bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between rainfall inputs and flood generation in south–east Spain
Authors: Bracken (née Bull) L. J. , Cox N. J. , Shannon J.
Published: June 2007

Rainfall and flood data are relatively sparse in semi‐arid areas; hence there have been relatively few investigations into the relationships between rainfall inputs and flood generation in these environments. Previous work has shown that flood properties are influenced by a combination of precipitation characteristics including amount, intensity, duration and spatial distribution. Therefore floods may be produced by high intensity, short duration storms, or longer duration, low intensity rainfall. Most of this research has been undertaken in small catchments in either hyper‐arid or relatively high rainfall Mediterranean climates. This paper presents results from a 6 year data record in south‐east Spain from research conducted in two basins, the Rambla Nogalte (171 km2) and the Rambla de Torrealvilla (200 km2). Data cover an area of approximately 500 km2 and an annual average rainfall of 300 mm. At coarse temporal resolutions gauges spread over large areas record similar patterns of rainfall, although spells of rain show much more complexity; pulses of rain within storms can vary considerably in total rainfall, intensity and duration over the same area. The analysis for south‐east Spain shows that most storms occur over a period of less than 24 h, but that the number of rainfall events declines as the duration exceeds 8 h. This is at odds with data on floods for the study area suggesting that they are produced by storms lasting longer than 18 h. However, one flood event was produced by a very short (15 min) storm with high intensity rainfall. Most floods tended to occur in May/June or September, which coincides with wetter months of the year (September, October, December and May). Floods are also more highly related to the total rainfall occurring in a spell of rain, than to intensity. The complexity of storm rainfall increases with the storm total, which makes it difficult to generalize on the importance of rainfall intensity for flood generation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of acid etching on dentin wettability and roughness: Self‐etching primers versus phosphoric acid
Authors: Aguilar‐Mendoza Jose A. , Rosales‐Leal Juan I. , Rodríguez‐Valverde Miguel A. , Cabrerizo‐Vílchez Miguel A.
Published: June 2007

Objective: To compare the effect of self‐etching primers and phosphoric acid on the wettability and roughness of smear layer‐covered and smear layer‐free dentin. Materials and Method: Three self‐etching primers (Clearfil SE Bond, AdheSE, and Xeno III) and 10% (w/w) phosphoric acid (H3PO4) solution were evaluated. The substrates were midcoronal dentin with and without smear layer. For each liquid, pH, density, and surface tension were determined. Water wettability of dentin and roughness were measured before and after each etching. Wettability of self‐etching primers and phosphoric acid was measured on untreated dentin. Results: Water wettability increased after acid conditioning similarly for all the liquids used. On smear layer‐covered surfaces, self‐etching primers achieved a comparable wetting but with greater contact angles than phosphoric acid. However, on smear layer‐free surfaces, the increasing sequence of contact angle was Clearfil SE < AdheSE < Xeno III < Phosphoric acid. The treatment with phosphoric acid (lowest pH) produced the highest roughness increase on both dentin substrates. The roughening effect of the self‐etching adhesives was more evident for AdheSE and Xeno III. Conclusions: Self‐etching primers and phosphoric acid promote similar water wettability increase. However, self‐etching primers provided lower dentin roughness increase than pretreatment with phosphoric acid. The presence of smear layer did not affect the results of self‐etching and phosphoric acid treatments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Stability, domination and irredundance in a graph
Authors: Favaron Odile
Published: June 2007

In a graph G, a set X is called a stable set if any two vertices of X are nonadjacent. A set X is called a dominating set if every vertex of V – X is joined to at least one vertex of X. A set X is called an irredundant set if every vertex of X, not isolated in X, has at least one proper neighbor, that is a vertex of V – X joined to it but to no other vertex of X. Let α′ and α, γ, and Γ, ir and IR, denote respectively the minimum and maximum cardinalities of a maximal stable set, a minimal dominating set, and a maximal irredundant set. It is known that ir ⩽ γ ⩽ α′ ⩽ α ⩽ Γ ⩽ IR and that if G does not contain any induced subgraph isomorphic to K1,3, then γ = α′. Here we prove that if G contains no induced subgraph isomorphic to K1,3 or to the graph H of figure 1, then ir = γ = α′. We prove also that if G contains no induced subgraph isomorphic to K1,3, to H, or to the graph h of figure 3, then Γ = IR. Finally, we improve a result of Bollobas and Cockayne about sufficient conditions for γ = ir in terms of forbidden subgraphs.
A note on defective colorings of graphs in surfaces
Authors: Archdeacon Dan
Published: June 2007

A graph is (m, k)‐colorable if its vertices can be colored with m colors in such a way that each vertex is adjacent to at most k vertices of the same color as itself. In a recent paper Cowen, Cowen, and Woodall proved that, for each compact surface S, there exists an integer k = k(S) such that every graph in S can be (4, k)‐colored. They also conjectured that the 4 could be replaced by 3. In this note we prove their conjecture.
Pagenumber of complete bipartite graphs
Authors: Muder Douglas J. , Weaver Margaret Lefevre , West Douglas B.
Published: June 2007

