bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isotopic investigation of river water mixing around the confluence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers
Authors: Kabeya Naoki , Kubota Tayoko , Shimizu Akira , Nobuhiro Tatsuhiko , Tsuboyama Yoshio , Chann Sophal , Tith Nara 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe Great Lake (Tonle Sap), located in mid‐western Cambodia, is the largest lake in southeast Asia and joins the Mekong through the Tonle Sap River. During the annual monsoon peak from about the end of May, the flow direction in the Tonle Sap reverses and river water from the Mekong flows to the Great Lake. When the water level of the Mekong decreases sufficiently, usually in October, the Tonle Sap again flows in its normal direction from the Great Lake to the Mekong. This study quantitatively investigated interactions between the Tonle Sap River and the Mekong River using the stable isotope ratios of oxygen (δ18O) in waters from both rivers, and estimated the contribution rate of Tonle Sap River water to Mekong River water during the peak flow period of the Tonle Sap River. During this period, the Tonle Sap River contributed approximately 70–97% along the right bank and 0–5% in the middle and left banks of the Mekong. We also observed δ18O of the Mekong River along a longitudinal section on the right bank side, where the contribution rate of the Tonle Sap River water remained high (80%) even 21 km downstream from the confluence. This study clearly demonstrates that we can determine the mixing rate of these rivers at each point after they converge by using stable oxygen isotopes as tracers, when the Tonle Sap flows in its normal direction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technical evaluation and development of low‐head drip irrigation systems in Kenya
Authors: Ngigi Stephen N. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLow‐head drip irrigation technology was recently introduced in Kenya. Imported drip systems are delicate to handle and require special maintenance. No guidelines regarding the optimum combination of lateral length, land slope and operating head were provided. To address the constraints, farmers appealed for technical assistance from research institutions. The objective of the present research was to address the farmers' challenges by evaluating existing low‐head drip irrigation systems to ascertain their performance in terms of water distribution/emission uniformity and to develop simple locally assembled drip irrigation kits. The research work focused on evaluation of emission uniformity and flow variation at different water supply heads, lateral lengths and land slopes. A number of the existing high‐head drip systems were evaluated under low‐head conditions with satisfactory results. Low‐head drip irrigation systems can be used effectively at 0.5–1.5 m water heads without compromising emission uniformity. Based on the technical evaluation, locally assembled drip irrigation systems “dream drip kits” were developed. The paper presents the methodology used for technical evaluation of different drip systems, results of the evaluation and a brief description of the design and development of locally assembled drip irrigation systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal water productivity of irrigation networks in arid and semi‐arid regions
Authors: Montazar Aliasghar , Rahimikob Ali 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe aim of this paper is develop a nonlinear optimisation model for the determination of the optimised water allocation and cropping pattern under adequate and limited water supplies. The water productivity index defined as the net profit to the volume of water used was considered as the objective function. The proposed model was executed for the Ghazvin Irrigation Network located in a semi‐arid region in Iran. The results showed that among the crop types grown in the region, onion and alfalfa have the highest and lowest water productivity value, respectively. These values under drought conditions for the optimal cropping pattern of the two crops were estimated at 75 068.86 and 3054.18 Rls m−3. The findings indicated that the overall water productivity of the irrigation network with relevant cropping pattern management might be raised to as high as 12 700 Rls m−3 under drought conditions. In normal and wet years, depending on the water available and the optimal cropping pattern, the values for this index were estimated to be 15 600 and 12 900 Rls m−3, respectively. For the existing cropping pattern, overall irrigation network productivity is estimated at 10 600 Rls m−3. Hence, the results demonstrated that the water productivity of an irrigation network could be improved as result of the optimal cropping pattern and deficit irrigation. For the study area, the maximum variations of this index may be fixed around 18% for different water regimes. The evaluations emphasise the important role of optimisation models in improving irrigation network efficiency and managing water in a sustainable manner. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retinal nerve fiber layer birefringence evaluated with polarization sensitive spectral domain OCT and scanning laser polarimetry: A comparison
