bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Origin of bicyclic fatty acids in tall oil
Authors: Hase Anneli , Harva O. , Pakkanen Tuula
Published: June 2007

It was shown that two bicyclic fatty acids present in Finnish tall oil were formed from (5Z, 9Z, 12Z)‐5, 9, 12‐octadecatrienoic acid, pinolenic acid (I). Under the alkaline conditions of sulfate pulping, pinolenic acid forms conjugated isomers which undergo Diels‐Alder cyclization during the heating in the tall oil distillation. The cyclization products, here called cyclopinolenic acids, are bicyclic fatty acids and stereoisomers of 4‐(5‐pentyl‐3a, 4,5,7a‐tetrahydro‐4‐indanyl) butanoic acid (IV and V).
Study on skin roughness caused by surfactants: II. Correlation between protein denaturation and skin roughness
Authors: Imokawa G. , Sumura K. , Katsumi M.
Published: June 2007

An attempt to determine protein denaturing potency of typical surfactants has been made by measuring specific rotation of bovine serum albumin. The potencies obtained were examined in relation to the intensities of skin roughness in vivo caused by the surfactants, and a noticeable correlation was found between them. This fact also suggested that the cause of skin roughness may be attributed to a certain extent to adsorption of surfactants. In addition, this technique is very useful in predicting the skin roughening potency of a surfactant without using human skin.
Effect of antioxidants on refined palm oil
Authors: Fritsch C. W. , Weiss V. E. , Anderson R. H.
Published: June 2007

Alkali refined palm oil and hydrogenated cotton‐seed oil were stabilized with butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and tertiary butylhydroquinone. Under bulk storage temperatures significant reductions in the peroxide formation of palm oil were obtained only with tertiary butyl‐hydroquinone. The reduction in peroxide formation with tertiary butylhydroquinone was much greater than anticipated from the active oxygen method results. The stability improvement of a snack product fried in palm oil stabilized with tertiary butylhydroquinone depended greatly on the frying conditions used. Under mild frying conditions tertiary butyl‐hydroquinone had somewhat greater carry‐through than butylated hydroxytoluene. Under more severe frying conditions tertiary butylhydroquinone provided less protection than butylated hydroxytoluene. Both palm oil and hydrogenated cottonseed oil stabilized with only butylated hydroanisole had higher active oxygen stabilities than the unstabilized controls; however, no reduction in peroxide formation of the butylated hydroxyanisole oils compared to the controls was found during storage of the oil or the snack product at 50–60 C.
Mixed sulfated tallow alkanolamides as lime soap dispersing agents
Authors: Bistline R. G. , Noble W. R. , Linfield W. M.
Published: June 2007

Sulfated alkanolamides of hydrogenated tallow fatty acids have been shown to possess excellent lime soap dispersing and detergent properties. However the high melting points of the alkanolamides and their relative insolubility in organic solvents such as dichloroethane make sulfation on an industrial scale awk ward. This difficulty has been overcome by the use of a eutectic mixture of the N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)amide and N‐(2‐[2‐hydroxyethoxy]ethyl)amide of unhydrogenated tallow fatty acids. The sulfation of such a mixture can be carried out at or slightly above room temperature, and only a small amount of a chlorinated solvent is required in order to keep the sulfation mixture fluid. The resulting sulfated mixed alkanolamide is an excellent lime soap dispersing agent, which is formulated readily with tallow soap and a glassy silicate into an effective heavy duty detergent.
Composition and related nutritional and organoleptic aspects of palm oil
Authors: Clegg A. J.
Published: June 2007

Palm oil is a fruit‐coat fat that is low in sterols and rich in vitamins A and E. Up to 50% of its fatty acids are unsaturated, and linoleic acid constitutes up to 11% of the total acids. Its composition makes it an edible oil of nutritional importance and endows it with an inherent stability to oxidation, which has important organoleptic connotations. Variations in composition can occur for a number of reasons but, in general, oils produced in plantation countries have reasonably consistent properties.
The relationship between the greying of textiles and the frictional electricity generated in organic solvent systems
Authors: Brewer George E. F.
Published: June 2007

Frictional electricities in two‐component solvent systems have been measured with an electronic amplifier by use of metal cells in which relative motion was produced by a rotating shaft covered by a textile sleeve.

The observed voltages and amperages depend upon the rate of agitation, the relative size of cell and rotor, and upon the less well controlled influence of atmospheric and mechanical conditions on the textile materials. The described equipment allows a reproducibility of±30% for the measurement of frictional electricity.

Mixtures of solvent pairs were tested, and one or more maxima and/or minima of frictional electricity were observed in these two‐component systems with a reproducibility of ±2% by volume composition.

Samples of textile materials were subjected to tests for greying by colloidal graphite‐stearic acid suspensions in two‐component solvent systems. The greying was found to increase and decrease with the observed frictional electricities.

Data are reported for frictional electricity and greying observed in Stoddard‐trichloro ethylene and also in Stoddard‐tert. butanol mixtures.
Geometric isomerization of fatty acids with nickel catalyst
Authors: Grompone Maria A. , Moyna Patrick
Published: June 2007

Cis‐trans isomerization studies were performed on commercial oleic acid and refined sunflower oil. Reactions were carried out at constant temperature, under inert atmosphere (without hydrogen), using an industrial nickelcontaining hydrogenation catalyst.