Given an ordering of the vertices of a graph around a circle, a page is a collection of edges forming noncrossing chords. A book embedding is a circular permutation of the vertices together with a partition of the edges into pages. Thepagenumber t(G)(also called book thickness) is the minimum number of pages in a book embedding of G. We present a general construction showingt(Km,n) ⩽ ⌈(m+ 2n)/4⌉, which we conjecture optimal. We prove a result suggesting this is optimal form⩾ 2n− 3. For the most difficult casem=n, we consider vertex permutations that areregular, i.e., place vertices from each partite set into runs of equal size. Book embeddings with such orderings require ⌈(7n− 2)/9⌉ pages, which is achievable. The general construction uses fewer pages, but with an irregular ordering.
Three tree‐paths
Authors: Zehavi Avram , Itai Alon
Published: June 2007

Itai and Rodeh [3] have proved that for any 2‐connected graphGand any vertexs∈Gthere are two spanning trees such that the paths from any other vertex toson the trees are disjoint. In this paper the result is generalized to 3‐connected graphs.
Hamiltonian cycles in planar triangulations with no separating triangles
Authors: Dillencourt Michael B.
Published: June 2007

A classical theorem of Hassler Whitney asserts that any maximal planar graph with no separating triangles is Hamiltonian. In this paper, we examine the problem of generalizing Whitney's theorem by relaxing the requirement that the triangulation be a maximal planar graph (i.e., that its outer boundary be a triangle) while maintaining the hypothesis that the triangulation have no separating triangles. It is shown that the conclusion of Whitney's theorem still holds if the chords satisfy a certain sparse‐ness condition and that a Hamiltonian cycle through a graph satisfying this condition can be found in linear time. Upper bounds on the shortness coefficient of triangulations without separating triangles are established. Several examples are given to show that the theorems presented here cannot be extended without strong additional hypotheses. In particular, a 1‐tough, non‐Hamiltonian triangulation with no separating triangles is presented.
Playing across the playground: paradoxes of knowledge creation in the videogame firm
Authors: Cohendet Patrick , Simon Laurent
Published: June 2007

This contribution illustrates how a videogame firm copes in managing creativity and expression of artistic values, while meeting the constraints of the economics of mass entertainment. The research is based on a case study in one of the largest video game studios in the world located in Montreal, Canada. The approach considers that the creative units of the firms are the communities of specialists (game developers, software programmers, etc.). Each of these communities, which have found a fertile soil in Montreal that nurtures their creative potential, is focused on both exploration and exploitation of a given domain of knowledge. In order to benefit from these sources of creativity, the integration forces implemented by the managers of the firm to bind the creative units together for achieving commercial successes reveal a hybrid form of project management which combines decentralized platforms with strict constraints on time, and a specific management of space that favors informal interactions. However, we suggest that the integration forces put forward by the firm are not just for harnessing creative units: they also generate creative slacks for further expansion of creativity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cooking up change in haute cuisine: Ferran Adrià as an institutional entrepreneur
Authors: Svejenova Silviya , Mazza Carmelo , Planellas Marcel
Published: June 2007

Based on a longitudinal, inductive study of a critical case from a cultural sector, this article explores how institutional entrepreneurs initiate change. Our explanation points to four mechanisms:creativitythat generates continuous flow of new ideas;theorizationthat takes stock of these ideas;reputationwithin and outside the field that endorses ideas as worthy of attention, anddisseminationthat brings ideas to the public domain. As novel ideas challenge received practices in the field, paradoxes of logics and identity emerge and provide potential for change.

The study contributes to institutional theory by examining a preliminary, understudied stage of institutional change that provides a potential for change. Further, it shows how institutional entrepreneurs engage in the theorization and dissemination of their work. Finally, it reveals how reputation plays a critical role in the dissemination of new ideas and thus in the shaping up of the paradoxes and the potential for change. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
For art's sake! Artistic and economic logics in creative production
Authors: Eikhof Doris Ruth , Haunschild Axel
Published: June 2007

In creative or cultural production, work practices are shaped by both artistic and economic logics of practice. We apply a practice theory‐framework to qualitative research in German theatres and analyse (i) the nature of the relationship between artistic and economic logics of practice and (ii) how art and business as reference points influence creative production. Exploring logics of practice in theatre reveals a central paradox of creative production: economic logics tend to crowd out artistic logics, and thus endanger the resources vital to creative production. Consequently theatre actors and theatres, as organisations, have to develop means of safeguarding artistic logics of practice in order to delimit the influence of economic logics. The article shows that despite of this need, no respective organizational routines have emerged. Rather, human resource management practices in theatres are highly personalized and theatre artists have to find their own, idiosyncratic ways of dealing with the tension between artistic and economic logics. We argue that the central paradox in creative production, which is caused by the necessity to manage and market habitually incorporated non‐economic norms and values, is also of crucial relevance for other, especially knowledge‐intensive industries. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From conception to consumption: creativity and the missing managerial link
Authors: Thompson Paul , Jones Michael , Warhurst Chris
Published: June 2007

