendly coagulant: laboratory and pilot plant studies
Authors: Bhatia Subhash , Othman Zalina , Ahmad Abdul L 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis research paper covers the suitability of the coagulation–flocculation process using Moringa oleifera seeds after oil extraction as a natural and environmentally friendly coagulant for palm oil mill effluent treatment. The performance of M. oleifera coagulant was studied along with the flocculant KP 9650 in removal of suspended solids, organic components and in increasing the floc size. The optimum values of the operating parameters obtained from the laboratory jar test were applied in a pilot‐scale treatment plant comprised of coagulation–flocculation and filtration processes. Pilot‐scale pretreatment resulted in 99.7% suspended solids removal, 71.5% COD reduction, 68.2% BOD reduction, 100% oil and grease removal and 91% TKN removal. In pilot plant pretreatment, the percentage recovery of water was 83.3%, and 99.7% sludge was recovered after dewatering in a filter press. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Addition of bisphosphonate to antibiotic and anti‐inflammatory treatment reduces bone resorption in experimental Staphylococcus aureus‐induced arthritis
Authors: Verdrengh Margareta , Carlsten Hans , Ohlsson Claes , Tarkowski Andrej 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBacterial arthritis is a disease with high morbidity leading to rapidly progressive bone resorption. We have shown earlier that treatment with antibiotics in combination with corticosteroids decreases joint inflammation and mortality but does not significantly affect bone/cartilage destruction of the joints. This study was performed to assess the effect of treatment with bisphosphonate [zoledronic acid (ZA)] in combination with antibiotics and corticosteroids, on the course and outcome of Staphlococcus aureus‐induced arthritis. Three days after intravenous inoculation with S. aureus, mice were treated with antibiotics alone, ZA alone, ZA and antibiotics, or ZA combined with antibiotics and corticosteroids, respectively. One group served as controls and received PBS. Clinical assessment of arthritis was performed as well as histological analysis of bone and cartilage destruction in the joints. One femur from each mouse was collected for bone mineral density (BMD) analysis. In addition, serum levels of type I collagen fragments (RatLaps), and osteocalcin, markers for osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity, respectively, were analyzed. Mice treated with ZA and antibiotics or with ZA in combination with antibiotics and corticosteroids lost significantly less in trabecular bone density compared to infected control mice. Furthermore, the addition of corticosteroids to animals treated with ZA and antibiotics, significantly decreased serum levels of RatLaps and osteocalcin, compared to animals treated with ZA and antibiotics or ZA alone. Treatment with bisphosphonates in combination with antimicrobial agents and corticosteroids significantly decreases the activity of osteoclasts in septic arthritis, thereby reducing the risk of skeletal destruction. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Striatal delta opioid receptor binding in experimental models of Parkinson's disease and dyskinesia
Authors: Hallett Penelope J. , Brotchie J.M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractEnhanced delta opioid receptor transmission may represent an endogenous compensatory mechanism in parkinsonism to reduce the activity of the indirect striatopallidal pathway following dopamine depletion. Furthermore, increased delta opioid receptor transmission may be causative in the production of dyskinesia following repeated dopaminergic treatment in Parkinson's disease. The present study employed radioligand receptor autoradiography, using [3H]naltrindole, a ligand selective for the delta opioid receptor, to assess delta opioid receptor binding sites in forebrain regions of reserpine‐treated rats, and in parkinsonian nondyskinetic, and dyskinetic MPTP‐lesioned macaques. In reserpine‐treated animals, specific delta opioid binding was increased in premotor cortex (+30%), sensorimotor striatum (+20%), and associative striatum (+17%) rostrally, but was not changed in caudal forebrain. In contrast, delta opioid receptor binding was not significantly altered at any region analyzed, in either nondyskinetic or dyskinetic, MPTP‐lesioned macaques, compared to normal. These results suggest that transient changes in delta opioid receptor binding may occur in motor circuits following acute dopamine depletion. However, in the more chronic MPTP‐lesioned macaque model, simple changes in delta opioid receptor number or affinity are unlikely to contribute to mechanisms for abnormal opioid transmission in Parkinson's disease and dyskinesia. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Gadolinium mixed‐micelles: Effect of the amphiphile on in vitro and in vivo efficacy in apolipoprotein E knockout mouse models of atherosclerosis