With sunflower oil, hydrogen transfer and polymerization were concurrent with the formation ofrans isomers.
A simple method for estimation of cetane index of vegetable oil methyl esters
Authors: Krisnangkura Kanit
Published: June 2007

This article illustrates a simple method for estimation of cetane indexes of vegetable oil methyl esters from their saponification and iodine numbers. The range of the calculated values covers all the cetane numbers of vegetable oil methyl esters determined experimentally. when it was applied to individual fatty acid methyl esters from C8 to C24, a straight line parallel to that of Klopfenstein was obtained.
Surfactants for hard‐surface cleaning: Mechanisms of solid soil removal
Authors: Cox Michael F.
Published: June 2007

Soil‐submersion tests were performed with several solid, organic soils to examine the effects of surfactant structure on soil removal. Results show that hydrophobe size and Hydrophile‐Lipophile Balance (HLB) affect soil removal processes. Data also indicate that soil removal first requires penetration of the surfactant (and associated water molecules) into the soil. After this liquefaction process begins, other processes (e.g., emulsification, mechanical action, reduction in soil adhesion) can commence which actually remove soil.
Surfactant precipitation in aqueous solutions containing mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants
Authors: Stellner Kevin L. , Scamehorn John F.
Published: June 2007

The salinity tolerance (precipitation phase boundary) is measured for a mixed anionic/nonionic surfactant system above the CMC. For any total surfactant concentration, the salinity tolerance is shown to increase as the percentage of nonionic surfactant in the system is increased. A model is developed which can predict the phase boundaries for the mixed surfactant system from the pure anionic surfactant phase boundary and information about mixed micelle formation. In the model, precipitation is viewed as a solubility product relationship between the anionic surfactant monomer and the total unassociated counterion. The reason that salinity tolerance (or counterion concentration necessary to cause precipitation) increases with addition of nonionic surfactant is that mixed micelle formation reduces the anionic surfactant monomer concentration. For the experimental studies, sodium dodecyl sulfate is the anionic surfactant, a polyethoxylated nonylphenol is the nonionic surfactant, and sodium chloride is the added salt.
Utilization potential ofCrambe abyssinica
Authors: Bruun Johannes H. , Matchett John R.
Published: June 2007

Crambe abyssinica can be grown in the principal wheat growing areas of Western U. S. and in the Northern Corn Belt states with yields of 2000 lb of seed/acre. The seed contains 35% oil, in which erucic acid constitutes 60% of the total fatty acids. The erucic acid can be converted by ozonolysis into brassylic and pelargonic acids. It has been estimated that the chemical industry could afford to pay about 7.7ঁ/lb for theCrambe oil, when used for the production of both brassylic and pelargonic acid, assuming an 85% ozonolysis yield for the oil and a sales price of 35ঁ/lb for brassylic acid and 15ঁ/lb for pelargonic acid. A higher price could be justified if some of the indicated improvements could be accomplished. The net dollar return/acre has been conservatively estimated to be about $19/acre. The potential market for theCrambe crop would probably require the planting of about 65,000 acres.
Laboratory sulfonation methods for detergent alkylbenzenes
Authors: Liddicoet T. H. , Olund S. A.
Published: June 2007

Laboratory methods are described for evaluation of alkylbenzenes by three different sulfonation techniques: batch oleum sulfonation, continuous oleum sulfonation, and batch sulfur trioxide‐air sulfonation. Sulfonation conditions such as temp, mixing, and reaction time are carefully controlled; and the resulting sulfonates are reproducible in quality. Of particular interest is the close control of the sulfonating agent feed rate. In the batch oleum method, this is accomplished by flow through a calibrated capillary under constant head and in the SO3‐air method, by constant rate injection of liquid SO3 into the vaporizer. In the continuous oleum method, both alkylate and oleum feed rates are kept at desired levels with a duplex positive displacement pump which pumps against spring‐loaded ball check valves in the lines to the mixing pump.

Sulfonation data (including solution colors and unsulfonated oil contents of the products) are presented for several commercial detergent alkylbenzenes varying in average mol wt from 241舑267. Quality of the alkylbenzene is more critical for the continuous oleum and batch SO3‐air methods than for the batch oleum sulfonation.
Bleaching of refined cottonseed oil with modified alumina adsorbents
Authors: Pons Walter A. , Kuck James C. , Frampton Vernon L.
Published: June 2007

Activated aluminas, modified by treatment with inorganic and organic acids were tested for their efficiency as bleaching agents and for their ability to eliminate the response of refined cottonseed oil to the Halphen test. The best of these adsorbents, an alumina containing catalytic amounts of adsorbed sulfurous acid, is a bleaching agent that is effective in removing problem pigments from offcolored cottonseed oils, and is superior to activated aluminas in removing green chlorophyll‐like pigments. Oils bleached with the catalytic adsorbent are negative to the Halphen test, and are free of sulfur.