The paper argues that two sets of claims can be identified across the literatures—the first that creative work is the driving force of a ‘new economy’ (creative intensity). Second, that cultural industries have a special kind of creativity at its core—the aesthetic attributes of product and process (creative distinctiveness). After examining the literatures and evidence we conclude that little explanatory power resides in expanded conceptions of each set of ‘industries’. The central problem in such literatures is that they frequently move from conception to consumption, leaving a gap where concrete analysis of management, work, and employment relations should be. Whilst ultimately there are only cultural industries with their own logics and dynamics, given the nature of symbolic goods and the associated indeterminacy of outcomes, a narrower conception of creative distinctiveness in cultural industries has some analytical purchase. This is explored in the context of the popular music industry, where we outline a double articulation of creativity: musicians mayself‐managetheir own creativity, but within a framework whereby record company personnel engage in multiple points of management, setting the terms of access to resources and influence, and ultimately to the market‐place. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extent and characterisation of salt‐affected soils in Iran and strategies for their amelioration and management
Authors: Qadir M. , Qureshi A. S. , Cheraghi S. A. M.
Published: June 2007

Salinisation of land resources is a major impediment to their optimal utilisation in many arid and semi‐arid regions of the world including Iran. Estimates suggest that about 34 million ha, including 4·1 million ha of the irrigated land, are salt‐affected in Iran as the consequence of naturally occurring phenomena and anthropogenic activities. The annual economic losses due to salinisation in the country are more than US$ 1 billion. With variable levels of success, different approaches—salt leaching and drainage interventions, crop‐based management, chemical amendments and fertilisers and integrated application of these approaches—have been used to enhance the productivity of salt‐affected soils in the Country. From sustainable management perspective, it is revealed from the past research that integrated salinity management and mitigation approaches have the potential to successfully address the complex problems of salt‐induced land degradation in Iran. As the growing need to produce more food and fibre for the expanding Iranian population necessitates the increased use of salt‐affected land resources in the foreseeable future, there is an urgent need to develop and implement a pertinent National Strategic Plan. In addition to establishing networks for monitoring spatial and temporal changes in soil salinity and water quality, this plan should integrate the management of salt‐affected environments into the overall management of land and water resources in the country. It should also address different management aspects of salt‐affected land resources in a holistic manner by considering the biophysical and environmental conditions of the target areas as well as livelihoods of the affected communities. The involvement of the communities will facilitate in developing a greater understanding about the potential uses and markets of the agricultural products produced from salt‐affected areas. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of phospholipids using electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Buyukpamukcu Elif , Hau Jöerg , Fay Laurent‐Bernard , Dionisi Fabiola
Published: June 2007

Phospholipids have widespread use as surfactants and emulsifying agents, and as ingredients with nutritional benefits. We describe an approach for their analysis, based on separation by reversed‐phase HPLC and identification and quantification by electrospray ionization MS and MS/MS. It enables the identification of phospholipids by assessing their polar head and fatty acid moieties, as well as their quantitative analysis.
Nonlinear shear‐free radiative collapse
Authors: Misthry S. S. , Maharaj S. D. , Leach P. G. L.
Published: June 2007

We study realistic models of relativistic radiating stars undergoing gravitational collapse which have vanishing Weyl tensor components. Previous investigations are generalized by retaining the inherent nonlinearity at the boundary. We transform the boundary condition to an Abel equation of the first kind. A variety of nonlinear solutions is generated all of which can be written explicitly. Several classes of infinite solutions exist. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Higher expression of hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1/p32/gC1qR/SF2) during follicular development and cumulus oocyte complex maturation in rat
Authors: Thakur Sonu Chand , Datta Kasturi
Published: June 2007

Ovulation is a complex process of releasing a fertilizable oocyte and depends on the proper formation of an extracellular hyaluronan rich matrix by the cumulus oocyte complex (COC). The formation of a HA rich matrix is dependent on the synthesis and organization of HA in the presence of several biomolecules that mediate its crosslinking. To gain an insight into the follicular maturation and COC expansion, we have studied the expression of hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1), which is known to interact specifically with hyaluronan. The level of HABP1 increased markedly during ovulation after gonadotropin stimulation, and the overexpression was seen in mural granulosa cells, expanding cumulus cells and follicular fluid. However, HABP1 could not be detected in the luteal cells of corpus luteum after ovulation. Such increased expression of HABP1 was observed both during in vivo and in vitro conditions of COC expansion. The level of HABP1 transcript was upregulated up to fivefold after COC expansion as compared to compact COC. Immunofluorescence analysis showed HABP1 to be localized in the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix, suggesting its role in ECM organization. The cultured expanded COC treated with hyaluronidase for different time periods showed the gradual dispersion of COC, which coincide with the loss of HABP1 from the matrix suggesting that HABP1 is bound to hyaluronan. These results indicate that HABP1 expressed in rat COCs during maturation may facilitate the formation of the HA matrix in the extracellular space around the oocyte with cumulus expansion during maturation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 429–438, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The psychometric properties of the PRAFAB‐questionnaire: A brief assessment questionnaire to evaluate severity of urinary incontinence in women
Authors: Hendriks Erik J.M. , Bernards Arnold T.M. , Berghmans Bary C.M. , de Bie Rob A.
Published: June 2007

