bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of clotrimazole gels for in vitro stability and in vivo retention in the frontal sinus of dogs
Authors: Mathews Kyle G. , Linder Keith E. , Davidson Gigi S. , Goldman Rebecca B. , Papich Mark G.
Published: May 2009

Objective—To evaluate the stability and retention of viscous formulations of the antifungal drug clotrimazole in vitro and to evaluate retention times, absorption, and histologic response to these compounds when placed in the frontal sinus of dogs.

Animals—6 male Beagles.

Procedures—1% clotrimazole gels were formulated with hydroxypropyl cellulose, poloxamer, and carboxymethylcellulose sodium bases. Commercially available 1% clotrimazole creams were also evaluated. Each compound was incubated at 37°C in a funnel. Volume retained and clotrimazole stability were evaluated for 4 weeks. Six compounds were then chosen for in vivo evaluation. The frontal sinuses of 6 dogs were filled with 1 of the 6 compounds. Computed tomographic evaluation was performed weekly for up to 4 weeks to evaluate gel retention. Blood samples were collected to evaluate clotrimazole absorption. Following euthanasia, sinuses were examined histologically.

Results—Commercially available clotrimazole creams were not retained in funnels in vitro. In vivo, hydroxypropyl cellulose– and carboxymethylcellulose-based gels resulted in the most severe inflammatory response and were retained the longest. Poloxamer-based gels had a shorter retention time and were associated with less inflammation. Clotrimazole was minimally absorbed. Despite a marked inflammatory response to several of the clotrimazole-containing gels, no notable adverse clinical responses were observed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Poloxamer gels had the most promise for improving drug contact within the frontal sinus of dogs, while limiting the inflammatory response. Poloxamer gels have the additional benefit of improved handling as a result of reverse gelation (ie, they gel when warmed to 37°C).
Effects of treadmill inclination on electromyographic activity and hind limb kinematics in healthy hounds at a walk
Authors: Lauer Susanne K. , Hillman Robert B. , Li Li , Hosgood Giselle L.
Published: May 2009

Objective—To evaluate the effect of treadmill incline on muscle activity and joint range of motion (ROM) in hind limbs of dogs.

Animals—8 purpose-bred healthy adult hounds.

Procedures—Activities of the hamstring (semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles), gluteal (superficial, middle, and deep gluteal muscles), and quadriceps (femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis muscles) muscle groups and hip and stifle joint ROM were measured with surface electrogoniometric and myographic sensors in hounds walking on a treadmill at 0.54 m/s at inclines of 5%, 0%, and −5% in random order. Mean electromyographic activities and mean ROMs at each inclination were compared for swing and stance phases.

Results—Treadmill inclination did not affect duration of the stance and swing phases or the whole stride. When treadmill inclination was increased from −5% to 5%, hip joint ROM increased and the degree of stifle joint extension decreased significantly. In the beginning of the stance phase, activity of the hamstring muscle group was significantly increased when walking at a 5% incline versus a 5% decline. In the end of the stance phase, that activity was significantly increased when walking at a 5% incline versus at a 5% decline or on a flat surface. Activity of the gluteal and quadriceps muscle groups was not affected when treadmill inclination changed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Treadmill inclination affected joint kinematics only slightly. Walking on a treadmill at a 5% incline had more potential to strengthen the hamstring muscle group than walking on a treadmill with a flat or declined surface.
Accepted Legal Applications of Actuarial Testing and Delinquency Interventions: Examples of Savings in Real-Life Situations
Authors: Zagar Robert John , Bartikowski Boris , Zagar Agata Karolina , Busch Kenneth G. , Stark Randall
Published: May 2009

Violent crime, especially by youth, is an increasing and costly problem. Zagar and colleagues have described five empirical studies in which youths' and adults' risks were identified and used to predict commission of homicide. The samples were more representative of the most violent modern urban delinquents than samples in previous research from smaller cities. From Zagar and colleagues' results, it is clear that the use of actuarial personality and probation–parole tests to identify at-risk individuals and target treatments to their needs would allow organizations to reduce loss of life and improve quality of life and economic and social well-being. The current article first provides a brief review of the situations in which the courts already accept the use of actuarial personality and probation-parole tests. Following that are several representations of the costs and benefits of broader application of testing and treatment in schools, universities, and workplaces. Finally, a specific proposal for generalized screening is proposed in a city of 3 million, with estimates of lives saved and costs reduced.
Identification, Treatment, and Prevention of Homicide: Fallacies in Research, Treatment, and Policy—A Postscript on Youth Violence
Authors: Zagar Robert John
Published: May 2009