Authors: Briley‐Saebo Karen C. , Amirbekian Vardan , Mani Venkatesh , Aguinaldo Juan Gilberto S. , Vucic Esad , Carpenter David , Amirbekian Smbat , Fayad Zahi A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractGadolinium (Gd) micelles are nanoparticles that incorporate phospholipids, surfactants, and lipophilic Gd complexes. Preliminary studies have shown that lipid‐based nanoparticles may penetrate atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of the current study was to prepare, characterize, and evaluate in vivo the efficacy of two Gd micelle formulations using apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE−/−) mouse models of atherosclerosis. Gd micelles were prepared using two different amphiphiles but similar GdDTPA lipids, surfactants, and fluorescent labels. The results indicate that the choice of amphiphile may affect the particle size, relaxivity, and blood clearance in wild‐type mice (WT). However, the in vivo MR efficacy, with respect to uptake in the vessel wall of ApoE−/− mice, was not affected by the amphiphile used. Significant wall enhancement of ApoE−/− mice was observed following administration of 0.015 and 0.038 mmol Gd/kg of both micelle formulations. No significant enhancement of the vessel wall of WT mice was observed for any of the dosages or formulations tested. Additionally, liver uptake 24 hr post‐injection (p.i.) was not influenced by the choice of amphiphile. The results of this study strongly suggest that liver uptake and wall enhancement may be regulated by the surface properties of the micelle and not by other factors, such as micelle size. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of neutrophil elastase in elastin metabolism of pelvic tissues from women with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Chen Bertha , Wen Yan , Yu Xiaoyun , Polan Mary Lake 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveAltered elastin metabolism is implicated in pelvic floor disorders. We studied neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities in vaginal tissues from premenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).MethodsElastase and NE activities in vaginal tissues were assessed. Protein and mRNA expressions were determined by RT‐PCR and Western blot. Total elastin and collagen contents were evaluated. To compare the relative elastolytic effect of NE and MMP‐2, we used their respective antibodies to immunoprecipitate these proteins from vaginal fibroblast extracts prior to assessing elastase activity.ResultsElastase activity in vaginal wall tissues was significantly higher in the secretory compared to the proliferative phase. NE mRNA and protein expressions were similar between control and SUI tissues from the secretory phase. However, NE activity in the SUI tissues was higher compared to control tissues. The mRNA expression of alpha‐1 antitrypsin (ATT) was higher in control tissues from the proliferative phase compared to those from the secretory phase, while no difference was observed in SUI tissues between either phase. Protein expression of the active form of ATT was decreased in SUI tissues compared to controls during the secretory phase. Anti‐NE antibody reduced total elastase activity by 60–70%, compared to less than 20% reduction with anti‐MMP‐2 antibody.ConclusionDuring the secretory phase, elastolytic activity is increased in pelvic tissues from women with SUI, through an increase in NE activity and a concurrent decrease in ATT expression. The serine protease, NE, appears to be a more significant modulator of elastase activity compared to MMP‐2. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:274–279, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the effectiveness of top‐down strategy for forecasting autoregressive demands
Authors: Widiarta Handik , Viswanathan S. , Piplani Rajesh 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe investigate the relative effectiveness of top‐down versus bottom‐up strategies for forecasting the demand of an item that belongs to a product family. The demand for each item in the family is assumed to follow a first‐order univariate autoregressive process. Under the top‐down strategy, the aggregate demand is forecasted by using the historical data of the family demand. The demand forecast for the items is then derived by proportional allocation of the aggregate forecast. Under the bottom‐up strategy, the demand forecast for each item is directly obtained by using the historical demand data of the particular item. In both strategies, the forecasting technique used is exponential smoothing. We analytically evaluate the condition under which one forecasting strategy is preferred over the other when the lag‐1 autocorrelation of the demand time series for all the items is identical. We show that when the lag‐1 autocorrelation is smaller than or equal to 1/3, the maximum difference in the performance of the two forecasting strategies is only 1%. However, if the lag‐1 autocorrelation of the demand for at least one of the items is greater than 1/3, then the bottom‐up strategy consistently outperforms the top‐down strategy, irrespective of the items' proportion in the family and the coefficient of correlation between the item demands. A simulation study reveals that the analytical findings hold even when the lag‐1 autocorrelation of the demand processes is not identical. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2007.