Aims

To determine the psychometric properties of the (5‐item) total PRAFAB‐questionnaire score in a group of patients with stress or predominant urgency urinary incontinence (UI) to justify its use in clinical practice and research.

Methods

Psychometric properties were assessed in a prospective cohort of patients with primary or recurrent UI referred for physiotherapy treatment.

Results

In total, 99 women enrolled the cohort study, of whom 87 were classified as stable (“about the same” on the global rating scale [GRS]) and included for analyses. Factor analysis resulted in a single underlying factor in both UI groups. The PRAFAB‐questionnaire scores demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability (high ICCsagreement [0.93–0.95] and kappa scores for individual items) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha's of 0.82). The PRAFAB‐questionnaire was able to discriminate among different patient groups indicating good construct validity. Responsiveness to clinical improvement for both groups was shown to be excellent with large effect size statistics and high correlations (0.79–0.89) with patients' perceived benefit on the GRS indicating excellent longitudinal validity. The minimally important change stratified for non‐severe and severe classified patients were estimated between −2.5 to −4.6 and −4.5 to −7.0 points, respectively for the stress UI group and −2.5 to −3.4 points and −4.0 to −4.4, respectively for the urgency UI group.

Conclusions

The brief and simple PRAFAB‐questionnaire demonstrated good psychometric properties for use in clinical practice and research to evaluate treatment effects for UI in women. Future research will be necessary to replicate these findings and further explore its psychometric properties. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:998–1007, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fourth‐order compact schemes for solving multidimensional heat problems with Neumann boundary conditions
Authors: Zhao Jennifer , Dai Weizhong , Zhang Suyang
Published: June 2007

In this article, two sets of fourth‐order compact finite difference schemes are constructed for solving heat‐conducting problems of two or three dimensions, respectively. Both problems are with Neumann boundary conditions. These works are extensions of our earlier work (Zhao et al., Fourth order compact schemes of a heat conduction problem with Neumann boundary conditions, Numerical Methods Partial Differential Equations, to appear) for the one‐dimensional case. The local one‐dimensional method is employed to construct these two sets of schemes, which are proved to be globally solvable, unconditionally stable, and convergent. Numerical examples are also provided. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007
Analysis and convergence of finite volume method using discontinuous bilinear functions
Authors: Ye Xiu
Published: June 2007

We develop finite volume method using discontinuous bilinear functions on rectangular mesh. This method is analyzed for the Stokes equations. An optimal error estimate for the approximation of velocity is obtained in a mesh‐dependent norm. First order L2‐error estimates are derived for the approximations of both velocity and pressure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007
Drifting towards convergence? Motivation and performance management in state and private companies in the provision of telecom services in Ghana
Authors: Awortwi Nicholas , Vondee Joana
Published: June 2007

The concept of expectancy on which many of the theories of workplace incentive programmes are based, claims that when employees are given a particular level of motivation, it will result in some level of performance. The general perception in Ghana is that public sector employees do not perform as efficiently as private sector workers because they lack incentives to do so. However, few studies have compared the incentive structures of the two sectors. Using empirical evidence from four telecom companies in Ghana, this article shows that the gaps between ‘state’ and ‘private’ have narrowed. Also, while incentive structures such as salary, fringe benefits and job (in)security are converging, critical performance management processes like employees' participation in decision‐making, performance appraisal, monitoring and credibility of sanctions are drifting apart. This article concludes that differences in performance between state and private companies may be explained by performance management processes and not incentive structures. It cautions that improved salaries and other office perquisites may not by themselves achieve organisational performance. Rather, incentives should be embedded in a broader approach through effective performance management processes. The information in the article is relevant to the ‘borderline’ part of the public sector under a deregulated environment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short chain branching profiles in polyethylene from the Phillips Cr/silica catalyst
Authors: DesLauriers Paul J. , McDaniel Max P.
Published: June 2007