This postscript conveys lessons learned from the 5 studies by Zagar and colleagues which examined risks for later commission of violence and homicide among abused, violent, and homicidal youth and adults. This set of studies is the first longitudinal data on risks for extreme violence from infancy to adulthood. The 5 articles following these studies consist of a developmental context for risks, historical comparisons of risks for delinquency, analyses of the costs and benefits of actuarial testing and treatment, and a general discussion of the legal issues related to application of testing and treatments. A review of the state of research on homicide acknowledges the many contributors to the literature and ideas underlying this overall work. Then, a set of 12 “fallacies” about violence that prevent or inhibit adoption of realistic, empirically sound approaches to the reduction of violence in society are addressed.
Overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid caused by detachment of the pressure control cam in a programmable valve after 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Watanabe Atsushi , Seguchi Tatsuya , Hongo Kazuhiro
Published: May 2009

The authors report a rare case of overdrainage of the CSF caused by the malfunction of a Codman-Hakim programmable valve (CHPV) following a 3-T MR imaging procedure. Nine years ago this 72-year-old woman underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement with a CHPV system for hydrocephalus due to subarachnoid hemorrhage. The postoperative course was uneventful and the system functioned well. A radiograph obtained immediately after 3-T MR imaging revealed that the pressure control cam in the valve system was detached from the base plate. Intracranial hypotension syndrome occurred several hours after the MR imaging study, and a CT scan revealed a decrease in ventricle size. A revision of the system promptly resolved the symptoms, and a postoperative CT scan revealed that the ventricle size was restored to normal. Examination of the extracted valve showed a Y-shaped crack in the plastic housing as well as detachment of the white marker and cam from the base plate. A reduction in the power of the flat spring to press the valve ball led to CSF overdrainage because of a loss of support by the cam. Because the patient had incurred no head injury during the day and radiographic studies of the system 5 years previously had shown detachment of the white marker, damage to the system might have been caused by a past impact. These facts may indicate that the antimagnetic performance of the system could have decreased due to a previous impact and that the strong magnetic force in a 3-T MR imaging environment might have caused detachment of the cam.
Molecular screening test in familial forms of cerebral cavernous malformation: the impact of the Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification approach
Authors: Penco Silvana , Ratti Rachele , Bianchi Elena , Citterio Alberto , Patrosso Maria Cristina , Marocchi Alessandro , Tassi Laura , La Camera Alessandro , Collice Massimo
Published: May 2009

Object

The purpose of this study was to underline the effectiveness of molecular analysis in cerebral cavernous angioma, with special attention to the familial forms.

Methods

Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification analysis integrates the consecutive sequence analysis of the 3 genes (Krit1/CCM1, MGC4607/CCM2, and PDCD10/CCM3) known to be responsible for cerebral cavernous malformation lesions.

Results

The Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification analysis revealed a new mutation, a heterozygous exon 9/10 deletion of Krit1, in the proband and in all affected family members.

Conclusions

The identification of the molecular defect allows physicians to screen family members at risk and to identify affected individuals before the onset of clinical symptoms caused by the presence of lesions.
Resident duty hour regulation and patient safety: establishing a balance between concerns about resident fatigue and adequate training in neurosurgery
Authors: Grady M. Sean , Batjer H. Hunt , Dacey Ralph G.
Published: May 2009

Postgraduate training in medicine has been under scrutiny over the past 10 years with a major focus on physician personal health and patient safety. The culmination of a series of events led to the 80-hour work week instituted by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education in 2003. The effect this mandate has had on surgical education, and specifically training in neurological surgery, has been incompletely evaluated. Nevertheless, external pressure has prompted the Institute of Medicine to issue a new report on resident work hours and patient safety.

In this report, the authors focus on the unique aspects of neurosurgical training in which physicians are trained to safely and effectively carry out complex high-risk tasks, the experience from abroad where work hours are reduced to well below 80 hours/week, and the risk that further reduction in work hours poses to the public. The authors conclude that there must be an adequate balance between the risks associated with resident fatigue and those associated with an inexperienced neurosurgical work force for public health.
Edema formation in the hyperacute phase of ischemic stroke
Authors: Gerriets Tibo , Walberer Maureen , Ritschel Nouha , Tschernatsch Marlene , Mueller Clemens , Bachmann Georg , Schoenburg Markus , Kaps Manfred , Nedelmann Max
Published: May 2009

Object

Brain edema formation is a serious complication of ischemic stroke and can lead to mechanical compression of adjacent brain structures, cerebral herniation, and death. Furthermore, the space-occupying effect of edema impairs regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), which is particularly important in the penumbra phase of stroke. In the present study, the authors evaluated the natural course of edema formation in the hyperacute phase of focal cerebral ischemia.

Methods

Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or a sham procedure was performed in rats within an MR imaging unit (in-bore occlusion). Both pre- and postischemic images could be compared on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The T2 relaxation time (T2RT), a marker for brain water content, was measured in regions of interest.