Study of the rate of reduction in the Halphen test response as a function of bleaching time and temp indicated that sulfurous acid treated alumina has a pronounced catalytic effect. The Halphen test response is eliminated during a 30 min bleaching period at 225C. Deodorization conditions employed had little effect on Halphen test reduction.
The acute oral toxicity of cottonseed pigment glands and intraglandular pigments
Authors: El‐Nockrashy A. S. , Lyman C. M. , Dollahite J. W.
Published: June 2007

Acute oral toxicity studies were carried out on cottonseed pigment glands, gossypol, diaminogossypol and gossypurpurin using rats as experimental animals. It was found that both diaminogossypol and gossypurpurin are considerably less toxic than pure gossypol. The pigment glands were more toxic than gossypol and it was concluded that the toxicity of pigments cannot be accounted for entirely on the basis of their gossypol content.

Administration of gossypol with cottonseed oil orSterculia foetida oil, both of which contain cyclopropene fatty acids, increased the toxicity very slightly over that found when gossypol was administered in corn oil. In the case of corn oil andSterculia foetida oil, the difference was statistically significant.

Less gossypol was also found in the feces when the test dose was given in cottonseed oil orS. foetida oil indicating a possible effect of the cyclopropene fatty acids in increasing gossypol absorption.
Petroselinic acid and nonsaponifiable constituents of parsley seed oil
Authors: Privett O. S. , Nadenicek J. D. , Weber R. P. , Pusch F. J.
Published: June 2007

Selective extraction of parsley seed oil (Petroselinum sativum) facilitates the isolation of myristiein (5‐allyl‐1‐methoxy‐2,3‐methylenedioxybenzene) and is also useful for the preparation of petroselinic acid from the triglycerides of this oil. Coriander seed oil (Coriandrum sativum) is also a satisfactory source for the isolation of petroselinic acid.
The preparation of lauryl alcohol and 6‐hydroxycaproic acid from petroselinic acid
Authors: Fore Sara P. , Ward T. L. , Dollear F. G.
Published: June 2007

Lauryl alcohol and 6‐hydroxycaproic acid have been prepared from the ozonolysis products from both petroselinic acid and its ethyl ester by reduction with sodium borohydride. Satisfactory conversion of the ozonolysis product from ethyl petroselinate to lauryl alcohol and ethyl 6‐hydroxycaproate was also achieved by catalytic hydrogenation, but the hydrogenation product was contaminated with small amounts of diethyl adipate and ethyl laurate as indicated by gas liquid chromatography. A procedure has been devised using ion exchange resin for the conversion of sodium 6‐hydroxycaproate to 6‐hydroxycaproic acid without the concomitant formation of lactones or polyesters.
Hydrogenation of methyl linolenate. II. Studies on the structure of the isolinoleic acids
Authors: Rebello Damascene , Daubert B. F.
Published: June 2007

The methyl isolinoleate fraction obtained by the low temperature crystallization procedure was found to be a mixture of at least three isomers, the 8,14‐, 9,15‐, and 10,14‐ isolinoleic acids. The infrared absorption spectrum of this fraction indicated atrans‐configuration for at least one of the double bonds of isolinoleic acid.

The Twitchell lead salt‐alcohol method was found unsuitable for the determination of saturated acids, due to the presence of a “solid isolinoleic” acid in the “solid” acids separated by this method.
Alkyl hydroxyanisoles as antioxidants
Authors: Rosenwald R. H. , Chenicek J. A.
Published: June 2007

The antioxidant potency of a substituted hydroxyanisole greatly depends on the orientation of the substituents which make up the molecule. This fact is demonstrated by the synthesis and evaluation of a number of alkyl substituted hydroxyanisoles as to antioxidant effectiveness in the stabilization of lard. In the case of the derivatives of 4‐hydroxyanisole, maximum potency is realized by placement of a t‐butyl group in the number 3 position relative to the methoxy group. The substitution of other groups such as one or two methyl groups, a butyl group of normal, iso, or secondary configuration, or a t‐butyl group in the number 2 position leads to an antioxidant of lower potency. The potencies of the three t‐butylhydroxyphenetoles are comparable to those of the corresponding t‐butylhydroxyanisoles. The effectiveness of butylated 2‐ and 3‐hydroxyanisoles are all low; it is essential that the hydroxy group be in the 4‐position relative to the methoxy group.

The stability of baked goods (soda crackers) is greater with lard inhibited with 3‐t‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyanisole than with 2‐t‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyanisole.
Reactions of fatty materials with oxygen. VIII. Cis‐trans isomerization during autoxidation of methyl oleate
Authors: Knight H. B. , Eddy C. Roland , Swern Daniel
Published: June 2007

Methyl oleate irradiated with ultra‐violet light has been autoxidized at 35° and the reaction has been followed by means of the infrared spectrophotometer. During the extremely early stages of autoxidation and continuing up to at least 700 hours, a cis‐trans isomerization induced by oxygen is one of the reactions which occurs.

The data suggest that most, if not all, of the peroxides produced during the autoxidation of methyl oleate, at least up to 300 hours, are trans peroxides and not methyl oleate peroxides, as had been previously supposed. A mechanism for the formation of trans peroxides from allylic free radicals is proposed.