Fragmentation reactions of radical cations
Authors: Baciocchi Enrico , Bietti Massimo , Lanzalunga Osvaldo 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis paper summarizes most of the recent work by our group on the kinetic aspects of a variety of fragmentation reactions of radical cations involving the cleavage of CH, OH, CC, and CS bonds. In particular, the problems that have been addressed concern: (a) the carbon acidity/oxygen acidity dichotomy in the fragmentation of aryl‐ and thioarylalkanol radical cations; (b) the decarboxylation of aryl and thioarylacetic acid radical cations; (c) the structural factors influencing the rate of CS bond cleavage in the radical cations of phenyl alkyl sulfides. The results presented and discussed have allowed us to recognize the important role played by the electron reorganization energy, associated with the intramolecular electron transfer from the scissile bond to the SOMO, with respect to the dynamics and mechanism of the fragmentation process in the radical cation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient synthesis of an aldehyde‐capped polythiophene containing fluorinated electron‐withdrawing groups
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Sun Sam‐Shajing 
Published: November 2006

AbstractTo incorporate an acceptor type polythiophene segment onto a supramolecular block copolymer for potential light harvesting applications, effective synthetic routes for the end‐functionalized and acceptor‐substituted polythiophenes are critical. The Ullmann coupling reaction can be utilized to obtain electron‐deficient polythiophenes and to attach terminal thiophene units that carry functional groups. In this article, the reactions involving a 2,5‐dibromothiophene monomer containing an electron‐withdrawing fluorinated ester and 5‐bromo‐2‐thiophenecarboxaldehyde (the end‐capper) were studied in detail. It was found that the Ullmann coupling reaction of the dibromide is very fast (completed in a few minutes) and the terminal bromine group does not survive long under the reaction condition. These findings lead to the development of an effective procedure for aldehyde end‐capping of electron‐deficient polythiophenes. Polymers with molecular weights around 4000 Da are routinely obtained. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 41–47, 2007
Thermally stable, light‐emitting, triphenylamine‐containing poly(amine hydrazide)s and poly(amine‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s bearing pendent carbazolyl groups
Authors: Liou Guey‐Sheng , Huang Nan‐Kun , Yang Yi‐Lung 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA series of new organosoluble poly(amine hydrazide)s were synthesized via the Yamazaki phosphorylation reaction and were solution‐cast into transparent films. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the hydrazide polymers could be thermally cyclodehydrated into the corresponding oxadiazole polymers in the range of 300–400 °C. The resulting poly(amine‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s exhibited glass‐transition temperatures in the range of 276–297 °C, 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 520 °C, and char yields at 800 °C in nitrogen higher than 67%. The hole‐transporting and electrochromic properties were examined with electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammograms of these polymers prepared by the casting of polymer solutions onto an indium tin oxide coated glass substrate exhibited two reversible oxidative redox couples at 1.10–1.19 and 1.35–1.60 V versus Ag/AgCl in an acetonitrile solution, respectively. The poly(amine hydrazide)s revealed excellent stability of the electrochromic characteristics, changing color from the original pale yellow to green and then to blue. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 48–58, 2007
Influence of the initiating mechanism on the cationic photopolymerization of a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin with arylsulfonium salts
Authors: Fernández‐Francos Xavier , Salla Josep M. , Cadenato Ana , Morancho Josep M. , Mantecón Ana , Serra Angels , Ramis Xavier 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe photocuring process of widely used 3,4‐epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3′,4′‐epoxycyclohexane carboxylate has been investigated with differential scanning photocalorimetry and attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared. Mixed salts of triarylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate have been employed as the photoinitiator. The photocuring of the biscycloaliphatic resins exhibits a complex behavior: the overall heat of reaction (including dynamic thermal postcuring) depends on the photocuring temperature, surprisingly high reaction rates are observed at lower photocuring temperatures, and the range of the glass transition of the fully cured material broadens and shifts to higher temperatures as the photocuring temperature increases. It is assumed that the balance between the initiation step and the propagation step is responsible for the changes in the reaction mechanism that produce the observed experimental results. This balance may depend on the amount of the photoinitiator, the irradiation intensity, and the photocuring temperature. The structure and final properties of the material may therefore depend on the adjustment of these parameters. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 16–25, 2007
An in vitro feeding assay to test acaricides for control of hard ticks
Authors: Kröber Thomas , Guerin Patrick M 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAnimal husbandry could not be practised over large areas of the planet without acaricides. The prevention of tick bite and the transmission of diseases requires the use of pesticides, but this contributes to the development of tick resistance against acaricides. This drives the quest for new molecules that target physiological processes crucial to tick survival. In vivo trials involve multiple repetitions because of inherent variations between host animals, requiring large amounts of test products and ticks. An in vitro alternative should permit the testing of the ability of a product to restrict attachment and feeding by ticks at precise doses. In this paper an in vitro feeding system is described where the European tick Ixodes ricinus L. feeds on blood through a cellulose rayon‐reinforced silicone membrane. The membrane Shore hardness is modified to imitate the elastic retraction forces of skin that ensure the closing of tick penetration sites on the membrane to prevent bleeding. Tick attachment (75–100%) is achieved by adding chemical and mechanical stimuli to the membrane. Survival curves for different doses of fipronil and ivermectin tested with the method showed highly reproducible acaricide effects within 5–7 days. Significant effects are recorded down to ppb levels in blood. Standardised tests can be made with blood from the same donor animal or culture medium under the membrane. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Lack of cross‐resistance to indoxacarb in insecticide‐resistant Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)