SEC and on‐line Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis have been combined to study branching profiles from the Phillips Cr/silica catalyst. For the first time, catalyst and reactor variables have been shown to affect the overall level and distribution of branches in polyethylene copolymers. Branching profiles from various chromium catalysts have been shown to vary from highly concentrated in the low MW end, to uniformly distributed over all of the MW range. Activation temperature and the presence of titania were highly influential. These observations, which have been used to gain insight into the chemistry of Cr/silica, explain much of the catalyst behavior that has for decades been used to optimize polymer properties. Trends in ESCR, impact resistance, and other physical characteristics, which were long attributed to changes in MW distribution, can now be seen to also be due in large part to changes in the branching profile. This knowledge should be of value in designing future resins. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3135–3149, 2007
Androgens and prostate cancer risk: A prospective study
Authors: Wirén Sara , Stocks Tanja , Rinaldi Sabina , Hallmans Göran , Bergh Anders , Stenman Ulf‐Håkan , Kaaks Rudolf , Stattin Pär
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND

Androgens have been implicated in prostate tumorigenesis, but prospective studies have overall reported no association between circulating levels of androgens and risk of prostate cancer. However, some recent studies have shown that a high level of testosterone increase the risk of non‐aggressive tumors but is associated with a decreased risk of aggressive tumors.

METHODS

We prospectively measured plasma levels of total testosterone, androstanediol glucuronide (A‐diol‐g) and sex hormone binding globuline (SHBG) and calculated estimated levels of free testosterone, in a nested case‐control study of 392 cases and 392 matched controls.

RESULTS

None of the studied hormones were significantly associated with prostate cancer risk in the full study group or in subgroups according to tumor aggressiveness. Odds ratios in the full study group, for top versus bottom quartile, was for total testosterone 1.25 (95% CI = 0.79–2.00; Ptrend = 0.51); free testosterone, 1.31 (95% CI = 0.82–2.07; Ptrend = 0.35); A‐diol‐g, 0.88 (95% CI = 0.59–1.33; Ptrend = 0.77); and for SHBG, 1.01 (95% CI = 0.64–1.58; Ptrend = 0.94).

Conclusions

We found no significant associations between androgen levels and risk of prostate cancer in this population‐based, non‐screened cohort. Prostate 67: 1230–1237, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localization of immunoreactive HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α in neuroendocrine cells of both benign and malignant prostate glands
Authors: Monsef Nastaran , Helczynski Leszek , Lundwall Åke , Påhlman Sven , Anders‐Bjartell
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia induces increased tumor growth by promoting angiogenic and glycolytic pathways. Tumors expressing hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), an important transcriptional activator of oxygen‐regulated genes, are resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The major challenge in prostate cancer therapy today is to gain a better understanding of the development of hormone‐refractory tumors, which is often characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation. Here we studied the expression of HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α in neuroendocrine cells of the benign prostate and in prostate cancer.

METHODS

Tissue sections from 30 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and from 21 patients operated by transurethral resection of the prostate were selected for immunohistochemical analysis for expression of HIF‐1α, HIF‐2α, androgen receptor (AR), neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A, synaptophysin), and two gene products downstream of HIF‐1α: VEGF and GAPDH.

RESULTS

Immunoreactive HIF‐1α was detected in a subpopulation of AR‐negative neuroendocrine cells in benign and malignant prostate tissue. Analysis of serial sections showed that the levels of expression of GAPDH and VEGF proteins are increased in AR‐negative malignant neuroendocrine cells expressing HIF‐1α. In situ‐hybridization indicated that HIF‐1α mRNA levels are not higher in neuroendocrine prostate cancer cells relative to corresponding non‐neuroendocrine tumor cells. We also demonstrated induced stabilization of nuclear HIF‐1α in LNCaP cells by hypoxia and long‐term stimulation with interleukin‐6. Focal HIF‐2 expression was detected in benign neuroendocrine‐like cells and in malignant prostatic cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α in prostate cancer has been confirmed, but we also identified immunoreactive HIF‐1α and downstream gene products in benign and malignant prostate neuroendocrine cells. Prostate 67: 1219–1229, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antimicrobial activity of clove and rosemary essential oils alone and in combination
Authors: Fu YuJie , Zu YuanGang , Chen LiYan , Shi XiaoGuang , Wang Zhe , Sun Su , Efferth Thomas
Published: June 2007

In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et Perry) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) was tested alone and in combination. The compositions of the oils were analysed by GC/MS. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against three Gram‐positive bacteria, three Gram‐negative bacteria and two fungi were determined for the essential oils and their mixtures. Furthermore, time‐kill dynamic processes of clove and rosemary essential oils against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were tested. Both essential oils possessed significant antimicrobial effects against all microorganisms tested. The MICs of clove oil ranged from 0.062% to 0.500% (v/v), while the MICs of rosemary oil ranged from 0.125% to 1.000% (v/v). The antimicrobial activity of combinations of the two essential oils indicated their additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects against individual microorganism tests. The time‐kill curves of clove and rosemary essential oils towards three strains showed clearly bactericidal and fungicidal processes of 1/2 × MIC, MIC, MBC and 2 × MIC. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neem leaf preparation induces apoptosis of tumor cells by releasing cytotoxic cytokines from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Bose Anamika , Haque Enamul , Baral Rathindranath
Published: June 2007