Authors: Götzinger E. , Pircher M. , Baumann B. , Hirn C. , Vass C. , Hitzenberger C. K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA polarization‐sensitive spectral domain optical coherence tomography (PS‐SD‐OCT) system is used to measure phase retardation and birefringence of the human retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in vivo. The instrument records three parameters simultaneously: intensity, phase retardation and optic‐axis orientation. 3D data sets are recorded in the optic nerve‐head area of a healthy and a glaucomatous eye, and the results are presented in various ways: En‐face phase‐retardation maps of the RNFL are generated from the recorded 3D data and results are compared with scanning laser polarimetry (SLP). The depth information provided by OCT is used to segment the RNFL in the intensity image and measure the RNFL thickness. From the retardation and thickness data, 2D birefringence maps of the RNFL are derived. Circumpapillary plots of RNFL retardation and thickness obtained by PS‐SD‐OCT are quantitatively compared with those obtained by SLP. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Recombinant heparan sulfate for use in tissue engineering applications
Authors: Whitelock John , Ma J Leo , Davies Neil , Nielsen Natasja , Chuang Christine , Rees Martin , Iozzo Renato V , Knox Sarah , Lord Megan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Heparan sulfate (HS) is an important component of many extracellular matrices that interacts with mitogens and morphogens to guide and control tissue and organ development. These interactions are controlled by its structure, which varies when produced by different cell types and different species. The major aim of the studies reported here was to isolate and characterize the HS expressed on the N‐terminal domain of human perlecan when it is expressed in human cells.RESULTS: The recombinant proteoglycan was expressed in greatest quantities when the cells were grown as monolayers in the presence of Medium 199. It was purified as a proteoglycan with a molecular weight between 75 and 150 kDa, which was decorated with HS, chondroitin sulfate (CS) and keratan sulfate (KS) in a similar way to the full‐length perlecan from the same cells. Compositional analysis of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains suggested that it contained the same amount of CS and HS, suggesting that one of the attachment sites may not be glycosylated. The HS chains were responsible for the binding of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), while the specific roles of the CS and KS remain unclear.CONCLUSION: Expressing the N‐terminal domain of the proteoglycan perlecan results in a hybrid truncated molecule that binds to growth factors via it's HS and may prove useful to add to scaffolds to encourage cells to respond to growth signals, such as those produced by the FGFs. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Production of activated carbon from agricultural by‐products
Authors: Paraskeva Panagiota , Kalderis Dimitrios , Diamadopoulos Evan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe production of activated carbon from agricultural by‐products is a research field of increasing interest as it deals with the problem of the disposal of agro‐residues, at the same time producing an added‐value product that can be used in a number of environmental applications. The paper presents an overview of the latest developments in processes for the production of activated carbon from agricultural by‐products, with emphasis on the methodology applied, the effect of critical process parameters such as retention time, temperature, chemical to material ratio, as well as the adsorbing capacity of the activated carbons produced in removing select compounds from synthetic and real wastewaters. Agricultural by‐products can be a source for activated carbon production with high surface areas and high adsorption capacity. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The hematopoietic stem cell niche: what are we trying to replicate?
