bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of climate indices to predict corn yields in southeast USA
Authors: Martinez Christopher J. , Baigorria Guillermo A. , Jones James W. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe impact of large‐scale oceanic and atmospheric climate patterns on county corn yields in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia were evaluated for the period 1970–2005. Associations between detrended corn yield residuals, precipitation, surface temperature, and climate indices were explored by correlation analysis. Significant correlations were found with indices of the Pacific–North American pattern, tropical North Atlantic and eastern tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures, and two indices of the Bermuda high. The summer index of the Bermuda high (BHI) was the only index to be significantly correlated with yield residuals during the critical summer tasselling period; a time when corn is most susceptible to water stress. Due to the high degree of multi‐collinearity found between the five indices, leave‐n‐out cross‐validated principal component regression was conducted using all possible combinations of indices to predict corn yield residuals. Three indices produced models with the greatest skill using both lagged (known prior to planting) and concurrent indices (cross‐validated Pearson's r: 0.679) and using lagged indices only (cross‐validated Pearson's r: 0.569). Using the cross‐validated models 99.2 and 96.9% of predicted county yields showed predictive skill (based on tercile hit scores) using both concurrent and lagged indices, and lagged‐only indices, respectively. The cross‐validated model using lagged‐only indices indicated the results that can be achieved using known climate index values as early as the winter before the spring planting. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Sorghum growth, root responses, and soil‐solution aluminum and manganese on pH‐stratified sandy soil§
Authors: Miller Gregory , Mamo Martha , Drijber Rhae , Wortmann Charles , Renken Roger 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA stratified subsurface layer of acidic soil can develop in minimally disturbed soil such as no‐till receiving injection of N fertilizer (e.g., anhydrous ammonia). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of subsurface band treatments in alleviating soluble Al3+ and Mn2+ toxicities on sorghum growth. Soil columns 40 cm in length were packed with soil (Valentine fine sand mixed mesic Typic Ustipsamment and Thurman loamy sand mixed Mesic Udorhentic Haplustoll) with treatments applied at the 10–18 cm depth to mimic soil pH stratification. The treatments at this depth were: (1) entire layer at soil pH of 3.7; (2) band of soil 6 cm wide at pH of 5.8 with the rest of the soil at pH 3.7; (3) band of soil 6 cm wide at pH of 6.3 with the rest of the soil at pH 3.7; and (4) entire layer at soil pH of 5.8. The soil above and below the 10–18 cm depth was at pH 5.8. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) was grown in the soil columns under a controlled environment for 6 weeks. High concentration of Al in soil solution was found in soil at soil pH 3.7 which was overcome by either banding to pH 5.8, 6.3, or having the soil layer at pH 5.8. Treatment with pH of 5.8 throughout the soil 10–18 cm depth produced significantly greater top growth, although all other pH or liming strategies performed better than the soil pH 3.7 treatment. The banded treatments at pH 5.8 and 6.3 allowed roots to grow below the 10–18 cm layer of soil, but root growth was still significantly less than in the soil where the entire soil treatment layer was at pH 5.8. The increase in biomass yield with soil pH of 5.8 in the entire treatment layer was higher compared to band treatment at pH 5.8; however, the lime requirement would be 3.4 times more with liming the entire layer compared to banding a portion of the soil to pH 5.8 and would thus be translated into a higher liming cost.