Mechanisms are also proposed for the formation of non‐peroxidic trans materials during autoxidation. These could explain the formation of trans‐9,10‐epoxystearic acid and high melting 9,10‐dihydroxystearic acid from autoxidizing oleic acid.
The equilibrium moisture content of tung fruit and its components at different relative humidities
Authors: Holmes Raiford L. , McKinney Robert S. , Minor J. C.
Published: June 2007

The equilibrium moisture contents at 25°C. were determined for the whole tung fruit, the outer hull, the inner hull, shell, kernels, and seed of the fruit, and on the cake from continuous screw presses at nine different relative humidities. The relative humidities were maintained by enclosing saturated solutions of different salts in desiccators in a room maintained at constant temperature.
Evaluation of yield and chemical composition of fennel seed from different planting dates and row‐spacings
Authors: Moreau J. P. , Holmes R. L. , Ward T. L. , Williams J. H.
Published: June 2007

In an evaluation of potential oilseed crops, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) was planted at Lincoln, Nebraska, on three dates and at three row‐spacings. Yields from the two earliest dates averaged 518 lb/acre, compared with 102 lb/acre for the latest date. Differences in yields for the row‐spacings were not statistically significant, nor was there interaction between dates and row‐spacings.

Oil content of the seed varied from 10.7 to 19.0% for all plantings, the significantly higher amounts occurring in seed from the earliest plantings. The amount of petroselinic acid present as C18 monoenes was found by ozonization of the mixed methyl esters, reduction to aldehydes, and consequent GLC analysis; the amount ranged from 70.0舑74.5% of the oil and was not significantly affected by either planting date or row‐spacing.
Foam test method
Authors: Kelly W. R. , Borza P. F.
Published: June 2007

This method measures the height of foam developed by pouring. The action is intermittent, time being alloted strictly for foam decay, as well as for foam generation. Comparative or duplicate tests can be prolonged indefinitely, or until a steadied state is reached. Tests on solutions may be carried out at various temperatures and in the presence or absence of soils, or foamicides, that may be added at any time. Foam heights can be measured with reasonable precision.
Euphorbia andVernonia seed oil products as plasticizer‐Stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride
Authors: Krewson C. F. , Riser G. R. , Scott W. E.
Published: June 2007

Seed oils ofEuphorbia lagascae Spreng. andVernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. were prepared, refined and epoxidized; trivernolin was prepared fromV. anthelmintica and also epoxidized. These products were each comparatively evaluated as plasticizer‐stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride against commercial controls. EpoxidizedEuphorbia andVernonia oils and epoxidized trivernolin have potential value as primary plasticizers with the added advantage of increased heat and light stability; they could also be used in combination with other plasticizers utilizing the latter properties. Crude and refinedEuphorbia andVernonia oils are not considered suitable primary plasticizers because of poor compatibility and permanence; at low levels they probably could be used as stabilizers.
Conjugated dienes and trienes from methyl oleate and methyl linoleate
Authors: Perlstein Theodore , Eisner Abner , Ault Waldo C.
Published: June 2007

Methyl oleate and methyl linoleate were converted to conjugated dienes and trienes, respectively, by selecting and modifying the conventional procedures usually applied to the generation and characterization of fatty hydroperoxides. Conditions have been studied in the laboratory for: (a) the optimum production of hydroperoxides with a minimum of by‐products, (b) the effective separation and concentration of the resulting hydroperoxide, (c) the economic reduction of the hydroperoxide mixture, (d) simple dehydration of the reduced product, and, (e) recovery of the resulting polyene‐rich material. If the processing sequence is halted after the reduction step, the resulting product,is a mixture of allylic hydroxy monoene or diene methyl esters. Our investigations have been extended to include studies on the methyl esters of commercial oleic acid and the mixture of methyl esters resulting from alcoholysis of lard oil. Products containing 20舑25% conjugated diene and lesser proportions of conjugated triene were obtained.
Empirical relationships between iodine value and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in marine oils and lipids
Authors: Ackman R. G.
Published: June 2007

From data obtained in this laboratory two empirical formulas have been developed which correlate polyunsaturated fatty acids indicated by GLC analyses with iodine values of marine oils or their fatty acid methyl esters. These formulas have been applied to data from the literature with good agreement. It is suggested that these formulas function only with fats having the basic composition of marine lipids, which consist principally of saturated, monounsaturated and very highly unsaturated fatty acids. The presence of modest amounts of dienoic and trienoic fatty acids such as are found in freshwater aquatic life and in land animals makes the formulas inapplicable, suggesting their use to distinguish marine fish oils and lipids from other types. The formulas could be particularly useful in technological applications of marine oils where a rapid and approximate knowledge of amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids is desirable.
Recent advances in the determination of the structure of fatty acids via ozonolysis
Authors: Privett O. S. , Nickell E. C.
Published: June 2007

Important factors and new techniques in the application of ozonolysis to the localization of double bond positions in unsaturated fatty acids are elaborated. Solvent polarity was shown to exert a profound influence on the yield and composition of ozonides. The influence of fatty acid structure on ozonide formation and the thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) of ozonides of a number of different types of unsaturated fatty acids are illustrated. Simple methods for the ozonization of unsaturated fatty acid esters and the cleavage of ozonides by reduction and pyrolysis are described. Applications of ozonolysis to the determination of the structures of geometric isomers, hydroxy, epoxy and cyclic olefinic fatty acids, and the localization of radioactivity along the chain of unsaturated fatty acids are illustrated.
Diacetyl as the buttery flavor component in soybean oil
Authors: Seals R. G. , Hammond E. G.
Published: June 2007