Results

A significant increase in the T2RT was detectable as early as 20–45 minutes after MCAO. At this early time point the midline shift (MLS) amounted to 0.214 ± 0.092 cm in the MCAO group and 0.061 ± 0.063 cm in the sham group (p < 0.007). The T2RT and MLS increased linearly thereafter. Evans blue dye was intravenously injected in additional animals 20 and 155 minutes after MCAO. Extravasation of the dye was visible in all animals, indicating increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

Conclusions

Vasogenic brain edema occurs much earlier than expected following permanent MCAO and leads to MLS and mechanical compression of adjacent brain structures. Since compression effects can impair rCBF, early edema formation can significantly contribute to infarct formation and thus represents a promising target for neuroprotection.
Secondary gliosarcoma: a review of clinical features and pathological diagnosis
Authors: Han Seunggu J. , Yang Isaac , Tihan Tarik , Chang Susan M. , Parsa Andrew T.
Published: May 2009

Object

Although secondary gliosarcoma after treatment of primary glioblastoma multiforme has been described, little is known of these rare tumors. In this article the authors review the literature on secondary gliosarcoma, with attention to clinical course and pathological features.

Methods

A PubMed search of the key word intracranial “gliosarcoma” with and without “radiation” or “radiotherapy” in humans was performed. The 204 citations yielded were screened for relevancy to gliosarcomas that occur after treatment of previous intracranial neoplasms.

Results

A search of the literature yielded 24 relevant articles, combined for a total of only 12 cases of secondary gliosarcoma and 12 cases of radiation-induced gliosarcoma. Of the 12 cases of secondary gliosarcoma, all were previously treated with surgery and radiotherapy (mean dose 50.7 Gy), with a mean survival of 13 months since time of gliosarcoma diagnosis (range 6.9–19.4 months). In the cases of radiation-induced gliosarcoma, the mean dose of previous radiotherapy was 51.3 Gy (median 54 Gy, range 24–60 Gy), and the mean survival since gliosarcoma diagnosis was 6.7 months (median 6 months, range 2–10 months).

Conclusions

Secondary gliosarcoma and radiation-induced gliosarcoma are exceedingly rare. The literature on secondary gliosarcoma illustrates a more favorable survival than for primary gliosarcoma but remains limited regarding clinical and radiographic presentation, response to treatment, and pathogenesis. The results of the present review also support the notion that secondary gliosarcomas and radiation-induced gliosarcomas are distinct entities, with longer survival and shorter latency of gliosarcoma induction seen in the former. Efforts to elucidate the role of radiotherapy in the induction of gliosarcomas may yield new insights into therapeutic risks of cranial radiation and CNS tumor pathogenesis.
Neurosurgical management of intracranial lesions in the pregnant patient: a 36-year institutional experience and review of the literature
Authors: Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. , Friedman Jonathan A. , Friedman Jennifer D. , Tubbs R. Shane , Munis James R. , Meyer Fredric B.
Published: May 2009

Object

A review of the literature has revealed scant data related to neurosurgical treatment of gravid patients. The authors reviewed their experience with the neurosurgical treatment of pregnant women to better characterize the optimal management strategies for intracranial pathological entities in this population.

Methods

Between July 1969 and July 2005, 34 patients with documented pregnancy and concomitant intracranial pathological entities were treated at the authors' institution. The average age of the gravid patients at presentation was 27 ± 6 years. Twelve patients harbored vascular and 14 patients harbored neoplastic lesions. Four gravid patients suffered from traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, 2 had primary intracerebral hemorrhage, and 2 had hydrocephalus. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to assess the outcome for the mothers and fetuses.

Results

Nineteen pregnant patients (56%) underwent a neurosurgical procedure after induction of general anesthesia. Of these, 14 (74%) underwent craniotomies for clipping/resection of their lesion, 2 (10%) underwent stereotactic biopsies, and 3 (16%) underwent CSF shunting procedures. Three patients (9%) delivered by cesarean section followed by their neurosurgical procedure, and 5 (15%) underwent therapeutic abortion preoperatively to allow for radiation therapy early in their pregnancy (4 of these patients underwent surgery prior to their therapeutic abortion). Eleven patients (32%) were treated nonoperatively while pregnant, and 3 of these received their treatment after delivery. There was no operative maternal mortality or permanent morbidity. The fetuses did not suffer from any complications related to the mother's neurosurgical procedure.

Conclusions

Based on the authors' experience and a review of the literature, surgery for intracranial lesions in pregnant patients is generally well tolerated by both mother and fetus. Preoperative delivery by cesarean section of term or near-term babies is reasonable. Some patients treated conservatively may deteriorate and require an operation.
Microstimulation-induced inhibition as a tool to aid targeting the ventral border of the subthalamic nucleus
Authors: Lafreniere-Roula Myriam , Hutchison William D. , Lozano Andres M. , Hodaie Mojgan , Dostrovsky Jonathan O.
Published: May 2009

Object

The aim of the current study was to examine and compare the aftereffects of local high-frequency microstimulation through the recording electrode on the firing of neurons in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) in patients undergoing surgery for deep brain stimulation. Deep brain stimulation has been playing an increasing role in the treatment of Parkinson disease, with the subthalamic nucleus (STN) being the preferred implantation target. Changes in cellular activity indicative of the borders of the STN are typically used during surgery to determine the extent of the STN and locate the optimal target, but in some cases borders may be difficult to identify. In this study the authors compared the effects of microstimulation in the SNr and STN. In previous studies they have shown that microstimulation in the internal globus pallidus, which is functionally similar to the SNr, inhibits firing, whereas similar microstimulation in the STN has minimal effect. The presence of inhibition in the SNr but not in the STN could be used as an additional criterion to help identify the location of the border between the STN and SNr.