Fuzzy Galois connections on fuzzy posets
Authors: Yao Wei , Lu Ling‐Xia 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe concept of fuzzy Galois connections is defined on fuzzy posets with Bělohlávek's fuzzy Galois connections as a special case. The properties of fuzzy Galois connections are investigated. Then the relations between fuzzy Galois connections and fuzzy closure operators, fuzzy interior operators are studied. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the Lp–Lq maximal regularity for the linear thermoelastic plate equation in a bounded domain
Authors: Naito Yuka 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the thermoelastic plate equations in a domain Ω:

subject to the boundary condition: u|=Dνu|=θ|=0 and initial condition: (u, ut, θ)|t=0=(u0, v0, θ0). Here, Ω is a bounded domain in ℝn(n≧2). We assume that the boundary ∂Ω of Ω is a C4 hypersurface. We obtain an Lp–Lq maximal regularity theorem. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The preparation and properties of wood flour/high density polyethylene composites by in‐situ reaction extrusion
Authors: Xiong Cheng , Qi Rongrong , Gong Wenjuan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe technique of grafting silane by in‐situ extrusion to improve the compatibility between wood flour and high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was studied. It was found that the silane grafted composites showed enhanced mechanical properties compared to both the coupled and non‐coupled PE‐g‐MAH composites. The effects of silane contents and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) concentrations on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated in detail. Moreover, the water absorption, morphology and thermal stability of the composites were also investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved microhardness and microtribological properties of bismaleimide nanocomposites obtained by enhancing interfacial interaction through carbon nanotube functionalization
Authors: Fang Zhengping , Liu Lina , Gu Aijuan , Wang Xinyu , Guo Zhenghong 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThrough the functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by 0,0′‐diallylbisphenol A (DBA), the interface situation between MWCNTs and bismaleimide (BMI) was improved, as detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The improved interface situation was considered to be the main reason for the huge increased microhardness value and greatly improved the microtribological property of MWCNTs/BMI composites. Besides, the wear mechanism for the composite was also believed to be related to the interfacial situation. The rough wavelike worn surface of pure BMI resin is attributed to its poor load capacity. The smoother waterfall‐shape worn surface of MWCNTs/BMI is related to the interface formed by the addition of MWCNTs while the ultrasmooth worn surface of DBA modified MWCNTs/BMI is due to the greatly improved interfacial interaction of the composite. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A suite of tools to analyse and publish 2‐DE data
Authors: Hoogland Christine , Walther Daniel , Palagi Patricia M. , Bouchet Gérard , Mostaguir Khaled , Robin Xavier , Appel Ron D. , Lisacek Frédérique 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBioinformatics tools may assist scientists in all steps of a typical 2‐DE gel analysis workflow, that is, from the description of the sample preparation protocols, going through the gel image analysis and protein identification, to the publication of Internet‐ready 2‐DE gel databases. This short communication highlights in a single and summarised view, this workflow and the current bioinformatics solutions developed by the Proteome Informatics Group at the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics.
Quantum interference in graphene nanoribbon interferometers
Authors: Zhang Yong , Han Mei , Liang Qifeng 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe quantum conductance oscillations of the electron interferometers composed of two types of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), i.e. zigzag and metallic armchair edge GNRs, have been calculated by using a tight‐binding‐based Green's function approach. It is shown that, unlike in single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) interferometers, the GNRs have only the fast conductance oscillation period, no slow conductance oscillation period was found for these two types of GNRs (there are two conductance oscillation periods, i.e. fast and slow ones, existing in SWNT interferometers). It is also found that the metallic armchair edge GNRs have invariable conductance oscillation periods near the Dirac point, while the conductance oscillation of the zigzag edge GNRs quickens with decreasing |EF| (Fermi energy) and especially becomes faster near the Dirac point. All these results agree well with those of experimental observations. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Magnetic properties of DyFe2Si2 studied with a two‐ion model for rare‐earth antiferromagnets
Authors: Liu Z.‐S. , Diviš M. , Sechovský V. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA two‐ion model for rare‐earth antiferromagnets is proposed and utilized to investigate the magnetic properties of DyFe2Si2 in this work. The theoretical magnetization curves obtained with the model show good agreements with experimental data. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
HPSP‐13: Perspectives and summary remarks
Authors: Weinstein B. A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHighlights of the 13th International Conference on High Pressure Semiconductor Physics (Fortaleza, Brazil, July 2008) are reviewed, along with some historical perspectives about the HPSP conference series, and present plans for the HPSP‐14 meeting in 2010. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ultrafast photoluminescence spectroscopy of InAs/GaAs quantum dots