A neem leaf preparation (NLP) was investigated for its role in the induction of tumor cell apoptosis to elucidate the mechanism of NLP mediated immunoprophylaxis in tumor growth restriction. As NLP did not induce direct apoptosis of human tumor cell lines KB, MCF7 and K562, it was used instead to stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for 72 h. The PBMC derived culture supernatant (NLP‐CS) was observed to induce the restriction of tumor cell proliferation as well as apoptosis. An enzyme linked immunosorbant assay revealed the presence of cytotoxic cytokines, IFN‐gamma and TNF‐alpha, in the NLP‐CS. The inhibition of secretion of IFN‐gamma and TNF‐alpha in NLP‐CS caused a significant decrease in tumor cell apoptosis. Furthermore, stimulation of these tumor cells with NLP‐CS resulted in upregulation of the caspase 3 and downregulation of the Bcl 2 and cyclin D1. These observations suggested that NLP could induce tumor cellular apoptosis by releasing cytotoxic cytokines from human PBMC. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Sarris Jerome
Published: June 2007

This paper reports a critical review of 27 herbal medicines and formulas in treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders (in addition to anxiety and depression), including obsessive‐compulsive, seasonal affective, bipolar depressive, psychotic, phobic and somatoform disorders. Ovid Medline, Pubmed and the Cochrane Library were searched for pharmacological and clinical evidence of herbal medicines with psychotropic activity. A forward search of later citations was also conducted. Whilst substantial high‐quality evidence exists for the use of kava and St John's wort in the treatment of anxiety and depression respectively, currently there is insufficient robust clinical evidence for the use of many other herbal medicines in psychiatric disorders. Phytotherapies which potentially have significant use in psychiatry, and urgently require more research are Rhodiola rosea (roseroot) and Crocus sativus (saffron) for depression; Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Scutellaria lateriflora (scullcap) and Zizyphus jujuba (sour date) for anxiety disorders; and Piper methysticum (kava) for phobic, panic and obsessive‐compulsive disorders. While depression and anxiety are commonly researched, the efficacy of herbal medicines in other mental disorders requires attention. The review addresses current issues in herbal psychotherapy: herbal safety, future areas of application, the relationship of herbal medicine with pharmaceuticals and the potential prescriptive integration of phytomedicines with synthetic psychotropic medicines. Particular attention is given to clinical and safety issues with St John's wort and kava. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Host factors involved in the replication of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Moriishi Kohji , Matsuura Yoshiharu
Published: June 2007

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major causative agent of blood‐borne hepatitis. The majority of HCV‐infected individuals develop chronic hepatitis, which eventually progresses to liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the precise mechanisms of entry, replication, assembly, egress and pathogenesis of HCV are largely unknown, information about viral receptor candidates has accumulated by the development of pseudotype viruses and an in vitro replication system of the HCV JFH1 strain. Furthermore, the autonomous RNA replication system based on the artificial viral genome revealed that HCV replicates in the intracellular replication complex composed of viral and host proteins. Recently, an immunosuppress ant, cyclosporin A and inhibitors for sphingolipid synthesis and chaperon were reported to inhibit the replication of HCV by counteracting the interplay between host and viral proteins. This review considers the current knowledge of the host proteins that participate in HCV replication and the possibility of developing novel therapeutics intervention for chronic hepatitis C. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transvaginal sonographic findings of a large intramural uterine hematoma associated with iatrogenic injury sustained at termination of pregnancy
Authors: Sherer D. M. , Gorelick C. , Gabbur N. , Borowski D. , Serur E. , Zinn H. L. , Kheyman M. , Abulafia O.
Published: June 2007

We report a case in which a patient presented with severe right lower abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting 3 days after termination of pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed a large intramural mass in the anterior aspect of the lower segment of an acutely retroflexed uterus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with an intramural hematoma as a result of iatrogenic injury sustained during the preceding termination of pregnancy. The patient was managed expectantly. Systematic review of the literature confirmed that this is the first report of sonographic findings associated with an intramural uterine hematoma some days after the injury sustained at termination of pregnancy. This case supports utilization of real‐time ultrasound guidance during intrauterine surgery of selected cases to decrease procedure‐related morbidity. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of oil‐based pharmaceuticals
Authors: Smith Edward
Published: June 2007

Oils of animal, mineral and vegetable origin are used in the formulation of pharmaceuticals. In most cases the analysis of these pharmaceuticals requires the separation of the drug substance from the oil components prior to its quantitation, the required degree of separation depending on the specificity of the quantitation method. When the physical properties of the drug substance are quite similar to those of components of the oil, the separation of the drug becomes complex. Column partition chromatography provides an excellent means of separating steroids from the vegetable oil vehicles used in injectables. Both reverse phase and direct phase techniques are applied to the separation of the steroids from the glyceride, sterol and triterpenoid fractions of the oil. Illustrations are provided to demonstrate the application of thin layer chromatography, paper chromatography, gas chromatography, gel permeation chromatography and adsorption chromatography in the analysis of oil solutions, oil‐based dermatological preparations and suppositories.
Brassidic acid: Preparation from erucic acid and mechanism of elaidinization
Authors: Chang Shu‐Pei , Miwa Thomas K.
Published: June 2007