Soybean oil often exhibits a buttery flavor in the early stages of autoxidation. Molecular distiliates from 舠buttery舡 soybean oil consisted of aqueous and oily layers. The aqueous layer contained the buttery flavor. During gas chromatography, the buttery flavor compound had a retention time similar to diacetyl on both polar and nonpolar columns. Diacetyl‐bis‐2,4‐dinitrophenyl‐hydrazone was isolated from the aqueous layer of the distillate. Diacetyl added to fresh soybean oil faithfully reproduced the buttery flavor.
The status of safflower
Authors: Kneeland J. A.
Published: June 2007

The US safflower industry has matured in the relatively short period of 15 years to a position of stature in terms of stable oil prices, modern processing, and world‐wide distribution. This dry land crop is grown in rotation with barley, wheat, rice and other grains. The higher oil content seed developed by the agronomists' reduction of hull content content has made safflower more valuable to domestic and foreign markets. US production has increased to more than 300,000 tons. Processing of the seed is done by conventional methods, preferably continuous serew pressing and solvent extraction.

The future of safflower will depend primarily upon the demand for linoleic‐acid based products舒either in foods such as the new margarines and other polyunsaturated products, or industrial uses of nonyellowing drying oils, and chemical modifications of linoleic acid. Secondarily, it will depend upon more sophisticated utilization of the protein by‐products.
Growing up in a Violent Society: Longitudinal Predictors of Violence in Colombian Adolescents
Authors: Brook Judith S. , Brook David W. , Whiteman Martin
Published: June 2007

Although violence and homicide are more prevalent in Colombia, South America than the US, the role of psychosocial factors in the violent behavior of Colombian adolescents remains unclear. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the interrelation of domains of personality, familial, peer, and ecological variables associated with violence in a community sample of adolescents from various self‐reported ethnic groups in Colombia. The sample consisted of 1,151 male adolescents selected from three Colombian cities. The participants were surveyed using structured interviews at two points in time over a 2‐year interval. Data were collected concerning adolescent personal attributes, family characteristics, peer, and ecological factors, including drug availability and the prevalence of violence in the community. The dependent variable was the self‐reported frequency of the adolescent's violent behavior. The results supported a model in which violent behavior was correlated independently over time with a number of risk factors from several domains. Evidence for the hypothesized mediated effects of the familial monitoring and bonding domain, the peer domain, the ecological domain, and prior victimization related to personal attributes and contemporaneous violence and the adolescent's violent behavior 2 years later was also found. The findings suggest the use of specific intervention procedures with adolescents to prevent their subsequent violent behavior.
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of a 1,3-dicyclohexylurea nanosuspension formulation to support early efficacy assessment
Authors: Wahlstrom Jan L , Chiang Po-Chang , Ghosh Sarbani , Warren Chad J , Wene Steve P , Albin Lesley A , Smith Mark E , Roberds Steven L
Published: June 2007

Time and resource constraints necessitate increasingly early decisions to advance or halt pre-clinical drug discovery programs. Early discovery or “tool” compounds may be potent inhibitors of new targets, but all too often they exhibit poor pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic properties that make early assessment of in vivo efficacy difficult. 1,3-Dicyclohexylurea, a potent and selective inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), reduces blood pressure in hypertensive preclinical animal models when administered intraperitoneally using DMSO/corn oil as a delivery vehicle. However, the poor aqueous solubility of DCU poses a challenge for in vivo dosing in a multiple dose situation. Therefore, we developed a nanosuspension formulation of DCU to support oral, intravenous bolus and intravenous infusion dosing. Use of the nanosuspension formulation maintained DCU free plasma levels above the sEH IC50 and demonstrated that the application of formulation technology can accelerate in vivo evaluation of new targets by enabling pharmacodynamic studies of poorly soluble compounds.
Origin of defect-related green emission from ZnO nanoparticles: effect of surface modification
Authors: Gong Yinyan , Andelman Tamar , Neumark Gertrude F , O’Brien Stephen , Kuskovsky Igor L
Published: June 2007

We investigated the optical properties of colloidal-synthesized ZnO spherical nanoparticles prepared from 1-octadecene (OD), a mixture of trioctylamine (TOA) and OD (1:10), and a mixture of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and OD (1:12). It is found that the green photoluminescence (PL) of samples from the mixture of TOA/OD and TOPO/OD is largely suppressed compared with that from pure OD. Moreover, it is found that all spherical nanoparticles have positive zeta potential, and spherical nanoparticles from TOA/OD and TOPO/OD have a smaller zeta potential than those from OD. A plausible explanation is that oxygen vacancies, presumably located near the surface, contribute to the green PL, and the introduction of TOA and TOPO will reduce the density of oxygen vacancies near the surfaces. Assuming that the green emission arises due to radiative recombination between deep levels formed by oxygen vacancies and free holes, we estimate the size of optically active spherical nanoparticles from the spectral energy of the green luminescence. The results are in good agreement with results from TEM. Since this method is independent of the degree of confinement, it has a great advantage in providing a simple and practical way to estimate the size of spherical nanoparticles of any size. We would like to point out that this method is only applicable for samples with a small size distribution.
Home visits by specially trained nurses after discharge from multi‐disciplinary pain care: A cost consequence analysis based on a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sørensen Jan , Frich Liv
Published: June 2007

Objectives: To analyse the cost consequences of a nurse follow‐up intervention for chronic non‐malignant pain patients discharged from multidisciplinary pain treatment.

