bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Role of Phenotypic Plasticity in Plant Adaptation to Changing Climate: A Review
Authors: Bibi Zubaira , Maqsood Muhammad Junaid , Idrees Ayesha , Rafique Hafisa , Butt Aliza Amjad , Ali Rameesha , Arif Zunaira , Nabi Mutie Un 
Published: January 2024

Global ecosystems are threatened by climate change, thus understanding plant response is vital. Phenotypic plasticity allows genotypes to produce different phenotypes in response to different environmental conditions, helping plants adapt to changing climates. The reviewsynthesizes molecular, physiological, and morphological data on plant phenotypic plasticity as a dynamic and responsive survival strategy in unpredictable environments. Review analyses how phenotypic plasticity influences plant resilience and persistence under climate change using empirical data from diverse plant species and settings. The study also analyses how phenotypic plasticity influences plant community dynamics, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning. Phenotypic plasticity's potential to attenuate climate change and facilitate range alterations is also explored, showing its importance in plant ranges. Study reviewsgenetic, genomic, ecological, and climatological research on plant phenotypic plasticity in climate adaptation. Findings stressplant species' resilience in reducing climate change's impact on global ecosystems and influencing conservation and management.
Prevalence of Asymptomatic Falciparum Malaria, Risk Factors, and Absence of PfHRP2 Gene Deletion in Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors: Adeka P.  , Imandeh G. N.  , Ikpa T. F.  , Okafor, I. D.  
Published: January 2024