Brassidic acid was prepared by elaidinization of 95% erucic acid with 4 mole % nitrous acid at 70 C for 30 min, followed by crystallization from 95% ethanol. Yield was 70%, and purity was 96–97% by gas liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography. The isomerization reaction was monitored by IRtrans absorption for optimal reaction rate and yield. There was no migration of the double bond. The NMR spectrum of thetrans protons was wide and complex with a chemical shift of 5.34 δ. The nitrous acid elaidinization, generally explained as a free radical process, is believed to be induced initially by the nitrogen dioxide anion (nitrite) and followed immediately by complex formation between the excited triplet anion and the olefin. The complex rotates to the opposite geometric configuration driven by a spin‐orbital coupling process.
Heterogeneous hydrogenation of fish oils: Kinetic determination of catalyst poisoning
Authors: Mørk P. C.
Published: June 2007

Mackerel oil was hydrogenated with Nysel Ni catalyst at 170 C and atmospheric pressure. The dependence of the differential rates of hydrogenation on iodine value and catalyst concentration indicated that severe poisoning of the catalyst took place. Further experiments with addition of catalyst during the run as well as with prehydrogenation of the oil to various iodine values revealed the existence of three kinetically distinguishable poisoning effects: a rapid initial poisoning, probably due to the presence of sulfur compounds; a strong primary poisoning completed within the first few minutes of the hydrogenation; and a comparatively slow secondary poisoning reaching a state of equilibrium after 25–30 min of hydrogenation. Similar results were obtained with capelin oil as well as with other commercial catalysts. With soybean oil, no such poisoning effects were observed.
Influence of nonionic surfactant additive on the properties of ionic surfactant solutions
Authors: Muto Shinya , Inō Takashi , Meguro Kenjiro
Published: June 2007

The interaction of sodium dodecyl sulfate with a nonionic surfactant (a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide) has been investigated by the measurement of conductivity, surface tension and viscosity. The break point on the equivalent conductivity‐square root of concentration diagram which gives the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of sodium dodecyl sulfate became less definite by the addition of the nonionic surfactant, because of the decrease in conductivity below the cmc and increase above the cmc. The steep decrease in reduced viscosity took place in dilute concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions. In the surface tension vs. concentration diagram, the concentration at which the two linear portions of the curve intersect represents the cmc. The addition of nonionic surfactant decreases this crossed point of sodium dodecyl sulfate and finally obscures the crossed point. These reults are interpreted in terms of an interaction between sodium dodecyl sulfate and nonionic surfactant.
Amine‐malonaldehyde condensation products and their relative color contribution in the thiobarbituric acid test
Authors: Buttkus H. , Bose R. J.
Published: June 2007

Different malonaldehyde‐amine condensation products were tested for their relative color contribution to the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test, an indicator for oxidative rancidity of polyunsaturated lipids. The open chain mono‐ and disubstituted malonaldehyde (M) addition products (R‐N=CH‐CH=CHOH and R‐N=CH‐CH=CH‐NH‐R) gave complete (100%) recovery ofM on a mole basis. When theM residue was incorporated into cyclic products which formed between the ureido‐ or guanidino‐ substituents of α‐amino acids such as citrulline or arginine andM, recovery ofM by the TBA color test was 30% and 6%, respectively. Products, from imine‐amine type interactions, containing theM residue as in pyrazoline or pyrazole ring systems, released from 4% to noM.
Determination of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk: A modified Jacobson, Harmeyer and Wiseman method
Authors: McKinney John D.
Published: June 2007

A modification of the method of Jacobson, Harmeyer and Wiseman for the determination of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk is made, eliminating the column clean‐up which gives clean extracts, and good recoveries comparable to the parent procedure. Recoveries within the limits of visual comparison are obtained from spiked raw milk samples containing 0.3 ppb, and clean‐up is sufficient to quantitize levels of 0.2 ppb in naturally contaminated raw milk. Deproteinized milk (80% methanol extracts) is adjusted to a 50% methanol concentration with 4% sodium chloride solution and lipids removed by extraction with hexane. Aflatoxin M1 is extracted from the 50% methanol and sodium chloride phase with chloroform. The chloroform extract containing aflatoxin M1 is then washed with 4% sodium chloride solution dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated on a steam bath under nitrogen. The dry residue is then dissolved in chloroform and spotted on silica gel thin layer plate and developed according to the procedure of Stubblefield, Shotwell and Shannon.
Some problems involved in the water wash of neutralized vegetable oils
Authors: Braae Ben , Brimberg Ulla , Nyman Marianne
Published: June 2007

An investigation of the removal of soap from neutralized vegetable oils by washing with water has shown that some oils are obtained practically soap‐free after only one water wash whereas the soap in other oils cannot be removed even by repeated washing. Coconut, palm, and olive oils are easily washed whereas linseed and rapeseed oils are not. Peanut, sunflowerseed, soybean, and cottonseed oils are sometimes washable and sometimes not.