Authors: Neudert K. , Trojánek F. , Kuldová K. , Oswald J. , Hospodková A. , Malý P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe report the results of time‐resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy of a double layer quantum dot structure with large spacer distance emitting at 1.3 μm at room temperature. In ultrafast zero‐time photoluminescence spectrum, we identified the transitions in GaAs barrier, in wetting layer and in quantum dots. Identical initial rise times give evidence of simultaneous filling of the quantum dot states. The excitation power dependence of photoluminescence dynamics reveals that the carrier dynamics are controlled by radiative recombination and cascade relaxation in quantum dot states. The overall picture of photoluminescence dynamics is in accord with a low concentration of nonradiative recombination channels in the studied structure which demonstrates its application potential. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of tramadol and its main metabolites in horse plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography/fluorescence and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry techniques
Authors: De Leo Marinella , Giorgi Mario , Saccomanni Giuseppe , Manera Clementina , Braca Alessandra 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTramadol is a centrally acting analgesic drug that has been used clinically for the last two decades to treat pain in humans. The clinical response of tramadol is strictly correlated to its metabolism, because of the different analgesic activity of its metabolites.O‐Desmethyltramadol (M1), its major active metabolite, is 200 times more potent at theµ‐receptor than the parent drug. In recent years tramadol has been widely introduced in veterinary medicine but its use has been questioned in some species. The aim of the present study was to develop a new sensible method to detect the whole metabolic profile of the drug in horses, through plasma analyses by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorimetric (FL) and photodiode array electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (PDA‐ESI‐MS) detection, after its sustained release by oral administration (5 mg/kg). In HPLC/FL experiments the comparison of the horse plasma chromatogram profile with that of a standard mixture suggested the identification of the major peaks as tramadol and its metabolites M1 andN,O‐desmethyltramadol (M5). LC/PDA‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis confirmed the results obtained by HPLC/FL and also provided the identification of two more metabolites,N‐desmethyltramadol (M2), andN,N‐didesmethyltramadol (M3). Another metabolite, M6, was also detected and identified. The present findings demonstrate the usefulness and the advantage of LC/ESI‐MS/MS techniques in a search for tramadol metabolites in horse plasma samples. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of 8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine and creatinine in murine and human urine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to chemoprevention studies
Authors: Teichert Friederike , Verschoyle Richard D. , Greaves Peter , Thorpe James F. , Mellon J. Kilian , Steward William P. , Farmer Peter B. , Gescher Andreas J. , Singh Rajinder 
Published: December 2008

AbstractUrinary 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxodG) represents a non‐invasive biomarker for oxidative stress and may be useful for monitoring chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive interventions associated with cancer‐related alterations in oxidative stress. We describe the development and validation of two separate liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) selected reaction monitoring (SRM) methods for the determination of 8‐oxodG and creatinine in both murine and human urine using stable isotope labelled internal standards. Levels of 8‐oxodG were normalised to creatinine. The LC/MS/MS methods were applied to two chemoprevention studies utilising tea polyphenols in humans and TRAMP (TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate) mice. Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia received 1 g/day of green tea polyphenols (GTP), 1 g/day of black tea theaflavins (BTT) or no treatment for 4 weeks. TRAMP mice received GTP (0.05% in drinking water) for 4 or 25 weeks. Prostate pathology in TRAMP mice was not affected by GTP. Levels of 8‐oxodG were not altered by tea polyphenols in either mice or humans. In TRAMP mice, urinary 8‐oxodG levels were elevated with increasing age (p < 0.0001) but not changed by the presence of prostate tumours. In conclusion, the LC/MS/MS SRM methods described here are ideally suited for the accurate determination of 8‐oxodG and creatinine in urine samples from both clinical and pre‐clinical studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Women’s preference for laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy
Authors: Kluivers Kirsten B. , Opmeer Brent C. , Geomini Peggy M. , Bongers Marlies Y. , Vierhout Mark E. , Bremer Gérard L. , Mol Ben W.J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn the present study, women’s preferences on advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) and abdominal hysterectomy (AH) have been studied. Patients’ preferences were evaluated in individual, structured interviews in women scheduled for hysterectomy and questionnaires in nurses. Forty-three patients and 39 nurses were included. After general information, 84% of patients and 74% of nurses preferred LH over AH. This preference did not change after supplying more detailed information or after hysterectomy. The avoidance of complications was indicated as the most important factor in the decision. More than half of the women evaluated a difference of 1% as the maximum acceptable risk of major complications. When confronted with scenarios based on current evidence, both patients and nurses prefer LH over AH. This study supports further implementation of LH in clinical practice. The actual major complication rate in hysterectomy, however, is perceived as high.