Authors: Hines Michael , Nielsen Lars , Cooper‐White Justin 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe pluripotent nature and self‐renewal capability of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has resulted in these cells being seen as the ideal cell source for the on‐demand production of blood and blood products. This potential to save many thousands of lives is as yet unmet, owing to our inability to reliably expand this cell source ex vivo to clinically relevant numbers. This is, to a large extent, due to the absence of a single cell surface antigen to identify them and an optimum set of in vitro conditions sufficient to expand them while maintaining ‘stemness’. This review briefly summarizes the current research efforts aimed at defining the appropriate in vivo conditions to be mimicked in ex vivo culture. In particular, it focuses on the molecules known to participate in the functionality of the bone marrow stem cell niche. These niche molecules include adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix molecules, and soluble and bound growth factors. Finally, this review proposes an approach to find the optimum conditions for this expansion utilizing smart surfaces and a criterion for developing these surfaces. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
CO2 absorption into amine solutions: a novel strategy for intensification based on the addition of ferrofluids
Authors: Komati Srinivas , Suresh Akkihebbal K 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: In this paper a novel approach for increasing the mass transfer coefficient in gas/liquid mass transfer is reported and applied to the industrially important system of CO2 absorption. The approach makes use of a ferrofluid additive to the liquid phase. To demonstrate this strategy, a wetted wall column has been built and experiments have been conducted on the CO2/methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) system. This reaction system allows the absorption to be carried out in the transition regime between slow and fast regimes, so that the mass transfer coefficient (kL) and interfacial area (ai) can be measured independently, in the presence and absence of ferrofluids. A surfactant‐coated aqueous magnetic fluid was prepared and shown to be stable in MDEA solutions.RESULTS: The experimental results, with this fluid, show that there is an enhancement in mass transfer in the presence of ferrofluids, the extent of which depends on the amount of ferrofluid added. The enhancement in mass transfer coefficient was 92.8% for a volume fraction of the fluid of about 50% (solid magnetite volume fraction of about 0.39%). Experiments were also carried out to further enhance the mass transfer rates by employing a periodic oscillating magnetic field. Under the conditions employed, there was no further impact of magnetic field on mass transfer rates.CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic nanoparticles are able to significantly enhance gas/liquid mass transfer rates when added to the liquid phase. The reasons for this striking effect are under investigation. It is possible for significantly higher enhancements to be produced by the action of an external field, but this requires special fluids to be formulated which are not affected by the chemical solvent used. These results have significance for the absorption of CO2 in industrial absorbers using amine solutions. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Hydrothermal fractional pretreatment of sea algae and its enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Okuda Kazuhide , Oka Kazuyuki , Onda Ayumu , Kajiyoshi Koji , Hiraoka Masanori , Yanagisawa Kazumichi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Sea algae cellulose has been little utilized because the cellulose content in sea algae is low. For the effective utilization of sea algae cellulose, cellulose must be converted without drying into valuable material with a high rate and yield. From this viewpoint, effects of hydrothermal pretreatments of sea algae to enhance the glucose production by enzymatic hydrolysis of sea algae cellulose were investigated.RESULTS: Using hydrothermal pretreatment performed at 423 K for Monostroma nitidum Wittrock (green alga) and at 473 K for Solieria pacifica (red alga) for 30 min, yields of extracted water‐soluble components containing monosaccharides were 0.51 g g−1 for the green alga and 0.62 g g−1 for the red alga. The apparent rate of glucose production from hydrothermally pretreated green alga by enzymatic hydrolysis was > 10 times faster than that of the non‐pretreated sample. Yields of glucose from cellulose by enzymatic hydrolysis were 79.9% for the green alga and 87.8% for the red alga.CONCLUSION: Cellulose of sea algae was successfully fractionated by hydrothermal pretreatments, which resulted in high susceptibility of sea algae cellulose to enzyme attack. This process leads to the effective utilization of sea algae cellulose. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Improved activity and stability of pseudomonas capaci lipase in a novel biocompatible ionic liquid, 1‐isobutyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate
Authors: Shan Haixia , Li Zaijun , Li Ming , Ren Guoxia , Fang Yinjun 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Enzymes may exhibit enhanced activity, stability and selectivity in ionic liquids, depending on the properties of the liquid. The physical–chemical properties of ionic liquids, however, may be modified by altering the anion or cation in the ionic liquid. This feature is a key factor for realizing successful reactions. In this work, a new ionic liquid, 1‐isobutyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (abbreviated as [i‐C4mim][PF6]), was synthesized and investigated as a novel medium for the transesterification reaction of 2‐phenylethanol with vinyl acetate catalyzed by pseudomonas capaci lipase. As contrasts, the reaction was also carried out in two reference solvents; the isomeric ionic liquid [i‐C4mim][PF6], 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (abbreviated as [C4mim][PF6]), and hexanes.RESULTS: As reaction medium, [i‐C4mim][PF6] was best among the three solvents. The initial reaction rate, the equilibrium conversion of 2‐phenylethanol and the half‐lifetime of the lipase in [i‐C4mim][PF6] medium were about 1.5, 1.2 and 3‐fold that obtained in [C4mim][PF6] medium, respectively. The lipase in [i‐C4mim][PF6] medium was recycled 10 times without substantial diminution in activity.CONCLUSION: The ionic liquid [i‐C4mim][PF6] has good biocompatibility, and can be used widely as green media in various biocatalysis reactions to improve the activity and stability of enzymes. Besides hydrophobicity and nucleophilicity, the spatial configuration of ionic liquids is also considered a key factor effecting the behaviour of the enzyme in ionic liquids. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Expression proteomics of olfactory ensheathing cells
Authors: Marçal Helder , Sarris Maria , Raftery Mark J , Bhasin Vishal , McFarland Clive , Mahler Stephen M 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) to regenerate damaged spinal tracts and induce functional recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI) has been trialed in the clinic. Evidence suggests that the regenerative capacity of OEC is induced by soluble, secreted factors that influence their microenvironment. These factors may regulate OEC self‐renewal and/or induce their capacity to augment spinal cord regeneration. Profiling of secreted factors through a high‐throughput expression proteomics approach was undertaken to identify secreted proteins in the conditioned media of OEC under serum‐free conditions.RESULTS: Both extracellular matrix and secreted proteins were identified in OEC conditioned media. OEC secrete pro‐regulatory and survival factors that modulate nerve nascence and anti‐angiogenic factors that regulate functional maturation of nervous tissues. Notable proteins identified include retinoic acid binding proteins and suggest that OEC utilise retinoic acid and other vitamins in their molecular pathways to augment their microenvironment and achieve their regenerative capacities.CONCLUSIONS: Proteins expressed and secreted by OEC indicate that dynamic molecular pathways regulate and influence their cellular self‐renewal and regenerative capacities. OEC provide microenvironmental cues that trigger a dynamic switch between modulating pathways in their cell signaling network. Understanding OEC biology will aid in translation of OEC to the clinic in order to develop improved therapeutic modalities for the treatment of SCI. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Design of bioreactors for mesenchymal stem cell tissue engineering
Authors: Godara Pankaj , McFarland Clive D , Nordon Robert E 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThere is a growing need for efficient mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) production processes for a wide spectrum of clinical conditions ranging from the treatment of life‐threatening graft‐versus‐host disease to cartilage repair. Development of cell and tissue engineered products derived from MSCs will be enabled by scalable production processes with standards of safety and efficacy similar to those established for the pharmaceutical industry. Many of the bioreactor design principles established for production of biopharmaceuticals can be applied to production of MSC products; however, specific control of the microenvironment is required for MSC expansion and differentiation. We review how porous scaffolds and bioreactor technologies are applied to the study of the MSC microenvironment. Current methods for MSC production are based on growth in tissue culture flasks, which is labour‐intensive and expensive. We suggest that stirred, perfusion or microfluidic bioreactor technologies can more efficiently address the clinical need for large‐scale MSC production. Soft lithography and microfluidic design offer extreme geometric precision to study MSC function as well as defining the microenvironment for tissue engineering at the micron scale. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel AAV serotypes for improved ocular gene transfer