Methods

Dual microelectrode recordings were performed during stereotactic surgery in 4 patients. Well-isolated high-amplitude units were stimulated extracellularly through the recording microelectrode with 0.5-second trains of high frequency (200 Hz) and low current (≤ 5 μA).

Results

In the majority (92%) of SNr neurons, this type of stimulation led to a period of inhibition lasting several hundreds of milliseconds following the end of the train. In contrast, only 1 neuron of 70 judged to be in the STN by other criteria was inhibited by this type of microstimulation, and this neuron was located at the ventral border of the STN.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that prolonged inhibition of firing following low-amplitude high-frequency microstimulation via the recording electrode is a consistent feature of almost all SNr neurons and rarely if ever occurs in STN neurons. This feature therefore provides a useful additional finding that can be used to help identify the border between the STN and SNr.
Insights into reticulate evolution in Machaerantherinae (Asteraceae: Astereae): 5S ribosomal RNA spacer variation, estimating support for incongruence, and constructing reticulate phylogenies
Authors: Morgan David R. , Korn Randi‐Lynn , Mugleston Spencer L.
Published: May 2009

Although reticulate evolution has been a frequent occurrence during the history of plants, determining how it has contributed to plant evolution will require analyzing many nuclear loci and developing effective analytical methods. The objective of this study was to make progress toward meeting these requirements in the evolutionarily complex subtribe Machaerantherinae. The 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) spacer was investigated to characterize its structure and variation. Analysis of the spacer supported relationships that were mostly the same as those supported by ITS and ETS sequence data. Two methods were used to estimate support for 11 occurrences of incongruence between 5S/ITS/ETS and cpDNA data sets. The five best‐supported incongruences were proposed to have had reticulate evolutionary histories. For Arida blepharophylla, Xanthisma rhizomatum, and Pyrrocoma, 5S and ITS/ETS evidence supported the same or similar relationships, indicating that these two regions of the nuclear genome were descended from the same ancestor or from two closely related ancestors, with cpDNA coming from a more distantly related ancestor. The 5S and ITS/ETS evidence disagreed on the relationships of Arida riparia, suggesting that its ITS/ETS region came from one ancestor and its 5S region and cpDNA from a different ancestor.
Symptoms Experienced by Family Members of Patients in Intensive Care Units
Authors: McAdam Jennifer L. , Puntillo Kathleen
Published: May 2009

Concern for the family members of patients who are at high risk of dying in intensive care units is both a necessary and integral part of providing holistic nursing care. When patients are at high risk of dying, their families experience burdens such as decision making and treatment choices that can cause the families psychological and physical symptoms, most commonly stress, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms in turn can affect family members’ general well-being. Since the late 1990s, several quantitative and qualitative studies have been done to assess symptoms in such family members. In this review of the literature, the current state of the science on symptoms experienced by family members of patients in the intensive care unit is reviewed and critiqued. Risk factors associated with an increase in symptoms experienced are discussed. Overall, surveys that use self-report measures were the most common study design. Limitations of the studies include convenience sampling, small sample sizes, and a lack of description of patients’ characteristics, all of which make comparison and use of findings difficult. Recommendations to address gaps in the literature are highlighted, and future research goals are discussed.
Fluorescent pH and Oxygen Probes of the Assessment of Mitochondrial Toxicity in Isolated Mitochondria and Whole Cells
Authors: Hynes James , Natoli Edward , Will Yvonne
Published: May 2009

Oxygen consumption measurements provide information on the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and such measurements can be carried out on both isolated mitochondria and whole cells. Additional information is available on glycolytic metabolism by assessing extracellular acidification. The protocols in this unit describe how recently developed fluorescent pH‐ and O2‐sensitive probes can be used as tools for the assessment of mitochondrial toxicity and metabolic function in standard microtiter plates. In addition, protocols for the isolation of mitochondria from different tissue sources are provided. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 40:2.16.1‐2.16.22. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Non‐Hydrolyzable RNA–Peptide Conjugates: A Powerful Advance in the Synthesis of Mimics for 3′‐Peptidyl tRNA Termini
Authors: Moroder Holger , Steger Jessica , Graber Dagmar , Fauster Katja , Trappl Krista , Marquez Viter , Polacek Norbert , Wilson Daniel N. , Micura Ronald
Published: April 2009

Translation of specific small peptideson the ribosome can confer resistance to macrolide antibiotics. To reveal the molecular details of this and related phenomena, stable RNA–peptide conjugates that mimic peptidyl‐tRNA would be desirable, especially for ribosome structural biology. A flexible solid‐phase synthesis strategy now allows efficient access to these highly requested derivatives without restriction on the RNA and peptide sequences.