Authors: Yu Simon J , McCord Elzie 
Published: November 2006

AbstractTwo field strains of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), collected from corn in north Florida showed high resistance to carbaryl (626‐ and 1159‐fold) and moderate resistance to parathion‐methyl (30‐ and 39‐fold) as compared with a laboratory susceptible strain. A field strain of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) collected from cabbage in north Florida and selected for 20 generations with permethrin showed high resistance to permethrin (987‐fold) as compared with a susceptible strain. However, in all instances, no cross‐resistance to indoxacarb, a novel oxidiazine insecticide, was observed in these two species. Biochemical studies revealed that, in S. frugiperda, activities of detoxification enzymes (microsomal oxidase, glutathione S‐transferase and general esterase) were significantly higher in the field strains than in the susceptible strain, indicating that these detoxification enzymes were not actively involved in the resistance to indoxacarb. The lack of cross‐resistance between indoxacarb and permethrin in P. xylostella further supports the notion that the mode of action of these insecticides on the insect sodium channel is different. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Near‐infrared laser absorption of poly(vinyl chloride) at elevated temperatures
Authors: Van de Ven James D. , Erdman Arthur G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractModeling laser transmission welding of thermoplastics requires knowledge of the optical properties of the materials being joined. The optical properties are highly dependent on their unique combinations of base polymer, pigments, and fillers. Because of the complex phase transition that occurs when heating thermoplastics, the optical properties are not a constant, but a function of temperature. During laser transmission welding large changes in the material temperature affect the light absorption, thus changing the characteristics of heating owing to the laser radiation. This paper discusses an experiment measuring diode laser transmission through clear poly(vinyl chloride) samples while increasing the material temperature in an oven. It was found that the absorption coefficient follows repeated peaks and valleys between the glass transition temperature and the melting point. Above the melting point the absorption coefficient increases to a plateau before a further increase that is marked by thermal decomposition. In addition, the decomposition temperature was found to be dependent on the rate of heating. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 12:166–173, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Novel impact modification in a TPO system
Authors: Andrews Anna P. , Dean Anthony , DeFranco Paul 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAn innovative TPO, based upon a complex fluid, is described, which shows an unusual balance of physical properties. The effects of complex fluid composition are addressed in a statistically designed experiment. Physical performance, rheological effects, thermal analysis, and morphological characterization are reported. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 12:183–191, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Outcome after three years of laronidase enzyme replacement therapy in a patient with Hurler syndrome
Authors: Thomas J. A. , Jacobs S. , Kierstein J. , Hove J. Van 
Published: November 2006

SummaryEnzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with laronidase, recombinant α‐l‐iduronidase, for mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) has been clinically available since April 2003. Pre‐approval studies were performed on patients with the more attenuated forms of MPS I, Hurler–Scheie and Scheie syndromes. The clinical efficacy of laronidase on the severe form of MPS I, Hurler syndrome, is not well known. We present a patient with Hurler syndrome who has been treated with laronidase for 3 years. Clinically, the patient demonstrated improvement in urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels and hepatomegaly, but continued to experience decline in respiratory status, musculoskeletal and spinal involvement, and developmental skills. Overall, the benefit of ERT with laronidase in advanced Hurler syndrome appeared to be minimal in this patient.
Rodent acorn selection in a Mediterranean oak landscape
Authors: Pons Josep , Pausas Juli G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractQuercus suber, Quercus ilex and Quercus coccifera (Cork, Holm and Kermes oaks, respectively) are common evergreen oak species that coexist in the landscapes of the western part of the Mediterranean basin. Rodents are the main acorn predators and thus one of the main factors for understanding recruitment patterns in oaks. In this paper we analyse to what extent mice prefer acorns from one oak species over another in three oak species studied using acorn removal experiments and video tape recordings. Twenty labelled acorns from each of the three Quercus species (60 acorns) were placed in 40 cm×40 cm quadrats on each plot. Because selection might vary as a result of the vegetation context, we performed the trials in the five main vegetation types within the study area (four replicates in each vegetation type) in order to control for habitat influences on rodent acorn preferences (a total of 20 plots). The removal of 1,200 acorns occurred within 68 days. Mice removed 98.7% of the acorns. Q. ilex acorns were preferred over Q. suber and Q. coccifera in all vegetation types except in pine forest, where no acorn preferences were detected. Acorn removal rates differed with vegetation type, correlating positively with shrub cover. The distance at which acorns were displaced by rodents (mean =4.6 m±5.1 SD) did not differ between acorn species, but varied among vegetation types. Bigger acorns of Q. coccifera were selected only after Q. ilex and Q. suber acorns were depleted, while no size selection was detected for the latter two species. Thus, we conclude that rodents show preference for some oak acorns and that landscape context contributes significantly to rodent activities and decisions.