With unwashable oils different methods for soap determination give inconsistent results because calcium and magnesium soaps, or other naturally‐occurring compounds of these metals, are not determined to the same extent by these methods. Calcium and magnesium in the crude oils are probably combined with phosphatides or other lipids and remain to some extent in this state after neutralization. Calcium and magnesium present as soaps or as any other compound may be detected easily in crude, neutralized, and washed oils by the titration method of Wolff.

Washability of neutralized oils may be improved in a number of ways; the most efficient is pre‐treatment with concentrated phosphoric acid or re‐refining with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. Either of these treatments can be applied in batch or continuous refining processes. To prevent contamination of washable oils with calcium and magnesium, soft water should be used for washing and in preparation of refining solutions.
Studies on castor oil. II. Hydrogenation of castor oil
Authors: Sreenivasan B. , Kamath N. R. , Kane J. G.
Published: June 2007

Products of low iodine value (<10.0) and hydroxyl value (35–40) can be readily obtained by hydrogenating castor oil at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures of the order of 220°, using 1.0% Raney nickel.

Dehydration of ricinoleic acid and subsequent hydrogenation of the resulting double bond as also simple saturation of ricinoleic acid are the main reactions occurring during the hydrogenation of castor oil under ordinary conditions.

Increase in the amount of catalyst favors more the hydrogenation of double bond at lower temperatures and both dehydration and hydrogenation at about 220°, which seems to be the optimum temperature for the maximum conversion of ricinoleic acid into nonhydroxy acids with both Raney and dryreduced nickel at atmospheric pressures.

Higher proportions of catalyst, addition of catalyst stepwise, and higher temperature of hydrogenation cause considerable splitting and estolide formation.

When hydrogenation is carried out at room temperature, under a pressure of 40 p.s.i. with alcohol as solvent, a product rich in monohydroxy stearic acid is obtained.

True unsaturation of hydrogenated castor oil is measured by the Wijs method at 15–20°C.
The use of coloring ingredients in fatty food products. Their physiology, chemistry, and stability
Authors: Geminder John J. , Macdonough E. Everett
Published: June 2007

Vegetable oil suspensions of ethyl bixin andbeta‐carotene, to which vitamin A may be added, have excellent stability and are readily adaptable for use in coloring margarine and other fatty food products. Based on normal finished product turnover these colorants maintain adequate stability. In frying fats and popcorn oils only FD&C Yellows 3 and 4 are completely stable.
Processing of edible peanut flour and grits
Authors: Ayres J. L. , Branscomb L. L. , Rogers G. M.
Published: June 2007

Edible peanut flour and grits have been produced by a commercial prepress solvent extraction method. The finished flour exhibits excellent extrusion‐expansion characteristics for use in both cereal and snack food items. Soluble carbohydrate profile indicates peanut flour is lower in raffinose and stachyose than commercial soy flour. The bland flavor and light tan color facilitates incorporation of peanut flour and grits into a wide range of food products.
Aqueous extraction—An alternative oilseed milling process
Authors: Cater Carl M. , Rhee Khee Choon , Hagenmaier Robert D. , Mattil Karl F.
Published: June 2007

Oil can be removed from oilseed materials by a process which consists of an aqueous extraction of the comminuted seed, followed by a centrifugal separation which divides the aqueous extract into oil, solid, and aqueous phases. The protein may be recovered in the solids or aqueous phase, depending upon the conditions selected. Unit operations of this process are grinding, solid‐liquid separation, centrifugation, demulsification, and drying of products. Aqueous extraction has been applied, to date, to coconuts and peanuts. For coconuts, a procedure has been developed to recover 93% of the oil and 91% of the protein. The major protein product is 25% protein and, when reconstituted in water, forms an acceptable beverage. The estimated production cost of this product is $.24/1b. For peanuts, the recovery of oil was 89% and protein 92% for the concentrate procedure, whereas the corresponding values for the isolate procedure were 86% and 89%, respectively. The costs of production were estimated as $.17/1b of concentrate (67% protein) and $.28/1b of isolate (89% protein). Aqueous extraction offers several advantages over conventional solvent extraction‐less initial capital investments, safer operation, capability of discontinuous operation, and production of a variety of products. Another advantage of aqueous processing is the capability for utilization of certain chemicals to remove or inactivate undesirable substances. In the case of peanuts, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypoehlorite have proven to be effective for destruetion of aflatoxins. Aqueous processing has the potential for application to a variety of other oilseeds.