Wettability of Aqueous Rhamnolipids Solutions Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI
Authors: Costa Siddhartha G. V. A. O. , de Souza Sandro R. , Nitschke Marcia , Franchetti Sandra Mara M. , Jafelicci Miguel , Lovaglio Roberta B. , Contiero Jonas 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe wetting behavior of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI strain grown on waste oil substrate and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and polymer blend (PVC–PCL) was investigated by the measuring contact angle of sessile drops, to determine the wetting characteristics of rhamnolipids. The comparison of the wetting profiles showed that at low SDS and rhamnolipid concentrations, the contact angle increased and when the concentration of the surfactant increased further, the contact angle decreased. The blend surface (PVC–PCL) showed better wettability than the homopolymers themselves and the blend changed the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer, making it more hydrophilic. The rhamnolipids produced by the LBI strain exhibited superior wetting abilities than the chemical surfactant SDS one. This is the first work that evaluates the wetting properties of rhamnolipids on polymer blends.
Preparative Separation of cis‐ and trans‐Isomers of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Methyl Esters Contained in Edible Oils by Reversed‐Phase High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Tsuzuki Wakako , Ushida Kaori 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn order to measure exactly the trans‐fatty acids content in food materials, a preparative group separation of cis‐ and trans‐isomers of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) was achieved by an isocratic reversed‐phase HPLC (RP‐HPLC) method. The trans‐isomers of 16:1, 18:1, 18:2, 18:3, 20:1 and 22:1 FAMEs were readily separated from the corresponding cis‐isomers by a COSMOSIL Cholester C18 column (4.6 mm I.D. × 250 mm, Nacalai Tesque) or a TSKgel ODS‐100Z column (4.6 mm I.D. × 250 mm, TOSOH), using acetonitrile as the mobile phase. This method was applied for determining the trans‐18:1 fatty acid content in partially hydrogenated rapeseed oil. The methyl esters of cis‐ and trans‐18:1 isomers of the oil were collected as two separate fractions by the developed RP‐HPLC method. Each fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) for both qualitative and quantitative information on its positional isomers. By a combination of RP‐HPLC and GC methods, a nearly complete separation of cis‐ and trans‐18:1 positional isomers was achieved and the trans‐18:1 fatty acid content was able to be evaluated more precisely than is possible by the direct GC method. The reproducibility of cis‐ and trans‐18:1 isomers fractionated by the RP‐HPLC method was better than 98%. These results suggested that the preparative RP‐HPLC method developed in this study could be a powerful tool for trans‐fatty acid analysis in edible oils and food products as an alternative to silver‐ion chromatography.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with better mental and physical health
Authors: Muñoz Miguel-Angel , Fíto Montserrat , Marrugat Jaume , Covas Maria-Isabel , Schröder Helmut 
Published: December 2008

The aim of the present study was to analyse the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-perceived mental and physical health function, controlled for confounding effects of age, smoking, BMI, alcohol consumption, educational level, leisure-time physical activity and the presence of chronic conditions. A random sample of the 35–74-year-old population (3910 men and 4285 women) of Gerona, Spain, was examined in 2000 and 2005 in two independent population-based cross-sectional surveys. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. The Mediterranean diet score (MDS) was calculated according to tertile distribution of energy-adjusted food consumption considered characteristic for the Mediterranean region. Health-related quality of life was measured using the SF-12 questionnaire. Alcohol consumption, leisure-time physical activity and smoking habits were recorded. Weight and height were measured. Age-adjusted linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0·01) direct association of the MDS with self-reported mental and physical health in both sexes. An increase of 5 units of the MDS was directly associated with changes of 0·74 and 1·15 units in men and women, respectively, in the mental component score after controlling for potential confounders. The age-adjusted direct association of the MDS with self-reported scoring of physical health remained stable after adjusting for several confounders in men but was attenuated in women. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with higher scoring for self-perceived health.