Background: Malaria remains a persistent public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where asymptomatic falciparum malaria poses a significant threat. Asymptomatic cases serve as a crucial parasite reservoir, contributing to ongoing transmission.
Aim: The study investigates the prevalence of asymptomatic falciparum malaria and assesses the occurrence of gene deletion in the Plasmodium falciparum Histidine Rich Protein 2 (Pf HRP2) gene in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and October 2019, which involved 374 apparently healthy individuals from five communities. Malaria diagnosis utilized Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits, microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Pf HRP2 gene assessment.
Results: The study found a prevalence of 25.4% by RDT and 28.1% by microscopy. Asymptomatic falciparum malaria was significantly influenced by location, proximity to water bodies, bed net usage, and history of malaria treatment, while, age, and insecticide usage showed no significant impact. PCR results revealed amplified fragments with band sizes ranging from 600 to 900 base pairs in 40 positive isolates, eliminating Pf HRP2 gene deletion as a cause for false negatives observed between RDT and microscopy results.
Discussion/Conclusion: The study highlights a high malaria transmission rate in Nigeria, emphasizing the role of location-specific factors and bed net usage in the proliferation of asymptomatic falciparum malaria. Importantly, no gene deletion was identified in the Pf HRP2 gene among the studied Plasmodium falciparum isolates.
Degradation of dibutyltin in sea water by pyoverdins isolated from Pseudomonas chlororaphis
Authors: Yamaoka Yukiho , Inoue Hiroyuki , Takimura Osamu 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe yellow compounds pyoverdins were isolated from Pseudomonas chlororaphis, which was isolated from mud in Japan. Degradation of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) by pyoverdin (20 mg) was carried in sea water (30 ml) containing a 6 µg l−1 concentration of TBT, DBT, and MBT at 24 °C for 24 h in aerobic conditions. TBT, DBT, and MBT in sea water were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. DBT in sea water was degraded to MBT by pyoverdins isolated from P. chlororaphis. However, TBT and MBT in sea water was not degraded by pyoverdins. The optimum degradation of DBT in sea water was at pH 4.8–8.2, at a temperature 25–30 °C. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The promoting effect of organotin compounds upon peroxidation of oleic acid
Authors: Petrosyan V. S. , Milaeva E. R. , Gracheva Yu. A. , Grigoriev E. V. , Tyurin V. Yu. , Pimenov Yu. T. , Berberova N. T. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe effect of the organotin compounds R
nSnCl4−n (n = 1–3; where R = Me, Et, n‐Bu and Ph) upon oleic ((Z)‐9‐octadecenoic) acid oxidation by dioxygen has been studied at 25, 37, 65, and 95 °C. The promoting effect of organotins upon the formation of oleic acid hydroperoxides is temperature dependent and is at a maximum at a temperature close to the physiological one, but the impact of organotins upon oleic acid peroxidation decreases in the presence of 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol. The role of organic free radicals derived from the SnC bond cleavage in the oxidation of oleic acid is discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Platelet adhesion on laser‐induced acrylic acid–grafted polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Mirzadeh H. , Dadsetan M. , Sharifi‐Sanjani N. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTo improve blood compatibility, acrylic acid (AAc) was grafted onto a polyethylene terephtalate (PET) film surface using lasers. The PET surface was irradiated with a CO2 pulsed laser, and then graft copolymerization was carried out in an aqueous solution of AAc in the presence of Mohr's salt. Different techniques such as attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements were used to characterize the modified PET surface. The ATR‐FTIR spectra confirmed the creation of new functional groups on the PET surface, and contact angle measurements revealed that the hydrophilicity of the PET surface increased as a result of the AAc graft polymerization. The electron micrographs showed that the grafting changed the surface morphology of the PET film. To evaluate the blood compatibility in vitro, the number of platelets adhering to the modified PET surface was determined using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity measurement. The data from LDH method indicated that the extent of platelet adherence on the unmodified PET was much higher than that on the AAc grafted PET. The morphology of adhered platelets on the PET surface was investigated by SEM. The results showed that platelet adhesion and activation onto the PET surface was reduced because of AAc graft polymerization. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3191–3196, 2002
Ceric ammonium nitrate‐initiated graft copolymerization of acrylamide onto Cassia tora gum
Authors: Raj Sharma Brij , Kumar Vineet , Soni P. L. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractGraft copolymerization of acrylamide onto Cassia tora gum was studied in an aqueous medium using ceric ammonium nitrate‐nitric acid as the redox initiator. To optimize the reaction conditions for obtaining maximum percent grafting, the concentrations of Cassia tora gum, ceric ammonium nitrate, acrylamide, and nitric acid, time, and temperature were varied. Results are discussed and a reaction mechanism is proposed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3250–3255, 2002
Effect of thiophosphoryl compounds as accelerators and coupling agents on the vulcanization of NR‐XNBR blend
Authors: Naskar Nityananda , Debnath Subhas Chandra , Basu Dipak Kumar 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe effect of a number of thiophosphoryl compounds [viz., bis(isobutyl) thiophosphoryl di‐, tri‐, and tetrasulfides and bis(dicyclohexyl) thiophopsphoryl di‐, tri‐, and tetrasulfides] on natural rubber (NR)‐carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) blend was studied. All these thiophosphoryl compounds are capable of forming interrubber links leading to covulcanized blends which exhibit a fair degree of synergism with respect to physical properties, the maximum being obtained at the 25% NR and 75% XNBR blend composition. This is an obvious claim that the blend under investigation is technologically compatible, having some degree of interrubber interaction which is enhanced in case of two‐stage vulcanization. The existence of interrubber interaction is judged by the swelling experiment. The blend morphology assessed by SEM micrographs corroborates the foregoing observations and accounts for the significant improvement in physical properties of the blend vulcanizates, particularly in two‐stage vulcanization. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3286‐3299, 2002
Atom transfer radical polymerization grafting of highly functionalized polystyrene and poly(4‐methylstyrene) macroinitiators with tert‐butyl acrylate
Authors: Masař Bohumil , Janata Miroslav , Vlček Petr , Toman Luděk , Kurková Dana 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTwo monodisperse graft copolymers, poly(4‐methylstyrene)‐graft‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) [number‐average molecular weight (Mn) = 37,500, weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) = 1.12] and polystyrene‐graft‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (Mn = 72,800, Mw/Mn = 1.12), were prepared by the atom transfer radical polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate catalyzed with Cu(I) halides. As macroinitiators, poly{(4‐methylstyrene)‐co‐[(4‐bromomethyl)styrene]} and poly{styrene‐co‐[4‐(1‐(2‐bromopropionyloxy)ethyl)styrene]}, carrying 40% of the bromoalkyl functionalities along the chain, were used. The dependencies of molecular parameters on monomer conversion fulfilled the criteria for controlled polymerizations. In contrast, the dependencies of monomer conversion versus time were nonideal; possible causes were examined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2930–2936, 2002
Biodegradable polyurethane materials from bark and starch. II. Coating material for controlled‐release fertilizer
Authors: Ge Jinjie , Wu Rui , Shi Xinghai , Yu Hao , Wang Min , Li Wenjun 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBiodegradable polyurethane foams (PUFs) as coating materials for the controlled release of fertilizer were prepared from a four‐component system consisting of diisocyanate, polyester, Acacia mearnsi bark, and corn starch. Ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] was used as a fertilizer to evaluate the effects of the preparation conditions on the release ratio. The release ratio of (NH4)2SO4 decreased with an increasing amount of biomass in PUFs and increasing sizes of sample particles; the ratio increased with increasing doses of water, which was used as a foaming agent in the preparation of polyurethane, regardless of the amount of coating material. The remaining fertilizer in the polyurethane seemed to be released completely because the PUFs were degradable, to some extent, by soil microorganisms. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2948–2952, 2002
Synthesis and photoconducting properties of C60‐bonded polystyrene initiated with C60Cln
Authors: Jing Hua , Dianbao Chen , Ling Xu , Qufeng Liu , Xiongke Jing , Yifeng Zhang 
Published: October 2002