Methods: The cost consequence analysis was based on a prospective, randomised controlled trial where 102 consecutive patients were randomised to either an intervention group (n=52) or a control group (n=50). During the 2‐year intervention period, nurses visited patients every 4th month (7 times in total). Changes in health status were measured by the 8 SF‐36 sub‐scales. Intervention costs were based on prospective registrations of nurses’ time use. Data on health care cost and resource use were collected retrospectively from administrative registers.

Results: No statistically significant differences in health status were observed between the two groups after the 2‐year intervention period. The cost of the nurse intervention programme itself was 35,000€ (2004‐prices). The average cost per patient was estimated at 668€ per patient. During the observation period the average patient in the intervention group used other health care resources worth 4004€, while the average patient in the control group used 7464€. This difference (3460€, 46%) was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The nurse intervention did not significantly influence patients’ health status. Patients in the intervention group tended to use fewer health care resources than those in the control group and the cost of the intervention was more than balanced out by savings in other health care resources.
Acute non-ambulatory tetraparesis attributable to cranial cervical intervertebral disc disease in a cat
Authors: Maritato Karl C. , Colon Jose A. , Mauterer John V.
Published: June 2007

A 10-year-old domestic longhair cat was presented for acute non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Clinicopathologic diagnostics revealed no abnormalities. Cervical myelogram revealed an extradural compressive lesion consistent with intervertebral disc disease of the C2–C3 intervertebral disc space. Ventral slot decompression confirmed the presence of extruded intervertebral disc material into the vertebral canal of the C2–C3 intervertebral space. The patient succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest 3 days postoperatively.
Reply by Zafeiridis and Mougios
Authors: Zafeiridis Andreas , Mougios Vassilis
Published: June 2007

We thank Drs Burns and Stensel for their interest in our work. We agree that the published articles on the delayed effect of resistance exercise (RE) on postprandial lipaemia (PL) provide controversial results. Three studies1–3 employed comparable methodologies in terms of exercise protocol and feeding plan of the subjects, that is, two to four sets of eight to eleven exercises at relatively similar intensities (about 10–12 repetitions maximum (RM)) with 1·5–2·0 min of rest between sets and a standardised meal on the night prior to the fat tolerance test. These studies reported a decrease1,3 or no change2 in the postprandial lipaemic response. A fourth study4 employed a similar RE protocol but focused on maintaining the subjects in a state of energy balance by increasing food intake up to two-fold after RE v. control on the night prior to the fat tolerance test. This study found no significant effect of RE on PL.
Effects of anthocyanin-rich purple potato flakes on antioxidant status in F344 rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet
Authors: Han Kyu-Ho , Matsumoto Asami , Shimada Ken-ichiro , Sekikawa Mitsuo , Fukushima Michihiro
Published: June 2007

We examined the antioxidant effects of polyphenol/anthocyanin-rich potato (Solanum tuberosumcv. Shadow-Queen) flakes in male rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. The rats were served either a high-cholesterol (0·5 % cholesterol plus 0·125 % sodium cholate) diet, or a high-cholesterol diet containing a mixture of 243 g α-maize starch/kg supplemented with one of the following (per kg diet): 300 g medium purple potato (Shadow-Queen), 300 g white potato (Solanum tuberosumcv. Toyoshiro) or 300 g dark purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatascv. Ayamurasaki) flakes for 28 d. We analysed thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in the serum and liver, and antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver. At this dosage, TBARS levels in the serum and liver of the Shadow-Queen and Ayamurasaki groups were significantly lower than those in the control and Toyoshiro groups. The serum urate levels in all the flake groups were significantly lower than that in the control group. The hepatic glutathione levels in the Shadow-Queen and Ayamurasaki groups were significantly higher than in the control and Toyoshiro groups. The activities of hepatic glutathione reductase and glutathioneS-transferase in the Shadow-Queen and Ayamurasaki groups were significantly greater than those in the control group. These results show that modulation of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative status in the serum and liver by the purple potato flake diet (Shadow-Queen) containing polyphenols/anthocyanins may play an important role in the protection against adverse effects related to oxidative damage in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.
Strawberry pelargonidin glycosides are excreted in urine as intact glycosides and glucuronidated pelargonidin derivatives in rats
Authors: Felgines Catherine , Texier Odile , Besson Catherine , Lyan Bernard , Lamaison Jean-Louis , Scalbert Augustin
Published: June 2007