Clinical severity scores do not predict tolerance to enteral nutrition in critically ill children
Authors: Sánchez César , López-Herce Jesús , Mencía Santiago , Urbano Javier , Carrillo Angel , María Bellón José 
Published: December 2008

The objective of the present study was to analyse whether there is a relationship between the clinical severity at the time of starting transpyloric enteral nutrition (TEN) and the onset of digestive tract complications in critically ill children. Between May 2005 and December 2007, we performed a prospective, observational study with the participation of 209 critically ill children aged between 3 d and 17 years and who received TEN. The characteristics of the nutrition and its tolerance were compared with the paediatric risk of mortality (PRISM), the paediatric index of mortality (PIM) and the paediatric logistic organ dysfunction index (PELOD) at the time of starting the nutrition. Higher PRISM and PELOD scores correlated with a later time of starting enteral nutrition, a longer time to reach the maximum daily energy delivery and a longer duration of the TEN. However, the severity scores did not correlate with the maximum energy delivery achieved. Abdominal distension or excessive gastric residues were observed in 4·7 % of the patients and diarrhoea in 4·3 %. The ability of the severity scores to predict diarrhoea was of 0·67 for PRISM, 0·63 for PELOD and 0·60 for PIM-2.The severity scores were not able to predict other digestive tract complications. Higher scores of clinical severity at the time of starting enteral nutrition correlate with a later initiation of the nutrition, a longer time to reach the maximum energy delivery and a longer duration of TEN. However, their ability to predict digestive tract complications is low.
Effects of creatine supplementation on homocysteine levels and lipid peroxidation in rats
Authors: Deminice Rafael , Portari Guilherme Vannucchi , Vannucchi Helio , Jordao Alceu Afonso 
Published: December 2008

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor for CVD. Recent data show a relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and free radical formation. Since creatine synthesis is responsible for most of the methyl group transfers that result in Hcy formation, creatine supplementation might inhibit Hcy production and reduce free radical formation. The present study investigated the effects of creatine supplementation on Hcy levels and lipid peroxidation biomarkers. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: control group; diet with creatine group (DCr; 2 % creatine in the diet for 28 d); creatine overload plus diet with creatine group (CrO+D; 5 g creatine/kg by oral administration for 5 d+2 % in the diet for 23 d). Plasma Hcy was significantly lower (P < 0·05) in DCr (7·5 (sd1·2) μmol/l) and CrO+D (7·2 (sd1·7) μmol/l) groups compared with the control group (12·4 (sd2·2) μmol/l). Both plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) (control, 10 (sd3·4); DCr, 4·9 (sd0·7); CrO+D, 2·4 (sd1) μmol/l) and plasma total glutathione (control, 4·3 (sd1·9); DCr, 2·5 (sd0·8); CrO+D, 1·8 (sd0·5) μmol/l) were lower in the groups that received creatine (P < 0·05). In addition, Hcy showed significant negative correlation (P < 0·05) with plasma creatine (r− 0·61) and positive correlation with plasma TBARS (r0·74). Plasma creatine was negatively correlated with plasma TBARS (r− 0·75) and total peroxide (r− 0·40). We conclude that creatine supplementation reduces plasma Hcy levels and lipid peroxidation biomarkers, suggesting a protective role against oxidative damage. Modulating Hcy formation may, however, influence glutathione synthesis and thereby affect the redox state of the cells.