AbstractC60‐bonded polystyrene was produced with a novel initiator system, C60Cln/CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridine (where the average value of n is 20). The molar ratio of styrene/C60Cln/CuCl/bpy was 100:1/20:1:2, and the polymerization temperature was 130°C. Gel permeation chromatography detected with an ultraviolet detector demonstrated that C60 was chemically bonded to polystyrene. The linear increase in the number‐average molecular weight (by gel permeation chromatography) with the conversion indicated that this novel initiator system had some characteristics of living polymerization. A possible polymerization mechanism was examined. The photoconducting properties of C60‐bonded polystyrene were better than those of polystyrene initiated with CCl4. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3001–3004, 2002
Characterization of polyurethane foams from soybean oil
Authors: John Jacob , Bhattacharya Mrinal , Turner Robert B. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractModified soy‐based vegetable oil polyols were successfully incorporated as a replacement for conventional polyols to produce flexible slabstock polyurethane foams. The oil was characterized for its hydroxyl value and fatty acid composition. The modified oils had higher hydroxyl values and lower unsaturated acids than regular unmodified oils. Three different modified polyols were used to investigate the reactivity with isocyanates. The effects on the foaming reaction of two different isocyanates, namely TDI and MDI, were investigated. The reactions were also carried out with a mixture of polyols containing synthetic polyols and vegetable oil‐based polyols to delineate the effect of each component. FTIR technique was used to identify the sequence of chemical reactions during the foaming process. The effect of water levels and isocyanate content on the kinetics of the foaming reaction was investigated. Information regarding the formation of hard and soft segments with the varying compositions was obtained. As the water content increased, the amount of the hard segment and urea formation increased in both soy oil polyols and synthetic polyols. Increased synthetic polyols in the mixture increased the rate of reaction and phase mixing due to the availability of primary hydroxyl groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) were used to probe the morphology. As the water content increased, the cell size increased. At lower water content a more uniform cell structure was evident and at higher water levels hard domain size increased. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3097–3107, 2002
Morphologies and dynamic mechanical properties of core‐shell emulsifier‐free latexes and their copolymers for P(BA/MMA)/P(MMA/BA) and P(BA/MMA)/PSt systems in the presence of AHPS
Authors: Guo Tian‐Ying , Tang Guang‐Liang , Hao Guang‐Jie , Song Moud‐Dao , Zhang Bang‐Hua 
Published: October 2002

AbstractDifferent poly(methyl methacrylate/n‐butyl acrylate)/poly(n‐butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate) [P(BA/MMA)/P(MMA/BA)] and poly(n‐butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene [P(BA/MMA)/PSt] core‐shell structured latexes were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization in the presence of hydrophilic monomer 3‐allyloxy‐2‐hydroxyl‐propanesulfonic salt (AHPS). The particle morphologies of the final latexes and dynamic mechanical properties of the copolymers from final latexes were investigated in detail. With the addition of AHPS, a latex of stable and high‐solid content (60 wt %) was prepared. The diameters of the latex particles are ∼0.26 μm for the P(BA/MMA)/P(MMA/BA) system and 0.22–0.24 μm for the P(BA/MMA)/PSt system. All copolymers from the final latexes are two‐phase structure polymers, shown as two glass transition temperatures (Tgs) on dynamic mechanical analysis spectra. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3078–3084, 2002
Synthesis of chitosan‐modified poly(methyl methacrylate) by emulsion polymerization
Authors: Hsu Shih‐Chang , Don Trong‐Ming , Chiu Wen‐Yen 
Published: October 2002

AbstractEmulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of chitosan was studied and a reaction mechanism was proposed. It was proved in the companion article that potassium persulfate (KPS) free radicals can degrade chitosan chains into chain free radicals. Therefore, it is possible to produce a chitosan copolymer when the monomer and the KPS initiator are added into the chitosan solution. According to the proposed mechanism, concentrations of different species such as the initiator, total free radicals, and degraded chitosan chain were calculated with the reaction time. All the results agreed with the experimental observation. The results showed that the polymerization rate varied with 0.83‐ and 0.82‐order of the total free‐radical concentration and chitosan repeating unit concentration, respectively. It was also verified that chitosan played multiple roles in the reaction system. If the monomer was added into the chitosan solution before the addition of KPS, chitosan served mainly as a surfactant. Consequently, the polymer particle number was increased with the chitosan addition and so was the polymerization rate. However, if the monomer was added into the solution where the chitosan was already degraded by KPS, the polymerization rate was decreased with the predegradation time of chitosan. In both cases, the final polymer particles consisted of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer and the chitosan‐PMMA copolymer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3047–3056, 2002
Use of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) as compatibilizer in LDPE/thermoplastic tapioca starch blends
Authors: Sailaja R. R. N. , Chanda Manas 
Published: October 2002