Anthocyanins are natural dietary pigments with a wide array of biological properties that are possibly involved in the prevention of various diseases. These properties depend on their absorption and metabolism in the body. In the present study we first examined the gastric and intestinal absorption of pelargonidin 3-glucoside (Pg 3-glc) using rat in situ models. A high proportion of Pg 3-glc was rapidly absorbed from both the stomach (23 %) and small intestine (24 %). Its metabolism was further studied by feeding rats during 8 d with a diet enriched in freeze-dried strawberries. Only low amounts of total anthocyanins were recovered in 24 h urine (0·163 (sem 0·013) % of ingested anthocyanins; n 8). Strawberry anthocyanins were analysed in urine by HPLC-electrospray ionisation-tandem MS. Similar proportions of intact glycosides (about 53 %) and glucuronidated metabolites (about 47 %) were found. Pg 3-glc was thus glucuronidated to a larger extent than cyanidin 3-glucoside. These results highlight the influence of the aglycone structure on anthocyanin metabolism.
Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on body composition and energy balance in broiler chickens
Authors: Javadi Marjan , Geelen Math J.H. , Everts Henk , Hovenier Robert , Javadi Shahram , Kappert Henk , Beynen Anton C.
Published: June 2007

The effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on body composition and energy metabolism was investigated in broiler chickens. Male broiler chicks were assigned to receive either a control diet (1 % sunflower oil) or a diet containing CLA (1 % of a 1:1 mixture oftrans-10,cis-12 andcis-9,trans-11 isomers of octadecadienoic acid). The diets were fedad libitumfor 3 weeks and there were eight replicates per diet, each replicate including four chickens so that each treatment had thirty-two animals. The proportion of body fat was lower in the control group than in the CLA group. No significant differences as to the proportions of body water, ash and protein were observed. Feed and energy intake were significantly lower in CLA-fed birds. The percentage of ingested energy lost in excreta was higher after CLA feeding and heat expenditure as a percentage of ingested energy was lower in the CLA-fed group. The CLA-fed group showed a higher percentage of SFA and lower percentages of MUFA and PUFA in carcass fat. It is concluded that CLA stimulatedde novofatty acid synthesis and lowered desaturase activity.
Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of occult primary: beware the tonsillar remnant
Authors: Simo R , O'Connell M
Published: June 2007

Introduction:

Metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma to the neck with an occult primary is a recognised clinical and pathological entity. Despite well established diagnostic protocols, this condition still represents a management challenge.

Case report:

We report the case of a 46-year-old man who presented with metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy of unknown origin. He had undergone tonsillectomy as a child. The only abnormal finding was the presence of a tonsillar remnant, which harboured the primary carcinoma.

Conclusion:

According to our literature search, this is the only recorded case in which the index tumour was found in a tonsillar remnant. This case illustrates the importance of thorough clinical examination in patients with potential unknown primaries, and of the need, in previously tonsillectomised patients, to perform excisional biopsy of the tonsillar remnant.
Paediatric neck abscesses: microbiology and management
Authors: Rustom I K , Sandoe J A T , Makura Z G G
Published: June 2007

Introduction:

Paediatric neck abscesses remain common problems which are sometimes difficult to manage.

Methods and materials:

We conducted a retrospective study of 64 children who underwent incision and drainage of neck abscesses at Leeds General Infirmary from 1 February 2002 to 31 July 2006. The aim of this study was to identify the presenting symptoms in children, the appropriateness of prescribed antibiotics and the role of atypical mycobacteria in neck infections. The outcome measure was clinical resolution of the abscess.

Results:

The mean presenting age was 44.2 months (3.68 years). The commonest sign and symptom was neck mass (96.9 per cent). The mean period of hospitalisation was 3.7 (± standard deviation of 1.9) days. Staphylococcus aureus (48.4 per cent) was the commonest organism cultured. Atypical mycobacteria were found in only 4.7 per cent of the specimens. Flucloxacillin was the most common antibiotic used (57.8 per cent), often in combination with other antimicrobials. The abscess recurrence rate was 4.7 per cent. No fatalities occurred in this series of patients.

Conclusion:

Appropriately prescribed intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage remain the central core of treatment. Atypical mycobacterial infection is an important differential diagnosis of a painless, cervico-facial mass. An algorithm for the management of paediatric neck abscesses is proposed.
History of myringotomy and grommets
Authors: Rimmer J , Giddings C E B , Weir N
Published: June 2007

The first recorded myringotomy was in 1649. Astley Cooper presented two papers to the Royal Society in 1801, based on his observation that myringotomy could improve hearing. Widespread inappropriate use of the procedure followed, with no benefit to patients; this led to it falling from favour for many decades. Hermann Schwartze reintroduced myringotomy later in the nineteenth century. It had been realised earlier that the tympanic membrane heals spontaneously, and much experimentation took place in attempting to keep the perforation open. The first described grommet was made of gold foil. Other materials were tried, including Politzer's attempts with rubber. Armstrong's vinyl tube effectively reintroduced grommets into current practice last century. There have been many eponymous variants, but the underlying principle of creating a perforation and maintaining it with a ventilation tube has remained unchanged. Recent studies have cast doubt over the long-term benefits of grommet insertion; is this the end of the third era?
Parental language input patterns and children's bilingual use
Authors: DE HOUWER ANNICK
Published: June 2007