magnified image
Application of Taguchi method to investigate the effects of process factors on the performance of batch emulsion polymerization of vinyl chloride
Authors: Shahbazian Alen , Navarchian Amir H. , Pourmehr Mahdi
Published: May 2009

In this article, the influences of five operating variables on the molecular weight (or K‐value), polydispersity index (PDI), as well as polymerization yield of emulsion poly (vinyl chloride) in batch reactor were investigated simultaneously using Taguchi experimental design approach. The variables were temperature (T), water to monomer weight ratio (r), concentrations of initiator ([I]) and emulsifier ([E]), and agitation speed (S). Statistical analysis of results revealed the significance order of factors affecting the product qualities and quantity. It was found that the reaction temperature is the principal operating factor to control the molecular weight, and this is attributed to promotion of chain transfer reactions to monomer in this system. The effect of this factor on PDI is also comprehensively discussed. The significance sequences of important factors on yield are: S > [E] > r. The polymerization yield increases with S and [E] but decreases as r is increased. The relative optimum condition for a typical paste application was also determined using overall evaluation criteria. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Microstructure of carbon nanofiber/thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer composites
Authors: Lee Sungho , Ogale Amod A.
Published: May 2009

The properties and microstructure of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP, Vectran V400P) were investigated in the presence of carbon nanofibers (CNF). The electrical conductivity of TLCP increased with an addition of CNFs. The thermal analysis of pure TLCP and its composites revealed that a glass transition at ∼ 110°C did not change significantly. However, a decrease of tensile modulus and strength was observed with the addition of CNFs. WAXD studies showed a decrease of Herman's orientation parameter, indicating reduction of anisotropy of TLCP. Further, the disruption of molecular orientation of TLCPs was inferred by SEM and TEM analysis. SEM micrographs revealed a fibrillar structure for pure TLCPs at a macro‐scale (2–5 μm). However, this structure was not observed in composites at the same scale even though micro‐size fibrils (0.05 μm) were found with the addition of CNFs. TEM micrographs displayed banded structures of pure TLCPs, but these structures were not significant in the vicinity of CNFs. These observations confirmed that a decrease of molecular alignment and disruption of fibrillar structure of TLCP, in the presence of nanofibers, are attributed to a significant decrease in tensile modulus and strength. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Statistical evaluation of laser energy density effect on mechanical properties of polyamide parts manufactured by selective laser sintering
Authors: Beal V. E. , Paggi R. A. , Salmoria G. V. , Lago A.
Published: May 2009

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a rapid manufacturing technology that builds layer‐by‐layer solid object from particulate materials. Nowadays there are materials that are used to produce prototypes and end‐user parts. Powders might be made from metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. The union or fusion of the particles is made by the energy provided by a heated environment and a laser beam. Parts are built based on data extracted from its CAD design. The process has many variables that directly affect the mechanical properties of the parts. One important and direct processing parameter is laser energy density. This work evaluated the effect of the variation of the energy density in the mechanical properties of a polymeric material by changing laser beam speed and average power. The analyzed variables were stress at 10% of elongation, flexural modulus, and density of the samples built with polyamide 2200 (PA2200‐EOSINT) using a CO2 laser (10 W). Specimens obtained by combination of different laser powers (2.7, 3.4, and 4.1 W) and laser scan speeds (39.0, 44.5, and 50.0 mm/s) were submitted to flexural tests. Additionally, volumetric density was calculated with mass and physical dimensions of specimens, and micrograph were taken using scanning electron microscope to analyze the changes of the sintering degree. The results indicated that laser power had more influence over density and mechanical properties than scan speed. The microstructures presented good correlation with the statistical results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
A very unlevel playing field indeed
Authors: Dale Bruce E.
Published: May 2009

Indirect effects analysis applied selectively against biofuels is intellectually bankrupt. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
5‐in‐1 biodiesel: an approach to combining five biodiesel gas chromatographic methods on a single instrument
Authors: McCurry James D. , Norman Wesley
Published: May 2009

James D. McCurry and Wesley Norman report on a new technology developed at Agilent Technologies. A small external, isothermal, capillary‐column oven is used to isolate a polar wax column from a high‐temperature column on a single gas chromatograph (GC). This allows five different biodiesel methods to reside on the same GC which would otherwise require two separate instruments. The isothermal biodiesel methods are used to test the external column oven performance and demonstrate the ability to combine these methods on a single GC. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Non‐Linear Model Predictive Control: A Personal Retrospective
Authors: Bequette B. Wayne
Published: April 2009

An overview of non‐linear model predictive control (NMPC) is presented, with an extreme bias towards the author's experiences and published results. Challenges include multiple solutions (from non‐convex optimization problems), and divergence of the model and plant outputs when the constant additive output disturbance (the approach of dynamic matrix control, DMC) is used. Experiences with the use of fundamental models, multiple linear models (MMPC), and neural networks are reviewed. Ongoing work in unmeasured disturbance estimation, prediction and rejection is also discussed.
The heterogeneous distribution of functional synaptic connections in rat hippocampal dissociated neuron cultures
Authors: Kudoh Suguru N. , Kiyohara Ai , Taguchi Takahisa
Published: May 2009