Authors: Lebherz Corinna , Maguire Albert , Tang Waixing , Bennett Jean , Wilson James M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSome of the most successful gene therapy results have been obtained using recombinant viral vectors to treat animal models of inherited and acquired ocular diseases. Clinical trials using adenovirus vector systems have been initiated for two ocular diseases. Adeno‐associated viruses (AAVs) represent an attractive alternative to adenoviral vector systems as they enable stable and long‐term expression and can target a variety of different ocular cell types depending on the capsid serotype; recently clinical trails for congenital blindness was initiated with a vector‐based AAV serotype 2. High levels of retinal gene transfer have been achieved using vectors based on AAV serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 5. This report compares the gene transfer efficacy and stability of expression of vector systems based on three novel AAV serotypes: AAV7, 8, 9, with the established vectors AAV1, 2, 5. We show here that AAV7 and 8 enable superior long‐term transduction of retinal and also anterior chamber structures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient adenovirus vector‐mediated PPAR gamma gene transfer into mouse embryoid bodies promotes adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Tashiro Katsuhisa , Kawabata Kenji , Sakurai Haruna , Kurachi Shinnosuke , Sakurai Fuminori , Yamanishi Koichi , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundEstablishment of a transient gene delivery system, such as adenovirus (Ad) vectors, into embryonic stem (ES) cells and their aggregation form, embryoid bodies (EBs), is essential for its application in regenerative medicine because the transgene should not be integrated in the host genome. In this study, we optimized Ad vector‐mediated transduction into EBs, and examined whether Ad vector‐mediated transduction of adipogenesis‐related gene into EBs could promote the adipocyte differentiation.MethodsWe prepared β‐galactosidase‐expressing Ad vectors under the control of four different promoters (cytomegalovirus (CMV), rouse sarcoma virus, human elongation factor‐1α, and CMV enhancer/β‐actin promoter (CA)) to estimate the transduction efficiency. Adipocyte differentiation efficiency by transduction of the PPAR gamma or C/EBP alpha gene into EBs was examined.ResultsOf the four promoters tested, the CA promoter exhibited the highest transduction efficiency in the EBs. However, Ad vector‐mediated transduction was observed only in the periphery of the EBs. When repeated transduction by Ad vector was performed, gene expression was observed even in the interior of EBs as well. When EB‐derived single cells were transduced by an Ad vector containing the CA promoter, more than 90% of the cells were transduced. Furthermore, Ad vector‐mediated PPAR gamma gene transduction into EBs led to more efficient differentiation into adipocytes than could untransduced EBs, examined in terms of lipogenic enzyme activities and accumulation of the lipid droplets.ConclusionsAd vector‐mediated transduction into EBs could be a valuable tool for molecular switching of cell differentiation and could be applied to regenerative medicine. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 14C‐ and 14C3‐labelled Org 37462
Authors: Wiegerinck P. H. G. , Hofstede L. W. H. , Sperling F. M. G. M. , Vader J. F. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractOrg 37462 (1) is the active ingredient in Orgalutran®, an innovative product that reduces the time of treatment in in vitro fertilization from four to less than two weeks. Org 37462 is a synthetic decapeptide containing several amino acids that are unnatural in stereochemistry and/or in structure. The synthesis, starting with a ProtectingGroup‐D‐Ala‐resin, is a typical solid state synthesis. For the conduction of several metabolism studies, Org 37462 had to be labelled with carbon 14. It was decided to label D‐3‐(2‐naphthyl)alanine, the last amino acid to be coupled to the resin. We report the synthesis of [14C]‐ and [14C3]‐Org 37462, starting from 2‐bromo‐[14C‐methyl]‐naphthalene and [14C2]‐tert‐butyl glycinate. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fractionation of Polysaccharide Derivatives and Subsequent Analysis to Differentiate Heterogeneities on Various Hierarchical Levels
Authors: Mischnick Petra , Adden Roland 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA set of methyl celluloses of DS 1.8 has been fractionated by stepwise solvent extraction. All fractions have been investigated with respect to their monomer composition and methyl distribution in the polymer chains. Deviation from the random model and differences between the four samples could be determined with higher sensitivity and more differentiated than for the unfractionated material. Structure complexity of cellulose ethers on different hierarchical levels is outlined and discussed.