This article reports on a study that addresses the following question: why do some children exposed to two languages from early on fail to speak those two languages? Questionnaire data were collected in 1,899 families in which at least one of the parents spoke a language other than the majority language. Each questionnaire asked about the home language use of a family consisting of at least one parent and one child between the ages of 6 and 10 years old. The results show that the children in these families all spoke the majority language, but that minority language use was not universal. Differences in parental language input patterns used at home correlated with differences in child minority language use. Home input patterns where both parents used the minority language and where at most one parent spoke the majority language had a high chance of success. The “one parent–one language” strategy did not provide a necessary nor sufficient input condition. Implications for bilingual families are discussed.
The development of phonetic representation in bilingual and monolingual infants
Authors: BURNS TRACEY C. , YOSHIDA KATHERINE A. , HILL KAREN , WERKER JANET F.
Published: June 2007

The development of native language phonetic representations in bilingual infants was compared to that of monolingual infants. Infants (ages 6–8, 10–12, and 14–20 months) from English–French or English-only environments were tested on their ability to discriminate a French and an English voice onset time distinction. Although 6- to 8-month-olds responded similarly irrespective of language environment, by 10–12 months both groups of infants displayed language-specific perceptual abilities: the monolinguals demonstrated realignment to the native English boundary whereas the bilinguals began discriminating both native boundaries. This suggests that infants exposed to two languages from birth are equipped to phonetically process each as a native language and the development of phonetic representation is neither delayed nor compromised by additional languages.
Bilingual children with specific language impairment: Theoretical and applied issues
Authors: PARADIS JOHANNE
Published: June 2007

Bilingualism is often considered an inappropriate developmental choice for children with specific language impairment (SLI) because, according to a widespread belief, these children's limited capacity for language would be overtaxed by learning two linguistic systems. However, there has not been adequate empirical investigation of SLI in bilingual children to support, or refute, this belief and the professional practices that are based on it. On the theoretical side, two opposing perspectives concerning the nature of the deficit in SLI make different predictions for the outcome of children with SLI learning two languages, and one set of predictions is consistent with the popular belief stated above. This article is aimed at addressing both the applied concerns and the theoretical debate with evidence from two studies examining the morphological acquisition of French–English bilingual children with SLI as compared to French and English monolinguals with SLI.
Biophysical and policy drivers of landscape change in a central Vietnamese district
Authors: THIHA  , WEBB EDWARD L. , HONDA KIYOSHI
Published: June 2007

Conservation in a dynamic setting requires understanding the factors leading to landscape change. This study integrated traditional remote sensing and geographic information systems analysis techniques with a narrative policy analysis to assess the 1975–2004 land cover changes and their determinants in Nam Dong district (central Vietnam). Total forest cover of Nam Dong remained stable, but there were major transitions within forest and non-forest categories. Recent policy initiatives, particularly forest land allocation, have resulted in short-term benefit maximization through land speculation and illegal logging, while increased awareness of the economic potential of forests and their products have motivated people to access forests more frequently, leading to a highly dynamic landscape and increased barriers to forest conservation. This study suggests that (1) state-sponsored logging needs to be reduced, (2) forest allocation should proceed more rapidly to give farmers better incentive to improve and protect allocated forests, and (3) small-scale industry should increase. Forest conservation policy must be amended. More research is needed to link household land-use choices with policies, and determine how those choices lead to changes in the landscape.
Comments in Environmental Conservation: developing crucial dialogue in environmental science
Authors: POLUNIN NICHOLAS , WILLIS TREVOR
Published: June 2007

It seems widely accepted that environmental conservation will develop in the right direction only through dialogue across disciplines that is well sourced and objectively argued. Yet most people seem to have different ideas about what constitutes interdisciplinarity and few if any have a clear idea as to how different disciplines should be effectively integrated in the context of conserving the environment. The Comments section of the journal provides a unique opportunity to explore more of this important ground. In effect, Environmental Conservation is aiming for the Comments section to become a regular feature in each issue. This is a new departure to address topical issues of general interest through brief essays that are intended to stimulate discussion. Comments may either challenge or augment the findings of previously published work (in this or other journals), present new interpretations or syntheses of current issues, or suggest new ideas and approaches to environmental conservation, policy and management.
Behaviour change and competitive exclusion can explain the diverging HIV-1 and HIV-2 prevalence trends in Guinea–Bissau
Authors: SCHMIDT W. P. , SCHIM VAN DER LOEFF M. , AABY P. , WHITTLE H. , BAKKER R. , BUCKNER M. , DIAS F. , WHITE R. G.
Published: June 2007

The aim of this study was to determine whether a temporary rise in sexual risk behaviour during war in Guinea–Bissau could explain the observed trends in HIV-1 and HIV-2 prevalence, and to explore the possible contribution of competitive elimination of HIV-2 by HIV-1. A simulation model of the heterosexual transmission of sexually transmitted infections was parameterized using demographic, behavioural and epidemiological data from rural Guinea–Bissau, and fitted to the observed HIV-1 and HIV-2 trends with and without a historic rise in risk behaviour. The observed trends could only be simulated by assuming a temporary rise in risk behaviour. Around 30% of the projected decline in HIV-2 prevalence from a peak of 8·7% to 4·3% in 2010 was due to competitive elimination by HIV-1. Importantly for public health, HIV-1 prevalence was predicted to continue increasing and to become the dominant HIV type by 2010. Data collection is required to validate this prediction.