The dynamics of functional synaptic connections are critical for information processing systems in the brain, such as perception and learning. Using rat hippocampal cells cultured on multielectrode arrays, we investigated the spatiotemporal pattern of spontaneous action potentials. The neurons developed connections and a characteristic high‐frequency bursting (HFB) activity was observed transiently. After the period of HFB activity, the distribution of spontaneous activity changed drastically with the appearance of neurons with frequent electrical activity and neurons with little activity in the network. The functional connections of all the combinations of recorded spike trains were estimated and depicted simultaneously in a Connection Map. This map revealed that each culture contained hublike neurons with many functional connections, suggesting that the cultures of dissociated rat hippocampal neurons on multielectrode arrays formed heterogeneous networks of functional connections. In addition, the functional connections were drastically reorganized after the induction of synaptic potentiation, and novel hub neurons emerged. These results indicate that spontaneous activity is enough to construct dynamic assemblies of neurons connected to each other by functional synaptic connections, and that synaptic potentiation can induce reorganization of such assemblies of neurons. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(6): 41–49, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10063
Position command shaping for vibration suppression considering target position correction
Authors: Yamamoto Masafumi , Ito Kazuaki , Iwasaki Makoto , Matsui Nobuyuki
Published: May 2009

This paper presents a command shaping technique based on a minimum jerk control approach that takes into consideration target position correction during motion, for the fast and precise positioning in vibratory mechatronic systems. The positioning controller is designed using a two‐degree‐of‐freedom control: a feedback compensator is synthesized by H∞ control design to ensure the robust stability, while a feedforward compensator suppresses the vibration in response based on a coprime factorization expression of the plant mechanism. The command shaping, on the other hand, eliminates the corresponding vibration components of the primary and secondary models in the position command, where the continuity of jerk component in the command can be ensured against the target position correction. The effectiveness of the proposed shaping technique has been verified by experiments using a table drive system on a machine stand. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 168(3): 38–47, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20838
Post‐treatment of anaerobically treated medium‐age landfill leachate
Authors: Akkaya Ebru , Demir Ahmet , Karadag Dogan , Varank Gamze , Bilgili M. Sinan , Ozkaya Bestamin
Published: May 2009

This study focused on the removal of COD and NH4+ from medium‐age leachate. Experiments were performed in a laboratory‐scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), a membrane bioreactor (MBR), and using magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) precipitation. MBR and MAP were used for the post‐treatment steps for anaerobically treated leachate to increase the removal of organics and ammonium. The UASB reactor removed nearly all biodegradable organics and supplied constant effluent COD for all concentration ranges of influent leachate. Ammonium removal efficiency in the UASB reactor was relatively low and the average value was ∼7.9%. Integration of MBR to the effluent of UASB reactor increased the average COD removal efficiency from 51.8 to 65.6% and maximum removal efficiency increased to 74.3%. MAP precipitation was applied as a final step to decrease the ammonium concentration in the effluent of UASB+MBR reactors. The effect of pH and the molar ratio of MAP constituents on the removal of ammonium were evaluated. At optimal conditions (pH: 9.0 and Mg/NH4/PO4: 1/1.2/1.2), 96.6% of ammonium was removed and MAP provided additional COD and turbidity treatment. Consequently, the combined system of MBR and MAP precipitation could be used as an appropriate post treatment option for the anaerobically treated medium‐age landfill leachate. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Using the local elevation method to construct optimized umbrella sampling potentials: Calculation of the relative free energies and interconversion barriers of glucopyranose ring conformers in water
Authors: Hansen Halvor S. , Hünenberger Philippe H.
Published: May 2009

A method is proposed to combine the local elevation (LE) conformational searching and the umbrella sampling (US) conformational sampling approaches into a single local elevation umbrella sampling (LEUS) scheme for (explicit‐solvent) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In this approach, an initial (relatively short) LE build‐up (searching) phase is used to construct an optimized biasing potential within a subspace of conformationally relevant degrees of freedom, that is then used in a (comparatively longer) US sampling phase. This scheme dramatically enhances (in comparison with plain MD) the sampling power of MD simulations, taking advantage of the fact that the preoptimized biasing potential represents a reasonable approximation to the negative of the free energy surface in the considered conformational subspace. The method is applied to the calculation of the relative free energies of β‐D‐glucopyranose ring conformers in water (within the GROMOS 45A4 force field). Different schemes to assign sampled conformational regions to distinct states are also compared. This approach, which bears some analogies with adaptive umbrella sampling and metadynamics (but within a very distinct implementation), is shown to be: (i) efficient (nearly all the computational effort is invested in the actual sampling phase rather than in searching and equilibration); (ii) robust (the method is only weakly sensitive to the details of the build‐up protocol, even for relatively short build‐up times); (iii) versatile (a LEUS biasing potential database could easily be preoptimized for small molecules and assembled on a fragment basis for larger ones). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010
Fourier‐transform infrared and Raman spectra, vibrational assignment and density functional theory calculations of 1,4,5‐triazanaphthalene
Authors: Krishnakumar V. , Ramasamy R.
Published: May 2009

The Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) (4000–50 cm−1) and Raman spectra (3500–100 cm−1) of 1,4,5‐triazanaphthalene in polycrystalline state were measured. Comparison between the spectra by two techniques, a series of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the spectral behaviour upon deuteration were used for the assignment of the vibrational spectra of the title compound. The calculated vibrational wavenumbers by the B3LYP density functionals are generally consistent with the observed spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic studies of biological interactions by affinity chromatography
Authors: Schiel John E. , Hage David S.
Published: April 2009

The rates at which biological interactions occur can provide important information on the mechanism and behavior of such processes in living systems. This paper will discuss how affinity chromatography can be used as a tool to examine the kinetics of biological interactions. This approach, referred to here as biointeraction chromatography, uses a column with an immobilized binding agent to examine the association or dissociation of this agent with other compounds. The use of HPLC‐based affinity columns in kinetic studies has received particular attention in recent years. Advantages of using HPLC with affinity chromatography for this purpose include the ability to reuse the same ligand within a column for a large number of experiments, and the good precision and accuracy of this approach. A number of techniques are available for kinetic studies through the use of affinity columns and biointeraction chromatography. These approaches include plate height measurements, peak profiling, peak fitting, split‐peak measurements, and peak decay analysis. The general principles for each of these methods are discussed in this paper and some recent applications of these techniques are presented. The advantages and potential limitations of each approach are also considered.
1H HR/MAS NMR in the suspended state: Molecular recognition processes in liquid chromatography between steroids and a silica hydride‐based cholesterol phase
Authors: Friebolin Volker , Bayer Marc P. , Matyska Maria T. , Pesek Joseph J. , Albert Klaus
Published: April 2009

A mixture of eight steroids was separated by HPLC on a silica hydride‐based stationary phase modified with a moiety of cholesteryl 10‐undecanoate. Within the steroid mixture progesterone showed the longest retention time suggesting the strongest interaction with the stationary phase material. To obtain more detailed information upon the effective separation process, interaction studies were performed by high resolution/magic angle spinning (HR/MAS) NMR spectroscopy recorded in the suspended state. 1H saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR experiments with T1ρ suppression showed significant hydrophobic binding affinities of progesterone toward the cholesterol column material. These NMR results can be correlated directly to the chromatographic data obtained by HPLC.
Neuroanatomical substrate of visuospatial and visuoperceptual impairment in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pereira Joana B. , Junqué Carme , Martí María‐Jośe , Ramirez‐Ruiz Blanca , Bargalló Nuria , Tolosa Eduardo
Published: May 2009

To determine magnetic resonance imaging patterns of gray matter (GM) atrophy underlying visuospatial and visuoperceptual impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD), we applied voxel‐based morphometry to 36 nondemented PD patients and correlated their whole brain GM density with performance on three visuospatial and visuoperceptual tests. In addition, group comparisons between patients and 20 healthy controls were also performed. Correlations between visuospatial performance and GM density were found in the superior parietal lobules and the superior occipital gyrus of PD patients. Poor performance on visuoperceptual tests was also found to be significantly associated with GM decreases in the fusiform, the parahippocampus, and the middle occipital gyrus. Finally, group comparisons between controls and patients showed widespread GM cortical reductions in PD, involving posterior temporal and parietal regions. Taken together, these findings suggest that visuospatial and visuoperceptual dysfunctions reflect structural GM changes in temporo‐parietal cortical regions of PD patients. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Differentiation of configurations of the phenylbutenoid dimer derivatives from Zingiber cassumunar by tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen Juanjuan , Lu Yanbin , Lin Lin , Sun Zhen , Sun Cuirong , Pan Yuanjiang
Published: May 2009

High‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was developed to distinguish isomers and compounds of similar structures with different configurations in the rhizomes of Z. cassumunar. Energy‐resolved breakdown curves were utilized to differentiate four compounds. Compounds 2 (3R,4S) and 4 (3R,4R) were a pair of stereoisomers which could be distinguished easily by breakdown curves. The breakdown curve of compound 1 was identical to that of compound 2, which suggested that the configuration of compound 1 was (3R,4S) or (3S,4R). The breakdown curve of compound 3 was completely different from those of compounds 1, 2 and 4, and it might be that the configuration of the double bond of compound 3 was different from the other three compounds. Hence, the described method using breakdown curves has great potential in the distinguishing of isomers and compounds of similar structure with different configurations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of organic hydroperoxides and hydroperoxy acids in secondary organic aerosol formed during the ozonolysis of different monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes by on‐line analysis using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Reinnig Marc‐Christopher , Warnke Jörg , Hoffmann Thorsten
Published: May 2009