AbstractPoly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) was used as a compatibilizer to make blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and plasticized starch (TS). The tensile properties and impact strength were measured and compared with those of neat LDPE. The morphology of the blend specimens, both fractured and unfractured, was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Comparison of the properties showed that the impact strength of the blend improves significantly by the addition of a compatibilizer even with a high TS loading of 40 and 50% (by weight). A high elongation at break almost matching that of neat polyethylene was also obtained. The blend morphology of the etched specimens revealed fine dispersion of the starch in the polyethylene matrix, while the fracture surface morphology clearly indicate that the failure of compatibilized blends occurs mainly by the ductile mode. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3126–3134, 2002
A study on the rheological properties and processability of polycarbonate
Authors: Ahn Young‐Cheol , Kim Hyo‐Jun 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe transport theory for the solids conveying zone in a single‐screw extruder was applied to calculate the pressure distributions along the screw channel for several bisphenol A polycarbonate resins based on the screw revolution speed and the flow rate. The pressure distributions and the flow rates of the resins were related to the structural and rheological properties. When polymers have the same chemical structure and number‐average molecular weight and the same mechanical properties, the polymer having a broader molecular weight distribution showed a lower glass transition temperature. For the polymer with broader MWD a relatively low pressure was developed along the screw channel, and an increased flow rate was observed. A relatively short melting length was also observed for this polymer and, accordingly, it was concluded that the polymer with a broader MWD has a better processability. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2921–2929, 2002
‘It's not a choice, it's the way we're built’: symbolic beliefs about sexual orientation in the US and Britain
Authors: Hegarty Peter 
Published: October 2002

AbstractHeterosexual‐identified Americans who believe that sexual orientation is immutable typically express more tolerant attitudes towards lesbians and gay men. Attribution theorists argue that this is because immutability beliefs reduce stigmatization. In two studies, 97 American and 72 British heterosexual‐identified students reported their beliefs about the immutability and fundamentality of sexual orientation, their attitudes towards lesbians and gay men and their judgments about the values that those beliefs expressed. In both samples, tolerant attitudes and immutability beliefs were correlated only among participants who consistently judged that immutability beliefs would be expressed by more tolerant heterosexual persons. More condemning participants judged lesbian and gay people and heterosexual people to be more fundamentally different in both samples. I argue that links between immutability and tolerance depend more on social constructions of immutability beliefs as expressions of tolerance and less on the attributional content of such beliefs than previous theorists have acknowledged. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Denying equality: an analysis of arguments against lowering the age of consent for sex between men
Authors: Ellis Sonja J. , Kitzinger Celia 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis paper takes a human rights approach to lesbian and gay oppression and critically explores the arguments used to oppose equality in debates about the age of consent for sex between men. A thematic analysis of Hansard and newspaper reports produced in Britain during the 1990s showed that opponents of a proposal to equalize the age of consent countered with three key arguments: (1) principles of right and wrong take precedence over equality; (2) principles of democracy take precedence over equality; (3) principles of care and protection take precedence over equality. Two additional arguments (concerning the health risks of anal intercourse and escalating demands for gay rights) are also outlined. Our findings are discussed with reference to debates on other lesbian and gay rights issues and we consider the ways in which these arguments might best be resisted. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decision‐making in planned lesbian parenting: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Touroni Elena , Coyle Adrian 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAlthough lesbian parenting has attracted much research attention within psychology in the US and the UK, the processes by which lesbian couples make the various decisions associated with parenting have been largely overlooked as an explicit research focus. This article presents findings from a qualitative study with nine lesbian couples in Britain who had had children within their current relationships. Interview transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Resultant themes focused on factors internal and external to the partners and the couple which led them to decide to have children; decision‐making about using known or anonymous sperm donors (including reflections on experiences of negotiating the nature and extent of the biological father's involvement with the child); and the perceived impact of biological links with the child on decisions about parenting roles (including reflections on the relationship between the non‐biological lesbian parent and the child). The study may be seen as expanding the knowledge base on lesbian parenting (specifically by adding new British, qualitative data that are attentive to decision processes) and informing professionals who might assist lesbian couples in decision‐making about parenthood. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gay men and sexual decision‐making
Authors: Flowers Paul , Duncan Barbara 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis paper examines European and North American studies of gay men's sexual decision‐making in terms of differences in theory, methodology, the construction of the psychological subject and the social context. Both intra‐ and inter‐subjective paradigms are discussed and the contribution of each is assessed in terms of health interventions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.