On‐line ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) enables the real‐time characterization of reaction products of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The analysis was conducted by directly introducing the aerosol particles into the ion source. Positive‐ion chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI(+)) ITMS was used for the characterization of constituents of biogenic SOA produced in reaction‐chamber experiments. APCI in the positive‐ion mode usually enables the detection of [M+H]+ ions of the individual SOA components. In this paper the identification of organic peroxides from biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by on‐line APCI‐ITMS is presented. Organic peroxides containing a hydroperoxy group, generated by gas‐phase ozonolysis of monoterpenes (α‐pinene and β‐pinene) and sesquiterpenes (α‐cedrene and α‐copaene), could be detected via on‐line APCI(+)‐MS/MS experiments. A characteristic neutral loss of 34 Da (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) in the on‐line MS/MS spectra is a clear indication for the existence of an organic peroxide, containing a hydroperoxy functional group. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A postpartum separation induces c‐Fos expression in the supramammillary nucleus of lactating rats
Authors: Kromkhum Pudcharaporn , Nagai Asa , Ichikawa Masumi , Saito Toru R. , Yokosuka Makoto
Published: April 2009

Aim

Elucidation of the neural mechanism of maternal behaviors is a medically and biologically important research task. The rat is the laboratory animal most extensively analyzed for maternal behaviors. However, the neural mechanism that maintains the motivation of postpartum rats for maternal behaviors has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to identify brain regions involved in the maintenance of motivation for maternal behaviors by detecting brain regions that exhibit changes in nerve activity when the mother rat is separated from her pups.

Methods

Lactating mother rats were separated from their pups on postpartum day 3 and kept away from the pups for a certain period of time, and brain regions that exhibited changes in nerve activity when the rats were separated from their pups and those that exhibited changes in nerve activity when the pups are returned were detected by immunohistochemistry using anti‐c‐Fos antibody, a marker for increased nerve activity.

Results

Rats that were separated from their pups and with the pups returned later showed increases in the number of c‐Fos immunoreactive (c‐Fos‐IR) cells in the medial preoptic area (MPA), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), the caudal portion of posterior hypothalamic area (PH) and the supramamillary nucleus (SUM). In mother rats permanently separated from their pups, only the PH and SUM exhibited an increase in the number of c‐Fos‐IR cells.

Conclusion

In rats, the SUM is involved in aversive memory and changes in the postpartum anxiety level. The observed increase in the number of c‐Fos‐IR cells in the SUM of mother rats separated from their pups suggests that the nerve activity change in the SUM, which is involved in aversive memory and anxiety, is involved in the maintenance of maternal behaviors.
Cross-bedding in the Calciferous Sandstone Series of Fife and West Lothian
Authors: Greensmith J. T.
Published: May 2009

Cross-bedding within the sandstones of eastern Fife indicates a predominant north to north-easterly source for the clastic debris. This inference is in accordance with cross-bedding data from sandstones of similar age in southern Fife and West Lothian.
Coal from the Legionary Fortress of Caerleon, Monmouthshire
Authors: Adams H. F. , Bradburn E. , Boon George C.
Published: May 2009

Fragments of coal found in contexts of the third century A.D. at the legionary fortress of Caerleon (Isca) are assigned from intrinsic evidence to a local source. A brief comment on the use of coal in Roman Britain follows.
The Role of Cooling Cracks Formed at High Temperatures and of Released Gas in the Formation of Chilled Basic Margins in Net-veined Intrusions
Authors: Windley B.
Published: May 2009

Cooling cracks form at high temperatures when a basic magma is either viscous or crystalline and hot. It is postulated that fine-grained margins form along the fractures by release of gas through the fracture network. This takes place (a) by raising the liquidus-solidus boundary due to release of volatiles, (b) by expansion of the released gas with consequent cooling. Granitic material introduced along the fractures post-dates and may recrystallize the “chilled” margins.
Lava Ploughing in the Tertiary Basalts of County Antrim
Authors: Wilson H. E.
Published: May 2009

A quarry face in County Antrim appears to show that the toe of a Tertiary lava flow has ploughed into the weathered top of the underlying lava and carried some of the weathered material forward.
Welded glass-breccias from Marysvale, Utah
Authors: Kerr P. F. , Gavesci A. T. , Bowes D. R.
Published: May 2009

Glass-breccias and volcanic glass from Marysvale are shown to be welded ash-flow tuffs of rhyolitic composition. They are interpreted as resulting from intermittent volcanic activity.
Raham Conglomerate – new evidence for Neogene tectonism in the southern part of the Dead Sea Rift
Authors: Garfunkel Z. , Bartov J. , Eyal Y. , Steinitz G.
Published: May 2009

A newly discovered, mainly continental, deformed, Neogene formation – the Raham Conglomerate – records the early existence of the southern part of the Dead Sea Rift. The field relations, the predominance of clasts derived from formations which have been virtually completely eroded, and the presence of pebbles of Precambrian rocks, all attest that a considerable structural relief – possibly exceeding 2 km – already existed in the Middle (?) Miocene. Brackish marine fossils indicate that an ancestral Gulf of Elat (Aqaba) also already existed.